Dragons in Disguise

Proposition

A week had passed. It was certain that the girls would get scars but right now they were sulking.
It had come to their attention that they had forgotten to strike a heroic pose after the fight, and their parents wouldn't allow them to do it again because the pose was "unnecessary". Whatever that meant.
Currently, though, there was no time for sulking, they were having the hardest fight with their parents, they will ever have.
"But why?!" Grace cried.
"Because there are all kinds of big things with teeth in the woods." Dad said.
"I'm a big thing with teeth." Joy replied.
"Not big enough." Mum told her.
"Our treehouses are off the ground so most things can't get us. We're not expecting a storm, so they're quite safe." Andy explained.
"Safe is not a word I'd use." Uncle Jerry said.
"Shielded, sheltered, guarded, defended, secure, out of harm's way. How about those?" David asked.
"We don't even know where you are, what's in those woods or how far away you are. What makes you think we're going to let you spend the night in your treehouses, with no adult supervision?" Aunt Debbie stated.
"The general fact that we all know how to fight and defend ourselves, we're super careful and you trust us." Mark said.
"Careful is not a word I'd use." Mum said.
"Cautious, heedful, alert, aware, attentive, watchful, vigilant, wary, on guard, chary, prudent, mindful..."
"Cut the sass right now, Alexander." Aunt Debbie ordered.
Alex shut up instantly.
"What do we need to do to get you to trust us?" Joy asked.
"Many things." Dad said.
They all groaned.
"Do you want us to become like Thomas?" Grace asked. "His parents never let him out of their sight until he moved out. He doesn't know how to function in the real world and is currently living with his parents again, too afraid to leave them."
"We've given you plenty of time to run free and learn." Aunt Debbie replied.
"Running around the town isn't survival skills." Joy told him.
"Sleeping in the woods is a death wish." Uncle Jerry said.
"What if," Andy started, "What if we show you where the treehouses are and how to get there."
"Yeah," Mark said, "That way you know where we are and how far away we are."
Slowly, all the Dragon Nerds nodded. They weren't happy about it, the treehouses were their secret. But if that's what it took to sleep there, they would do it.
Their parents looked at each other. The kind of glances that is a secret adult code Grace is yet to figure out.
"Go for it." Mum said.
"I'm sorry, what?" Joy asked.
"Spend the night in your treehouses." Aunt Debbie clarified.
"Spend the night in the treehouses. But if anyone gets seriously injured there will be consequences." Dad threatened.
"So we don't have to show you where they are?"
"No. Just come back some time tomorrow to let us know you're alright." Uncle Jerry stated.
"Sweet." Grace replied. "Bye."
"If you steal the marshmallows again though, Mark and Grace, there will be serious consequences."
"Why do you think it was us?" Mark asked.
"Because Grace can sneak around without detection and You can pick locks."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Grace said, innocently. Then they all walked to the back door and Grace heard her Mum say, "It's scary how she's able to look innocent all the time. What has she gotten away with?"
Grace smiled to herself. Oh, many, many things.
~~~~~~~Time Skip~~~~~~~
That night,
The Dragon Nerds were sitting around a small campfire in the middle of the clearing.
"Did you know it's only one month until school starts again?" David asked.
"Maybe Arthur will actually do some about Faith this year," Ann said hopefully.
"Not while Robert's controlling her and James." Mark replied.
"Those two have so much potential to do great things. It's a pity Robert and his dad think that killing dragons makes them powerful." Alex admitted.
"We could all ways—" Grace started.
"No." Andy cut in.
"But—"
"No. We are not murdering Robert."
"I prefer the term assassinate." Grace replied.
"It doesn't matter."
"Yes it does." Joy told him. "Murder is just killing someone, in assassination you have a reason."
"Give me three reasons why you should 'assassinate' Robert."
"He'd stop hitting on me." Grace said.
"It'd free Faith, James and Luke." Joy continued.
"And help that brother he has that is always being crushed to the point that he hides his own name." Ann finished.
"It'd wipe that stupid, smug grin off his face." David added
"There, that's four." Joy said, displaying a smug grin of her own.
"You're not killing anyone!" Andy said.
"You're not the boss!"
"I'm the most responsible."
"I'm the oldest!"
Grace sighed and glanced out towards the trees and froze. Was that...? No... It couldn't be.
But it was.
There were really dragons staring at them from across the clearing.
Without looking away, Grace punched the person next to her.
"Hey," Andy said, rubbing his shoulder. "What was that for?"
Wordlessly, she pointed at the dragons.
Everyone turned to see and froze as well.
One of the dragons stepped forward—a RainWing, Grace thought—and dipped its head in...respect?
"Greetings," it said. "I am Acacia of the RainWings. I have a proposition for you."