A Familiar Disguise

I found the tiny red cap you set aside for me resting right near the edge of the dresser. Balancing it carefully with both gloved hands, I eased the curved brim down over my blue quills until it nestled snugly between my ears. There was even a little black cardstock mustache, which I gently smoothed beneath my nose, pressing each curved wing flat against my cheeks. Standing on tiptoe before the small oval mirror, I struck a jaunty jump pose, watching my reflection grin back under the warm lamplight. Playing the cheerful plumber feels remarkably natural, almost like slipping into a brand-new game made just for us.