Who could resist the lovely, silent cacophony of the two girls dancing to their own, out-of-sync rhythms? And although their father remained stoical, it was difficult to imagine that their joy wasn't fostered by their parent. It came so naturally, and so freely in his presence without any hint of reprimand for it.
Ironically enough, it was Daisy and Dawn giggling and skipping in place to their own secret songs that spiked Dahlia's interest in Tenet – as it should be when the hint of anyone in possession of an internal, secret garden gave wisps of something fragrant.
Though! Dahlia didn't linger on the consideration. There were merry children and happy Halloween plans afoot! There was talk of homemade cheese, and supervision by the management – being Daisy – to purse an astonished, praising look toward. Smiles to be stolen from even her own expression by the ever chaotic, unpredictable ways children expressed their happy feelings – in one instance, Dawn picking up her sister in her glee. There was a kite to collect – and a mask to put on.
In the breath of a moment while Dahlia and Tenet stood together on their own, Mr. Briars gave his name. Dahlia eased into the sort of milder smile she'd give to the quiet kids as not to startle them, then reciprocated his acknowledging nod. She, too, gave her first name in time, putting them all now on a more happily informal basis. 'Happily' to Dahlia at least, as she thrilled in individual discoveries and people opening up at large. That she didn't clap her hands together against one shoulder with a cheer was a testament to a
conscious self-control here.
The plant fae glanced at the peach mask, eager to become a sweet, sunny fruit at her student's design. Only when it was presented to her did she suck in a pleased breath and accept the great honor of Dawn's very own creation.
So while the group exited to the parking lot, there fluttered Daisy, a kite, Dawn, a walking peach with a burst of pink hair, and the tranquil Tenet. There were very few vehicles yet parked there, so her glance passed over one that she knew belonged to another teacher, then to the unfamiliar, weathered & green vehicle. The girls' paths hovered toward that one somewhat, but their father's gravity kept them following his lead. So, that must be theirs, she predicted.
Though their route diverted from the car. Tenet explained their intent – to eat in the park, and that they could give her a ride home afterwards, if she wanted.
"Sounds lovely!" Dahlia hummed in a blanket response to it all, ambiguously leaving any confirmation or refusal about a ride until later. She could see how this all went, and how she felt. More, if the girls seemed eager to have that sort of experience with a teacher from their school in their car – a novelty, she imagined.
The peach-faced teacher turned her abnormally rounded face toward Tenet. The mouth hole wasn't cut large enough to display her lips entirely, but it wasn't hard to see them bend in a way suggesting an encouraging grin behind the mask.
"What a delight to make homemade cheese!" She declared as a compliment. The Peach glanced at Daisy. "And to have such superior supervision to see it through! Do you all make other homemade goods? I imagine you might and that they're lovely!" Dahlia had to reel back her enthusiasm to bolster people's skills and interests to the moon, so she clipped her teeth shut to seal her grin behind the rotund mask.
Indeed, the cool air soothed across the skin with hints of the approaching evening, while lingering warmth contrasted with it from the fading day. Dahlia might declare this her favorite time of the day, but then, she might say the same of whatever moment she existed in. So, internally, she simply accepted the pleasantness of
that current moment, while the day slowly wound toward Hallow's Eve. They still had daylight yet to enjoy, however!
While the girls fluttered ahead, Tenet quietly shared a thought aloud with Dahlia.
You do good work with her. She's happier to go to school this year.
Dahlia could have welled up and wailed for the bittersweet joy of such a statement. On one hand, it broke her heart to imagine Dawn not receiving the style of teaching that sparked her joy for learning; on the other, she felt immensely proud to have so successfully reached the girl. But rather than explode with a burbling cheer, the plant fae held her breath to contain herself. When she felt safe to speak, she did.
"That means so much to me Mr. Br – Tenet." She began, pausing to test herself to find if she would cackle her delight. She managed not to.
"And so do you." She added, turning the compliment toward the girls' father now. The walking Peach turned her orange-flush, round face toward him. "It's been a privilege to see how much love and excitement they express, and around you. That may seem an odd compliment, don't take it the wrong way – there are children enough who don't seem to have that." It was forward, but it was honest - perhaps the quickest way to define Dahlia's natural temperament.
"So!" She suddenly declared, with her bombastic nature getting the best of herself. "What will
YOU be for Halloween?!"
