The dinner was perfect, as always. Kaelen had prepared dishes from multiple different culinary traditions, arranged with the kind of care that came from centuries of practice and genuine love. Aria sat at the table, her six-year-old form radiating the calm confidence of a Universe God, occasionally causing her food to exist in quantum superposition just to watch it flicker between states.
"Aria, stop playing with your food," Kaelen said automatically, though there was amusement in her voice.
"But Mother, I'm practicing probability manipulation! Father says mastery comes from constant application."
"Your father also says there's a time and place for everything," Kaelen replied, glancing at Elias with a knowing smile.
