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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

At a party, and there is a young man standing quietly behind Mary, having approached (relatively) quietly through the crowd. Wellard's hand brushes Mary's arm to let her know he is there, as he glances from her to crouching figure of the Black Rider.

"Miss Mary, Mr Aphelise. Good day." No smile, but his tone and look are pleasant enough, even if his eyes are sharp.

(He is dressed for the party, apparently, in the sort of uniform a royal commanding officer would wear, for Wellard's time.)

The Black Rider's smile is twisted as he gets easily to his feet. His voice, however, is totally normal. His ice-sharp eyes are flat. "Good day, Henry."

"Wellard," Mary says, still sounding a little stunned as she turns to glance at him; then, her voice sharpening suddenly: "You are still ill."

A short pause, Mary's face visibly changing as she follows this thought to its logical conclusion - namely, that Wellard and the Black Rider should not be in the same vicinity - before she takes a stiff, determined hold onto Wellard's hand.

"You must come with me," she says, loudly. "I must talk to you."

Wellard and the Black Rider have already talked on this day, earlier. Mary is a little late for that.

He gives Aphelise a nod, before blinking at Mary. Wellard could quite argue this, however-

"Most certainly. If you would excuse us, please?" A glance to Aphelise, before stepping back to let Mary pull him away.

"Of course."

He sips his drink. "Enjoy the rest of the party."

"I hope you eat an icing flower and choke and turn blue and die," Mary says, politely, and then pulls Wellard hastily through the crowds to the other side of the party.

...

Wellard is coughing and wincing, as they walk away- 'cause.... ow.

Finally, they get far enough away and Wellard stops, sitting down at the first available set of chairs. He eyes Mary.

"Now, if I am to avoid Mrs Rowlands, what about yourself?"

"He was not meant to be here," Mary says, with a ferocious scowl.

"This is a party for Ingress; evil people ought not to be here!"

She fixes him with a sharp look.

"You are coughing. Ought you to be up?"

"I would gather as much- and the others here will hopefully keep an eye on him as well." Wellard nods at Mary, then smiles wryly.

"Dr Tam said I am fine to be up and around, as long as I am careful." So there is entirely unspoken.

"Now. Are you alright?"

"Yes," Mary says, tossing her head back with an air of unconcern.

It is, perhaps, a little overdone.

"My apple blossom protected me. I am quite all right."

He eyes the withered blossom pinned to her dress. "Perhaps so- but Mr Aphelise is a person to stay away from, I've been told. Even for you as well." Wellard smiles a bit wryly.

Mary's scowl deepens.

"I only went to tell him to leave. I do not want to see him - not ever - but I at least know he is evil. Many people might not."

"I didn't know before, but the Commodore told me." Wellard smiles wryly.

"Mr Aphelise was there the first time I took ill, and may have perhaps helped Mrs Rowlands. Though I do not think either one of them would answer correctly if questioned about that matter."

"He was there," Mary says, "the night she tried to get to Yorkshire. When I was bespelled.

I do not know what he was doing - but he was there. I did not remember until Will Stanton reminded me, because I was bespelled, but I know he was."

Wellard frowns, nodding slowly. "They work together at times- except when they do not, but they are both evil."

He sighs quietly, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Something will be figured, for the both of them."

"Whether it is or is not," Mary snaps, rising to her full height, "they should not be here at least!

It is Ingress' party. It is the wrong place. Everyone is in - in tiaras and sparkly dresses!"

"And he is not- so, people will be watching him." Wellard eyes her.

"... Sit down, if you would?" A sigh. "Or are you going to let him ruin this party for you as well? He'd probably like that."

Rather grudgingly, Mary takes a seat.

"It would be stupid to relax," she points out, "knowing he is here - he could likely cast a spell on the food or anything."

Wellard looks over the crowd. "... There are some of Security here, and at least one person that I know of that knows magic. They would take care of things if he did so- They would know how to, you see?"

"They might not know if he did," Mary points out. "He is good at sneaking."

"Then we'll tell them if it looks like they are missing what he is doing." Wellard nods to her.

"Then," Mary says, with an air of having Proved Her Point, "we had best watch, hadn't we?"

"Which we can do from here."

Wellard is not above using his poor, injured status to keep Mary nearby, and away from the Black Rider.

"I did not say we could not," Mary announces.

Obviously, this has been her plan the entire time.

Certainly it was.

Except Wellard would remember the detail to get them cake and drinks while they watch the Black Rider from across the tent. Details, you see.

The Princess Birthday Ball

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