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

[the_lioness]

"Many thanks, but I hardly hold a candle to you. I'm ever so glad I could make it this year."

Inpatient, she thrusts the present into Ingress' hands, grinning. Although it is wrapped in simple cloth, inside is a scarlet and gold court gown with gold braid about the waist and sleeves, made to fit Ingress. The odd thing about this dress, however, is the split skirt designed for riding.

Underneath the dress is a scroll. It had been remarkably easy to wrangle a formal court invitation addressed to Princess Ingress from their Royal Majesties King Jonathan of Tortall and Princess Thayet.

[smallestopener]

"Me too. It's going to be fun - even funner than last year!"

She reads the carefully and her eyes widen. "Is this your king? Oh, but Alanna, I'm not a real princess. I'm just pretending. Will he mind if I come anyway?"

[the_lioness]

"He knows," she assures Ingress with a smile. "However, I asked that the invitation match the spirit of the party. It doesn't matter if you're a princess or not. In fact, Thayet would likely argue about her own title. You're my friend, and as such, you are always welcome."

She nods firmly.

"If you want to go with me to the palace sometime, that is."

[smallestopener]

"I do, I do! Can Megwyn come, too?"

She smiles back at Megwyn who is standing in the background in her finest bridle (bitless, of course) of plaited blue leather.

[the_lioness]

"Naturally!" Alanna smiles and inclines her head to Megwyn. "Stefan will take good care of her, and we can take her to see the royal forest."

[smallestopener]

"Then we shall go."

She beams at the scroll. "Thanks, Alanna."

[the_lioness]

"You are most welcome."

A quick glance around, and Alanna leans down to kiss Ingress' forehead.

"I shall leave you be for the moment. You have many people anxious to speak with you." She grins, gesturing to the crowd. "Perhaps later we can show everyone that dance I taught you last year."

[smallestopener]

She gives her another hug. "I've been practicing it so we have to. See you later, Alanna!"

[the_lioness]

"Farewell, lass."

Alanna melts back into the crowd, intent on finding cake.