“Just… stop fidgeting for a bit.”

  It was the end of the day, 31st of October. Logan clenched two ends of the black, synthetic table cloth in his fist close to Ever’s chest, delicately plucking sewing pins that he kept between his lips and sliding them one after the other to secure the costume in place. He stepped back to admire his handiwork, arms crossed.

  “You’re good at this,” Ever said.

  “Had to learn,” Logan replied. “Little Taylor kept ripping her clothes by picking fights with boys amongst other things. Now how about your scythe?”

  Ever looked at his hand. It was always there automatically when he went into reaper form.

  “Hold on.” Logan disappeared into the back room again. He found an old cardboard box, pulled out a Swiss army knife, flicked up the blade with a satisfying clack and cut out a crescent shape. He then pulled out the aluminium foil and wrapped it all up. Finally, he took the broom, unscrewed the head and then bound the blade of the scythe to the top with a few elastic bands. “There you go.”

  Ever took it, quite impressed. “Thanks Logan. You didn’t have to do this for me.”

  “Aaah it’s nothing.” He said, shooing the gratitude away.

  The door opened and both men looked over. Taylor walked in slowly.

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  “What do you think?” Down below, she wore knee-high, polished black boots, fishnet stockings and a black, leather skirt. Up top, a Victorian-style, white bodice accentuated her hips and enhanced her chest. She wore a black vest that matched the leather skirt open at the front. Ever and her uncle exchanged a look that she missed because she was fiddling with a pitchfork. “I know I said I was going to be a vampire, but I changed my mind at the last minute. I’m a demoness now.”

  “It looks nice,” Logan said.

  “Mm-hmm,” Ever nodded.

  She put her hands on her hips. “What? That’s all you’ve got to say? I put a lot of effort into this!”

  There was a commotion outside. Many of the shops had opened late to get a slice of the extra business. People were pulling their phone out, recording someone close by. They followed this person walking across the road, right towards them - before they came right into the ice cream shop.

  Ever, Taylor and Logan’s jaws fell in unison.

  “Hello,” the being said with Zoe’s voice. “Sorry I’m a bit late.”

  “M-Mystique!” Logan said, pointing at her. “Mystique!”

  Indeed, Zoe had transformed into the shapeshifter mutant from X-Men. Not only was her whole body covered in blue, she even had the matching patterns on her face. People outside were unashamedly recording through the window.

  Besides Logan blabbering from being starstruck, neither Ever nor Taylor had anything to say.

  “Too much?” Zoe said, she looked at Ever through yellow eyes and smiled sheepishly. “I did say I liked doing movie-level make up.”

  “Damn girl,” Taylor said, finally breaking the silence. “What's your rate and when's your next free slot?"