Disclaimer: The SWAT Kats are owned by Hanna Barbera and the Tremblay Brothers. I own the OCs.
I need to thank my co-author MisaRae for helping with describing the dresses in this chapter.
"Very well mistress. I trust your judgment without question," Persival said.
"I'm glad, now I have to get that dinner started that Callie wanted. After dinner, I hope that Callie will go with me to get a dress for my date," Callista said.
While Callie napped, she dreamed that she and Chance had taken their kittens out for a picnic. Jake, Felina, and their kitten had also joined them. The adults set up the picnic while the kittens played happily together on the playground. Then one of Callie's kittens noticed the field of wildflowers blooming beside the playground. Suddenly fascinated, the kitten made a beeline for the lovely flowers. She picked two bunches of them and ran back to the adults shouting, "Mommy! Auntie Felina! Look what I brought you!" The kitten handed Callie and Felina each a bouquet of flowers. Both Callie and Felina smiled and took the flowers from the very excited kitten. They each took a sniff of the bouquet they held.
Callie said to her kitten, "Why, thank you honey. They are beautiful."
Felina spoke next, "Yes they are; almost as beautiful as you. I wish that your uncle would give me flowers more often."
The kitten ran back to the field of flowers to play some more.
Chance and Jake scooted over to their wives and placed their arms around them, then Chance said, "How did Jake and I get so lucky? We each have a beautiful wife and great kittens that obviously love us all. I couldn't have asked for more in life than this, could you, Jake?"
Jake pulled Felina tighter to him and said, "Not at all, Chance. The only thing that I could ever want is maybe a sibling for our kitten."
Felina heard Jake, and replied, "Do you really want another kitten?"
Jake looked into Felina's eyes and said, "Yes, I do. Maybe a daughter this time around would be nice."
"Well, I guess we can start trying to make that happen tonight after our little one goes to bed," Felina said, then she nipped Jake's ear.
Callie snuggled in against Chance's side and asked, "Do you want another kitten, Chance?"
"As much as I love kittens, three of them running around is plenty for right now," Chance replied.
Jake's kitten ran up to the group of adults and said, "Dad, Uncle Chance, come play ball with me. The girls just ran off into the field over there and are playing 'Flower Arranging'."
Jake and Chance kissed their wives one more time before heading off to play with Jake's kitten.
Callie and Felina just sat there and watched their families playing happily. They smiled and proceeded to go and catch up with Callie's kittens in the field of flowers.
Callie snuggled up into her blanket, smiling ever so happily.
Callista was in the kitchen placing the pan of chicken in the oven when she felt a wave of warmth wash over her. She closed the oven and went off in search of the source. Callista did not have to look for very long. She immediately went to Callie's room, sensing that her granddaughter had something to do with it. She opened the door and saw Callie curled up in her blanket, sleeping soundly. Callista sat on the edge of the bed and moved a stray strand of Callie's hair from her face. As she did, Callie's dream played for her. Callista looked at her granddaughter and smiled. She decided that this dream was harmless enough that she could let Callie keep it. She bent forward and kissed Callie's forehead.
Callie started to stir when she felt Callista's kiss. She groaned as she stretched her muscles. Callie said, "How long was I out?"
"Not that long, I would guess about an hour. How do you feel?" Callista asked.
"I feel great. That nap did wonders. When you started using magic, did you get this tired, too?" Callie asked.
Callista had to think. It had been such a long time ago. She finally said, "Yes, since I did not have someone to learn from, I would push myself so far, there were times I nearly died. That was when I learned, after using a difficult spell, to take a rest and recharge." She ran a paw through Callie's hair.
"Oh good, I thought it was just me," Callie said.
"No, all magic users get tired after using spells. I rarely do, since I learned when I need to take a rest from using my powers. You will learn what your limits are as you continue your training." Callista's speech was interrupted by a heavenly smell from the kitchen, prompting her to say "Go wash up, dinner is almost ready. After dinner, how would you feel about going dress shopping? I need a new dress to go out on a date with the Commander this weekend."
Callie sat upright instantly. She placed both of her paws on Callista's shoulders, looked directly into Callista's eyes, and then asked, "So the Commander finally asked you out properly, instead of just kissing you in the store?"
"Yes, he did, Callie. We are going to a supper club for dinner and dancing," Callista replied.
Callie gave Callista a quick once over, trying to see what type of dress Callista would look best in so the Commander would stop dead in his tracks as soon as he saw in her in it. Callie had an idea. Now hopefully Callista would be brave enough to let her pull it off. Callie said, "Let's go eat that dinner you have cooking, then we will go shopping for a dress that will make his heart stop when he sees you in it.. or want to just rip it off and take you right then and there."
Callista blushed at Callie's remark. She had no idea that her granddaughter could be so bold.
They left the bedroom and went to the kitchen to eat. As they sat down, Callista used her powers to take the pan of chicken out of the oven and serve both of them. The dinner smelled heavenly, and tasted even better.
Callie said after she swallowed a mouthful of her dinner, "This is better than some of the restaurants in the city. Ever think about opening up your own restaurant? With food this good, you would have a line around the block."
"I have thought about it, Callie, but I like my antique shop and the simple life that I have. Besides, can you see me in a kitchen waving my paws all over the place, trying to cook several dinners at once? I'll be dead by the time I am 550. I plan on living to a nice ripe old age of 1700 years old."
Callie choked on that remark. She had been having such a good time with her mentor that she sort of forgot that Callista aged at only the rate of a twentieth of the rate of a normal cat. Callie then said, "So what are you going to tell the Commander when he is old, and you are still young and beautiful?"
"I don't know, Callie. When I told your grandfather that I was an immortal sorceress, he told me that he did not care, and as long as I was beside him, he would be very happy. Very similar to what Chance told me about you," Callista replied.
They made small talk for the rest of dinner and fed Persival, who took one sniff of the food, and proceeded to wolf it down rather quickly. But the food was so hot that it singed his mouth.
Since Callista cooked, Callie cleaned up. She placed her paws on her hips and wiggled her nose as she had before. Magically, the kitchen was spotless. Except for Persival. Somehow the spell had been slightly off, and he now looked like an inverted leopard: all black with tan spots dotting his body. Callie giggled at Persival's misfortune.
Callista came back to the kitchen, took one look at Persival, and said, "You look like you lost a fight with a bleach bottle. Let me help you with that." She waved her paw over him, and he was turned back to normal.
"Thank you, Milady. Your granddaughter may have great power, but she lacks the experience to use her powers without incident," Persival said.
"True, but she is learning faster than I did when I was her age. Give her time, and she will surpass even my abilities," Callista said.
"Do you really think so, Callista? That I will be more powerful than you are?" Callie asked.
"Yes, I do, Callie. As I said earlier, you have the potential to be one of the most powerful sorceresses in history. You are learning at a rate that surpasses any of my students that I have had in the past.
Callie went back to her room to change out of the leggings that she had been wearing all day. They were comfortable, but the tightness of the fabric was starting to get to her. She opened up her closet and took out a simple dress that fell about three inches above the knee. It had a very modest neckline that didn't show any of her cleavage, but revealed the curve of her collarbone. Callie also put on a matching pair of shoes that were very comfortable to walk in. She went back downstairs to the awaiting Callista.
Since the night air was warm, Callie and Callista decided to walk to the dress shop that was not very far from the antique shop Callista owned. The pair walked along the streets of downtown MegaKat city, passing several cafés with street serving areas. As they walked past, several toms turned their heads to watch them walk by. Although the tom's dates were not exactly happy with the way their dates reacted to Callie and Callista's passing.
When they arrived at the dress shop, they peered into the front window of the shop, just to take a look in at the styles of dresses that the shop had to offer.
Callie liked what she saw through the window. She took Callista by the arm and dragged her into the shop. Once inside, they started to peruse the racks of dresses that were in Callista's size. Callie picked out a few dresses for Callista to try on, but Callista was not thrilled with Callie's choices. They were either too short, too tight, or just not her color.
The shop's owner came out of the back when she heard Callista arguing with Callie over her choices in fashion. She asked, "Can I help you two find something?"
Callie turned to the owner and said, "My sister needs a semi-formal dress to wear on a date to a supper club, and she is stubborn about it.
The owner looked at Callista and said, "I have several different styles that she can choose from that will look amazing on her." Then she turned to Callie and asked, "Do I know you? You seem very familiar."
Callie looked at the owner again and realized that she was Sarah's mother. Callie replied, "Yes, I helped your daughter find you and your husband this afternoon at the zoo. How is Sarah doing?"
The owner smiled and said, "She is doing very well, thanks to you. She is at home with her father, probably playing a little more before bedtime. My name is Sally, and I will personally help your sister find the perfect dress for her date."
Callista got a bad feeling all of a sudden, since Sally and Callie were giving her the once over, both of them contemplating what type of dress she would look best in.
Callie showed Sally some of the dresses she had picked out. Sally took one look at the dresses that Callie had picked out and shook her head in disagreement.
Sally walked over to Callista and started eyeballing her measurements with her eyes. She paid special attention to Callista's face and legs. Then she asked Callista, "What size do you usually wear, and do you have a favorite color?"
Callista answered, "I personally like greens and pinks. The last time I was measured, I was either a size five or a size six."
Sally lifted Callista's tail, just to get a look at her backside and hips, then took off to the back of the store.
Callista was embarrassed that Sally had lifted her tail. The last cat who had done that without warning had ended up being turned into a toad.
Sally called out from the dressing rooms, "Please come to the rear of the store. I have a few things that I would like your sister to try on."
Callie and Callista walked to the rear of the store and saw Sally holding up five dresses, each one very different from the others. She asked, "Care to try these on? I want to see how they look on you. There is also a pair of shoes in the dressing room that should fit you."
Callista went into the dressing room with the five dresses that Sally had picked out. She removed her clothes and slipped into the first dress.
Callie took a seat right outside the dressing room and waited for Callista to model the dresses that Sally had picked out for her.
Callista came out of the dressing room with the first dress on. The dress was strapless and formfitting in the bodice, with a floor length skirt that had slits on either side going up to her knees. The dress was aquamarine in color.
Callie took one look at the dress, then at Callista, and saw that she looked washed out in it, as well as being too formal for dancing. She said, "No way. You wouldn't be able to dance in that, and it is definitely not your color."
Callista walked back to the dressing room to change into the second dress that Sally had picked out. She took off the first dress and put on the second dress. As Callista was dressing, she quickly discovered that not only was the dress way too short for her, it felt very confining. She removed the dress removed the dress, not even bothering to model it. She held the third dress up against her body and found it more to her liking. She put it on and left the dressing room to get Callie's opinion.
Callie saw Callista emerge from the dressing room and started laughing hysterically. Callista looked like a walking puff ball, as Felina would say, in that dress. The dress was the right color, but the shoulders and skirt were so huge, that Callista looked like she was dressed for a formal ball rather than a supper club.
Sally agreed, although she did not appreciate Callie's laughter.
Callista walked back into the dressing room with her tail hanging low to change into dress number four. She took a look at that dress and decided against it. She liked the way the one-shoulder style left her other shoulder bare, but the dress itself was floor length. She was naturally graceful, but even she might step on the hem of something that long. She put on the fifth dress. Although the wide neck showed her bra straps, the dress fit her like a glove. Smiling, she walked out of the dressing room and back to the two judges.
"Well, what do you think of this one, Callie?" Callista asked. She turned around and felt the hem of the skirt lift as she did.
Callie looked at her grandmother and said, "It's perfect! Ulysses is going to have a stroke when he sees you in that."
The dress was the same deep emerald as Callista's eyes. It had a full skirt that fell just below the knees. The bodice was form-fitting, so it showed off her waist and chest, and the neckline was wide enough to not only show off her neck, but most of her collarbone as well. The dress also had long sleeves that went to her wrists.
Sally, on the other hand, was not 100% happy with it. She went over to Callista and adjusted the front of the skirt so it fell just above her knees, and rolled up the sleeves so they were now just below her elbows. Sally then said, "Now it's perfect. I just did not like the way the skirt looked. It was a hair too long for you. I, personally, would shorten it even more to show off more of your legs, but that is your call. I am also going to recommend that you add a pair of seamed stockings, just to accentuate them more, and a strapless bra. We want to show off that collarbone of yours. Maybe also a choker, just to draw his eyes to that gorgeous neck. "
Callista walked over to a floor length mirror and saw how she looked in the dress. She was very happy with what she saw. Callista turned to Sally and said, "I'll take it."
Sally replied, "Splendid! I'll have the alterations done within a few days. When do you need this by?"
"Friday night, if that is possible?" Callista asked.
"Not a problem at all." Sally then turned to Callie and said, "Sarah was asking when she could come over and see you and your friends. She is normally a shy kitten, but she really took to you. She will not stop talking about how nice you were to her, and that she wants to be just as pretty as you are when she grows up."
Callie blushed at that comment. She replied, "Tell Sarah that if she wants, I can come by and pick her up for a play date this weekend. I can take her out to my house, and she can meet my friends and my fiancé. That is, of course, with you and your husband's permission."
"I don't see a problem with it. I have to work this weekend, and so does my husband. We were wondering what we were going to do with Sarah. Now we don't have to worry about it. Thank you. Sarah is going to love seeing you and your friends again," Sally said.
"I am looking forward to seeing her again, too. She seems like a very nice kitten. She has my phone number, so please call me once you have spoken to your husband so you can tell me your address and what time to pick her up."
"I will." Sally turned her attention back to Callista, who was still staring at herself in the mirror. She said, "As soon as you get out of that dress, I can start the alterations that will make you look stunning. You are going to be the best looking she-cat in the club that night. I guarantee it."
Callista walked back to the dressing room and removed the dress. She placed her own clothes back on and walked back to Sally. She gave Sally the dress and said, "Please don't raise the hem too high. I am a bit old fashioned, so I don't want the dress too short."
"You have nothing to worry about. As much as I want to show off those legs of yours, I figure if I hem it to an inch above the knee, it will give this tom enough to look at, while still leaving quite a bit to the imagination. He is not going to be able to contain himself once he sees you in this." Sally walked over to the front of the store and gave them both gift certificates to the coffee shop on the corner. She said, "Go have a cup on me. I give these to all my customers. Go and enjoy the warm evening."
Callista took the certificates from Sally and said, "Thank you, Sally, for everything, and we will enjoy the night." Callista then filled out the slip for the alterations so Sally could call her once the dress was ready for pick up. She and Callie left the shop and walked to the coffee shop on the corner that Sally had directed them to.
Once there, they went inside and walked up to the counter to place their order. They were greeted by a cheery teenaged she-cat who said, "Welcome to the Coffee House, what can I get you?"
Callie and Callista looked over the menu board and decided on two Cappuccinos with extra milk. Callie gave the order to the server.
She replied, "I'll have that up in a few minutes. Please feel free to wait over by the couches."
Callista and Callie walked over to the couches and waited for their drink order to arrive. A few minutes later, they were called up to the counter to get their order.
Callie said to Callista, "I'll go get the drinks. Can you find us a table outside?"
"Sure Callie, I'll meet you out there in a few," Callista replied.
Callista left the main café through a pair of glass doors and found a high table and chairs by the street that was not occupied. She sat down and crossed her legs while waiting for Callie to arrive with the drinks.
A pair of toms sat across from where Callista was sitting. They were obviously attracted to her. Between her naturally beautiful face and hair, as well as the outfit that she was wearing that did not leave much to the imagination, they were hooked. Also, all the alcohol they had consumed earlier in the evening didn't help them either.
They both got up from their seats, walked over to her, and asked, "What is a gorgeous she-cat like you doing out alone on a night like this? You should be with us."
Callista turned and looked at the two toms, and smelling the alcohol on their breaths, she replied, "I am not alone. I am out with my sister for the evening. Now if you please excuse me, my sister should be here in a minute with our drinks."
The toms did not want to take the hint. One of them pulled out the open seat and sat down next to her. He then placed his arm around her neck and said, "If your sister is as beautiful as you are, we can all have a real good time together."
Callie got the drinks and went outside. She saw the two toms hitting on Callista, sighed, and confidently walked over to them. Once she got to them, she said, "If you two don't mind, I would like to continue my night out with my sister. In other words, please leave us alone."
The second tom walked around Callie and studied her body. He licked his lips and said to his friend, "You can have that one. I will have a lot of fun with this one." Then he placed his paw around Callie's waist, almost touching her tail.
Callie placed the drinks down and removed the tom's paw, saying, "Touch me again, and you will regret it." Then she turned to his friend and said, "I suggest that you remove your arm from my sister before she does something that you will not like in the least."
The second tom chuckled and said, "Now what are two she-cats going to do to us? Other than moan and groan as we play with you all night."
Callista closed her eyes and turned to the first tom. Then she opened them, letting him see the way that her eyes glowed, her iris and pupil having disappeared into the sea of white. He froze as if he were in a trance. Then she said, "Now, I want you to take your arm back, get up, and take your friend home. Once there, I want you to call your mother and tell her how you two treated us tonight, understood?"
The tom did exactly as Callista commanded. He let her go, got up, and dragged his friend from the café without any protest. His friend on the other hand, yelled and complained the entire time about how he was going to get with Callie.
Callie just stood there in shock as she witnessed what Callista had done.
Once the toms were gone, Callista's eyes returned to normal. She then said to Callie, "Those cappuccinos are not going to serve themselves."
Callie broke free of her stupor and retrieved the drinks that she had placed down. She walked to the table where Callista was sitting and gave her one of the drinks. Once Callie sat down, she asked, "What was that, Callista?"
Callista took a sip of her drink, then replied, "That was Glamour. It is an advanced form of mind control that you are not ready for yet. It compels the subject to do exactly what you will it to do, and not remember a thing afterward."
Callie took a sip of her drink and said, "If Chance was here, you would not have had to use Glamour on those two. He would have gone after them with his fists a flying and taught them a lesson that they would not ever forget. You should have seen him when a tom hit his wife at our engagement dinner. He politely asked the tom to leave. When he wouldn't, and called me a floozy, he lifted the tom up and escorted him out of the restaurant. Hitting or mistreating a she-cat is one thing that he will not stand for. I guess that is one of the reasons I love him so much. I just want him back in my arms again soon."
Callista placed a comforting paw on Callie's and replied, "He will be back soon, I promise. Even if I have to take on Dark Kat myself. I just do not want to see you hurting, Callie."
"I just miss him terribly. Although being with you has kept my mind off of him, and I don't want you to do anything rash," Callie replied.
"Like becoming a SWAT Kat, Empress?" Callista said.
"Becoming Empress was not rash, it was instinctual. I wanted to protect my fiancé at all costs. If that meant going out there and fighting by his side, then that is what I was going to do. Although I think Chance and Jake were going to ask us to join them, anyway. They had lockers and uniforms already set up for us," Callie said.
"True, but you did not need to don the mask. It was your own decision, Callie," Callista replied.
"I am glad that I did, though. I think that it has brought Chance and I closer together, not having to lead two separate lives," Callie said.
"Yes it did, Callie. Your bond with Chance is very strong, just as Jake's is with Felina. You are all going to live very happily together for the rest of your lives," Callista said.
They finished their drinks and walked home. They arrived back at Callista's apartment above the antiques store and went inside.
As they were turning in for the night, Callie had a feeling that something was not right with Chance. She left her room and went to Callista's. Callie knocked on the door and asked, "Can I come in?"
Callista was already dressed for bed when she heard her granddaughter. She replied, "Of course, Callie."
"Sorry for bothering you, but I have this feeling that something is wrong with Chance. I just don't know what," Callie said while crossing her left arm over her stomach and grabbing her right elbow, looking very nervous.
"Alright, let me see what I can find out," Callista replied. She reached out to Chance's mind, but could not see anything. She tried harder with the same results. Callista stopped and said, "I am sorry, Callie. I can't see anything."
Now Callie was really worried that something was very wrong with Chance.
Callista felt Callie's worry and went to her. She placed her in a tight hug and said, "Just because I can't see anything does not mean that he is not alright. He could be in a real deep sleep and his mind has shut down." She stroked Callie's hair, then continued, "If it will make you feel better, stay with me tonight just like you used to when you were a kitten. I'll make sure that you get a real good night's sleep."
"Alright, Callista," Callie replied.
They both got into Callista's bed. Callista brought Callie into a comforting embrace, and used her powers to soothe Callie to sleep, as well as protect her against any bad dreams. Once Callie was asleep, Callista kissed her one last time and whispered, "Chance, you had better come back to us soon. She can't take much more of this." She then fell asleep herself.
End of Chapter.