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

"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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