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

[kitchen_maid]

Well, to be completely fair, it might surprise Amy a little to see anyone dressed in frothy pink.

Especially that particular frothy pink.

But it doesn't show.

"Good evening, Moiraine. It's lovely to see you again. How are you?"

Re: Greet Amy

[blue_ajah]

As with most things, there is a story surrounding the origin of this dress, which is not of a style she herself might have had made.

"I am as well as may be expected," she returns serenely.

How well that actually is may be left to question, but she shows no outer sign.

"And you?"

Re: Greet Amy

[kitchen_maid]

"This evening I am quite well indeed." It's not the time or place to talk of other recent evenings. This is Ingress' birthday party, after all.

"I'm very glad you could come. Have you had a chance to greet Ingress?"

Re: Greet Amy

[blue_ajah]

"I have, as it happens," she says. Moiraine glances across the crowd toward the little girl where she stands talking with Ace, and then looks back to Amy.

"It looks to be a lovely event, fit perhaps even for court in truth."

Re: Greet Amy

[kitchen_maid]

Amy looks over at the giant gramophone and up at the floating candalabras. "I suspect my parents' court would find the whole thing rather confusing, but it certainly is grand. And it should be. Ingress only turns seven once, after all."

Re: Greet Amy

[blue_ajah]

"Such celebrations can be extremely grand indeed," she agrees. "She is certainly a happy child, and well-loved."

Re: Greet Amy

[kitchen_maid]

"She is, and rightly so," says Amy.

"I like your dress," she adds, because she has a hard time thinking of things to say to Moiraine sometimes.

Re: Greet Amy

[blue_ajah]

She is far from the first, as it happens, but manages better than a great many have.

"Thank you," Moiraine says quietly. She runs one hand absently over a bit of the ruffled pink silk as she adds,

"It was a gift, of sorts. From Raven."

Re: Greet Amy

[kitchen_maid]

Princess training is handy for some things. Like managing to make conversation, even with nothing to say.

"It's rather perfect for tonight, I think. I suspect it'll be great fun to dance it."