The scene opens up onto a small, well lit hallway. The camera centered on a black nondescript door, similar to thousands of others. (Hans): Mein schatz… He glances left, into the kitchen and then paces right, towards the bedrooms. (Hans): Vanessa, honey… As he crosses the room, his wife, Vanessa emerges from one of the bedrooms, radiant smile lighting up her face as she leans in and kisses Hans, taking one of the offered coffee cups as she leans back. (Vanessa): Thank you babe. I hope Annie didn’t chew your ear off too much. Hans chuckles as he takes a step back to let Vanessa past. (Hans): No, I’ve had worse. Do you mind that time we were gone for a fortnight last year? Vanessa’s eyes twinkle as she takes a sip of her own coffee. (Vanessa): Yeah… we missed so much, didn’t we? They share a knowing smile before Vanessa does the once over of Hans, eyes glancing to see if he is carrying anything else. (Vanessa): You didn’t… you know… maybe? Catching on, Hans rolls his eyes and gestures back towards the kitchen. (Hans): No, not this time. But only because I bought one yesterday that you’ve not found, it’s on the top shelf. Vanessa’s face lights up again as she blows Hans a kiss and twirls round, making for the kitchen. (Vanessa): Thank you babe, you’re the best. Hans can only smile as he shrugs off his leather jacket, setting it on the back of one of the dining table chairs before moving back towards the middle of the three windows that dominate the far wall of the living room. (Vanessa): So I got the details for the first Havoc. The final few words cause some crumbs to fly out, making them both giggle and in Vanessa’s case, spray more crumbs out. (Hans): You were trying to say? (Vanessa): Yes, before I almost lost my life to that pastry… (Hans): You had it covered, I believed in you. (Vanessa): Aw, how sweet babe. She flashes him a smile, corners of her cheeks turned up countering the withering look her eyes have, causing him to snort into his coffee. (Vanessa): I’ll remember that next time you’re fighting with the cereal boxes. (Hans): You wouldn’t… (Vanessa): I would… Another few seconds pass before again they both end up chuckling lightly at one another, Vanessa sticking her tongue out at Hans. (Vanessa): Anyway, Mr. She prods his leg with her foot to emphasis the point. (Vanessa): We’re off to San Francisco. May 1st. She prods again, this time far more gently. (Vanessa): And that’s not just me and Jason and the rest of HWA. That’s us if you want to come along? Another few seconds pass, the couple looking at one another the whole time. (Hans): With you? Jah. He prods her back with his foot. (Hans): Always. Vanessa squeals with delight, getting to her feet and throwing her arms around Hans who has to hurriedly throw his coffee cup bearing arm out to avoid it being knocked. (Vanessa): Aaaah! Thank you honey. I’m so glad you’re going to be there. She kisses him once more on the lips, before a serious look crosses her face. (Vanessa): Now are you going to tell Butch or am I? (Hans): I’ll tell him. I was probably going to bump into him later on anyway… A knowing look crosses Vanessa’s face. (Vanessa): Ah, the gym? She smiles. (Vanessa): So you’re going to do the academy with Matthew then? (Hans): Jah… but don’t tell him. (Vanessa): Oh and spoil that surprise? A mock scandalized look flits across her face, her right hand placed across her chest as if injured. (Vanessa): And deprive you of telling your friends how much you’ve missed them in person? (Hans): Ha ha ha, no. He holds up his phone in the other hand. (Hans): I just don’t think I’d have enough battery life to handle Butch talking my ear off about all his plans, at least in person I can speed him up a bit. (Vanessa): Sure, you hold onto that dream honey. She pats him on the cheek. (Vanessa): We both know you’re wrong on that. She gestures back towards the bedroom and the various suitcases and duffel bags that can be seen propped up against one of the walls. (Vanessa): Best go get your things ready then, if we’re flying out in the morning to LA first then. With that, she reaches back down to grab the small box of pastries and then with a winning smile, heads across the room and out of view.
A few seconds pass and the sound of keys being slid into the lock on the other side of the door can be heard followed almost immediately by the door swinging open.
The camera doesn’t catch a proper look at the man coming through the doorway, seeing just the weathered jeans, brown leather jacket and two large polystyrene cups marked with the logo of Grace Street Coffee perched precariously on top of one another, the lower held in one of his hand.
The camera pans around, moving through the hallway, revealing the sight of New York City out of the three large windows, while before it, a chic and modern interior, leather couches and chairs, bookshelves filled with momentos and cloth bound volumes as well as several photo frames.
The camera settles onto the largest of these frames. What resolves into view is an idyllic snap of a couple taken as they walk hand in hand out of the church on their wedding day, sun shining as flowers tossed up in the air fall around them, smiling faces surrounding their own.
That couple is Hans and Vanessa von Richtoven.
The camera pans back around as the man steps into the room proper, revealing himself to be Hans von Richtoven, coffee cups now shared out and held in one hand apiece.
Vanessa emerges from the kitchen, a small box of pastries held, marked with the same logo as that of the coffee cup in her other hand. She flops down onto one of the couches, stretching out across it and looks up at Hans, offering one of the pastries but he politely declines with a wave of his free hand.
The two of them share an easy silence for a few moments, eyes catching one another as they take in the morning view of the city below them.
Through a mouthful of pastry, Vanessa breaks the silence.
Composing herself, she brushes them off her and settles the box of pastries down onto the floor.
She clears her throat.
Hans sighs, breaking the silence.
Hans, the ghost of a smile still on his face takes another sip of coffee, before reaching down himself, thumbing the TV remote on. CBS is on the TV and it doesn't take long before he thumbs the remote to bring it onto the HWA branded channel.
Settling back onto the couch, coffee in hand, Ash Phoenix’s latest promo is airing as the scene fades to black.
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