❂ "Mama, why do we have to wear these cloaks..?" ❂
❂ "I feel like a pillow in a case mama!" ❂
❂ Taking small, erratic steps while almost dancing around in their miniature stark colored silk cloaks, the two sons of Estelle would remain confused about why they had to conceal their identities almost like movie ghosts- while they were big fans of scooby doo, they felt as though it would be better to be a part of the mystery inc than be one of the bad guys! But they didn't know a single thing about where they were going other than it would be extremely important for not only their prosperity in the war-ravaged world but also for the three dragons that sat upon their mother's shoulders. And how they needed to let their mother do all the talking tonight, because hours prior to their arrival on the road that would lead them to this supposed tavern of monkeys, they had been told frankly to shut up and stop asking so many questions.
"I have told you both countless times how important it is that you do not speak while wearing such attire- we are headed somewhere that may be quite dangerous, and though I cannot elaborate further, please do not ask any more questions. Our identities are concealed for a reason and I will not let either of you put our family in danger, no matter how young the both of you are. Do not make me have to remind either of you again," Estelle would speak to the two in their miniature cloaks quite sternly, causing one of the two to begin to form tears upon his upper cheeks.
If Estelle had the way she truly wished for, she would not have even had to bring her two sons with her while seeking out the guildhall of Plumed Serpent; it was uncommon for her to bring her sons along with her during work-related business, and though typically the work she would accomplish would deem her a hero in the eyes of the world and in the eyes of her children, tonight would mark a change in operation. It had been only about a day since she was drove out of the city of Lavanitir due to an unfortunate takeover, and though it was quite risky, she was successful in protecting her five children from having to be exposed to such traumatic events- but in her eyes, this still would not be enough. In the current status of the world, Estelle had found that it was quite difficult for her to steer clear of the overbearing darkness during her "retirement" from taking on missions to eradicate such individuals- she knew she would be able to resume in a year or two if she played her cards right in raising her three baby elder dragons, but for now, she would have to carry out plans that would cause her previous self to become, honestly, horrified. In her draconic eyes, what better way to avoid the danger of those dedicated to the darkness than to seek refuge in their ranks- not Divine Calamity, Abyssal Fleet, Errings Rising, or any of the dark guilds scattered between them, but the one that wished to conquer an ultimate power. She wished for that ultimate power to make its way to her dragons, and while small, she knew they would take after the great elder dragon she had commanded before their births. But she wanted them to be even stronger, despite the lengths she would have to go in order to acquire such a promise.
Estelle no longer felt a mental conflict regarding joining Plumed Serpent herself, but she certainly still felt such conflicts about her sons- tonight, they would leave the tavern bearing the same guild mark as she did if things were all executed according to plan, something that made her stomach churn just thinking about it. But there was no other way she could join otherwise- if the matron was seeking out the divine power Plumed Serpent knew so much about, her sun and her moon would need to become interwoven in the grand scheme as well, even if they would remain home, not accompanying her on the jobs she would carry out alongside her dragons. She hoped the guild mark sitting on the skin of her sons would cause the two to be protected even more than they already were. The matron did not care about her own safety but the safety of her children and would do anything to preserve that, and though it caused her to worry somewhat, she felt it would be the best move they could make within the world of war. As a family- they had to stick together, and though the three would bear aliases and disguises while operating within Plumed Serpent, she could not see their relationships meeting a fate of tarnishing even in the lowest of lows.
Raising one of the sleeves of her cloak to rest her hand on the eldest of her three baby elder dragons, Estelle would sigh, looking down the curved road that would eventually lead them to the guild of serpents. They still had a bit to go- she could tell, even under their cloaks, that her sons were getting rather antsy due to the rules their mother had set in place. And though they were alone now, anyone could be listening. Through the trees, through the bushes, or through magic the three could not even conceptualize. If their identities were released alongside their motives, the plan would fail and Estelle would have her family's name dragged through the dirt. She would not allow that.
wc: 950