POV: Aeris & Arion
Morning arrived at the palace not with the grace of gentle sunbeams, but with a loud splat as a mango hit the courtyard wall with alarming precision.
Aeris stood proudly beneath it, hands on her hips, her little face scrunched with the intensity of a general issuing orders. Beside her, Arion was adjusting the straps of a wooden sword that was far too large for his small back. Smaug, still in miniature form and radiating the air of a disapproving feline, sat nearby on a bench, licking mango off his claw like this was beneath him but also mildly entertaining.
"Phase one: distraction," Aeris declared, turning dramatically to her brother.
Arion nodded. "Phase two: infiltration. Through the laundry chutes."
Aeris winced. "We still haven't figured out how to land properly."
"That's what pillows are for," Arion replied sagely, patting the two he'd strapped to his rear like a very confused knight.
