The Jabberwocky Key
Because shiruartist reminded me of it, and I don't think any of you have ever seen it before. (Unless I posted it and forgot about it?)
I started it in late 2004, early 2005, and had quite a detailed story planned for it... only my skills at that point in time just weren't up to something of that magnitude. So the prologue is all that was ever written. It stands alone fairly well, even if it does hint at Things To Come. *shrug* I may or may not ever finish it.
The Jabberwocky Key: Prologue
"If I were you, I'd have gone mad of boredom by now."
Arching one eyebrow at the sudden voice where there had previously been no sign of other life, the Jabberwocky looked up and around slowly. After a moment he found what he was looking for in the form of a row of rather sharp little teeth floating in the general vicinity of the green easy chair. He declined to answer the statement just yet, as he knew perfectly well that it was rather pointless to say anything to a disembodied grin, as grins could not hear.
Unfortunately they could, and did, talk.
"Not to say that it isn't a lovely cage, but it is a cage nonetheless. Where's your sense of freedom and adventure?" the grin asked, now sporting a pair of yellow-green eyes to accompany it. After a moment, as he knew they would, two furry striped ears joined the eyes and grin.
"Considering the circumstances, I find it advisable to remain in my 'cage' as you put it, rather than subject myself to the uncouth world without," the Jabberwocky explained politely, with a remarkable amount of patience considering this was not the first time they'd had this conversation.
"It's really bad for morale, you know," the face sighed, allowing the rest of its head to fade into view. "Ever since you left, no one's afraid to go traipsing through the Tulgey Wood, even at night! It's not fair!"
The Jabberwocky lifted one eyebrow. "And when has fair ever applied to you?" he pointed out.
The head scowled. "I am a Cat, and all Cats are exempt from such things. I simply meant that it's not right."
They both knew the Cat was right, just as they both knew exactly why the Jabberwocky chose to stay in his plush prison. Even the greatest of monsters could become traumatized, given the right impetus. Unfortunately, knowing did nothing to relieve the Cat's frustration.
"Would you like some cream?" the Jabberwocky inquired politely, pouring himself another cup of tea.
At the mention of cream, the rest of the Cat faded into view. After all, it was rather difficult to consume such a delicacy if one had no stomach in which to contain it! Apparently today the Cat was going for a mostly feline form with a hint of humanoid body construction, one that often made humans queasy just trying to figure it out.
Jabberwocky didn't bat an eye.
A little saucer of cream floated over to the green easy chair and its occupant, propelled by a slight push. The Jabberwocky sipped his tea and the Cat lapped at his cream in companionable silence. They continued on in this way for quite some time before the Cat finished lapping up his delicacy and fixed his unblinking gaze upon his erstwhile companion.
"They're at it again," the Cat announced, unusually direct for a creature generally known for being rather sideways.
Scarlet eyes slid sideways to consider both the speaker and the statement. The Jabberwocky remained motionless for a long moment, then let out a soft breath.
"The Lion and the Unicorn were fighting for the crown..." he murmured quietly, meeting the Cat's unblinking stare.
"Indeed," the Cat agreed, his expression something akin to that which one would make upon having tasted sour milk. It was not pleasant. "And the Unicorn is beginning to gain... if He does not wake soon..."
"It does not concern me," the Jabberwocky stated, setting down his teacup on a floating saucer as it went sailing by. "Nor, apparently, does it concern you, for I am certain you have figured out how to wake Him." He sprawled out in his chair, wings draping idly over the sides, ankles crossed and propped up on a footstool that completely clashed with the rest of the decor.
Just to be odd, the Cat removed his head from the rest of his body, setting it into his lap and petting it as one would stroke a beloved animal. His tail swished idly back and forth, at irregular intervals of course, as he pretended that he might not respond to that particular statement. It was all a farce, as they both knew, but it was important to keep up appearances even when amongst those who knew better in case you might slip up at a later date.
"Not... exactly...." the Cat confessed, looking about as embarrassed as a cat ever can. "I have the general difficulty worked out, but certain key requirements are lacking."
The Jabberwocky raised one pale eyebrow. "Oh really?" he said simply.
Performing the remarkable feat of squirming whilst holding completely still, the Cat began carefully washing his tail with his head still lying calmly in his lap. The tail was perfectly groomed, twice, before he finally addressing the unspoken question.
"Hmm, I don't think I'll tell you. Or rather, I'll tell you only if you come to the Tulgey Wood," he announced contrarily. They both knew that the Jabberwocky would never leave his suite.
I started it in late 2004, early 2005, and had quite a detailed story planned for it... only my skills at that point in time just weren't up to something of that magnitude. So the prologue is all that was ever written. It stands alone fairly well, even if it does hint at Things To Come. *shrug* I may or may not ever finish it.
The Jabberwocky Key: Prologue
"If I were you, I'd have gone mad of boredom by now."
Arching one eyebrow at the sudden voice where there had previously been no sign of other life, the Jabberwocky looked up and around slowly. After a moment he found what he was looking for in the form of a row of rather sharp little teeth floating in the general vicinity of the green easy chair. He declined to answer the statement just yet, as he knew perfectly well that it was rather pointless to say anything to a disembodied grin, as grins could not hear.
Unfortunately they could, and did, talk.
"Not to say that it isn't a lovely cage, but it is a cage nonetheless. Where's your sense of freedom and adventure?" the grin asked, now sporting a pair of yellow-green eyes to accompany it. After a moment, as he knew they would, two furry striped ears joined the eyes and grin.
"Considering the circumstances, I find it advisable to remain in my 'cage' as you put it, rather than subject myself to the uncouth world without," the Jabberwocky explained politely, with a remarkable amount of patience considering this was not the first time they'd had this conversation.
"It's really bad for morale, you know," the face sighed, allowing the rest of its head to fade into view. "Ever since you left, no one's afraid to go traipsing through the Tulgey Wood, even at night! It's not fair!"
The Jabberwocky lifted one eyebrow. "And when has fair ever applied to you?" he pointed out.
The head scowled. "I am a Cat, and all Cats are exempt from such things. I simply meant that it's not right."
They both knew the Cat was right, just as they both knew exactly why the Jabberwocky chose to stay in his plush prison. Even the greatest of monsters could become traumatized, given the right impetus. Unfortunately, knowing did nothing to relieve the Cat's frustration.
"Would you like some cream?" the Jabberwocky inquired politely, pouring himself another cup of tea.
At the mention of cream, the rest of the Cat faded into view. After all, it was rather difficult to consume such a delicacy if one had no stomach in which to contain it! Apparently today the Cat was going for a mostly feline form with a hint of humanoid body construction, one that often made humans queasy just trying to figure it out.
Jabberwocky didn't bat an eye.
A little saucer of cream floated over to the green easy chair and its occupant, propelled by a slight push. The Jabberwocky sipped his tea and the Cat lapped at his cream in companionable silence. They continued on in this way for quite some time before the Cat finished lapping up his delicacy and fixed his unblinking gaze upon his erstwhile companion.
"They're at it again," the Cat announced, unusually direct for a creature generally known for being rather sideways.
Scarlet eyes slid sideways to consider both the speaker and the statement. The Jabberwocky remained motionless for a long moment, then let out a soft breath.
"The Lion and the Unicorn were fighting for the crown..." he murmured quietly, meeting the Cat's unblinking stare.
"Indeed," the Cat agreed, his expression something akin to that which one would make upon having tasted sour milk. It was not pleasant. "And the Unicorn is beginning to gain... if He does not wake soon..."
"It does not concern me," the Jabberwocky stated, setting down his teacup on a floating saucer as it went sailing by. "Nor, apparently, does it concern you, for I am certain you have figured out how to wake Him." He sprawled out in his chair, wings draping idly over the sides, ankles crossed and propped up on a footstool that completely clashed with the rest of the decor.
Just to be odd, the Cat removed his head from the rest of his body, setting it into his lap and petting it as one would stroke a beloved animal. His tail swished idly back and forth, at irregular intervals of course, as he pretended that he might not respond to that particular statement. It was all a farce, as they both knew, but it was important to keep up appearances even when amongst those who knew better in case you might slip up at a later date.
"Not... exactly...." the Cat confessed, looking about as embarrassed as a cat ever can. "I have the general difficulty worked out, but certain key requirements are lacking."
The Jabberwocky raised one pale eyebrow. "Oh really?" he said simply.
Performing the remarkable feat of squirming whilst holding completely still, the Cat began carefully washing his tail with his head still lying calmly in his lap. The tail was perfectly groomed, twice, before he finally addressing the unspoken question.
"Hmm, I don't think I'll tell you. Or rather, I'll tell you only if you come to the Tulgey Wood," he announced contrarily. They both knew that the Jabberwocky would never leave his suite.