Summary: Maki and Nico help Umi finish her Halloween costume.

Maki's bedroom currently served as the Tokyo branch of fashion student Minami Kotori's SongFeather atelier. Costumed as Kagura Hikari, a cast member of the popular anime Shōjo Kageki Revue Starlight, Umi stood awkwardly in the center, dressed in a blue military style tunic and a lighter blue skirt with a broad white horizontal stripe. A red sash crossed her chest. Nico, the self proclaimed number one stylist in the business, circled like an overcaffeinated raptor hummingbird, adjusting the lighter blue cape before making quick slashes with tailor's chalk.

"Almost done." Nico murmured, reassuring her skittish human mannequin. "Kotori got everything nearly right. The sleeves need some shortening and Nico's not happy with the unenveness of the collar.

"Kotori expertly handles the tools and challenges of her chosen trade."

And has your measurements memorized, Maki thought to herself, smirking.

"Kotori is a pro." Nico waved her fingers dismissively toward the tunic, indicating Umi could take the costume off. "I can finish the adjustments by the time the pizza Maki's about to order has been delivered."

"Please allow me to pay." Umi bowed. "You have both been of great assistance."

"Don't worry about it." Maki sat up from where she was lounging.

"Maki runs a tab."

"Before I change back to my regular clothes, I want to show Kotori how it looks."

Nico shrugged; Maki shadowed the gesture.

"No rush." Nico dropped to lean half against the bed, half against Maki's legs.

Umi carefully set up her phone on Maki's desk. Kotori's greeting chirp was an almost instant reply.

"Umi-chan!"

"Good morning, Kotori. Nico has just finished marking the alterations on the Halloween costume you sent me."

"Makes Umi look more snackable than usual.." Nico said, whistling.

Umi turned to glare while Maki kicked Nico, who shamelessly winked at her.

"Let me see, let me see, Umi-chan. The full effect. Swirl the skirt."

Umi stepped back, her posture losing some of its confident swagger as she obeyed Kotori's command.

"You're so pretty, Umi-chan." Kotori gushed.

Umi frowned, ear tips flushing pink.

"Couldn't I have been Hoshima-san or one of the characters with a sword?" Umi held her dagger by the tip of the handle as if it were an exhibit rather than a weapon.

"Hikari has the only blue cape and that's such a good color for you. None of the other girls get to wear it."

Nico's phone vibrated. She glanced down quickly, snorted, then held her screen up so Maki could read it.

Paris Syndrome: Please raise Umi-chan's hem by 2.5 cms, Nico-chan. She won't notice.

Maki rolled her eyes, pushing the phone down, glad not to be the focus of Kotori's thirsty gaze. Nico chuckled.

Umi and Kotori's conversation continued, Umi's voice a near whisper as she slid into Maki's desk chair, her focus on the voice and face speaking from halfway across the world.

Maki reached down, her fingers brushing through the silken sable of Nico's hair before Nico captured her hand, pulling her in for a kiss on the palm. Watching Umi, glad for any exchange with her girlfriend, Maki found herself wondering what if had been Nico in Paris, or Melbourne or somewhere else halfway across the world, studying or under contract to perform. Maki would probably be spending as much time as she could following Nico, flying first class, staying in 5 star hotels, the dream of luxury for most people. But Maki had a greater pleasure right here, Nico's hand and hers entwined, the rising musical powerhouse content as she leaned her cheek against Maki's knee, no doubt scheming some fantastic scenario for their joint future that she would tire Maki's ears with after their visitor left. There were no better tapestries to wrap sleep in than the dreamscapes Nico wove out of hope, hard work, and high energy.

A/N: Been sick, but back to writing