a busy lady and her fourth wall

[evanesced]

It's a nice idea! Really. But I already have a job. [ A headtilt. ] Or two-ish. [ And another in the other direction. ] Three and a half if you count keeping the dadchildren out of trouble - which I do.

Plus there's discovering the lost city of Atlantis. [ Is she joking? Who knows. ] Find me Milo Thatch or several, you never know when they might come in handy.

Comments

[inequal]

Oh, let's just go with three. Surely I don't need the watching over as much as your dad does.

What idea would this be? The one your mun has.

[evanesced]

[ Disbelieving look! ] If anything you're the entire one and a half, plus the ish! Have you met yourself?

Following you around everywhere, obviously. The both of you. I'm not your daughternanny.

[inequal]

Several times. Had lovely conversations and all that.

That would be a bit hard, wouldn't it, what with my travel plan. Wouldn't mind having you around more, though, maybe just as a regular ol' daughter.

[evanesced]

I hope you gave yourself a good scolding.

What does a regular ol' daughter do? I may have outgrown tea parties.

[inequal]

I've done nothing to deserve that. When have I ever? Don't answer that.

Why, be her beautiful and amazing self. Not very complicated, is it?

[evanesced]

Would you like that list arranged by date or severity of offense?

Well, I'll just stand here then. Posing. [ She strikes a dramatic, Hamlet-ish pose. ] Good?

[inequal]

By date would be horribly inaccurate.

I think it would be better if you... [ He moves in, wrapping her arms around him so he can do the same, leaning forward to give her forehead a kiss. ] Perfect.

[ Yeah, Liam is a bit of a huge sap in private. So sue him. ]

[evanesced]

Severity it is, then.

[ She allows this with a minimum of eye-rolling and rewards him for his secret sappiness with a peck on the cheek. ] Missed me, have you?

[inequal]

Might need some help with that one.

It's been a strange few days, what can I say? [ Read: yes. ]

[evanesced]

Hmmm. [ She inspects him owlishly. ] On a scale of all right to very not, where do you sit?

[inequal]

Disgruntled. [ He looks it, too. ] Something extremely out of the ordinary — our type of out-of-the-ordinary, even — has gone on.

[evanesced]

That's very far out. What exactly have you gotten yourselves into?

[inequal]

Apparently an alternate reality of some sort or another. Your dad has a bird now.

[evanesced]

. . . Has a bird. [ She tilts her head. ] Why does Dad have a bird?

[ This is obviously way more significant than alternate realities, okay. ]

[inequal]

I don't know. She talks and everything, but don't even think 'bout calling her a parrot.

[evanesced]

What about a cockatiel!

[inequal]

Are you calling your father a cockatiel-man?

[evanesced]

Ewwwww, stop that or no more hugs!

[inequal]

[ Laughter. ]

You know how to hit a man where it hurts. By the by, it's a falcon of some sort.

[evanesced]

A falcon? [ She taps her chin. ] I can't imagine him parading around with a falcon. Just can't reconcile it in my mind. Not even a little. Did they give you a bird, or do I have to assign you one?

[inequal]

No bird for me. Apparently it's a living-people-only club, which is total bollocks. I'd have the most beautiful peacock, wouldn't you say?

[evanesced]

Are you gearing up for another cock joke, Papa? I'm warning you, it will not end well at all if you are.

[inequal]

Actually, I was more referring to their plumage. Incredible feathers they've got. That you made the joke for me is just a bonus.

[evanesced]

I didn't make a joke, I made a scold, it's different. I could make you a feather headdress, though, if you like.

[inequal]

Ooh, there's an idea. Would I get a cape to go with it?