Whistle in the Wind || Gilbert [Complete]

[Alfred F. Jones]

it's a

revolution

Word count: 883

Tags: Jem

Notes: Pffft, no clue how I wrote this so quickly.

Dear Lord, they were seriously trying to kill him, weren't they?

Alfred adjusted his glasses, annoyed. He loved the Freedom Fighters. He'd always been completely dedicated to their cause but with a limited number of people who were actually capable of doing anything...

Alfred grunted as he walked down the rows and rows of holding cells with his partner. Unfortunately, this partner was not a partner-in-crime, but rather an idiot who seemed to be scared of everything and not quite in full possession of his...mental capabilities. He was a new recruit and would learn what to do as a guard thoroughly later, but for now, he was just another blundering idiot.

Alfred hadn't meant to get mixed up in this mess. The Freedom Fighters had sent him to the Underground undercover...again. He had already visited the dismal place several times in the past two or three months, more than what his cautious side told him was safe. Of course, he never interacted with the same people. The Underground was a vast network of mutant torture and if you knew what you were doing, you could lay low on the radar. Still, visiting so frequently, someone was bound to remember him sooner or later.

Alfred groaned. He'd meant to pretend to be a new recruit, which would give him plenty of insight and an excuse if he were caught in some unauthorized location. Unfortunately, he'd forgotten that today was orientation day for new recruits and being labeled one (under a false name, of course), Alfred had been basically shoved a partner and told to familiarize himself with the cells for being late.

So now he was walking around with Patrick somebody who, at that precise moment, thought he heard a rebellion and had immediately jumped for his weapon.

"Holy shit," Patrick breathed. He was a little too close for comfort and Alfred took a step to the side. "Can't believe they only give us sticks here. These mutants, huh. Should at least give us a couple bullets."

"Yeah, I feel you." No, he really didn't. Of course, Alfred did actually have a couple bullets on him...more than a few. He wasn't about to venture into the Underground without his handgun.

Patrick was yapping about some mutant idiocy propaganda shit and Alfred could actually feel a headache coming on. There was another small skirmish (which Alfred could clearly tell was just a rat scratching at the wall) and Patrick literally grabbed onto Alfred's arm.

"Dude, how are you so calm?" The man's face was white. "Have you been here before?"

Alfred shook his head in reply and the two kept walking, Patrick blabbing on about the roles of a guard and yada yada. Finally, Alfred couldn't take it anymore. Screeching to a halt (he was walking in front of course), Alfred jerked his head to the side.

"Did you hear that sound?" Alfred whispered urgently. Patrick froze up.

"W...What sound?" The man was already looking around nervously.

"There," Alfred said, pointing down a row of cells vaguely. "You should go check it out."

"B...By myself?" Alfred could almost hear Patrick's whimper and he found himself rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah," Alfred nodded, waving him off. "You know, probably a decoy or something. I think the real action is down there." Alfred pointed in front of them. "You take the decoys and I'll go see what's happening. Got it?"

"Yes!" Patrick squeaked before hustling off. When he was out of earshot, Alfred couldn't help but snort at the man's antics.

...Now about getting out of here.

Alfred looked around at the dark cells around him. There was a sort of sinking feeling in his stomach. He didn't come down to the holding cells very often, and for a good reason. There was little information to gather from mutants who were kept in darkness for 95% of their lives. And...really, the conditions just made Alfred's blood boil. He'd never seen a familiar face locked behind those bars, thank goodness, but...

Alfred realized with a start that his fists had clenched and he rubbed his knuckles as he moved down the hall. The mutants here were mostly sad, compliant. They were just waiting for their chance to be taken somewhere into the sunshine. The Underground was little more than a pound. A ruthless pound, where humans were treated as no more than dogs, locked up and put away and made to fight in the hopes that someone would make money off of it. Despicable. It was enough to make anyone miserable; why anyone would ever choose to be a guard was beyond Alfred's comprehension. Couldn't they see the terrible things that were happening right before their eyes? Couldn't they...

...Well, Alfred couldn't see it for a while as well. He shouldn't judge.

Still, the darkness, the coldness, the stillness...Alfred shivered. There was little to report down here and he had plenty of data to collect elsewhere. He should try to find a way out. He had the path memorized, but the darkness seemed to cut into him mockingly, disorienting him. Alfred couldn't live down here. Nobody could, not really.

God, wasn't there a single bright spot in this dungeon? Something that kept the people in here (both the mutants and the guards) alive?

There had to be, right? 

i suppose

by Worldie for Leia

[Deleted]

Aaah, orientation day. Gilbert grinned as he reclined against the bars of his cell. New recruit orientation days were always a source of endless entertainment. Sure, it sucked because it meant the cells getting moved around a bunch throughout the day to get the newbies accustomed to handling mutants, but teasing the new guys was worth moving around. So far it was just the recruits getting a basic tour and moving around some of the calmer mutants. Which didn't include Gilbert.

Voices down the winding, echoing hall traveled to his ears. He couldn't make out the words yet, but he could tell from the footsteps and rising volume that the guards were headed his way. Even without understanding what was being said, Gilbert could clearly hear the tremble of fear in one of the men's voice. Newbies. He snickered with excitement. Scaring newbies was the best.

"Did you hear that sound?" The calmer voice hissed. The nervous one replied uncertainty. There definitely had not been a sound. Shit, this guy was fucking with his partner. This was hilarious. "You take the decoys and I'll go see what's happening. Got it?"

The squeaky yes was followed by retreating footsteps. Gilbert wasn't sure if he was happy or sad he didn't get the scaredy-pants newbie. It would have been fun to make him piss his pants… But hey, the fearless newbie messing with his newbie partner was different. Usually all the newbies were scared shitless their first few days. Gilbert bet he could actually get this guy to chat with him some.

As the footsteps grew closer, Gilbert craned he neck to get a good look at this recruit. Even in the dim lighting, it was obvious this guy was a looker. Damn, usually there wasn't much eye candy down here, usually guards fit the neanderthal bill, but this blond definitely defied the norms. Just as he passed, Gilbert kicked the bars of his cell to hopefully startle him, but mostly to drawn his attention. "Aren't you too good looking to be wandering these halls all by yourself?" Gilbert jeered with a cocky smile. "For all you know there's some powerful mutant down here with a pretty boy fetish. Probably should have kept your partner around, well, maybe. He didn't sound good for much other than pissing his pants."

There was a reason Gilbert liked to make his commentary to the new recruits from the bars, despite the risk of the seasoned guards getting an easy kick at him. That reason? Well, Gilbert was quite the sight to see. With his impossibly pale skin and white hair, he practically glowed in the darkened halls. It made the recruits do a double take and really think about the consequences of locking someone up in dark, damp cells. Which was hilarious because Gilbert would be ridiculously pale no matter where he was, but the recruits didn't know that yet!

But the best part, oh the best part about teasing new recruits was catching their gaze with his red irises. Oh how the shivers ran down many a spines at the sight of such a ghostly figure with demonic red eyes. It made Gilbert absolutely gleeful. Hopefully this guy wouldn't disappoint.

Words: 536

Tags: Alfred F. Jones;

made by MISSO on IOF

[Alfred F. Jones]

it's a

revolution

Word count: 607

Tags: @albinobitch

Notes: Totally forgot to add font colors last time. uwu

Alfred was well on his way to hurrying out when there was a bang. He slowed a little, his hand reaching into his jacket for his gun. Probably just a mutant, but one could never be completely sure about this sort of thing. Alfred couldn't exactly risk getting caught right now. That'd be some serious questioning...

"Aren't you too good looking to be wandering these halls by yourself?" Alfred's head cocked to the side and he turned his head to see who was talking.

The voice had come from the cell of a mutant. Alfred took a few steps towards it curiously. Mutants were usually quiet and compliant. All they wanted was a chance to leave and you only got to leave if you were nice and quiet. Now this was interesting and something that might actually be of use some day.

...He wasn't in any danger, might as well take some time off the job.

The man continued in the same cocky voice. "For all you know, there's some powerful mutant down here with a pretty boy fetish. Probably should have kept your partner around, well, maybe. He didn't sound good for much other than pissing his pants."

Alfred felt a smirk coming on. This mutant was amusing, now if only the lights were brighter in here... He walked to the cell until he was directly in front of it and finally got a clear view of who was talking to him.

A shock of white hair and two bright red eyes. Albino. Alfred hadn't really come across anyone who looked quite like him, but he'd heard of the term before.

His eyes shifted from the man's face (which looked really rather amused) to the rest of him. Dressed in the typical clothing of a mutant in the Underground, he wasn't in the best condition. That was to be expected. The mutants that looked the best weren't stuck here in cells, they were up in the sun wandering around like little lost puppies chasing after their owners. Someone this snarky and sarcastic would be sent back within minutes.

"Cute," Alfred commented. "Do you always greet new recruits that way? Scaring off the good-looking ones will only make this place more of an eyesore you know.

"At any rate," Alfred said, "I think I'll be alright. Just another rookie wandering around after all. I'm sure they've got plenty of newbies to pick on. If they're all as charming as you, I'm sure they do." He winked before giving the man a grin.

"The name's Alfred." Oh, what the hell, no one was around. Besides, he liked this mutant. He had some fire to him. Might even be persuaded to help the FF out at some point. And while he didn't really trust him, Alfred was a lot more inclined to give his name to a mutant than some regular human. "American, reckless, fearless, and a newbie recruit to boot. Oh, and good-looking of course. As you so kindly pointed out. How about you?"

Alfred continued smiling as his eyes glanced to the left and right ever so slightly. He really shouldn't be in here...but Alfred had never been the best at paying attention to instructions. Still, what was the harm in taking a little extra time to talk to the mutants? The worst thing that could happen was one of the actual guards telling him to hustle himself out, that the mutants weren't worth speaking to. Unless, of course, he ran into someone he actually knew or that knew him. Now that would be a mess...

Ah well. What was life without a bit of risk?

i suppose

by Worldie for Leia

[Deleted]

Oh this guy was definitely interesting. Instead of backing up from the mocking, the blond came closer to get a better look at the mutant speaking to him. There wasn't any malice in his eyes, no signs of aggression in his stance. That was strange, really strange for a guard recruit. When they weren't scared shitless they were vicious, brimming with a violent energy in the mindset they had to make a name for themselves. But this man seemed genuinely curious and playful. There was a humanity in him usually only the scared recruits had.

"Cute. Do you always greet new recruits that way? Scaring off the good-looking ones will only make this place more of an eyesore you know. At any rate, think I'll be alright. Just another rookie wandering around after all. I'm sure they've got plenty of newbies to pick on. If they're all as charming as you, I'm sure they do."

Gilbert snorted and crossed his arms. No amount of eye candy could make up for the eyesore that was the Underground. Good personalities, though, that was something to brighten up the place. He couldn't recall ever meeting a guard that spoke to any of them in such a good natured manner, let alone spare him a wink and a smile with a joke not at his expense.

"The name's Alfred. American, reckless, fearless, and a newbie recruit to boot. Oh, and good-looking of course. As you so kindly pointed out. How about you?"

What a great introduction. Gilbert couldn't help but laugh. Laugh for Christ's sake! A guard actually made him genuinely laugh. What was the world coming to? But, the whole American thing made sense. Those guys had a strange attitude toward the mutant slave trade, whole Country of the Free thing they had going on. Made sense the American guard would be treating them like they were actually human. That would be beat out of him sooner than later, but hey it was refreshing while it lasted. Maybe Gilbert could make a good enough first impression to stay in the good graces of this charismatic newbie.

He got to his feet, slightly discouraged that Alfred was taller than him. Pretty muscular boy with a nice height, so not fair. But, hey, Gilbert had the exotic thing going for him. He placed his hands on his hips and posed with a cocky grin.

"Gilbert, or as some of the more seasoned guards like to call me that albino bitch," he said. “German, albino, and a mutant to boot. Charming, like you pointed out,” he gave a wink at that. “Oh and-“

Ice crept along the melt bars separating them. It grew off the bars to spell out his name in a sparkling, crystalline ice sculpture. “I’m pretty chill.”

Words: 465

Tags: Alfred F. Jones;

made by MISSO on IOF

[Alfred F. Jones]

it's a

revolution

Word count: 504

Tags: @albinobitch

Notes:

A laugh sounded from the cell. It sounded out of place in the dark, dirty cells and Alfred was sure that the mutants nearby were curious. It was a nice laugh, though it seemed unnatural in such a depressing place.

The mutant got up, seeming to accept Alfred. First impressions were so often about testing the other person involved, and Alfred had a distinct feeling that he'd just passed.

Alfred had a better view of the mutant now. He looked alright, better off than Alfred had originally expected. A little on the thin side, but that could be said of just about everyone here. He was a little shorter than Alfred. There was a certain confidence that Alfred caught onto almost immediately. He supposed that one had to have confidence if they were going to continue to launch sarcasm at supposed guards in such a dismal place.

The man put his hands on his hips, giving Alfred a cocky grin that seemed to be a fixed part of him.

"Gilbert," the man offered, "or as the more seasoned guards like to call me, that albino bitch. German, albino, and a mutant to boot." Alfred chuckled a little. Quoting his words now, was he? "Charming, like you pointed out." Definitely quoting him. The wink he gave Alfred confirmed this fact.

Alfred was about to say something, continue the conversation in one manner or another, when Gilbert continued.

"Oh and..." There was something about Gilbert's voice that seemed a little different from before. "I'm a pretty chill dude."

Alfred looked at Gilbert curiously when before his eyes, ice crystals began to form on the bars in front of him. Alfred had seen mutants do some rather amazing things with their powers. He would know--he hunted them for a while. This thought distracted Alfred briefly and he winced a little inwardly, the memories reminding him of unpleasant times. Still, Alfred couldn't help but feel a little amazed at this. He'd never seen a mutant with ice powers...glaciokinesis or something like that. There was something beautiful about the clear crystals, forming themselves into letters...Gilbert. His name. It became a beautifully intricate ice sculpture that Alfred could never have created in a hundred years.

"Wow," Alfred said quietly under his breath. There was a hint of awe in his voice, but Alfred couldn't say much more. A guard who would sit down and talk was one thing. One that outright praised a mutant's powers? That was close to treason.

"Not bad," Alfred smiled. "You're a pretty cool dude, Gilbert. Maybe in a different world..." His voice trailed off a bit.

He was giving away too much, much too much. Time to change the topic.

"So, Gilbert--can I call you Gil?--tell me. What is a handsome guy like you doing here instead of up there?" Alfred glanced upwards briefly. "Surely with an endearing personality like yours, you could find someone who'd be willing to take you in? Or are you just too much for them to handle?"

i suppose

by Worldie for Leia

[Deleted]

Creating things with his ability was something Gilbert loved. It was something that made a curse feel like a gift. He could make anything he wanted out of ice: sculptures of letters, animals, people, anything; forts and castles with slides and doors and windows; an ice rink and skates; the possibilities were endless. With the things he created he could see the spark of wonder and joy in people's eyes. That wonder made Gilbert feel like it wasn't a mistake he was born. That wonder was in Alfred's eyes right now.

"Wow."

What was someone like Alfred doing here, where they trained the guards to become less human than the mutants they were charged to look after? They roped people into this job by controlling their fear, their contempt, or their hatred of mutants. Someone who could see a mutant's powers, especially one as dangerous as Gilbert, without a hint of any of those emotions and just pure awe did not belong here. And honestly, how old could this kid be? There was no way he was older than Ludwig. Someone like Alfred was going to be wasted here…

"Not bad. You're a pretty cool dude, Gilbert. Maybe in a different world…"

And Gilbert could see it. Something about this kid he just liked. Maybe it was Alfred's attitude, it reminded Gilbert so much of himself. Sure, there was the chance he was pretending, just putting on a show for some sick perverse game… But Gilbert couldn't help but give him the benefit of the doubt. Something about this smiling American made Gilbert just want to trust him. In a different world where mutations didn't exist, he could see him making friends with Alfred. Going out to get a drink with him and a group of friends, laughing at stupid shit and teasing each other. In a different world…

"So, Gilbert--can I call you Gil?--tell me. What is a handsome guy like you doing here instead of up there?Surely with an endearing personality like yours, you could find someone who'd be willing to take you in? Or are you just too much for them to handle?"

Man, did Alfred know how to flatter a man. Being called handsome from a piece like that? Damn good ego boost for someone to acknowledge his damn good looks. He snorted and leaned against the bars. With a wave of his hand, the ice along the bars and his name swirled into his palm. As he spoke, he fidgeted with the ball of ice. "Yeah, I had a lot of contracts my first couple'a years. All short term, just wanting me for odd jobs here and there. Pretty sure my file has a giant 'NOT RECOMMENDED FOR LONG TERM PURCHASE' printed in big red letters on the top. 'Sides my flurry of frosty humor just gets me icy stares from unpunny losers." He snickered at his joke. "But there's more for me down here than up there anyways."

Words: 499

Tags: Alfred F. Jones;

made by MISSO on IOF

[Alfred F. Jones]

it's a

revolution

Word count: 532

Tags: @albinobitch

Notes: gahhh this is ending too soon

Alfred knew he shouldn't be down here. For a minute or so, it was alright. But Alfred could literally feel the seconds ticking away.

Because no matter how much he liked Gilbert, he was little use to the Freedom Fighters here and Alfred generally did not like staying in the Underground any longer than usual.

"Yeah, I had a lot of contracts my first couple'a years. All short term, just wanting me for odd jobs here and there. Pretty sure my file has a giant 'NOT RECOMMENDED FOR LONG TERM PURCHASE' printed in big red letters on the top. 'Sides my flurry of frosty humor just gets me icy stares from unpunny losers." Gilbert laughed and Alfred joined in with a light chuckle. It was tinged with uneasiness, though Alfred doubted Gilbert would notice. "But there's more for me down here than up there anyways."

"Is that so?" Alfred inquired. There was a little movement in the other hall. Had Patrick come back? Subconsciously, his hand drifted towards his jacket pocket before he moved it towards his baton instead. Newbies didn't have guns down here. It'd be too suspicious if he had one.

"I thought it'd be the opposite, to be honest," Alfred commented, just trying to keep the conversation going. He felt a little torn. Did he continue talking to Gilbert? In these precious minutes, it was important that he get out of here. Should he run into a superior...well, a misbehaving recruit wasn't one that you could forget about quite as easily.

"Say, Gilbert..." Alfred bit his lip. "I'm assuming you know most of the mutants around here. Do you know how many of you there are? They didn't tell us much about how large the Underground was on our orientation."

His tone had shifted, a little too abruptly, Alfred could tell, but he didn't really care at the moment. His thoughts were racing. He'd never gotten a chance to see all the mutants and so many were contracted out. Still...Alfred knew that this was important information, not just for the Freedom Fighters but for himself. He'd wronged a lot of people. Had they ended up here? Could he make up for his mistakes? Were they working for someone? Or did they make it at all? Alfred knew that for some...

He had to stop, had to stop, had to stop...

Alfred's fists had begun to clench again and he released them, a little surprised, a little wary. He thought he'd gotten most of his emotions under control. He was usually good about that when he was impersonating someone...

"Sorry, Gil," Alfred said, giving the man a smile. He knew it wasn't as genuinely happy as the ones before, but he figured that it would pass beneath Gil's radar. "I missed that bit. Thought I heard something. What did you say?"

One more minute, Alfred decided. He didn't want to leave Gilbert here. It was like leaving him behind. Alfred had never grown close to a mutant, at least not in the Underground. Leaving him in this desolate situation...it reminded him of his brother. Guilt swept over him. But Alfred had no more choice.

One more minute.

i suppose

by Worldie for Leia

[Deleted]

They were pushing their luck. It was hard to miss the underlying tension growing in Alfred the longer he stayed to chat. It was a dangerous game he was playing, chatting up one of the mutants on his first day. "Is that so?" He responded, distracted by a sound down the hall. Gilbert watched curiously as Alfred's instinctive reaction was to go to his jacket pocket, but as he caught himself he went to his baton. Interesting… "I thought it'd be the opposite, to be honest."

Anyone would assume that. It was a logical assumption. Who would want to stay in a shithole like this? No one wanted to stay for the place or the great company the guards made. But the ones left behind in the cells, the ones that gave Gilbert's life any meaning; it was his family that brought him back time and time again. How could he ever hope to be happy in the world without them?

"Say Gilbert… I'm assuming you know most of the mutant around here. Do you know how many of you there are? They didn't tell us much about how large the Underground was on our orientation."

Well that didn't sound right. Gilbert was fairly certain the guards would make a point to stress how big the place was in orientation. The veterans that trained the new guys loved messing with them as much as the cheeky mutants like Gilbert did. Making new guys feel small and hopeless in the face of their new job was an important first step. The sudden urgency in Alfred's voice made his nerves seem suspicious. Sure it made sense for him to be paranoid of someone coming up on them talking so casually, but Gilbert couldn't think of any logical explanation as to why he seemed hurried asking a mutant a question he could easily ask one of his superiors.

"I dunno, honestly. I've lost track long ago as to how many have come and gone from the cells. I don't see the bait mutes often, they're mostly kept in worse conditions than this. I know we outnumber the guards at least four to one," he said, watching Alfred curiously. He seemed to not be listening, caught up with something in his mind. Gilbert felt a tad wary as Alfred clenched his fists, but he seemed to not even realize he was doing it. Alfred flexed his hands, a trace of surprise in his eyes.

He put on a smile for Gilbert, it lacked the warmth his previous smiles had. "Sorry, Gil. I missed that bit. Thought I heard something. What did you say?"

Sure, he 'heard' something. Gilbert cocked his head, but didn't comment on it. He could tell from Alfred's stance their conversation was coming to an end, as was his entertainment for the day. "At least four mutes to a guard," he said the shortened version.

By now, Gilbert had made up his mind. Something about this guy was off and he had a feeling he wasn't going to see him again. Usually he wasn't the sentimental type, but there was something about Alfred, just something that triggered Gilbert's big brother instincts. This kid had seen his share of shit, everyone with shattered innocence had that aura to them. He was obviously in something deep, someone like him down here in the Underground. It was stupid, but Gilbert wanted to do it. He held up the ice he had been playing with, no longer a ball, but now expertly sculpted into a minute eagle. He held it up for Alfred to see, then closed his hands around it to encase it in a ball of thick ice. Again he held it up, this time for Alfred to take.

"I dunno, you seem out of place and in need a something nice to connect with this place. The ball will keep the eagle from melting for a while. If you get home before the ball melts, just tap at it with something hard and it'll pop open and your eagle will be there for you to appreciate for a while." Gilbert shrugged, starting to feel a little self conscious with his random gifting. "It'll fit in your pocket easy."

Words: 706

Tags: Alfred F. Jones;

made by MISSO on IOF

[Alfred F. Jones]

it's a

revolution

Word count: 646

Tags: @albinobitch

Notes: How is this over. ;; Gdi Patrick.

"At least four mutes to one guard." Alfred nodded, storing the information into the back of his mind.

It took maybe half a second for Alfred to realize that Gilbert was holding out something to him. He leaned forwards a bit to see exactly what it was. Even in the dimness in the cells, Alfred could make out the beautifully sculpted eagle. It was more intricate than any ice carver could ever attempt, the angles perfect, each feather made with such detail that Alfred could almost imagine the ice eagle taking flight.

"I dunno, you seem out of place and in need a something nice to connect with this place." Dang, was he really that obvious? Well, at least he knew that Gilbert certainly wouldn't turn him in. It might raise some questions if he asked someone he knew if they'd seen a guard called 'Alfred' who didn't exist though... "The ball will keep the eagle from melting for a while. If you get home before the ball melts, just tap at it with something hard and it'll pop open and your eagle will be there for you to appreciate for a while." The man shrugged, almost a little embarrassed. Alfred wondered what this meant for him. He doubted that Gil just gave ice sculptures to random strangers every other week. It was probably the first time he'd done so. Alfred picked it up gently, carefully. He was sure Gilbert's powers were strong enough that the eagle would stay alive until he got home but Alfred couldn't help but feel as if the sculpture would break in his hands.

"It'll fit in your pocket easy." Alfred did just that as he gave Gilbert a smile, much more relaxed and genuine this time.

"Thanks, Gil," Alfred said quietly. He had a sense of foreboding, as if he were abandoning the mutant. He ignored the feeling, pushing it out of the way. It wasn't the time. "Means a lot." He hesitated. Alfred knew that their time needed to end and now, but it didn't feel right. There had to be something else he could say, something. Alfred wasn't  close to many mutants (to be honest, he often just felt an immense wave of guilt when he did), but talking with Gil seemed to be so natural.

As Alfred opened his mouth, there was a certain clanging and a yelp that definitely sounded like Patrick. Alfred's head whipped around towards the sound and he took a step backwards from Gilbert's cell. Shortly afterwards, Alfred's radio crackled to life.

"H...H...ELP...HELP...REBELLION HAPPENING...MUTANTS...GAH...DYING..."

Patrick. Freaking out. Naturally. But regardless of that, at least a few guards would have to respond to his distress call. If they saw Alfred just standing there, they would have him come along and he could not get swept up into that.

"Shit," Alfred muttered. He looked at Gilbert and thought of the ice eagle in his jacket. "I'm not supposed to be here, sorry," he said, smiling apologetically. "Gotta, uh, respond to this distress call."

Alfred hesitated for half a second before he gave Gilbert one last, wider smile. "Stay cool, 'kay? Maybe we'll see each other again." Alfred winked as he moved into a jog towards the direction that Patrick's yelp had come from. When he was out of sight of Gilbert, Alfred turned towards the passage leading the opposite way, snaking his way through the maze of Underground cells and heading back out of the Underground.

As he raced through the passageways, Alfred couldn't help but think back to Gilbert. He'd only talked to the mutant for a few minutes, yet he'd seemed more human than most people Alfred talked to on a regular basis.

Would they meet again? Probably not. Probably best not to. The thought dampened Alfred's spirits a little bit.

Maybe in a different world.

i suppose

by Worldie for Leia

[Deleted]

The second Alfred accepted the ball of ice, Gilbert knew he had made the right decision. “Thanks, Gil. Means a lot.” His smile and quiet thanks was enough to confirm his gut instincts about Alfred. A grin pulled at Gilbert's lips as he flopped back to the ground, a means to resolve ALFRED'S hesitation. He could tell the guy wanted to chat more, who wouldn't? Gilbert was great company, but it really was time for him to go, wasn't it?

"H...H...ELP...HELP...REBELLION HAPPENING...MUTANTS...GAH...DYING..."

Gilbert snorted, then clutched his sides to try to hold back the laughter threatening to burst out of him. Oh god, that was the guy Alfred had ditched earlier. He probably got lost somewhere and heard some rats or something. All of the troublemakers were always in this general area. Damn, Gilbert couldn’t wait till this idiotic newbie found his way to his cell. Oh the fun there was to have.

“Shit. I’m not supposed to be here, sorry. Gotta, uh, respond to this distress call.”

Sure he did. Gilbert just smirked and shrugged. To Alfred’s parting, “Stay cool, ‘kay? Maybe we’ll see each other again,” he could only laugh. Making cold puns? This guy was such a keeper. Too bad Gilbert had a feeling they weren’t going to see each other again. He gave a small wave and called after Alfred, “Don’t let the frost bite!”

Alfred’s footsteps echoed then disappeared, leaving the usual noise of mutants living in the cells: breathing and shuffling, with the scattered toilet usage and lowered voices. Gilbert stayed in his spot on the floor next to the bars to watch the hall in hopes of more recruits coming by. None would be as good as Alfred, but hey at least he could get the usual reaction out of them.

Not long after Alfred left, a rush of guards ran through the hall. Their clatter drifted to silence, then slowly came back, accompanied by the frantic ramblings of the man Gilbert assumed Alfred had ditched. “I swear there was a guy named Albert with me! He was partnered with me and we split up because he heard something! I swear I wasn’t imagining things!”

The man’s whines continued all the way down the hall. A few of the guards in the back of the group lingered behind so as not to be overheard. “Are you sure we didn’t have a guy named Albert in orientation group?” One whispered. The other nodded, twisting his mustache as he spoke. “Some guy showed up late, so we sent him with Patrick. Don’t remember his name or face though. Might have been the recruits playing a prank on this wimp. How did he even get through the tests, fuckin’ hell.”

The group disappeared around a corner and a manic smile found its way to Gilbert’s face. He had no idea what Alfred was planning or who he really was, but whatever he was doing, it was fucking hilarious. Humming with delight of the knowledge he possessed, Gilbert formed a new ball of ice in his hands to play with. See each other again his ass, but hey one could hope.

Words: 524

Tags: Alfred F. Jones; WHEW DONE

made by MISSO on IOF