A Picture is a Poem without Words (Open;casual)

[absol]

Absol leaned back in his chair sipping on some freshly brewed tea. He always did like a nice cup of tea in the morning after all. As he finished the cup off he noticed that a majority of his students were sitting in their seats. When he was completely finished with his tea he set down the cup and tried to get his papers in order. He was far from the most organized and it would seem that his class notes were not where he remembered putting them. Now that he thought about it, he couldn't remember putting them anywhere. Ah now it made sense; he never made any notes in the first place. He had been a little.....busy last night. Oh there was Wonderland too of course. Always made for quite the entertainment. He quickly snapped out of his thoughts and realized that most of the class was waiting for him to start.

"Well I see we're missing a few mates," he started as he took a glance around the room. He was far from learning any of their names of course, but he could still see that a few of the seats were empty. Maybe his reputation was preceding him. After all, it was only the first day.

"Seeing as that this is an art class, I suppose we should be doing art. I was going to make a lesson plan, but more pressing matters got a hold of me last night. I suppose we'll just both have to wing it. Now make something for me by the end of class."

As he finished he took a seat and looked up at the class; there was the usual looks of confusion. He always did feel bad about doing this on the first day, but not enough to stop of course. Actually now that he thought about it he really didn't feel that bad. He was about to turn his attention to his own artwork when he noticed noise coming from his side. It seemed someone was coming to class late. Might as well have a little fun with it. He quickly stood up out of his chair and made his way towards the door. With a quick fling of his hand, he flung the doors wide open. Now to see who this student was.

[aylsscarol]

Alyss couldn’t believe it, she had overslept on her first day! Well technically she could have just looked at the clock this morning and have been like "F*@# it I don’t wanna get up!” but nope, Alyss came to college for a reason and that reason was to learn. Her first class was art and luckily for her the reason she had overslept was because of staying in Wonderland for a bit too long. She was searching for the Jabberwocky and then after she found it the Caterpillar had left her! Alyss was going to show it that she might be the real Alice, but he just upped and left!

Alyss ran around the halls searching for the right class, but couldn’t seem to remember the number and she had been in such a hurry the only things she brought were her book bag with her supplies for the day ahead and her cell phone. Alyss looked around for somebody to ask directions from and saw a face that seemed very familiar so she decided to ask him.

"Excuse me sir can you tell me what class room the freshman art class is? Im new here so I don’t know" Alyss asked this man in a very innocent manner.

"Why its room 271, young lady and I believe I never caught your name" the man responded

"Its Alyss Carol, by now sir, I hope to see you soon."

Alyss then ran off to class and when she found the right room she heard the teacher already talking and his voice seemed very familiar. Also the way he talked reminded her of somebody she knew, but she couldn’t place her finger on it. As soon as she got to the doors they swung wide open and it hit Alyss who this man was or at least who he seemed like.

" Caterpillar, I mean sorry im late sir; I will give no excuses and go straight to any work you have assigned for us."

[aresxwarxgod]

Chester had gotten ready for this day just like any other. He had awaken in his apartment, brewed himself some coffee, closed his eyes and picked a random wardrobe. He had started to cheat at this game that he played with himself because he has started to remember where certain clothes were. He had chosen one of his more "zany" outfits for the first day this semester; he liked creeping out the kids. Chester didn't have a first period this semester so he had arrived after most students were in class. He walked through the lonely halls looking at all the new slight changes.

All of a sudden Chester heard the sound of a raging elephant coming down the hall. Chester put on his usual act that he used to blend in, but remembered; he was all alone and stuck out like a sore thumb. The noise came around the corner and manifested in the shape of a young girl obviously late to something. she stormed towards his direction and stopped, then she approached him.

"Excuse me sir can you tell me what class room the freshman art class is? I'm new here so I don’t know," the woman asked Chester in a very innocent manner. One too innocent for a girl who just went on a late fit.

"Why its room 271, young lady and I believe I never caught your name," Chester answered just as calmly with a smile creeping up on his face.

"Its Alyss Carol, by now sir, I hope to see you soon," Alyss replied and burst off in a rampage.

Chester watched her off and shrugged. He continued on to his classroom. He unlocked the door and walked to his desk. He noticed everything was already in order and ready for the day. He had down everything the night before. Man he really did get bored alot. He needed some new hobbies to do. Chester started to get a smile again and decided to go visit his good old friend Absol. Really Absol hated him but he loved agitating him.

Chester peered around the corner of the hall to Absol's room. He saw the girl names Alyss knocking on the door. He saw Absol open up the door and the Alyss apologize and act as if she wasn't quite thinking straight. He snuck up and slipped in as the girl dashed in the classroom and Absol turned to close the door. At first it seemed no one noticed him in the room, he still had it. Chester followed Absol back to his desk, making sure to stay in his shadow. As Absol sat down Chester noticed that all the kids were doing something different. Silly ol Absol must have forgot his lesson plan again. Chester started to snicker and walked up behind Absol's seat.

"Boo," Chester whispered, loud enough for him to hear. He had the biggest smile he had so far today day.

[absol]

As he opened the door he looked down to see a girl standing there. She immediately began to apologize and said something about going straight to work. He didn’t really pay any attention to that though. For some reason she had blurted out caterpillar. Was she from Wonderland? Now that he thought about it, her face did seem familiar. What was her name, though? It started with an ‘a’…..or maybe it was an ‘o’? He quickly motioned the girl to go to an empty seat as he pondered and started to walk back to his desk. As he approached his seat, he had the eerie feeling of someone being behind him. Almost as if on cue, he heard a single word; “Boo”. It could be none other than the cat himself.

“Must you always try to frighten me,” Absol remarked after a few seconds. After that little scare he had to compose himself. Couldn’t let Chester have too much of a laugh after all. “You know I don’t appreciate when you…..interrupt my class. I’m sure it is very distracting for the students. After all, it’s not every day that they get to see a circus act.”

He had never been too big of a fan of Chester’s style choice. Then again, who would be a fan of that kind of style? He wasn’t exaggerating too much when he said that Chester belonged in a circus. He fit the bill in more than one way to say the least. As Absol looked back at the class he noticed that they were all watching him. Now Chester was sure to make a show out of the situation. He couldn’t resist with an audience present. All Absol could hope for now was a student to come up and interrupt the little charade. The chances of that happening were slim though. Who would want to interrupt such an entertaining show? It wasn’t every day that a student got to see such a display between teachers….then again maybe it was every day. It sure felt like it anyways.

[aylsscarol]

Alyss spent her time working on an artwork based on what she saw on the Jabberwocky in Wonderland, She did a great job outlining its reptilian features but also showing some avian details as well. Alyss had finished very fast; she was always good at finishing things fast at least when it came to writing or drawing.

Alyss looked up from her seat and her drawing pad to see the man that she had asked for directions from. She saw why he looked so familiar; he was none other than that annoying cat! What the hell?! Two people from Wonderland meeting her on her first day at school? This is too weird even if she was a girl that magically transported to a mystical world whenever she slept. Alyss went to the teacher’s desk whilst the two Wonderlandians were arguing and put her drawing on the desk. She stood there for a little bit just to see if they would notice her. They showed very little interest in anything except each other. They even argued like this in Wonderland, Alyss could swear that at one point they must have been married.

"So now I see that the cat is also here. When did you get here anyways? You are quite annoying, oh Mr. Caterpillar I finished your assignment and it’s based off of the Jabberwocky I was tracking last night. So here it is im going to take a nap, we should talk after class. Wake me up im visiting Wonderland for a tiny bit."

Alyss went back to her seat and fell asleep and then went into Wonderland. She looked around and saw nothing much of interest well except for the twins but they were quite boring at the moment. Alyss pick some herbs and cataloged them, this had become a habit of hers, and she wanted to check every plant around Wonderland.

[aresxwarxgod]

Chester looked at Alyss with a wry smile. "If she keeps calling us a cat and a caterpillar she will probably end up in a mental ward soon. And going around saying your going to visit Wonderland probably wont help either," he said to Absol as the young girl walked away. "She gets in a prophecy and suddenly thinks she runs the show in the real world too."

Chester pulled an apple off Absol's desk, sat on it, and begun eating the apple. He found all this funny, all because it would make Absol upset. "If she happens to give you any...problem, i know a good mental ward." Chester began smiling again, but not for the reason Absol probably thought.

Chester had begun cooking up a plan to put Alyss back in her place. The formation of a crooked smile had dawned. This was a plan he would keep to himself, not even old Absol would know it.

[absol]

As the girl approached the desk he felt a wave of relief. At least he would have a reason to ignore Chester for a second or so. As she put down her artwork, she called him ‘Mr. Caterpillar’. Now that was a new one. Apparently she knew him rather well, yet he could just not place a name to her. When she was walking back to her seat he heard Chester making some snide comments. He supposed that it was just in his nature to joke about everything. A little cliché for his tastes, but he did have a point for once. She just couldn’t go around making such blatant references to Wonderland and such. Well she could, but it definitely wouldn’t be in her interest. Unless, of course, her interest was getting stuck in the cuckoo’s nest so to speak. At the mention of a prophecy he suddenly remembered who the girl must be. It was Alice….or Alyss….or was it Aylss? He supposed that they all sounded the same. He would just have to check the roster sometime. Speaking of which, where had that gotten to?

Before he could look through the chaos that was his desk, however, Cheshire decided to take a nice seat right on top of it. As he made a comment about the mental ward, a devilish grin overtook his face. Absol knew that grin all too well. It meant Cheshire was about to do something that he probably shouldn’t. That had never seemed to stop him before.

”I’m sure you have all the experience in the world with the good ol’ nutter bins,"Absol said with a chuckle," Now if you would be so kind to get off my desk, I would be much obliged. And whatever is going on in that twisted mind of yours, mind you I doubt that’s very much, I would advise against it. I’ve seen that smile before and nothing good has ever come of it. So how about you act like a half-way decent human being and clear off.”

With that ordeal finished he turned his attention to the piece of art that the girl had left. As she had said it was a Jabber…….something. He supposed it didn’t really matter too much. He had never been good with names. While he was sure the work would gain wider recognition as an abstract work, he saw it as a depiction of something that was all too real in his mind. The detail was nice and he had to appreciate her ability to remember so much of it. He often had trouble remembering what he had for breakfast, let alone the details of a mythical beast. While it was hardly mythical there were few others ways to describe it. He supposed whimsical would do.

[aylsscarol]

Alyss was waiting around examining the herbs she had picked up. She was extremely bored here, but she looked at the herbs, there was some Thurmantic Ivy, and some Lacstic Acid tree leaves, and then some good ol' fashion Wonderland tea leaves. Alyss made some tea out of it and looked at the time on her watch; it was about time to go back to the real world.

Alyss woke up from her seat to see the two other figures from Wonderland still arguing. This time the cat may be trying to get rid of her, he frequently did that, he one time made almost everybody in Wonderland believe Alyss was overthrowing the Red Queen it took Alyss days to convince everybody back to that she was ok with the rule. She almost lost her head! Alyss walked down to them; still a little drowsy she wasn’t in a very joking mood, maybe sarcastic though.

"Plotting against me again Cat? Luckily for me my 'teacher' here doesn’t like you too much so the chances of getting him on your side are slim. I think this is a little odd that we three from Wonderland are meeting here in one place at similar times, and I’m guessing we all live around here too. I think if we want to keep Wonderland separate from the real world we need to know each other by our names. In case you've forgotten my name is Alyss Carol, A-L-Y-S-S, yes an odd spelling but im still Alyss. So whets your guy’s names?"

Alyss looked at the two oddities in front of her. An indifferent Teacher druggy, and a creepy stalker man. This situation was pretty odd but then so was Alyss.

[aresxwarxgod]

Chester knew Absol wouldn't like his plan, that's why he didn't tell him. He knew Absol would also warn him not to execute such a plan; they have been down this road many times before. Absol was normally right about these things, but Chester didn't care about being right, only having fun. Chester looked at the drawing placed on the desk. He picked it up and examined it every which way. "Yep, mental ward soon enough," Chester thought. Chester didnt remember too much of what the creature looked like but she probably was pretty spot on.

Chester noticed the obnoxious girl finally wake up from her little nap and approach them. She was rather blatant about what she had to say, not to mention rude. He slowly liked this girl less and less. Her personality was about as attractive as a Bandersnatch. He wondered if Absol would be able to keep control of this girl, especially in his own classroom. Chester didn't care too much about what the girl had to say, he just kept elaborating on his plan. Then it struck him that he should probably answer.

"My name is Chester. Chester Lutwidge. If you don't know how to spell it then just try the best you can." Chester was done speaking he felt more like watching then being one of the main characters in this occurrence. Absol's answer to all this was probably better then his own anyway.

[absol]

He was a bit surprised that Chester looked at the picture. Art didn’t exactly seem to be his thing. As he was looking at it, he seemed to find something funny about it. By this time Absol had moved on and was trying to turn his attention to a little sketch he had been working on. Fate wouldn’t let him off that easy, though, now would it. As if on cue, the girl decided to walk back up to the desk and start talking to them. She sure was blunt to say the least. While he could hardly complain about someone else being rude, for he didn’t like being a hypocrite, she could learn some tact. She then went on to tell them her name and then spell it out. He supposed it was a rather strange spelling, but must she really spell it out for them. Last he checked they were not children. Well….maybe Chester, but still. After Chester made his little comment, Absol supposed that it was his turn.

”First of all, I would like to point out that while I am not on Mr. Lutwidge’s ‘side’, as you put it I believe, I am also not on yours. Secondly, I think you have been watching too many movies for your own good. I hardly doubt I will get this place mixed up with Wonderland. Quite the difference last time I checked. As for my name, I can’t let you have it that easily. How about a riddle, eh? Better yet let’s make it five riddles; one for each letter of my name. The first letter of each answer will spell out my name. Sound fair?”

With that he grabbed a piece of paper and started writing down some riddles. He placed them in order of his name and then handed it over to Alyss. He supposed it was a little mean, but it would be fun to see if she could get them all. He doubted it, but who knew?

1. Kings and queens may cling to power and the jester's got his call. But, as you may all discover, the common one outranks them all.
2. I'm lighter than air but a million men can't lift me. What am I?
3. At night they come without being fetched. By day they are lost without being stolen. What are they?
4. Ripped from my mother's womb, beaten and burned, I become a blood thirsty killer. What am I?
5. I am, in truth, a yellow fork from tables in the sky by inadvertent fingers dropped the awful cutlery. Of mansions never quite disclosed and never quite concealed, the apparatus of the dark to ignorance revealed.

[aylsscarol]

Alyss was getting a little better in her mood, she wasn’t as tired. Alyss started to smile when The Caterpillar mentioned guessing his name with Riddles. Alyss was not too good at riddles but she could get very determined when it came to them.

After he told Alyss the riddles Alyss started thinking them over in her head. 'ok the first riddle Kings and queens may cling to power and the jester's got his call. But, as you may all discover, the common one outranks them all. Well, nobody outranks the king and queen in real life so it must be like a game, cards maybe? Then the Ace beats them! Ok then its on to the second riddle, I'm lighter than air but a million men can't lift me. What am I? Again not logically here, so it must be something that we can’t hold. Like air, but air starts with a so it can’t be that, maybe breath then? Ok then number 3, at night they come without being fetched. By day they are lost without being stolen. What are they? This ones easy, I saw it in a movie once, it’s the stars. Ok then time for number 4, Ripped from my mother's womb, beaten and burned, I become a blood thirsty killer. What am I? This ones a little tricky, it doesn’t sound like anything I know of, yup I just can’t think of it so ill go back to it. I am, in truth, a yellow fork from tables in the sky by inadvertent fingers dropped the awful cutlery. Of mansions never quite disclosed and never quite concealed, the apparatus of the dark to ignorance revealed. This one sounds difficult but if you get rid of the hard words the answers simple, it’s lightning. Ok then his name is ABS L all im missing is that second to last letter.'

Alyss was writing her answers down on a piece of paper and showed them to the Caterpillar. She pulled up a seat and looked at the Cat or maybe she should call him Chester. She questioned him with her eyes, why was he here at the college and why did he fight with the caterpillar so much.

"If im right then I came assume your name is Absol, or something like that but I know your name is A, b, s, and l something. now that we are all acquainted I think its a little to odd for three Wonderlandians to all meet in the same area, it just cant be a coincidence now can it? There has to be a reason, so what do the two smartest people in wonderland think of it?"

[aresxwarxgod]

Chester was surprised that Absol would be so harsh when it came to giving forth his name. Chester had heard all those riddles before and well, he knew Absol's name, so they were pretty easy to guess. But he decided to give the girl her time to shine, and she still couldn't answer one. Chester didn't really enjoy Alyss and here she was thinking to herself for the longest time. For a girl who usually "finishes" early, it sure took her along time to finish thinking.

Worse off she gave him accusing glare when she finally finished. She gave him one of those looks that screams curiosity about why your here. "I'm a professor" Chester answered. Chester put one foot up on the desk and made a dramatic stance. It reminded him of Captain Morgan."At this very college. And you might want to watch out speaking about Wonderland out in public like this. Wouldn't want anyone to think your insane and send you to a ward." Chester had begun a smile that slowly crept up his face as he dismounted off the desk. She was clearly right about him and Absol being the smartest in Wonderland, because she sure wasn't. Chester nestled back into his out of the way spot to let Absol fight the battle while he watched.

[absol]

As Alyss tried to figure out the riddles, Absol couldn't help but smile. He always liked perplexing others with little games like that. It wasn't that he truly cared about hiding his name of course. It was never something that easy. He supposed it was more of something to do with his enjoyment of confusing others. More-so, he thought, the reactions it drew out of people. He liked to make people think. That was probably one of the reasons he decided to teach in the first place. Whether they got what he was trying to say was normally a different story. Even if they didn't get it, though, at least he succeeded in making them think. In this day and age that was an accomplishment in itself.

As Alyss handed him back the paper he was mildly pleased. She had been able to get four of the five; much better than he would have thought. She then went on to say something about how it was strange that they would all meet like this. He supposed she had a point, but he was never one to put too much weight to anything. Maybe there really was some guiding force that had destined them to meet here. He truly doubted it though. After all, how cruel would fate have to be to make Chester a colleague of his? Before he could really say anything, though, Chester decided to make a scene out of the question. It was just like him of course, but Absol was no less happy because of that fact. Beyond that, though, he didn't really say anything substantial. What a shock.

"Well my dear, I don't really think anything of us meeting here.While I do find it a little odd, and disheartening if I might add, I truly believe it could be coincidence. Stranger things have happened as the old saying goes. Oh, but you might want to listen to Chester for once. I know its rare, but sometimes he actually gives good advice. Continuing to talk about, ya know, that openly isn't exactly going to get you anywhere but the loony bin," Absol took a quick pause and looked down at his watch. It was getting close to the end of the period. After this little fiasco, he would need to go get some more tea. He couldn't let himself get too worked up this early in the morning. It just wasn't good for the nerves.

"While I do enjoy the compliment I would hardly consider myself the smartest in Wonderland. Wisest, maybe, but I would never be so conceited as to place my intelligence that highly. Only fools would. Do you have anything else to say, for if not I would think you should go mingle with your peers. After all, talking to two deranged old men isn't going to help you much in your college life."

Hopefully that would be the end of it. He really had an itch to continue his little sketch. If he didn't get back to it soon he knew he would lose the inspiration. He truly doubted that he would get back to it though. With Ms. Curious and Mr. Mischievous with him there would hardly be a moment of peace. He couldn't even escape them in his sleep. Quite the problem indeed. The smoke would help him clear his mind though. He just had to remember that smoke. Oh if only night would come a little faster. Too bad he still had most of the day to go.

[aylsscarol]

Alyss looked at Chester when he had made a spectacle out of himself in front of the class. Which by the way said class was paying more attention to their actual work than the conversation between the Wonderlandians? Alyss saw her roommate just finishing as Absol was done talking. Alyss got up and gave her the one moment finger.

"Good to know im the only one that thinks this isn’t a coincidence, and by the way professor Lutwidge, if I end up having your class expects a lot of trouble from me. I need to pay you back for all those times now don’t I? Oh and Mr. Absol my friends already think im quite boring so maybe if I became insane they would like the change. Bye now sirs see you later."

After this comment towards the two teachers Alyss walked over to her roommate who then started to talk about Anime and Manga, her roommate was an Otaku and Alyss hated that about her, her roommate should learn by now just when to shut her mouth. Alyss faked being happy and started her explaining about why she had to talk with the teachers, Alyss said that they wanted to see her around lunch or sometime to discuss her own artwork and how it looked. This was enough to get the annoying one to shut up. 'Some people are just so stupid.' Alyss thought to herself. Now Alyss was just waiting for the bell to ring.

[aresxwarxgod]

Chester noticed Alyss finally walk away. His day was starting to look up. Then he looked at his watch. He had to go back to class and teach. He still wanted to badger Absol some more. Chester pardoned himself with a bow, turn on his heels, and escorted himself out.

Chester had beat the bell by a few moments. He sat in his chair and then he remembered what Alyss had said she would if she was in his class. He grabs for his roster and examined it. Of course....she was on there. Chester tilted his head back and closed his eyes, thinking. A smile came about. He massaged his temples, thinking that he would return the favor if Alyss decided to "act out."