Life of the Party

[Barry Wee Willie Winkle]

When one was as old as Barry Wee Willie Winkle was, the days tended to blend together a bit. Not that they weren't distinct days and he didn't enjoy them, or anything; he was a colorful character that tended to make something exciting happen just about wherever he went. But days like this were particularly special, and that was why Barry always commemorated his birthdays with grand parties; his goal was to make each one better than the last. He didn't foresee this ever being a problem, really, because he owned a very profitable company, and as long as he continued to be alive and have birthdays, it seemed as though he would keep making a very steady and very healthy profit, which he could use for things like this.

Clad in a suit with black silk lapels that had been enchanted to change color with the tone of the music being played by the band, Barry flitted from group to group at the party as the place began to fill out. It was still very early in the night, as far as he was concerned (he planned for this event to go well past midnight, and in his experience, the real fun started when all of the respectable people had either gone home for the night or gotten drunk), but already the floating platform was starting to fill up. He hadn't been down to the lake level or up to the sky level yet, but he assumed they would fill more slowly, as they were somewhat more novel then the main, 'normal' level.

Eyes finding a solitary figure in the crowd, Barry approached, one hand in his pocket and the other holding a silver cane he had brought with him, more for the sake of show and appearances than actual need. "Enjoying yourself yet?" he called out chipperly as he drew close. "If you're not, we ought to do something to fix that. Something exciting," he said, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Fancy taking the floating ship up top for a joy ride? I'm sure no one would miss it for a few hours," he joked.

  

[Felix Parkinson I]

Felix had come to the birthday bash out of curiosity. He'd never been to one of Mr. Winkle''s birthday parties before but had heard they were quite grand. Having just graduated from Hogwarts and started at the Ministry Felix figured it would be a good time to get out and be seen. Though he didn't have to deal with ridiculousness a debutante might in regards to social spheres his older sister Drommy had been droning on for weeks about how he needed to be seen out and about. So wearing his best formal attire Felix had set out ot make an impression, or at least not a fool of himself.

Felix was certainly not a recluse, but he often found the pomp and fair of the wizarding social seen to be a tad bit ostentatious. Mr. Winkle's had turned out to be rather interesting though, and Felix was glad he had come.

"Really?" Felix asked raising an eye brow in question and turning to face the man who could only have been the patron himself. Felix had just been admiring the floating vessel pondering on how it worked. There were quite a few ways with magic to make things "fly".

  

[Barry Wee Willie Winkle]

"Well," Barry said, taking a second to actually think of the proposition instead of just saying things. He hadn't been serious, really, but there was something about the young man's tone that made him wish he had been. "People actually would miss this ship quite a bit for the next few hours, most likely--I did make it a centerpoint of the party," he said with a frown. "But listen, if you're keen on taking one for a spin there's no reason you shouldn't. Let me--here," he said, fishing in his interior pocket for a business card.

The card he handed over was a plain white square, with a simple, embossed title: Wizarding Wares International. "Take my card. Just throw it into a Floo-connected fireplace to visit the office or speak to a secretary. Miss Lisle can take care of you. You just tell her I sent you and she can pair you up with one of our Captains, and you can drive around the coastline all weekend if you fancy it," he suggested. "Even bring a friend or two--why not?" he said with a jovial shrug.

"What was your name, son?" he asked, tilting his head forward to gaze earnestly at the boy.

  

[Felix Parkinson I]

Felix had never been one to embellish or to mislead another with his words. He was too practical for than said what he meant for didn't say it at all, so he was always slightly thrown off when he encountered it others, even if it were well meaning. You'd think by now he'd have gotten use to it, but maybe mother was right, maybe he was still fairly naive in life.

Felix took the card graciously though and took a moment to read over it, confirming that this was indeed the some how ancient yet spirited host of the party. Really he hardly looked his age at all Felix found himself thinking, but then again neither had Professor. Flamel.

Captains? Felix had to assume the man was fairly well off if he had captains, plural. Then again with such extravagant parties he probably should have already come to that conclusion.

Felix wasn't sure who he might invite. Maybe Sparrow ... Felix was sure he'd never been on such a thing. Perhaps Miss. Fontaine ? No... that would be a messed of an idea he decided.

"Felix Parkinson, sir" He said turning to face the man and extending his hand to shake Mr. Winkle's
"It's a pleasure to meet you" He added with a light smile.