WOLVES OF ARCANUS
(Arc Two: New Beginnings)
CHAPTER 8: Megakat City: The Campaign Ball
The first weekend of November, Jiro pulled out all the stops and proved how good a campaign manager he was by making sure her announcement was the biggest affair of the season, inviting everyone of note throughout the city including the press and holding it at the former home of ex-Mayor Manx.
The palatial mansion was seized for taxes and other fees incurred by the former mayor after his sentencing. The city promptly bought it when it went up for auction and revamped it to be used as a venue for fund raisers, large scale meetings, balls, and other events the Mayor's office needed to hold.
In the not too distant future, however, she planned for the place to be totally revamped. She had designers working feverishly to make over the whole place so it could be used as the welcoming and processing center for visitors to their world. It would show the Alliance they were prepared to become a part of a greater community.
Tonight, though, it was simply the means to inform the public she was going to run for Mayor. Her supporters had been chomping at the bit for her to get this done and now the time was here. No one was left out. All the press agencies and TV stations were there, as were all members of high society. The entire city council and all the high ranking officers of the Enforcers (including Chief Enforcer Sharpclaws and his second in command, Dormanger) were there.
It was a brisk, fall evening, the stars were visible in the clear night sky and a full moon hung heavy above the grounds of the mansion. A glittering throng filed through the wide open doors of the foyer where footman discretely checked for weapons and took invitations as each person passed through.
Inside, the massive ball room area had been decorated with streamers and huge posters bearing Callie's likeness and huge letters stating boldly: 'CALICO BRIGGS FOR MAYOR' and ones for 'ALLEN JAYSTAR FOR DEPUTY MAYOR', his smiling image showing off his handsome features.
To the left was a wall plastered with two of those huge posters and before them was a large wooden podium set with ten chairs and a podium. On the floor in front of the stage, a wall of press and TV reporters, their equipment already set up, stood waiting and gabbing with each other.
High society mingled and talked, their voices filling the air with conversation. Many made for the long tables set up with all kinds of finger foods at the back of the room that looked out over the huge gardens. A huge bust of Callie, made entirely of ice was set so the moon's light would be cast through from the wall of windows behind it. To the left of this, a table was set with three punch bowls full of non-alcoholic beverage while a full bar had been placed in a corner not far from that with a line already four-deep, waiting to be served.
Callie herself was upstairs in the master bedroom finishing her primping with Abi and Ann by her side. Ann's position was being guarded by her loyal and excellent camera kat, Johnny.
"You look stunning!" Abi exclaimed, stepping back to get a better look at her mate.
"I'm not too slutty?" Callie asked, eyeing her rather revealing evening dress She had wanted to dress more sedately in perhaps a power version of an evening gown, but both Ann and Abi nixed that idea.
"Absolutely not! Though I do understand how you don't want to come off sultry or sexy as you want to be taken seriously. But you have to remember you need to catch those male votes. And face it, gal, despite all the strides we've made to be seen as something with a brain and not just boobs, we still are seen as a walking pair of hips and boobs!" Ann said bluntly.
Callie felt a deep blush fill her cheeks. She stared again in the wall length mirror at her stunning appearance. The dress had been made specifically for her so there was no way anyone could wear a copy. The designer had been deeply honored to have been chosen to do this and he'd done himself proud with this creation.
It was a stunning swath of satiny navy, green, yellow, pool blue, and black multi colors. The neckline ascended to a single, jewel-strewn strap that adorned her bust line perfectly while tiny tucks sculpt her slender midriff. Glimmering embellishments accented the side waist, where a spill of sashing riffles atop multi layers of full length satin with a peacock feather motif fell to the floor in waves. It was gorgeous and allowed her freedom of movement. Super shine demi platform shoes of black adorned her feet, her toes showing with claws painted navy blue. Her hair fell in waves down her back and she'd been talked into wearing contacts rather than her signature black frames so her brilliant emerald eyes were more visible.
But she still felt a bit slutty in it all. Abi came up behind her and put into each of her ears an exquisite pair of Bali 18-karat gold-plated chandelier earrings. They looked amazing.
"Since the dress was already covered in jewels, I thought the earrings were the only things needed," Abi murmured softly. "You look stunning, my love." Then she moved away so as not to give Ann any clue that her gesture was anything but that of a friend.
"Oh yeah! You rock! You'll knock all those stuffy, upper crust toms off their feet," Ann crowed. "The fashion editor is out in the audience and when she sees you she be drooling and writing madly everything about your look and having her photographer do a whole spread. There won't be a she-kat out there that won't want to look as good as the new mayor to be."
"I definitely second that opinion," came the soft, mellow tones of Jiro her campaign manager. He was standing just inside the door eyeing her appreciatively. "You look absolutely incredible, Ms. Briggs."
She blushed furiously then smiled as she took another whirl before the mirror and watched as the dress floated around her. "Well, I guess it unanimous." Everyone laughed.
"It's show time, ma'am." Jiro politely reminded her while admiring how beautiful she looked. She would definitely stop a lot of breathes out there when she appeared.
"We'd better fly, Abi!" Ann said, taking the doctor's paw and dragging her off. "Knock 'em dead, Callie!" She said as they both disappeared through the door.
Callie took a deep breath and let it out. "Well, I guess I'm as ready as I will be." Jiro smiled and offered his arm. She smiled, pleased at his manners. They walked out of the bedroom and down the long hall to the staircase. He kept his arm in place until he led her down the stairs, down another hall that went to the back of the ball room so she could enter near the stage waiting for her and up to the door.
He released her then opened the door and held it open for her. Giving her a warm smile of encouragement, he gestured for her to go on ahead.
She was surprised and pleased that he wanted her to appear on her own without being escorted. It would show she could stand on her own without anyone to lean on. Standing tall, she walked gracefully down the cleared space on this side of the room and made for the stage. Jiro shadowed her but didn't crowd her, showing he was subordinate to her.
On the stage waiting for her were the oldest members of the city council (that supported her), Deputy Mayor Jaystar, City Prosecutor Whitetail, and Commander Sharpclaws...all clapping as she approached. A roar of approval went up as people spotted her form moving toward the stage. She mounted the three steps and walked across to the podium. Wolf whistles followed her but the only response she gave to it was a brief smile.
The cheers and whistles increased until it was positively deafening. She had to wait nearly fifteen minutes before it quieted enough for her to give her speech.
"Thank you all for that rousing welcome. I don't think I need to introduce myself, as everyone here knows me well as the former Deputy Mayor of this city." Another cheer interrupted her.
"Our city has gone through some truly dark times but now we have succeeded in finding peace. And it's all thanks to the arrival of the Arcanians. If it hadn't been for them, we could very well have continued down the path of darkness with one or both of the worst omegas ruling our city. But the Wotan's timely arrival and a few judicious words of advice set us on the path of discovery that halted our destruction, allowed us to find the reason for our problems, and eliminate them." More cheers and shouts of 'Yeah Arcanians!"
"With the investigation results in paw, we, meaning former Commander Feral, his Enforcers, and then City Prosecutor Jaystar, and I, arrested former Mayor Manx..." Many boos were heard. "And that's when the true clean up of the city and its government began. From then on, with the Arcanians assistance and the SWAT Kats and the Enforcers working paw in paw, the rest of the omega threat was removed, the city got a batch of new and honest councilors, and repair of the city's long neglected infrastructure was begun." More cheers and shouts of 'Enforcers Rock' and "Way to go SWAT Kats".
"Now that we have achieved peace at last, prosperity was quick to follow. And though we will truly miss our heroes who have led the way into the stars, Commander Sharpclaws has worked very hard to bring the Enforcers back to full strength which had been hardest hit by Manx's deliberate mismanagement of our budget and I'm pleased to say they are now able to keep our city safe." Cheers rang out.
Sharpclaws looked pleased that she'd put in a plug for the Enforcers especially considering their ancient history of working against one another. Another good sign for the future he thought.
Callie continued, "The economy has seen a boost from new businesses opening, new housing and factory construction, and commerce from other countries which has created new jobs and eased the employment picture. With our Katizens feeling happier and saver, families are being started and people are buying commodities again. We still have a long ways to go but this is a very good beginning."
"With the addition of future increases to our economy from our admittance to the Galactic Alliance, Megakat City is on its way to a bright and shining future. To ensure that prosperity keeps going, I, Calico Briggs have decided to run for Mayor of Megakat City with Allan Jaystar as my Deputy Mayor." This time the cheers and shouts were louder and longer, so she had to wait, smiling and waving at them as they screamed themselves hoarse.
"Thank you. I hope to see all that enthusiasm for me when it comes time to vote," she warned them playfully. There was a burst of laughter at that. "Though I have to wait until that day to officially become your mayor, right now I am Mayor and I'm doing all I can to expedite all the changes this city requires to reach that bright future. With your support and funds, we can make a difference in repairing the damage done to the city."
She went on to tell them why she was the perfect choice, what projects she'd already instituted to clean up and restore the seriously flagging infrastructure, and told them of the many plans she'd begun to prepare them for the completion of the space station and the influx of alien visitors to their world. She reminded them how much the city and the world would benefit from becoming part of a bigger community...especially putting much needed funds back into the badly depleted coffes of the city treasury. When she was done, she was met with a standing ovation and more cheers and calls for "Briggs for Mayor."
After leaving the podium, she was swept away by many well wishers as they shook her paw and asked questions. She also received numerous offers of funding for her campaign dowry which she graciously accepted having them write checks and give them to her campaign manager. Mr. Young was even there to offer encouragement and well wishes on a successful campaign. The party lasted until well after midnight.
When she could finally go home, her mate was there to greet her and give her a welcoming kiss and hug.
"It was a great night, wasn't it," she murmured as Abi helped her out of her dress.
"It was fantastic and extremely successful. And based on how many actually were supporting you, I don't think our enemy stands a chance," Abi observed as she carefully hung the beautiful dress. She caressed it a moment before hanging it away. "You looked so beautiful in this. I was almost jealous of all those males ogling you but I was proud you were mine when I saw all those females staring jealously at you."
Callie smiled, tiredly. "It was a gloriously successful kick-off. Jiro already got some early polls from the event and showed me I have a strong lead as well as some hefty donations to start things off with a real bang." Then she sighed and a dark look crossed her face. "But the one we have to worry about still hasn't shown their face. That's when the real battle will begin."
"And you'll still come out ahead, love." Abi said fiercely. "Commander Sharpclaws will find out who they are and we'll be done with this threat for good."
Callie gave her mate a wane smile. "I'm glad you're so certain. But you're right, I won't throw in the towel...whoever it is will have to yank it away from my dead paws first!"
"I hope it doesn't come down to that, but that's the spirit." Abi walked up to her mate and murmured, "Now how about a hot shower and some personal attention before sleep, hmm?"
"Sounds like music to my ears," Callie purred letting Abi lead her off to the bathroom.
She helped the lovely blond strip her various underthings off and jewelry which she carefully placed on the vanity table nearby. Then she turned on the shower taps in the sinfully large stall with its twin heads that sprayed one from both sides.
When it was the right temperature, they both stepped in and sighed at the feeling of soothing warmth on tired bodies. Getting a pawful of their favorite aloe soap, Abi worked it into Callie's fur, digging into tense muscles and working them loose. Callie leaned against the wall and allowed her mate to massage her back and thighs.
It felt so good. She had never been as happy as she was now being mated. It was truly nice having someone touch her and soothe her hurts away and give comfort when things looked dark. It didn't hurt the sex was great too.
Abi loved doing this for her beloved. She'd been so busy becoming the top in her field, she'd never made any time to take care of her own needs. Perhaps it just wasn't meant to be until she had been the best because the wait had certainly been worth it with such a beautiful and fantastic mate as she had now.
Even something as simple as a shower had taken on new meaning and she treasured every moment of it as their busy lives kept them apart more than she liked. Doing things for Callie despite her own busy schedule, never felt like a chore. She knew Callie's job was far more difficult and time consuming. She accepted that and did her part to do all the little things that were appreciated by them both, when she could.
Like now.
She sighed as Callie returned the favor and began to work the delicately scented soap into her thick brown fur. It felt so heavenly.
When they were both thoroughly soapy, Callie took over, as she usually did. Kissing her mate deeply, her fingers worked at bringing the small nipples erect. Her efforts were rewarded by a moan from Abi.
Abi didn't wait to join in. Her claws were extended so she could gently drag them through the other she-kat's back fur setting of ripples of delight in her mate.
Excitement rising, the two explored and fingered all the secret places they'd learned in their short time together would bring pleasure. Being very tired, the play became hurriedly aggressive to bring maximum pleasure in a shorter period of time.
First Abi then Callie yowled their climaxes then clung to each other waiting until their legs would hold them to leave the shower stall.
Wobbling out and laughing at each other, they went and dried, fluffing fur with fingers to hurry it along, then finished up with the rest of their toilet. Done, they held each other as they walked to the big bed and dropped onto it. Once comfortable, with Callie's nose buried in her mate's neck beneath her hair and arms wrapped about the slim brown waist, Abi snagged the bedding and pulled it over them. Feeling safe and secure in her mate's arms, Abi passed into sleep, Callie following only minutes later.
