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

Greet the birthday girl

[smallestopener]

Ingress waves happily at every guest. Everyone looks so nice and everyone's smiling, and this is the best day ever!

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[fairest1.livejournal.com]

Snow approaches Ingress, followed by a grinning Millie and Wade. All three are dressed for the occasion, and Snow carries a large, nicely wrapped present for the birthday girl.

[the_lioness]

It amuses Alanna that of all the people she has tried to think of gifts for, the idea for Ingress' comes the most easily. She has been waiting for this moment since her young friend mentioned it several weeks ago.

With a wide smile, she stops directly before Ingress and curtsies deeply - without wobbling, even! She's been practicing.

There's a parcel tucked under her arm.

"Happy birthday, Princess Ingress!"

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[prince-arithon.livejournal.com]

Arithon pulled out all the stops.

No, really. All the stops. He's in tunic, and hose, with jewelry everywhere. He's even traded his boots for a pair of dancing shoes from his when and where.

To make matters perfect? He's wearing his crown. Not something that he does every day, or month. Heck, he goes years without putting it on, but for Ingress? Its on.

He's also got a small box (http://image07.webshots.com/7/2/91/92/84529192izPRzK_ph.jpg), wrapped up in green.

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[clumsy_auror]

"Wotcher, milady!" calls Tonks happily, her brightly-coloured dress swirling around her legs. "Aren't you looking smashing this afternoon."

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[smallestopener]

"Hi Millie and Wade! Hi Snow!"

She curtseys. She's been practicing.

"I'm glad you came."

[smallestopener]

"Alanna, hi!" She hugs Alanna and then gives her a curtsey in return. She does wobble a bit, but not too much, and when she rises up, she beams. "You look so pretty."

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[smallestopener]

"Wow, Arithon," she says, her eyes wide. "I didn't know you had a crown. You look just like a king from a story!"

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[smallestopener]

"'Dora, 'Dora!" Ingress cries as she rushes to hug Nymphadora. "'Dora, you look beautiful! We can both be princesses today."

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[prince-arithon.livejournal.com]

"I am a prince."

He says mildly,

"Tier's'Ffalenn is a way of saying prince s'Ffalenn."

Sort of. It gets complicated. He hands her the box, with a smile,

"And so I dressed the part for you."

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[smallestopener]

"Tee-air-suh-Fall-en," she repeats, trying hard to get the words right. She takes the box and curtseys. "I thank you, Sir, for this token of friendship," she says, very properly. Then she giggles. "Can I open it?"

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[prince-arithon.livejournal.com]

"Arithon is still fine."

He informs her, with a deep bow,

"Of course you can! That is the point, yes?"

He laughs and waves his hands at her, to get her to open it up.

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Of course, princely garments aren't that hard for the semi-wealthly Malfoy. Especially since he now had some income. Martin was perched on his shoulder. Draco smiled at the girl, and there was also a specially wrapped present for the birthday girl.

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[smallestopener]

"Arithon's lots easier to say."

She tears off the wrapping.

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[smallestopener]

"Hi, Draco! I'm glad you and Martin could come."

She curtseys to him, holding out her skirts.

"Welcome to my birthday ball."

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[prince-arithon.livejournal.com]

Someone never learned about costume jewelry. Tom is probably going to have a heart attack, later, but its an actual silver tiara with actual sapphires in it.

They match Ingress' hair.

"Yes, it is. Do you like it?"

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[smallestopener]

She stares at the tiara with pure delight. "It's beautiful!"

She sets in on her head. "Thank you so, so much! Will you dance with me later?"

Tom will just be sad he didn't think of it first.

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[prince-arithon.livejournal.com]

"Of course."

He informs her, dipping down to collect a kiss from her cheek (some day, not to distant, he'll have to stretch up to do this. He'll take all he can get while she's short),

"I love to dance, and one should always dance with the prettiest first."

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[smallestopener]

She giggles and kisses his cheek, too. She feels like such a grown up today!

"Okay, Arithon. I'll find you and we'll waltz. Or do a court dance. I know lots of dances."

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[prince-arithon.livejournal.com]

She'll really be a grown-up before too long.

Its horribly sad, in one way.

So he'll dance with her tonight,

"That is a promise."

He informs her, smiling and touching her cheek with two fingers,

"And I hold you to it. If you wish, I shall come by when it is time you return home, and sing you sweetly to sleep."

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[smallestopener]

"That would be very nice," she giggles. "Megwyn would like it, too."

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[prince-arithon.livejournal.com]

"I shall sing for her as well, then."

He gives her one last bow, then fades away so that she can talk to her other guests.

He'll be back for the dancing.

[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."