[2.5 years before the Brevon Incident]
Among the pink trees of Rage Ravine walks a young couple, a fiery orange vixen and a silver hare holding hands, enjoying the midday sunshine and the gentle breeze. Soon, they approach a clearing at the base of a cliff, where they are surprised to find an abandoned part-wood part-stone two-storey house built into the rock.
"I wonder who used to live there," the vixen thinks aloud, speeding up slightly, her curiosity piqued.
"Whoever they were, they've been gone a long time," the hare concludes. "Looks like the place has been mothballed."
The vixen spots some familiar markings. Letting go of the hare's hand, she jogs up to the house and analyses the markings. "Hey Rob, check this out, it's one of ours!"
"Really?" Rob asks as he joins the vixen. "So it is," he agrees after looking at the markings.
"I'm gonna check inside," the vixen decides, heading for the front door.
"Hanna, are you really going to steal from a house the Red Scarves own?" Rob asks.
"Of course not," Hanna replies. "I'm just curious. Plus, that balcony looks a good place to have lunch."
Rob looks up to the balcony Hanna is pointing to. "You have a point." He then hears a click from the front door, turning to look just in time to see Hanna, who has just picked the lock, disappearing inside. "Well, it's easier than climbing up the wall," he sighs to himself as he follows the vixen into the house.
It only takes a minute to find the way up to the top floor, through the master bedroom, and out onto the balcony. "Now that is a view!" Hanna remarks as Rob sets down the hamper and begins to unpack its contents. "I'd like to live somewhere like this one day."
"I've been thinking about a second weapon specialisation," Rob announces suddenly.
"So much for the romance," Hanna sighs, feigning disappointment. "Aren't you happy with the sai?"
"Definitely," Rob assures. "But I'm also drawn to the idea of sniping."
Hanna sits beside Rob as he finishes unpacking the hamper. "For someone who almost quit the Scarves after just a few weeks, you're getting surprisingly comfortable with contract killings," she observes.
"Trust me, I'm more surprised than you are," Rob smiles. "But then four and a half years in the Scarves does open your eyes to the darker side of life, and I've learnt that morality is far from black and white. And sometimes, doing the wrong thing is actually doing the right thing."
"Ah, so there is something going on in that pretty little head of yours," Hanna smirks flirtatiously.
"Keep on like that, and I might choose someone else to be my spotter," Rob retorts playfully. "Actually, thinking about it, that's probably the way to go. Being a spotter requires patience, and we both know you're not the patient sort."
"Are you saying I'm not up to the challenge?" Hanna asks.
"Correct," Rob smirks.
"Darn it Rob, you know me too well," Hanna chuckles. "Of course I'll be your spotter, if only to prove you wrong."
"You wouldn't be you if you refused," Rob smiles.
"True," Hanna agrees. "Now, how about a bit of romance? It is our first anniversary, after all."
"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten," Rob assures. "That was quite something, the night we first kissed," he reminisces. "
"Such a shame our first night together was in a gaol cell," Hanna continues. "Which wouldn't have been so bad if they hadn't left the handcuffs on. And then Leader Metharom made us wear those stupid masks and mittens, all because we couldn't keep our hands off each other."
"But we made up for it when the three days were up," Rob smirks.
"That was an amazing day," Hanna reminisces. "And we didn't even take our clothes off." She then pauses for thought. "Y'know, we have the whole day to ourselves, and we're highly unlikely to be disturbed here," she continues, removing her halterneck, laying down, and posing alluringly. "Let's make today even more amazing."
"You didn't want to come up here for lunch, did you?" Rob asks knowingly. "You're not even slightly hungry."
"Not for food, no," Hanna purrs.
"Technically, we're still too young," Rob reminds as he removes his vest.
"That's not going to stop us," Hanna smiles seductively.
"And you'd be right," Rob replies, embracing Hanna.
"Aren't I always?" Hanna teases as she wraps her arms around Rob, pulling him in for a long passionate kiss.