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

"Well, I think it helps that she has so many other things to do, and so many other influences. No one has ever expected her to just sit about and be beautiful and wait for a prince. Which is good, as I don't think she'd be at all suited to that."

"I know my life would have been much different, had my childhood been more like that. It's good to know the less sensible traditions are being firmly discouraged."

"Yes," says Amy. "Here at the end of the universe, if nowhere else."

"At least it's happening. These trends need to start somewhere."

"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."

"Certainly not. I'm glad those days are well behind me, and that my daughter will never have to go through them herself."

"Yes," says Amy. "And how are Millie and Wade? Are they here?"

She can't imagine they'd miss it.

Snow points to where the twins are running around happily, having a rather good time.

"Of course. I could hardly let them miss the party, and I'm not about to make them stand around and quietly behave. They need to be allowed to have fun."

"They look like they're having a marvelous time," says Amy, approvingly. "And I don't think the point of this party is to stand around and quietly behave."

Snow beams at them.

"In my opinion, the proper behavior for a children's party involves running around and having fun. Etiquette can come later."

"Quite," agrees Amy.

"My mother wouldn't have agreed, though. They're lucky to have you."

"They gain the advantage of my experience. I'm not about to make them go through all the pomp and ceremony I did, and they'll be all the better for it. To break the traditions, all you need is one generation who realizes how foolish it is and decides not to inflict it on their children."

"My mother is excessively fond of tradition," says Amy, a little glumly. Then brightens. "But that doesn't mean I have to be."

"Precisely. You're in an ideal position to change things for the better. My parents were quite attached to tradition. If they could see me now, I honestly don't know how they might react."

"Well, I shall certainly keep all that in mind," says Amy. "Thank you, Snow."

"You're welcome. And I won't keep you from your work any longer -- you've likely got enough to do without me holding you back. Have a wonderful evening."

With a last smile, Snow turns to join her children.

The Princess Birthday Ball

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