some people are this impressive without magic, but how?

self_composed

"Not a fan of dresses or suits on me in general, although if I have to show up to something super-formal I'd wear a dress. Maybe now that I don't trip on imaginary things all the time I'll start showing up to dances? I'd wear dresses to those, and I'll let you make 'em if you want if you let me vet the design."

edgeofyourseat

"You got it."

Dancing. Oh, he can definitely design dresses for dancing.

self_composed

Bella grins. "Spiffy. I wonder if dancing is one pentagon, or one per type?" She tries it. "Huh. Works with one, but I probably couldn't win a waltz contest, I think this is just general I-can-dance-now."

edgeofyourseat

"...Wanna dance?" he suggests, grinning. Because why not?

self_composed

"D'you know how?" Bella asks. "Yet?"

edgeofyourseat

He shrugs and burns a pentagon.

self_composed

Bella can see it disappear. She shrugs and puts some waltz music on, and leads, even though he's taller and she's a girl.

edgeofyourseat

That is because Bella is perfect.

Completely for the fuck of it, Alice wishes himself a magnificently twirly pleated skirt.

self_composed

Bella laughs, and twirls him accordingly.

edgeofyourseat

He loves her so much.

self_composed

Bella doesn't get tired at this level of physical activity for hours. She can dance as long as she wants. But the music ends eventually and she spins Alice into a closing dip.

"That was fun," she says.

edgeofyourseat

"Whee!" says Alice, sitting down on the floor.

self_composed

"I love being magical," crows Bella. "I love it lots."

edgeofyourseat

"I love it too. And I love you being magical. And I love you," Alice recites happily.

self_composed

"Charlie'll be home in under an hour," she says, glancing at the clock. "Time to start dinner. You staying?"

edgeofyourseat

"Yep," he says, smoothing out his skirt.

self_composed

"I'm kinda impressed with Charlie for not having remarked on your new clothes," Bella says, heading down the stairs and starting on some rice to serve with fried fish.

edgeofyourseat

"Me too," he says, laughing.

Once again Charlie defies Alice's experience of dads! That is a good thing. He should keep doing that.

self_composed

Bella cooks. She hands Alice things to stir, and stale bread to turn into crumbs. Charlie's home on time, remarks neither on Alice's presence nor on his attire, and is loudly appreciative of the food.

edgeofyourseat

Alice is also loudly appreciative of the food, although half of his remarks thereon are technically silent.

self_composed

"So Dad," says Bella. "Alice got me a ridiculous present, and I can't return it because he went and got it custom and anyway I really like it. So... um..."

"Mm?" Charlie asks. "Why would you return it if you like it?"

"Well, I'm not licensed to drive it," says Bella.

Charlie's silent for a beat. "Laney, did you get my daughter a motorcycle?"

edgeofyourseat

"Yup," says Alice, sunnily.

self_composed

"It's gorgeous, Dad, and I'd be safe, because - y'know - and I was thinking I could drive myself to the airport so I can fly to California to get interviewed by Stanford..."

Charlie blinks.

"Stanford?"

"Yeah, they want an interview!" Bella says sunnily. "I can fly down on a weekend, and you won't have to drive me... if I can get your permission to take a motorcycle course."

edgeofyourseat

Alice beams. Bella is just delightful, okay?

self_composed