The following morning during a breakfast of tāngbāo (which Carol sleeps through, not for the first time), Milla catches Lilac a little off‑guard when she suddenly asks, "Do you think Carol could teach me how to ride a motorbike?"

"Oh, uh, I guess so," Lilac replies. "Why the sudden interest in learning to ride?"

Milla shrugs. "No reason I guess," she answers. "Just figure it'd be easier if I had my own bike."

"It would allow us to carry more supplies if we're away for a while," Lilac thinks aloud. "It would also mean less frequent grocery trips."

"And I wouldn't have to pester Carol for a lift if I want to go anywhere," Milla adds.

"Alone?" Lilac asks, concerned. "What if you run into trouble?"

Milla raises a single eyebrow.

"…point taken," Lilac admits. "Sorry," she adds, blushing slightly.

"It's OK," Milla accepts. "It's a shame Carol's still sleeping, otherwise I'd ask her."

"It would be rude to wake her, I guess," Lilac replies with a mischievous wink and smirk.

Suppressing a giggle, Milla dashes off to the bedroom. A few moments later, Lilac hears a loud 'YIP' soon followed by a heavy thud and the unamused groan of the sleepy wildcat who's just fallen out of bed.

Milla returns to the kitchen a few moments later. "It's been so long since I last did that, I'd forgotten how much fun it was," she giggles.

A few minutes later, Carol shuffles into the kitchen, her crop top hanging off one shoulder. "Morning," she greets, yawning so deeply the word is almost completely lost.

"I tried to stop her," Lilac fibs.

"Uh‑huh," Carol grunts, not buying it. "I thought we were free all day today?"

"We are," Lilac confirms.

"Then why did you wake me?" Carol asks, grabbing a tāngbāo and biting into it.

"Because I want to ask you if you could teach me how to ride a bike," Milla answers.

Carol thinks for a moment. "Sure, why not?" she agrees. "If you had your own bike, we could carry more stuff on long journeys and do less grocery trips."

"Yay!" Milla exclaims excitedly. "When can we start?"

"When I'm fully awake," Carol yawns.

"So, in about six hours then," Lilac teases, earning an unamused look from Carol.


Over the following week, Carol teaches Milla how to ride a motorcycle. At first, Carol is expecting it to take a while for Milla to learn enough to ride unsupervised, but the hound once again proves to be a quick learner, and by the end of the week, it's clear she's more than capable of solo riding.


The morning after Milla's final lesson, the three friends head to Shang Mu where, thanks to their status (and Milla acing the brief written exam), they secure a motorcycle licence for the young hound. And once the formalities are dealt with, the three friends visit a motorcycle dealership a few blocks from the Town Hall for Milla to find a bike she likes.

Of course, Team Lilac being in town means there's a considerable number of citizens following them looking for autographs and selfies. Lilac is happy to oblige, and though Carol is more reluctant, she also agrees to help keep the crowds from getting in Milla's way.

Inevitably, the size of the crowd attracts attention of a different variety.


Outside a small café across the town square, another group of friends has noticed the swelling crowd outside the Town Hall and the motorcycle dealership. Normally, their scarlet infinity scarves would reveal their allegiance, but with all four stashed safely in pockets or hidden under tops, they simply look like any regular quartet of friends.

"There's only three people I can think of who can so quickly draw such a large crowd," the blond‑haired ochre badger observes, his outfit a navy‑blue vest paired with black trousers.

"You'd think that after all this time, the novelty would have worn off," the peach‑furred purple‑spined hedgehog sat beside him comments, her outfit a fitted black tank top paired with navy‑blue capris.

"I don't know how they do it," the chartreuse‑haired amber leopard in a white tank top and royal blue leggings sighs. "If it was me the crowd wanted to see, I'd be out of there as quickly as possible."

The forest‑green‑haired olive‑furred lynx in a full‑back teal skater dress takes the leopard's hand in hers and gives it a comforting squeeze. "And I'd stop them following you," she purrs.

"What I'm curious about is why they'd be at a motorcycle dealership," the badger thinks aloud. "Carol's pretty attached to her bike, and I think it's safe to say she'll only replace it when it's totally broken beyond repair. And even then, she'd probably still try and fix it anyway."

"And Lilac can easily run at highway speeds, which means they must be looking for a bike for Milla," the hedgehog adds. "Isn't she too young though?"

"I learned to ride at thirteen," the lynx reminds. "And Carol's been riding since she was eight, I think."

"Huh," the hedgehog replies. "Y'know, I gotta start remembering that a Scarves education is radically different to a regular education."

"Can we go say 'Hi'?" the lynx asks.

"I see no reason why we can't," the badger answers.

"I don't want to get lost in the crowd," the leopard replies.

"You won't if I don't let go," the lynx assures, taking the leopard's hand in hers again.

"I won't let go either," the leopard smiles, reassured.

"Then let's get over there before it's too late," the hedgehog suggests.


Outside the dealership, Lilac and Carol are signing autographs and chatting to fans and admirers when Carol spots some familiar faces in the crowd. Ah, I see 'trouble' has arrived. Allowing herself a subtle cheeky smirk, she turns to Lilac and nudges her gently.

"What's up?" Lilac asks.

"I think we're in trouble," Carol answers with a knowing smile, pointing towards the familiar faces.

Lilac looks to where Carol's pointing to see the beaming olive lynx waving enthusiastically at them both. "Darn, we nearly got away with it too!" she replies, playing along. "Sorry everyone, but I'm afraid that's all the time we have today," she apologises to the crowd. "For those who missed out, I'm sure there'll be another chance soon enough."

Several among the crowd voice their disappointment, but they all thankfully depart without any fuss, much to the relief of the leopard shyly hiding behind her lynx girlfriend.

"Aw, you didn't have to be icky mean to them," the lynx pouts comically once the crowd has dispersed.

"It's OK Maria," Lilac assures. "Could do with a break anyway: my wrist is aching from all the autographs."

"Mine too," Carol adds.

"I hope this is a social visit?" Lilac asks.

"Yep!" Maria Shanmao grins.

"Excellent," Lilac smiles in relief. "And is that Tai I see doing a bad job of hiding behind you?" she asks, spotting the leopard peeking out from behind her girlfriend.

Tai Wong emerges from behind Maria. "Heh… Hi again," she greets, blushing a little. "Hope we're not bothering you."

"Not at all," Carol assures. "Also, hi Danny and Sally," she adds, greeting the badger and hedgehog respectively. "Y'all on a mission, or just hangin'?"

"Just hangin'," Sally Flynn answers, echoing Carol's casual tongue. "Maria insisted we come say 'Hi'."

"How's Milla doing?" Danny asks.

"I'm doing well," Milla answers as she exits the dealership.

The instant Maria sees Milla in her new (to the lynx) outfit, she cannot stop herself squealing with delight. "By the Ancients, Milla, you look so cute in that!"

"Gotta admit, it's a huge step up from what you used to wear," Sally adds. "Suits you perfectly."

"I l‑l‑like it t‑too," Tai adds, her shyness returning in front of the hound she's never met before today. By the Ancients, it's really her… All three of them are here… It's almost too much!

"Thanks," Milla replies, blushing deeply. "I designed it myself with the help of Empress Kelsang." She then turns to the shy leopard. "And you must be Maria's girlfriend, Tai Wong," she greets. "Don't worry, I won't bite," she adds with a warm, friendly smile.

"I kn‑know," Tai stammers. "I'm j‑j‑just n‑nervous, s‑s'all."

"There's no need to be nervous," a new voice interrupts. "After all, Milla and her friends are honourable young ladies who simply wish to help others, regardless of their profession or standing."

Both Team Lilac and the four Red Scarves are surprised to find the owner of the voice out in public.

"Leader Julian, it's a surprise to see you here," Lilac greets. Please tell me this is purely a coincidence…

"It is true that I, like the other Leaders, rarely venture out in public, and it's even rarer we make ourselves known when we do," the ebony‑scaled ivory‑furred wyvern in a navy‑blue vest and trousers replies, his vibrant red scarf a stark contrast to his dark clothing. "But when I saw you all here, I couldn't resist the temptation to see how our newly‑returned heroine hound is doing."

"I'm doing well," Milla replies, a little unsure about this unexpected attention from a Red Scarves Leader but going along with the flow for now. "Just placed an order for a new motorbike."

"I taught her how to ride," Carol informs.

"The ability to ride is a skill that will pay for itself many thousands of times over," Julian smiles. "I just hope you don't inherit some of Carol's more… adventurous habits," he adds in jest.

"Hey, I'm not that bad," Carol replies, feigning annoyance.

"I don't mean to be rude, but why are you here?" Lilac asks.

"Simply on my way back to HQ after enjoying some much‑needed leisure time," Julian explains. "Though now I'm here, I was wondering if Milla would like to tell me all that happened in the Western Empire? Not right now obviously: I intend to keep my current intrusion to a minimum and am happy to agree to a time that's convenient for Milla as well as myself."

"You mean you want to know about the Western Empire so the Red Scarves can be prepared for anything," Lilac suspects.

"Of course," Julian confirms without hesitation. "It pleases me to see that despite your open opposition to our activities, you continue to value and employ the training you received within our ranks, and I apologise for not being completely honest straight away."

If he's being honest, why do I have this bad feeling in my gut? Unless I'm just being distrustful because he's a Scarf? "It's OK," Lilac replies, giving Julian the benefit of the doubt for now. "I guess I just can't help myself sometimes."

"No worries," Julian assures. "I understand your strong disapproval of many of the Scarves' activities causes you to be wary around us." He then turns to Milla. "I hope I'm not asking too much of you?"

"No, not at all," Milla replies. "Um… How will I contact you?"

"Good question," Julian answers. "For obvious reasons, we don't typically hand out direct contact details."

"Oh! I know!" Maria interjects excitedly. "How about Milla tells us, then we tell you?"

Julian considers the suggestion for a moment. It won't let me find out everything I want to know, but it's a start, and I can trust Maria and Danny to pass on the full story. "I can work with that," he accepts. "Is that OK with you, Milla?"

"It is," Milla agrees.

"Then it's settled," Julian concludes. "I must return to HQ now; I have already delayed myself more than I anticipated. Farewell, and may the Ancients watch over you."

"And may they watch over you too," Danny replies.

After Julian's gone, Lilac, Carol, Danny, and Sally all direct disappointed looks at Maria.

"Heh… Sorry," Maria blushes, trying her best to look cute and innocent. "I guess I got a little carried away."

"Yep," Sally agrees. "Too late to do anything about it now though, so… dinner party at Jade Creek tonight?"

"I see no reason why not," Danny agrees.

"If the weather holds, we could have a barbecue," Carol suggests.

"And play in the lake?" Maria suggests, hoping others will agree.

"I'll stay on the shore," Lilac decides, her hair whips twitching slightly. "After all, someone's got to cook the food, right?"

"As hosts, me and Dan will handle the cooking," Sally volunteers. "But don't worry, no‑one will force anyone into playing in the lake if they don't want to," she adds to assure Lilac.

"Good," Lilac sighs with relief. "What time should we aim for?"

"Around late afternoon, early evening," Sally answers. "We'll also get the spare room ready if you decide to stay the night."

"We'll see you then," Lilac acknowledges before she and her friends head off to where Carol parked her bike.

Once Team Lilac is out of sight, Tai finally relaxes. "By the Ancients…"

"You OK?" Maria asks, concerned.

"Yeah," Tai assures. "I'm just so… so excited we get to hang out with Team Lilac!" she squeals in delight. "I have so much I want to ask them, but I don't know if I can, and I don't want to make a fool of myself, but I know once I get started, I won't stop, and I… I'm being silly again, aren't I?"

"You are, and I love you for it," Maria giggles before giving Tai a tender kiss on the lips.


From the shadows of a nearby alleyway, Julian watches as both Team Lilac and the four Red Scarves depart. Lilac may prove to be more of a nuisance than I anticipated… No matter: I'm sure I'll find a way to keep her out of my affairs.