[Part 12] The Appliance of Charm (UKUS) [1/21]
anonymous
February 19 2012, 23:22:23 UTC
Original Prompt: Seduction Via Coffee Maker - LINK Notes: I apologize for any bastardization of British slang, my horrible abuse of run-on sentences and Alfred's internal monologues. That being said, I hope someone enjoys this.
- I -
To all the peons in the lower ranks of Kirkland Publishing, Arthur Kirkland, resident tyrant and technical president, was a shadowy figure of mystery at best. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that the entirety of their lives at work, and even outside work at times, was governed and ruled by this man. There was very little that they did or said that didn't reach his ears and everything they accomplished was to please him and him alone. Sure their department managers might give them assignments, tell them what to do and manage their accomplishments and fuckups, but it was clear to all that Mr. Kirkland was the true puppet master of everything that went on within the company.
And rightly so. It was his company, after all.
At the same time, almost no one had actually seen the man, let alone spoken
( ... )
[Part 12] The Appliance of Charm (UKUS) [1b/21]
anonymous
February 19 2012, 23:25:52 UTC
Many of the people working within the company had applied for this position, as had a plethora of grad students, interns, and other applicants with varying levels of competency. It was a coveted position in the company, one that would provide a good deal of opportunities to the applicant once they'd gained enough experience, a platform for their ideal job, whatever that may be. Mr. Kirkland had just recently acquired a replacement for this position, held by one Aiden Kirkland until a couple weeks ago, and there had been a large cloud of gloom hovering over the first six floors once the Chosen One had been announced and it hadn't been anyone within the company. There had been enough applications sent in to fill an entire cubicle, but the victor had turned out to be a young American who hadn't even been in London at the time.
Re: [Part 12] The Appliance of Charm (UKUS) [1b/21]
anonymous
February 20 2012, 15:19:41 UTC
I'm totally that someone who is thoroughly enjoying this. I was never good with words, but THIS, dear author, is masterful. One chapter in and you've proven yourself. I just... I have nothing. This is fantastic, and I have to insist that there be much, much more to follow.
The Appliance of Charm (UKUS) [2b/21]
anonymous
February 19 2012, 23:28:50 UTC
There was another desk across from the American's on the other side of the doors, the view from which was even more limited than Alfred's, but no one occupied it presently. He'd heard from Aiden that the spot had once been her, and therefore Arthur's, sister's desk. But she'd decided to leave the company to become a painter and it had yet to find another owner. Aiden herself had left to pursue other interests, but she had managed to convince Arthur that he couldn't very well handle all his calls, appointments and scheduling by himself. So he'd grudgingly agreed to hire Alfred.
There was a small room just beyond this empty desk, which held a sink, a refrigerator, an electric tea kettle and a plethora of other appliances one might need to make lunch or dinner. It was almost exclusively for Alfred's use, since he was the one who made Arthur's tea, cleaned Arthur's dishes and used the refrigerator to store his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
The one thing it did not have, however, was a coffee machine.
The Appliance of Charm (UKUS) [3a/21]
anonymous
February 19 2012, 23:32:34 UTC
- III -
“Here's your tea, sir,” Alfred said as he set Arthur's teacup down on his desk.
Arthur didn't look up from what he was reading. “Did you steep it longer this time?”
“Yes,” Alfred answered, rolling his eyes.
“Don't roll your eyes at me,” Arthur said, still engrossed in his reading.
Alfred frowned at his boss, wondering how the hell he did that without even glancing up. “I wasn't,” Alfred said, because there wasn't any way the man could prove it
( ... )
The Appliance of Charm (UKUS) [3b/21]
anonymous
February 19 2012, 23:33:50 UTC
“And?” Arthur prompted, and Alfred refocused.
“And I know we have that tea kettle thing,” Alfred continued, flopping his hand about in the air to sort of indicate what he was talking about. “But we don't have a coffee machine.”
“We don't need a coffee machine, Mr. Jones,” Arthur said, taking a sip of his tea, as if to punctuate his statement. “I drink tea, not coffee.”
Alfred hummed and nodded, bringing his hands together in front of him. He'd anticipated this argument. He'd also anticipated a finger pointed at the door and a death glare, perhaps followed by a GTFO! Sometimes, in Alfred's mind, Arthur spoke using chat-room acronyms, and it made him giggle. Not out loud, but-
“But I like coffee,” Alfred said.
“And I tolerate that caramel, chocolate, whip-creamed battery acid you bring in from Barstucks every morning despite the fact that it makes my office smell so strongly of sugar and malnutrition that I must constantly tamp down on my urge to throw up all over the most recent applications from college students so
( ... )
Re: The Appliance of Charm (UKUS) [3b/21]
anonymous
February 20 2012, 01:27:22 UTC
This? This that you have posted? This is perfection. A perfect AU where everyone is in character and yet different enough to be a real, well-rounded universe.
Arthur's reputation is glorious and his tirade was a thing of wonder. America works great here, his bubbly personality present while knowing how to act in a working environment. I read this and I can see their voices in my head so well that I an do nothing but bow to your talent.
Two things that I loved:
1) The Roger/Archibald/Robot thing: I actually laughed out loud. Literally. Archibald is a name of villainy.
2) Arthur walking into a door when Alfred called him "sir". There's a kink of much appreciated kinkiness in it.
All in all, an amazing start that promises to be a wonderful fic.
Well... one of the OPs, really. Because there were two minds behind the prompt. YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HARD I FANGASMED WHEN MY FRIEND TOLD ME OUR PROMPT WAS BEING FILLED. AKSJHDGASKJHD
Re: The Appliance of Charm (UKUS) [3b/21]
anonymous
February 20 2012, 03:36:52 UTC
I love reading wit, and this has plenty of that. The things Arthur and Alfred say and do are just so incredibly in character. It's that and both their attitudes that make this so good, well and your way with words. I look forward to seeing what's in store. Obviously, Alfred is going to get his coffee maker, and I can't wait to see how; what his argument is. Everything! Especially the small details, like the pens and the stain, and how Alfred described Arthur's eyebrows
( ... )
Re: The Appliance of Charm (UKUS) [3b/21]
anonymous
February 20 2012, 07:01:02 UTC
This is wonderfully snarky, clever and witty. I love the world you've set up here, and I really love how you've presented the USUK relationship beginning. Also, Alfred not being a total idiot = <3, yes yes.
I shall definitely be following this. This is a very bright beginning indeed.
Notes: I apologize for any bastardization of British slang, my horrible abuse of run-on sentences and Alfred's internal monologues. That being said, I hope someone enjoys this.
- I -
To all the peons in the lower ranks of Kirkland Publishing, Arthur Kirkland, resident tyrant and technical president, was a shadowy figure of mystery at best. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that the entirety of their lives at work, and even outside work at times, was governed and ruled by this man. There was very little that they did or said that didn't reach his ears and everything they accomplished was to please him and him alone. Sure their department managers might give them assignments, tell them what to do and manage their accomplishments and fuckups, but it was clear to all that Mr. Kirkland was the true puppet master of everything that went on within the company.
And rightly so. It was his company, after all.
At the same time, almost no one had actually seen the man, let alone spoken ( ... )
Reply
Rumor had it he went by the name of Alfred Jones.
Reply
Reply
Reply
There was a small room just beyond this empty desk, which held a sink, a refrigerator, an electric tea kettle and a plethora of other appliances one might need to make lunch or dinner. It was almost exclusively for Alfred's use, since he was the one who made Arthur's tea, cleaned Arthur's dishes and used the refrigerator to store his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
The one thing it did not have, however, was a coffee machine.
Reply
“Here's your tea, sir,” Alfred said as he set Arthur's teacup down on his desk.
Arthur didn't look up from what he was reading. “Did you steep it longer this time?”
“Yes,” Alfred answered, rolling his eyes.
“Don't roll your eyes at me,” Arthur said, still engrossed in his reading.
Alfred frowned at his boss, wondering how the hell he did that without even glancing up. “I wasn't,” Alfred said, because there wasn't any way the man could prove it ( ... )
Reply
“And I know we have that tea kettle thing,” Alfred continued, flopping his hand about in the air to sort of indicate what he was talking about. “But we don't have a coffee machine.”
“We don't need a coffee machine, Mr. Jones,” Arthur said, taking a sip of his tea, as if to punctuate his statement. “I drink tea, not coffee.”
Alfred hummed and nodded, bringing his hands together in front of him. He'd anticipated this argument. He'd also anticipated a finger pointed at the door and a death glare, perhaps followed by a GTFO! Sometimes, in Alfred's mind, Arthur spoke using chat-room acronyms, and it made him giggle. Not out loud, but-
“But I like coffee,” Alfred said.
“And I tolerate that caramel, chocolate, whip-creamed battery acid you bring in from Barstucks every morning despite the fact that it makes my office smell so strongly of sugar and malnutrition that I must constantly tamp down on my urge to throw up all over the most recent applications from college students so ( ... )
Reply
Reply
Arthur's reputation is glorious and his tirade was a thing of wonder. America works great here, his bubbly personality present while knowing how to act in a working environment. I read this and I can see their voices in my head so well that I an do nothing but bow to your talent.
Two things that I loved:
1) The Roger/Archibald/Robot thing: I actually laughed out loud. Literally. Archibald is a name of villainy.
2) Arthur walking into a door when Alfred called him "sir". There's a kink of much appreciated kinkiness in it.
All in all, an amazing start that promises to be a wonderful fic.
Reply
Reply
This, this. EVERYTHING
( ... )
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
I shall definitely be following this. This is a very bright beginning indeed.
Reply
Arthur is snarky. Alfred is actually intelligent.
PLUS IT'S UK/US. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY THAT MAKES ME.
Reply
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