"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
