Morning at the store started normally.
Nyx was restocking drinks.
Bella was organizing receipts at the counter.
Goro the Oni stood near the snack aisle studying a cereal box like it contained ancient wisdom.
And Vario…
Vario had found something dangerous.
Nyx's makeup kit.
It sat on the break room table, forgotten after she rushed to start her shift.
Vario stared at the small brushes and colorful palettes with curiosity.
"Huh," he muttered.
He picked up a tiny brush.
"I've seen Nyx do this before. How hard could it be?"
Five minutes later, Vario was standing in front of the small break room mirror.
He had applied foundation.
Then blush.
Then eyeliner.
Then lipstick.
He leaned closer to the mirror.
"…I'm getting pretty good at this."
He walked back out to the store confidently.
Nyx looked up first.
She froze.
"…Vario."
Bella looked up next.
Then slowly lowered her glasses.
"…What."
Vario leaned on the counter casually.
"What?"
Nyx stared at him.
"You… did your makeup."
Vario blinked.
"Yeah. I was experimenting."
Bella stood up and walked around the counter.
She circled him once.
Then twice.
"…Do you know what you look like right now?"
Vario crossed his arms proudly.
"Stylish?"
Bella pointed at the mirror behind the counter.
"Go look."
Vario walked over.
He looked at his reflection.
Then he leaned closer.
Then closer.
Silence filled the store.
"…Why do I look like a girl."
Nyx burst out laughing.
Bella rubbed her forehead.
"You didn't notice?"
"I thought I looked powerful!"
Nyx leaned on the counter laughing harder.
"You gave yourself perfect eyeliner!"
Goro slowly approached, examining Vario carefully.
"…Your disguise is convincing."
"It's not a disguise!"
Vario frantically tried wiping off the lipstick with a napkin.
It only smeared worse.
Bella shook her head.
"You look like a pop idol after a long concert."
The door chimed.
A customer walked in.
He stopped immediately.
He looked at Vario.
Then at Nyx.
Then back at Vario.
"…Are you new here?"
Vario slowly turned away from the customer.
"…I'm going to the bathroom."
Nyx wiped tears from her eyes from laughing.
"Don't forget to remove the mascara!"
Vario groaned as he walked away.
Behind him, Bella muttered calmly,
"This job gets stranger every day."
Goro nodded.
"…Retail reveals many hidden identities."