Shiny coins dangled from the stranger's headdress.As the two passed her, she reached out her leatherly right hand. Age had covered it with both spots and thin blue veins. Each twisted finger displayed a strange and somewhat scary ring. Irmingard and Happy stared at these in wonder. They seemed to be trying to move on the old woman's fingers. She smiled then, displaying a mouth which held but a few dark and broken teeth, then placed a tiny vial into Irmingard Anna's hand. It was beautiful with its mixed swirling colours, corked at the top with what appeared to be a tiny seed of some type, and seemed to be holding smoke in its hand-blown belly.

A secret wind blew by, carrying the scent of incense and spells cast long ago.

The old woman laughed then. It was a cackle, very much like that of a Halloween witch, and it chilled the two visitors in their tummies.
Hee-hehehehehehehehehe…….

"What is that?" Irmingard asked anyone that was near.

Happy couldn't keep her own secret another minute. She seemed to sing the words to her best friend.

"Happy birthday Irmingard! Surprise!" The doll was grinning from ear to ear.

Looking both red, and a bit shocked, Irmingard spoke up like the lady she was.

"Thank you Happy dear. The thing is, it isn't my birthday. July 24^th is my birthday. You know that, Happy!"

Happy thought about this for a few seconds. Her grin increased in size and volume.

"No matter Annalein, remember? It's Candyland, anything can happen here."

Irmingard considered this, then realized that she had no memory of being told this place was Candyland.

A strange jolly music could now be clearly heared coming from the wooded area. The smell of sausages and spices filled the summer-like air.

The piglettes drooled as Irmingard and Happy hugged tightly. Stars began to twinkle in the daylight sky, itself, a warm bright orange.

They could now see the ribbons and balloons, the long table set for a great feast. All eyes fell upon the giant cake which was aglow with a multitude of colourful candles. Four bunny bakers carried it carefully to the long wooden table.

A trio of redheaded kittens laughed at a private joke as they passed the girl and her doll. It was time to have a party, a great party!

Happy winked at a handsome black puppy as Irmingard carried her along the party path.

"Happy!", she mothered her, "You don't even know him! What will people think?"

Happy's wide grin was answer enough for Anna. She set the little doll down, and without excusing herself, walked off ahead of her.

"What a grouch", Happy was insulted, "I hope she cheers up. I'm not going to the party with a crab. All I did was smile at the pup. Sheesh!"

"What will people think? Who cares what people think! I think that pup is too cute." Her puffy cheeks became more rosy from blushing. "He looks like Brad Pug!"

With her back to the doll, Irmingard's wide grin was not seen by her. "Little flirt", she spoke to a caterpillar as she passed it. The bug was very sleepy, its thick dark eyes half closed. "Indeed", was all it could reply to the girl, "indeed."