Comments | wayne_memoirs: In The Afternoon...

wayne_memoirs

In The Afternoon...

Jul 13, 2006 16:40

The exercise goes beyond enjoyment. One might say it has become a discipline. The weights in the gym are available to stretch his muscles. The newspaper opened in front of him is there to expand his knowledge. Knowledge of what? Gotham and the people that call it home. He pays especially close attention to the reports of criminal activity. ( Read more... )

tim drake, alfred pennyworth

Comments 41

alfred_pennyw_ July 14 2006, 00:14:18 UTC

Another presence lingers in the library. The elderly gentlemen is busying himself with a duster. It takes relatively little time to cover the already well maintained space. This day however the execution of his duties seems to take twice to three times that of the necessary.

wayne_memoirs July 15 2006, 20:47:49 UTC

Alfred only hangs out for one reason. "What's on your mind?"

alfred_pennyw_ July 15 2006, 22:25:12 UTC

The Gentleman's Gentleman pauses. In a smooth motion, he stands erect and clasps his hands behind his back. He does not move to close the distance however between himself and the Master of the House.

"I am quite concerned about Master Timothy, sir."

wayne_memoirs July 15 2006, 22:26:32 UTC

He looks up from the paper.

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alfred_pennyw_ July 15 2006, 23:21:26 UTC

"Nor would I recommend it, sir," he adds quickly. His hands are still clasped behind his back in a rigid state of formality.

wayne_memoirs July 15 2006, 23:22:27 UTC

He's never been one to beat around the bush. "What exactly ARE you recommending?"

alfred_pennyw_ July 15 2006, 23:24:29 UTC

"Give Master Timothy an opportunity."

wayne_memoirs July 15 2006, 23:28:32 UTC

He sits for a moment in silence. Coming to him would not be a failure. But he knows Alfred is right. Tim would see it as such. He cares deeply about the boy who has grown into a man. His son. His partner. His family. Presenting Tim with an opportunity is the least that he can do.

He gives a single nod.

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_robin_3 July 16 2006, 05:39:02 UTC

I found Bruce in the library-it was the coolest room in the entire mansion during the summer season.

Words kept coming back into my head like a mantra this entire week-the same words Conner had said to me nearly a year ago at my birthday. As much as I didn't want to, I had to talk with someone about this. Dick wasn't here at the moment, and Alfred was busy, so that left Bruce.

The only way Bruce could relate to me about this matter was simple-Superman had died once. Unlike Superman, he wasn't coming back...!

wayne_memoirs July 19 2006, 16:55:31 UTC

He's finishing the last of his tea. Every member of the household has a distinctive sound, a characteristic footfall. He knows it's Tim even before glancing up from the paper.

_robin_3 July 19 2006, 22:34:52 UTC

I stared at Bruce for a moment as he looked up from the paper, wondering how I could word what I was feeling, what I was going through.

"How did you feel when Superman died at the hands of Doomsday?"

wayne_memoirs July 19 2006, 22:47:11 UTC

Tim will observe no immediate reaction from the man in the leather chair. What he doesn't see is an instantaneous stiffening of Bruce's shoulder muscles. After a pause, he takes in a deep breath and once again places the paper to the side. Alfred's "opportunity" has come sooner than he really expected.

"Confused," he finally answers. It's a simple word, not adequate to cover the gambit of emotions he felt that day.

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