Peaceful Morning (Caleb)

Calista shook her head and kissed Caleb on the cheek. "it is alright, really. It's not everyday you see a black panther wandering around in Massachusetts. I am not scared of you, it just took me by surprise. After being alone for the last 5 years, my tolerance for surprises has been reduced dramatically. I am not who i once was, but I am determined to get back there." She said, taking his hand in hers.

Listening to his question she thought for a moment. "No, not like a Bastet. I am no goddess." She laughed lightly. "I can morph at will. It is a learned, rather than hereditary skill." She said, her green eyes locking to his. "I am also registered as such, my ear being the trait on the registry with my eyes." Her face turned serious for a moment, his agitation showing a bit. "Are you alright?" She asked, wondering if he was worried about something. She really hoped it hadn't been the fact that she could change so easily.

Calista looked at Caleb as he spoke, the obvious nervous tone loud and clear. He seemed to talk fast when he got that way, or so she noticed from their few meetings. She looked down at him holding her hands and smiled. Her green gaze turned up to Caleb's and she inhaled, holding it for a moment and then letting her breath out slowly. "I really like you too. A lot." She said, right in the middle of the part where he said she would run him off. Her voice quiet. Pulling her hand away from the circles, she put it on the side of his face gently and leaned forward, softly kissing him. "A LOT.".

"I knew you were a wild handful when I met you. that is exactly the type of person I need in my life now and forward. Trust me, I don't let people hang around that I don't see making an impact on my life in a positive way. Outside of business, my circle is very small." She said, resting her forehead against his, squeezing his hand with the one he still held. "But don't let an old woman like me ruin your fun." She said, laughing, tryin to lighten his mood.

Calista smiled at him and laughed. "Thirty-two and counting." She bit her bottom lip and went silent fir a bit. "I am also a mom." She said, her eyes averting to the picture of the green-eyed, raven-haired little boy on the wall. She sighed and looked down for a moment befire back to Caleb.

"Now I expect you to run. However, for safety he is not with me. He won't be for a while." She said, meeting Caleb's gaze softly.

Calista smiled and leaned into his touch, her eyes closing for a moment. When she opened them, they were alight and smiling. "Just a little trouble with his father's acquaintances is all." She said, putting her hand over his.


"There hasnt been much trouble lately, but better safe than sorry." Calista eyed him and shook her head. "I didn't know there was a look for the type to run." She said. "I don't look at someone and assume they will take off. In fact, I thought you were cute rather than a runner." She laughed lightly.

Calista laughed and looked down at her hand on his. She moved and grasped his hand, weaving her fingers into his. "I really appreciate that. It sure beats worn out old hag. Though sometimes that can be true. It all depends on how much I have slept and who has driven me insane."

"Oh, just the fact his father was a Deatheater. Don't get me wrong, he was the kindest, most understanding man when it came to me. However he disappeared without a trace. It was shortly after that the others were trying to get to my son. Something about a item his father had given him. To this day i am not even sure what that item was or is." She turned her eyes back up to Caleb. Nobody but me knows where he is." She said, sighing. "He is a special little boy, but just how special most don't even know. Beyond just a mother and son relationship." She shrugged.

"Enough of the doom and gloom" Calista said, looking him over. "How are you feeling?" She said, brushing a bit of fuzz from the cloth bandages from his hair. 

Calista smiled and rose from the couch. "I will have Lydia start on lunch. If you feel up to it, the library is right this way." She said, still holding his hand to guide him.

"You would be surprised just how rough I can look after a night on the prowl." She laughed.

Calista smiled and laughed, leading him through the house. "I bet I walk better in heels than you after a rough night, too." She said, smirking.

As they reached a set of double wooden doors, she hesitated. "Its bigger on the inside. Yay, magic." She said, throwing open the doors. "I am sure your business partner can find something he likes on here." The musty smell of old books seeped into the hall. The library, which was about 10 times bigger inside than the wing appeared from the outside it occupied stood before them.

Calista chuckles. "I sure hope he doesn't. I don't need your friend haunting the library. That job is already taken." She said gesturing at the apparition of a stern looking woman floating past. "These books have been collecting here for generations. I am just the next in line."

Calista looked at Caleb and met his gaze. "Lydia is already cooking something. She is good at getting things done on schedule. I believe she had brisket started last night outside." Calista smiled and took his hand.

"Race you after dinner." She said, leading him towards the double doors.

Calista smiled and as Lydia cleared the table, rose and stretched. She had eaten more than usual, but closer to normal for herself before she went into hiding. At Caleb's words, she paused, her green eyes regarding him for a moment. Moving to his side, she put her arms around his neck and kissed him softly, her forehead against his. "Well you have someone now."

Calista looked into his eyes and smiled. "Seems so do I." She moved away and looked to the huge French doors. "How about that run?" She said, grinning.

Calista smiled and nodded. "One of the best." She said, stepping out onto the back deck. Within a few moments she shifted, the black panther looking at Caleb with green eyes glinting and notched ear pivoting. She lashed her tail and down the staircase and towards the wooded trails she ran, a yowl given as she disappeared into the forest, challenging him to follow.

Calist watched with her green eyes from above on a low hanging giant oak limb, ears twitching. She heard the wolf first and then saw him moving through the brush below. She waited as he passed just slightly and started to sniff the air.

Tail flicking playfully, the panther leapt down, landing behind the wolf, batting playfully at his tail, claws hidden in her huge paws before running around him like a giant, awkward kitten.

Calista slowed ger circles and dodged his playful snaps, her strong haunches propelling her after the wolf as he barked, her paws barely making a sound as she moved along behind him. As they reached the lake, little pulsing spots of light were beginning to fire up.

The panther slowed, looking at the small lake. It was extremely wild now, overtaken by nature. It was once.a beautiful spot for picnics and swim.parties. now it was just a wild piece of beauty. The cat sat in the large grass, head tilted and tail snaking lightly as she watched Caleb in his wolf form. Batting at a firefly for a moment she felt playful and at ease.

Calista looked at Caleb through half-lidded eyes, her whiskers straight out. As the wolf lay down, the large cat followed suit, her large head resting on the grass as she lay on her side, tail lazily twitching.

The odd scene of panther and wolf would make for interesting stories. It was suddenly that Calista shifted, the large paw turning into her human hand, stroking the wolf's dense fur.

Calista laughed and scratched the large wolf's chest and stomach, shaking her head at his lupine grin. "You are going to make a dog person out of me yet, Caleb Molloy."

She quieted and looked out at the fireflies, their light on the mirrored surface of the pond. She hoped that the warmth would be returned here, so many lives lost. That was the downward spiral for the estate. Calista looked back down at Caleb.