This was a pretty busy time of year for Miss Vivian's Intimacy Boutique. With Halloween approaching, there were plenty of people wanting to get costumes. Particularly the sexier costumes that Miss Vivian kept in stock for this holiday. And there were also people who wanting to get some lingerie.
"I'm mildly surprised you have not come to me sooner," said Miss Vivian.
"Well, things have been so busy," said Beatrice Deacon, though shi usually called hirself 'Beacon'. "I've been helping out with getting Spookyville ready. I think my florescent paint is going to be really liked and that deep-sea exhibit will be better now there are more of us."
"Oh, I certainly agree," said Miss Vivian, "But you're not here about those. You're here regarding your mate, yes?"
"I'd thought it'd be a nice surprise," said Beacon, "I want Allura's first Halloween to be memorable."
"Oh, I can think of plenty of ways for that," said Miss Vivian, "I think you would fill out a ghost bride costume very well."
"Er, you think so?" asked Beacon.
"You've got a very sexy body now. You don't need to be shy about it. Or perhaps the ghost groom costume. It can be a bit hard to tell which is better. By the way, you two are getting married, aren't you?" asked Miss Vivian.
"It seems a little redundant, doesn't it?" asked Beacon, "I mean, we're clearly mates for life. Do we really need a wedding?"
"You may have just a private ceremony. Elope if you prefer. But there are certain legal niceties that can't be overlooked," said Miss Vivian, "It will be more trouble for you if you aren't legally married."
"Yeah, I guess you do have a point," said Beacon, "But I'm not just here for costumes and wedding consultation."
"Of course, you want to get something special for you and your mate," said Miss Vivian, "Well, I have some new models in stock. Take a look for yourself." She brought a binder and opened it, revealing several pictures of Animalian women in lingerie.
"Hey, is that from the fashion show?" asked Beacon.
"Why, yes it is," said Miss Vivian, "We had a small show for the more risque apparel."
"Ah, I missed it while we were doing that colony tour," said Beacon.
"Pity, it was quite a treat," said Miss Vivian.
==========
The lingerie part of the IAC Fashion Show was naturally only for adults. There was some screening to make sure some of the loudest and rudest people would be kept away from the catwalk. Fortunately, the current president was too busy to attend the show so he wouldn't make a spectacle of himself as he did last time. At least the people in the front weren't openly drooling and being lecherous over the lovely ladies walking around in next to nothing. Though there was a bit of tension in the back.
"You sure that isn't supposed to be a costume or something?" asked Karen.
"Aren't all lingerie costumes in a way?" asked Zoe, sounding a bit annoyed.
"Well, not quite," said Karen, "I mean, there's themed lingerie-"
"And this is what this is," snapped Zoe. The 'outfit' she was wearing certainly looked very tribal, though it was clearly made of latex and meant for the bedroom.
"Hey, girls, is there a problem here?" The two cats looked over to see Perla. She was rather new at this modeling thing, but she had a knack for it.
"Just a little confusion about what constitutes as lingerie," said Karen.
"She's confused, I know what I'm wearing," snapped Zoe.
"That's what all this is over?" asked Perla, "Something else got you angry?"
Zoe sighed and said, "Well, my parents have been getting on my case."
"As in the same ones who thought vaccines were a bad idea and led to you getting polio?" asked Karen dryly.
"Yeah, they're sorry for that, but I think they're more sorry that I got double-dosed," said Zoe, "They think I'm moving through life through fast, even though I'm going to be a senior in fall. I mean, I've got a career in modeling, I met a cute guy in Maelewano, and I'll be going to college next year. Or maybe just working at the ASM full-time. I think it's a little too late to think I'm growing too fast."
"Sounds like empty nest syndrome to me," said Perla, "Lots of parents get this way when their kids are growing up."
"But I also feel like they're hiding something," said Zoe, "Some sort of health concern they won't admit about because it would mean I would say 'I told you so'."
"I think their health is more important than their pride," said Karen, "You need to find out if everything's ok. Be assertive, but not aggressive. Aggression's only going to make them keep denying it."
"And don't try to make yourself sound superior," said Perla, "Parents make mistakes. What matters is that they have the opportunity to fix them."
Zoe sighed and said, "Ok, I'm not gonna confront them about it now. Right now, I'm going to model this lingerie."
As the lioness walked off, Perla said, "I might get me a set of that. I think the tribal look would work for me."
"Except that brown matches your fur too much," said Karen, "You need a different color."
"Fashion's all about options," said Perla.