Are You Scared Of Heights?

Back to the poor kid, he felt butterflies flutter in his stomach and he wished he could pull them out and pin them to the wall.

"They are plans, nonetheless. So you might as well tell me. See if I can help," answered Mavislin, who seemed oblivious to Spider's inner conflict.

"I've mapped out the hideouts and meeting places of the group, a total of four places, all of which would be my targets. Apparently, they were made specifically to go against the locale that supports the Syndicate in taking over the area."

"The protesters are... Against the civilians and not us? I find that quite odd..."

"As I did, but my intel wasn't lying. Their leader's family was put to death when Sir took over the area, for the crime of spreading unruly rumors. Ever since then, a bunch of them had gathered to establish this group."

"Though he did split the entirety of Albion with Ereshbeau in a fair and justified deal, it would seem that the protesters had preferred the local queen's rule."

"And I don't think the two of them are exactly allies but they seem to have reached a proper agreement," explained Crius.

"You definitely did not do your research on those two, right?" quizzed Mavislin, with a raised eyebrow.

"Should I have? I fail to see the importance-"

"If you'd done so, you would have known the protesters' motive, especially to those who once worked under Eresh. But you are right; it isn't going to change the outcome of your mission. Moving on, please do tell me where are the places of interest."

By the time Spider had finished ranting, the duo had reached the back part of Venom's domain, where the horses and carriages were stationed. Most of the staff there barely took heed of Crius but did nod politely at Shadow, who had donned her mask.

However, when Spider called for his usual stead, Mavislin gently halted him and shook her head.

"Albion isn't too far from here so I can do this. Although, I must ask you. How are you with heights?" questioned the First Seat, with a sly smile.

The boy barely managed to gulp down a breath before the figure before him shifted, morphing into a medium-sized dragon cloaked in hues of deep purple and shadowy black.

With a stretch of her wings and a roar that sounded suspiciously like a yawn, Mavislin's transformation was complete. 

Before he could form a coherent response, the dragoness had already seized him by the collar with her teeth, lifting him effortlessly. Without a moment's hesitation, she tossed Spider onto her back as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Make sure to hold on tight," spoke Mavislin, with her voice pitched several tones lower than before.

With a powerful beat of her wings, the ground beneath Mavislin trembled violently, unleashing a shockwave that sent ripples through the air. Venom's tea quivered precariously in its cup, narrowly avoiding disaster, while Matt's footing faltered entirely.

The rabbit let out a startled yelp as he tumbled down the stairs, his descent promising an unceremonious reunion with his ancestors—until a single, unyielding arm shot out, catching him mid-fall with impeccable timing.

As Matt opened his mouth to thank his rescuer, the words died on his tongue the moment his eyes registered who it was. Zenos, expression as indifferent as ever, wordlessly set the rabbit down with a deliberate lack of acknowledgment.

Without sparing so much as a glance, the Viceroy turned on his heel and strode away, leaving Matt to stew in his own muted gratitude and unease.

"Tch... Who does he think he is, sauntering about as if he owns the place..." 

Matt halted before a massive window, his gaze drawn to the sight beyond. A dragon, its purple and black scales glinting in the light, soared effortlessly toward Albion.

Perched upon its broad back was a diminutive figure, steady and unshaken despite the powerful gusts that accompanied the flight.

"My apologies, I just wanted to see your reaction upon seeing my dragon form. Reactions from newcomers are always so fun to watch, I just can't help it," giggled the dragoness as Crius pouted.

"Was my reaction satisfactory?"

"Yes, especially now I know that you can be an opera singer if the Syndicate life doesn't work out for you," laughed Mavislin, descending a little to scare the boy.

"Please..."

"We've arrived. Brace yourself, I'm turning back to my normal form," instructed the dragoness as she dived down.

The landing was effortless for Mavislin, her movements smooth and practiced from countless flights before. Spider, however, was another story. Unprepared for the descent, he tumbled awkwardly from her back.

With a flicker of annoyance, the dragoness manifested her tail just in time, coiling it beneath him to soften his graceless fall.