"Lost Tails" is going to be a series of oneshots featuring the two main characters from my two labors of love, "From Alley to House" and "Friends and Lovers." The two characters being Mistoffelees (after a fashion) and Zaphia, my OC queen. They're cat-people, basically. Why a series of oneshots? Um…because I love these two, and there are lots of little moments in their lives I wanted to show but didn't make it into those two stories. It's an indulgence, I guess, so be warned.

First up is this laughably bad sonnet sequence I penned for the two to exchange in a much earlier version of the story. The rest of the oneshots will be new, but I thought this might be interesting to read for those few folks who've read the stories. Plus I'm an English geek, and there are some references in these that still make me laugh. These are modeled after the style of your basic Renaissance sonnet sequences, complete with overused expressions. I chose the standard English sonnet rhyme scheme (abab cdcd efef gg) and Iambic Quadrameter for my line meter. I'm a geek, and it was fun at the time.

The first sonnet is addressed to Zaphia, from Misto.

ZAPHIA-

Spenser spoke of his "Yvorie" maid

And thought she was by far most fair.

Methinks I've not my duty paid

To you; I now repent with care

For you are far more fair than she

That stopped his heart with thoughts to wed.

I cannot praise thy fair beauty

Enough, I leave my soul unfed

That cries "give her her most just dues!

Sleep not, but live on love divine.

Write of her looks, her lovely hues.

Raven and snow in her combine."

I can't enough her praises sing

But still I try with poesie ring.

- Misto

ZAPHIA-

Her skin is of a snow-white shade.

Her fur is like a raven's cloak.

I find her beauty does not fade

Though oft I see - the spells not broke.

I get not used to her fair form.

I regard her as angel still.

The slightest kiss and I grow warm-

Thus I know I always will.

She works magic with her charm

Just as she does with powers strange.

A touch of hand; encircling arms

Of she who I hope will not change

And I forget all other dreams

Thinking only of my fair queen.

- Misto

MISTO-

I think you rate me far too dear.

I'm not so fair as you do tell.

I'd think it would be to you clear

That I'm the one caught by your spell.

For you are gentle, sweet and kind

In manners that I don't deserve.

A lovely face and lovely mind

In you do meet; the raven curve

About your eyes doth make me blush

When you smile and look at me.

I cannot help it that I flush

When I notice that you see

In me a form more fair than I

While I in you all goodness spy.

- Zaphia

MISTO-

I find myself remembering when

I was cast out of house and home.

You did become my closest friend

At that time when I ceased to roam.

Yet doubts creep still into my heart

As you say that you loveth me.

If flesh and blood can rip apart

Loves bonds, sometimes I cannot see

A safe refuge within your arms.

Is your love that of a mate

That would bring with it no harm?

Or is it residue of fate?

(Since I was cast out just like you

And now we share monochrome hues)

- Zaphia

ZAPHIA-

Oh dearest maid, oh fairest jewel

Who smells so sweet without perfume.

What is this dark, infernal rule

That makes your all old fears exhume?

I promise that I won't betray

The trust that you will put in me.

You have no need to keep away

For to my heart you hold the key.

Can you know not how much I pine

For hug, or kiss, or some token

That I've secured your love divine?

If love to me I hear spoken

From you who fears a broke heart's pain

I'll know my loving's not in vain.

- Misto

MISTO-

What is it about my love

That maketh him so dear to me?

His poesie's gentle as the dove -

It is my greatest hope that he

Will overlook my many faults

And help me to become the cat

He thinks is locked within the vaults

Of heart and mind; and failing, that

This sweet delusion he is in

That I am better than I seem

Will stay, and that my love's sweet grin

Shall not vanish like fading dream

And he will stay by my own side

Saying I have no need to hide.

- Zaphia

ZAPHIA-

Why do you rate your own fair self

As being lower than it is?

I know your heart - it holds a wealth

Of sweetness, virtue and pure bliss.

For he that stops and makes it plain

That he appreciates your grace

Will find that he doth quickly gain

A noble friend, blessed with fair face,

A graceful walk, a noble mind

That's quick, clever and oh so dear

That he the purest joy will find

Every time that you let him near.

This is the way I live my life

And why I beg you "Be my wife."

- Misto