The entire place was shrouded in fog, that Mibbet was pretty sure wasn’t there not long before, and the ticking didn’t seem to be fading, in fact if anything it was getting closer.

Mibbet shouldered Choppy, ready should the need arise. The ticking was now accompanied by footsteps.

The fog shifted, as a stranger stepped forward. It looked like a creature fresh out of nightmares, (or if popular text describing their romantic interests in anatomically accurate, the dreams of a number of Prince Charming type.) It was rather difficult to describe the individual in question, dear readers. I say individual, because the closest thing to a person you could say about them, was they looked humanoid, if the humanoid in question was created by a being who had never seen a biped in person before. Based on the description of a person who had never been asked to describe a humanoid before. Based on the assumption that the creator in question had. They relayed through a chain of very drunk people, to a translation spell, then translated back before presentation. What I can say is that they had a smile, yes, a lot of smile. Like they’d never been told where to stop smiling, so had assumed you make it as wide, and toothy, as you can manage. Oh! And failed to mention, the teeth in question are all supposed to belong to the same species. It appeared they had grabbed a random lucky dip of them instead. There was some shark one that looked like it belonged in a protodragon, a little one mind you, but still.

They were clad in a tattered old hat, and a faded ringmaster’s outfit, but clearly it fit them in part because they made the effort to make it do so. Their limbs seemed to joint in places that did not comply with Physics, Anatomy, or any semblance of common sense. It walked towards Mibbet, who kept choppy ready, just in case. But was doing her best to hold her mind together as the mind-boggling horror slunk forward. Holding out a gloved hand, extending a dog-eared piece of card towards her. (She was extremely glad they hadn’t been a clown, or she would have run away so fast she left a Princess Rosalind Von Harmsworth shaped crater through anything in her path.)

At the card being presented, though, something clicked in her, as Princess brain took over for her crumbling mind. It knew what this was, people gave it cards, it accepted cards, it smiled politely. Often doing so despite the potential creepiness of the circumstances. What happened to the invitations afterwards? Mileage may vary. But you accept politely, with a smile.

She examined the card, it was crudely written, in brightly coloured crayon, and looked older than she was, but still. She knew this.

“TeE PArTy. TwoDaEY” It read, now Mibbet knew exactly what had happened to the others. This was an invitation, a vague one admittedly, written by something only marginally resembling a creature from this plane. She thought hard on what to do, and quickly came to the conclusion that it may be best not to offend the polite monster, while it was polite. This individual either wanted her round for tea and crumpets, or wanted her ON crumpets, and it was probably wisest to assume the former. Assuming the latter got messier far faster, and didn’t lead her to the others.

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The poor creature had tried, it had somehow managed to sort out some intact cups from somewhere, some fairly fresh looking biscuits, and tea. Alongside a tea set that looked like it could predate the kingdom. How they had even managed to get hold of fresh tea and baked goods out here? Now that was a true mystery.

Elvira, Mibbet, Errol, Addy, and Sir Leeroy all sat at the ancient table, as politely as they could figure out, as they looked around the area, trying not to stare at the improbably things they saw. In a carefully arranged vase, off to one side, sat a meticulously arranged bouquet of eyeballs. That they looked like they had never been attached to any other living being, and that they were clearly conscious enough to stare, and occasionally blink, that was a combination of reassuring, and somehow even more disturbing. Around the table assorted teeny tiny creatures scuttled around, ticking softly, as they brought in a fresh platter with several slices of battenburg carefully placed, another bore a plate of carefully crafted marzipan fruits.

IT really was hard to look around the place, and hang onto any marbles you may have had going in. But Mibbet had survived PARLIAMENT, and a committee, she could handle this. She just had to be really careful not to offend their host.

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Showtyme was happy, his party was going well, they had tea. (That had been hard to get, eventually they’d portaled to another continent, and bought it in person. Hopefully this time, their encounter wouldn’t set off any new cults. Last time it had taken them decades to give up. And poor Showtyme had to clean up.) They had cake, and biccies (again a little trip had been required, they’d bought them from the next reality over, some place called Night-vale, the locals were really friendly)

The flowers had been even trickier, it was hard to get ox-eyes, blink, and you missed them. Literally, they only put down roots once you got them in a planter. Luckily, for Showtyme blinking really was optional. Probably just as well, they aren’t so friendly when you let your guard down before you get them in the soil.

They could have sworn there was something else they’d missed, but what was it? They had food, drink, guests, and even service staff. They’d issued invitations too, that was very important. People got really antsy when they got grabbed without a proper invitation. It must be really rude, judging from the reactions given in the past. So what were they still missing ? It seemed important. Oh! yes, that was it, they needed music.

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Mibbet and the others sat there, politely drinking their tea, as their host reached over, and turned the crank on some kind of Calliope. If you have ever heard a Calliope that has not been subject to proper maintenance in a few decades, you can imagine what a treat they were given.