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Chapter Eighteen, Just a Costume 2: Redressed

"This one looks very wicked," said Emily. "I do not understand however what it is imitating."

She pulled out a two piece black leather outfit. The top was a bustier, with blood red trim. The skirt was a ridiculously tight piece that laced up with blood red lacings on each side.

Jess knew what it was even before Emily pulled out the whip and mask. "OK! No. It's not for you, Emily." She quickly pulled it away. "I need to talk to Joe about this. It may be completely covered and all but what it mimics..."

"What does it mimic?"

Jess laughed, her face turning hot and pink. "It's a dominatrix, Emily."

The Victorian looked at her blankly.

Jess chuckled nervously. "Where is Abby when I need her? Um, a dominatrix, um..." she stopped speaking to laugh again. "You see, sometimes people like to...um, play...in the bedroom," she said, looking around to see if anyone under age could hear her. "They sometimes play with roles and um...control."

"I do not understand. What is the whip for?"

Jess laughed again. "Pain, I guess."

"Oh," said Emily. "I understand now."

"You do?"

"Erotic games are not a modern invention."

"No, of course not. I thought Victorians were repressed."

"Yes. They carried on such behavior in secret."

Jess nodded. She wanted to ask if Emily knew about such things personally, but she didn't want to intrude upon her privacy. Plus part of her really didn't want to know.

"I don't think you have to inflict pain," said Jess. "This costume is probably inaccurate, at least to a real dominatrix." She laughed. "The same way a green witch may be offensive to a Wiccan."

"A Wiccan is a witch, yes?"

Jess nodded. "Someone who practices an older, earth religion, or worships a female deity. Nature is usually a big influence. I think. I'm not an expert."

Emily nodded. "I am familiar with witches. They also are not a modern invention, Jess." She winked.

"You made a joke," Jess said.

"Indeed. I am capable of humor."

Jess laughed. "Sorry. You're just so...bad ass."

Emily smiled. "Connor tells me so frequently."

Jess laughed. "So...'no' on the dominatrix?"

Emily smiled. "No. I do not need to exert control. Matt likes our roles as they are."

Jess blushed. It was more than she wanted to know, but she was glad her friend was comfortable. "We need to find you more," she said.

They looked through the racks. "How about this one?" asked Jess. "It's a peacock." The costume consisted of a one piece leotard in a turquoise color. "I really like the skirt," she said, pointing to the dozens of fake peacock feathers.

"How does one wear it?"

"I don't know. Let's take it and try it on," said Jess.

Emily looked doubtful. "I think I will stay with long dresses. That does not offend you, does it?"

Jess smiled. "No. Does it offend you if I take the Peacock?"

Emily laughed. "No. It seems more like a Jess outfit than an Emily."

Jess giggled and nodded. "I can't wait to show this one to Becker. I'll have to learn a fan dance."

Emily looked at her. "A fan dance. That is a travesty or burlesque dance, I believe."

Jess looked at her. "I think so. It was bawdy and a bit..."

"Naughty," said Emily, laughing at the young woman's blush. "My husband and I went to burlesque theater at times."

"You're joking."

"No. It was entertainment. I did not care for it. I did envy the women however. They were free to express themselves."

"Wow."

"Hmm. It was more of a musical parody," said Emily. "We did not see a fan dance but I have heard of them. I do not believe they were as scandalous as polite society would have us believe."

"It was more of a tease, wasn't it?"

"I believe so. The dancer remained behind the extremely large feathers tempting the audience by showing her naked limbs occasionally."

"It sounds scandalous," said Jess, giggling and blushing.

"I wonder if they have a fan dancer costume."

"Emily!"

Both women giggled.

"I'm sure they do!" cried Jess. "We may have to go back to the adult room though."

Emily blushed. "I think I would like to get one."

Jess giggled. "Me too. Our men will thank us."

"Thank us for what?" asked Abby.

"Fan dancing costumes," said Emily.

Abby opened her mouth and stared. "Wow. OK. Yeah, they'd thank you. Not me. I don't do fan dancing."

Jess giggled. "Just Star Wars slave girl dancing."

"Jess, you promised never to repeat that."

"Sorry. Do you still have the key to the Adult room?"

Abby nodded.

"Good. We need to go back there, after we finish here. You find anything?"

Abby nodded. "I shouldn't show you though. Some things need to be private."

"I'm sorry about the slave girl slip, Abby. Now show us."

Abby sighed. "Fine."

"Sexy lizards? First, ew," said Jess. "Second, how do you make something with scales sexy, and third, why do you want more reptiles?"

Abby laughed. "I have a thing for them. Besides, this costume is pretty...unique."

"Body paint," read Emily.

Jess' eyes grew wide and she looked at the box. "OK. I take it back. Do it yourself scales could be sexy."

"Depending and where you paint them and who you let do it."

Jess blushed. "I'm sorry I asked."

Abby laughed. "I also got a leopard and a tiger, also in do-it-yourself paint."

Jess blushed. "I prefer actual clothes."

Abby laughed again. "So, Em, did you find anything?"

"A Voodoo priestess."

"Wow. I wouldn't have expected that. What else?"

"Only that, but Jess found several for herself."

"I can't help it!"

Abby laughed, patting her on the shoulder. "It's OK, Jess."

"No, I came for Emily. Darn it. We're finding you some alluring private costumes, so help me."

"What did you wear last year? Maybe we could find some sexy versions of those."

"Ooh, she went as Maid Marion, a princess, and Florence Nightingale."

"It was a lady in waiting, I believe," corrected Emily.

"Close enough," said Jess. "I know they have some erotic Maid Marions. The trick will be too find one that isn't too sexy."

Emily nodded.

They looked on the floor. "Nothing," said Jess. "We'll have to check the adult room. There are some in there that aren't too bad."

"Maybe Joe can help," suggested Abby.

Jess blushed. "I try not to involve him in my, um, private costume...selection."

Abby laughed. "I'll do the asking."

"Abby, no!"

Too late. Abby had already flagged the owner down. Jess saw Joe nod his head and walk to the adult room. "Some of these aren't really that risque," he said, "but they're either too suggestive in tone or they're made of lingerie."

"Thank you," said Emily.

Joe smiled. "No problem." He handed them a couple of boxes, smiled and left.

Emily looked over them and chose one. "It is Maid Marion, as I have not seen her."

Abby and Jess broke into laughs. "No kidding," said Abby.

This maid Marion wore a negligee. The bust was dark green with brown drawstring ties that could be unlaced. The skirt was in pale green and very lightweight, almost sheer. The costume came with a dark green cap that had more pale green material cascading down the back.

"I like it," said Emily, grinning a little wickedly. "I shall purchase it."

Jess smiled. "Good."

"Now. Do they have fan dancers?" asked the Victorian.

Jess blushed. "Yeah, in about a dozen colors." She had chosen a neon orange fan dancer costume that came with a lace-up teddy, stockings, and two enormous fans.

Emily looked them over and smiled. "I am very bad," she said as she picked up a soft pink one, also consisting of a teddy, stockings and fans.

"We all are," said Jess.

They nodded. Jess locked up the room and they headed to the counter. "Don't look," she said to Joe.

"Only at the price tags," replied the owner. "Promise."

Jess giggled. "And don't forget our 20 percent."

"Our?"

Jess smiled and blew him kisses. "They're family, Joe."

Joe chuckled and shook his head. "Fine, but the family discount only applies if you're with them, you little robber girl."

She laughed. "That sounds fair."

He muttered, "fair," as he laughed, ringing them all up. When he saw the combined total he said, "Whoo. Never mind. Just keep coming in, Parkers."

Jess and her 'sisters' laughed and nodded. Jess blew him once last kiss as they left.

End of Chapter Eighteen