[WP] You're immortal. Your spouse isn't. Your aging spouse keeps trying to get you to meet new people
January, 192x
I’ve recently found an interest in alchemy. It’s a fascinating study. Yes, the modern science of the 1900s is advancing incredibly and I get fascinated by it as well, but it does not compare to how alchemy worked despite the lack of materials. Turn lead into gold? The elixir of life? It was all just fascinating.
March, 192x
I’ve found a community in my country that was as fascinated by alchemy as I was. It’s only been a few meetings, but I enjoy their company. Alchemists and those who had ancestors that practiced alchemy gathered at the meeting place, and there, an exchange of knowledge happened. So this is what it meant to belong to a community. They were all so friendly and welcoming.
July, 192x
I don’t write enough in this journal as much as I did before. Perhaps it was because of the company I’ve found. Anyways, someone claimed to have found information on the philosopher’s stone. Yes, the elixir of life! They gave a copy of how to make it. To all that was curious, that is. I wanted to create one so I am included as the recipient of those papers.
August, 198x
I’ve not written here in a while. I thought I had lost this journal in the explosion as well… At least I have somewhere to write out my thoughts again. See, I’ve had this problem for a few decades now… Since I delved too much into alchemy. It was supposed to be a harmless little hobby of mine. And the experiment circulating in the community… It was supposed to be a harmless trial. Yes, a trial has gone completely wrong. I just wanted to try out the new trend in the community. They said someone finally recreated the philosopher’s stone! To anybody with interests in alchemy, it was huge news. And I can just imagine how many people tried this experiment and failed. I bet their results were much more catastrophic…
I dared not ask the community about news on this. Since the day I somewhat gained immortality from recreating that accursed philosopher’s stone, I didn’t dare show my face in the community again.
I tried to live my life in complete solitude. With what accumulated wealth I gained during the decades, I used to buy a piece of land at the far end of town, the property that no road reaches. I was really keen on privacy, yes. I couldn’t have nosy neighbors poking their noses into… my mistake.
If I would attempt to go into town… It would maybe be once every few months when I feel like I’ve somewhat been forgotten by the last person that saw me. I was perfectly fine for the past few decades, I swear-
September, 199x
It was about time to go out to restock my supply once more. My small farm can only provide me with produce but it cannot provide me with other essentials so here I ready myself to meet people. I wonder what the trend is now. The last time I was out, was 6 months ago.
There was this young lady in the store that kept following me around. I think she was a worker there. She was lovely and extremely helpful towards me. Is this what I’ve been reading about seduction? Do I respond to it? I suppose she would be shocked when she found out about me. She also said I talked funny. I have no idea how people of this era would speak. I didn’t even intend to interact with her. Unless she was bank personnel that would accept the antiques in my household.
December, 199x
I needed to gather some supplies for the holidays. Despite not aging, I still tried to celebrate the holidays since the pets I’ve collected from the road seemed to enjoy these things and being able to feast to their heart’s content. Yes, in recent years, there seemed to be increasing abandoned animals on the road and I’ve been driving around and adopting them when I can. Thankfully they ate my cooking so it wasn’t a struggle for me.
What was a problem was when I saw that young lady again. She was assisting this one scared dog. I offered to take it with me, and she insisted that she oversees the animal’s safety so I allowed her into my home where she saw the number of rescued animals I’ve kept around. It was astounding to see the animals gather around here when I struggled with a number of them. Perhaps she was an animal person.
January 2000
It has been some 2 years since this young lady intruded into my home and she seemed to make visiting me and my animals a frequent thing. I had no objections to it yet I fear for when she starts asking me questions as to why I do not age. Yet she gives me a strange look. Something akin to a woman in love. Perhaps it’s with the animals.
February 2000
It is valentines, and this young lady, Audrey, has declared that she would be courting me even if I’m a strange man. I had no idea women were allowed to court now. It used to be a man’s duty to do so. But I will see how this would proceed.
May 2000
Despite her bold declaration and her silly yet adorable attempts, I showed her how to properly court and on this day, she accepted becoming my partner and companion.
April, 200x
I asked her for her hand in marriage a few months ago. We are to be wed in the upcoming weekends so that her family could attend. So… In the registry… She found out about my records… and my documents…
She was shocked for a few weeks but she somewhat still accepted me. It’s just that her questions grew more and more out of hand. She was surprised to know that she was the first person I ever courted but I call it a gentleman’s loyalty that cannot be found in this generation. She loved me regardless. I hope to live the rest of her life with her because who knows how long I would live.
July, 201x
It has been a few years in sheer married bliss. We were blessed with a daughter and a son. Who knew I would still be capable of reproduction. I just hope they don’t become immortal as I did. It would be sad to see my own children live a lonely life such as I did.
As for Audrey… she’s starting to age. Although ever beautiful as the day we met… She’s been growing increasingly worried about my life when she disappears from my life.
October, 201x
She’s getting closer to 40 and I don’t really mind but she’s been trying to make me go out more with her. And at times, she would ask me if anyone else catches my eyes. How would I tell her that I don’t see anyone else but her? I know she means well but there would be the animals that would keep me company once she’s departed. There are also the children who still try to visit me. I’m thankful they age though.
November, 202x
We got into an argument over this. I think this is the menopause thing I’ve read in her magazines.
I had to put down the journal with a sigh. How many times have we gone through this? She has been getting more and more emotional since the kids have moved out. She’s been dragging me out more and more too. I get that she doesn’t want me to be lonely again… but she needs to understand that I’ll be fine. I honestly do not like arguing with her because she gets quite illogical.
“Dree, love. You must understand that I will never be lonely even after you pass” I try to give her the most assuring smile I could manage
“You always tell me that… But before me… you weren’t so happy. Yes, the animals kept you company but they can’t give you what people can” She heaved a deep sigh
I came up to her and wrapped my arms around her. I held her like I did countless nights before “I love you” With those simple words, she smiled and leaned into my touch. When she finally got the point that I would be fine even after she had passed, the arguments became less and less. It was a sort of relief I needed.
She went on with her 40s and 50s. I had hoped she would be allowed to be with me until her 70s but by her mid-60s, she left me and the children behind. Sad as it was, there was just no getting around the inevitable. She was buried beside the gazebo I had built for her. She always loved dancing there.
I understood now what she meant when it would be painful for me to be alone again. But I will never truly be alone. She’ll always be there and I can always visit her when I need someone to talk to. Hopefully when I take up alchemy again… I can figure out how to perish with her.
My motivation to make series is gone OnO why is it so hard to make long stuff but it's so easy to make short stories like this
