King's Clothes
The rest of the drive was dull, no one wanting to break the silence. George continued working on his phone, since the pair realized that was what he was doing, the few times his screen was exposed, it revealed a strange group of letters, unlike a typical keyboard for texting. Judy sat a little closer to Nick, more for comfort than fear, though learning what they were doing did little to help the bubble of unease building in her small belly. Nick maintained his show of easy comfort, but the few times they'd bumped around a corner her elbow met tense muscle on his wiry frame. Less than ten minutes since leaving the sushi bar, the car pulled up to a small building with a small sign in fancy script depicting the word 'Threads'.
With the car idling, Justin looked over the seat back, having regained most of his warmth. George looked up, feeling the question in the eyes on him, and responded to the unasked. "Have Misters Jones and Rondlick get their lunch, and please put this back, either at home or your brothers and bring back Mr. Card's car." Justin raised an eyebrow, no sound from his lips. "No one knows we are at Margery's except Heather. We'll be fine, and I can enjoy my lunch without you hitting every random bump or curb you can spot." The smile split both their muzzles, warm and carefree. Turning to Nick and Judy,"If you both would be kind enough to help me bring in these boxes, we will dine and finish some of the day's work." Nick and Judy exchanged glances, Judy shrugged and helped load Nick's arms once he was out of the car, giving him half the boxes. She was about to follow with the other half when she heard George clear his throat. She looked over to find him outside and holding his paws extended toward the remaining boxes. "I'll take those, Judith." His smile deepened when she slowly put them in his outstretched paws, not trusting herself to speak. She left the idling antique on Nick's side, and slowly joined the males on the sidewalk. The street had no traffic besides the large car and the tailing SUV, containing two pair of feline eyes she could feel watching. George had one of the boxes pulled separate, handing it to the badger behind the wheel. "See you in a while." He said after the box was safely beside his friend. "And no cookies in this long beast." With a grinning nod, Justin put the car in gear and expertly pulled away, the car's allure distinct, even from the stylish rear contour.
Pointing toward the door with his nose, George asked the pair politely, "Shall we?" as the SUV passed by, the lion acknowledging the wolf. They entered the building, noting three doors. One was made of privacy glass with the name 'Eric M. Choole, Law Firm' etched in large print. Opposite this door was another more stylish affair with the same spidery script of the outside sign reading 'Threads'. While a light shone through, they passed by, walking toward upbeat music playing beyond a simple wooden door. Approaching slowly with their burden, the door squeaked open before they arrived, revealing a tan haired goat, her horn rimmed glasses hanging on a chain over her pale purple shirt with silver threading. Her head hair was lighter, going white with her age. Her stylish jacket in cream had a slight shimmer, offsetting the construction yellow measuring tape draped around her neck like a scarf. Her harsh gaze was lightened in the eyes only when she spied George with an assortment of boxes bearing oriental script in paw.
"George, I almost left to get my own lunch. The only thing that stopped me was knowing you were bringing me sushi, my only weakness. You know how to keep a lady waiting, don't you?" Her banter was lighthearted, but the annoyance at mention of the wait was real enough.
George's voice transformed, taking on a tone of concentrated seriousness, similar to an actor delivering lines in a play. "Margery, you are a saint for waiting. We rushed here as quickly as able, cutting through alleys and side streets to arrive, bearing your delicious sushi roll upon our collective backs. Please forgive us, madam." He completed his small performance with a slight bow, bringing his head back up with an excessively wolfish grin.
Margery laughed, shaking her slight frame, this time the amusement reaching her entire face rather than just the eyes. "Oh, you're forgiven, but only because you brought these from that new place. I've been busy and haven't made it there yet, you have saved me from the need to." Glancing at the other two mammals in the hallway, she opened the door to allow them entrance. Once through the portal, fabric was everywhere along the walls, neatly organized by color and fabric type ranging from the brightest hues to the most muted blacks. The music got louder the further in they ventured through this collection of linen and silk.
Reaching another door, the music burst forth once the doorway was breached, surrounding the quartet with the notes of a melodic harmony. A group of assorted mammals were beyond next to a quickly quieting stereo beside several tables. Peach aromas filled the small break room from a tea pot still puffing on a tiny stove cuddled to a boringly beige fridge. Greetings were given to the arrival of lunch, the laid back tone helping the newcomers feel at ease. The boxes were laid out and quickly distributed amongst the small group. One box, containing several smaller boxes, was left in George's paws, who was directed to a separate table by Margery.
Addressing the pair of officers as the mammals took their seats, "As you both have probably guessed, this is Margery, the master of Threads. She is the best seamstress in Zootopia, probably the world." Not even trying to be humble, she nodded at the compliment. "Queens and divas trust her work for any red carpet affair or a daring halftime outfit." Turning from the duo, George handed out the smaller boxes containing lunch while continuing. Returning to the goat, who was inspecting her sushi roll of kale and spinach drizzled with eel sauce, "This pair is what brings me today. They need the normal attire, plus something special for tonight. Formal, but not white tie. That would be too much for where we are going. Let's say black tie optional for both, that would be perfect. We need the formal quickly, but I'll have someone pick up the rest of the suits tomorrow, if your night crew can manage?"
Breathing in the scent of her exquisite morsel, Margery looked at George with a look of pure satisfaction. "Yes George, they can manage." Taking her first bite in anticipation, she chewed her roll that must have been made by an angel as it was heavenly. "Oh God, George, these are amazing! These are the only things I love more than work!" She deftly squeezed her rolls using chopsticks, which brought an annoyed look to George's muzzle. Seeing this, she laughed, watching him attempt to use his own, and fail.
"Oh for the love of…" George exclaimed as his roll fell on his suit. With a sigh of resignation, he cleaned his suit with a handy cloth, and, shaking his head, picked up a plastic fork and proceeded to work on his lunch.
With light giggles from his table companions, all of whom were using the small wooden sticks with ease, Margery's smile grew wider. She spoke to the pair, in conspiratorial tones, "This is one of the reasons I love sushi. Especially if I get to enjoy them with him! For such a capable mammal, he sure can make a mess of lunch." Her quip brought full fledged laughter to the table, Judy trying to be polite, laughing into her paw, but Nick laughed outright.
"Oh haha." George mocked back. "Yes, find the one weakness a mammal has and exploit it." George huffed annoyed, but his returned grin revealed his understanding of how comical his inability to use chopsticks was. "Never have been able to use those things." He ended with a disdainful look at the utensils lying beside his lunch. A fresh set of giggles followed, the tension gone from the pair. The rest of the room was engaged in their own private conversations, oblivious to the poor wolf's plight.
After a few minutes of easy silence, the small group finished their lunch while Margery looked over the pair George had brought to her. Her capable mind was working quickly while she chewed the last of her roll. "George, that was worth the wait. Thank you." He nodded his silent acknowledgment. "Now, onto business. I assume Mr. Card wants me to pick the color?"
"Yes, he trusts your judgment above all, please feel free. Same with cut and style. I'll just have some coffee and wait while you work your magic." George stood and nodded encouragingly to the pair, who realized everyone in the now quiet room was focused on them. The rabbit and fox looked at each other, sharing an audible gulp.
George was making to leave the break room with a fresh cup of coffee, obviously at ease, when he heard Judy ask timidly, "Do you think you can make a suit for someone as small as me?"
Margery laughed, and looked the sweet little bunny up and down. "Dear, if I can make a suit that will fit Casey Rondlick's broad shoulders, I can make something for you." She smiled sweetly.
"Who is Casey Rondlick?" Asked Nick, curiously.
"The lion in the car today." Answered George quietly. "Trust her, she is that good. And fast." With a wave, he left the room.
Margery turned to her group of workers. "Ok, first off we need accurate measurements, you guys know how this works…" Her tone spoke of her capability and experience, she had her crew at work in no time.
An hour later, Judy was admiring herself in a set of mirrors wearing a full length formal gown in cobalt, complete with matching elbow length gloves. The fit was perfect, the cut bold and distinguished. A sheath style with twin shoulder straps, giving over to a slight v neck, allowing the very tops of her cleavage a peak, while hugging her hips to emphasize her feminine features. The slit from the floor sweeping train to her mid thigh allowed both freedom of movement and added a bold edge while not being too immoral. It combined elegant and dignified with sensual. She adored it. Most dresses she had found made her look like a small child of any other species, and hid her feminine features. Margery's work enhanced her top, though she did have trepidation at her middle. "What about my hips, Margery? It's tight, and almost a little, I don't know, exaggerated?" A slight blush worked its way across her sweet muzzle to end at the tips of her downcast ears.
With a little laugh, "You have wonderful hips, dear. Probably your best feature after your innocent face. Make use of it. Work it and make the males tremble." Margery added with an evil smile. "And that shade of blue works perfectly with your fur tones, light gray and cobalt are lovely, which is also why I added the slit, to break up the dress and use your fur to highlight and emphasis. It turned out well, I think." Margery finished looking her over, finding her work perfect, as usual. "Put on the right makeup and jewelry, and you'll stop traffic, dear. Let's have George look you over."
"Oh, I think we should wait on Nick, and you can present us both." Judy said, looking at her backside in the mirror over her shoulder, twisting slightly to see herself from all angles, giving her tail a little shake.
With another good natured laugh, "Nick's been done for ten minutes. The males have been waiting on us, as is normal AND proper."
"Oh, ok! Let's go see the guys and watch their eyes pop out!" Judy's ears perked up with her enthusiasm, any discomfort at her hips was replaced by excitement.
Margery led the way out, with a bouncing bunny behind her. After walking for a minute through the maze of cloth and rooms, they entered a stylish sitting room, where the normal door would have brought them had they used it. Nick and George were sitting, quietly. Nick had put his aviator shades on, relaxing in his new suit of deep chocolate brown with matching slacks. His unbuttoned suit top exposed his darker vest that emphasized his trim features. His shirt was off white, his tie was a perfect match to Judy's dress in cobalt. He stood up to look at her, and Judy drew a quick, audible breath at the sight before her amethyst eyes, Nick looked good! No, not good. He looked HOT! The blush from earlier didn't hold a candle to the heat rushing through her body now. And it all ended at her ears, which were erect and trained on her partner. She'd never once thought of him this way, and it was...odd.
Nick's stunned reaction was more subtle, and his shades hid his emerald eyes going wide with shock and, strangely, hunger. He watched as Judy regained her composure, and finished walking to the center of the sitting area, unable to contain her giddy grin. With a girlish spin, she twirled for all to see her new threads. Simple. Elegant. Seductive. Nick found his heart beating a little faster, his earlier annoyance with George forgotten in the moment.
"Better close your muzzle Nick, or a fly might buzz in there." Judy purred after setting her eyes on him, finishing her last twirl facing him. Nick quickly closed his jaw with a slight 'clack'. Judy's laugh was delighted and coquettish.
"Well, I guess my work is satisfactory to at least one male." Margery quipped. George laughed and Nick's stunned look melted to annoyance at the goat. To Judy, "I changed my mind, dear. You won't stop traffic. No, you'll stop hearts." Judy's blush, which was just beginning to subside, flashed again, so fiercely, she had to hide her face in her paws, her now bright pink ears drooping behind her tiny back. With a crude laugh, Margery turned back to the wolf. "Well George, I hope they look good. I believe them to be walking masterpieces." Her gaze appraised the pair of awkwardly standing mammals. "Will you be able to enjoy a fresh brew of peach tea today? I love your company."
"Margery, your work is always a wonder to behold. Mr. Card will be most pleased, as am I. She is radiant and he is devilishly handsome. Nothing like the pair I brought to you not an hour ago. I sadly have another pressing appointment we must be off to." He looked truly sad he couldn't stay, glancing at his sapphire watch to confirm the time. "Will your night crew be good with the measurements they have?" He returned his gaze to the goat, and reached for her hand for farewell.
"Yes George. Work always calls, and yours isn't the type to keep waiting." She patted his hand with an understanding smile. "Please give my best to Heather and Mr. Card, dear."
After a friendly kiss to her cheek, "I will Margery. We'll have dinner at my place on a quiet evening soon. I promise. And I'm sure Heather will be more than pleased to hear you send your best." With that, George gathered his well attired duo, and left the greatest seamstress alone in her waiting room with her thoughts and the lingering thanks. One thought was stuck in the front of her mind, that the oddly matched pair looked good together, a muscular fox and well defined bunny, and her color schemes just added a stylish mesh for them to blend.