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

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]

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.

Re: Greet the birthday girl

[smallestopener]

"Hi Millie and Wade! Hi Snow!"

She curtseys. She's been practicing.

"I'm glad you came."

[fairest1]

Snow and Millie curtsey back, and Wade bows. Wade's been practicing keeping around floor level, lately.

Millie and Wade are dressed much like a prince and princess would be back in Snow's kingdom in the Homelands -- something like you might see in the old-fashioned storybooks, with lace and dark velvet. Millie has a tiara, but Wade put up enough of a fight not to have to wear his crown. Snow has opted for a fancy yet less-than-entirely-authentic dress, as she has become very appreciative of modern fashion and the way it allows you to actualy move and breathe.

"We're glad to be here, Ingress. Happy birthday -- the party looks wonderful."

[smallestopener]

"Your dress is pretty, Snow." She bends over to talk to Millie and Wade. "You guys look very nice and fancy, too."

Standing back up, she addresses Snow again. "We're going to have dancing, too. And cake!"

[fairest1]

Snow beams and passes the package to Ingress.

"Thank you, Ingress. You look quite lovely, yourself."

Millie and Wade snap to attention at the mention of cake.

"Perfect. Everything a party should have. Do you want to open your present now, or would you rather wait until later?"

[smallestopener]

"Um.... I think now!"

[fairest1]

Snow indicates the box and Millie giggles

[smallestopener]

"I love the dress! It's so pretty. Thanks, Snow.

Then she reads the scroll. She sounds out the bigger words and her eyes get very wide. She knows what "heir to the throne" means.

"Really????"

[fairest1]

Snow stands regally and nods.

"Yes, Ingress. You're a real princess. I'll admit the tube, dress and parchment are just replicas Bar provided, but it's all authentic. And I have full authority to grant this title to you. The actual politics are a bit tricky, but suffice to say you're as much a royal as I am."

A queen who hasn't seen her kingdom in over half a milennia where, odds are, none still living can recall her reign and might prefer the dictatorship . . . well, at least Ingress can't get to the Homelands.

[smallestopener]

"I never thought I'd be a real princess! This is great!!!" She is bouncing up and down, clutching the scroll to her chest.

[wolf_baby]

Millie, who has been trying very very hard to keep from mentioning the gift before Ingress opened it, now joins in the bouncing with much joy.

"Yay! Now we're BOTH real princesses!"

[smallestopener]

She hugs the younger girl. "We are, we are! Princesses in the House of Arch!"

[wolf_baby]

Millie hugs back, grinning.

"This is gonna be so much fun!"

[smallestopener]

"That's what parties are for! I have to say hi to other people but I'll find you guys later."

[fairest1]

Snow grins warmly and strokes Millie's hair.

"Of course, we won't keep you from your duties as a hostess. Happy Birthday, Ingress."

With that, the trio move to mingle.