There had been at least eight months since Callie had been on the mission and heard from her teammates. Every time she had brought it up to Klarion, he just pulled her close and said that he wanted to give her time before another large-scale mission after having to see her team. Callie knew that he was trying to make sure nothing would stop her from leaving, but it also annoyed her. How pathetic did he think she was? She had been… and still technically was a hero for Teekl's sake.
Being cooped up in the apartment, with only the small hour or two long missions were driving the young adult nuts. Callie swore that she spoke more to Teekl than anyone else at this time. All the books on the living room bookshelves had been read by her twice at least already. Even with doubling up on the routine that Sportsmaster had trained her in, she still had an abundance of free time in her days. So that meant she was left with moments where she would do things like lay on the floor and stare up at the ceiling with Teekl laying on her.
Callie continued doing that exact thing, even when she heard two sets of footsteps. It was probably her mind playing tricks on her, they never had visitors. So, she was in surprise when Black Manta was following Klarion. She barely recognized him in his casual wear. Although it was still all black, and could easily be considered socially acceptable to go out for a party in it. Klarion laid on the couch as Black Manta sat on the adjacent chair. Callie and Teekl got up to sit with Klarion, as per habit. She lifted his head, before sitting down and plopping it on her lap. Teekl laid on the back of the couch. Was this finally the mission that Kid Flash had told her about?
"So, Ocean Master is wanting to work with you again." Black Manta directly spoke as Callie nodded. She was bubbling inside from the idea of getting out and doing something. It was strong that this came off as more of a demand than a request.
"You know I'm getting so tired of Ocean Master. Bleh, we get it. You want to rule Atlantis and purify it but can't even commit. Boring." Klarion whined out as he grabbed at Callie's hand. "Can we please get rid of him already?"
Callie looked over to Klarion as she raised a brow. "Already? Klarion were you hiding this from me?"
Black Manta shrugged and Klarion gave her a smirk as Callie sighed. "So; as you were saying Manta."
"He wants you to infiltrate Aquaman's castle as a Nanny for information that they may share." Black Manta spoke in his monotonous tone before leaning back. Klarion looked at Callie before back at Ocean Master. "Who would suspect the nanny after all."
"And? It can't be as simple as that," he whined playing with her fingers. "After all, that involves magic and hiding identities again."
"Well, that's all he's declared. But I am sure he has his own plans." Black Manta spoke, as Callie tried to act innocent. She was more than aware he was lying and was wondering if Klarion was going to ask about it.
"Well, I guess that if he is going to expand a bit on it during dinner, then that's fine," Klarion mumbled as he stretched out his body with this hand brushing Callie's cheek.
Callie raised a brow, weighing if that should be something she should ask or if Klarion and Manta would just get to it. Klarion tugged at her shirt as he squinted.
"This won't do for dinner by the way. We are meeting people tonight to discuss Ocean Master's plan." Klarion began as he pondered for a moment before he waved at Black Manta. "We will meet you there. Unless you want to sit in this living room for an hour or two."
Klarion did not wait for a response as he got up and practically dragged Callie to their bedroom. He waved his hand and the door shut with Teekl outside. Klarion dropped her arm, as he grinned and went to her clothes before waving to the vanity mirror. Callie noticed the magic that turned on her curler as she rolled her eyes. Klarion's actions always spoke louder than words.
After curling her hair and keeping it down she smiled in the mirror as Klarion set something down on the bed before walking over. Lean arms were wrapped around her waist as Klarion rested his chin on her shoulder. "Mhm, I like your hair." He whispered as Callie continued on getting makeup on.
Klarion stayed curled up, quite like a cat would, as she continued putting makeup on. Klarion would comment once in awhile, saying that he preferred the other blush, or that purple eyeshadow would clash with the dress and make her look like the bride of some striped and gross poltergeist.
When she finished, Klarion looked at the tube of lipstick before slipping it in his pocket. Callie raised a brow as he shrugged. "Maybe you will want it later."
"It claims it is smudge proof, I think we will be fine." Callie immediately remarked as Klarion grinned, his mouth hiding against her shoulder.
"So, what dress did you choose?" Callie questioned as he pulled her over to the bed.
"A great one." He mused before whispering. "You know, we could just bail out of this."
Callie shook her head. "Nope, its been MONTH since I was last out, even if we bail on this plan, let's at least go out. Together." Klarion rolled his eyes as he pouted again before kissing her on the shoulder.
"As you wish." He said before releasing her to grab the dress from the bed and held it up. It was a modest wrap dress with half sleeves and ended around her knees. The colour was a deep red that faded to black. She was used to that though, her wardrobe was nearly all tones of whites, grey, black, and reds. Occasionally there were shades of purples and blue.
Callie did not even bother to shoo him out of the room before she changed, grabbing some heels and let Klarion inspect the outfit choice. "It'll do," he remarked as Klarion took a step forward. Callie decided to go along with the banter as she crossed her arms and raised a brow.
"Just do?" Klarion was a step away as he showed his full tooth smile and leaned towards her. His arms looped around her waist Klarion tugged her close. Her chest rested against his as he put his lips on her forehead.
"If it was much better, you'd be staying in this room with me no doubts." Klarion softly spoke against her skin as he tilted her chin up and brushed his lips against hers. Callie felt Klarion's grip tighten around her waist but Teekl yelled at the two.
"Oh shut up Teekl!" Klarion yelled as a yowl came back. Glancing at the door, Callie patted Klarion on the cheek.
"It'll have to wait." Callie walked out of the door first as Klarion followed. Black Manta sat on the couch still, as he stood up when he saw the two. Manta went to head towards the front door as Klarion tsked.
"You really think we are walking there?" Klarion waved his hands and the three emerged in a closed off room that was lit dimly and had a table in the center. At the head of the table sat a man with black hair combed back, and bright blue eyes. His jaw was set and firm, clear that he was in deep thought. He was dressed in a suit with a file in front of it.
Klarion and Callie sat down on the one side of the table with Black Manta across from them.
"Ocean Master." Black Manta spoke quietly as Callie's eyes opened wide. This was Ocean Master? He seemed quite familiar to her.
"Thank you for coming." Ocean Master spoke as he pushed the file towards Callie. "So, I presumed that you were informed a bit about this mission. I know that Aquaman is going to be quite specific in hiring his next nanny so I've prepared a list of resources you need to do as to be capable."
Ocean Master opened the file, revealing a picture of a someone who looked quite like Callie but with dark hair. "This is the woman you'll be replacing. Her name is Megara and she has been in charge of children for some of the local nobleman so there will be references to check out."
Klarion snorted as he looked at Ocean Master. "How long do you think this will take? It was terrible enough when you had her for a few weeks."
Ocean Master rolled his eyes, quite dramatically as he pulled up a sheet of paper and leaned over to give it to Klarion. "I have already thought of that. With the spellbook you got last year, it should have the complete spell to make a regular portal for her to see you every night."
Glancing at Black Manta, he added. "It has been quite clear about your attachment to your...pet."
Callie rolled her eyes as she leaned back in her chair as Klarion nodded. "Sounds good to me."
She looked at the pages, cringing at the idea of all that work because she felt so awkward around the kids around five to twelve. It was a tense time trying to keep them all settled without hearing "I thought Black Canary was so much older."
A mission was a mission though. It would be for the best. Callie decided to push this to the side and just try to enjoy dinner out with Klarion. He was holding her hand under the table, his thumb was brushing against her hand, squeezing it occasionally.
She mildly listened to Ocean Master speak, he complained a lot about Purists. She tuned him out as she ate, occasionally asking Black Manta questions. Klarion barely spoke, but he continued being a pest. At some point, Klarion let go of her hand to hold her thigh and play with her feet with his own.
Eventually, Klarion stood up and grabbed Callie. "Well, this is boring. We got the mission and really did not need dinner for this. Now if you'll excuse us." he spoke before creating a portal with the two walking through it. Klarion took the folder from Callie's hands and tossed it through another portal.
"It'll make it home." Klarion assured her as he pulled her close. They were standing on a large dock. The moon was shining high in the sky with the stars dusted around. Callie let out a gasp in admiration from the view as Klarion wrapped his arms around her waist. She looked down from the sky to Klarion's dark eyes.
She was confused by being out by the waterfront in the late night. "So who are we meeting now?" Callie tilted her head as Klarion leaned forward.
"No one, just you and I." he spoke before humming a tune. "You were wanting to get out." Klarion pressed his lips against her softly before muttering. "Time to test that lipstick's claim."