The morning came earlier than Ellen hoped and by eight in the morning she was gathered with all the other residents down in the lobby for Charlie's morning trust exercises.

"Good morning everyone! Today I think we should work on projects to build attention for the hotel and to focus on something together!"

Ellen groaned to herself, Charlie's high pitched voice and enthusiasm was too much this early in the morning.

The group remained quiet, clearly uninterested. Ellen felt a little bad for Charlie, who was starting to show disappointment from their lack of interest. Ellen sighed before speaking up.

"How about an open house or meet and greet? Open bar for an evening, dinner and dancing to get people here."

Charlie's eyes light up. "Yes! We can assign everyone a part of the event planning and it could be great for everyone to work together on a common goal!" She had started making a list of all the things that would be required to plan, set up and run an open house, eagerly chatting to deaf ears.

"You really had to open your mouth?"

"Oh come on. Look at how happy she is." She smiled at Angel. "She's like an excited little puppy, you can't tell me it's not cute. Besides, I wasn't going to just leave her stumbling up there waiting for you guys."

"Yeah well, just know you started this, and now it'll be the only thing ya do 'til it's done."

"You guys are going to help with some of it."

"Yeah good luck wit dat."

She looked over to Husk who only shrugged and took a sip of his coffee.

"Well shit" she muttered to herself.

It turned out Angel was right. Once the planning process had started, that was all she was doing, Charlie would track her down to ask about everything. Should they create invites? How many people should they plan to host? Did they want a theme to the event? It seemed Charlie didn't want to make a single decision on her own, making sure that everything had a second opinion.

By the time the week was over Ellen was exhausted and planned out. They had managed to pick a date and colour scheme for the event as well as how they wanted the ballroom set up. They had decided to make the event formal, which also meant Charlie wanted help finding something to wear that set the right tone for the evening.

Ellen stepped out of her room, hoping to hide away on the roof for a bit, but found Nifty waiting at her door.

"Are you going to need a dress for the open house?"

"Yeah I suppose I will."

"Can I make it?"

"Sure?"

Nifty was practically shaking with excitement. "Oh I'll have to make some sketches and find fabric. This is going to be a blast! I won't disappoint you, miss Ellen!" And she darted down the hallway out of sight. Ellen smirked to herself. Despite being tired of hearing about the open house, she was a little excited to see what Nifty had planned for her.

"What's this about an open house?" The staticy tone gave him away and she dropped her smile before turning to face him.

"Charlie and I are planning a formal evening to get more people to check out the hotel. I don't suppose you want to help?"

Alastor thought for a moment, and Ellen was certain he would decline. What would he be able to offer anyway?

"I would like to handle the entertainment. I assume nothing has been planned yet for it?

Her mouth fell open but she quickly collected herself. "No it hasn't been started yet, but I'll let Charlie know she can cross it off her list."

"Hmm, should be an interesting night, I haven't had the need to dress up in awhile. I look forward to the occasion." His eyes remained on her.

She turned for the elevator not wanting to be under his gaze for any longer. She wasn't going to go to the roof with Alastor watching. "You should ask Rosie to come, I'd love to see her again."

"Perhaps I shall."

Ellen smiled as the doors closed. At least she had that to look forward to. Down on the main floor she made it all of four steps from the elevator when Charlie found her, arms full of papers. She forced a smile onto her face.

"Ellen! Oh good, I was just going to look for you!" She pulled some of the papers from her arms, handing it to her. "So I know we went over how the ballroom was going to be set up, but we didn't get to discuss the dance floor so we're going to have to move tables 5, 7 and 9 elsewhere." She pointed to some of the circles on the piece of paper in her hand. "I was thinking if we move the bar over here it should clear up some space and we can shift all the tables over…"

Ellen looked around the lobby hoping to find anything as a distraction. Her head hurt from all the planning.

"Oh and we should probably start thinking about entertainment. I know we haven't really looked into that yet but, we may need to book some people in advance…"

Alastor appeared from the shadows beside Ellen making her jump, a small shriek escaped her lips.

"Perhaps I can take care of the entertainment for the evening,"

Charlie's eyes lit up. "Oh Alastor, that would be great! Did you have anything particular in mind?"

He subtly nodded to Ellen to leave and she mouthed a 'thank-you' as she turned and fled.

He directed Charlie down the hall. "I had a few ideas I was hoping to run by you…"

Ellen bolted down the stairs as far away from Charlie as she could.

She was a little surprised Alastor had come to her rescue, but she didn't think too long about it. She knew Charlie would come find her soon enough with something else to plan or discuss.

She made her way into the kitchen and found Angel dust hard at work. She wasn't much of a cook, but if she had to guess he was baking. She made her way over to watch.

"Finally got some time to ya self?" He didn't even look up, eye focused on his work.

"Okay, okay you were right. It's only been a week and I am party planned out." She leaned over one of the counters. "How come Charlie isn't going to anyone else? I thought this was a 'group' project" She gave the word 'group' air quotes.

"I tried wanrnin' ya." He turned and shoved a spoon into her face. "Here, try this."

She did without question. She moaned in delight. "This is amazing! What is it?"

"It's the filling for my cannoli's." He smiled proudly. "Glad ya like it."

"Alastor did just volunteer to manage the entertainment."

"No surprise there. Smiles, likes bein' center stage. Hope ya like jazz 'cause that's all he'll be playin'"

"You can't be serious."

He just raised an eyebrow. "Ya ever hear him play anythin' else?"

She tried thinking back over the past week. He was correct, it was all jazz. Before she could answer she heard her name being called from the lobby. It was Charlie. She stiffened. She looked at Angel with eyes wide pressing a finger to her lips.

He gave her an amused look but waved her down, and she slipped behind one of the counters. She heard the kitchen door open.

"Hey Angel, have you seen Ellen? I have a few things I wanted to run by her for the open house."

She watched a shadow run across the ceiling of the kitchen and disappear out of her view. Was Alastor keeping tabs on her?

"Sorry Charlie, I aven't seen her."

"Oh, no worries, if you see her, can you let her know I'm looking for her? I got some ideas for the table arrangements."

"Sure thing, toots."

The door closed signaling her leave. She waited a few more seconds before poking up to peek over the counter. "Thank you Angel."

"Yeah, yeah."

She slowly made her way to the door opening it a crack, to take a peak looking to see if the coast was clear. When she was sure she could make it to the stairs she opened the door to make a run for it.

"Hey Ellen."

She turned to glare at Angel. He had an amused smile on his face.

"Charlie is lookin for ya. Somethin' bout the open house."

"Oh ha ha, very funny." She replied sarcastically before turning back to the lobby and making a sprint for the stairs, Angels laugh following her out.

She made it to the roof and sighed in relief. Finally a place to be alone. She made her way to the edge and found a small puff of smoke dissipating in the air. She found Husker staring out over the city, enjoying a cigar. So much for being alone. She waved the smoke out of her face as she approached him.

"Mind if I join you?" She asked, announcing her presence.

He barely glanced her way, nodding before looking back out over the city. "I'm not much of a talker."

She stood beside him looking out over the city as well. "That's fine. I'm here to hide out for a bit."

He chuckled. "Charlie keeping you busy, huh?"

"You have no idea."

He took a long pull on his cigar, slowly exhaling. "I already know I'll be running the bar, but I can make an inventory list, order whatever we'll need for the event. That's all I'm going to help with though." He glanced her way.

"I wasn't coming to ask-"

"Yeah I know, but I also know what Charlie's like when she sets her mind to something." He gave her a side smile. "If the next few weeks aren't enough to convince you you're in hell, I don't think anything down here will." He flicked whatever was left of his cigar off the roof. "Hide up here as long as you need. I won't say a word." He made his way to the roof exit.

"Thank you!" She called after him. She smiled looking back over the city enjoying the solitude.

Maybe she could make it work down here. Although she could really use some actual music. Jazz would be the death of her. Heck at this point she would even welcome death metal. She sighed. At least after the open house things should calm down again. She just had to push through the next week or so.

Alastor found the new resident was perpetually busy with Charlie. Everytime he sent his shadow to check on her she was with Charlie going over something for the open house event. He pitied the poor girl which is why on a few occasions he had stepped in to be a distraction, pulling Charlie aside with trivial details about the event. He could only take her in small doses when she was this excited, how this new girl was managing he didn't know.

She was an intriguing young thing. And he so very much enjoyed watching her jump at his sudden arrival. Such easy prey to torment. It was very clear she made an effort to avoid him, something he usually enjoyed. He never much liked trivial small talk and boring conversations. But this girl was something different. She caught on to things much quicker than he expected. He could tell there was something else hidden there, behind the soft delicate looking exterior. She held interesting secrets most wouldn't dare explore, but he always loved a good challenge. He only needed the right information and he could twist anyone to his will, to sell their soul.

Of course he had assured Charlie he would do no such thing, and he was a man of his word. He would not make a deal for her soul, no. But if she willingly sold it to him? Or perhaps he could get her to create a contract into selling it to him. Not something he had done before but surely a mortal soul was worth the extra effort. He simply needed to win her over. An easy task, he was sure.

He made his way down the hall. The open house was approaching fast and from the little snippets he'd heard, only decor and attire was left to figure out.

"Nifty darling!"

She appeared from around the corner and stopped right in front of him.

"Yes Sir?"

"You are working on a dress for Ellen, correct?"

She nodded enthusiastically and his smile softened slightly.

"Has she made a selection yet?"

The little demon shook her head. "Miss Ellen is really busy, but I've made sketches and made fabric swatches. She's going to look at them later today." She was rocking back and forth on her feet.

"Nifty dear, could you show me some of your work?"

Her face lit up. "Really?"

"Why, of course my dear. If you have the time perhaps you could put together a suit for me as well?"

He had to chuckle, surprised that her face had managed to brighten more than it already was. She zoomed off, returning shortly with a notebook and colour swatches.

She climbed onto his shoulder as the two made their way down the hall, Nifty going off excitedly about the colours she believed would look best on Ellen, as well as silhouettes of dresses. His eyes were fixed on a particular colour. A blood red. Although he couldn't argue Nifty had picked a variety of colours that would suit Ellen very well. He was a bit partial to red. Yes, that would be the colour. As they rounded the corner Nifty flipped her notebook open.

She gushed over a gown that looked way too flashy. She mentioned something about her looking like a princess, and somewhere in the back of his mind a voice challenged the idea. She wasn't a princess, no she was something else. Charlie was a princess, not quite ready for the throne, still a bit too naive of the cruelty of the world. Lacking some experience. No, Ellen was different. She held her ground, even against him, to his amusement. She was modest, not one to call attention to herself, she didn't need it. No, like him, just being in a room demanded attention.

She would want something simpler, something to take eyes off of her. She didn't like being stared at. Though it wouldn't matter what she wore, Ellen would stand out regardless. She was a looker. Quite pretty for a mortal he supposed. No doubt she had a fair selection of suitors back in the living world. Though many of those poor chaps wouldn't stand a chance. She was far more clever then she let on.

Nifty flipped a few pages over a few dresses, one catching his eye.

"Hold on my dear" He took the book and flipped a few pages back to a dress that caught his eye. "This one my dear, tell me about this one."

She looked down at it. "Oh, it was just something I drew to try getting a simple look. I don't think it's enough. Ellen is pretty and needs a dress that matches."

He took the bundle of swatches and pulled out the red he had eyed before. "Could you make this, with this fabric as the base?"

"Of course, but why."

He tilted his head. "Well, I'm sure she would like to have something to try on. Make sure your measurements are perfect." He handed the book back to her. "An example of your exquisite talent."

She only hesitated for a second before she lit up again. "Okay! I'll get right to it so she can try it on later today." She hoped off his shoulder.

"And Nifty dear, I would like my suit in that red as well if you don't mind. Red is my colour!" He started making his way back to his room with a contented grin on his face.

It was all coming together.

"Okay, entertainment is done, announcements and drinks are done. We have the tables set up and the room cleaned." Charlie was pacing back and forth in front of her whiteboard crossing things off as she went. "We've spent the past few days creating the decor and I think we are ready." She turned to face the group.

Ellen was excited that the open house was in a few days. She was over all of the planning, decorating, and organizing. This project had been pretty much just her and Charlie. And she was happy to see it coming to an end.

"All we have left to do is put up the decor and we should be ready to go. I am so proud of you guys." Ellen tried not to roll her eyes as Charlie struggled to keep herself composed. "You all came together to make this evening happen and I am so grateful." Her eyes were starting to water and she watched Vaggie smile adoringly at her. It made Ellen smile. It seemed crazy that even in hell, love found a way. She raised her mug of tea with an approving smile in mock toast.

"And let's not forget our valiant leader and organizer, who took charge and made this all come to fruition." She gave Charlie a little nod as the rest of the group raised whatever they had in their hands. Charlie's eyes glistened as she looked at Ellen.

Once the group started to thin out, Ellen went to find Nifty. It had been almost a week since she offered to make a dress and she never got back to her.

She started down a hallway, unsure how she would be able to find the little demon.

"Nifty?"

Out of seemingly nowhere she appeared from around a corner.

"Hi miss Ellen."

"Did you want to follow me to my room so we can take a look at those sketches? I'm really excited to see what you've created."

Her eye widened and she bolted.

Ellen chuckled and made her way upstairs to her room where she found Nifty bouncing up and down at her door, sketch book and fabric swatches in hand. She was a bit surprised to see a bundle of red fabric also in her hands.

She let the little demon into her room and the two sat on the bed, the sketch book between the two of them.

The two flipped through the book a few times, Ellen was impressed with the amount of detail Nifty put into her designs.

"These are incredibly Nifty."

"I just want to make sure you feel like a princess at the open house."

Ellen smiled at the sentiment. "Okay so colours, what were you thinking?"

Nifty pulled the swatches up to the bed. "I have a few reds, some browns and I think a dark green would look pretty too. You need dark colours." She tilted her head in thought. "Maybe a deep purple." She picked up the swatches and held them up to Ellen's face. "No, I think green, navy or red."

Ellen laughed. "I am down to try anything, though I know I tend to gravitate to red. I know it looks good on me."

"Red it is!" She flipped through her book again stopping on a poofy ball gown. "You'd look like a real princess in this!"

Ellen gave her a meek smile. "I don't know. It might be a bit difficult to move around in that. I like flare, but that might be a bit too much."

Nifty looked a little upset with her answer, but flipped a few more pages to another dress. This one was a sleeveless gown, with a sweetheart neckline. It was an A-line style dress, not as poofy as the last, but Ellen wasn't 100% on it either.

"Maybe we'll put this in the 'maybe' pile. Do you have anything a little more-" She rolled her wrists. "- simple? Less poofy?"

Nifty's face fell. "But you should look like a princess."

Ellen gave her a sympathetic smile. "I don't want to be the center of attention, the open house is for Charlie and all you guys. I don't want to upstage anyone. Besides, I stand out already being mortal, I think something simpler would be best."

Nifty flipped a few pages again to a very simple slip dress.

"Maybe something with a bit more shape?"

She flipped a few pages then paused, thinking. Her eye darted to the pile of red fabric she'd brought in, biting her lip in thought. She flipped a few more pages then turned the book to her. "How about this one?"

Ellen took a look and a smile grew on her face. It was a trumpet style dress with spaghetti straps. The neckline was a simple'v' that didn't go too low, but still looked a little sexy. The bodice area had some simple design that trailed down the dress slowly fading as it got to the knee area. "I like the look of this one. I could pair it with some long gloves. Could you make that too?"

Nifty hopped off the bed over to the pile of red fabric holding it up for Ellen to take. A little confused, she grabbed the fabric holding it up to discover it was the same dress she was looking at in one of the shades of red they were looking at earlier.

The details on the bodice were a darker red sequin, but was close enough to the rest of the dress, it made it hard to notice unless light hit it the right way. She smiled widely at Nifty and headed for the bathroom. 'I'm going to go try it on."

She took a few extra minutes in front of the mirror just staring. It was stunning and surprisingly a perfect fit. She couldn't keep the smile off her face. She finally stepped out twirling for Nifty.

"You look amazing, Miss Ellen."

"You did an amazing job on this dress, Nifty. I Love it."

Nifty gave her a curious look before darting around her to get a better look.

"Black gloves."

"What?"

Nifty looked up at her. "You said you wanted long gloves. They should be black."

"Yes, I think that would be best."

Nifty finally smiled. "I will have them done before you know it."

"Thank you Nifty"

She collected her things and darted for the door. She paused to take one more look at her before heading out.

Ellen went back to the bathroom to take another look at herself in the dress. She couldn't believe the one dress she fell in love with was the only one Nifty had made, in the colour she wanted no less. Nifty was definitely full of surprises. What were the chances?

AN: Sorry for the delay in posting. For now I'll be posting a few chapters at a time. Hope you all Enjoy! :)

-Ellie