smallestopener | The Princess Birthday Ball

The huge, white tent sprawls on the lawn beside the lake. It has been transfigured there for a very special occasion. A stone walkway leads from the bar to the tent - the pavements are wide enough that ladies' dresses won't trail on the ground as they make their way to the entrance. Over the draped curtains of the entrance way is a large banner which reads "Happy 7th Birthday, Ingress".

Once inside, the honored guests will be in the midst of an enchanted ballroom. There are balloons drifting in bunches from the circular tables lining the sides of the large dance floor. Floating candlabras glow with gentle light from above. There are trees in large ornamental pots interspersed throughout sparkling with fairy lights from real fairies.

One long banquet table is positioned on along the side of the ballroom - there are treats of all description. Little finger sandwiches, chopped up fruit, cookies, cheese and crackers, and other child-friendly h'ors douerves are presented to make sure the dancers are sustained throughout the the party. There are large bowls of ice cream (kept cold with magic)and sundae fixings. Punch bowls of sherbet-flavored drinks await ladling into crystal goblets. But most impressive is the large birthday cake with blue, purple, and pink icing roses festooning it.

Ingress is busy greeting her guests in her gown - a birthday gift from Amy and Susan - but soon she'll be dancing to the music provided by the overlarge Gramophone in the corner, which is playing a wide array of dancing music from waltz standards to court music to pop hits of the 20th century.

Tom, who's pretty tired from the magical effort required to pull this off, is in the background making sure his little girl is having a perfect party, and Princess Amy is helping Ingress in her hostess duties.

Come in and enjoy the party!

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"That happened in May Fair in London Below once, but the Pigeon people got mad and left in a huff."

"I do, I do. I like all my presents. I have to meet more of my guests, but we'll eat cake later and dance, okay?"

He hugs her back tightly and kisses her cheek. "And there's one more thing, but don't tell Tom." He pulls out a small box, hardly bigger than the palm of his hand. Within are detailed, simple, handwritten instructions, and loads of little bits and bobs, everyday items, really. But if you follow the instructions to the letter, those little bits and bobs make a very small, very weak bomb. Along with the instructions is an explanation of why the ingredients are volatile together and not separately, and what sorts of other everyday things can make a bomb when combined with them.

Over all, there's a cream-colored card: This info might come in handy in Valdemar. Study up.

"It's a grand party. You can dance and eat cake and ice cream. But maybe not at the same time."

"What's enchanted about it?" Ingress knows there are all kinds of magical places in the worlds of people at Milliways.

Draco was sitting properly at another table. Of course, being used to fancy functions like this, he knew the importance of appearance while dining, and mingling. Every so often, he occasionally had a spot of food.

They walk together to the rows of magical records. "Well, there's a fellow called Gregory who's quite keen on me, but I'm not as keen on him. Then there's Jeff, who I rather like a lot. We've gone out a few times. Then there's Clive who just tries a little too hard, but is sweet."

"Do pigeons not like blackbirds?" Mary says, puzzled.

"I thought it was cuckoos that were the ones the other birds did not like - because they laid their eggs in other nests."

There is a pause before Amy answers, as the mun tried to figure out how people did manage to sit in bustles.

"I would except you to be too busy dancing to have time to sit down, anyway," says Amy, laughing. "Elizabethan things?"

She predates Elizabeth. And if it means missing the farthingale, she's completely okay with it.

You'd better reserve a dance for me, *Meg agrees. She gives Ingress another grin, and then starts to make her way through the group of guests, her bustle clearing a rather large path behind her.*

"Everything," says Mendanbar, a truthful if not helpful answer.

"The Forest itself is magic -- you can feel it in the air there. And if you're the king, you can take hold of it and do things with it."

"Maybe not."

He looks down at his empty hands, a little sheepishly.

"Um. Lilly has your present. I chipped in for it. I think she'll be along in a bit."

"No, the Pigeon people were mad the blackbirds were put in the pie. They were fine though. My daddy always said Pigeon people were silly."

*Mostly they perched on special stands that would be placed around the room.

And - well, got very used to standing for long periods of time.*

Queen Elizabeth, *Meg explains, helpfully.* One of those English queens - in her day, they all wore dresses like this, and these huge ruffs around their neck like this -

*She gestures extravagantly with her hands, by way of demonstration.*

I mean, I expect they worked very well to make sure everyone got the right amount of personal space, but -

Amy looks over at the giant gramophone and up at the floating candalabras. "I suspect my parents' court would find the whole thing rather confusing, but it certainly is grand. And it should be. Ingress only turns seven once, after all."

Mary looks lofty.

"If the blackbirds did not like it, they could simply have eaten their way out. Birds like crumbs - if they had only started to peck there would have been lots of crumbs."

Amy stares. "That sounds very very silly. But I suppose that's why one goes to Paris for clothes, and not England."

Even in Amy's day, Paris is the height of fashion. Because hasn't it always been?

Charlie is wandering about, eating cheese and crackers.

At the first sound of a waltz, Charlie looks for Ingress. He bows, very courtly, and lets her stand on his feet as they dance.

Sallie is grinning rather strongly, curtseying herself.

A beat and an elbow to the side sends a mildly flustered Mal into a straight military bow.

"We appreciate very much the invitation, your ladyship highness," Sallie jokes mildly. It doesn't take a poke in the side for Mal to pull out a small envelope from his pocket, an calligraphied invitation inside to visit the ranch.

"Consider it a field trip - we could have our lesson there one o' these days, stay for dinner...Tom and Door are invited too, o' course."

*Well, Meg's certainly not going to disagree.*

The English are always trying to outdo us, poor things, *she agrees airily,* and usually it just makes them look silly. But you do have to give them credit for trying.

"I suppose," says Amy.

And then she looks puzzled.

"Whatever were they trying to outdo with silly skirts and collars out to here?"

*Meg giggles.*

- well, fashionwise I guess they were just thinking, bigger is better?

"Such celebrations can be extremely grand indeed," she agrees. "She is certainly a happy child, and well-loved."

Draco bowed, still smiling some, "Of course, my lady. Happy birthday." He then went to walk around some. Martin in the time flew off to stretch his wings some outside.

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The Princess Birthday Ball

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