The Princess Birthday Ball

[smallestopener]

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!

Comments

Re: Greet Amy

[balletrat]

I don't doubt it, *Meg agrees.* I'm not sure who to feel sorrier for - you, or the six poor pages, or poor Countess Whatsername with her twelve-foot train that's still not quite long enough.

Re: Greet Amy

[kitchen_maid]

"Well, the countess didn't have any pages," says Amy. "And so she wasn't able to dance at all."

A pause.

"Which means she might be the person to feel the least sorry for, really."

Re: Greet Amy

[balletrat]

Not able to dance? Oh, I'd feel the most sorry for her then, *says Meg, glancing down at her own feet with a grin.*

I mean, heavy train or not, everyone ought to be able to dance.

Re: Greet Amy

[kitchen_maid]

"Even if it makes them look silly", says Amy, giggling a bit.

Re: Greet Amy

[balletrat]

Everyone ought to learn how to look silly, too, *Meg says, firmly.* It's good for you really - kings and queens and countesses and things especially. Builds character!

Re: Greet Amy

[kitchen_maid]

Amy giggles. "My mother is, I believe, already convinced that I have rather too much character."

Re: Greet Amy

[balletrat]

Yes, *Meg says, sagely,* but does she know how to look silly?

Re: Greet Amy

[kitchen_maid]

"On purpose?"