Chapter X: The First Change of Schedule
The first change to the schedule and plan came after four weeks. The cat could barely hold Bill's attention anymore, and things were going nowhere fast. If anything, the situation only seemed to worsen; according to Chessur, the dormouse was often hesitant at first in conversation at their meetings, although she was very...chatty by the time the luncheon would end. As for the tea parties, both "Russehc" and the Mad Hatter had noticed that Mallymkun seemed to take more and more interest in her tail...
The Cheshire Cat, of course, knew the reasons for this, but didn't dare tell the gecko.
So, as things seemed to be grinding to a halt – at least on the exterior – the lizard swordsman decided it was time for a change of pace.
Unfortunately, when the time came, his brain was practically dead from thinking. So, he relied on memories.
"Have you ever taken her on a picnic?"
The Cheshire Cat, who was leaning against the barn, shook his head.
"Of course not," he said, then seemed to stop short, his eyes taking a strange, skeptical light. "Hold on...did you say 'picnic?'"
"Did it sound like anything else?"
"As in a picnic picnic?"
"Is there more than one kind?"
"Well..."
"When I say picnic, I mean it. Picnic. By definition, a meal eaten outdoors, as on an excursion. Often involving sandwiches, a large checkered blanket, lemonade, and at least a dozen ants. Note the words 'at least.'"
"I know what a picnic is, Creole," growled the cat. "But you do realize what a corny idea that is?"
Bill raised an eyebrow.
"'Corny?'"
"Well, she knows the woods well enough..."
"Believe me, kitten," the lizard hissed softly. "There is much that a person – or an animal – can miss in their own home. I'd know."
Something in the reptile's tone told Chess not to argue or discuss the matter any further. He shrugged.
"Well, all right. I made you the master planner, after all, so, why not?"
"Why not, indeed. Just remember: the point is to perplex her. Her little brain is probably swimming with questions by now, so you just fill it up some more until there's hardly any room left for the answers."
"I think she may have reached that stage by now."
The cat's voice came out in a soft meow. The lizard pretended not to notice.
"Perfect. Puzzle her more, then. In about a month, we'll be ready to put on a real show..."
"What show?" Chess purred, cocking his head to one side.
"All in good time, feline...all in good time."
Chess sighed.
"Well, that's all right. Don't tell me, if you don't want to. It's not like I've ever told anyone the whole story, anyways..."
"So I've noticed."
The Cheshire Cat's response to this was a wink. Bill blinked, and he was gone. The lizard sighed softly.
"He's utterly impossible..."
"Ahem! Bill?"
Bill turned to see the White Rabbit scurry into the yard, holding a pamphlet in one paw.
"Oh, Nivens! Have you got it?"
The rabbit handed the lizard the pamphlet in response. The lizard flipped it open, and smiled in a devious manner.
"Wicked...simply wicked..."
"Er...Bill?"
"Yes, Nivens?"
"You've been seeing Chessur an awful lot lately..."
"Your point, Rabbit?"
"Well...I'd just like to know why..."
It should be pointed out that, ironically enough, one of the few things Niven's McTwisp did not fear was the deadly smile that crossed the gecko's face.
"Let's just say there is a similarity between a raven and a writing desk, hm?"
The Rabbit groaned softly.
"Very well...if you won't tell me-"
"I won't. Go."
The Rabbit gazed at the lizard for a few seconds, then sighed before heading back towards his house.
Bill couldn't suppress a chuckle when he heard the rabbit mutter, "Just don't let him anywhere near me..."