The One Night Of The Year

I wrote this to ysabetwordsmith's third prompt.

My family’s been superheroes for about as long as anyone’s been using that word.  We’re famous for upholding truth, justice and whatever.  I like the rule of law myself.  They do spread in the newspaper of the family tree with portraits but they never include me.  I‘ve got what’s called an aberrant power, completely unlike anyone else in the family.

When my powers came in, just before I hit my teens, my parents pulled me out of school and got me private tutors instead.  They said that was easier with my powers but sometimes I think they did it because they didn’t want anyone to know what I am or to connect me with them.  Some of those tutors were pretty unexpected too, I think I’ve been inside every super power holding facility in the country including the underground one at Nyngan.  Apparently aberrant powers can lead to ‘sub-optimal’ career paths.  They can also make people forget a few important things.

Tonight’s the big family Halloween fancy dress party.  All our associates are invited and the people whose good will we need.  It’s a big deal and I’ve been planning my costume for this year’s party for months.

When you’re in our line of work, it’s surprisingly easy to get body stockings that include full hands.  This one I had custom made in a colour that matches the theatrical skin tone makeup I’ve applied to all my exposed skin.  Over the body stocking I put on a leotard and a tutu.  Ballet slippers on my feet and the makeup on my face is as natural looking as I can make it, given that lipstick, eye shadow, blusher, eyebrow pencil and mascara are inherently unnatural.  A brown wig in an up-do, adorned with a tiara that matches the choker I’m wearing to cover the transition from body stocking to makeup.

I like the result when I look in the mirror.  If you don’t look too hard at my eyes, I look like a pretty good ballerina, if I say so myself.  I double check that I haven’t missed any of the invisible skin on the back my neck and I admire the regularity and symmetry of my own features now the makeup I’m wearing makes them visible.

Tonight I want my family and friends to look at me and see a girl, not The Skeleton.