"You want to do WHAT?!" exclaimed Skunkette, staring at Genny in amazement. "IMPERSONATE the Queen?! I can't do THAT!"
"Sure you can," shrugged Genny St. John, leaning nonchalantly against the wall and starting to file her claws with a dagger she pulled from her boot. "After all, she IS your mother."
"WHAT?!!!!!!"
"Your mother," repeated Genny. "Or should I say, MY mother. But since we look just alike..." She walked across the room and picked up a costume; a lovely flowing dress like something a lady of the court would wear. "Now, be a dear and put this on--"
"No!" cried Skunkette, taking charge of the situation for the first time in quite a while. She slammed the door shut and leaned against it. "I am not moving one inch until you explain what is going on. And you've got a LOT of explaining to do, missy."
Genny sighed. "Okay, here it is. Yes, I am also another female skunk, but unlike you, I've ALWAYS been one. In this universe, you see, VR was invented and perfected far earlier than in yours, and an evil scientist named Dr. Kintobor--known as "Mr. Black" in your universe--FORCED everybody to step into booths and come out as some kind of anthropomorphic animal. Why, we'll never know. He was just nuts, I guess. There were ALL species available for choices, however--everything from mammals on down through birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and even as far down as humanoid insects! Everyone who refused to go along with his insane schemes was tracked down and shot. If there are any normal Humans left, they're hiding out in a bomb shelter underground or something. I don't know. That's why everyone here is a cartoon animal. As for me, the Queen is a seventh-generation copy of the "Skunkette" original model, and as her daughter, I look JUST like her. And so do you."
"But...you said you were out to kill the Queen! Your own MOTHER?!"
Genny grinned wickedly. "Ya know any better way to get promoted early? I want the throne while I'm still young enough to enjoy it. And YOU'RE gonna help me get it! You've got the feminine mannerisms people expect of a noblewoman, and I've got the brains and toughness to make a great leader. Now PUT on this costume and GET out there!" She shoved Skunkette out the door.
"But--but--"
Skunkette stammered, as she found herself outside in a corridor, naked. Noticing that most of the animals in this universe DID wear clothes, at least some, anyway, she felt it would be best to put the dress on. At least she wouldn't stand out so much. The dress was a tight fit, but then again, what wouldn't be, on this figure? It just BARELY covered her front, exposing scandalous amounts of furry cleavage, stretched down her body as if it was painted on, ended in a flowing skirt at the legs with one side slit all the way up to the hip. It was in shimmery blue satin with matching stiletto-heeled pumps. Oh, and there was a delicate gold filigree crown set with dainty sparkling blood-red rubies, too.
Well, at least she has good taste, thought Skunkette to herself. WAIT a minute, what am I thinking, worrying about fashions? I gotta get OUT of here!
She was just about to skulk into the nearest corner to escape when she heard a voice behind her, "Ah, my Lady! You shouldn't be out here! Come, let's get you to the throne room where all your guards are!"
Skunkette turned around to behold a very nice-looking, tall, elegantly-dressed red male fox, in a tuxedo. (FIGHT IT, Jim told himself, this body is getting to you.) "Why...uh....thank you." She let the fox take her arm and lead her down the corridors to the throne room. It was a very elegantly-appointed room. But that was completely lost on Jim as a woman who looked JUST LIKE HIM sitting on the throne leapt to her feet and yelled out, "GUENEVERE!! How long I've waited to see you again! Come, child, I've missed you for so long!"
Skunkette was suddenly torn by two desires. Should she pretend to be the Queen's daughter, in order to save her skin for now, at least, or should she take advantage of this opportunity to tell the Queen about the plot against her life?
Then again, she DID have a dagger right here in her garter-belt. Maybe she should just kill her now and be done with it. If the mission was completed, maybe Genny would send Jim back to his own universe.
Fri Oct 29 21:48:34 1999