“In that case, she’s leaving with two tonight. Her birthday is next week anyway, and I know she’d love to wear one at her party,” she replied. “What do you think the chances are of her new friend attending it?”
When I looked behind her, I saw the two unicorns happily prancing around one another, occasionally rubbing horns or grooming one another’s manes.
“Let me know when and where, and I’ll do my best to make it happen.”
“Perfect. I’ll leave the information with Aspen when I collect the gear,” she replied. “Is there a possibility of getting one in a mix of purple and pale blue?”
“A hundred percent,” I replied, pulling my notebook from my pocket and writing it down, as well as who it was for, since I already had her dimensions on file. “And if there are any othercolors you think she might like, just let Aspen know and I’ll get to work on them.”
“Marvelous. I’ll put them away for Christmas, and they’ll be her big gifts. I cannot tell you how wonderful it will be for her to have something that doesn’t come from the sleepwear section.”
“How did you ever find something in sleepwear with a mane and tail?” I asked.
“I didn’t,” she explained. “My mom added those for her, since I can’t sew a button back on a shirt without stabbing the hell out of myself. I just felt like the outfits weren’t complete without them, so Mom added them to all but the ones she actually sleeps in.”
“Well, I am always happy to fill a void where someone has been dying for an outfit to let them be their authentic selves,” I replied.
“Before I let you get back to your guests, I wanted to let you know that I gave your card to a friend of mine who has a somewhat unusual pet request,” she said. “I told her that if anyone could pull it off, it would be you.”
“Really? You’ve got me curious now.”
“Well, her boy loves sloths; they’re his all-time favorite animals, and he has been wanting to explore pet play more and loves full-on bodysuits of the fluffy variety. He’s a quiet little sweetheart who loves curling up and lounging around with his sketchpad. He’s a graphic artist and tends to run cold, thus the full-body suits.”
“I take it he’s a full-time pet?” I asked, already formulating some ideas.
I was sure that with Raleigh and Murry’s help I’d be able to come up with some wonderful concepts.
“For the most part,” she said. “He creates webcomics; that’s why he’s always drawing. He’s got a whole series about a sloth family and their lack of adventures.”
Chuckling, I could just picture how those might play out. Probably with the sloths planning things, then falling asleep before they could venture out or in the middle of trying.
“Thanks for letting me know, and for the recommendation. I’ll get started on ideas so at least I’ll have something in mind by the time she reaches out for me.”
“You are amazing, you know that?”
I had no response to that, not when my face flushed at the praise. Guess I had a bit of a praise kink in me, just like Raleigh and Murry.
She hugged me, kissed me on the cheek, and then turned me loose, right into another conversation. Despite the numerous people clamoring for a moment of my time, I managed to keep one eye on Murry and Raleigh throughout the night, grateful for Phoenix’s presence, as the man remained within arm’s length of them, even while they were playing. I never saw him interfere, but it was clear that he was taking the title of handler to heart tonight, or maybe it was just part of the unique relationship they had. If ever a man was a natural protector, it was him, which left me wondering why he didn’t have a little one or a pet of his own. Maybe one day, if I got to know him well enough, I’d ask.
The rest of the evening was a crazy blur of conversations and posing for photos with clients, a handful of whom had brought pets already wearing gear I’d designed. Since I never announcedexactly what pet play outfits I’d be unveiling, many came hoping to see if I unveiled a new piece in an already established line. This time, my fox and koala folks had gotten glimpses of the new designs for those pets; next time, it would be bunnies and kitties, in honor of my two new models.
I hoped they enjoyed the surprises I had in store for them when that moment came, too. They deserved a bonus for all the hard work they’d already put in, and there would be many more sessions before the next show, three months from now.
“Phew,” Phoenix said after the last guest had left and it was just the five of us left in the shop, along with the cleaning crew Aspen was already overseeing. “That was a lot.”
“Which is why we only do it four times a year,” I remarked.
Murry and Raleigh looked exhausted, and Phoenix didn’t look much better.
“Why don’t we head upstairs, and you guys can shower and crash in the spare bedroom on the pullout couch if you’d like. With the day we’ve had, I’m sure you’re all exhausted.”
“I can’t,” Phoenix said. “But I appreciate the offer.”
“We’ll stay,” Murry offered. “I’m more than ready to sprawl out and not move until morning.”
“You and me both,” Raleigh declared. “No way I want to ride across town tonight.”
“That settles it then,” I said, offering Phoenix my hand. “Thank you again for helping out.”
