Chapter 1: The Journal of Alfred Pennyworth is now
posted at Fanfiction.net and the Official Cat-Tales
Website
0 Kudo
CT 39: Polishing Silver
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 Chris Dee.gothampm |
CT 39: Polishing Silver |
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Posts: 3928 10/20/04 19:19 Gothamite |
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Unregistered(d) |
Reply to Cat-Tales 39: Polishing Silver | #1 | ||
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Posts: 0 10/20/04 19:50 |
I loved this!!!!! I just knew reading Alfred's
perspective on things would be great. This was too
funny.
I can't wait for the next one!!! Great job 
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Igor.gothampm |
Re: Cat-Tales 39: Polishing Silver | #2 | ||
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Posts: 803 10/20/04 21:12 Books. Cats. Life is GOOD |
One appreciated the early publishing of this first
chapter very much and would like to compliment the
mistress on this delightful and very enticing piece of
literature which so lightened up one's evening. Doth my
eye perchance deceive me or do I perceive a new goal to
Alfred's matchmaking? No matter, I would however like to
take this opportunity to share my favorite line from this
chapter:
"Miss Nutmeg" Alfred truly is a gentleman's gentleman, he knows his etiquette. |
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Kimberly T.gothampm |
re: Polishing Silver | #3 | ||
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Posts: 647 10/21/04 01:04 Gothamite |
A new Tale already! And done to perfection;
Alfred's 'voice' was right on the money, so to speak. (I
wanted to say something more in keeping with that same
excruciatingly correct and proper tone, but Igor got here
first and got the best lines, darnit.)
Quote: Oh, no, she doesn't see that as an omen at all, not a bit, nosirree... I could joke more about somebody still being in denial, but really, in this case Selina might just exhibiting the sort of caution and sensibility one acquires after being in the company of people like Jason Blood and Miriam Nash. When magic and the supernatural are REAL, even if exceedingly rare in one's daily life, unusual events should be examined and considered as omens and harbingers of more supernatural tidings, instead of just dismissed. Sometime in the course of this narrative, I would love to learn just how our so very proper and polite butler privately refers to Talia. And to the Joker. And perhaps a few other of the more colorful Rogues... Kimberly T.
"Everyone who believes in telekinesis, raise my hand!" |
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Unregistered(d) |
Re: Polishing Silver | #4 | ||
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Posts: 0 10/21/04 01:15 |
The Journal format is perfect for Alfred. It's
charming, to hear the formal speech patterns that would
be natural for him. It has been a long time since anyone
has captured the inner Alfred. I feel like Alfred's
finally being done justice.
We all knew that the Batman's batman (Sorry, had to say that  ) faced
unique challenges, but Eau d'Apokolips sounds truly
evil.I agree with Igor about "Miss Nutmeg." It would be the appropriate salutation if she was Selina's child, wouldn't it? (Not even pretending that my babies, I mean, cats aren't child surrogates.  )Denial. So many layers of it and such a dedicated individual watching out for their every need in a position to see so much of it. This is great! |
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Unregistered(d) |
Re: Polishing Silver | #5 | ||
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Posts: 0 10/21/04 03:19 |
This is interesting seeing things from Alfreds
perspective. The way he percieves their relationship
makes you wonder why he hasn't talked to Clark about
getting them to consider marriage, seeing as how they
both think it's about time they finally take that last
step. Alfred and Clark working on this situation could
prove to be the ultimate team-up, after all trying to get
2 of the most stubborn people on the planet to consider
getting married won't be easy.
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ThatSeanGuy |
Re: Polishing Silver | #6 | ||
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Posts: 380 10/21/04 04:00 Gothamite |
My inner clown glowered with pride at meriting
"the Joker himself.".
Good to know the butler knows what's what in the nemesis department, at least. That said, all and all, good job, but a little short. The biggest thing that happened is that we learned that(suprise) Alfred's Jeevsian plotting is back, abit in a much subtler tone. This says to me that this is either going to be a very long piece, or a character study, useing Alfred's wit and objectivity(or lack of) as a lense for the viewer. Either should be intresting. And, Chris, you were right. Very British, very dry, but that didn't slow me reading down. If anything, I dreaded the ending-Alfred is an honestly charming person, and you've captured that well. My only objection is a quibble-Alfred's use of "don't" with Selena. "Do not" was more in Al's voice. Yes, I know that's anal. So are good butlers. That said, I'm looking forward to the next chapter. Cheers! |
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Star Ranger4 |
Re: Polishing Silver | #7 | ||
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Posts: 1285 10/21/04 22:36 Adrift in Space |
WHoa... I dunno, personally I see a serious
bombshell developing there... Looks like Selina might
actually be ready for the next step... Dunno about Bruce,
since the Psycho-bat side of his personality might be
mugging it completely before it ever gets
expressed.
"I was an Otaku before those kids
came along and changed the meaning of the
word."
-- HM "Howling Mad" Wilson to more than one team-mate. |
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Midwest Sailor.gothampm |
Re: Polishing Silver | #8 | ||
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Posts: 95 10/23/04 06:57 |
What can I say? Alfred was spot-on. And since he
generaly sees things the way they are, the very fact that
he was spot-on means that everyone else was, too.
Plot-wise, I think I see the beginings of one large,
coherent story brewing, and I can't wait. The fact that
I'm not entirely sure what it will be about only makes it
better. There's not much here to critique, so I'll just
list some of my favorite moments:
Learning just where he gets the rest of his toys. I can just see it: silver-and chrome machinery goes in one side of the cave, jet black and bat-logo plastered crime-fighting gear thunders to life at the other. And don't think there wern't any Cave Man grunts at some point in the proceedings. Quote: Ironic, yes. The reason he's survived all those other death traps? I'm afraid that would also be a yes. It's unfortunate what he has to go through to do the things he does... Quote: *snicker* I'm sorry. This was during a serious discussion. but it's really what I love about Cat Tales' subject matter. We have a domestic situation where the above quote not only makes perfect sense, but can be taken seriously, even to the point of being a possible portent. It's just too ludicrious. And I love it. Nothing else about this chapter, but one thing to say about your writting in general, Chris. I'm very glad you keep trying new things. On the one hand, it adds a little spice to keep things interesting, while on the other it keeps you from recycling old New Things that were fun and clearly appropriate for the time, might grate if used too much. And, of course, it expands the possiblities, letting you tell stories that couldn't be told in any other way. These stories just keep getting better, and I think it's because you care about and work so hard on them. I wish more professional writers of the world write like that. |
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Chris Dee.gothampm |
Re: Polishing Silver | #9 | ||
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Posts: 3928 10/23/04 17:55 Gothamite |
Wow. I can't say much at this point, only chapter
1, plus a much needed day off and beautiful outdoors are
calling, but Sailor, I had to stop long enough to
acknowledge your wonderful words. Thank you so much.
More soon. |
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BenRG |
Re: Polishing Silver - Chapter 1 | #10 | ||
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Posts: 282 10/23/04 18:31 |
Hi folks! I'm sorry that I haven't been able to
review before, but I have only just had my Internet
connection restored after a prolonged technical fault on
my 'phone line.
Anyway, there is very little for me to say that hasn't already been said by my fellow posters. Nonetheless, I do have to say that I really like Chris' characterisation of Alfred. His 'relationship' with Nutmeg is especially cute. Like any cat, she will make it her business to be friends with The Keeper of the Great Can Opener. That aside... Is Alfred plotting to get Bruce and Selina to tie the knot? I would say 'no' at this stage. However, he does seem determined to get her to admit to herself (and get Bruce to admit it too) that she is, in spirit if not in name, "Mrs. Selina Kyle-Wayne". Heck, that just rolls of the tongue, doesn't it?  Poor Selina! Worried about Bruce! Still, let's face it, in their game, none of them trust in luck - it is too much of a ephemeral resource. However, as others have pointed out, the Powers get involved in their lives so much that some clichéd 'warning' of that kind can't be completely rejected. BenRG's Rating: 7/10 - Average so far, but let's see how things develop. ~*~*~*~ They call me BenRG But... I don't know why... ~*~*~*~ |
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Chris Dee.gothampm |
Chapter 2 | #11 | ||
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Posts: 3928 10/28/04 19:38 Gothamite |
Chapter 2: Tea and Shakespeare is now steeping at
FanFiction.net and the Official Cat-Tales Website.
Milk or lemon? |
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irregular2point0 |
Re: Chapter 2 | #12 | ||
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Posts: 31 10/28/04 21:09 Gothamite |
Ouch.
I never had a subscription to the Gotham Post, and the events in Chapter 2 probably didn't rate more than an inch on page B5 of the Metro Section of the Gotham Times, so the surprise was absolutely complete ... though in retrospect, perhaps inevitable. Still and all, a lovely look through Alfred's eyes. Alfred always did seem somewhat ... incongruous to me, if only for his station in life as a gentleman's personal gentleman. Here, though, the quiet, stubborn self-assurance really is a marvel to behold. It's not so much that he seems out of place in the ugly, violent world that the Bat-clan inhabits; it's more that in his presence, the Bat-world seems out of place. (Apologies to Alistair MacLean, and to whoever didn't understand that...) i2.0 |
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katfairy |
Re: Chapter 2 | #13 | ||
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Posts: 769 10/28/04 21:40 Ballistic Soprano |
Holy shit.
This was... unexpected. And I can't help wondering how the Rogues will react. ***********************************
You always wanted advice from the 5000 year man, so here it is. Never get caught unexpectedly with a goat. They're fantastically difficult animals to explain, and people are so rarely ready to listen to your reasons for having the animal in your bedroom. Then it all gets rather unpleasant, in my experience. - Methos: "Bodypaint, Bartabs, And Beer" by Andie P. |
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Star Ranger4 |
Re: Chapter 2 | #14 | ||
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Posts: 1285 10/28/04 21:55 Adrift in Space |
WHOA.... Definate Earth Shattering KABOOM there...
Marvin the Martian would be envious!
All I can wish for is that the others discussions with Alfred provice a bit more Illumination into the how and why. I was about to complain that something this important should have happened 'on page', as it were; yet that would be out of keeping with how this story is working out, leaving me with just a very fanboyish "Hoooooly" and "MORE! MORE!" "I was an Otaku before those kids
came along and changed the meaning of the
word."
-- HM "Howling Mad" Wilson to more than one team-mate. |
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Unregistered(d) |
Re: Cat-Tales 39: Polishing Silver | #15 | ||
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Posts: 0 10/28/04 22:45 |
I can honestly say that this isn't what I was
expecting to happen. Thanks to Alfred we get to see other
peoples feelings on the situation but we haven't actually
seen his, so it will be interesting to see just how this
effects him once he's done consoling everybody
else.
Since I don't read the comics, does this mean that Spoiler also has the same fate there as she did here? |
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Unregistered(d) |
Re: Chapter 2 | #16 | ||
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Posts: 0 10/29/04 00:43 |
What would they all do without Alfred? Even Jim
Gordan needs him as Father
confessor.
Poor Tim! This is going to be very hard for him to recover from. Your version is noticeably better than the Post's. It actually makes sense and makes the point without the peripheral damage. It's also good to see everyone from Mr. Kent on down doing what they can. There's a cool bit of foreshadowing with the memories of the former lady of the house. Well done, Chris. Sad, now.  |
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ThatSeanGuy |
Re: Chapter 2 | #17 | ||
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Posts: 380 10/29/04 05:35 Gothamite |
Well damn.
And you didn't say who did it-though, I have my suspicions from a few parallels in the story. Guess the Judas Compact wasn't the last great suprise in comics. Nice. |
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SxStrngSamurai13 |
Re: Chapter 2 | #18 | ||
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Posts: 4 10/29/04 08:17 |
AHH...wow...another fantastic chapter Chris. The
comic with Stephs death just came out this week right? OR
did you know about this for a while and have been
planning for it?
This was...really really good. Touching and melancholy...and very appropriate. You're doing a great job with characterizing everybody's reactions to steph's death. I haven't really been following the whole story arc, but I really wasn't satisfied with Bruce's reaction at the end of the issue. It didn't seem right. I really like what you're doing with it. It's interesting to get a better idea of what goes through Alfred's head when he's interacting with the Bat-clan. I liked the whole thing with the squeaky wheel on the hand cart. It's a small thing, but it definitely shows Alfred's feelings about Bruce's parents. I'm also loving all the detail about house servants. You're doing your research...or at least it seems like you are. Keep up the good work, I can't wait to see the next chapter! |
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stephensmat2 |
Speaker for the dead. | #19 | ||
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Posts: 1132 10/29/04 10:49 |
Chris, this is one of those moments where I want to
be very careful what I say. You vicious evil murderer.
See? Did it right there! I take that back.
Quote: In the tragic case of Miss Stephanie, one's position is somewhat different. EndQuote. Seriously, I read these paragraphs four times before I fully got it. Dead? Seriously dead? I mean, nobody ever dies in comics. But...this isnt comics. This...this is cattales. #Steps up, removes hat, speaks solemnly.# Stephanie, have you ever wondered why there are so many dead things in the world? To quote JMS, it is 'Because despite the best advice of people who know what they are talking about, other people insist on doing the most massively stupid things. This is one of them' Stephanie, the twisted irony of this chapter is, you wont get it. You've just gone on to prove why Bruce is right. Why Batman is right, and why there are two costumes in the cave now. When your peers speak of this, and they will, they will say that when the time came, everybody knew you had the wrong idea, but you paid the price for your mistake, and you locked the others into paying for it too. When the time comes to write your eptiaph, and it will, it will say "More stupidity has been done in the name of proving oneself, than anything else." #End of Eulogy# Tim's gonna stick a shotgun in his mouth. This is Tim's version of the Nightwing debacle. He told her she was doing wrong, she told him to get stuffed, she get's shot. We all said it. Bad idea Steph, but we werent worried. Couldnt be worried. Nothing seriously bad was gonna happen. not to her, not to the Family. It would be handled, like anything else, Steph screws up, gets chewed out, thank you and goodnight. Tim, poor boy. "Couldnt work out. No future. Logical thing to do. Cant go any further." BANG! "What if. Should have. Maybe if I." I hate all these phrases. nothing good ever EVER comes of them. Everybody grieves in their own way, everyone views it differently, everyone has a question, everyone approaches it in a toatally unique way, from their unique viewpoint. And everyone turns to Alfred. |
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The Thundering Monkey |
Re: Speaker for the dead. | #20 | ||
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Posts: 828 10/29/04 17:13 |
Quote: I have to disagree with you on this one. Some people fold in the face of adversity. When life brings suffering their way, thier instinct is to give up. To avoid pain any way they can. Tim isn't one of them. He will turn this anger, and frustration and guilt into purpose. As I recall Bruce started out much the same way. He certainly blamed himself when his parents died, as much as he blamed the mugger. He certainly had his share of what if's, would ofs and could of's. Up until now, there's always been a doubt that Tim had what it takes to succeed Batman one day. He just got it. |
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