Hmm... I'll say first that this is meant to be a writing exercise that I saw on a forum where you write a 250 word piece and condense it down to 125 words, then 75. Of course, I'll let you guys decide whether I've done it well or not! This is quite rambley, so I shall apologize for that in advance. It's meant to be Stevie/Mickey, however if you ignore the mention of Mickey, it can be any two characters if you want... Anyway, enjoy, reviews are appreciated as usual! :) "Curiosity may have killed the cat" and the phrase about the cat being unlucky (it's different in the 3 versions) are taken from Alastair Reid's "Curiosity"
Note: References towards death.
250 words-
"Curiosity may have killed the cat" so the saying went. In this instance, curiosity may have killed the cat indeed, for she lay there with her curiosity satisfied.
'That nose of yours will bring you trouble one day, missy.' Those were the words her father had spoken to her, their meaning philosophical to her future, however unknown to her at the time. She lacked the nine lives of a cat, only holding one of her own. One life, one chance.
Eyes peered down into hers, glassy from tears threatening to spill out at any second, and a hand brushed down to her cheek, warm, and so full of life. She was like that once, in a time not too long ago. Happy, and fuelled by her curiosity of all things. It kept her safe, in a world drowned in darkness, her curiosity was her light, and what ultimately kept her human. Mickey often teased her through glinting eyes, aided with a cheeky grin, and he'd repeat the words her father had once said to her. However she knew the gesture was from love and protection.
She never thought what made her who she was would lead her to a hapless end. Why should something that was always meant in good measure betray her in this way? Why didn't she trust instincts over curiosity for just the once? No, something she relied on for so long wouldn't do this. Slipping away, she decided that maybe the cat was just unlucky.
125 words-
"Curiosity may have killed the cat". In this instance, curiosity may just have killed the cat indeed.
'That nose of yours will bring you trouble one day.' Those were the words her father had spoken to her, their philosophical meaning completely unknown to her.
A hand brushed down to her cheek, warm and full of life. She was like that once, happy and fuelled by her curiosity. In a world of darkness, her curiosity was her light. Mickey often teased her and repeated the words of her father, the gesture coming from his love.
Why whould something meant in good measure betray her in this way? No, something she relied on wouldn't do this. Slipping away, she decided that the cat was just unlucky.
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75 words-
"Curiosity may have killed the cat". Curiosity may have killed the cat indeed.
A hand brushed down to her cheek, warm and containing life. She was like that once, in a world of darkness, her curiosity was her light. Mickey often teased her about it, and she knew the gesture was from love.
Why would something meant in good measure betray her? No, it wouldn't. Slipping away, she decided that the cat was unlucky.