LESSER KNOWN AUs ADVENTURE

*ASK QUESTIONS

Cheshire eased his heavy breathing, and propped himself against the door. Despite his whole weight still being thrown upon it, another force was pushing with a great amount of strength.

"Let us in..." The voice spluttered and hissed. Our hero caught another metallic scrape.

They have weapons. Cheshire Cat strained to keep his knees from knocking.

Yet, thoughts flooded his brain again, given him some doubts on the credibility of his fears.

Really, you are a scaredy-cat. God, who are you even? Certainly not the person I remember.

Ask some questions! You'll never figure out anything by cowering like that! Er, no offense.

Fourth option. PARRTAYY!

Cheshire Cat didn't know about the last one, but it did help him realize something.

This is normal.

Well, it used to be normal. Back a little ways ago, random guests would gather around a long wooden table as the Mad Hatter served them cakes and treats. Once, even human came; of all things, and claimed it was all wacky and fun. (Cheshire Cat took the liberty to watch the human after that.) The Mad Hatter was delighted, and invited them to stay. The human had scooted away, however, determined to get back onto their mission.

Our cranky visionary rolled his eyes. Wow, have I been that out of practice? I'm starting to think like a human. He suppressed a shudder.

Although, tea parties weren't planned here, Cheshire Cat was sure he could, ah, point them in the right direction.

His bristling fur told him otherwise. Humor them. Ask questions! Quiz them for information.

He sighed, finally giving in to his cautions, and twirled on one heel toward the door.

"Why are you here?" He demanded.

A sophisticated clearing-of-throat told him all he needed to know. "Ah, well, I'm sure you are aware of the reason we have come."

What? "No I'm not aware of anything!"

"Too bad. Wrong place? The deeper voice inquired, but, of course, was ignored.

"What do you mean you don't know?!" The Sans-impostor tsk-tsked. "You mean, erm, h-he never explained it to you?"

"Who's he? I know a lot of he's." To Cheshire Cat's surprise, his thumping heart began to sink.

"The nightmare..." His partner answered vaguely. He sounded strangely awed and gleeful.

Cheshire Cat's whiskers quivered. "The nightmare? What nightmare?!"

A awkward pause passed. He imagined the two short skeletons exchanging troubled glances.

The old-fashioned voice spoke first. "Ahh... it seems, we have, ah, stumbled upon the wrong place... hm."

"I was right!" Came the smug reply.

"Watch it, hound, or I'll slice that grin off your face." Came the curt come-back.

"Anyway, sorry to bother you and your lovely home... we'll be taking our leave. Goodbye, sir!" The stiff silence implied a salute.

Then, a pitter-patter of shoes shambling away. Also the hisses of secrets, just beyond our fool's range of hearing.

His ears pinned. His claws flexed. His tail was coiled and ready to spring.

*WHAT SHOULD CHESHIRE CAT DO?
*FOLLOW THEM SECRETLY *SLEEP
*CALL THEM BACK *PARTY. PLEASE.