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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Aphelise raises his glass to Tom, smiling.

"Best wishes for a happy birthday to little Ingress, Tom."

"She'll have a very good one. A very peaceful, happy one."

The tone of his voice indicates that he will allow nothing else.

Lightly, said with a smile, "So one would hope."

He wanders towards Tom, sipping at his glass of fruit punch from the snacks table.

"How old is she now? Seven?"

"Yes."

"They do grow up so quickly, don't they?"

"Soon she'll be older, and will have friends who don't live just a painting away."

"A Herald, she'll be, if I heard right."

"Yes, fighting evil and darkness. It's a family endeavour, it would seem."

The Rider glances over at the birthday girl, smiling faintly.

"But an individual fight, with individual results."

"Ah, but she won't be alone. She'll never be alone." Not with Megwyn by her side.

The smiles grows. "Comrades often fall, in dangerous battles such as those she will be fighting."

He clenches his fists. "Yes. Well, you're ever so interesting to chat with, Aphelise, but I think, perhaps, you ought to go back to counting your diamonds. I daresay they enjoy your company more than I."

The nasal voice is filled with cold amusement. "I shall not leave just yet, I think."

From his pocket he pulls out a small, black box with a red ribbon. "I have not given the birthday girl her gift, yet."

"Nor will you." His wand is out now. "She will not accept a gift, and so be in your power."

"It is just a simple thing. A bauble to give her delight."

His voice conveys only the sincerest wish to have Ingress be happy with the gift.

His eyes say otherwise.

"That's how it would start, wouldn't it? A simple bauble. No."

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

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

"I am merely waiting to be proven wrong."

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

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

The Princess Birthday Ball

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