Because... why not?
*****
Time slowed as if wading through porridge. Craig's thoughts raced frantically. What was that flash of darkness he had seen? WHAT WAS THAT?! He had no idea, but his inner survival monologue told him that if he didn't act in the next few moments, he would see a whole lot more of it. It implored him not to provoke her. But what did that leave him? He was out of options. Something told him reasoning with her wouldn't lead anywhere good, and he didn't want to start a confrontation. And the door was locked, so barring the thought of breaking a window, escape was out of the question.
Shuddering a cold exhale, he put the bundle down gently and lifted his black BB tee off. Immediately he heard Olivia purring from behind the still-blinding light, faint but distinct over the phonograph. The sound was unsettling and he paused, but was urged on.
"Oh, don't mind me. Keep going." she purred, her red tail swishing back and forth. Craig moved to protest, but realised bleakly that the crazy train had left the station when he had taken off his shirt. He had no way back now.
Next came his boots and socks, his mind trying to focus on his task and block out the voyeuristic cat. His skin felt cold... but in contrast, he felt uncomfortably warm inside at the same time. Craig wanted to believe it was the lamplight. He knew it wasn't. He kept going, clothing falling in a pile beside him just out of the corona of light before his fashion guide halted him.
"That's enough for now. The dress, if you please~"
Swallowing at nothing, he leaned down and picked up the neatly folded bundle, the letter toppling off and bouncing on a corner to the floor alone. The material felt somehow heavier than it ever had. Gingerly he unfolded it, blankly looking it over once. The lotus design was well made. He tried focusing on that to take away his unease at being in such a state of undress in front of his... his friend. Her purring grew a little louder as he moved to put it on.
"Wait!" She commanded, causing Craig to flinch just a little. What had he done wrong?
"... take your time." she said, voice softening as if she were preoccupied from her thought with another. "It's... a delicate dress. Slowly..." He could see her feline eyes gleaming out of the darkness, unwavering.
Slowly, as she had dictated, he slipped into the cherry-smelling dress, seeking to drown out this horrible black sensation with the music in the air. Two Days Ago. Love that song. Wonderful song. Not once did her eyes leave, seeming to savour this show. Her tail knocked the table leg once dully, causing her to apologise before encouraging him to resume.
Eventually, it was all in position. Straightening, he tried to reach the zipper without any success. Olivia grinned from her seat.
"Not easy, are they?" she offered in a pleased tone. Coldly, Craig remembered asking her about dress zippers once. He tried to remember her response, but the thought was interrupted by her moving from her seat, into the light toward him.
"Allow me, darling..." she said, circling the statue-esque silly boy and pushing on his lower back to straighten his posture before dragging it all the way up, the fabric assuming it's proper position snugly... before he heard her inhale through her nose gently, her arms wrapping around him gently.
"Mmmm... love that scent." she sighed as Craig's insides turned to snow, that warm feeling long gone. His mind reeled, pedaling backwards in place of he himself. He didn't think Olivia meant the cherry scent on the dress. No, he keenly felt like a trapped goldfish, unable to escape it's bowl under her paws. Olivia's unknowable intentions scared him, throwing his thoughts into disarray. WHAT DOES OLIVIA WANT? WHAT IS ALL THIS?
"... Olivia?" he asked gently, the delicate moment snapping like a piano wire. Her arms hastily withdrew and she moved back around him, stepping back to admire her work, immediately squealing with delight.
"Oh darling, you look just as pretty as I knew you would!" she said joyously, clapping her paws together and swaying back and forth jubilantly before proceeding to look at him from all angles. "Now for some poses!"
Cheeks blazing, Craig endured her instruction. He had no choice left but to follow the road to it's destination. She seemed to almost forget he was able to hear her. She bemoaned not having purchased a camera from the Nooklings more than once, very uncomfortably citing 'next time'. And other times Olivia seemed to think up new ideas for looks, especially a Prep-School Uniform. He didn't know what that was, but already didn't like it. The unwilling model did everything she asked, accompanied by her unyielding gaze, the occasional purring... and that song. Two Days Ago. Love that song, love that song...
As if a veil were lifted suddenly, Olivia sat back down in her chair, seemingly sapped of energy.
"Okay, that's more than enough. Thank you so much, Craig. That will be all." she stated, far away in thought. Craig exhaled, reaching for his clothes thankfully.
"No no, darling..." she stated, perking up a little. His hand halted mid-reach. "I'll wash those for you, so you can just leave them where they are."
His lethargic mind was confused. How could he leave if he didn't have his clothes? Of course she wouldn't mean that she wanted him to-
... oh.
She grinned pleasantly. "No need to thank me. I mean, what are friends for? You can show yourself out."
"Olivia, I don't want to go outside dressed like this." he said very carefully. "What if I get seen by someone?"
"Now now, don't be modest! You'd look adorable in the moonlight, dressed like that! Why, you could rule the world in such an outfit, I'm sure of it!" she replied soothingly, but with a chilling undercurrent of 'this debate is now closed'. The darkness inside her was lurking nearby, like a panther watching its prey in a rainforest. He dared not argue more. He had to take his chances.
'At least it's only two houses from here to mine', he thought to himself, trying to console himself over having to make the journey. At least it got him out of here. Reaching out, he felt for the modified lock, taking a few moments to work the modified lock. Good thing he hadn't tried to run. He wouldn't have made it in time.
"Goodnight, Olivia." he said unsteadily, his dive into the night halted by her reply.
"Goodnight, Craig. I'm glad you could see your true self tonight."
On that nauseating addendum, he took off into the street at speed. Olivia waited until he was gone before walking to the door and closing it, reaching down to pick up her letter. He'd forgotten it, of course. She smiled at silly Craig warmly, putting it in a pocket... before quickly snatching up his clothing.
*****