It doesn't take long for Maria to be discharged from the medical centre. Despite the severe bruising on her throat, there's no permanent damage, and she's able to talk without risking further injury so long as she drinks plenty of water. Relieved, Maria rejoins Carol in the paddock, where they finish the repairs to Maria's bike. They then head for lunch, during which Carol brings Maria up to speed with her race performance. Despite her best efforts, she wasn't able to catch the leading trio, and finished fourth.

After lunch and a quick cat-nap, and with the rain departed to make way for brilliant sunshine, Maria and Carol decide to watch the main race, a four-hour endurance contested by some of the fastest sports bikes in the three kingdoms. Rather than mingle with the crowds, they find a suitable tree to climb and perch in to watch the start, and also have a good view of the large screen showing the television broadcast.

Half an hour into the race, Carol sighs with melancholy. "Can I ask you somethin'?"

Maria takes a moment to notice. "Hm? Sorry, yeah, sure," she eventually responds, her voice husky and rough.

"Well…" Carol hesitates, unsure of whether to continue.

"Stop being a silly kitty and just ask," Maria assures.

"OK." Carol takes a deep breath. "Thing is, Lilac's been actin' all weird recently, talkin' about doin' the right thing, and I'm wonderin'… is bein' a Red Scarf really worth it?"

Maria pauses for thought. "I've never thought about being anything other than a Scarf," she admits. "The life I had before…" Maria pauses to gather herself. "Let's just say being a Red Scarf makes me a very happy kitty."

"Sure, it's fun and excitin'," Carol agrees, "but… are we doin' the right thing?"

"What do you mean?" Maria asks, confused. "Also, why Lilac now?"

"Dunno," Carol answers. "One day she jus' decided that she's not Sash anymore, she's Lilac." Carol then takes a moment to organise her thoughts. "I think she's havin' a crisis of conscience or somethin'."

"Over what?"

"About the, y'know, darker side of the Scarves."

"Oh…"

"Yeah…"

"Well, the way I see it, there's some really nasty icky people in the world, and sometimes there's only one solution," Maria opines.

"I know what you mean, but…" Carol tails off.

"You can tell me," Maria assures.

"Jus' between you and me, right?"

"Pinkie swear."

"OK." Carol pauses a moment. "Lilac's thinkin' about leavin' the Scarves, and given the choice between bein' a Scarf and bein' with my best friend… I'd choose my best friend."

"Ah." Maria thinks for a moment. "I guess I'm lucky that my best friend enjoys being a Scarf so much she'll never leave the guild."

"What do you think I should do?" Carol asks.

"I know what I'd do," Maria replies. "But then I'm not you."

"That doesn't really help much."

"Sorry."

"S'OK."

The girls sit in silence for a few moments.

"Whatever you decide, don't rush into it," Maria advises. "You don't want to be rash and regret it."

"Of course," Carol agrees.