♞9th Cup ◊ Audio ; I Knew Only a Moment Ago...
I daresay I had not been--quite expecting such a curse. [some snipping, a ruffle of fabric] It wasn't quite right--nor wrong--nor truly twixt the two at that...I could--would and have wanted to--nor thought to, or rememory unfaulty and unbroken--..even see their faces. Gone now.
[a clatter--he tries to smile through the words]
..From what I can understand, there--are..schools in most worlds as the ones we attended? I cannot say I liked much of them, the more..painful parts--but there were..some...things to be enjoyed, newer friends in particular--
[a lighter tone now] I never attended such proper academy...or improper--or unproper at that. Though simple and gently enjoyed, my humbled education was all I needed then and now--..I think. Had known. Before. [silence stretches for a moment...his tone changes, darker, deeper, with a throaty suspiciously Scottish twinge]
The smoke was gray, not black. It--it wasn't gray, it was orange in the light, might, melancholy, mayhemish misteppings of it.
False and unfair rememory of it all--I had known, did know--and now I, me, I, we--what is the Hatter with me-- Matter with me...
[a pause--a scattered crash, his chair turning over and communicator tumbling to the ground]
Long has paled that sunny sky, Echoes fade and memories die, Autumn frosts have slain July--Still she haunts me, phantomwise--Alice moving under skies, Never seen by waking eyes. Children yet, the tale to hear, Eager eye and willing ear, Lovingly shall nestle near. Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch...