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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Lightly, his eyes fast on Tom's, "You may check it, if you wish."

Mendanbar and Cimorene reach the dance floor just as a waltz begins. With a bright smile, he bows, and she curtseys, and they begin to dance.

She prances in place, silver hooves ringing bell-like from the floor, and flicks her tail in time with the music.

Her whinny blends with Ingress's laugh, and they share more than one joyful dance together before the ball comes to its close.

"Do you think that would send them away any faster? Or would it confuse them and make them stay longer?"

This is a very serious question. Clearly.

"They do," says Amy. "It's so very easy to overdo the prim and proper thing, and I can't imagine it's a very fun way to go through life."

"I should say so. I probably ought to get back to mingling. See you Tuesday afternoon?"

"You really think me stupid, don't you?"

"I am merely waiting to be proven wrong."

"I think it would depend on the rescuer," says Amy, after a moment's hesitation. "It is frightfully easy to confuse most princes, though, isn't it?"

Cimorene is grateful for the waltz, not least because it's fairly simple, and it's been a long time since her last dancing lesson.

And then, though she hated the lessons as a child, she finds she can't remember a single reason why.

Tom scowls. "Keep your bauble and stay away from my family." He turns abruptly and leaves Aphelise to go greet more guests.

"Usually saying 'I'm Cimorene. Can I help you with something?' is enough to do it," she says, shaking her head. "It earns me more than my fair share of completely dumbfounded blank stares."

The Rider smiles, puts the little black box away, and continues wandering the party.

Mendanbar smiles, and twirls her around, rather incorrectly, as this is a waltz, but kings will on occasion make up their own rules.

"You dance very well, Cimorene."

"I'm so glad to hear it," Cimorene says with a smile. "I suppose I should let you go and greet your other guests before cake and ice cream time, then. It's so lovely to finally meet you, Ingress. Happy Birthday."

"Oh, I'm sure," says Amy. "Silly things, princes."

But kings are a whole other matter. Or so Amy finds.

"Good Even, Master Draco!" Salazar rises to greet Draco with a sweeping bow. It's possible he's a leettle giddy-drunk.

"My family Master Draco!" Indicating Tom, Door and Ingress with a sweeping arm.

"I could not be happier, lest I should find that you are my family as well!"

Salazar notices Arithon looking at him and nods, a smile still on his face.

"Master... Arithon was it? Good Even."

Of course Salazar's happy; he's finally found a family who takes pride in him.

She doesn't really mind the twirling. Dances are always more fun when you're allowed to twirl.

"Thank you. It's not my own doing, I assure you. My dance instructors always thought I was a terror."

"Okay! See you later, Cimorene!"

Oddly enough, Cimorene has found that too.

"Very silly," she agrees, "I'm sure they feel I ought to be too blinded by their radiance to say anything at all."

Mendanbar grins, and twirls her again for good measure.

"And were they right?"

"You're going to have your baby soon, huh?"

"Well, you know," says Amy, conspiritorily, "if you polish armor enough, or have your squire do it, you can be a bit dazzling. But it's haldly enough to leave a girl speechless."

She nods.

"A month or so, my time."

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The Princess Birthday Ball

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