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akainagiTen Bonus Trips Through Wonderland (Trips 91-95)
Author: AkaiNagi
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Alice/Tarrant
Summary: Prompts 1-5/10 Table 10 from![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
10_prompts.
Prompt: Romance
Queen Mirana had watched from the very beginning.
She had watched two meet, that day preceding the Frabjous day, out in front of the castle. Alice had been overjoyed to see the Hatter alive and well and the Hatter had been overjoyed to see Alice her right and proper size. She had seen two people with eyes only for each other, and she knew.
She had watched them, for a whole year, dance around each other. She had seen meaningful glances and blushing faces, and, more than once, a stolen kiss or two.
She was there when Tarrant proposed to his beloved; she had officiated over their wedding. And when Alice had come to her, a newborn daughter in her arms, and asked her to be something called a ‘Godmother,’ after a thorough explanation of the term, Mirana gladly accepted.
She had seen the grand romance of Tarrant and Alice Hightopp from beginning to full fruition, knowing she would never have one of her own.
For how could she ever devote herself to one person, when she had to devote herself to a whole kingdom of people?
She tried not to dwell on it, tried not to be dragged down by the loneliness of her lot.
And on most days, she succeeded.
Prompt: Wash
Alice loved Lady Ascot dearly, really she did. But one had to face facts.
She smelled.
And, as the mistress of the great creature, she vowed to rectify the situation. But, as bandersnatches were notoriously averse to water, she was quite at a loss as to how to go about it. The lake around Marmoreal was as good a place as any for the attempt, she supposed. Perhaps with some coaxing, she could ride into the lake on Lady’s back.
That was how, dressed in some of her husband’s old clothes, and armed with nothing but a bar of lavender soap and a bucket, Alice made a valiant attempt to prod, urge, coax, and entice her mount into the lukewarm waters surrounding the palace.
Lady would have none of it. She stood at the bank and refused to go any further.
Then Alice happened upon another idea. Perhaps if she went into the water first, Lady Ascot would follow.
Anyone looking out the Palace windows would have probably doubted Alice’s sanity. She was standing chest-deep in the balmy water, calling to Lady Ascot, who was growing more frantic by the minute. The beast was in a panic, trying to reconcile the presence of water with her need follow her mistress. She whimpered pitifully. Several times she moved to put a paw in the water only to draw it back at the last second.
Alice was crestfallen. “Lady, you simply must come in,” she called. “If you don’t get a bath, soon I won’t be able to ride you for the ghastly smell. Please, Lady!”
As if understanding her words, and as if the thought of no more rides with Alice was too terrible to bear, Lady Ascot at last made a great leap into the water, causing it to splash everywhere, thoroughly drenching Alice more than she already was.
But she couldn’t care less. She was laughing with elation as Lady waded over to her and then stood before her as if to say, ‘Well you got me in here, now what?’
Quickly, before Lady changed her mind, Alice soaped her up as fast as she could. The rinsing went rather harder than the soaping, because every time Alice would pour a bucketful of water over the bandersnatch, the creature would shake, sending water and soap flying everywhere.
At last she was finished. “Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?” She asked the bandersnatch.
As if in answer Lady took one great paw and brought it down on the surface of the water, sending a splash of water all over Alice.
Alice, not one to take such a challenge lightly, splashed her right back.
Over the course of the next half-hour, nearly the entire palace turned out on the lawns to witness a sight never before seen in Underland. A bandersnatch and his mistress frolicking in the water, splashing and laughing and bellowing and generally carrying on crazy.
One of the courtiers stuck his head in on the Hatter’s workshop, as he was busily churning out the latest fashion. “You’re wife has gone mad,” the man informed him in a rather snooty tone.
The hatter grinned and replied proudly, “Yes, I know.” And proceeded back to his hatting.
Prompt: Honor
Alice watched the face of her fiancé as he slept. Unlike his waking face, this face was totally relaxed and peaceful. It was beautiful in its serenity.
She had given herself to a man for the first time last night. She had given herself to Tarrant, the only man she would ever give herself to. The man she would marry.
Still, what would her mother think of her? To give her honor away before the wedding vows were exchanged. It went against everything she had been taught. It went against the values she was raised with; chastity before marriage. But she couldn’t bring herself to regret it.
He had been so gentle and hesitant, fearful of hurting her even though, this first time, pain was inevitable. There had been pleasure too. And a soaring kind of joy that only came from becoming one with the one you love.
It was true, Victorian values would frown on what they had done. But she had belonged to him for a long time now. Ever since the day over a year ago when she realized she loved this mad, wonderful man who was resting beside her. She probably would have given herself to him long ago, had he but asked her.
For some part of her had known this day would come. Had anticipated it. Had yearned for it. Sod Victorian values.
She was happy.
Prompt: Heartless
She was so used to her daily rides through Underland that when Lady Ascot came up lame with a cut paw, rather than abandon her travels, she decided to continue them on foot. Admittedly, she couldn’t travel as far or as fast, but one noticed things when walking that one tended to miss on the back of a racing bandersnatch. Like the delicate nature and variety of the flowers, the feel of grass under bare feet and the pleasantness of the spring breeze.
She made herself a crown of flowers, apologizing to each flower she plucked, assuring them it was for a good cause. She had done this as a child, often escaping from the watchful eye of her governess to steal away to the gardens. Although back then the flowers hadn’t required the consideration of an apology. She even made a small crown to bring back for Lara. She looked forward to the day when Lara was a little older and might go for walks with her.
She had even asked Tarrant if he wanted to come with her this morning. He of course had been too busy. Oh well. She should have expected as much. It was funny, she usually enjoyed the solitude of her daily ventures, but today, for some reason, she had yearned for the company.
She bent over to pick one last flower. That was when the blow came. A sharp, unbearable pain in her midsection. She reached down to feel the point of a sword exiting her abdomen. Another jolt of agony as the sword was pulled out. That was when the blood came, soaking her dress. Alice clutched at her wound, as if by covering it with her hands she could keep the blood from flowing. She collapsed forward onto the ground.
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this moment!” a gleeful, mad, familiar voice chortled.
Using what little strength she had, she rolled herself over, trying to see who had done this to her. But her vision swam and grew dim. Her sight failed her, and she passed out.
All around her, the flowers began screaming.
Prompt: Smother
It had been a simple thing to do, really.
He had years of practice manipulating the former queen of Underland. So when he told her that his attempt on her life was a momentary insanity born from the shock of his Queen, the great love of his life, losing her crown and subsequently being banished, she was wary at first, but in the end, bought into his lies like she always had.
She had looked up at him with those bovine eyes. “At least we have each other. I should be thoroughly lost in despair were you not with me.”
“As would I, my queen.”
Iracebeth looked at him sadly. “No, not a queen. Not anymore.”
“To me,” he told her in what he thought to be a marvelous piece of acting, “You will always be my queen.”
Iracebeth sighed and embraced him. Stayne tried to suppress a shudder of revulsion.
They walked hand in hand, courtesy of the shackles that bound them together, through the wild landscape of the Outlands.
It wasn’t long before Iracebeth, soft and lazy creature that she was, begged for a rest. Stayne obliged, his face a mask of false concern.
He suggested she lie down in the soft leaves and have herself a rest. He would keep watch, he assured her.
She agreed readily. “My Stayne,” she caressed his face. “What should I ever do without you?”
Iracebeth lay on the ground, and indeed within a matter of a few minutes, was soundly asleep and snoring away.
This was the moment that Stayne had been waiting for, quickly, before she could react, his hands descended on her neck. Iracebeth came alive, her eyes bulging, her hands clutching at his arms, desperate to free herself. Her legs moved wildly, trying to come up to kick him, but he was out of her reach. As her desperation grew she reached up and clawed at his face, leaving a trail of bloody scratches. Stayne was not deterred in the least. He had been dreaming about this moment for years. Now that it had come, he felt elated. He found himself laughing as this prey’s struggles grew weaker and weaker and finally ceased altogether.
The former Red Queen was dead.
It had been a simple thing to do, really.
Author: AkaiNagi
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Alice/Tarrant
Summary: Prompts 1-5/10 Table 10 from
10_prompts. Prompt: Romance
Queen Mirana had watched from the very beginning.
She had watched two meet, that day preceding the Frabjous day, out in front of the castle. Alice had been overjoyed to see the Hatter alive and well and the Hatter had been overjoyed to see Alice her right and proper size. She had seen two people with eyes only for each other, and she knew.
She had watched them, for a whole year, dance around each other. She had seen meaningful glances and blushing faces, and, more than once, a stolen kiss or two.
She was there when Tarrant proposed to his beloved; she had officiated over their wedding. And when Alice had come to her, a newborn daughter in her arms, and asked her to be something called a ‘Godmother,’ after a thorough explanation of the term, Mirana gladly accepted.
She had seen the grand romance of Tarrant and Alice Hightopp from beginning to full fruition, knowing she would never have one of her own.
For how could she ever devote herself to one person, when she had to devote herself to a whole kingdom of people?
She tried not to dwell on it, tried not to be dragged down by the loneliness of her lot.
And on most days, she succeeded.
Prompt: Wash
Alice loved Lady Ascot dearly, really she did. But one had to face facts.
She smelled.
And, as the mistress of the great creature, she vowed to rectify the situation. But, as bandersnatches were notoriously averse to water, she was quite at a loss as to how to go about it. The lake around Marmoreal was as good a place as any for the attempt, she supposed. Perhaps with some coaxing, she could ride into the lake on Lady’s back.
That was how, dressed in some of her husband’s old clothes, and armed with nothing but a bar of lavender soap and a bucket, Alice made a valiant attempt to prod, urge, coax, and entice her mount into the lukewarm waters surrounding the palace.
Lady would have none of it. She stood at the bank and refused to go any further.
Then Alice happened upon another idea. Perhaps if she went into the water first, Lady Ascot would follow.
Anyone looking out the Palace windows would have probably doubted Alice’s sanity. She was standing chest-deep in the balmy water, calling to Lady Ascot, who was growing more frantic by the minute. The beast was in a panic, trying to reconcile the presence of water with her need follow her mistress. She whimpered pitifully. Several times she moved to put a paw in the water only to draw it back at the last second.
Alice was crestfallen. “Lady, you simply must come in,” she called. “If you don’t get a bath, soon I won’t be able to ride you for the ghastly smell. Please, Lady!”
As if understanding her words, and as if the thought of no more rides with Alice was too terrible to bear, Lady Ascot at last made a great leap into the water, causing it to splash everywhere, thoroughly drenching Alice more than she already was.
But she couldn’t care less. She was laughing with elation as Lady waded over to her and then stood before her as if to say, ‘Well you got me in here, now what?’
Quickly, before Lady changed her mind, Alice soaped her up as fast as she could. The rinsing went rather harder than the soaping, because every time Alice would pour a bucketful of water over the bandersnatch, the creature would shake, sending water and soap flying everywhere.
At last she was finished. “Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?” She asked the bandersnatch.
As if in answer Lady took one great paw and brought it down on the surface of the water, sending a splash of water all over Alice.
Alice, not one to take such a challenge lightly, splashed her right back.
Over the course of the next half-hour, nearly the entire palace turned out on the lawns to witness a sight never before seen in Underland. A bandersnatch and his mistress frolicking in the water, splashing and laughing and bellowing and generally carrying on crazy.
One of the courtiers stuck his head in on the Hatter’s workshop, as he was busily churning out the latest fashion. “You’re wife has gone mad,” the man informed him in a rather snooty tone.
The hatter grinned and replied proudly, “Yes, I know.” And proceeded back to his hatting.
Prompt: Honor
Alice watched the face of her fiancé as he slept. Unlike his waking face, this face was totally relaxed and peaceful. It was beautiful in its serenity.
She had given herself to a man for the first time last night. She had given herself to Tarrant, the only man she would ever give herself to. The man she would marry.
Still, what would her mother think of her? To give her honor away before the wedding vows were exchanged. It went against everything she had been taught. It went against the values she was raised with; chastity before marriage. But she couldn’t bring herself to regret it.
He had been so gentle and hesitant, fearful of hurting her even though, this first time, pain was inevitable. There had been pleasure too. And a soaring kind of joy that only came from becoming one with the one you love.
It was true, Victorian values would frown on what they had done. But she had belonged to him for a long time now. Ever since the day over a year ago when she realized she loved this mad, wonderful man who was resting beside her. She probably would have given herself to him long ago, had he but asked her.
For some part of her had known this day would come. Had anticipated it. Had yearned for it. Sod Victorian values.
She was happy.
Prompt: Heartless
She was so used to her daily rides through Underland that when Lady Ascot came up lame with a cut paw, rather than abandon her travels, she decided to continue them on foot. Admittedly, she couldn’t travel as far or as fast, but one noticed things when walking that one tended to miss on the back of a racing bandersnatch. Like the delicate nature and variety of the flowers, the feel of grass under bare feet and the pleasantness of the spring breeze.
She made herself a crown of flowers, apologizing to each flower she plucked, assuring them it was for a good cause. She had done this as a child, often escaping from the watchful eye of her governess to steal away to the gardens. Although back then the flowers hadn’t required the consideration of an apology. She even made a small crown to bring back for Lara. She looked forward to the day when Lara was a little older and might go for walks with her.
She had even asked Tarrant if he wanted to come with her this morning. He of course had been too busy. Oh well. She should have expected as much. It was funny, she usually enjoyed the solitude of her daily ventures, but today, for some reason, she had yearned for the company.
She bent over to pick one last flower. That was when the blow came. A sharp, unbearable pain in her midsection. She reached down to feel the point of a sword exiting her abdomen. Another jolt of agony as the sword was pulled out. That was when the blood came, soaking her dress. Alice clutched at her wound, as if by covering it with her hands she could keep the blood from flowing. She collapsed forward onto the ground.
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this moment!” a gleeful, mad, familiar voice chortled.
Using what little strength she had, she rolled herself over, trying to see who had done this to her. But her vision swam and grew dim. Her sight failed her, and she passed out.
All around her, the flowers began screaming.
Prompt: Smother
It had been a simple thing to do, really.
He had years of practice manipulating the former queen of Underland. So when he told her that his attempt on her life was a momentary insanity born from the shock of his Queen, the great love of his life, losing her crown and subsequently being banished, she was wary at first, but in the end, bought into his lies like she always had.
She had looked up at him with those bovine eyes. “At least we have each other. I should be thoroughly lost in despair were you not with me.”
“As would I, my queen.”
Iracebeth looked at him sadly. “No, not a queen. Not anymore.”
“To me,” he told her in what he thought to be a marvelous piece of acting, “You will always be my queen.”
Iracebeth sighed and embraced him. Stayne tried to suppress a shudder of revulsion.
They walked hand in hand, courtesy of the shackles that bound them together, through the wild landscape of the Outlands.
It wasn’t long before Iracebeth, soft and lazy creature that she was, begged for a rest. Stayne obliged, his face a mask of false concern.
He suggested she lie down in the soft leaves and have herself a rest. He would keep watch, he assured her.
She agreed readily. “My Stayne,” she caressed his face. “What should I ever do without you?”
Iracebeth lay on the ground, and indeed within a matter of a few minutes, was soundly asleep and snoring away.
This was the moment that Stayne had been waiting for, quickly, before she could react, his hands descended on her neck. Iracebeth came alive, her eyes bulging, her hands clutching at his arms, desperate to free herself. Her legs moved wildly, trying to come up to kick him, but he was out of her reach. As her desperation grew she reached up and clawed at his face, leaving a trail of bloody scratches. Stayne was not deterred in the least. He had been dreaming about this moment for years. Now that it had come, he felt elated. He found himself laughing as this prey’s struggles grew weaker and weaker and finally ceased altogether.
The former Red Queen was dead.
It had been a simple thing to do, really.
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...
Date: 2010-05-06 09:21 pm (UTC)Re: ...
Date: 2010-05-08 10:53 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-06 09:42 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-07 12:06 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-08 10:54 pm (UTC)*is evil*
(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-06 11:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-08 10:55 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-07 12:35 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-08 10:55 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-07 02:28 am (UTC)Also! D: About Alice and Stayne and the Red Queen. I can't wait until the next set now! You're evil for leaving it hanging at that.
But, <3 all the same!
(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-08 10:56 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-07 01:34 pm (UTC)You have really left us all hanging here!
So glad so see more of these, looking forward to the next set!
(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-08 10:56 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-07 02:46 pm (UTC)But again, wonderful writing :)
And I love that song (the FMA song)
(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-08 10:57 pm (UTC)Isn't that song the best! I love Yui.
wow
Date: 2010-05-08 04:56 am (UTC)I LOVE that she named the bandersnatch "Lady Ascot!" :)
Re: wow
Date: 2010-05-08 10:57 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-05-22 04:16 am (UTC)But really, Stayne seems like he would be a lot of fun to write/play with. Is he? Or am I dreaming things? :p
As always, excellent stuff. (: