Ni-hao! This is Past Elegance, a part of the Eternal Dreams Saga.

An old metronome that Anshi buys reveals a hidden memory in Callie. The wedding dress gets a name. Why is the name so important to Penny...and Callie? Also, Phoebe exchanges harsh words with Eboni. Does it explain Eboni's annoyance with Jake?

Author's note: Whee! I'm writing this when I should be studying, but oh well.

Thanks for the reviews, and thanks to my vic... er, readers that let me torture them ;)

As always, send any comments or questions to AkaneKitty@aol.com. Or, drop me a line in my review section at Fanfiction.net. Enjoy!

Ja ne,
AkaneKitty, who agrees with Alegna about the notion that Feral is a Frosted Mini Wheat ;)

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The Eternal Dreams Saga:
Past Elegance
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"The Dragon Sword did not truly appear..."

"The Dragon Sword did not truly appear..."

"..."

"Even so, he won the Duel..."

"Well...how perfectly wonderful..."

*************************************

"Well, there you go."

"Great! You'll be able to set up in a couple of days."

Penny smiles as she hands some papers to Callie. "The sooner the better."

"It shouldn't take to long." Callie files the papers away.

"By the way...where did Ulysses go?"

"He said he felt a headache coming and went to go rest in the conference room. He wanted to sleep it off."

"I see. So...you'll accept my offer to be a model?"

"No harm in it...and it isn't everyday where you get to wear an original design."

Penny takes out the drawing of the gown and holds it up. "I call it, 'Past Elegance'."

" 'Past Elegance'?"

"Yes." Penny nods. "For the Past holds the truth to your dreams."

Callie blinks. "I don't understand."

"I'm sorry. Just thinking out loud." Penny says as Anshi walks into the office. "Hello, Anshi."

"Hello, Feral-sama." Anshi juggles an object in her paws.

"What's that?" Callie asks.

"A metronome." Anshi replies, sitting it on Callie's desk. "I found it at an estate sale."

"Wow...This brings back memories." Callie turns the metronome on. It begins its familiar clicking.

"Oh?"

"Grandma always worded her spells to the clicking of the metronome." Callie looks away. "And... It reminds me of the clock that was in the church the day of her funeral."

"My sympathies." Penny says.

"Thank you...But, it's funny..."

"Hmm?"

Callie turns the metronome off. "It feels like this is the first time I remembered that clock..."

************************************************

"Why do you try so hard?"

"...for her."

"Her?"

"...I want to be her Knight."

************************************************

"Finish your homework!"

"But, mom...!"

"Don't mom me! No practice for the big game until you finish it!" Major Lian Furlong confiscates the basketball from her young son, who stalks off to his room. "And, you'd better change that look, mister!"

The phone begins to ring, and the exasperated yellow she-kat hastily answers the phone. "Furlong Residence."

"To whom are you referring? There are two Furlongs that have attained the rank of Major, and..."

"Chance?"

************************************************

I would like to see my son...but, now is not the time."

"Oh? Why not?"

Ascott adjusts himself in the chair he was sitting in. "Nanami put his friend in the hospital, so I think it's best I keep my distance?"

"I see." Hitomi begins to fix dinner.

"I want him home."

Hitomi is silent for a while. "Ever thought of giving Jake this last year? To do what he wants?"

"But, everything has been delayed long enough."

"And, what's one more year?" Hitomi looks at him. "Think about you and Ulysses. If you two were in a similar situation, would you like to be torn away from him?"

Ascott ponders that. "No, but..."

"Well then." Hitomi resumes fixing dinner.

"You always have the last word." Ascott teases, and then notices Phoebe. "Hey. Where are you going?"

"To the hospital." Phoebe holds up a box. "I'm sure J-kun is hungry, so I'm bringing him a pizza."

"I see...Give them both my regards."

"I will." Phoebe heads towards the door.

"Oh! Phoebe..."

Phoebe pauses. "Hmm?"

"Was there anything different about the Calling?"

"Not really...except it seemed like J-kun knew something."

"Ah. I see. I won't keep you." Ascott waves. "As I said, give my regards."

"Hai. I will." Phoebe walks out the door.

********************************************

"Hey, you."

"Hmm..."

"It's evening! Don't you have to go and command or something?"

Penny laughs as Callie tries to wake the Commander up, to no avail. "Try scratching him behind the ear...he likes that."

Callie does so, and the kat begins to stir. "Mmm?"

"Wake up! It's 5 o'clock in the evening. The katizens are rioting, and we're being invaded by aliens."

Feral slowly opens his eyes. "Is that all? Talk to me again when we get to anarchy."

Callie smiles, placing her paw on her hips. "You're terrible."

"Of course."

Callie leans in closer to him. "There's always the SWAT Kats..."

"No need! I'm up!" Feral stands up. "You know all the right words..."

"As do you."

"Practice."

"So...Feeling better?"

"Yes...I hate those headaches. I can't do anything with them." Feral stands up and faces his mother. "And, I suppose you suggested that little trick?"

Penny smiles. "You've always liked that. You haven't changed a bit."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Penny continues to smile. "Well, I'll leave you two alone. Is it okay if I stop by tomorrow and get your measurements?"

"It should be. Talk with Anshi, as she's doing a great job with my schedule." Callie says.

"I will. Talk to you later!" Penny leaves the conference room.

"So...what now?" Feral asks.

"Be a gentlekat and take me to dinner."

"For pleasure or just to be seen?"

Callie smiles. "Both."

"Spoken like a true politician."

"Hey!"

*****************************************************

"That blasted Ohtori! No sooner than he dismisses us, he calls us into a Special meeting!"

Eboni grumbles to herself, adjusting her uniform lapels. "Good thing it's where we're all staying...huh?"

Eboni notices Phoebe outside of the Rose Terrace, holding a box. She wasn't in her kimono, but rather in a Siamese dress, hair elegantly braided."

"Hey."

Phoebe turns towards the voice. "Hey."

Eboni walks towards her. "Why are you out here by yourself?"

"I'm waiting for a cab. I'm going to see my fiancée."

"He doesn't deserve it, Phoebe."

Phoebe takes a deep breathe. "Don't start."

"Because of his dishonor, the Duels were suspended."

"And, because of you, Mother decided she wanted to put up a fight about the engagement."

"Phoebe...he doesn't deserve you."

"He's better than you!"

Eboni takes a step back, wounded. "What are you talking about?"

"You're all about control, Eboni! You can't stand it the Council doesn't control me anymore!" Phoebe glares at her.

"And, you'd rather be controlled by the Dragon Prince?"

Phoebe turns away. "Anything is better than the Council. But, you wouldn't know that...sister."

Eboni starts to go toward her, but Phoebe keeps away.

"Why weren't you this concerned when Sonji was the champion, huh? Some sister you are!"

"Phoebe..."

Phoebe says nothing, getting into the cab when it pulls up. Eboni is left standing there.

"I'm sorry..."


To be continued....