semiautonomous kitchen

[thaumobabble]

The remaining two days of the walk are much more affectionate, and also much more free of wizards and snakes than the first two days were. Somehow, all three travelers manage to not realize that Bella has not yet produced her name, even though on at least one occasion it would have been convenient for Tony to have.

And there is the castle, and there is the -

"Skyvault," sighs Bella, diving into her hat for her specs.

Comments

[allthebrightest]

"Whoa," says Tony. "Yeah, I know what that is! I didn't know you could see it, though, that's awesome."

[thaumobabble]

"That's what the specs are for! I'm very proud of my specs," nods Bella.

When everyone who wishes to has gotten a good look at the Skyvault - although Bella plans to take a second and third look later and take notes on it at various times of day - Bella puts her spectacles away.

"I guess this is when I meet your mom?" she asks tentatively.

[allthebrightest]

"Yep! C'mon in," says Tony.

[thaumobabble]

Bella adjusts her hat and smooths out her robes and murmurs her cleaning spell and follows the princesses into the castle, taking small careful steps.

[allthebrightest]

Someone comes into the front hall to meet them as they enter.

She looks a lot like the twins, except that she's older, wearing a much nicer dress, and her hair is a bright fiery red.

"Hi!" Tony says brightly. "We found this magician in the forest and we wanna marry her."

"Does this magician," inquires Queen Marianne, "have a name?"

"...Um..." says Tony.

[thaumobabble]

"Sparks and fumes, I've been hiking with you in the woods for four days and somehow my name never came up," snorts Bella, "that would be sad if it weren't so funny. I'm sorry, Your Majesty - I'm Isabella Swan. Bella for preference."

[calendarofcrime]

Sherlock smiles slightly.

"Aha," says Queen Marianne. "Well, welcome to the castle, Bella Swan. Is there a particular one of my daughters that wants to marry you, or were they planning to share?"

[thaumobabble]

"The second thing," says Bella. "Possibly not both right away, given the probably-a-minor-technical-issue around succession."

[allthebrightest]

"Well, pick one," says the queen, "and if you manage to get her pregnant, you can marry the other one too."

Tony snorks.

[thaumobabble]

"...Okay," says Bella. "...Now I have to pick. Um."

[calendarofcrime]

"Take your time," the queen says, amused. "You can stay in the castle while you get to know them. There's room."

[thaumobabble]

"Okay, thank you!" says Bella, smiling.

[allthebrightest]

"Thanks, Mom," Tony adds, and she takes Bella's hand. "C'mon, wanna go find somewhere to put you?"

[thaumobabble]

"Yeah," Bella agrees comfortably, following where Tony leads.

[calendarofcrime]

Sherlock follows after them.

"Bella," she murmurs. "It's a pretty name."

[thaumobabble]

"Thank you," Bella giggles. "I can't believe I just never thought to introduce myself. You never asked, either."

[calendarofcrime]

"I knew who you were."

[thaumobabble]

"What do you mean?"

[calendarofcrime]

"I didn't need to name you to anyone. You were right there."

[thaumobabble]

"Yes, I suppose if we'd been more than three of us it would've come up."

[calendarofcrime]

"Yes."

[thaumobabble]

"Well, now you know. And my middle name is Mariel, if that ever matters."

[calendarofcrime]

"I will remember it."

[thaumobabble]

"I went by Mariel for about three months in school. I thought it sounded more witchy, and I hadn't yet quite realized I could do more than just witchcraft. It didn't stick. I like Bella better."

[calendarofcrime]

"They are both pretty."