[20 years before the Brevon Incident]
In a quiet corner of the Red Scarves HQ mess hall, a young malachite mongoose drops her chopsticks at the idea her husband had just proposed.
"You want to start a what?" she asks, both surprised and concerned.
"I want to start a family," the ochre badger replies.
"Elias, we're Red Scarves," the mongoose reminds. "We live our lives one mission to the next. How are we going to find the time to raise a child?"
"I'm aware of our lifestyle," Elias smiles cheekily. "But I think we can do it."
"I don't know…"
"Haylee, I know it sounds scary," Elias continues. "But you know me well enough to know I wouldn't suggest it if I wasn't confident we're both up to it."
"I know," Haylee replies. "It's just… I don't want to be stuck at home all the time. You know I don't do downtime well: I almost went stir crazy those six weeks it took my broken arm to heal."
"That was your own fault for messing up that jump," Elias teases. "Anyway, you won't be stuck at home, not all the time," he assures. "No more than I will be, at any rate. Plus, we'll always be able to get help from the Scarves: we won't be the first to have children."
"Is this a heritage thing?"
"What do you mean?"
"The Brocks are one of the longest lineages in the Scarves, and you're an only child."
"That is true," Elias admits. "And I will admit my heritage is a fairly significant factor."
"Thought as much," Haylee sighs, with just a hint of a smile.
"If you're not comfortable with the idea, then say so," Elias requests, firmly but kindly.
"It's not that," Haylee assures. "I just don't want to rush into things, y'know?"
"Says the woman who proposed less than a year after our first date," Elias grins.
"Touché," Haylee blushes, the memories of that day filling her with a gentle warmth.
"Anyway, I won't force a decision now," Elias assures. "If you're not ready, then you're not ready."
"I guess I just need some time to think, is all," Haylee finishes, picking up her chopsticks and resuming her meal.
The rest of the meal passes in silence, Haylee deep in thought, Elias exhibiting the patience of a saint.
With her plate cleared, Haylee leans back in her chair. "It's going to be expensive to baby‑proof the house," she sighs.
"I knew you couldn't resist," Elias smiles knowingly.
"But before we try for a kid," Haylee continues, "I want to have a few months to just… I dunno… go nuts, I guess. Do as many crazy things as possible before I turn my stomach into a furry medicine ball. Y'know, get it out of my system."
"Sounds like a plan," Elias nods in agreement.
"And of course, get plenty of practice in," Haylee winks suggestively.
"If I must," Elias sighs in mock exasperation, his eyes sparkling with delight.