Simspiration Prompts: “The Show Must Go On”
In lieu of my plea for drabble prompts, I decided to join sim_spiration and see if that could get the rusty wheels turning. Thankfully it has, and this is my offering - x-posted here because the story responses for that comm go in the comments. Spawned from my ISBI of all places; consider this a spoiler warning if you follow it, ‘cause this scenario doesn’t happen ‘til much later on.
Prompt: "The show must go on/the show must go on/Inside my heart is breaking/My makeup may be flaking/But my smile still stays on" ("The Show Must Go On" - Queen)
Story/legacy: Chasing Rainbows
"No, don't take me yet! I'm not ready!"
The Grim Reaper peered down wearily at the aged man before him.
"YOUR TIME IS UP, PERSIMMON."
"Come on, please, just let me stay with my family a little longer? Pleeeeease...?"
The skeletal figure gave a sigh as he tossed his scythe back into the spiritual realm. Persimmon struggled to his feet as he watched a bony hand open up before him, a luminous blue orb glowing like the moon in the night sky.
"OH, ALRIGHT. YOU KNOW THIS PART, I TRUST?"
Persimmon nodded, swallowing a lump in his throat as he remembered the time he'd saved his father from an undignified end. His cat-like ears picked up the mournful weeping of his sons as he watched the robed character hide his hands behind his back. He'd succeeded with his father. Would he be this lucky again?
A crinkled hand rubbed at the back of his neck as the bony fists were presented before him. Saying a quick prayer for good measure, his onyx eyes darted between them as he made his choice.
"Um... That one."
Death's right hand opened, his head lowered as he reluctantly presented the now gleeful pensioner with his prize.
"YOU WIN THIS TIME," he grumbled, "BUT I WILL BE BACK FOR YOU. ENJOY YOUR TIME WHILE IT LASTS."
With that the figure departed. Persimmon was grinning from ear to ear, yet there was still an overwhelming sense of grief in the air.
"Come on you two!" he smiled, "I'm alive! I beat Death! Come on, stop crying!"
"For how long?!"
Persimmon's heart sank as he eyed the younger of his two children.
"Come on Pyr," he countered, "Show a little optimism, huh?"
"Sure," Pyrrhus grumbled as he dried his eyes, "That's easy for you to say."
"Well, I'll be upstairs if you need me," Persimmon surrendered, "Ah, happy birthday!"
The newly blossomed teenager smiled back at him briefly, before looking about the room.
"Thanks," came the reply, "Have I missed something?"
Persimmon flashed her what he hoped to be a reassuring smile.
"Never you mind," he answered, ruffling her bubblegum pink hair, "Like I said, I'll be upstairs."
Once in the safety of his own company, a heavy sigh drifted from his lips. His mind drifted as he recalled the times he'd had with his late husband, and before he could stop himself, he began to wonder if outliving him was such a good thing.
Come on Persy, snap out of it. Of course it's a good thing! You've got to see your grandchildren grow! How many people could say the same?
The old man sauntered over to the karaoke stand, giving a little smile as the words formed on the screen. Facing Death twice in one lifetime did funny things to one's mood, and Persimmon's usually sunny disposition had tonight become overcast.
"The show must go oooonn..."