“The talent show?” Penelope shrugged. “She told me about it a few days ago. Everything will be fine. It’s not as big of a change as you seem to think. We’d already planned for a fancy reception with dinner and dancing. This is just adding something a little more than dancing.”

Luke harrumphed. He scratched the dogs bookending his knees harder behind the ears, until their paws were thumping in time to his movements. “Well, there’s no way I’m going to perform in front of an audience.”

“You already did, last night,” Penelope reminded him. “How’d that go, by the way?” She nudged his leg with her foot. “Did she like the song?”

A smile Luke couldn’t control tugged at his mouth, taking over his whole face.

“That good?” Penelope whistled, which led to the entire fleet of corgis turning her direction in unison, pointy ears quivering. “I see why you might be uncomfortable with the idea of an audience,” his sister acquiesced, as the canines continued to scrutinize her. “But you did it once, you can do it again.”

“I’m not singing again. That was a onetime, never-to-be-repeated-in-this-lifetime deal.”

“Well, if that’s not an option, let’s think,” Penelope mused. “It’s a talent show. What are you good at?” She paused, grinning impishly. “Besides annoying me.”

“Ha ha.” Luke considered the question. What was he good at? Computers …

“And before you suggest it, I don’t think anyone is interested in seeing you write code in real time.”

Luke’s mouth pinched. He was not about to admit that was exactly what he’d been considering. He grimaced. Thinking of a talent, something he was good at—especially something others would be interested in—was hard. As with programming, it was easier to focus on the flaws. They stood out more.

“What about a Zelda speed run?” He perked up at the possibility. “My latest record for Breath of the Wild is—”

“Absolutely not. No video games.” Penelope shook her head. “The point is for people to be entertained, not put to sleep.”

“Hey.” Luke covered the ears of the dog he was petting. “Careful with the euthanasia euphemisms.”

Penelope blinked at him, unamused. “You could always do something with a partner. Why don’t you ask Julia?” she suggested.

“How do you think I learned about the talent show in the first place?” Luke griped, irritation returning. “I really enjoyed getting blindsided by this change. She asked me if I had any tricks up my sleeve.” Julia’s question had taken him by surprise, and he’d panicked, making up some nonsense excuse so he could escape and find his sister.