"There's a gala being thrown by the Strix tonight," Lucien said casually.

 "The Strix? The whole organization is here?" Anne asked. "Why?"

 "Well, it's all part of the plan, of course," Lucien replied. "We're not going to something as boring as that, though. No, tonight is Halloween, and we're going to celebrate."

 That was how a few hours later Anne was sitting in a booth at a tavern named Rousseau's with Lucien and a few women he had compelled to party with him. Anne didn't have a costume, and she wasn't exactly one to put on a costume and party, but she did still think Halloween to be an enjoyable holiday.

 But, of course, one thing ruined it: the sound of a voice saying, "There's my old friend!"

 Lucien looked up. "Nik!"

 "Hard at work ensuring my safety, I suppose," Klaus Mikaelson said.

 Well, if they were supposed to be protecting Klaus, Anne certainly knew nothing about it. Here they were, in a bar feeding on compelled Halloween partygoers. And she was pretty sure Lucien was drunk.

 "You could join us," Anne suggested.

 "No, Ms. Bullen, I prefer business before pleasure," Klaus replied.

 So, Lucien sent the women away, and Klaus seemed to take notice of Lucien's bodyguard Gregory, remarking that he had noticed quite a few new faces at his favorite haunts, which Lucien claimed was for his protection.

 "You resources are extensive, then," said Klaus.

 "Oh, you have no idea," Lucien replied.

 He got all of three of them glasses, which they clinked together before drinking.

 "You see, Nik," Lucien went on, "I have spent several lifetimes building a company devoted to shattering the very limits of what is possible. I have some of the most brilliant minds developing technologies you couldn't even imagine."

 "And I suppose Alexis is your crowning achievement," Klaus remarked. "The single cure of the most terrifying threat of all-the unknown. Speaking of which...," he went on, "Perhaps we should pay your seer another visit? See if anything has snapped in regards to the mysterious threat towards us. If, that is, you're prepared to share your resources..."

 "Of course!" Lucien said quickly. "Her visions are our greatest chance of survival!"

 They all had another round of drinks, but Anne saw Klaus give them both suspicious looks, and she gave him one in return.

~~~~~~

 "Alexis!" Lucien called.

 They could hear the sound of the television coming from Lucien's bedroom, but the room was empty. In fact, it was a mess. It looked as if Alexis may have been performing a spell of some sort, given the objects on hand.

 "Perhaps you should keep your lady friend on a shorter leash," Klaus suggested.

 "No, you don't understand," said Lucien. "Alexis doesn't go out unless she has to. If she's gone, then she was taken."

 Anne listened as Lucien and Klaus talked on the phone with Klaus' sister Freya. This was so clearly an act. The Mikaelsons didn't know Lucien like she did, so of course it wouldn't seem as suspicious.

 Freya Mikaelson soon arrived at the penthouse, and Lucien greeted her warmly. However, she merely rolled her eyes at him and went over to her brother.

 "Your brother must have told Tristan about the prophecy," Lucien said in a worried tone. "If that sadistic bastard so much as touches a hair on her head-"

 "Yes, it's not her hair I'm worried about," Klaus said quickly. "Frankly, your girl seems a bit wanton when it comes to giving out visions."

 "Alexis would not share her gifts with him. That doesn't mean he wouldn't torture it out of her."

 Anne watched as Freya Mikaelson performed a spell, watching as the black sand she had poured out moved across the map.

 "Ah, the Davilla Estate," said Lucien. "Isn't that where-"

 "Our old friend Tristan lured Elijah just the other night," Klaus finished. "It seems your fears are warranted."

 "Granted, we are two of the most cunning, powerful, and handsome vampires of all time." Lucien gave Freya a smile, but she simply rolled her eyes again. "And Anne is on that level of cunning as well." (Here Anne smiled a little at his mention of her.) "But that still leaves us outnumbered. How do you propose we fight our way into an entire secret society of ancient vampires?"

 "Luckily, I have a plan," Klaus replied, and he gave a devilish smile.

~~~~~~

 All dressed for Halloween, Anne walked into the Davilla Estate, arm-in-arm with Lucien.

 "Don't worry, my dear," he whispered in her ear. "Everything will work out perfectly."

 "My God, it's a room full of Elijah's!" Lucien cried now as they entered the ballroom.

 "I once had the same nightmare myself!" Klaus cried, and they all laughed.

 "Go and grab us a drink, love," Lucien said to one of the women, who was Freya in disguise.

 "One for me, please!" Klaus said in a slurred voice. "And one for her, and her, and her..."

 As Freya snuck away, Klaus called out, "Tristan! Oh, Tristan! Come out, come out, wherever you are! Unless, of course, you're afraid!"

 Tristan de Martel himself soon stepped out of the crowd, and said, "You should move along. You're not welcome here."

 "Oh. Oh, okay," Klaus said. "We're not welcome here. Or maybe you should move along, before I make you cry in front of all your little friends."

 "My concern is for your companions," Tristan replied. "They appear out of sorts without a shiny pole to writhe upon."

 "Oh, he's suggesting you're all exotic dancers!" Lucien said in his drunken voice to one of the women. Which, to him, is an insult, if not hypocritical. But don't take it personally, love. He finds all work demeaning. The only dignified way to accumulate wealth is by birth." He reached out and tapped Tristan on the end of his nose with his finger. "Isn't that right, Tristan? Hmm?"

 Anne genuinely laughed at that. She knew Lucien was really only pretending to be that drunk (though she assumed she was genuinely a little drunk), but watching him get on Tristan's nerves like that made her smile and laugh.

 "Come on, let's go," Klaus soon said. "This party's dead, anyway."