Commentfics I've written for the exchange - so far!

[amedia]

I've responded to three prompts on demilos_wagon so far. It's a great way to get writing, if anyone wants to join in! (hint, hint)

Here are the ficlets I've written (all gen):

diabolicalfiend asked for "Zero and Lonot, preferably with Zero respectfully insulting Lonot."

Azkadellia strode away, having made it clear that Lonot's most recent failure had taxed her remaining patience. Once she was gone, Zero chuckled.

Lonot rounded on him. "What's so funny?"

"I'm just glad I'm not you."

Lonot turned away. "You have a point there," he said. He looked shaken, older than Zero had ever seen him.

"Cheer up," said Zero. "You're indispensable, aren't you? What were her words at the medal ceremony - 'our most loyal friend,' isn't that right?" He pretended to look thoughtful. "Oh, no, wait. Those weren't HER words."

Lonot flushed red. "How dare you--" he broke off and strode away, mumbling "insolent puppy" under his breath.

Zero watched him go; any pity he had once felt for Lonot was long since overshadowed by contempt. Lonot won't last much longer, he thought. Then I'll have to deal with the Sorceress directly. Fear and excitement both stirred within him.

kseda asked for "That one time the Mystic Man's pet tin man and the queen's adviser got drunk and whined about working for crazy people."

Wyatt Cain needed a drink.

Yes, it was two o'clock in the afternoon, and no, he didn't normally drink that early in the day, but this was a special case.

He had been running errands (errands!) for his employer in a hoity-toity district, but a bar's a bar no matter where you are, and he spotted one quickly.

Ducking into the dim interior, he allowed his eyes to adjust and then looked around. There weren't any customers in the place at all; the little tables and chairs were all empty. No, wait, there was one morose-looking fellow sitting at the bar.

Cain chose a stool three seats away from the other guy; not so far that he looked unfriendly, not so close as to get into the other guy's space. He needn't have worried. The other guy, whose maroon velvet suit probably cost more than Cain's monthly salary, looked up and said, "Can I buy you something?"

Cain scrutinized him. Not really drunk yet, but a sheet or two to the wind. No danger signs. Cain nodded.

"What'll ya have?" asked the guy, motioning to the bartender.

"A beer."

The other man waved his hand dismissively. "I wanna be generous. How about a Scotch?"

Cain nodded. The bartender gave him a questioning glance, and Cain said, "On the rocks."

"Make it a double," said his companion. The bartender glanced at Cain again, and he nodded. Moving down to the stool next to his benefactor's, Cain put his hand out. "Name's Cain. Thanks for the drink."

"Ambrose," said the other, shaking his hand with a pleasantly firm grip. "No problem." He cocked his head and looked closely at Cain. "I suspect we're here for similar reasons." He finished his drink in a single gulp and pushed the glass forward for a refill. "Employer driving you crazy?"

Cain laughed. "How'd you guess?"

Ambrose tapped his forehead. "I didn't guess. I know. I've seen you around--don't you work for the Mystic Man?"

Cain was impressed. "Yes, I do," he said, accepting the Scotch from the bartender.

"They don't come any crazier than him. Well, except for *my* boss." Ambrose sipped his new drink. "Not that I want to sound ... disloyal."

There was an emphasis on that last word that made Cain momentarily thoughtful. Something clicked in his memory. "You're an advisor to the Queen, aren't you? I've seen your picture somewhere."

Ambrose wagged a correcting finger. "THE advisor to the Queen. Numero Uno." He sighed. "Yes, the Queen. Who wants me to figure out a way to extend the growing season and make the winter less harsh, so the people will love her even more than they do now, as if that were possible. Do you know what happens when the winter isn't cold enough to kill the mosquitoes? Have you ever lived in a place where there are..." he lowered his voice conspiratorially and leaned closer to Cain, "fire ants?" Cain shook his head. Ambrose straightened up and said with great dignity, "It isn't nice. But does she listen to me?"

"No?" Cain guessed.

"No," Ambrose said emphatically. "Hey, your drink's empty. Bartender!"

Sipping his second double Scotch, Cain relaxed enough to say, "How many brilliant and powerful seers send their security detail out to drop off the dry cleaning? I should be guarding him, not giving special instructions about silk velvet dress robes versus polyester satin everyday caftans to people who already know their jobs. And why he has to dress like that in the first place I have NO CLUE. But does he listen to me?"

"No?"

"No."

Ambrose raised his glass. "Here's to unreasonable employers. May they never suffer the consequences of their ... " he appeared to be visibly running through a list of possible words in his mind and rejecting each one, clearly mouthing "stupidity" and "shortsightedness" before finally settling on "... eccentricity."

"I'll drink to that," said Cain.

moony_blues asked for "a TM/Alice crossover."

"Thank you for inviting me back, Charlie," said Jack, looking around the White Knight's hidden realm. "Last time I was here, I didn't really have a chance to take it all in."

"Delighted, my boy. What can I show you first?"

"I'm actually most curious about how this place is maintained and kept hidden from ordinary view."

"Many people would like to know that," Charlie said with a grin. His voice changed and took on an otherworldly tone. "That information is restricted only to those who can tap into the occult mysteries of the Unseen All-Seeing."

Jack eyed him for a moment. "In other words, you don't know either."

"I wouldn't say that," Charlie said uffishly, drawing himself up to his full dignity. "I just don't choose to explain it to everyone who comes along."

"Charlie, I'm not exactly everyone. I am your King."

Charlie slumped, defeated. "You're right. I haven't got the foggiest idea how it works." He brightened. "But I know someone who does! Here, help me build a Summoning Fire."

Charlie and Jack gathered enough firewood to build a respectable small blaze, and then Charlie produced small sack of powder and threw it into the flames. The effect was remarkable; the flames turned pink, silver, green, vermilion, and a sweet-smelling smoke rose delicately into the air. Charlie raised and lowered his arms like a conductor, seeming to guide the level of the flames; closing his eyes, he waited until the flames were all colors of the rainbow at once and the smoke was at its highest, and shouted, "GABADOON LA BOOSHE!"

"Right here," said a new voice directly behind them. Charlie and Jack spun and found themselves facing a curiously-dressed man whose riotous curls did not conceal a shiny zipper running from the center of his hairline to the back of his head.

"Finally!" said Charlie. "I've been calling you for days. You would have come in handy several times over."

"I can't travel across the dimensions without the Summoning Fire, you know that," said the newcomer crossly. "Who's your friend?"

Recollecting his manners, Charlie said, "King Jack, this is Ambrose Gabadoon, one of the most brilliant minds ever to meld science and magic."

"Charmed," said the King.

Ambrose bowed elegantly. "Well, I *used* to have one of the most brilliant minds. Now the Sorceress has half of it. In a jar." He looked pensive. "Charlie called me Ambrose. I hope I can remember that. Most people just call me Glitch nowadays."

Jack smiled. "Glitch. Maybe we can help each other."

Comments

[gigglingkat]

OMG YAY! I've been waiting for some "Storyverse" fics!!!!

And of course Charlie and Glitch know each other. It explains so much. LOL

[amedia.livejournal.com]

And of course Charlie and Glitch know each other. It explains so much.

Indeed! Thanks for the kind feedback!

[erinm-4600.livejournal.com]

I'm about two days behind and stalking the replies. *pounces*

All are perfect!

[amedia.livejournal.com]

Thank you kindly!

[xfirefly9x.livejournal.com]

Oh this is awesome! Love it! ♥

[amedia.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear it - thanks so much!

Come to my arms, my beamish lass!

[verilyverity.livejournal.com]

Uffishly!

*bounce* *bounce* *bounce*

Re: Come to my arms, my beamish lass!

[amedia.livejournal.com]

Uffishly!

You noticed! *tackleglomps* Yay!

Re: Come to my arms, my beamish lass!

[verilyverity.livejournal.com]

*chortles*

Re: Come to my arms, my beamish lass!

[amedia.livejournal.com]

*passes you a filet of grilled borogove*

[davidsgirl8414.livejournal.com]

this is so cool love these two shows

[amedia.livejournal.com]

Thanks muchly!!!

[blindswandive.livejournal.com]

These are so fun! Cheers!

[amedia.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed them - thanks for letting me know!

[klcthebookworm.livejournal.com]

Oh that is AWESOME!

"Finally!" said Charlie. "I've been calling you for days. You would have come in handy several times over."

"I can't travel across the dimensions without the Summoning Fire, you know that," said the newcomer crossly. "Who's your friend?"

So that's what Charlie was doing with the wavy fingers pressing against his face. LOL

[amedia.livejournal.com]

So that's what Charlie was doing with the wavy fingers pressing against his face.

Exactly! *beams* Thanks for the kind comment!

[bulleteyes.livejournal.com]

"fireants"

*snort*

[amedia.livejournal.com]

"fireants"

Could resist slipping that one in there! :-) Someone mentioned the problems that might result if the Sun Seeder program had worked as planned - I think it was on tinman_meta - she didn't say "fire ants" but that was MY first thought! ;-)