I'm walking to Hec's house, figuring I can suprise him, maybe take him out for a night of fun and adventure. I glance upwards, giving an acknowledging hoot to the Air Aquadron (it's that day again)...

... when I see a flying dog. Huh.

I head down to the lobby to check with the staff and see if the boys are having any trouble. Looks quiet. An Audrey Gang comes in, all dressed in Roman Holiday. I love the Audrey Gangs.

I go to take a peak down the street and check out the revels. Big Goth Ball in Blackwood Parish tonight. Dogtown will be hopping. I think Knut was going to be opening for Liese's band.

Hey, it's s.a.!

"My darling Hecubus!" I say when I see him. My eye was caught on a member of the Audrey Gang; her hair was mussed. It was wrong like a thing that is wrong.

But my attention falls back to the present, and I ask, "How are you? Feeling revellous tonight? I think I just made up a word, didn't I."

"Revellous and frumious! But I'm not in costume. However..."

I jingle my set of keys.

"I am the man with the keys. And guess what this one opens? The costume warehouse in the basement for the touring opera companies that stay here."

My eyes light up with possibility of lavish costuming. "Let's go! We can awe the public. Or at least look damn cool."

"Parfait!"

I nod at the O'Halloran Brothers who are doormen this evening.

"I'm off to get swanky boys. No Bushmills until after midnight, right?"

"This way, darling..." and I take s.a. by the arm.

I latch on to Hec and we stroll the streets, admiring the costumes people wear, calling hellos to the people we recognize, and pointing out the various decorations that this part of Blood has become known for. The walk is short, which is good because the wind has taken a turn for the colder and I'm shivering even in my wool peacoat. "What look do you want to go for?" I ask Hec ask he turns the key to the Gothic-style warehouse (with the gargoyles noticebly missing).

We're at the backside of the Folly, and huddle down in the stairwell to get out of the wind.

"Hmmm, well I'm seeing you in a ballgown with hoop skirts. I'll probably go for one of the vintage tuxes. There are costumes down here which are vintage from the 19th century."

I shoot the bolt free and get us inside and hit the lights.

s.a. looks stunned. It's about a mile across, and it's all costumes, all neatly arranged by style and era.

"What's your pleasure, treasure?"

"Oh. Dear. Goddess." I think my heart stopped beating there for a moment. "How is it I've never been in here before? Need to hang out with you more often," I say, giving him a leery grin. The same leery grin I give him every day, because, well, he's worth a leer or five.

"Hoop skirts?" I say, trying not to wince. "Maybe something less... poofy? Like drapy, with cleavage enhancing something or others? Hell, I don't know what I'm talking about." I fling my arms open in supplication. "Dress me!"

"Heh. Let's go talk to Magda. She can do your makeup too if you like."

I lead SA by the hand to the center of all the rows of costumes. An art deco vanity sits in the middle of a circular space right there. I sit SA in front of the vanity and Magda appears in the mirror, supplanting SA's reflection.

"What a beauty!" Magda says. Except it's more like "Vhat a byooti" with her accent. Magda waves her bony fingers and just like that SA's hair sweeps into an updo with tendrils loose around her face. Magda snaps her fingers and SA is standing now in a blue silk gown, cinched at the waist, hoops out to there.

"Vhat you think?"