The Academy of S.I.D.E.

No. 17: This Is Halloween

"Come on, Princey!" Virgil groaned, knocking on the bathroom door. "I need makeup for my costume, too! You're taking forever!"

"I have to perfect it, Jack Smellington," Roman responded. "It's an iconic look."

"Yeah? So is the skeleton makeup."

Cue the dramatic sigh. "I'll do your makeup myself if that makes you feel better, okay? I'm almost done, anyways."

Virgil rolled his eyes and sat back down on the bed. "What the hell."

A couple minutes later, Roman opened the door, the lightning makeup on his face complete. He'd dressed up as David Bowie, and it admittedly looked pretty good---he even got the hair down. The costume was a pre-drawn creation rather than a hand-sewn cosplay like Virgil's was.

"Ooooh, you actually don't look half bad," Roman mused, looking Virgil up and down. "I love the detailing in the suit and tie."

"I was gonna have a little ghost dog prop, but there wasn't really time."

"Well, we can certainly make do." He helped Virgil up and led him into the bathroom. "First things first. We've got about an hour before the party, which gives me plenty of time to make you look like you've stepped straight out of Tim Burton's sketchbook. If neither of us were in costume, I'd do your hair, too, but that'll have to wait for another day."

"We don't have hair dye," Virgil reminded him.

Roman opened up the cabinet and proudly displayed the four different shades of purple hair dye lining the shelf.

Virgil frowned. "When did you get those?"

"Day after you moved in. If there's one thing I've learned from having Remus for a brother, it's that you always need backup dye." He waved a sandy-colored bottle around. "Also took the liberty of getting some bleach."

"That's... nice of you," Virgil finally said.

"Oh, don't mention it. Always a pleasure to do good deeds for people in need." Roman whipped out a palette and a series of eyeliner pencils. "Let's get your Skellington on!"

........

The Academy, as it turned out, was very much into Halloween. From full-out cosplays to ratty animal ears, every student and staff member had dressed up, and there were decorations everywhere. A crowd was streaming into the Culture building, which had a huge sign on it that read Halloween Dance!

"You think it looks okay?" Virgil asked as Roman led him through the crowd. "It's not too overdone or anything?"

"Cheer up, Robert Downer Jr.," Roman told him. "I played Lucas in The Addams Family last year, so I know a thing or two about creepy makeup."

"Lucas doesn't have any---"

"I got tips from the makeup department just in case."

Virgil raised an eyebrow. "Have you always gotten good roles?"

"No, I got stuck as background ensemble members in seventh and eighth grade, and I didn't get lucky 'till freshman year," Roman answered. "I played Professor Plum when we did Clue last spring---I was going for Mr. Green, but it worked out all right in the end. Plum is very dramatic. I'll show you the tape later."

"And lemme guess, Janus played Wadsworth."

"He did, actually. As much as I hate to admit it, he was amazing." Roman held out his wrist to the check-in person, who gave him a little stamp. Virgil did the same.