From the kitchen, Lunivelle could hear the unfolding saga of father and daughter—a symphony of giggles, babbling, and Thirukumaran's exaggerated dramatic commentary.
"Da-da-da!" Tavriel squealed, patting his cheeks with both hands.
"Oh no, Daddy is under attack!" Thirukumaran cried, staggering backward as if struck by a mighty warrior. "The tiny general shows no mercy!"
Tavriel erupted into laughter—pure, high-pitched joy.
Lunivelle paused mid-stir, her heart swelling at the sound.
There were moments where she simply stood still and listened—this was one of them. Their love filled the home so completely it felt like a living thing.
"Da!" Tavriel yelled again, tugging on his curly hair.
"Ow—gentle, gentle," he whispered, kissing her small hands. "Mommy will scold both of us if we break Daddy before breakfast."
Lunivelle shook her head, smiling to herself before raising her voice.
"Daddy! Breakfast is ready!"
Thirukumaran gasped dramatically. "Saved by Mommy's cooking!"
He carried Tavriel toward the dining table, pretending to run as she squealed in victory. Lunivelle placed the plates gently—EggChirus (eggs simmered in chicken curry) and a side of warm rice.
The aroma filled the room like a soft embrace.
Tavriel reached for the food immediately.
"Ma! Ma!" she babbled, slapping the table enthusiastically.
Lunivelle sat beside her. "Mommy is coming, little star. Patience."
"Pa-shish…" Tavriel mimicked, though she clearly had no idea what it meant.
Thirukumaran laughed. "She's trying so hard."
"Just like her Daddy," Lunivelle teased.
"Hey—Daddy tries perfectly, thank you."
They began eating, Tavriel alternately attempting to feed herself and attempting to feed her father, smearing a small streak of curry across his chin in the process.
"Da-da-da!!" she cheered.
Thirukumaran sighed with mock suffering. "I think she's trying to paint me."
"She has good taste," Lunivelle said, wiping Tavriel's fingers. "Daddy is her masterpiece."
He placed a hand over his heart. "Mommy is flirting over breakfast. Be still, my soul."
Lunivelle rolled her eyes but her smile refused to hide.
They ate peacefully—simple food, warm hearts, a child babbling endlessly between them.
"So," Thirukumaran said between bites, "since it's Zero'thday… want to take the little hurricane out?"
Lunivelle nodded. "Shopping sounds good. We need supplies anyway."
"Sup-wise!" Tavriel echoed proudly.
Lunivelle blinked. "She's… close enough."
Thirukumaran grinned. "Daddy's genius daughter."
"Mommy's genius daughter," Lunivelle corrected, tapping his fork with hers.
Tavriel raised her tiny hands. "Dah! Mah! Dah!"
"That's right," Thirukumaran said, kissing her forehead. "Both Mommy and Daddy."
They finished their meal in a bubble of domestic harmony—soft conversation, shared glances, the kind of laughter that lives only in homes built out of love rather than bricks.
Outside, the world pulsed with magic and machinery.
Inside, the three of them were a universe unto themselves.
Shopping awaited.
But for now, breakfast was its own warm.