There was a week to go before Halloween and the Eyrie Building was being decorated for the occasion. Morgan was in Hudson's TV room making fake cobwebs to hang around. She had bought several bags of cotton balls and was pulling them apart and spinning the fibers together to make spider threads and then spraying them in place with hairspray. These would be for the offices in the Eyrie Building.
There was a knock on the door. Whitney was leaning through the open door.
"Need any help?" she asked.
"If you want," said Morgan.
Whitney sat down on the floor with Morgan and helped her weave a very large cobweb that would hang in the lobby.
"You're really good at this," Whitney commented.
"Thanks. I've had plenty of practice with Ariana's projects before," said Morgan. "Speaking of which, she wants to do our fittings tonight."
"She really made a costume for Iris?" Whitney asked.
Morgan nodded. "You didn't think she would?"
"Iris can just conjure one up. Why would Ariana waste her time?"
"Do you really think Ariana would pass up a sewing challenge?" Morgan asked. "She loves to design and create!"
"What about her own costume?"
"She got hers done first," answered Morgan. "Sleeping Beauty's dress is relatively simple compared to the others. At least that's what she told me."
Whitney and Morgan finished the large cobweb and carefully gathered it up to take it down to the lobby where it would hang above the main doors. They walked out of the TV room and immediately noticed the smiling jack-o'-lantern sitting in the middle of the hallway.
"Was that there when you came in?" Morgan asked.
"No," replied Whitney.
The jack-o'-lantern suddenly lit up, fire spewing from its eyes, nose, and mouth. It grinned wickedly and it shot forward across the carpet.
Both women screamed. Whitney jumped back while Morgan materialized one wing to shield them both and two energy tendrils sprouted from her back to attack the possessed pumpkin. The jack-o'-lantern was sliced into several pieces with a quick snap of her tendrils.
Alex walked into the hallway. "Aw. Did you have to smash it?"
"Alex!" Whitney exclaimed.
Alex smiled. "Like my jack-o'-lantern? Uncle Puck showed me how to make them."
"Of course he did," Morgan said, relieved it wasn't something more sinister than a prank.
"I left a few of them around," Alex told them.
"You did?" Whitney said with an indulgent smile.
From somewhere else in the castle they hear a rather melodious scream.
"I think Aunt Ariana found the one I left her," Alex giggled.
"You didn't leave it in her workroom, did you?" Morgan asked quickly.
"No, I'm not that silly," he replied.
Morgan and Whitney let out sighs of relief. If something had gotten ruined in Ariana's workroom, no one would have been safe from her fury.
"See ya!" Alex skipped off down the hallway.
Morgan and Whitney went down to the lobby to put up the giant cobweb. They found a ladder and Morgan climbed up while Whitney held it steady.
"Hey, guys."
They turned to see Elisa come through the front door.
"Hey, Elisa," Morgan greeted.
"Hi, Elisa." Whitney frowned at the detective. "Is there something wrong?"
Morgan wondered the same thing. Elisa looked tense and bothered.
"Maybe." She shot a look over at the doorman. "I'll tell you upstairs."
Morgan and Whitney both nodded in understanding.
"Just the people I was looking for!" Ariana took long strides across the lobby from the elevator. She was wearing her black bodysuit, but she had added a silver skirt and an off the shoulder sweatshirt. "You need to come up for your fittings."
"Can you let me finish putting this up?" asked Morgan.
"Take your time," said Ariana. "I have Fox heading over to my workroom now. I can start with her and Elisa. I guess you have to work tonight?"
Elisa nodded. "Yeah. I just stopped by to say hi and tell the guys something."
"Well come on up," said Ariana. "The sooner I get done with you, the sooner you can see Goliath." She gave a wink.
"I said the guys, not Goliath!" she quickly said.
"Honey, you haven't had a night with him in weeks," said Ariana. "You've been working on so much that if I didn't sneak into your apartment, I wouldn't have gotten your measurements."
"You broke into my apartment?" Elisa cried.
"Snuck. I didn't break anything," Ariana corrected.
Before the conversation could go any further, Morgan said, "Done. Do you think it looks good?"
Ariana hummed and tilted her head to the side as she looked at it. "It could use a few fake spiders. I think we have some laying around upstairs."
They all rode the elevator up to the castle.
Ariana's workroom looked to be a form of organized chaos. Dress forms with various costumes were on one side of the room while decorative privacy screens were in a corner to make a changing area. Next to it was a set of large mirrors with additional lighting so a person could see themselves from several angles at the same time. Bolts of fabric lined an entire wall and there were storage organizers filled with buttons, trim, thread, and more on the adjacent wall. Her work table was setup with a sewing machine, scraps of fabric and trim littering it.
Fox was already waiting in the workroom when they entered.
"These are beautiful," Whitney said, looking at the costumes.
"Much nicer than the one I wore," said Elisa, touching the skirt of the Belle costume.
Ariana walked over to the Esmeralda costume and took it off its form. "All right, Elisa, you're up first."
"But before that, maybe we want to get the peeping tom out of the room," said Morgan. She looked pointedly up at the ceiling.
Puck faded in, laying on his stomach and resting his chin on his hands.
"Oh, no," Ariana said sternly. She waved her hand and shadows threw themselves over the costumes. "Out! No boys allowed!"
"Seems a bit juvenile, don't you think?" Puck asked, flipping himself around to sit in the air. "I just wanted a peek."
"You get first looks with the rest of the men at trick or treat," Ariana told him. "Now out!"
Puck stuck his tongue out at her. "Bully."
Manny zipped into the air, rolling up on itself, and snapped at Puck. Puck let out a yelp of surprise and fled. Morgan used a tendril to open the door to let Puck escape. He flew out the door with Manny chasing him down the hall. She closed the door behind them.
"You know he'll want payback," Fox warned.
"I can play ball," Ariana responded, not worried. She snapped her fingers and the costumes were uncovered.
"Try not to damage anything," Fox added, knowing what both magic users were capable of.
Elisa went behind the privacy screens.
"I did the dresses in two pieces," Ariana informed them, handing the costume to Elisa. "The skirts come off if needed. I got the idea from the were-Fox incident you guys told me about. I figured with our luck, we may need that feature."
"At least we'll be prepared," Elisa commented.
"And you'll have a place to put your gun," Ariana added.
Someone knocked on the door.
"It's Angela," Morgan said, going to open the door.
Angela stood in the doorway with Manny floating beside her. "I came as soon as I could," she said, entering.
Manny settled itself on the back of Ariana's work chair.
"No problem," said Morgan. "We just started."
"Okay, Elisa, let's see it," said Ariana.
Elisa walked out in the red dress Esmeralda wore during the Feast of Fools scene. She walked over to the mirrors and examined herself.
"Elisa, you look beautiful," said Angela.
"You always look so good in red," said Ariana. "Give us a twirl, give us a twirl."
Elisa gave a quick turn to let the skirt flare out.
"How's the fit? Do I need to take in or let out anywhere?" asked Ariana.
"No, this is perfect," said Elisa, adjusting the purple sash around her waist. "My only worry is if I'll be warm enough." She looked at her exposed arms and shoulders.
"I have an idea for that," said Ariana. She went over to her fabric selection and took out a length of sheer purple fabric that she made the sash out of. "I was thinking about making a cloak. I'd layer a heating charm in it so you won't get cold. And I have to find shoes, too."
"It's a good thing Goliath is going with you," said Fox. "He'll be able to keep the men from swarming you."
Elisa's smile faded slightly.
"I saw that," said Ariana, looking at Elisa in the mirror.
"Saw what?" asked Elisa.
"That. What's wrong?" Ariana asked.
Elisa sighed.
"Elisa?" Angela said, worried.
"There's been word on the street that the Illuminators are trying to make a comeback," Elisa told them.
Whitney gasped and covered her mouth in horror.
"Intel suggests they may be planning something for Halloween," Elisa went on.
Ariana's face twisted in anger. "Oh, no. No, uh-uh, no way are they ruining Halloween for us!"
"Ariana," Morgan tried to soothe.
"I thought they found all the leaders," said Angela.
"Do you think they would stage a public attack?" Fox asked.
"I dare them," Ariana said, already scheming what she would do to them.
"We should be on guard," said Angela.
"I'm guessing this is what you wanted to talk to the guys about," said Morgan.
"Yeah," Elisa replied with a sigh.
Fox turned to Whitney. "Are you okay?"
Whitney put on a brave face. "I'm okay. Like Ariana said, let's not let them ruin our Halloween."
"That's right! Fox, your turn." Ariana got the pink ball gown off its form and took it over to the changing area.
Fox went behind the screens. "Do you think we should keep Alex home?"
"We'll all be with him," said Morgan. "He'll be safe."
"Fox, he's going to be surrounded by a cop, a psychic, a sorceress, a couple fey, and a clan of gargoyles," said Ariana. "Not to mention you and Xanatos can kick butt as well. Alex will be safe."
"True." Fox walked out to the mirrors. "I'll admit, I had my doubts about the color. This is a lot bigger than I'm used to." She adjusted the skirt.
"But you'll be able to move and sit easily," said Ariana.
Morgan's turn was next. She went back and started undressing while Ariana brought her the yellow gown and a pair of matching gloves.
Whitney's form flashed green and Iris took her place. Her eyes were flicking hazel, trying to hide her worry at the news of the Illuminators. She turned her attention to the Snow White costume. It looked just like the movie version with its tall collar, puffed sleeves, and short cape.
"Ta-da!" Ariana sang.
Morgan stood in front of the mirrors, turning around. "Perfect fit."
"I should hope so," said Ariana. "I make enough clothes for you. I should be able to sew your size in my sleep. Iris, are you ready?"
Iris took her turn in the changing area. A few moments later, she stepped over to the mirrors.
"You look so cute," said Fox.
Ariana grabbed something off her worktable. "I made this to cover your ears." She handed Iris a large red hair ribbon. It was just like Snow White's, but much wider.
Iris tried it on. The wider ribbon allowed her to comfortably hide the tips of her ears underneath it.
The hem of the skirt was a little too long. Ariana pinned it up to the correct length and then had Iris take the dress off.
It was now Angela's turn.
"You're going to be a challenge," Ariana said to the gargoyle.
The Pocahontas costume was just the basic fabric, the fringe and the belt laying off to the side on the worktable. Ariana and Angela disappeared behind the partitions. A moment later, Ariana could be heard muttering angrily.
"Everything okay back there?" asked Elisa.
"No!" snapped Ariana.
They all jumped a little.
"Do you want help?" Morgan ventured.
"Pins and fabric chalk," ordered Ariana. "And the thread ripper!"
Morgan was quick to fetch the items and handed them to her.
"I'm sorry," they heard an embarrassed Angela apologize.
"It's not your fault," Ariana responded, annoyed. "I didn't fully think this through when I designed this. I'm an idiot. I forgot to take into account where your wings sit."
"Ouch!" Angela yipped.
"Sorry," said Ariana. "Okay, I think I got it for the moment. Go look and more around."
Angela walked around the partition. It was obvious her wings and tail the problem though Ariana had tried to compensate for them.
Ariana followed her to the mirrors. "Length's good, neckline's where it's supposed to be. Move around a little, Angela."
"I fear I may rip it," Angela told her.
"Where is it tight at?"
"My chest and waist."
"I am so glad I left plenty of extra fabric to let it out," said Ariana.
Angela hung her head.
Elisa stepped next to Angela. "Hey, it's okay."
"I feel bad for making extra work for Ariana," said Angela.
"It's not your fault," Ariana repeated to her. "I don't make clothes to fit gargoyles. I've done it once for Demona so she could wear something that wouldn't be ruined when she transformed, but that had spell work in it. This doesn't. I failed to take into account that gargoyles have more muscle mass in their backs because of their wings and tails."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Ariana," said Morgan. "You made mistakes when you first started making clothes for me."
The others changed back into their clothes while Ariana continued to work with Angela's costume. Elisa had to leave to talk to the clan before her shift and Fox had something to take care of. Iris excused herself and decided to go down to the atrium.
The atrium was bathed in a spooky yellow-orange glow from the lights in the pool and waterfall area. Iris slowly walked along the paths, not paying much attention to the lush vegetation. She was thinking about the potential of the Illuminators regrouping.
As she crossed the bridge over the pool, she heard a croak. She looked down and saw a fat toad sitting in the middle of the bridge looking at her.
"Where did you come from?" Iris asked. She picked up the toad. "Cute little thing." She rubbed its back with a gentle finger.
The toad opened its mouth. "Mreow!"
Iris jumped in surprise, then laughed when she sensed the magic that made up the toad. She dispelled it in a puff of smoke. "Puck!" she called out.
There was a chuckle and Puck appeared in front of her. "Like my little surprise?"
Iris smiled. "I did."
Puck tilted his head a frown. "What is it, flower? What's bothering you?"
Iris reluctantly told Puck what Elisa had heard. "Ariana refuses to let this ruin her Halloween."
"Sounds like Ariana," Puck said flippantly. "She'll curse them if they try."
"I'm serious, Puck."
"Don't you worry your pretty little head about it," said Puck. "Besides, we're not even sure if it's the same people."
"That makes it worse!" cried Iris. "I don't want to find you in an iron sarcophagus again. I don't want to be trapped in chains and tortured again!"
"Iris!" The normally cheery fey turned to her sternly. "It won't happen again."
"But," she started to say.
"No, listen," Puck cut her off. "You are not alone anymore. No one is going to take you away. They'd have to go through David, the clan, and then me to get to you. And I don't fall for the same tricks twice. So stop worrying, okay?" His signature smile was back on his face.
Iris let out a sigh. "All right."
"Great! Now, how about we get into the spirit of the holiday, hmm? This place could us a little livening up, don't you think?"
Iris looked around the atrium. "I think I can come up with something."
She shot up into the air.
"As Halloween draws ever near, let's decorate with the spooky and queer."
She flicked her hands and woody vines wrapped around the railings of the bridge. She pointed to the columns by the elevators and more woody vines grew around them. She darted into the foliage, placing small light orbs deep in the leaves to give the appearance of something supernatural hiding there.
She flew back over to Puck. "What do you think?"
"It could use some jack-o'-lanterns," said Puck.
"Like the ones you showed Alex how to make and scare us with?" asked Iris.
"The little tyke! Takes after his uncle! I am so proud!" Puck wiped a nonexistent tear from his eye.
Iris gave a fond headshake.
The two fey continued to decorate the atrium.