Massachusetts looked over her reflection in the full length mirror that decorated in Alabama's room. A frilly headpiece sat perched on her hair; it matched the frilly black and white dress and apron that adorned the rest of her . Bright white stocking ran up her legs, stopping just shy of her skirt hem. 

“Sister, you can't be serious.” The words rolled flatly off of her tongue.

“It ain't supposed to be serious, Sugar!” Alabama tossed more clothes from the giant trunk at the foot of her bed. "It's supposed to be fun!"

“'Ain't' isn't a word, Alabama.” Massachusetts muttered. Her eyes narrowed as Nevada's snickering drifted across the room.

“I think it suits ya.” Nevada calld from her chair. She lounged across the arms and flipped through TV channels. 

“You'll be up here soon.” Massachusetts huffed.

Nevada waved a small, golden star in the air triumphantly. “I already have my costume.” She pinned the small device that read “SHERIFF” to her jacket. “Viola! All ready to go.” Nevada boasted smugly. 

Massachusetts' comeback was cut off as Alabama appeared behind her again, tightening the cords on the costumes corset. “OOF! Sister it feels like you're trying to suffocate me.”

“Just a lil' bit more.” Alabama grunted as she tightened the corset's cords. She topped the ensemble off with a small white apron that tied into a large bow in the back. She took a step back to admire her work. “Mamie you look absolutely adorable!” Massachusetts' cheeks flushed red as Alabama swooned.

“Please don't call me that.” The flustered shipgirl pouted and crossed her arms. 

“Now, Nevy, we need to get ready too.” Alabama hopped over to her friend.

“What? I'm already ready.” Nevada tensed in her chair. 

“You need to change into your costume~” Alabama sang from behind Nevada.

“Yeah, Nevada, we need to get you dressed up, too.” Devious intent dripped from Massachusetts' words. She held up a pair or short-shorts, and a green tank top.

“Oh God, no.” Her attempt to run was stopped by Alabama pushing her back into the chair. "Just hold still Nevy."

Massachusetts closed in from the front was a grin that was anything but friendly.

__

“We look ridiculous.” Nevada said flattly. 

She and Massachusetts stood outside Alabama's room door, waiting for the other girl to come out.

“Really? I think it suits you.”

“Har har har. You're just full of jokes tonight.” Nevada sighed. “Who's idea was this, anyway?”

“Who do you think? It was Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum." Massachusetts answered. "It's usually those two idiots who put these ideas in her head.”

“Remind me to 'thank' them later.” Nevada growled.

“Right after me.”

The door slammed open to Alabama standing triumphantly in her costume. She held two red and white poms poms in her hands, and “BAMA” was spelled across her chest in large crimson letters. She posed, shooting her poms poms into the air.

“Ta da! What do y'all think?” Alabama smiled expectantly at her sister and friend.

Nevada and Massachusetts looked at the bubbly woman, and then at each other. 

“I am not surprised in the least.” Massachusetts finally answered.

“Yeah, same here, now can we get this over with?” Nevada trudged in the direction of the the hotel's conference room. 

"Where's Lionfish? She's not skipping out on us is she?" Massachusetts asked as Alabama hooked her arm arouns her own.

"She said something about already having a costume ready to go." Nevada let Alabama hook her too.

"Yup! She and Joseph have something planned. Those two are just two adorable together." Alabama giggled.

"I don't like it." Mamie grumbled. "It's still fraternization."

Nevada smirked. "You're just jealous you don't have a sweet guy to dress up for." Her hand reached across Alabama to poke her cheek. "I bet Casey would like that get up just fine."

"Why you litt-"

Alabama's arms pulled the two bickering girls together, cutting Massachusetts off. "Oh girls, we are gonna have so much fun~"
__
"Has anyone seen Alabama?" 

Casey turned face the gaint shark at his side. Lionfish's eyes peered through the costume's teeth. 

"Not yet. But she needs to hurry up. The costume contest starts soon." 

"Ugh, and she's the one who made me wear this." She comically crossed her shark fins.

"You're not the only one she forced into this, you know."
Joseph waddled up beside them. A bushy, fake beard hung from his chin, and a pipe stuck from his lips. He was covered head to toe in yellow rain gear.

Casey grinned. It had been Alabama's idea to hold a Halloween costume contest for the community, She had claimed it was for the children, and now there were dozens of the small, costumed hooligans running around. He couldn't but think her own desire to dress out played a part too. 

"I'll send Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum after her. You two should start heading back stage."

"Fine." Lionfish pouted. "Come on, Joe." 

Joseph nodded to Casey before fallin in behind the grumpy shark.

Casey pulled out his smartphone and checked his messages; nothing new. He shot out a quick text to Massachussets. “U guys r late”.  A few minutes and still no reply, he began to worry.  He turned o the door to the conference room and muttered. “Better go find them.”

Casey had no sooner turned around when the doors slammed open. Alabama posed triumphantly, waving her pom poms. 
“Evenin’ Yaaaaa’ll! I hope ya’ll are enjoying the festivities!” 
The party-goers cheered, and Alabama make her way through the crowd. Casey noticed Massachussetts and Nevada slinking in behind her, dodging the commotion. He dipped through the crowd, catching them on the back wall. 
“Massachussetts! Nevada! What took so long?” 
“Whaddaya think?” Nevada growled, her eyes narrowing behind dark sunglasses. She whipped her hair, done into a long braid, over her shoulder. Two toy pistols hung from holsters on her waist.   
“Laura Croft? What? Whatever, we gotta get…” Casey finally noticed what Massachussetts was wearing. His eyes drifted down to her ample assets. 
“Eyes up, assole.”
“It’s…it’s frilly?” He offered.
“Just makes ya wanna eat her up, don’t it?” Nevada jeered.
“You two can shove it. Let’s go get this stupid contest overwith.” Massachussetts stomped to the back of the room.
“You could just walk away.” Casey fell in behind her, trying not to let his eyes wander.
“Someone can’t say no to their little sister.” Nevada sang out behind them. 
“I swear Nevada, I am going to shove that rubber nose right up your ass.”
“Ladies, please keep it civil. We have kids running around. Save it for after the show.” He held open the door, letting the two women in first. “Go wait with the others, while I go grab Bama.”
“Just make sure you judge fairly.” Nevada winked. “Don’t be drawing any bais’s too soon.” She nudged at Massachussetts. She huffed, and turned away, shades of pink filling her cheeks.
“Just go get ready, please.” He left for the growing crowd in the middle of the room, chanting in time with the joyful, blonde shipgirl as she did a routine on a table. The night festivities were only just beginning