Chapter 8: 07: COSTUME

Plans secured for Harvest Eve. Now, Talitha needed a costume. She and Kalum went to Enzo’s Ends and Odds after school to browse the few costumes left. The selection was dismal, as expected, with most items gag outfits not fit for anyone to wear.

She perused the ransacked inventory as the lack of ambient store music, along with Enzo’s long stare from the payment kiosk, signaled he wanted them out. Kalum provided little help in the search and lacked urgency, since Kalum had prepared for a party before any materialized. This wasn’t a year where she held onto extras.

“Sorry, Li.” Kalum apologized as Talitha flicked through the same row of costumes for the fourth time. “I donated my wardrobe to the RedSect Clothing Drive. As a senior, I have to be mature. The new millennium’s about minimalism.”

“Cosmic.” Talitha blew an errant strand of hair from her face, pushing the stack into place. “Did you catch the minimalism tip on Trendster?”

“I did. ‘Less is okay for Y-One-K.’ I found that moody and catchy.”

“You would.” Talitha pressed her lips tight. “I have nothing, which is as minimal as you can get. So I’m fashionable.”

“That’s a good way to look at it.”

“Think I’ll cut holes out of a pillowcase and go as an embarrassment.”

Kalum giggled. “Oh. Fun.”

“For you.”

“Yeah.”

Another five minutes passed, and Talitha located a single outfit crammed behind an overflowing display of stuffed swamp rats. The color caught her eye when she pushed the toys aside, a luminous candied pink signaling it was made for a humanoid female. Her hopes deflated when she held the costume up, hating the thing before she tried it on. Some ridiculous fairy getup with an enormous skirt sprayed in holographic dust, and a pair of glittering wings to complete the ensemble.

“Forget it.” She tossed it back with the swamp rats. “It’s garbage.”

“No.” Kalum snatched the package back and peered at the cover image. “Try it on. It’s close to an actual outfit, so you might look respectable.”

“Everyone will think I got lost on the way to a toddler’s tea party.” Talitha gestured at the labeling. “The size—it’s made for a junior.”

“A large junior, and you fit that sometimes.” Kalum pushed the costume toward her. “I know you’ll make it work. You’re so cute.”

“I’ll look like an idiot.”

“I’ll tell you if you do. Trust me.”

Talitha muttered. “Fine.”

She approached an area in the store marked ‘FITTING’ in glowing script, and the holographic elements in the display chased each other in multicolored pattern. Kalum’s footsteps followed Talitha, and the resonant hum of Kalum’s singing reverberated in the quiet.

## ☼ ☼ ☼

As advertised, the costume was fit for an adolescent and stretched awkwardly over Talitha’s figure. Even the model on the packaging looked embarrassed to be wearing it. The pink color that attracted her clashed with her hair, leaving her an explosion of messy color. She knocked her forehead against the dressing room door in dismay, calling to Kalum on the other side.

“Kala.”

Kalum stopped her humming to reply. “What?”

“I can’t wear this.”

“Why? Doesn’t fit?”

“In a lot of ways.”

“There’s nothing better.” Kalum tapped back on the door. “Let me see.”

Talitha waited, listening to Kalum’s insistent knocking return with louder humming. After a count, she unlocked the door, hiding to the side as the door opened. Kalum swept inside, dark gaze passing over Talitha.

“Wow.”

Talitha covered her face. “Don’t laugh.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

Kalum laughed. Talitha groaned. “I said don’t laugh!”

“Is that the wig?”

“Shut up.”

“Yida ani. It’s pink.” Kalum touched her lips, stifling another snicker. “Your bushy hair will never fit. All of the Vangrali in you went there.” Her mouth formed an ‘o’ of surprise. “What a disaster.”

“I hate you.”

Talitha turned her back, studying her reflection. She smoothed her hair, the strands tousled after trying to get the costume on. The longer she stared, the worse the ensemble looked worse, its straight neckline stretching awkwardly under her armpits. A full holographic skirt fluffed past her knees and flashed like caution lights instead of glimmering. Kalum moved behind her, examining her reflection as well.

“You’re right.” Kalum’s head dipped in a solemn nod. “Shouldn’t have doubted you.”

“No.” Talitha smoothed the outfit and examined her palms, grimacing at flashing dust smeared across her fingers. “You shouldn’t have. Its got stupid plastic wings.”

“Something about it, though.” Kalum rested her cheek on Talitha’s shoulder. “It’s cute. I said you’d make it work. Or—” A fluttering feeling tickled Talitha on the side of her neck when Kalum’s lips dotted against her skin. “Maybe I think you always look good.”

Kalum moved to face her, and Talitha’s gaze followed. Kalum’s tawny face screwed with focus, the tiny twin studs pierced in her nose—one for each moon—glinting in the light. She flashed Talitha a slow smile, and they grazed their lips together.

Sweet scents of geiga rose—Kalum’s favorite—enveloped Talitha for a few seconds. They separated to opposite ends of the room, and Kalum scooped up the wig, twirling it on her finger as she sat in the corner.

“You’ll look flare once you’re put together.” Kalum tossed her hair. “Don’t stress. I’d ask you out even if you were wearing that.”

Stolen story; please report.

“Thanks.” A tingling sensation spread in Talitha at Kalum’s attention. “You did ask me out—sort of. I said yes—sort of.”

A loud knock against made them jump. Enzo’s gruff voice, heavy with northern wildland accent, boomed from the other side.

“You girls—I close. Leave or buy!”

Kalum screwed her face like she was angry, too. Talitha glanced at the door through the mirror and called,

“Yes sir. I buy.”

“Make quick. Have cold dinner in home. Bitch wife lazy, don’t keep hot when I work store. Fuck…cunt!”

“Bitch wife.” Kalum mimed Enzo under her breath. “Cold dinner. Fuck…cunt!”

Talitha stifled a laugh before responding to Enzo. “Okay! I make quick!”

Enzo left with some grumbling. Quiet returned. Talitha unclasped the front of the costume and glanced at Kalum, who continued watching.

“Just going to sit there?”

Kalum shrugged and resumed twirling the wig. “Maybe. It’s not new by now. Does it bother you?”

Talitha shrugged. “Not if you like it.”

“I do. Always.” Kalum relaxed in her seat. “I’ll stay.”

“All right.”

Talitha slid the costume off her body, handing the bundle to Kalum and adjusting the ties on her stockings. Kalum sighed, hugging the crumple of fabric as she observed.

“Li.”

“What?”

“You’re hot.”

Talitha shielded herself with an arm, a silly reaction, since as Kalum noted, the sight wasn’t new.

“Aye?”

“You make me want to…you know. With you.”

“Ha.” Talitha’s cheeks warmed.

“I really like you.”

“Sure.”

Kalum approached Talitha again, and delicate fingers circled Talitha’s waist. Their mouths met as Talitha’s fingers grazed the sides of Kalum’s smooth legs. For a long moment they remained until the priestess pulled away without warning.

“What’s wrong?” Talitha exhaled as Kalum turned away. “Regret this?” She lowered her head, shoving away her own traces of guilt. “Even I’m surprised by how fast we’ve moved. It’s strange to be with you after all these years as friends, and then look at Spencer. Feels like yesterday we were together with plans for forever.”

“I know.” Kalum touched her forehead. “But I have no regrets. Not about us.”

“So what’s going on?”

“I felt…”

“Felt?”

“Something.” Kalum touched her cheek. “Come on. We’ll have time together later.” She snatched the costume’s packaging and shoved the glimmering fabric inside. “Enzo will lose his mind if we’re still here.”

Talitha approached Kalum, tucking back Kalum’s hair, and peered at the colored runes etched into Kalum’s scalp. Kalum flinched, sensing the targeted attention.

“You’re gawking.” She shielded her face with her hair, swallowing the tattoos with her locks. “You didn’t stare so much before. Am I uglier now after you’ve seen all of me?”

“No. You’re more beautiful than I deserve.” Talitha reached for Kalum’s face and Kalum pushed her away. “I think about the marks more these days because we're together. We crossed a major line doing this.”

Kalum folded her arms, expression darkening. “Three of the best weeks of my life and we’re already having the talk.”

“We have to face it at some point, if we choose to continue.”

“Do you want to continue?”

“I feel good. With you.” Talitha smiled as the subtle hum of Enzo’s interior lights buzzed behind their words. “That’s what I know. All I can know.”

“Then let’s stay like this for as long as we can.”

“That won’t work for long. Every passing day can bring trouble.” Talitha turned away to pull on her uniform skirt. “I follow wildland feeds to see what you’re involved with.”

“Don’t bother.”

“Malek says you’re beautiful, and looks forward to fulfilling the prophecy with you. This time next year you’ll be in Bhet. The whole world’s waiting.”

Kalum scoffed at the reminder. “Malek also finds his harem beautiful, and he’ll pay off his bastards with gold and palaces if he cares.” She waved a flippant hand. “He needs my specific blood for the Children Of The Sky because they’re the saviors, not us. It’s all anyone cares about. I’m slightly more special than the concubines that spill his seed.”

Talitha watched Kalum through the mirror as she clasped her blouse closed. “You’ll be Queen of Bhet beside Malek and unite the twin sects. The two of you will save the planet from annihilation. You'll also be High Priestess of Unifaith, and with your royalty, you’ll be more powerful on this planet than even your mother. You’re not a regular girl.”

“Cosmic.” Kalum’s expression sank. “It’s set. I’ll take a nap and let my life live itself.”

“It’s what you pray for, along with everyone else. You’ve said that in your interviews longer than you’ve known me.”

“I’ve told you already—I don’t care about desert kingdoms, refineries, bloodlines—any of it.” Kalum touched her throat with absent contemplation. “I’m happy with you. The choice is simple.”

“But I’m nobody with nothing. Together, we’ll have less than nothing.” Talitha’s voice gentled as Kalum crossed her arms. “Our days won’t be like Altir.”

“I don’t care if we’re together.” Kalum turned to Talitha. “If I were a man, this would be simpler. I could give you everything you want and you’d take me seriously. I wouldn’t this damn broodmare.”

“I do take you seriously.” Talitha guided Kalum’s face to hers. “If you were a man, you’d be someone else. I said yes to you the way you are.”

Kalum’s gaze searched Talitha’s. “What about Spencer?”

“I’m letting him go. You make that easier.”

“You two seemed involved.”

“He doesn’t want me to go to that party, but can’t give me a reason why. He’s struggling and taking too much venom. I can’t fix that.” Talitha’s tone hardened. “Also—you’re not being fair.”

“How so?”

“You’ve got issues that I deal with.” Talitha tugged on the ring hanging from Kalum’s throat. “You wear this to show you’re Malek’s, and I know the danger you’re in, but I have to look at it. Reminds me not to lose my head no matter how I feel.”

Kalum glanced at the ring. “My sisters ask to see it all the time. I’ll do something about this.”

“No pressure.” Talitha released the ring and stroked Kalum’s cheek. “Your issues will take time to sort.”

“I want you, Li.”

“I want you, too.”

“Okay.”

Enzo returned with thumping footsteps, banging on the door. “Store closed! Buy or leave! What fuck!”

“Oh.” Talitha glanced toward Enzo’s sound. “Shit.” She craned her head to holler back, matching Enzo’s aggression. “We buy! Then leave! What fuck!”

Enzo quieted at once, taken aback by Talitha’s force. She grinned as Kalum concealed a giggle. Enzo responded, softer this time.

“Good. Make quick.”

“Yes, sir.” Talitha lowered her volume, too. “We make quick.”

Kalum blocked Talitha before she could touch the door’s control panel. They watched each other for a moment before Kalum pressed her lips to Talitha’s.

“Let’s go.” A smile crept to Kalum’s face. “Stop fucking around.”

“You first.”

They returned to the store floor, where Enzo’s stocky frame waited by the payment kiosk. He’d drawn security shutters partway and obscured the sunlight, another strong hint. His beady stare followed as they approached, and a hologram clock above the till projected the current hour—1656. Talitha noted that Astro's closed in an hour, so they’d have to hurry to meet the boys. Kalum slid the costume onto the counter toward Enzo.

“How much?”

Enzo scanned the packaging, thick mustache quivering. “This, good price. Two-fifty gilar.”

“Two-fifty?” Talitha’s eyes widened as the numbers sank with recognition. “You mean two hundred fifty, like two-zero-zero plus fifty? It’s an over-sized child’s costume.” She tapped her palm on the wrapping. “Pixie dust falls everywhere, and the wig’s not fit for a human head. Is this a cruel Harvest prank?”

“Fucking hell.” Kalum interrupted her to speak to Enzo. “Scan my COM. I’ve got it.”

Talitha pushed Kalum’s hand aside. “I can pay for my costume.”

“Don’t do that. Prices are crazy before the holiday. Two-fifty’s nothing for me. Truly.” Kalum presented her COM to Enzo. “I earned that in the past fifteen minutes from Daddy’s opal investments, and that’s slow.”

Enzo studied Kalum's COM data. “Khelot? Like Judge Khelot?”

Kalum lifted her chin, peering back at Enzo. “Yes. That’s Daddy. Are you a Concord?”

“More than Concord.” The shopkeeper beamed. “Judge Khelot save from penalty when Peace gang trash store. I beat to pulp with bare hand. They say I try murder. All because family is native from Bhania.” He pushed the costume towards her. “I cannot charge. Please take.”

Kalum waved him off and pushed the costume back. “I’m glad Daddy found you justice, but he’d want me to support a loyal Concord.”

“Please—”

She shook her head. “No. Charge me.”

Enzo took the costume back, tapping on the kiosk as Kalum extended her wrist within the display. A small chime sounded for payment; Enzo stroked his beard before sealing the costume in a patterned tote. Kalum took the bag and handed it to Talitha.

“Here. For you.”

Talitha accepted it, frowning. “I don’t like this.”

“Of course you don’t, because you’re annoying.” Kalum flicked her dark hair behind her. “I don’t care. I wanted to buy my girlfriend something nice.”

“Your girlfriend.” Talitha prickled at the word. “So you’ve decided.”

“Yes. Problem?”

“No—but I’m buying your ice at Astro's.” Talitha glanced at the cheery senior. “No complaints.”

“If that’s what you need.” Kalum shrugged. “Some sort of primitive line pissing you’re doing. Neanderthal, but whatever.”

“Neanderthal.” Talitha grumbled. “Funny.”

“Yes, I’m hilarious.” Kalum giggled.

Talitha glanced at Enzo, who was already shutting off the interior lights of his store, and hurried to catch up with Kalum.