Amusing
by Leki
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Alice in Wonderland. AlicexCheshire Cat. Rated T. Genre - Romance/Dark Fantasy.
The Cheshire Cat was always good at being many things, as Alice may soon find out. The cat-thing that was so nice and helpful before, in his own way of course, is only one side to the whole puzzle. --
Disclaimer - Alice in Wonderland (and Through the Looking Glass) originally by Lewis Carroll. There is a Disney movie adaptation, and a game called American McGee's Alice.
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Characterization is drawn from all three mentioned in the disclaimer (I know there are more adaptations, but these are the ones I'm using). The teasing of Disney, the sinister nature of McGee's. And of course, the inspiration from the very awesome original. I can't help but want to tribute that wonderful book of which so many adaptations have been made. Please, enjoy.
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Part I: Prelude to Madness
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Slowly, the Cat swished his tail back and forth, back and forth. Slowly it waved around him, as if he had not a care in the world. But in fact, the Cat had one care. A certain young lady that had visited the land consciously only once, her dreams having carried her gently to the mad Wonderland, without her even noticing a change.
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With a small hop, he leapt gracefully onto a branch below the one he was currently relaxing upon, and padded softly down to the ground. His tail swished back and forth in silent contemplation. Not unusual for a cat, except at the tip of the branch where he let himself slide off, as his body flickered, dulling then coming back. He rolled forward in mid-air and land on one front paw, the other three landing with a puff of dirt. His swishing tail came to a rest by curling itself around his feet, the tip twitching. His eyes were wide and blank, seeming to glow a pale yellow light as he stared off for a second, seeing something in his mind.
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The swish of a pale blue dress hem, the slightly wavy, yellow-gold of silky hair. Those petite little pale hands clasped tidily in the front, against the white of an apron.
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A dry, hissing chortle escaped between his teeth, out and over the rims of his upturned lips. The pale, yellow tinted eyes flashed, a predatory gleam to them. His paw pushed upwards, and his body acted accordingly, drifting him forward, the paws skimming over the dusty road and then into the ferns and small flowers bordering it. Darting and weaving through the dark Tulgey Wood, he followed the aroma he needed. A pink tongue flicked out and ran over the thin points of the teeth settled in his preternatural grin.
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He had always been self serving, and now was no different. He knew exactly what he wanted, and he already had an inkling of an idea of how he could get her. Enticement always could hook those dull humans... although, since she had made it to Wonderland, she wasn't perhaps so dull as the others. Precisely why she intrigued him. Made him maaad...
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His sharp little nose keenly kept him on the trail he wanted the entire time as he thought out his little plan. He didn't stop to prepare. He had all he needed in himself; he was a master at self-sufficiency. With a dry hiss of excitement, he leapt into the tree above as his dark purple and pink stripes began unwinding, tail tip to belly. Those dull eyes were gleaming again, his rough purr rolling out behind them. His outstretched claws made trails of smooth cuts down the branch as he slid. The feeling of bark crumbling and wood separating beneath the pads and claws was generously rewarding in enjoyment. He just could not wait to get started.
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A thick, enveloping silence was seeping through the forest at the smell of this hunting Cat. The dreamy animals in the forest feared the Cat, as he was both powerful and intelligent, in his own mad way. And so they avoided him whenever he became like this, when he wanted something, when he became hungry. His eyes shone in the darkness, as his signature stripes rolled up around his sharp shoulder blades and chest, towards his head, and finally disappeared altogether. Only the eyes and that now sinister grin remained, until they were clicked away with a sharp clack of teeth snapping together, and a low, soft muttering.
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"She'll see that we're all mad here. She's surely, heh heh, seeee! Ha ha ha!" Laugher faded away down the trail as the Cat moved on, not a single stirring of dust or leaf. Not a track left.
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Daintily, with care and slowness, the animals returned to their business of daily life. Now that the danger was gone. Of course, they could never tell if he had really moved on, and wasn't lying in wait. But then again, if he decided to come after them, not much could be done anyways, no matter how much they wished for an alternative.
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'There's a forest fire
Burnin' bright
Spreading quickly towards
Our last rights
Nowhere to run
Pointless to hide
Just lay there and scream
Pretending to try
Pretending'
lyrics - 'Burn' by Alkaline Trio
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I know, it's shorter, but this is a prelude. Longer bits to come. Hopefully, if I can muster enough smart words.