Toon It Up: Inky Scented Gloves Preview

“And I guarantee, you won’t find any other gloves like these exquisite beauties right here!” The skunk declared, holding them up and waving them about. “Not only are they big and plush, but they are quite soft, warm, and fashionable! Ooooh, if I didn’t have a pair already, I’d be donning them myself!”

“I see…” Joe mumbled, staring at the odd sales… animal. Said animal was rubbing the gloves against his plush, rubbery-looking cheeks.

“Come now, good sir! You know you want them or my name isn’t the great Pierre le Puant.” He declared proudly. “Plus, these lovely gloves are on sale right now! Would you want to skip out on a deal like this?”

Joe frowned, looking past the glove, and at the individual selling them in particular. This situation was weird enough as is. It almost felt like a prank.

Here Joe was, walking around the outlet mall in his hometown and what did he find? Why the oddest salesperson ever! A strange figure dressed as a glossy-looking, rubbery skunk toon. Heck of a costume, Joe thought looking over “Pierre”, wonder if it gets hot in there?

Pierre looked a little annoyed, a brief frown appearing on his face (How does he do that?) “Come now, what’s the delay? I’m sure a human as yourself would love a pair of gloves! They would do wonders for your life, I promise.”

“How would they do that?” Joe flinched. Pierre’s subtle frown grew larger. He definitely was annoyed now if he wasn’t already.

Probably time to go. Joe cleared his throat. “Okay, thank you for the offer, but I’m not really looking for gloves right now and-”

As he turned, he noticed something odd. Pierre’s big skunk tail seemed to flicker briefly before rocking back and forth like a pendulum. The tail looked and felt more life-like then, but that couldn’t be right. It didn’t seem ri-

Then a scent crossed his nose. It was powerful, intense, and smelly. Something a bit rank that put Joe off at first. But only at first as the scent’s aura changed. It just as quickly became comforting and relaxing, like a fresh, spring breeze. He couldn’t understand why it was like that.

Nor did he understand what came next exactly. He shrugged and said, “Well, I guess I'll buy a pair then. Those gloves do seem nice.” Pierre lit up, smiling widely. He wiggled his bottom as he declared, “You shan’t regret this, good sir~.”

With that, money is exchanged, the gloves packaged up, and the purchase is made. At the last moment before handing the bag off, the skunk tossed in a small card. “You can have my business card too. Perhaps we can discuss buying more of my wondrous products for yourself, or even family and friends later~.”

“Right,” Joe said with a slight nod. He started to leave, but stopped again. He turned to Pierre, smiling politely. “Oh! Forgot to say, I like your costume. It’s amazing with how it's so life-like and how it moves.”

Pierre was quiet briefly before grinning. “Aww, amazing? Thank you.”

He reached behind his back and pulled out a small hand mirror (was it behind the cart? Joe couldn’t tell). The skunk man looked at his reflection, playfully brushing his “hair” back. “Yes, I am pure perfection, are I not?”

He leaned in and gave the mirror a kiss. A long kiss. A long, suction cup kiss that never seemed to end until it did, his mug snapping back to his face and making a smug smile.