“Oooh… Am I good, or am I good?”

“Well… It’s certainly different.”

Mar Talbot paused in fluffing up her curly wig, turning from her reflection to arch a painted eyebrow at her friend hanging back in a corner of Clarice’s bathroom. “Clarice, you look fantastic. The guys at the Lion's Den are going to trip over each other to get your attention.”

“Ah… Well…” Clarice McNamara stammered, her ghostly pale flesh taking on a faint pink wash. “I’m just concerned that if I bend over or breathe too hard, I’ll pop out of this thing.” She made a brief wave along the front of the black bustier she had on – ending at the plush, young-looking woman’s bountiful bust-line.

The lither girl let out a soft snort. “First, you’re a Ghoul. You don’t need to breathe. Second, the threat of imminent clothing disaster is part of the allure.” She looked back towards the mirror and appraised her own ensemble – or lack of it, at least from the waist up, what with the black tape crosses over her nipples and the fishnet – and smirked. “Well, that’s your allure.”

“I don’t know… I just don’t feel comfortable showing this much skin.”

“Sweetie. I’m wearing a fishnet top over taped tits. You’re wearing more material than me.”

“But I’ve got more that needs covering,” Clarice murmured, crossing one arm over her chest and grasping the thick upper arm of its twin.

Mar watched her in the mirror, and gave a shake of her head before turning on her. “You have absolutely nothing to be uncomfortable with. You’re a big, curvaceous bombshell. I could name about a dozen people that we both know that would like to smother themselves in that rack, minimum… Besides. You asked me to help you play with your look – you used the words ‘get out of my comfort zone’ if I remember right.”

Somehow, the undead girl’s face turned just a fraction redder. “I know, and I appreciate it… I, ah… Actually, kind of like this.” Clarice smiled a soft, sheepish smile as she gave herself a looking over in the mirror, and Mar felt a swell of happiness as her friend admired herself. “But I don’t think I’m ready to go THAT far out of my comfort zone. You understand, right?”

“Mmm... Yeah, I suppose,” Mar acquiesced, sighing softly. She’d badly wanted to get Clarice to go to the club with her and turn some heads, but hey – baby steps. “Well, at least you got into it – and you really do look good… Let’s see if you have anything else worthy of the Den’s dance floor you can change into, then we’ll get going.”

“Sure,” Clarice said, smiling softly as she started towards the door. She let out a little squeak as Mar halted her, though, snagging her by the arm and pulling her in front of the big mirror again.

“Not so fast!” the scantily clad 19-year-old said, grabbing her phone off the counter. “Fiiiirst, we have to immortalize this moment – I need proof.”

“Aw, Mar… Really? I hate having my picture taken.”

“Suck it and smile, nerd girl. We have to savor perfection while it lasts."

Clarice flashed herself a flustered smile as Mar got the camera poised for the picture. “I guess you have a point.”

---

All the artwork by LadyHobbiton, while Mar and Clarice are my characters. Originally a sketch, got it upgraded to a lined flat color, and I freaking adore it. Hobbit did an amazing job with both CLarice and Mar, and I just really couldn't be happier with it. Still need more of Clarice, Mar, and their M.E.A. associates. :3 More to come - especially from my dearest Hobbit!

Oh, right, that little exchange is all me. Hope you like that little peek into Mar and Clarice's friendship.