[7 months before the Brevon Incident]
Late morning, with the sun shining brightly and little cloud in the sky, Shang Mu is full of life as its citizens make the most of the pleasant weather. Among those who call Shang Mu home are mixed day-trippers from Shang Tu and Shuigang, visiting to take advantage of facilities and services the two smaller cities lack. Among those visitors are two veteran Red Scarves on their identical ATVs, weaving through the heavy yet flowing traffic, making their way to the main dojo. As usual, Hanna leads Rob, the latter showing more caution yet keeping up without difficulty. And before long, they arrive at their destination.
"Y'know, we didn't have to be in such a rush," Rob remarks as he parks alongside Hanna and kills the engine.
"I know, but where's the fun in going slow?" Hanna smiles back as she dismounts.
"Getting to your destination in one piece?" Rob retorts cheekily.
"All my bits are in the right places, so what's the problem?" Hanna counters mischievously.
Rob dismounts and checks the time. "Huh, we're earlier than I thought."
"So we are," Hanna confirms, checking the time. "Tell you what: I'll go to the coffee shop across the road while you check in, and we'll chill until it's our turn. The usual?"
"Sure," Rob agrees.
Fifteen minutes later, with drinks consumed yet with time still left to kill, Hanna and Rob are walking past the room they've booked, on their way to collect practice weapons. As they pass the room, Hanna's ears twitch as they pick up a familiar pair of voices.
"Those two," Hanna growls angrily. "Why did it have to be those two?"
"Hm?" Rob asks.
"Miss Goody-Blue-Boots and her foolish feline friend," Hanna answers.
Rob sighs. "I guess you're going to have a go at them."
"After the number of our missions they've foiled this past five months? You bet I am!"
"Just play nice, OK?" Rob insists. "If we get kicked out, we won't get our money back, and we won't be allowed back either."
"Don't worry, I'll save my energy for beating you," Hanna promises.
As Rob continues down the corridor to get the practice weapons, Hanna positions herself in the doorway to the room to watch. A few minutes later, Lilac and Carol stop sparring and start talking. Hanna waits for them to finish their discussion before interrupting them. "You kids finished play-fighting yet?" she snaps, scowling in disgust.
Lilac and Carol turn to the vixen. "Hanna Skarlett," the dragon replies. "Must you always spoil our fun?"
"I don't know why they even let you in here," Hanna continues. "This ain't no kiddies' ball-pit."
"We can fight just as well as you!" Carol challenges, claws extended, teeth bared.
"So nauseatingly innocent of you to challenge me," Hanna replies, extending her longer and sharper claws. "You wouldn't last thirty seconds against a real fighter. And still wearing that scarf, too. It's so pathetic."
"Pathetic? I'll-" Carol begins.
"Leave it Carol," Lilac interrupts. "It's not worth the effort. Let's just go and do something else."
"But-" Carol begins to object.
"We can always spar at home later," Lilac promises.
Hanna watches as Lilac and Carol leave. Lilac refuses to meet Hanna's stare, but Carol returns it, Hanna growling viciously in response to Carol's defiant hissing. A few moments later, Rob rejoins Hanna. Spotting the retreating dragon and wildcat, he simply shakes his head in disappointment.
"What?" Hanna protests. "I got us some extra time for free!"
"You promised to play nice," Rob reminds sternly.
"They chose to leave of their own accord," Hanna explains.
"Because they didn't feel like dealing with an envious bully?"
"I told you, it was payback for the foiled missions."
"I'll never understand why you can't just let things go…"
