Empty Hourglasses for elliotsmelliot

[toestastegood]

Title: Empty Hourglasses
Author: primarycolors92
Recipient: elliotsmelliot
Pairing or Characters: Richard, Ben, Eloise, Charles Widmore
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Prompt: Richard, an off island adventure (solo or with Charles, Eloise, Ben and/or Ethan)
Summary: Richard takes care of business in more ways than one.
Author notes: Much speculation below, it might help to have

Comments

[elliotsmelliot]

Thank you so much for this wonderful present. Out of all my prompts, I was hoping my secret writer would pick this one.

This is a great character study of Richard. I loved all the little moments you had gim reflecting on how he has to play at being human, and yet is reminded that certain emotions, like annoyance, still come so naturally. Also the little comment about laundry is a great reminder of how long he has been around.

You also let us see the world through his eyes, particularly in regards to how he sees Ben, Eloise and Charles and how he reconciles their past and present selves. It is interesting how he seems to make more a connection with the strangers he encounters, be it the glimpse of the little girl with the rabbit or cab drivers he tips. Still these are all fleeting moments, and in the end Richard is always alone.

The style of the last scene is really remarkable. The one sided nature of the conversation is both eerie and incredibly lonely. Richard is a man with a job that will never be over.

Thanks so much for this gift. I truly treasure it.

[primarycolors92]

I'm so glad you like it! (I was more than a little terrified writing for you, especially after reading your epic The Forsaken.)

All of your prompts were great, but I went with this one because I really do find Richard fascinating and under-used. There is so much there with the immortality alone, even without Island politics, that draws me to the character. It must be near impossible to connect with anyone he will see over the course of their lifetime, knowing that he will watch them age and die. Strangers should be easier.

I'm also relieved you liked the comment about laundry- I worried it might be too much, but I got through the whole fic without a single eyeliner comment, so I gave in and left in it!

Again, I am just thrilled you enjoyed!