There remains a small frown on Mazikeen’s face as Malik states that they will make the theoretical shifters stay if they choose otherwise. She doesn’t argue this point, not yet. This is a lesson that she imagines will be hard to get her son to unlearn. Whatever good Wishbone had done for him had been erased when he’d spend his second first-year of life here in Hyaline.
He does not remark on the shift in her mood after she had brought up his father, so Mazikeen thinks she's done a good job of covering up. It is easy to forget how observant she had been when she was Malik's age, noticing her mother's moods and choosing to wander on her own instead of pretending not to notice the way Agetta sank into quiet sadness.
Now Mazikeen is grateful for Malik's excitement and she lets it take root inside of her. Easing that too-bright look in her eyes and turning her smile more genuine than mask-like.
She could turn into a dragon now, and maybe it would be handy to be one to hunt its own kind, but she chooses the shape of an eagle instead. The shape of a golden eagle but her feathers are crisp and white, only her feet and the tips of her wings deepening to black. This is something strong but small enough to quickly dodge should they actually find what they seek. And she knows Malik will be able to pick this shape as well, if he wanted.
So with an encouraging yip she flaps her wings and takes off, heading north towards the sea. There are many nooks and crannies there, and once they arrive she encourages Malik to take the lead and look. She remains close, though - just in case he sticks his head in the den of an actual dragon.
@Malik