The air in the dimly lit convention center vibrated with excitement. The atrium thrummed with life—booths showcasing glinting collectibles, towering displays of sci-fi props, and bursts of laughter echoing off the polished cement walls. Streamers of neon lights zigzagged overhead, casting radiant pinks and blues over the bustling cosplayers who milled about in painstakingly crafted costumes. It was a kaleidoscope of fandoms, artistry, and bold creativity, and amidst the electric chaos stood Adrian, taking a deep breath as he adjusted the flowing layers of his violet corset dress.
The dress itself was dramatic—a cascade of silky velvet, cinched perfectly at the waist, with embroidered pearl florets blooming along the bodice. Adrian’s dark hair was tucked into an auburn wig swept into soft curls that grazed his petite shoulders. A silver, crescent-shaped tiara sparkled against the warm glow of the overhead lights. His makeup, carefully applied in the fluorescent glare of his apartment bathroom earlier that morning, was flawless: soft blush across his cheekbones, winged eyeliner that accentuated his hazel eyes, and a bold plum lipstick. When he looked in the mirror before the event, even he was startled at how convincingly his reflection could pass as a magical maiden straight out of a fantasy epic.
He shifted his grip on the velvet pouch tied to his wrist—his “enchanted satchel” for the cosplay—and tried not to wobble on his glittery heels. The ballroom ahead was alive with the cosplay contest, and Adrian whispered a silent prayer to himself before stepping out of the shadows and onto the marble staircase that overlooked the contestants below.
The Impromptu Beginning
It had all started as a dare. A lighthearted, ridiculous challenge from his best friend, Jess—a stunning, sharp-tongued woman with an all-black ensemble aesthetic and a perpetually raised eyebrow. “You couldn’t pull off a princess cosplay if your life depended on it,” she had declared over ramen one night. “You’ve got that whole broody, mysterious guy vibe down. But glitter, Adrian—glitter would destroy you.”
Adrian had smirked at the time, batting the accusation aside. “I could absolutely nail it,” he replied, his voice laced with mock offense. “I’m versatile.”
Jess wasn’t convinced. “You’re versatile,” she echoed with derisive laughter. “All right then—prove it. Femme it up at the CrownCon cosplay contest, and if you win, I’ll buy you ramen every day for a month.” The gleam in her eyes betrayed how serious she was. Adrian had rolled his eyes in reluctant agreement, sparking the genesis of what was now unfolding in this surreal moment.
At first, it was a joke. But soon, everything changed.
Catching the Audience
As he descended the stairs into the main ballroom, Adrian clutched his skirt with delicate fingers, his eyes scanning the hundreds of people. The stage loomed ahead, illuminated by golden spotlights. Contestants were queued, each representing characters ranging from anime warriors to sci-fi villains. Adrian was an anomaly—a fierce, feminine enchantress among armored knights and intergalactic rogues.
“You’ve got this,” Jess had texted him earlier, though he suspected her sarcasm was folded into those words. She hadn’t come to the event, claiming her “allergies to glitter” were acting up, but Adrian suspected she just didn’t want to witness his mortifying defeat firsthand.
Yet oddly, as he stepped further into the ballroom, he felt a strange empowerment. There were eyes on him—both curious and admiring. A pair of teenage girls whispered excitedly, pointing at the flowing layers of his velvet gown. A man in full samurai armor nodded respectfully as Adrian passed. Placing a manicured hand on his hip, Adrian lifted his chin slightly and glided toward the stage.
The booming voice of the host brought him back to the moment. “And finally, we have… uh… the Enchantress of Raventhorne!” Adrian winced at the clumsy name Jess had come up with while filling out his registration form. Too late to change it now. The spotlight swung to him as polite applause filled the room.
Adrian stepped onto the stage, the world blurring into a swirl of lights and muffled claps. His heels clicked against the polished black floor as he struck what he hoped was a spellbinding pose, his arms outstretched and his lips curving into a mischievous smile. For a single heartbeat, the room stood still, and he swore he saw genuine wonder in the audience’s faces.
Unveiled
Backstage, the tension unraveled like a taut string snapping. Adrian collapsed onto a plush bench, his feet protesting every moment spent in those heels. He fished his phone from the velvet satchel and found a message waiting for him.
Jess: You slayed, enchantress. Seriously.
Adrian grinned, wiping the sheen of sweat from his temple. Just then, the host slipped behind the curtain, a trophy in hand. “Enchantress of Raventhorne,” he said with a laugh, “they loved you. Didn’t even realize you were a guy until you walked offstage. That’s gotta be worth at least one ramen, right?”
Adrian chuckled, taking the trophy with both hands. There was something intoxicating about walking a mile in someone else’s glittery shoes—not just cosplay, but freedom. For the first time in a while, he wasn’t defined by who people thought he was.
As he walked triumphantly toward the exit, trophy in hand and pearls glinting in the light, Adrian felt a strange comfort settle over him. Maybe glitter wasn’t so bad after all.
The Source…check out the article that inspired this amazing short story: Can a guy cosplay as a girl?
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