Slumber Birthday Party

[smallestopener]

The tea party room in the House of Arch has been re-arranged. The chests of dress-up clothes are still there, but the large table is gone. In its place are comfy, overstuffed chairs, a long sofa, and several cushions and bean bags scattered about. There is a small table loaded with snacks like crisps, dips, cupcakes, candy, and soda. There's also a veggie tray and cheese and crackers for all of those over age eight.

An old model TV hooked up to VCR is set up with several video cassettes of movies such as The Aristocats, Sleeping Beauty, Shirley Temple classics, and other fun viewing choices.

Tom and Door have been busy escorting guests into the House, if they didn't already have access on their own, and the birthday girl greets them with squeeful happiness. Megwyn is already there, standing by a basket of fresh hay and apples. Even Companions need treats.

She is wearing pajamas with unicorns on them with a fluffy yellow robe on over. She is very excited and feeling very grown up. She's going to stay up all night.

Comments

Re: Makeovers!!!!

[river_meimei]

"It's your party." Duh, River's voice implies, but she's grinning.

After a motionless moment of blinking, she hugs back.

Re: Makeovers!!!!

[smallestopener]

"Do you want to dress up? We have sparkly powder and lipgloss and fingernail varnish in lots of colors."

Re: Makeovers!!!!

[river_meimei]

Ooh SHINY, says River's face.

"We can trade," she offers hopefully.

Re: Makeovers!!!!

[smallestopener]

"Oh yes. And then we can have cupcakes. There are two kinds - chocolate and lemon."

Re: Makeovers!!!!

[river_meimei]

"Chocolate," River says firmly.

Honestly, is there any other choice on a birthday?

"It's the custom of the country."

Re: Makeovers!!!!

[smallestopener]

Tom wanted the lemon ones.

"I've had two, but Door said I could have one more."

She rustles through the box of makeup and hands River some glitter powder.

"Put some of this on. It's sparkly powder. Just like fairies in stories."

Re: Makeovers!!!!

[river_meimei]

Tom is a very silly man.

With elaborate care, River shakes some powder into the palm of her hand. She bends to sniff at it, serious as any investigating scientist. "They forgot the honey," she informs Ingress over the small heap of glittery powder. "The context is inappropriate for the circumstance."

A quick puff of breath, and sparkly motes cascade over Ingress.

Re: Makeovers!!!!

[smallestopener]

Ingress giggles as the powder floats down into her hair and onto her face. She twirls around and around.

River says things she doesn't understand sometimes, but she does things that Ingress always gets. Catching some of the glittering powder in her hand, she puffs it back towards River.

Re: Makeovers!!!!

[river_meimei]

River makes a startled noise suspiciously like a squeak, and spins slowly. Her arms lift and her head tips back as though she's watching a snowfall, and a tiny smile grows as she turns.

It'll take a long while to get all the glitter out of her hair and sweater. River's not likely to mind.

Re: Makeovers!!!!

[smallestopener]

She watches River a moment. If Ingress were older, she'd be able to say that River moves with grace, and the tiny smile turns her already lovely face to that of one shining with beauty.

But she is only eight.

"You're pretty, River."

Re: Makeovers!!!!

[river_meimei]

River turns to her with a quick, bright grin that makes her face light up.

"It shines," she confides, as if sharing a brand-new secret.

Re: Makeovers!!!!

[smallestopener]

"That's the very best part."

It is, really. Everything shines in Ingress' world. One day she'll wish for everyone to be able to feel that shine.

But tonight she only knows she's happy.