Snippet #1886315

Cheshire

He shed the small cat form long ago and was now running full throttle as a being about the size of a tiger. His once beautiful, vivid coat was now ragged and coated in dried blood, both his own and his enemies. Patches of torn skin revealed themselves through the mess of fur due to battling against variously sized claws and teeth. His once ferocious form now appeared strained and weary, no longer holding its frightening appeal. His eyes had returned to their normal, now dimmer, yellow as he darted through the thick brush, wary of other infected creatures. His muscles screamed as he pushed himself further into the forest, trying his best to out run the Plague behind him. He knew he stood no match for the creature, not alone. He needed to find help or a safe haven to lie low and recoup. The rate at which he was traveling he would have to stop. Soon. The last thing he needed was to collapse and become a part of Jabberwockey's mutilated army.

He allowed himself to slow and catch his breath, fading everything out but his alert eyes. He tried to smell where the others might have gone, but only blood and decay stung his nostrils. He hoped they retreated far enough away. He trusted Absolem's gifts and was sure they had a good head start. Nothing fueled power more than fear, but he wanted to see that they were alive and well and be rid of the dread which lay like lead in his chest. He wondered if his child thought him cruel, to cast her aside, to a stranger, a possible enemy. He wondered if she hated him now. It had been a while since he had taken that form and he remembered regretfully how the others reacted upon it. It wasn't a pleasant memory. Though he loved getting reactions from others, fear wasn't the reaction he went for, regardless if it had been a necessity. Jabberwockey always had a way of bringing the worst out of people..

A weak smile broke forth as he took comfort in the familiarty of the surrounding area. He'd been here before to take pleasure in his taunting escapades. He didn't let himself get side-tracked though. He knew the Beast was most likely following him. The creature had a vendetta against him for some unknown reason. "Lucky me," he groaned humourlessly. The way he saw it, he could either find Absolem and his contractor or reintroduce the beast to the other chains. Figuring the exhaustion Absolem would most likely have convoying two children, Cheshire decided the latter. Though, he yearned to be with them, he didn't wish to endanger his child and have two inadequate Chains to defend against a newly reborn monster. Thus, exerting himself once more, he picked up his pace and forced himself towards the Chain who lived nearby.

Though he despised being in her company, he knew she was skilled in more ways than just divulging in scandalous stories. He witnessed her mean streak and though he couldn't put himself in her 'boy's' shoes, he felt he could trust her motherly instincts to take over. Afterall, The Duchess was a violent, though polite, Wonderlandian.