[The Kingdom Stone Heist: T-4 days. Location: Jade Creek]
On the shore of the lake in the middle of Jade Creek, a lone ochre badger puts himself through a vigorous training routine. Around him, the only sounds are the rustling of leaves in the breeze, the gentle lapping of the water, and the swish of his hanbo. Unbeknownst to the badger, someone is watching him from the bushes: an olive-green lynx waiting patiently for the moment to pounce, her auburn eyes flashing with intent, a wicked smile playing on her lips.
The badger comes to the end of his routine, his back to the lynx. Standing straight, he sheathes his hanbo on his back, and takes a deep breath to relax.
The lynx pounces, knocking the badger flat on the ground, winding him slightly.
"Darn it Maria," Danny sighs, spitting grit and sand. "Do you have to do that?"
"Yes," Maria giggles, rolling off to one side. "How else am I going to practice being a sneaky kitty?"
"By using a sandbag dummy, like you do when practising with your blades?" Danny suggests, rolling over and sitting up.
"But that wouldn't be as much fun," Maria smiles, flopping onto her back.
"At least this time you waited until I'd put my hanbo away," Danny smiles.
"Yeah," Maria sighs, rubbing the top of her head. "I still don't quite remember what happened then. All I do remember is pouncing you, then waking up an hour later with a splitting headache…"
"You didn't actually lose consciousness though. In fact, for the first few minutes, you were quite talkative."
"Really?"
"Really. Couldn't make head-nor-tail of what you were saying though. Especially when you requested '61 scissors'."
"61 scissors? That's silly!" Maria giggles. "Must have been quite a blow."
"It was," Danny confirms as he checks the time. "Training has made me peckish. Fancy an early lunch?"
Maria's stomach grumbles softly. "Thinker says no, tummy says yes," she answers, sitting up. "Tummy wins," she adds a moment later.
Danny stands and heads into the house, Maria following. Once inside, Danny pauses in the den while Maria makes straight for the kitchen.
"Xander?" Danny calls. "You around? We're making lunch."
"Bit early, isn't it?" Xander replies from the direction of his bedroom.
"Yeah, but Maria and I are hungry now, so…"
"Fair enough, be there in a moment."
The phone rings: Danny answers it. "Hello… Yes, we're available… Sure, we can do that… This afternoon then… OK." He hangs up.
"Who was it?" Maria calls from the kitchen.
"HQ," Danny replies. "Seems we have a new assignment."
"What sort of assignment?" Xander asks as he enters the den.
"Intelligence gathering," Danny explains. "We'll get the full briefing at HQ this afternoon."