"So...yeah, that's what's been happening to me all day."
"Wow."
With their business in the gym done, the two women made their way to Carol's apartment where they hoped to do a number of things. Unwind, enjoy each other's company, have a little fun, but most importantly, to talk about their troubles. Or more specifically, for Carol to talk about the troubles that had been plaguing her all day, as well as she and Henrietta's discovery of the nudist lesbian cult over the weekend.
"And this is...new for you?" Katherine asked after a moment of silence.
"Katy, you've known me for a couple years," said Carol. "I might not like wearing clothes, but when have you seen me lose control of myself like I did in the gym? Or all the other times I just described today?"
"Never?"
"Exactly!"
"And it all happened after you...met with these Zenerites?"
"Zenrists. But yes."
"Hmmm." Katherine took a sip of her water as she mulled over what her fake mother told her. "You called them a cult, right? Do you think they may have...brainwashed you?"
"I...I don't know," said Carol with a shake of her head. "I was only there for a couple hours tops. That's hardly enough time to brainwash a person...is it?"
She paused to look into her own glass of water that was now completely empty, a wave of uncertainty washing over her. After a moment, she finally spoke again. "She knew things about me."
"Who?" said Katherine.
"Celeste, the priestess. While she and I were doing our thing in the bath, she said all sorts of things about me she couldn't have possibly known. Details of my life, my love of being naked, she even knew my husband's name."
"Your husband? His name was...what was his name again?"
"Robert."
"Robert," Katherine repeated contemplatively. "Hmmm, now that I think about it, this might be the first time you've ever said his name around me."
"Really? I could have sworn I...but you know what? That just clinches it! You and I have been friends for years, and yet you never knew that one detail about me. I only just met that woman, Celeste, hardly said a word to her, and yet it was like she knew...everything about me!"
"What did Henrietta say when you told her about it?"
"I didn't tell her about it at all," said Carol. "I...didn't think she would believe me. I didn't believe it myself, to be honest. At the time, I thought it was a dream. It certainly felt like one."
"But now, you're not so sure?" said Katherine.
Carol didn't respond. She only sat in her chair and stared blankly at her empty glass. After a moment of silence, she stood up and marched straight to the fridge to pour herself another glass from the pitcher she kept inside it. Katy's eyes stayed glued to her nude form, but for once, they were not there to admire the view her older lover was giving her. Not entirely, anyway.
After taking a long drought from her cup, Carol finally found the wherewithal to speak again. "It didn't just happen to me. Henrietta had a nude episode too."
"Really?" said Katherine.
"Yes," Carol responded with a nod. "She spent the whole return trip naked just like I was. Didn't realize she was naked until she tried to grab a bite to eat at the service station. Come to think of it, I didn't seem to realize she was either, even as I looked at her. Or maybe I just didn't realize being naked was a big deal at the time." A nervous smile creased her features as the memories of that event played out in her head. "Heh, heh, it was funny at the time. If you had seen the look on her face..."
"Then we should call her," said Katherine. "If she's having the same issues that you are, then maybe she'll know something we don't."
"I hadn't thought about that," Carol hummed thoughtfully as she placed her glass on the counter. "I suppose it would be worth a shot."
She was on the phone in minutes, dialing the number of her redheaded lover while her younger girlfriend sat in quiet anticipation.
"Hello?" Henrietta quipped from the other line.
"Hi Henri, it's me, Carol."
"Oh, hi, Carol!" Henri cheered. "What can I do for you, love? Are you feeling lonely tonight? In need of attention?"
"Well, I wouldn't mind, but I've got Katy with me right now and—"
"Awww, isn't that sweet? Spending quality time with your
daughter
right now?" Carol could almost feel the devilish grin split Henrietta's face as she spoke. It was enough to make her wince.
"Uh, yeah, can we not talk about that right now? I've got enough on my plate," the nude woman groaned rubbing her forehead as the onset of a headache began to set in. Katherine giggled from across the table. She may have only been privy to half the conversation, but she had a good idea what they were referring to.
"Fine, fine. You obviously have something important to say, otherwise you'd be nursing her like the good
mother
you're supposed to be. So what is it?"
If Carol could have, she would have reached into her phone and punched her girlfriend on the other side. But alas, such a thing was impossible, so she had no choice but to just silently ignore it and get on to the important matters. "Henri, you know that incident at the service station where you got out of the car without anything on?"
"Ugh, how could I forget about it?" Henrietta groaned, her face most likely twisting into a grimace. "I don't know how you're able to do it, love, presenting yourself to everyone like that."
"Well, that's just the thing," said Carol. "I...
have
been 'presenting myself like that' today. Several times."
"You have? Do tell!" Carol could feel her eyes shining with delight.
So Carol told her, repeating many of the details she had just told Katherine. About her accidental naked trip to the curb, the discomfort she felt at work that prompted her to retreat to the bathroom for some "nude relief," how she slipped off her sports bra on the treadmill without realizing it, and how she had it out with her younger girlfriend in the showers.
When she was done, Henrietta gave her a very stunned: "Wow. That's...really something you're going through. Kinky too, I must say."
"Kinky or not, it's...really bothering me. We both had dealings with the Zenrists, we both had sex with them, and we've both had weird episodes since then."
"Yeah...that's true," Henrietta. "And it's...really weird, I have to admit. But, but, but...I haven't had anything else happen to me since the service station!"
Carol blinked. "Really?"
"Yeah. I woke up this morning, put my clothes on, and went to work as normal."
"You didn't feel at least a little uncomfortable with clothing on? Or have any other...strange urges?"
"Well...my panties were riding a little far up, and my bra straps were cutting more tightly into my skin. But...that's just what happens when you choose the wrong underwear. I didn't feel the urge to do anything or take anything off like you did."
"I...see," said Carol, who couldn't keep the tremble out of her voice. Was this issue really unique to her? Would this compulsion to be naked be with her forever? Would she ever be able to tolerate clothing ever again? "Do you think...the Zenrists affected us somehow?"
"I don't know. I don't know...what any of this is about," said Henrietta in a pensive tone she rarely ever used. "But...if it was temporary for me, then it likely is for you too. Whatever it was, it was probably more extreme for you than it was for me, which is why it lasted longer. Which shouldn't be a surprise, you being the vestiphobic nympho that you are."
Carol furrowed her brow in thought. There was a chance Henrietta was just talking out of her ass, but there was a sound logic to her words. If they were both hit with a sudden bout of compulsive exhibitionism, it would indeed make sense that Carol would take it even harder; she was already prone to nudity even on her best days. Shaking off a nude...sickness would likely be a lot harder. "So you're saying I should just wait it out?" she asked.
"Yeah. I'm sure it'll fade in time," said Henrietta. "Or you could just convert to Zenrism, and render the problem moot! That's what I'd personally suggest!"
"Hmmm...that sounds logical too," Carol said thoughtfully, moistening her lips as a vision of her strolling around nakedly in public began to play out in her head. That would indeed solve a lot of things for her, and make her life a whole lot more interesting. "No, no! Out of the question!" she suddenly barked as reason roared back into her.
"Geez, you don't need to turn it down so quickly. Or loudly," Henrietta cringed on the other line. "But if that's how it's gotta be, then you might as well just take the wait-and-see approach. 'Cause really, what else can you do?"
"Yeah, I supposed you're right," Carol sighed. "There's not much I can do at this hour anyway. Might as well wait."
"Great. Hey, listen, I'd really love to come over right now, but I still got some things to review here. Ugh. So, have fun with your
daughter
tonight! I'll see you later."
"Thanks. I'll do what I can," said Carol. Then realization hit her. "Wait! And don't call her my—"
Click.
Henrietta already hung up.
"Oh forget it," she huffed, turning the phone off and standing back up to hang it up on the wall-mounted receiver.
"So what did she say?" said Katherine.
