Lanterns on Lake Pontchartrain
An Acadiana Transgender Story

-8-
Bunny Girls Do Not Live in Bookstores! (2)

Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the capital city of Louisianan and the biggest city in Louisianan as well, with a population of roughly a million and a half souls living within the metropolitan area. The city could also boost by hosting two annual anime conventions. The first one was Louisiana Anime and Manga; that one was held in the summer and the second one, Louisiana Anime Social Gathering was held in the fall, normally around Halloween. There was Louisiana Comic Gathering, a general comic convention that mainly focused on American comic books, but also Manga most EOM (English Original Manga) that was held toward the end of Summer, normally right before school took in. So really three.

Now, it is safe to say that I lived through the hellish, roller coaster ride that train ride here was. I had little time to rest however as it was nearly fully dark by the time that old steam train pulled into the station in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge. A herd of cows decided to block our progress between Port Spanish and Fisherman's Landing. And we ran out of both coal and water as we were leaving New Orleans. In fact I had very little time to see the city. I was rushed from the concrete platform of the station to the Bed and Breakfast.

Anyway that is behind me now, what I needed most now was sleep, sleep and food. I'd been on short rations since leaving Blue Bayou. And the only place that was open and that I could afford when my train finally reached Baton Rouge was a McDonalds. Not my first choice, but I was pushed into the corner. And so I'd settled on stuffing my face with chicken nuggets and golden colored french fries and I washed it all down with coke-cola. So after that I was rushed to the Bed and Breakfast.

Once I was checked in, I was shown to my room. Once I was safe in my room, I got a quick shower and then fell fast asleep. My phone jolted me awake the following morning and then stumbling like a zombie I once more stumbled my way to the bathroom and into the shower. Once I'd finished my shower I dressed myself in the same floral sundress and stumbled down to breakfast. My breakfast that morning was cold oatmeal and cold coffee.

After breakfast I called an Uber that took me to the Barnes and Noble where the photo shoot would take place. And that is where I must start this chapter. You see, dear readership, as soon as I reached the bookstore, I spotted my cousin who was having her morning cup of coffee in the on site coffee shop. She said nothing to me, she only smiled a wicked little smile as she pushed a flower print paper handbag toward me.

“Okay Isabella.” My cousin said without bothering to say 'Hello' or 'Good Morning'. “You have around twenty minutes to get changed. You can get changed in the bathroom down here on the first floor. Once you've changed, you can start making your way toward the manga section that is located on the third floor. Take your time and stroll around each section. I know you hate escalators. But for this gig you'll just have to put your big girl panties on and overcome that fear and take it. Inside the bag, you will find the costume, plus some shoes. Oh, and in case you made the rookie mistake of not shaving your legs, I included some shaving foam and some safety razors, there pink.” Jasmine finished her coffee and tossed the paper cup into a nearby trash can.

“And remember girl, you have just under twenty minutes to get changed. Jasmine paused and took a deep breath. “And Kagesaki-Sama wants to stroll around the bookstore for at least two if not three hours. To really drum up support for her book. Listen, she is not too keen on having her baby translated from Japanese to English. And this is her first time in America. So we really need to make a good impression.”

I nodded my head.

“Good, now go ahead and get changed and let's get this ball rolling. It should take you less than ten minutes to slip on that costume. Twelve minutes tops. Also please do something with your face. You look plain. You know, put on a little lipstick, a little foundation, a little eyeliner, maybe a little brush. And for the love of God, please run a brush through that rat's nest you call hair.” Jasmine said, sighing as she stood up and slowly she started to walk around around me, well she started to circle me, like a lion, she then leaned in and sniffed and then she sighed again.

“And please put on some perfume too, cause right now you smell like soap.” She added as she walked off. “I'm going to the bar across the street right now. I need something stronger than coffee. I need some liquid courage.” And with that she pushed right past me.

“Hey!” I quickly spun around and peered at my cousin retreating. “You're not going to stay and shadow me?”

“Nah.” Jasmine said. “You'll either sink or swim and if you sink, you'll drown and your wrathful spirit will haunt this place.” I could tell right off the bat that Jasmine was in a snarky mood. And it made my blood boil.

“Bitch!” I snared.

“Stop talking and go get changed.” She said. “Or else both of us will be in a kettle of boiling water. And listen, Kagesaki-Sama is kind of old school Japanese. You make a fool of yourself, you'll also end up making a fool of me, and heck she might even order us to commit freaking seppuku.” Isabella turned upon her heels and folded her hands behind her back as she leaned in and smiled.

“How does that dear cousin, being forced to get down on your knees and kneel down in the middle of this busy, bookstore, dressed in only a sexy cosplay and then being forced to commit seppuku because you made a fool of yourself? Think about that while you get dressed.” She added as she smiled and then she winked at me.

“Bitch!” I muttered under my breath again.

“Love you too!”

“Bitch!” I muttered again as I turned upon my heel and marched toward the bathroom to well get changed. As I walked I found myself muttering under my breath. “First she books my train ticket on that bucket of bolts, and then.. oh forget it.” I whispered harshly under my breath as I tramped toward the bathroom where I would hopefully get changed. After ten or so minutes I found the bathroom. It was tucked into a little corner next to the 'Occult' and 'Paranormal' sections.

Taking a deep breath I walked into the women's restroom. What the worst that could happen to me is a bunch of TERF's flushing into the store? Maybe they would drag me out of the bathroom. I could see it now, a bunch of hyped up Southern Baptists waving around Bibles would come roaring in like a lioness, bust open the door to the bathroom stall, drag me out of the bathroom and then drive a stake into the ground and tie me to it.

While wearing the Bunny Suit of course. Then they would go to the manga section, gather up all the manga and light novels they could lay their hands on. And make a big pile around me. I'm sure then they would soak down the glossy pages with lighter fluid and for added measure even toss in the anime DVD's the store store sells. Cause you know anime and manga both come from the devil if you believe every word that comes from the foul mouths of the Southern Baptist. Anyway once the light novels and mangas are saturated with lighter fluid, I'm sure somebody will toss on a match and boom. There you go, one transgender girl extra crispy.

With those pleasant thoughts swirling around inside this head of mine. I walked into the first empty stall I spotted and then I took a deep breath. I guess it was now time for me to face the music. And so with trembling hands I opened the handbag and then I felt my face go red as a tomato. Inside the bag is faux, leather strapless, leotard, a bowtie, and bunny ear headband and of course the cuffs with big brass buttons and faux, leather kitten heel shoes. And sheer stockings. And let not forget the cute little fluffy, round bunny tail.

I took a deep breath and sighed. And saying nothing else I started to strip myself. Starting with my shoes and socks and working my way up. As I removed each piece of clothing I found myself muttering under my breath as I struggled in the confined space of the bathroom stall.

“They could have provided a decent changing room.” I muttered as I finally managed to get undressed. And then I had to struggle with the costume. Starting with the sheer stockings. And then I had to struggle with the faux, leather strapless leotard. I quickly found out the outfit gave my small breast a good boost and made my girls seem larger and rounder than they were. So I guess that was an added bonus.

And finally I got the cuffs, the bowtie and the bunny ear headband on. And last but not least I slipped my feet into the kitten heel shoes. I sighed and took a deep breath as I stuffed my normal clothing into the handbag. My heart was racing, I felt sick, and at that very moment I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me whole!

“I guess it's time to face the music!” I said blushing a little. As I turned around and peered toward my bottom that was encased in the faux leather costume. “Does this make my bottom look big?” I asked myself.

At that moment a random person decided to walk in. The woman blinked and just leered at me for a few minutes before going into one of the stalls to use the bathroom. A few minutes passed before I heard the toilet flush and a few more minutes later the woman opened the door of the stall and walked up to the sink to wash her hands.

“You know, I try not to judge.” She said as she finished washing her hands and started to dry them with a brown paper towel. The woman then turned toward me and tossed the paper into a nearby waste can.

“But! You should be ashamed of yourself! I bet your mother is ashamed of you. And if she not, then she did a piss ass job raising you.” And with that the woman turned upon her heels and walked away. I watched the woman retreat out of the corner of my eye. Once I was sure she was out of the bathroom, I took a deep breath and heaved another heavy sigh and gave myself once more in the mirror.

“Well, that the first Southern Baptist I'd pissed off today. I wonder if there going to burn at the stake now or wait till the book signing thing is over.” And with that I gathered up my courage and left the bathroom. It was time to start my two hours of walking around the bookstore, dressed as a bunny girl, heck I might even flirt with a few people while I'm at it.

To be Continued.