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——————
Friday
8 Days Until Halloween
Every morning at Eden College, the students received a new issue of the Eden newspaper, and occasionally flyers for new events.
Today, one was handed out in bright orange.
Eden’s Halloween Party was printed out across the top, advertising two events a week away. One for the younger students, followed by trick or treating in a local neighborhood, and one for the older students.
“Wow, this looks so fun!” Becky exclaimed. “There’ll be candy, games, and ooh, look! A costume contest!”
Anya looked over her own flyer. “Candy does sound good.”
“I know exactly what my costume will be.” Becky grinned. “What about you Anya?”
“Anya hasn’t really thought of it yet.”
“Really? Knowing you, I thought you’d be all over Halloween!”
Anya blinked. She’d never really gotten to celebrate Halloween before. She didn’t even know what it was until the orphanage, and they didn’t do anything for the holiday.
She closed her eyes, thinking hard. What costume should she wear? Something cool, obviously! She could make so many friends, and if Syon Boy liked it, then The Friendship Scheme could work too!
“I got it!” Anya eagerly shouted.
“Ms. Forger,” Mr. Henderson calmly said. “Class has officially begun. Please restrain yourself from such inelegant displays.”
——————
At home, she handed Papa the flyer.
“A Halloween party, huh? You want to go?” He asked.
Anya eagerly nodded.
“I don’t see why not.” He said. If Anya goes, she’ll have the opportunity to improve her relationships with Damian even further. And besides, keeping her happy is important to the mission.
Anya blinked. Papa thinks too much.
“It’ll be so fun!” Mama said, taking Anya’s attention away from her father’s overthinking. “Especially trick or treating. I used to take Yuri.”
“And I know what to wear too!” Anya proudly said. “I’m going to be Bondman.”
“I’d expect nothing less.” Loid slightly smiled.
Anya folded her arms. “There’s even an offi-cal Bondman costume!”
“Uh, do you mean official?” Papa asked.
“Yeah.” Anya nodded. “That. I saw it on the TV. It even comes with a pistol with a silencer!”
“Loid and I are going to run errands tomorrow while you and Becky go shopping. We can pick your costume up for you then.” Mama assured Anya.
“Yes!” Anya cheered. “I’m gonna be Bondman!”
She mimicked shooting Bondman’s famous pistol.
“Ok, Bondman.” Papa put his hands on his hips. “It’s time for homework.”
Anya froze. “What?! Noooo!”
——————
Saturday
7 Days Until Halloween
Loid approached errand days like he’d approached his missions- thoroughly and efficiently.
That particular Saturday, he and Yor shopped like it was a sport. New winter boots for Anya, more cleaning supplies for the house, and groceries to last the next two weeks, were all obtained within a few hours.
Satisfied with their day, Loid marked off the grocery list, and read off the last errand.
(He offered to hold the food, but Yor insisted she could carry the bags.)
“All that’s left is Anya’s costume.” Loid read off the paper. “The party supply store on 5th street should have it.”
“Sounds like a plan!” Yor agreed. “I can’t wait to see her in it!”
It should have been easy.
It was not.
The store was packed. It was almost wall to wall with people. Angry parents and crying kids were all overlapping into one, ear splitting sound.
Yor gasped. “Oh my…”
“I’m glad Anya’s with Becky today.” Loid commented. She never did well with such intense crowds.
However, because she was not here, meant Loid and Yor could endure the noise long enough to grab a Bondman costume and leave.
They pushed their way through the crowd to the children’s costume section.
“Mama, what do you mean?!” A young boy shouted, sounding incredibly distraught.
“I mean there aren’t any Bondman costumes left.” The mom tried to explain. “You can pick something else.”
Loid’s face grew pale. What did she mean there weren’t any left?
“But I don’t want to be anyone else! I want to be Bondman!” The child exclaimed.
Loid could almost see the future. Anya, still so little, would certainly not handle this well.
And if she doesn’t have her Bondman costume, she’ll become upset. She could threaten to leave school again, which puts Strix into jeopardy! This opportunity to work on the Friendship scheme could completely disappear! Think, Twilight. What can I do here?!
No, calm down. It will be fine. We can just go to another store. Loid told himself.
“Excuse me.” Yor asked the mother, jolting Loid out of his overthinking.
“Oh, yes?” The mom responded.
“I couldn’t help but overhear you, and it seems like the Bondman costumes are sold out?”
“Yes, they are.” The mom sighed. “I’ve been to four stores and they’ve all been cleaned out.”
Loid could swear he was going to break into a cold sweat. Four stores and not one had a Bondman costume?!
Yor swiftly placed a hand on Loid’s shoulder, stealing him. “Thank you for your help.” She flashed a kind smile at the mother, and helped guide Loid outside of the shop.
The fresh air helped him clear his mind a little bit, but the stress remained.
“I’m sure it’s not that hard to find.” Yor said, in her typical upbeat tone. “Plenty of other stores must have Bondman costumes.”
Loid straightened up. “Yes, you’re right. We might have to go a little further, but certainly somewhere will have it.”
After all, how hard could it be to find one costume?
——————
The Forgers stumbled home, practically defeated.
Yor made two cups of tea, and the two of them sat on the couch.
Loid took a sip. Yor held the mug in her hands.
She mumbled, “What are we going to tell Anya?”
“I don’t know.” Loid said, disheartened. “I don’t know.”
They checked everywhere they could possibly think of. They even dropped the groceries off at home, so they could spend the rest of the day scouting Berlint.
And still, they found nothing.
Every store was the same. Loid could practically hear the voices of cashiers tired of answering the question, “Do you have any Bondman costumes?”
“We sold out of those weeks ago.”
“Bondman? Oh, those flew off the shelves.”
“I’m sorry, but we don’t have those. You can check this store though!”
It didn’t matter what store they visited though. Which thread they followed.
The costume was gone, everywhere.
When Anya opened the door, Loid and Yor hurried to put on smiles and act as though nothing was wrong.
“Welcome back Ms. Anya!” Yor grinned.
“How was shopping with Becky?” Loid asked.
Anya launched into a recap about her day. “We had lunch at a really fancy place, and then we got ice cream! Then I bought a notebook with penguins on it!”
(Loid was relieved that Anya didn’t spend a lot.)
As Anya showed off her new treasure to her parents, Loid thought they almost got away. Maybe Anya wouldn’t ask about the costume?
“Oh, Mama! Did you and papa get my costume?” Anya looked at Yor expectantly.
“Oh, well, you see-“ Yor stammered.
I cannot tell her the costume is sold out everywhere! Loid panicked.
“They didn’t have any left at the store, so we had to order it.” Loid expertly lied. “We’ll have it ready by the party, I promise.”
“Yes, that’s right!” Yor clapped her hands together. “We just have to go pick it up on Thursday.”
Anya stared blankly at the two of them. Loid felt his heart begin to pound. Did she detect the lie?
If she did, she didn’t say so. “Papa, what’s for dinner?”
Loid, eager to move on, announced Yor was making that stew he and Anya loved so much.
Anya threw her hands up and cheered.
(But of course, Anya knew the truth. In her mind, all she could think was that Mama and Papa are big liars.)
——————
Sunday
6 Days Until Halloween
The next day, when Loid went on a walk with Bond, he also took the opportunity to search more stores.
It didn’t matter if they were party supply or costume stores, or not- if it sold clothes, Loid went and checked.
A small toy store had a sign advertising children’s costumes for sale. Loid figured he may as well give it a try. As Bond sniffed the stuffed animals, Loid glanced around the store.
He gasped, when he saw it there on the rack. There was only one, but there it was.
The Deluxe Official Bondman Costume Set.
Loid never thought he’d be this happy to see the cartoon spy’s face. It came with everything Anya wanted. The hat, coat, and most importantly, the replica pistol with a silencer.
Loid stepped forward, hand reached out to claim this treasure for Anya, when someone intervened.
“Mommy, look!” A young girl shouted. “I found it, I found it!”
The girl’s mother congratulated the child. “I’m so happy! We’ve been looking for this since last month!”
Dejected, Loid could only watch as they went to the cashier, paid for the costume, and left with his merchandise.
One of his eyes twitched. For a split second, he considered the merits of following them, and breaking and entering into their home to steal the costume. Realizing how absolutely insane that sounded, he shook his head, and left, defeated once more.
Bond was panting by the time Loid had given up. He took one step, wobbled, and decided the pavement was where he would lay down.
“Come on now, Bond. We have to get home.” Loid gently tugged the leash.
Bond whimpered. Loid tried for five minutes, but he could not get Bond to move.
And so, Loid walked home, with no Bondman costume, and a hefty dog in his arms.
——————
After Anya went to bed, Loid and Yor went to clean up the dishes from dinner.
“I struck out again today.” Loid admitted. “I almost had one of the costumes, but someone purchased it before I could.”
“I did too.” Yor sighed. “Anya and I went to the park, and on the way home I looked in a few stores. There wasn’t anything!”
“We should’ve anticipated this.” Loid shook his head. “Apparently we needed to be looking for this costume in September! What do we even do?”
“We keep looking.” Yor insisted. “Anya has her heart set on this, we can’t give up now!”
Loid agreed. “No. We can’t.”
While he lay awake in bed, Loid planned. If he had to get this costume through less than legal means, then so be it.
——————
Monday
5 Days Until Halloween
Franky’s newspaper stand was practically empty in the late afternoon. That made it the perfect time for Loid to visit. It was less likely he’d be overheard by the enemy- or other parents becoming as desperate as he was to find a Bondman costume.
Loid approached the stand. “Have you gotten any information?”
“Geez.” Franky frowned. “Not even a hello?”
“This is urgent.” Loid insisted.
“It’s a Halloween costume.” Franky deadpanned.
“It’s important to Anya, which makes it important to my mission.” Loid shot back. “Have you tracked one down?”
“What kind of question is that? Of course I have.” Franky reached for a newspaper behind him. He opened it up, and grabbed a small slip of paper. “There’s a shipment of new Halloween costumes going to the mall on 83rd. One of the guys is willing to get you a Bondman costume- if you can pay.”
“How much are they asking?” Loid raised an eyebrow.
“300 dalc.”
“300?!” Loid whisper-shouted. “He’s out of his mind!”
“He also knows parents are getting desperate.” Franky shrugged. He slid the paper over to Loid. “All the information for the meetup time is on there.”
Loid scanned it. It requested he meet the truck driver at the mall tomorrow, at 10 pm.
Loid shoved the slip in his jacket. “Fine. Thank you for your help.”
——————
Out of all her coworkers, Yor probably spoke with Sharon the least. She was just so much more mature, with a husband, kids, and a put-together life.
Once Yor was married though, she had begun to listen to Sharon more, hoping to pick up what she could when it came to being a good wife and mother. And right now, Yor really needed her help.
She steadied herself, and sat down next to Sharon in the break room.
“Good afternoon.” Yor flashed a smile towards her coworker.
“You too.” Sharon acknowledged Yor, and went back to her magazine.
“So, are you and your family celebrating Halloween?” Yor began.
“Yes, we’re taking the kids trick or treating.” She said, matter-of-factly. “Why do you ask?”
“Oh.” Yor blushed. “Just making conversation.”
“You have a question, don’t you?”
“Um, well…” Yor stammered. “Yes.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“Well, my daughter wanted to be Bondman for Halloween, but my husband and I haven’t been able to find one. If your kids are wearing costumes, I thought, maybe you’d know somewhere to go?”
Sharon gave Yor a pitying look. “Oh, Yor. Bondman is one of the most popular characters right now- I had to get my son’s costume in August. I’m sorry, but there’s nowhere you’re going to find it now.”
“So I’ve heard.” Yor sighed. “Thank you though.”
“No problem. If it comes down to it, you could always try making it.” Sharon suggested.
“Of course!” Yor said. “That’s a great idea!”
——————
On the way back from work, Yor stopped inside an arts and craft store, eager to get Anya’s costume ready. She had extra lessons after school today, so Yor could surprise her when she got back!
Nothing could have ruined her mood thinking of her little girl’s happy face.
At home, she spread everything out across the dining table. Fabric, scissors, thread, and most importantly, one of Anya’s comic books with Bondman printed across the front.
Sure, she had trouble sewing the penguin a plushie back together, but this couldn’t be too hard!
———————-
When all was said and done, and her fingers had been made sore from poking herself, Yor wasn’t even sure what she was looking at.
The coat was uneven, with one sleeve shorter than the other, and one barely hanging onto the main coat.
The hat ended up looking like a flat circle of fabric, and the mask was basically shredded in her hands.
Loid opened the door, his jaw dropped.
Yor sniffled. “I tried to make her costume, but it turned out all wrong!”
“That’s alright.” Loid quickly assured her, coming over to help her clean up the mess. “I tracked one down.”
Yor gasped. “You did?!”
“I can get it tomorrow, thankfully.”
“Oh, good!” Yor put a hand over her heart. It was like a weight had lifted off of her shoulders.
They cleaned up the remains of the homemade costume, and started on dinner. When Anya got home, the three enjoyed a warm, family meal, all stresses about Halloween costumes gone.
———————-
Tuesday
3 Days Until Halloween
“What is this?” Loid asked, voice dangerous.
“It’s a Bondman costume.” The trucker nonchalantly replied, puffing on his cigarette.
“This just says ‘Spy Costume.’” Loid pointed out.
The costume he’d received was clearly off brand. The material was cheap, almost like plastic. It was missing key accessories, like the chain across the front of the coat, and the pistol.
“The tie isn’t even the right color!” Loid exclaimed. “Bondman’s tie is blue not red!”
“Geez. Didn’t think you’d care.”
“My daughter will.” Loid said, exasperated.
Loid ended up not taking the knock off, and headed home, with that familiar pit of anxiety building in his stomach.
———————-
Wednesday
2 Days Until Halloween
Time was running out. Loid had failed to secure a Bondman costume, and Yor couldn’t make one.
Loid was busy with work, and Yor had an assignment on top of her day job.
But, she had one more opportunity.
Her next assignment was at a shipping warehouse. She had begged McMahon to give her that job in particular.
The job was fast, as it usually was. The guards of the traitorous shipping company CEO were no match for her- and the CEO wasn’t either.
When it was done, she scoured the warehouse up and down. Every box, every crate, she searched.
A clock told her that it was 2:00 am by the time she’d gone through most of the warehouse. Yor had to admit, it was even a little creepy inside!
She also knew Garden’s clean up crew would have been waiting for a few hours now, so she needed to wrap it up. The last few crates to check were ones she had accidentally destroyed.
She pokes through splintered wood, and found it- a shipment of Halloween costumes.
“Yes!” Yor cheered. She lifted up the package like it was gold.
There it was, in all its glory. The hat, the pistol with a silencer, and a cost…. With a giant rip in the back.
Yor frantically turned it around. “No, no, no!”
In the back of the costume, a piece of wood had lodged itself through the packaging and took a chunk of the coat with it.
Yor fell to her knees, head lowered. She failed to get that costume, again.
———————-
Thursday
1 Day Until Halloween
“Mama, Papa, why is it so dark under your eyes?” Anya asked, that judgy look of hers on her face as she sat down to breakfast.
“Just a bit sleepy.” Yor yawned.
“Yes, that’s all.” Loid said. “Now eat your breakfast so you can get ready for school.”
They saw Anya off on the bus before they panicked.
Halloween was tomorrow. Students were allowed to wear their costumes to school, which meant they needed a Bondman costume by morning.
Yor was up late because of her assignment. Loid, because of a stomachache.
To make things worse, both of them had to work today.
Yor searched nearby stores during her lunch break.
Loid even asked the Handler if she’d heard anything about where he could find a costume. (She had not- and told him to worry about Stellas instead.)
And when Anya came home, Yor and Loid had to admit the truth.
They could not find a Bondman costume.
———————-
Loid and Yor found themselves sitting on the couch again, as Anya went to sleep.
Loid could tell Anya was trying to be a good sport. She had smiled and told her parents it was ok, but Loid had not missed the way her little voice wobbled.
It was just a Halloween costume, but somehow, it made Loid feel like he was a horrible parent.
After all, it was likely this was Anya’s first real Halloween.
Yor hadn’t even touched her tea yet. “I feel so awful.”
“Me too.” Loid muttered. “She was so excited and we blew it.”
“It wasn’t for a lack of trying.” Yor tried to assure him. “There has to be something we can do. I know it won’t be exactly what she wants…but if we try to make it again?”
Loid looked up at Yor. “We could, but it’d take all night.”
“I think she deserves it.” Yor smiled. “We can do this!”
“We have to try.” Loid agreed.
———————-
They dug through their closets, searching for anything that could resemble Bondman’s costume.
They stood around the table with their findings. What was left was a series of clothes, all mismatched, that was far too big for Anya.
“Are you sure this is going to work?” Loid asked.
“It’s what we have.” Yor replied.
Loid took out the needle and thread from the home sewing kit. “Then I guess we need to get to work.”
——————
Monday
Halloween
Anya rubbed her eyes, and stumbled into the kitchen like she always did in the morning, not quite awake yet.
What was different was that Mama and Papa weren’t at the table or putting food down.
They stood in the living room, both holding something behind their backs.
I hope she likes this! Mama thought.
I still feel bad we couldn’t get the official one in time. I just hope this works for her. Was Papa’s thought.
They got my costume? Anya wondered. I thought they couldn’t find it.
“Morning, Ms. Anya!” Mama greeted her warmly.
“We’re sorry we couldn’t get the official Bondman costume.” Papa said. “So, we stayed up to make you one instead.”
They both presented what they hid behind them.
It was a full blown Bondman set, but even cooler.
Papa brought out his favorite hat- the one Anya saw him wear all the time! And Mama held Anya’s toy gun, planted to look like Bondman’s with a cardboard silencer.
“Well?” Papa asked, hopeful.
“It’s so cool!” Anya gasped. “I want to wear it, I want to wear it now!”
(Yor and Loid looked at each other, and sighed in relief.)
“How about you eat some breakfast first?” Mama suggested. “And then, you can try it on.”
——————
Anya’s costume ended up being a little too big, but she didn’t care.
She was grinning like it was the best thing in the world.
Yor snapped at least a dozen pictures with their camera, while Loid fussed over every detail.
“I’m the coolest Bondman ever!” Anya proclaimed when she was done getting dressed.
“That you are.” Loid ruffled her hair, and handed her his hat. “We’ll see you at the party after school. Be good, ok?”
Anya mock saluted her father, and headed to the car to meet Becky.
Loid sighed. “It’s over.”
“And she loves it!” Yor clapped.
“But next year, let’s start planning for her costume in July.”
——————
The party was in full swing. Grades 1-6 all joined in the festivities, and Anya was very excited to show off her homemade costume.
Until Syon Boy showed up that is.
“Wow. You’re such a commoner, you couldn’t even get a real costume!” His minion, Eden said.
“Yeah!” Emile chimed in.
The three were dressed as knights, in what had to be the nicest costumes Anya had ever seen.
(But she didn’t really care. Her costume was way better than theirs, because Mama and Papa made it for her.)
In the end though, Syon Boy and his friends stopped saying anything, when Becky showed up in a gorgeous princess gown, a perfect replica from the one on Berlint in Love.
Needless to say, Becky won the costume contest.
—————-
After a long night of a party, and trick or treating, Anya had long since fallen asleep on the couch.
Yor and Loid enjoyed their tea, both relieved that they’d managed to come up with a costume for Anya, and happy at how much Anya enjoyed her day.
When she eventually woke up long enough to put on pajamas, Loid tucked her in.
“Happy Halloween, Papa.” She sleepily mumbled.
“Goodnight, and Happy Halloween, Anya.”