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More from Shane_Rufus
More than anything, Alphonse Norwich was tired.
He sat on his chair, staring blankly at the television in front of him as the images flickered past, and his siblings buzzed about. He neither saw the former nor heard the latter, it was all just a drone of light and sound. Even when he tried to follow one or the other, the rat’s brain was too fogged over to do so. He’d been swirling the beer around in his bottle for fifteen minutes without realizing it. It was his sixth, and it was still early.
Basketball was supposed to fix everything. He was supposed to fix everything. He was supposed to make their lives better, not…
“Alfie!”
The big rat turned to locate the voice calling his name. Natalie. He grunted and sat up, elbows on his knees. “What y’ want, Nat?”
“Liv told me to tell you t’…” she paused a moment, the young girl gathering herself up to deliver the next bit just as she’d be told it. “T’ get your arse t’ the store cos we’s all outta food.”
It was true. Alphonse wasn’t the best at keeping on top of his groceries, even when he’d been just fending for himself. The first month living in Hawaii he’d filled his fridge up, but it wasn’t long before he just went out and got food at restaurants and bars, or ordered in. He managed to keep himself fed, but he wasn’t at all prepared for the whole family again. Or, he supposed, even just most of them.
Alfie lifted his bottle up and pressed the cold glass to his forehead. “Well… go get me cellie an’ I’ll order us up summat.”
Natalie stood there, unsure, then trotted off after a quick wave of the hand from her big brother.
Then, she was back.
“Oi, Nat… what now, eh?”
“Liv wants t’ talk to you.”
Alphonse grunted and hoisted himself up onto his feet. It felt like his body was covered in tar. His long strides were in direct counterpoint to his sister’s quick ones, and it took an extra few seconds before he got into his kitchen.
“Give us a sec, Nat?” Olivia said, prompting the younger girl to huff and leave the room.
Alfie went to the fridge to get a fresh beer, only to have the door slammed shut again by a cross Liv.
“Alfie. Th’ sibs is goin’ stir crazy, mum’s about t’ kill someone, an’ all y’ got in the kitchen is a couple pints and some sauces. I can’t even put together soup.”
Normally stopping Alfie from having a beer was grounds for a tongue lashing, but he was far too tired for that. So, he just groaned quietly and rested his back against the fridge, then looked at his sister.
“Yeh, well what’m I supposed t’do about it, eh? Take th’ fam out on a nice holiday to th’ market? We take two steps outside an’ there’s gonna be snapsnapsnap,” he mimed taking pictures, “an’ microphones left an’ right. Y’think I like stayin’ stuck ‘ere? Fuckin’ hell, Liv, iz not like this was me first choice for a gameplan. Afta the press conference… I’m tryin’ me best, ‘ere. This ain’t th’ Alley, Liv.”
Olivia crossed her arms. She knew Alfie was right, which was something she didn’t want to admit all by itself, but that didn’t solve the problems. “Maybe so, but I can’t put your best in a pot an’ feed it to th’ babes.”
Alfie pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes. The alcohol was keeping his nerves dulled, but it didn’t lessen the headache. “So I’ll call up someplace an’ get a meal brought ‘ere on a cart. Done done done.”
Olivia sighed. “Alfie… how long do you think we can do this?”
“Do what?”
She waved a hand. “Stay hiding in here. Orderin’ meals an’ keepin’ the blinds shut.”
“I don’t know, Liv,” Alfie replied, patience wearing thin. “You give me a guess on ‘ow long it’ll take before I ain’t gotta worry about my family gettin’ molested by th’ press an’ every pissed off nonnie with a cell phone an’ I’ll give y’ an idea.”
Olivia was one of the few in the family who felt comfortable arguing straight with Alfie, and the two began a heated exchange, though trying their best to keep their voices down to avoid scaring their younger siblings. The atmosphere in the new Norwich home was a tense one. The littlest didn’t know what to think of their new surroundings, the unfamiliar neighbors, and it wasn’t hard for small arguments to turn into whole-house fiascos.
Natalie poked her head in, “Er… Alfie?”
Alphonse turned to glare at his sister. “Nat, thought Liv told y’ t’ go wait outside.”
“She did,” Natalie admitted, “But… there’s someone at th’ door.”
“Tell ‘em t’ fuck off.”
Natalie stayed put. “Ehm… I don’t think it’s a reporter.”
Alfie looked at Liv briefly, then back at Natalie. He huffed. “Right, make a path, I’ll go see what th’ bloke wants.”
The broad-shouldered rat waded his way through the living room, his steps smooth and subconscious from a lifetime of evading small bodies at his feet, before reaching the front door and opening it up.
“Listen up, I ain’t in th’ mood f…”
“Hello, Mr Norwich,” the red deer in front of him said with a smile.
“Mr Grehr! Er… what’re you doin’ ‘ere, eh?” Alfie asked, opening the door slightly wider and glancing about his front yard suspiciously. He hadn’t spoken to anyone from the team, or anyone really, since the disastrous press conference. For that matter, aside from Muri, Alfie had stayed on radio silence since he’d come back to the States.
Standing in the doorway, shoulders slumped in his worn old shirt, Alphonse braced himself. This is it, old boy. You’re about to get fired, in front of your family.
Wilmer smiled all the wider. “Well, I was just in the neighborhood, and thought I might drop by and see how my favorite alley rat was settling in. I’m sure the house seems a little less roomy now that the family has moved in, hm?”
As the older deer spoke, several of the younger Norwiches had gathered around their big brother, poking to see who it was.
“Who’s ‘is?”
“What’s ‘at on ‘is head?”
“What’s innat?”
Alfie didn’t bother trying to get them to step back, none were confident enough to get too close anyway. A year of balling in the States had Alphonse comfortable around non-rats, but the younger half of the family had never seen any other species up close, aside from who they’d run into in their travel from England to Hawaii. Of course, most had slept, and the others hadn’t been paying terribly close attention, given the circumstances.
“This is eh… this is Mista Grehr, lads. He’s me manager on th’ team.”
Wilmer turned his attention to the few rats that had wandered up close. “That’s right, everyone. I’ve been working with your brother here, helping him play his best and earn that big FBA money.” The deer tilted his head to glance past Alphonse into the house. “Goodness. You said you had a big family, but I didn’t realize just how big.”
Alfie’s head turned, as if he needed to check for himself. “Yeh well, this is j… yeah.” He turned back. “So eh… didn’t run into no press?”
Wilmer shook his head simply. “No, no. Smooth sailing all the way.”
Alphonse nodded. The normally brash and talkative rat was anything but. Wilmer found it odd, the burly rodent’s shoulders low, avoiding eye contact. Alfie glanced toward Wilmer’s hand, and the cooler he was holding. “So what’s ‘at, eh?”
“Hm?” the cervine asked, like he’d forgotten. “Oh, this! Oh, just something Ari and I put together. Consider it part housewarming gift, and part congratulations for making it through the season without proving the media right.” He lifted the cooler up and passed it over to the rat.
The rat snorted, taking it. He blinked, feeling its weight. There was more in there than he’d guessed. “Y’ sure bout that? Might wanna go check th’ tape again.”
Wilmer’s broad smile returned. “I saw, and I hope you saw my response.” His expression grew serious, then. “It was unfair for them to prey on a family tragedy just to get headlines like that. But, at least that’s over.”
Alphonse chuckled. “Yeh, so long as I don’t show me face outside again.”
That got a small laugh from Wilmer. “You know, Norwich, this might come as a shock but… the world does not revolve around this house. I’m sure you’ll get the odd bit of attention, but the paprazzi’s had their feast already.”
That didn’t seem to clarify it, so Wilmer continued. “What I mean is, they got their story, and in a week they’ll have forgotten about it. Besides, I know some people who know some people, so you shouldn’t have to worry about any reporters on your tail too much from here on out. Take the family to a movie, go to the beach. I think you all could use some time to forget about… all that’s happened. Anyway, I should be going. You take care of yourself, Norwich.”
The red deer was just turning to head back to his car, when a voice stopped him. “Mr Grehr?”
“Hm?” he said, stepping back to the Norwich’s front door. “Yes?”
“…Call me Alfie, eh?”
Wilmer chuckled quietly. He put a hand on Alphonse’s shoulder and gave it a small squeeze. “Of course. You take care of yourself, Alfie. And if you need anything, anything at all, you have my number.”
Then, the Hawaii Kahunas GM stepped into his car and drove off.
The visitor gone, Alfie’s siblings were back to their animated selves, poking and prodding at the cooler that their brother was carrying, sniffing at it, asking questions about it and the strange man who’d delivered it. Alphonse ignored them, going straight to the kitchen to drop the impressively heavy container on the island.
“What whuzzat all about?” Olivia asked.
The big rat shrugged casually. “Just someone from th’ team droppin’ by, askin’ ‘ow we was doin’.”
Liv hummed. “Well that was nice of him. What’d he give you?”
“Well ‘e didn’t say, that’s why I’m openin’ th’ bloody thing up, eh? Probably some beer or sum…”
It wasn’t beer. Not by a longshot.
Inside the cooler, Wilmer Grehr and Ari (whoever that was) had put together a full English meal. No, scratch that, it was an English feast. Tightly packed inside the white container was fish, chips, a full roast, fresh vegetables, tupperware with a big pudding in it, the works, all of it freshly made from the looks of it, and as much as the deer was able to pack in.
Wilmer Grehr had cooked Alphonse and his family dinner.
Olivia’s eyes went wide. Alphonse’s as well. The two stared into the box a few moments longer before Olivia just let out a laugh.
“Natalie! Get back in ‘ere, need y’ paws.”
It was a supper that tasted better than any the family had had in weeks. It wasn’t just that the food was delicious, although it certainly was. Having a home-cooked meal, brought by his team’s manager no less. For the first time in a long while, Alphonse Norwich was feeling… dare he say it? Optimistic. Finally, things were looking up. It was just a shame Muri left so suddenly the day before, she’d have loved to see it.
The press conference over, the Norwiches have stayed holed up in Alfie's house in Hawaii, and get an unexpected visitor.
Quick story collab between myself and
bossbull (go check out her followup to the press conference here!)
art by
pac
Wilmer Grehr c/o bossbull
© FBA
From the Alley to the Big City is a creative collaboration between shanerufus and pac set in the FBA universe.
for a complete list of art, stories, audio and more, please view the project index or visit the official FAtBC website!
He sat on his chair, staring blankly at the television in front of him as the images flickered past, and his siblings buzzed about. He neither saw the former nor heard the latter, it was all just a drone of light and sound. Even when he tried to follow one or the other, the rat’s brain was too fogged over to do so. He’d been swirling the beer around in his bottle for fifteen minutes without realizing it. It was his sixth, and it was still early.
Basketball was supposed to fix everything. He was supposed to fix everything. He was supposed to make their lives better, not…
“Alfie!”
The big rat turned to locate the voice calling his name. Natalie. He grunted and sat up, elbows on his knees. “What y’ want, Nat?”
“Liv told me to tell you t’…” she paused a moment, the young girl gathering herself up to deliver the next bit just as she’d be told it. “T’ get your arse t’ the store cos we’s all outta food.”
It was true. Alphonse wasn’t the best at keeping on top of his groceries, even when he’d been just fending for himself. The first month living in Hawaii he’d filled his fridge up, but it wasn’t long before he just went out and got food at restaurants and bars, or ordered in. He managed to keep himself fed, but he wasn’t at all prepared for the whole family again. Or, he supposed, even just most of them.
Alfie lifted his bottle up and pressed the cold glass to his forehead. “Well… go get me cellie an’ I’ll order us up summat.”
Natalie stood there, unsure, then trotted off after a quick wave of the hand from her big brother.
Then, she was back.
“Oi, Nat… what now, eh?”
“Liv wants t’ talk to you.”
Alphonse grunted and hoisted himself up onto his feet. It felt like his body was covered in tar. His long strides were in direct counterpoint to his sister’s quick ones, and it took an extra few seconds before he got into his kitchen.
“Give us a sec, Nat?” Olivia said, prompting the younger girl to huff and leave the room.
Alfie went to the fridge to get a fresh beer, only to have the door slammed shut again by a cross Liv.
“Alfie. Th’ sibs is goin’ stir crazy, mum’s about t’ kill someone, an’ all y’ got in the kitchen is a couple pints and some sauces. I can’t even put together soup.”
Normally stopping Alfie from having a beer was grounds for a tongue lashing, but he was far too tired for that. So, he just groaned quietly and rested his back against the fridge, then looked at his sister.
“Yeh, well what’m I supposed t’do about it, eh? Take th’ fam out on a nice holiday to th’ market? We take two steps outside an’ there’s gonna be snapsnapsnap,” he mimed taking pictures, “an’ microphones left an’ right. Y’think I like stayin’ stuck ‘ere? Fuckin’ hell, Liv, iz not like this was me first choice for a gameplan. Afta the press conference… I’m tryin’ me best, ‘ere. This ain’t th’ Alley, Liv.”
Olivia crossed her arms. She knew Alfie was right, which was something she didn’t want to admit all by itself, but that didn’t solve the problems. “Maybe so, but I can’t put your best in a pot an’ feed it to th’ babes.”
Alfie pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes. The alcohol was keeping his nerves dulled, but it didn’t lessen the headache. “So I’ll call up someplace an’ get a meal brought ‘ere on a cart. Done done done.”
Olivia sighed. “Alfie… how long do you think we can do this?”
“Do what?”
She waved a hand. “Stay hiding in here. Orderin’ meals an’ keepin’ the blinds shut.”
“I don’t know, Liv,” Alfie replied, patience wearing thin. “You give me a guess on ‘ow long it’ll take before I ain’t gotta worry about my family gettin’ molested by th’ press an’ every pissed off nonnie with a cell phone an’ I’ll give y’ an idea.”
Olivia was one of the few in the family who felt comfortable arguing straight with Alfie, and the two began a heated exchange, though trying their best to keep their voices down to avoid scaring their younger siblings. The atmosphere in the new Norwich home was a tense one. The littlest didn’t know what to think of their new surroundings, the unfamiliar neighbors, and it wasn’t hard for small arguments to turn into whole-house fiascos.
Natalie poked her head in, “Er… Alfie?”
Alphonse turned to glare at his sister. “Nat, thought Liv told y’ t’ go wait outside.”
“She did,” Natalie admitted, “But… there’s someone at th’ door.”
“Tell ‘em t’ fuck off.”
Natalie stayed put. “Ehm… I don’t think it’s a reporter.”
Alfie looked at Liv briefly, then back at Natalie. He huffed. “Right, make a path, I’ll go see what th’ bloke wants.”
The broad-shouldered rat waded his way through the living room, his steps smooth and subconscious from a lifetime of evading small bodies at his feet, before reaching the front door and opening it up.
“Listen up, I ain’t in th’ mood f…”
“Hello, Mr Norwich,” the red deer in front of him said with a smile.
“Mr Grehr! Er… what’re you doin’ ‘ere, eh?” Alfie asked, opening the door slightly wider and glancing about his front yard suspiciously. He hadn’t spoken to anyone from the team, or anyone really, since the disastrous press conference. For that matter, aside from Muri, Alfie had stayed on radio silence since he’d come back to the States.
Standing in the doorway, shoulders slumped in his worn old shirt, Alphonse braced himself. This is it, old boy. You’re about to get fired, in front of your family.
Wilmer smiled all the wider. “Well, I was just in the neighborhood, and thought I might drop by and see how my favorite alley rat was settling in. I’m sure the house seems a little less roomy now that the family has moved in, hm?”
As the older deer spoke, several of the younger Norwiches had gathered around their big brother, poking to see who it was.
“Who’s ‘is?”
“What’s ‘at on ‘is head?”
“What’s innat?”
Alfie didn’t bother trying to get them to step back, none were confident enough to get too close anyway. A year of balling in the States had Alphonse comfortable around non-rats, but the younger half of the family had never seen any other species up close, aside from who they’d run into in their travel from England to Hawaii. Of course, most had slept, and the others hadn’t been paying terribly close attention, given the circumstances.
“This is eh… this is Mista Grehr, lads. He’s me manager on th’ team.”
Wilmer turned his attention to the few rats that had wandered up close. “That’s right, everyone. I’ve been working with your brother here, helping him play his best and earn that big FBA money.” The deer tilted his head to glance past Alphonse into the house. “Goodness. You said you had a big family, but I didn’t realize just how big.”
Alfie’s head turned, as if he needed to check for himself. “Yeh well, this is j… yeah.” He turned back. “So eh… didn’t run into no press?”
Wilmer shook his head simply. “No, no. Smooth sailing all the way.”
Alphonse nodded. The normally brash and talkative rat was anything but. Wilmer found it odd, the burly rodent’s shoulders low, avoiding eye contact. Alfie glanced toward Wilmer’s hand, and the cooler he was holding. “So what’s ‘at, eh?”
“Hm?” the cervine asked, like he’d forgotten. “Oh, this! Oh, just something Ari and I put together. Consider it part housewarming gift, and part congratulations for making it through the season without proving the media right.” He lifted the cooler up and passed it over to the rat.
The rat snorted, taking it. He blinked, feeling its weight. There was more in there than he’d guessed. “Y’ sure bout that? Might wanna go check th’ tape again.”
Wilmer’s broad smile returned. “I saw, and I hope you saw my response.” His expression grew serious, then. “It was unfair for them to prey on a family tragedy just to get headlines like that. But, at least that’s over.”
Alphonse chuckled. “Yeh, so long as I don’t show me face outside again.”
That got a small laugh from Wilmer. “You know, Norwich, this might come as a shock but… the world does not revolve around this house. I’m sure you’ll get the odd bit of attention, but the paprazzi’s had their feast already.”
That didn’t seem to clarify it, so Wilmer continued. “What I mean is, they got their story, and in a week they’ll have forgotten about it. Besides, I know some people who know some people, so you shouldn’t have to worry about any reporters on your tail too much from here on out. Take the family to a movie, go to the beach. I think you all could use some time to forget about… all that’s happened. Anyway, I should be going. You take care of yourself, Norwich.”
The red deer was just turning to head back to his car, when a voice stopped him. “Mr Grehr?”
“Hm?” he said, stepping back to the Norwich’s front door. “Yes?”
“…Call me Alfie, eh?”
Wilmer chuckled quietly. He put a hand on Alphonse’s shoulder and gave it a small squeeze. “Of course. You take care of yourself, Alfie. And if you need anything, anything at all, you have my number.”
Then, the Hawaii Kahunas GM stepped into his car and drove off.
The visitor gone, Alfie’s siblings were back to their animated selves, poking and prodding at the cooler that their brother was carrying, sniffing at it, asking questions about it and the strange man who’d delivered it. Alphonse ignored them, going straight to the kitchen to drop the impressively heavy container on the island.
“What whuzzat all about?” Olivia asked.
The big rat shrugged casually. “Just someone from th’ team droppin’ by, askin’ ‘ow we was doin’.”
Liv hummed. “Well that was nice of him. What’d he give you?”
“Well ‘e didn’t say, that’s why I’m openin’ th’ bloody thing up, eh? Probably some beer or sum…”
It wasn’t beer. Not by a longshot.
Inside the cooler, Wilmer Grehr and Ari (whoever that was) had put together a full English meal. No, scratch that, it was an English feast. Tightly packed inside the white container was fish, chips, a full roast, fresh vegetables, tupperware with a big pudding in it, the works, all of it freshly made from the looks of it, and as much as the deer was able to pack in.
Wilmer Grehr had cooked Alphonse and his family dinner.
Olivia’s eyes went wide. Alphonse’s as well. The two stared into the box a few moments longer before Olivia just let out a laugh.
“Natalie! Get back in ‘ere, need y’ paws.”
It was a supper that tasted better than any the family had had in weeks. It wasn’t just that the food was delicious, although it certainly was. Having a home-cooked meal, brought by his team’s manager no less. For the first time in a long while, Alphonse Norwich was feeling… dare he say it? Optimistic. Finally, things were looking up. It was just a shame Muri left so suddenly the day before, she’d have loved to see it.
The press conference over, the Norwiches have stayed holed up in Alfie's house in Hawaii, and get an unexpected visitor.
Quick story collab between myself and
bossbull (go check out her followup to the press conference here!)art by
pacWilmer Grehr c/o
bossbull© FBA
From the Alley to the Big City is a creative collaboration between shanerufus and pac set in the FBA universe.
for a complete list of art, stories, audio and more, please view the project index or visit the official FAtBC website!
Category All / General Furry Art
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 980 x 1280px
File Size 81.6 kB
Well this is certainly more proof that Wilmer's an' awesome guy and GM. ^^
This is something very well needed at this time, though I can't help but be curious about the people that know people that Wilmer knows to help things.
All in all, a nice little interlude. An' I love the ratlings curiosity on Wilmer himself. (“What’s ‘at on ‘is head?”)
This is something very well needed at this time, though I can't help but be curious about the people that know people that Wilmer knows to help things.
All in all, a nice little interlude. An' I love the ratlings curiosity on Wilmer himself. (“What’s ‘at on ‘is head?”)
Okay, Wilmer is quickly rising on my list of favorite characters ever. If I may be so bold, its almost like he's becoming a bit of a father figure for Alfie, which wouldn't be all that bad really. He's seem to be a a great influence already, and if he help Alfie make it through all of this, all the better.
Totally agree. Wilmer's found a special spot in my old tin heart.
When he was first drafted, I wasn't sure I liked the idea of Alfie in hawaii, but bossbull totally proved me wrong and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
When he was first drafted, I wasn't sure I liked the idea of Alfie in hawaii, but
bossbull totally proved me wrong and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
(ignore the hidden one, misspelled stuff X\)
I think he's finding spots in all of our hearts, which I am more than okay with.
Well, its been a series of surprises from the start hasn't it. I mean, him getting the drafted the way he was. Bets really knows how to take something unexpected and turn it into something kickass 'w'
I think he's finding spots in all of our hearts, which I am more than okay with.
Well, its been a series of surprises from the start hasn't it. I mean, him getting the drafted the way he was. Bets really knows how to take something unexpected and turn it into something kickass 'w'
Both of you rock for those comments, y'know? Haha. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. But I'm glad Wilmer's become something more to people! I'm glad that my decision to develop his story and develop him as a character has not just been so readily accepted, but has helped and allowed me to contribute two Shane's FatBC stories.
And honestly, Alfie wasn't even on my original list to draft, but as more and more of the players I wanted disappeared, I decided to take a chance on Alfie. And I don't regret it one bit! Nor does Wilmer. Lol.
And honestly, Alfie wasn't even on my original list to draft, but as more and more of the players I wanted disappeared, I decided to take a chance on Alfie. And I don't regret it one bit! Nor does Wilmer. Lol.
D'awww, you're most welcome. I love having that feeling, so its even better to know I'm giving it to others too. He really is a great guy, it'd be hard to not like him. Like I said, he's definitely doing a lot to bring out the good in Alfie, even when a lot of others would see his reputation as took much of a bother to deal with. He took a lot on his shoulder when he picked Alfie, but it really shows how strong his character is that he sticks by his decision; even in this tough times.
DAWWWW!!!! Very sweet gesture on Wilmer's part! Good to see more of Liv and Natalie, and it's nice to see a slightly different side of Alfie, discouraged and honestly at a loss as to what to do. Great piece of art to go with it, Pac! Hee hee, love how the lil ones are sneaking peeks at "the stranger" with those big eyes. The Norwich kids at the beach: Hawaii may not survive!
Gosh darnit, how did I miss this earlier when it was posted!
Either way, I like seeing Alfie arming up to Wilmer. He doesn't just tell anyone to call him Alfie after all.
This was an amazing story, and it was so much fun watching Pac draw this up.
Still, with all the hints dropped in the stream chat, and Alfie's slight hesitation about his family . . . you have me far too worried about who may not have made it out of the alley.
Stop playing with my emotions! (Though, if I recall, I can blame this emotion session on someone else)
Either way, I like seeing Alfie arming up to Wilmer. He doesn't just tell anyone to call him Alfie after all.
This was an amazing story, and it was so much fun watching Pac draw this up.
Still, with all the hints dropped in the stream chat, and Alfie's slight hesitation about his family . . . you have me far too worried about who may not have made it out of the alley.
Stop playing with my emotions! (Though, if I recall, I can blame this emotion session on someone else)
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