Unlike their brother, they settle with little fuss on a quiet fall afternoon, a breeze carrying the warm scent of burning leaves ruffling their hair and feathers.
Mokuba studies the goshawk sitting on his fist with quiet fascination. Sleek grey feathers, not dull but not exactly shiny either, keen yellow-orange eyes, and deadly talons that are exceedingly careful where they clutch his flesh.
They like to read, often on levels much higher than their age would suggest (intelligence runs in the family after all) and they know the lore of goshawks. Not as flashy or as prized as peregrines, more practical in bringing down things that could be eaten. Able to bring down prey many times larger than themselves, fearless enough to pursue a meal into thick vegetation.
In other words, dependable partners of men who wanted to get things done, without worrying about flash. Just like his position as Nii-sama's right hand.
It's their job to reign Seto and Kisara in when they get too preoccupied with appearances, to be the voice of reason and calm when his brother rages. To draw them back to themselves. They help keep KaibaCorp running smoothly, smoothing feathers ruffled by his brother's lack of social skills and managing the PR department.
If Seto is the brain of the company, its driving force, then Mokuba is the pituitary gland, taking the ideas of his superior, putting them into practice and responding to the results. He doesn't need to be big and flashy and obvious. He just needs to be capable.
And, young or not, they are definitely capable. Mokuba laughs and runs a finger through soft feathers. Kou churrs softly, flicking his wings.
"So, what mess has our brother made for us to clean up this time?"
Mokuba glances down at the paperwork he holds and groans.
"A reporter and her squirrel daemon filed a report on him for 'excessively intimidating' her. Why she's a reporter is beyond me." Kou bristles.
"Kisara is a dragon, and she expected him NOT to be intimidating? Idiot." Mokuba hums his agreement.
"Generic consolation basket?"
"With extra nuts."
"Fine."
Scribbling a note onto the report, they move on in their duties of keeping KaibaCorp from crumbling in on itself like a blimp with all its air suddenly removed.
Author Notes:
I like the idea of Mokuba being the little invisible one who keeps KC running, managing the day-to-day people stuff while Seto runs the inventions and the finances. A lot like Pepper from Ironman, but with a slightly less arrogant and irritating boss.
Fun fact: the pituitary gland is one of the most protected parts of your body. It's completely enclosed by the sphenoid bone, and it basically runs your life. Go research it if you'd like. (Can you guess what we're studying in Anat/Phys right now?)
The idea for Mokuba's daemon was inspired by rainbowrites' AMAZING Avengers/HDM crossover "Looking For My Heart". Go read it.
I also realized after the fact that my vision of dragons has been heavily influenced by the amazing Avatar: the Last Airbender fanfiction "Embers" by Vathara. I honestly have no words for how amazing it is. Just go read it.
I think that's all for now. Thanks for the reviews and alerts, it inspires me to keep writing!