semiautonomous kitchen

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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.

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"Ha."

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"I'll wear a dress," shrugs Bella. "It's not a big deal. I admit I'm having some trouble picturing you in a dress, though."

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"I do not wear them."

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"Well, you're the one who's royalty to begin with, you've probably got more social leeway than I have."

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"Likely yes."

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"I know I said politics sounded fascinating but I haven't actually studied it, since I didn't expect to get to do any... am I likely to get an official crash course or will I wind up picking things up as I go?"

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"You may ask Mother."

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"Will do. Should I also ask about the sword or should that wait a bit?"

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"You may also ask about that. The worst that might happen is that she asks you to wait until we are married before you look at it."

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"All right. And then I'll be able to pick it up without getting burnt," says Bella with understated glee. "I wonder, if I do marry both of you, if that'll leave me able to use royal magic instead of just have low-level perceptions like I think royal spouses usually do? Or if for magical purposes marrying Tony will be redundant?"

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"I suspect," says Sherlock, "that there is only one way to find out."

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"Yes," says Bella placidly. "With any luck, I will get to perform the experiment."

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She nods.

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Sherlock gets a kiss, and then Bella addresses the mirror again. This time she calls Ranata.

"Hi, Mom!"

"Bella, hi! It's - this isn't your house, is it? Did you remodel?"

"No, Mom, I'm in the royal castle of the Enchanted Forest," says Bella smugly, "and this is Princess Sherlock and we're going to get married."

Ranata squeals at the top of her lungs.

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...Sherlock smiles.

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"Hello, Your Highness," exclaims Ranata when she's recovered her composure somewhat, "it's lovely to meet you, I'm Bella's mother Ranata Swan, I want the whole story."

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"My sister and I went questing for someone to marry," says Sherlock. "We found Bella. She is delightful."

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"Questing! Oh, goodness. That's utterly precious. My baby's going to be a princess!"

"We've settled on the fifteenth of Umber," Bella adds.

"I'm so excited!" Ranata cries.

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Sherlock smiles.

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"I'm going to call Dad, next," Bella says, "and tell him - questions before I go?"

"Oh, no, he should know right away, I'll talk to you again soon, Bella dear - I'll want to come visit and meet your fiancée in person if that's all right -"

"Sure, we'll set something up," says Bella happily.

Ranata beams and waves goodbye, and the call ends.

"So that's Ranata," Bella says.

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"She is very sweet."

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"I like her," says Bella. "Charlie's turn."

Charlie answers the mirror less effusively, but not less affectionately, and addresses Bella as "Bells".

He reacts with stunned silence to the news of his daughter's engagement.

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"Dad," says Bella. "It's traditional to congratulate me."

"...Congratulations," says Charlie. "Bells. Your Highness."

"Thanks, Dad."

"How have I not heard about this before, Bells, why wouldn't you call me?"

"It's just happened," exclaims Bella. "I met Sherlock four days ago. This is the first I've been at a mirror since we decided to get married. I told Cricket because I'm not going to be home to buy him more food, and I told Mom next, and then I told you, Dad."

Charlie does not look fully comfortable with the situation, and he keeps peering at Sherlock.

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