It was somewhat harder to explain religious concepts such as Lent to Animalians, because dietary restrictions were either impossible (for carnivore Animalians) or nonexistent (for herbivores), but sometimes it was laughably easy to describe some things. For example, it was easy to describe the sin of gluttony as 'taking too much pleasure in food', and Mardi Gras as 'getting all that sinning out of your system to make Lent easier'.
Clara had seen examples of how Mardi Gras was celebrated in different places via the internet, and had decided to do some different things in Animalia, especially with the celebrations and food.
There would be primarily extravagance until Ash Wednesday, when the celebration of sin would be completely shut down, representing the paradoxical nature of the celebrations. This would also help many uplifted Animalians understand religion somewhat, especially vice and virtue.
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There would be a Mardi Gras parade, but it wouldn't be as over the top as it was in certain places. The floats would be simpler than they were elsewhere, but that was because there would be thong-clad male Animalians or skimpy bikini-clad female Animalians showing off their bodies (muscles, etc.) on them, segregated by species and gender.
There would also be no alcohol during the celebrations, but there would be relaxed standards of public decency for Animalians (just barely enough to decent, but in danger of exposure because of a strong gust of wind blowing the right way. The food would be similar to what was commonly sold in New Orleans, but with different combinations of ingredients.
The Worldmeet Glade Hotel and Casino had a special "banquet special" at the Meat Market on 32nd for Mardi Gras. Normally it was either Beefcake Special (male Animalian performers and waiters, no males allowed) or Cheesecake Special (female Animalian performers and waiters, no females allowed), but the Banquet Special was both male and female Animalian performers and no one excluded.
The performance Hall of the Worldmeet Glade, aptly named the Hall of the Wild, showcased a number of Las Vegas-style shows, with Animalian Showgirls wearing Animalian versions of common Vegas showgirl costumes, with substantially more "jewelry" and substantially less "cloth". These shows would be packed to the rafters, so to speak, and be vividly remembered by many a male,
Miss Vivian's Intimacy Boutique also got into the Mardi Gras spirit. Not only were sexy Mardi Gras Costumes sold for half price, there was also an exclusive sale of 'Voodoo Alpha Animalian Musk' perfumes (for females) and colognes (for males), scientifically designed (and separated) to drive a certain species (such as horses or eagles, for example) wild. But the Boutique would be closed on Ash Wednesday, in keeping up with the "vice shutdown".
What made Mardi Gras in Animalia especially appealing for others was that the paperwork for joining Animalia, whether by uplifting, conversion, and/or double dosing, would be cut in half. Also, housing, rent, and mortgages for new Animalian couples would also be cut in half, sparking one of the fastest, and shortest-lived population growths in Animalia.
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All in all, Mardi Gras was a good way to help Animalians learn about religion, especially vices and virtues, and give everyone in Animalia a good way to learn about them while having fun.