Re: Forty [2/2]
anonymous
July 1 2009, 21:07:35 UTC
So. Forty years older, forty years gone by, and there had been some change, just not much. And what about him? What did Alfred have to show for himself for these past forty years- years that went by slowly enough that he had to stop and think again and judge how best to spend the remaining amount of time he had on earth? Years that left their mark on his mortality in the form of scars and lightening hair and wrinkling skin? And...rising cholesterol levels? And besides having dedicated himself to a steady exercise routine, had he changed at all?
Maybe he had. At least now, he was able to recognize some of those things that Arthur had been trying to show him for years. Things like the fact that, sometimes, it was just easier to 'act his age', so to speak. To simply lie back and reminisce and take a backstage role to the chaotic motion picture known as life.
...Yeah.
Sometimes.
Alfred snorted as he yanked his right arm through the sleeve of his bomber, jerked the woolly collar straight in the mirror. He flashed his reflection a brilliant grin as he passed the mirror in the hall, adjusting his new prescription lenses as he went (which had, appropriately, retained the nickname of Texas, regardless of being the original or not), snatching up a box of fireworks and sparklers and little American flags from the hall table by the door.
He nearly knocked the little model of his new plane from its perch on a shelf on the wall as he passed, brushing by the rows of precious framed photos in black and white and sepia and so many more in color, depicting people and nations, before they became people, and though that one aspect had changed, had always remained friends and family. New faces graced the wall every so often, and Alfred stopped to shoot them a smile.
He paused, hand on the brass door handle, re-listed the party-guests in his head and tried to think of anything he might have forgotten to pick up at the store before everyone arrived- after all, he was getting to be a pretty popular person. There were a lot of guests this year, it would be rude to leave anyone out, and god forbid they run out of hamburgers half-way through the party.
This year's party would be a little more formal than those before it, but not by much- there'd still be Matt, and Arthur, and Francis, and some of the others, but if Alfred planned on running for senator, it would do him good to make friends with a few people in high places (the right people, not the corrupt, two-faced, greedy bastards that sometimes held positions of power, and Alfred had confidence in his judge of character).
So, where was he? Changes, changes....
Still american, check. Still awesome, check. Alfred opened the door. Anything else important?
Nope.
Not really.
--- disclaimer: I know nothing about politicians (or their parties) except that Alfred would probably make a terrible one.
Re: Forty [2/2]
anonymous
July 1 2009, 21:30:37 UTC
Not OP is pleased with how this was done. Such a different take on this prompt. Just the simple thing in life, the aging process. Getting grey hairs, wrinkles, slight balding. XD
Ivan~~~~~~~~ It feels like such a relief to him, none of those harsh things raining down on him. ;A;
very late op is very late
anonymous
July 7 2009, 20:12:32 UTC
OP loves this! For some reason, I hadn't pictured any of them having such ambitions once they became human--but this fits Alfred really well. And maybe I'm in the minority on this, but I have high hopes for his political career.
I also loved the mentions of the others, most especially hearing about a contented Ivan. That image of him strolling about with his sisters will linger with me for a while. ♥
Thank you so much for writing this!
I don't know if you'll see this reply, author!anon, but I hope so.
Maybe he had. At least now, he was able to recognize some of those things that Arthur had been trying to show him for years. Things like the fact that, sometimes, it was just easier to 'act his age', so to speak. To simply lie back and reminisce and take a backstage role to the chaotic motion picture known as life.
...Yeah.
Sometimes.
Alfred snorted as he yanked his right arm through the sleeve of his bomber, jerked the woolly collar straight in the mirror. He flashed his reflection a brilliant grin as he passed the mirror in the hall, adjusting his new prescription lenses as he went (which had, appropriately, retained the nickname of Texas, regardless of being the original or not), snatching up a box of fireworks and sparklers and little American flags from the hall table by the door.
He nearly knocked the little model of his new plane from its perch on a shelf on the wall as he passed, brushing by the rows of precious framed photos in black and white and sepia and so many more in color, depicting people and nations, before they became people, and though that one aspect had changed, had always remained friends and family. New faces graced the wall every so often, and Alfred stopped to shoot them a smile.
He paused, hand on the brass door handle, re-listed the party-guests in his head and tried to think of anything he might have forgotten to pick up at the store before everyone arrived- after all, he was getting to be a pretty popular person. There were a lot of guests this year, it would be rude to leave anyone out, and god forbid they run out of hamburgers half-way through the party.
This year's party would be a little more formal than those before it, but not by much- there'd still be Matt, and Arthur, and Francis, and some of the others, but if Alfred planned on running for senator, it would do him good to make friends with a few people in high places (the right people, not the corrupt, two-faced, greedy bastards that sometimes held positions of power, and Alfred had confidence in his judge of character).
So, where was he? Changes, changes....
Still american, check. Still awesome, check. Alfred opened the door. Anything else important?
Nope.
Not really.
---
disclaimer: I know nothing about politicians (or their parties) except that Alfred would probably make a terrible one.
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Ivan~~~~~~~~ It feels like such a relief to him, none of those harsh things raining down on him. ;A;
Massively love this!!!
Alfred for senator? 8D
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And yet, he would run for president in a heartbeat if he could.
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I also loved the mentions of the others, most especially hearing about a contented Ivan. That image of him strolling about with his sisters will linger with me for a while. ♥
Thank you so much for writing this!
I don't know if you'll see this reply, author!anon, but I hope so.
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