AUTHORS NOTE:
Ah with the help of my darling best friend, I have once more created a chapter for you all! This one is dedicated to Yami…..cuz….this one would have been a total flop at the beginning if we hadn't been shooting ideas back and forth. Plus I love his Chessur…..
Cheers!
…...
Chapter 6: The cat is a hat…
"Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought-
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!"
Alice wiggled in her sleep, eyebrows furrowing in attempt to keep afoot within her dreams. Rolling over she grasped a very soft and fuzzy pillow and pressed it closed to her bosom— sighing in contentment when all speech had been cut down to a mere muffle.
"One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arm, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe "
"Mmmm…." The vibrating purr was enough to rouse the female from her slumber. Her eyes fluttering open to take a look at the pulsing cushion.
"Good afternoon Alice…" The female slowly peeled back the pillow to reveal large luminous eyes and a sharp toothy grin. Instinctively she ran a hand through the grey and blue stripped fur before realizing exactly what and who she had been handling.
"If I was not already aware of you previously to this occasion….you would have scared me half to death." She let her arms loosen while the cat chuckled in amusement and kept rooted to his spot. He quite liked it there. Warm and snug. She only eyed him suspiciously until she had another epiphany. "I….I'm back…" Her eyes flitted around the pale room until they rested on the opened balcony door, drapes fluttering in the breeze. Moving beneath the talking cat, she stood and quickly and pattered bare footed out onto the terrace. "Oh…. sweet lovely glorious day!"
"Did you not think you were?" the cat acted disgruntled that he had been tossed aside so easily. "If Tarrant could see you so….he would fall over," he quickly lost his pout and replaced it with another wide grin.
Alice looked down at her form and straitened her garb quickly. She gave the naughty cat yet another look. He simply shrugged and disappeared.
"It is beautiful…isn't it?" The blonde was staring whimsically out at the flourishing green landscape before her. She could feel the others presence so she knew she wasn't simply speaking out loud.
"Is it?"
"Oh Chess….can you ever say what you mean without replying in a question or riddle?"
"I wouldn't be the Cheshire cat if I didn't." He appeared laying leisurely on the railing while flashing his infamous grin. She chuckled good naturedly.
"You might be the sanest one out of the entire Wonderland inhabitants…." She leaned against the balconies edge and breathed in the perfumed breeze. All around her was light and completely magnificent. Cherry blossoms teased and trailed about in the wind like they were dancing. And the cliffs that cried waterfalls, behind the large white construction, cascaded and created rainbows. Alice thought she would like to go and venture down to the lake they all pooled into during her stay. "Do you know if the White Queen is seeing anyone at the moment? I should like to get dressed and speak with her." Chessur rolled to his back and stared up at her curiously. "What are you doing in my room anyway, Chess?"
"Ah….all fine questions….The Queen may or may not see you…depending on if you decide to seek her out….and as for me being here? I've been asked kindly by her majesty to keep an eye on you…." All but one of his eyes disappeared. "Get dressed champion and I shall take you where you wish to go…"
Alice nodded and watched the eye wink out of existence.
"But Chessur…" she took a gander about the room but could not find her robes anywhere. "All my clothes are gone…."
"Look in the wardrobe, silly girl…Hatter has made you some outfits to wear."
"Always completely hospitable that Hatter…" Alice walked over to the hand crafted closet and took a peek inside. She was surprised to find so many outfits stuffed painstakingly inside. "He couldn't have possibly…."
"He made everyone one…." The Cheshire cat called from the balcony.
"All this while I slept?"
"Oh of course not!" there was a purr. "Through the years, since you have been gone he has been making such attires. He has been waiting impatiently for Winrible Day. Your third return to wonderland. Sewing was one of the only things we could distract his fingers and mind with. After everyone began to tire of so many hats, the Queen turned him towards sewing dresses and overcoats."
"…" she ran a hand along the sleeve of a silk garb. "And he was so afraid I would not remember him… has he been worried all this time?"
"The Oraculum knew you would return…so we knew you would eventually return as well…"
"Hmmm… I am not sorry I left to finish my fathers work…." She was talking more to herself now. "I am, however, truly sorry I made others worry…." Now she would make her mother worry…
She quickly cleared her head and plucked a random outfit out of the various colors. She began dressing only after being assured several times that her feline friend had both eyes covered. Alice walked to the mirror and surveyed the mad hatters handy work, feeling a sense of warmth spread across her cheeks and ears knowing he had made this for her.
"You look quite lovely indeed, if I may say so myself." Chessur appeared on top of her head, kneading her temple in appreciation. She gave him a look through the mirror before relaxing.
"Thank you, Chess….I do enjoy green…." She caressed the ruffles, wondering how Hatter could have possibly known her distaste for corsets. This dress didn't require any sucking, pulling or even heaving to get inside. It simply tied in the back to create a more form fitting look. She enjoyed the freeness that was gained by the hemming of her skirts only coming down to about the middle of her lower leg and the short sleeves would be good for the warm sunny afternoon they were having. Her most favorite part of the entire outfit was the small bowtie that adorned her collar.
"I believe I make an excellent hat…" Chess swished his tail slowly back and forth, giving another grin. She grinned back.
"Yes. Although your colors don't quite fit what I am wearing….." she blinked in surprise as his stripes began to change neon green, although his eyes stayed their vibrant blue. "Well well…..I am impressed Chess….what else is there to you I wonder…"
"A cat never show and tells."
She shook her head and sought for a pair of slippers, all the while retaining the striped feline glued to her brow. Instead she acquired some fashionable leather boots that tied up to her knees. She checked herself once more in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction. She would have liked to brush out her hair but Chessur seemed to be more than willing to groom the golden locks for her. She tried very hard not to think too deeply on it or grimace in distaste. For all she knew it was a compliment.
"Why on earth does your hair taste like valvendilla bean?" he coughed and wheezed like he wanted to vomit a hairball. Alice immediately tried exacting him from her head.
"Don't you dare, Chess. Don't you even dare! And what is Valvendilla anyway?"
"Oh, a most horrid tasting thing. It comes from a Valvendilla bush and grows in pods. Some use it in their pillows to rid themselves of bad dreams and headaches. I find it revolting." He looked at the hair and gave a pout. "You must remove those pillows from your bed immediately!"
"I most certainly will not." She folded her arms and stared at him through the glass. "You are not taking permanent residence atop of my head." Alice picked a bit of hair up and gave a light sniff. "And I can't smell a thing."
"It has an inaudible sent. Most would not sense it unless they knew it was there." He replied dramatically. "And of course you wouldn't." He continued dramatically, "mortals have such dull senses…"
"Well perhaps it will keep you from staying atop my head for too long." She countered while walking towards the exit. "Now…tell me where I may find the White Queen."
"Demanding I see…" but he seemed more content than irritated by her blunt speech. He was, after all, being a bit of a thorn.
And so he directed her across the expansion of Memorial. Through twisting and winding corridors, Alice founding it impossible to keep track, they came upon double doors of elder wood. Two white armored men stood at guard with helmets shaped as a rook. They immediately crossed their spears before the door when Alice came around the corner of the hallway.
"I have come to see the White Queen if I may…" Alice gave a light curtsey, trying her best to remember her manners.
"And who might you be?" One demanded.
"None but a few select amount know of where her Majesty takes her residence…" the other added with a suspicious air to his voice.
"I am Alice Kingsleigh."
"The champion of Underland," Chessur concluded.
The rooks looked at one another before uncrossing their weapons.
"We shall ask the Queen if she is wanting company…" One of the armored beings knocked on the door and slipped inside after being called in.
A moment later a blonde haired man peeked out of the door to give Alice a look about.
"It is her, Milady." He called.
"Let her in, Lance." A feminine voice replied to the knight.
"You may enter, lady Alice." He pulled back the door and let her and the cat through.
However Alice wasn't very interested in the royal at the moment, she was gaping at the armored man that towered before her with rippling shoulder length hair and dazzling blue eyes. If the mortal didn't know any better…she was staring at Ilsovic Stayne who had a wardrobe and cosmetic flip. She was very confused and showed it.
"What is wrong, my dear Alice?" The white haired beauty rose elegantly from her seat and glided over to where the girl was quivering in bewilderment.
"Oh, this is Lance Allote. My white knight." She twittered, "Sir Lance, this is Lady Alice Kingsleigh."
"My pleasure, Lady Alice," he bowed deeply. "Your victorious defeat over the Jabberwocky is known long and wide in Underland. I was proud to witness it myself." He offered his hand which Alice numbly raised her own so that he could peck the top.
"I…you?" She was looking between the two of them.
"She is confused from his appearance, my liege," piped the momentarily elapsed Cheshire cat.
They seemed to realize the problem as soon as Chess had spoken; Lance grimaced while the Queen nodded solemnly.
"This is the cousin of Ilsovic Stayne. The Allote families genetics are quite dominate…don't you agree, Alice?" The girl nodded quickly in understanding…it was still quite a shock.
"I apologize….I do not mean to be so rude for gaping…" she reprimanded herself in a soft tone. "It's just…..Stayne is quite a character…."
"I hope our likeliness will not have you pass judgment on my person, Lady Alice. I may look like my vindictive cousin, but I assure you my family and I think entirely different. I have resumed as Queen Mirana's knight and escort ever since the crown and Vorpal sword were taken from her those years ago."
"After?" She dared to ask.
"My former knight, that held the Vorpal sword, was killed during the first battle with the Jabberwocky. It was Stayne who grabbed the sword before one of my guards could retrieve it… the Oraculum foretold that you would be our champion and not Lance."
Alice would have thought that last remark would have stung the knight's pride but he did not seem fazed in the slightest. Alice was very curious indeed.
"I hold no previous judgment on you, Sir Lance." Alice finally affirmed. "I am very glad to know Stayne is the only stain within your family tree. Although I am sure every family has a bad nut from time to time." She smiled when Lance smiled. It was very odd and she would have to get use to it. But his eyes held no ill will, unlike his counterpart. Even the White Queen could understand Alice's statement personally, as it hit strait home. She supposed the ruler and knight had a lot more in common than most. Alice looked between the two as Lance brushed passed to pull out a chair for his Queen. Lady Mirana took it elegantly and thanked him before turning to Alice.
"Come closer and let me get a good look at you. Ah I see you have on one of the dresses Mr. Hightopp made for you, how simply lovely!" She smiled and leaned back in her chair to take in the entirety of Alice's outfit. "The green just makes those beautiful blue eyes of yours pop!"
"Are you speaking to Alice or me, your majesty?" Cheshire gave a grin, his own luminous eyes growing wide when the Queens attention was placed onto him.
"How delightfully curious, Mr. Cheshire, I see you have a new frock of colors to your fur. Are you by chance trying to pass as a fancy talking hat I wonder?" He simply grinned and swished his tail before Alice was directed to sit on the opposite end of the little tea table the Queen had situated herself at. "Now, moving on to what is at hand….Alice, your venture to my chambers could not have been more perfect for there are things I must go over with you." Alice nodded and smiled politely while deciding she would wait until after the Queen had said her business before questioning with her own. Lance Allote went to position himself back before the door. "I would like to tell you that tonight in celebration of our champions wondrous return; we are to have a ball in your honor." Perhaps she was expecting excitement for she looked a little put out when Alice simply blinked in surprise. "Do you not like parties, dear Alice?"
"Oh! No, that's not it, my Queen."
"Please my dear," she gave a fond smile as she corrected the other, "When we are alone, call me Mirana."
Alice nodded slowly and gave a sheepish smile.
"It is not that, Mirana..." she redirected, "I do enjoy parties…its just…in my honor? You do not need to honor me in such a way. You and your world have done far more for me then I have ever done for you."
"Oh come now, dear Alice, how can you say such a thing! You have rescued our world from the hands of peril! You risked your life to save so many others by slaying the Jabberwocky and ending the reign of my….She-who-was-banished." The white haired woman corrected quickly.
"May I ask something? Why do you say 'She-who-was-banished'? Is it a crime to say the Red Queen?" There was a noise of distaste from Lance behind her.
"In a round about way, yes it is. She has been abjured for her sins…no one is allowed to speak to her….no one is to call her by name. She will not have a friend in the world…..except for Stayne. That was her punishment." She said as if she had something bitter in her mouth, her normally happy and wistful expression turned downcast for a moment at the thought. "Oh I do believe we are off subject! As I have said, dear Alice, we simply must have a ball! Everyone has expected it so it must be so." Her disposition changed instantly to that of her old self. Alice went to object only to have a firm hand placed up to stop her. "I have made up my mind, dear Alice." She had a twinkle in her eye, "Besides…don't you want to ask a certain someone to join you as your escort?"
"I am not sure who you mean…." Suddenly Alice gaped in realization and started to babble fruitlessly with a face the color of a beet. The royal simply laughed with a tinkling tone that would set anyone in a good mood.
Alice, in the end, could not begrudge the other for it. What said is said…what's done is done she supposed…. If they all were already looking forward to it then how could she possibly expect the Queen to simply dismiss a party everyone was already preparing for?
"If this is to be a formal ball….what shall I wear? I do not think I have anything suitable…"
"Oh… you do." Cheshire interjected, currently licking a paw to clean behind an ear. It was a marvel as to why he didn't just draw his mouth from his face and lick the ear directly. Either way, he seemed to be fine with the work he was doing. "Hatter made you three if I recall correctly. Dig within your wardrobe…you'll find them eventually."
"Then it is all settled…Oh and I am sure you should find a mask somewhere amongst the accessories of your vanity drawers. I made sure they were properly filled with anything you may need. If you wish help, simply ask your feline hat to send for someone who is nimble with their fingers." She gave a dazzling smile and raised an upturned hand as she stood. Alice took it and stepped around the table to walk with the other female. "I expect you to take proper care of our champion while she is staying with us, Mr. Cheshire." Mirana glanced at the cat as a hat and gave a serious look. "Fairfarren, dear Alice…Mr. Cheshire. I shall see you tonight!" Smiling she twirled away.
"Of course, your Majesty." The cat bowed his head as Lance opened the door to send Alice on her way. When the mortal was already well away from the Queen's abode, her mind picking through everything that had transpired she suddenly realized what the other had said when she was brushed out the door.
"Wait…did she say mask?" Alice asked more to herself than anyone in particular.
"Yes it is to be a masked ball." Cheshire purred.
"Oh!" that made her feel far more at ease. No one would recognize her then. She could blend in easily if she was permitted.
But alas, it seemed that was not foretold for the young mortal woman.
…
Ending Notes—
I do not own the Jabberwocky poem it whole heartedly belongs to Carroll in Alice in Wonderland (191-97).
'Winrible Day' Explanation—
I noticed that every day seems to have a name to it in Underland, at least unique days marking great times in the world. I have been researching Lewis Carroll to get a more insight into his brain and apparently all the outlandish babble he uses in the story are actually various English words comprised into one to give a more momentous meaning. So I studied Griblib Day (The day Alice returns a second time) and Frabjous Day (The day she slays the Jabberwocky). Griblib was when the red queen ruled…it sounded downcast and evil. Frabjous Day sounds jovial and happy and was the first day of the return of the white queens ruling. Since we are now in the ruling of the white queen and it is the third time Alice has returned I decided to comprise 'incredible' and 'wondrous' together to create the word 'Winrible.' I thought it sounded nice anyway…
Valvendilla— a bean that has the essence of vanilla and lavender. Something I made up as well by the starting idea of my best friend.
Knights and Knaves— the white queen would have a knight rather than a knave like her sister, due to the fact that the white queen represents the chess board and her sister represents a card deck. The knave is, not only, another title for the Jack in a deck of cards but it is a label designated for those who are opposite of a knight in logic riddles devised by Raymond Smullyan. Wikipedia explains it in detail here ( .org/wiki/Knights_and_Knaves ). While knights tell the truth, a knave, always lies. Which sounds exactly like Stayne….how curious…right?