... to think that because I can't see a new IPOAT thread I should start one myself?

[PrincessFiorimonde]

Especially as I want to wish CheerfulYank a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY for today. Hope you are having a lovely day.

And here is the patron saint of IPOAT playing Happy Birthday To CY!

Telegram from Miss Fid to MADAME Hully:
Ner. Stop.
Love Miss Fid. Stop.

I heard, Miss Honey and Widow, and Madame Mimi, that there is often a Ball at this time of year, a costume ball! Surely we will meet some beaux at that?

Our balls are some of ze largest in Europe Madame.

I vill send a mesage to ze castle at once, to find out when next you may experience ze Count's balls.

Oh I love large balls

You vill need much stamina to handle our balls. Our local eiswein is remarkably fortifying. May I offer you a taste?

Note from Miss Fid to Miss CheerfulYank:

Oh Miss CYank, I am greatly afeared that on their travels the Mistressesssss/Madames Honey, Hully, Mimi and The Widow are being entranced and bewitched by large Count balls.
In their desire for beaux, dancing and meeting Gentlemen they are perhaps fooilishly blind to the wiles of the Forriner and the heady intoxication of a sweet Eiswein.
We must devise a Plan to assist.
Worriedly yours,
Fid

Of course, it is our custom here for no lady to tackle such balls without the help of a gentleman. It vould not be fitting for you ladies to be so unaccompanied.

Come, take a stroll vis me to ze town, and we shall make arrangements for suitable companions. Who knows, perhaps even a little love vill blossom, no? I haff not been to a vedding for so long!

Oh you are SO understanding Mistress Housekeeper. I wouldn't worry quite so much on the Widow's account, she has been married more times than you have teeth. They're quite large teeth, aren't they? And so white and shiny. You must give me the name of your tooth-doctor.

Well hallooo
News reaches me of a trip?

Can it be true-are we to saly forth?

I have my trunk and travel sickness pills and a large gimp costume should we need it. What else?

I am quite tired of these parts...so much fury and griping. Bring me sun and beautiful vista

We are in Transylvania dear Mistress Pag, where the air is clement, the teeth are white and shiney and there is endless tomato juice. We understand there is to be a ball! A great big ball with beaux aplenty!

Oh my ohmy! I really don't know where i am supposed to be, the tea apparatus is in transylvania, and I thought I was on my way to fairyland. < muddled headed after experimenting with potions> Still, whilst in transylavania, there will be Igors and we know their surgery skills, we might find new parts for Mr Rochester. I must go and wonder in the woods for a while, I shall search for the 'widows dodder' it has the rarest properties.

Dear Lady! So sorry to hear your transport vas delayed. Please, let Igor take your trunk inside. Can I offer you a bite?

Miss Mini darling! There you are. You have been slumbering so sweetly atop the roof of the barouche we didn't like to disturb you. What dreams you must have enjoyed! Such a sweet smile played about your lips. But look! I fear you have cut your neck! What are those ruby droplets upon your collar?

Oh poor Igor, how he staggers under the weight of Pag's trunk, tis all her bolstering I'll be bound, and still there is something of the ooze about it, no?

Oh what a charming location.
I feel the need of many beaux. Let us be frotthy and gleeful.
I shall create a beautiful headdress from garlic and daisys and cheese straws in case we get peckish.

Amen to froth

I hope I didn't forget my sprigged tulle.

Lookout for a dark getleman, smelling of garlic, with a pronounced limp everyone.
A note for Miss Fids, Watkins is always ready to help, here he is with the under <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44618000/jpg/_44618321_butlers_bbc_512i.jpg&imgrefurl=news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7377956.stm&usg=__BnCksEiseZQKDpAwfJkXQuHcUrY=&h=288&w=512&sz=24&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=eqA7teo3tcIf4M:&tbnh=92&tbnw=163&ei=jTsUTua6L4exhAeGmLTwDQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3DButlers%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DG%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D607%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=713&vpy=94&dur=7485&hovh=168&hovw=300&tx=149&ty=101&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">gardnener

got carried away with the ns there

Madame Hully, I am afraid that whilst trying to remove the creases, Igor has irreparably damaged your sprigged taffeta gown. I am sure zat my daughters will have something you could borrow for the ball. Somethink simple perhaps, or would you prefer a little more structure?

Oh pray don't trouble yourself. A mysterious admirer has unexpectedly delivered the most beautiful gown to my chamber

But will there be time for nuptials? Perhaps the nuptials must wait until we have attended the ball and met the beaux? Just two posts left, twould be a shame not to attend the ball.

Mistress Hully could you please advise the countess that I am off age and as such do not wish to wear a sailor suit and knee socks!

I thank you, Mistress Mini. I have assigned Watkins several tasks and he has engaged another Under-Gardener
I look forward to instructing him.

Mwah ha ha ha ha! You vill all be married at once! If only you knew what decoction I had stirred into ze tomato juice! Soon you vill all brides of ze House of Dracul-Palanquin, in thrall to my Lord and Master!