Rob dashes out the dojo and looks around urgently. Spying Hanna already half a block down the road, he sets off in pursuit. "Hanna!" he calls after the incandescent vixen. "Just leave it!"
But Hanna isn't listening. Ignoring Rob's repeated pleas for calm, she spots a familiar purple dragon and her two-tone wildcat friend outside a coffee shop in the next block. As she approaches, it's clear the girls have spotted her and are trying too hard to act natural. Hanna stops right beside the table, growling thunderously as the dragon and wildcat desperately stifle their giggling.
Eventually, Carol surrenders to temptation. "What's the matter, Hanna?" she grins. "You look like you've seen a ghost!"
Unable to control themselves anymore, both Lilac and Carol burst into uncontrollable laughter, Carol laughing so hard she falls off her chair.
"Very funny," Hanna snarls menacingly. "I swear I'm going to-"
"Not while I'm here, you won't!" Rob interrupts.
"Rob, stay out of this!" Hanna snaps.
"They're just kids! Kids play jokes all the time!" Rob explains.
"Look at what they did to me!" Hanna cries, almost yelling.
"Don't worry, it'll grow out within a week," Rob assures.
"How-" Hanna starts.
"You're making a scene," Rob cautions sternly, "and there are police present."
Hanna looks around at the sea of faces all now staring at her, including the three off-duty police officers sat at a table near the café entrance. Despite her anger, she notices the officers' hands hovering over their handcuffs. Deciding that she'd rather not spend the night in a gaol cell, Hanna reluctantly elects to leave. "I won't forget this," she growls as she walked away.
Rob watches Hanna leave, relief visibly washing over him. Once sure the vixen won't return, he turns to Lilac and Carol with a look of disapproval. "That was a nasty trick you girls played on her."
"She asked for it!" Carol retorts, drying her eyes of mirthful tears.
"Carol!" Lilac snaps before turning to Rob. "We're sorry. We won't do it again. Will we, Carol?"
"It was your-" Carol begins.
"Will we, Carol?" Lilac repeats firmly yet kindly.
"No," Carol sighs, hanging her head in shame.
"Apology accepted." Rob turns to leave, but pauses and turns back. "Though I have to admit, the face she pulled when I pointed it out, it was really funny," he smiles. "And don't worry, she'll get over it. Although I recommend staying away from the dojo for a few weeks, just in case."
Lilac and Carol nod in agreement.
Satisfied the situation is under control, Rob heads back towards the dojo, knowing that Hanna would have headed that way. He's just in time to see Hanna ride away at speed, weaving through the traffic as she makes her way out of the city. I'll give her a headstart. Hopefully when I get home, she'll be merely pissed off…