DISCLAIMER: AXIS POWER: HETALIA BELONGS TO ITS AUTHOR HIDEKAZ HIMARUYA. I ONLY OWN THE AMERICAN STATES.
New York City: May 2, 2012
"Alright let's get this meeting started! First topic of discussion is possible ways we can reduce national and state debts. Any ideas?" New York said addressing a room of forty-nine teens and children.
New York had champagne blond hair, with an ahoge sticking out where the beginning of his scalp was, and electric blue eyes and looked extremely similar to America. The only differences, that one could see with their five senses, was that he had a neutral voice, his more roundish face, along with a petite and slim body structure that left him standing at 5'4".
Dead silence rang throughout the room. Not a single hand rose from the forty nine others in the room. All of them were staring out the windows, at their lap, the floor, or the arrangement of blue and lavender roses that sat in the center of the long oval table.
New York sighed. "Since there are no volunteers and there will be no other time during this meeting for me to bring up this tax change. The City of New York, as of last month, has exempted all clothing and shoe items from state and city taxes." Groans and complaints about loss of income came from New Jersey and Connecticut. "Though this is only applied to an item or items that are under $110."
"Guess you can't continue leaching money off of New York now, can you Jersey? What's going to happen to your thousand dollar Armani and Gucci suits now?" Pennsylvania snickered at the crestfallen expression that appeared on New Jersey's face. The Garden state's response was to flip him the bird.
Pennsylvania was albino. His skin was milky white and his hair was platinum grayish blond. His eyes possessed horizontal heterochromia, the top being imperial red while the bottom was a bright violet color. He was tall, standing at 6 feet, and had a solid build, which only increased his intimidating appearance.
"Simple Penn. I'll leech off of Philly like I always do when NYC isn't an option anymore." New Jersey said, a smug grin replacing the upset look that had previously been on his face.
New Jersey was an inch shorter than New York. He had olive skin that appeared even darker, mainly due to constant work in his gardens. He owned hazel green eyes that appeared to be green or brown depending on the light and had a slightly built body.
"Well that's totally not helping you decrease personal spending on clothes, you took off tax!" Georgia's serious voice piped up, causing many heads to turn to this other America-lookalike.
Georgia was tall, standing at the proud height of 5'11". He had strawberry blond hair, and had no ahoge. He also possessed the same vibrant electric blue eyes New York does. He was also built similarly to America.
"But it's only for clothes and shoes under $110!" New York replied shaking his head back and forth.
"It wouldn't hurt if you could also cut back on spending for your clothes now would it?" Georgia countered.
"I don't spend that much on clothes." New York bristled.
"Of course not. Just more than a crack addict does on drugs."
"I do not."
"You spend just as much as a TV mom... Wait let me correct that; you spend more than a TV mom because they only shop for one gender. You shop for two!"
"It's not that much."
"And how much is 'not that much' daily?" Georgia asked raising an amused eyebrow.
New York shifted his gaze to the flowers, "... Only $200..."
"I spend less on groceries per week than you do clothes per a day!" Georgia was genuinely shocked. Many others were as shocked as Georgia and were now curious as to how much money New York made, and had, to be able to spend such a large amount of money every day.
"But if I don't shop I could lose next year's title of Fashion Capital of the World! To England of all people! Again!"
"What does it matter?" At that point, everyone who had been sitting between the two froze as the Empire State pushed back his chair and quickly crossed the short distance between his seat and the Empire State of the South's seat.
"I refuse to lose that title to someone who had to count on the Olympics and a new Duchess just to beat me! I admit Kate is amazing and her clothes are beautiful, but fuck that!" New York had grabbed his brother's collar, and pulled him up to his eye level.
"So what does shopping have to do with that?" Any lesser man would have wilted and surrendered under the Yankee's glare but not this Cracker state.
"The more I shop the better understanding I have current fashion trends, materials that are popular to use, designs that in or, and what kinds of trends I should start!"
Georgia stared back at New York disbelievingly, "You Prima donna. I don't even think France is this dramatic."
"You don't understand! He stole not only 2011 but also 2012! He won because of a wedding, a common born duchess, and a sporting competition!" Still not releasing the other state, he shook Georgia by the collar more, his tone sounding more pouty than angry.
"I thought you adored the wedding?" Unfazed, the southeastern state extracted himself from the other's grip with ease.
"I did and Kate is amazing! But I refuse to lose to someone who dresses like they're going through a midlife crisis that includes barf-green sweater vests and khakis that have been out since the early 2000s!" New York released Georgia and stared at him in horror.
"I thought that's how khakis were supposed to look…" Alaska said looking at Hawaii for confirmation. She nodded her head, agreeing with Alaska.
Alaska seemed to be the youngest along in the room with Hawaii, both appearing as though they were 8 years old.
Alaska had platinum blond hair that covered his left eye, leaving his only his right electric blue eye visible. He was quite shy, seeing as he chose to move his scarf to hide the lower half of his face.
Hawaii had long black wavy hair, which reached her knees, and had a white Hawaiian hibiscus behind her left ear. She had warm sugary brown eyes. Her face was lit up with a bright smile that only added to how adorable she was.
"And when he doesn't dress like that! He dresses like a punk! Punk! I invented punk! Plus punk fashion has been dead since the 80s began!" By this point New York was ranting to himself, pacing on the left side of the room where the first twenty five admitted states sat.
"How did we get to this? Is this my fault for bringing up fashion?" Georgia looked to the other states for answers but he was only rewarded with amused looks, shrugs, and others who appeared to be as confused as him.
"I could stand losing to Milan, but England!? Why does the world hate me so much!? And they said it was because my parties weren't as extravagant as they normally are! Fuck them!" New York said, huffing indignantly at the end of his rant.
New York stopped pacing, closed his eyes, took a few calming deep breaths. He reopened his eyes and looked around at the other states, smiling calmly. "Are there any ideas of how we can help decrease the national debt?"
"I suggest adding a national tax to carbonated beverages." Massachusetts said glancing around, awaiting the obvious protest.
Massachusetts was tall, slender, and lightly muscled. He stood at the same height of 5'11" as Georgia. He had messy sandy blond hair, that appeared as though it saw a comb once a year, and eyes that were a vivid piercing bottle green.
"NO! We are not adding that tax! Never! You'll have to kill me before you take away my precious!" Georgia had taken to hugging his Coca-Cola bottle to his chest, glaring at the Bay State for even suggesting the tax.
"I have to agree with Georgia on this. Adding on a tax to carbonated drinks, while it appears to be a beneficial idea, may not live up to our expectations if put into practice. Many people have alternative drinks they enjoy when such carbonated beverages are unavailable to them. This could cause a possible loss of profit to both major and minor companies that produce and sell carbonated beverages, and in turn may damage the national economy, while it is still trying to recover," New York stated. He was staring harshly at the Bay state.
"Well folks," the next state to speak up had the same electric blue eyes and facial that Georgia possessed. The most striking differences being his bronze skin tone, buffer body structure and modern cowboy get up. "Ya'll up fer a coke party at Boston Harbor?" He said smirking at the rest of the states.
"How about you go dump it in the Gulf you fucking-" The Bay state started but glares from New York and disapproving looks from certain others of the other original thirteen states stopped him. This forced Massachusetts to content himself with flipping Texas off and glaring at him.
"Alright let's vote on the tax. All those in favor of the tax please raise your hand." At this a dozen or so hands were raised. "All those opposed?" the remaining states raised their hands. "The majority has voted to not add a sales tax to carbonated beverages." New York said after he finished counting the votes.
"The next item of business we must discuss is a petition to build a…" Virginia glanced down at the papers in her hand, her peridot eyes disbelieving, "to build a Death Star. This petition has received over 25 thousand signatures and as such must be discussed and voted on." Many of the states who had remained passive to the previous topics of discussion perked up, interest and excitement buzzing in the air.
"Are you serious Virginia?" a curious voice said. All eyes turned towards Illinois, a male with shoulder length chocolate brown hair. He was of average height, at 5'8" and appeared effeminate with his roundish face and slimmer build. His eyes were almond shaped and colored a warm hazel green that only added to his feminine features.
"Yes Illinois I am, these papers aren't changing their wording no matter how I look at it." Virginia said, giving an unimpressed look to the brunet. Her long blonde hair, that when left down reached to the small of her back, was put into a high ponytail, her peridot eyes shining with amusement at the topic of discussion. She stood an inch shorter than Illinois, but radiated a presence that demanded obedience and order.
"Alright let's vote. All those for yes?" said New York, a cat like grin appearing on his face.
At this nearly half of the fifty states raised their hand. Some of the few of the remaining half who had not raised their hand, in support of the construction, were Georgia, Virginia, Massachusetts, and California simply to name a few.
All of them looked as though they was torn between yelling at the states who had their hands raised and wanting to vote for the construction to pass. It was Georgia who decided first.
"What are y'all raising your hands for? We sure as hell ain't gonna pass this construction bill." He glared at Alabama who appeared as though she was going to raise her hand.
"Why not? It's an awesome idea." New York defended
"Our goal is to lower government spending! Not increase it by nine hundred trillion!" Georgia countered.
"Yer just jealous that ya wouldn't get to build such a beauty!" Texas actually spoke up in support of New York. A bright wondrous grin on his face.
New York brightened at the support of Texas, one of his former pupils, and turned smugly towards Georgia, who was wondering where these two got their bright ideas and praying that New York's other student didn't turn out this badly too. Trying to ease his worry he glanced over the states that appeared indecisive.
Maryland was being glared down by Virginia, and was struggling between the need to raise her hand and appeasing her lover.
Maryland was of average height standing at 5'6". She had wavy champagne blonde hair, the same shade as New York's, which just reached her shoulders and was clipped up on both sides by cute star shaped hairpins. She had the same bright electric blue eyes that Georgia, Texas, and New York all had. She had a cutesy body, and look in general, that made others simply want to pamper and cuddle her.
California looked as though he was quietly arguing with himself. "Didn't you hear how much it'd be?" He paused, hearing an answer that only he could.
California had chestnut brown hair and dark auburn colored eyes. He had a butterscotch skin tone and had a coltish build. In contrast to the East coast states who were all dressed rather formally he wore tie dye.
"Yes, yes, I know it very much will be good for us. But I dunno…." His expression looked torn as his eyes darted between the equal sides of 'yes' and 'no' votes. California shut his eyes, wincing as his hand slowly rose to vote for building the Death Star. "It would...be...great if science fiction becomes science fact…." There was still hesitation and his hand had yet to rise fully in order for it to be counted as a vote for the 'should build' side.
"Hey!" Massachusetts hollered in California's general direction, catching the indecisive state's attention as he opened his eyes and look towards the New Englander, "Huh?"
"Both Illinois and Florida voted 'yes'!" California's hand stopped, "Are you going to agree with them?" His hand slams back down to the table, and his expression becomes firm.
"Hella cool this might be, I vote 'no'. We could authorize other small scale projects that would be more subtle and not anger the rest of the world."
California winced and pulled off the Bluetooth from his ear, throwing it on the table. "Everyone voted and that's it!" Everyone turned their attention to him and the Bluetooth. They all clearly heard the whiny complaints that came thru.
California rolled his eyes and grumbled loudly so he could still be heard by the Bluetooth. "I don't want the tax to be even higher than it already is! And you probably don't either!" After he finished saying this California sat back down with a huff.
The disappointed and upset whimpers from New York, Texas, and the rest of the states that had voted yes, was heard clearly throughout the room. Georgia heaved a sigh a of relief, glad to know that due to California's vote there would be no need to discuss the topic at a later date.
The redhead one seat away from Massachusetts pinched himself. "Ow! ...Okay, this isn't a dream! California actually voted conservative while Texas voted liberal!" His kryptonite colored eyes darted in disbelief between these two states.
Virginia cleared her throat, calling attention away from California and the Bluetooth. "Well that concludes voting on this Death Star petition. 26 states voted no while 24 voted yes. Since it isn't a stalemate there shall be no further discussion of the topic."
At this all the states who voted 'for' slumped in their seats with disappointment. While the states that voted 'against' appeared relieved, but if one looked closely enough they would see that they were as dissatisfied with the outcome is the others.
Massachusetts called for everyone's attention by saying, "Now while this is all fun to discuss, I would like to remind everyone that elections are coming up in less than 6 months from now. And that it is essential that we discuss the candidates and what the situation appears to be in the states." All the states groaned.
California moved closer to the table and folded his arms on top of it and laid his head down on his arms, ready to take a short nap.
Texas leaned back in his seat watching as the discussion started off begrudgingly with a pained look on his face.
Lastly New York leaned back in his seat taking out his laptop to in order to work on last month's finance reports, trying to drown out the escalating argument between the states.
REALLY IMPORTANT (AND LONG) AUTHORS NOTE THAT YOU MUST READ IF YOU WISH TO UNDERSTAND THE REST OF THE STORY!
This was finished at 3:30 a.m. without the help of caffeine. I demand praise. This was fun (but torturous) to write. Mainly because I had to rewrite it a million times. Moving on from my pain I finally give to you after a year and a half the first chapter to this story. I hope you all enjoyed it, and excuse the possible choppy flow of it.
You all owe this chapter to my muse and co-writer. She is amazing and willing to put up with my bullshit for reasons I will never know (seriously why do you put up with me? I wouldn't put up with myself). We have spent countless hours and on my part, probably hers too, sleepless school nights (damn time zones), to get these characters alive and this chapter finished.
If you guys want I can get you the biographies and such for states you're interested in. As some of you may notice the summary and title of the story has been changed and I'm telling you that the American states will be the main focus of the story, however appearances from Canadian provinces and territories (who belong to the IamMatthewian Project and ctcsherry) and/or Mexican estados (who belong to Nerdy Jones on deviantart) will feature in practically every chapter from here on out.
Certain states will feature more frequently than others will simply because of history and the states dominance and influence within its region. However I am open to requests of historical events. Also note that there shall be no discussion of major political, social, and economic events after 2010. So no Sochi Olympics, no Ferguson protests, no FIFA in Brazil, no 2012 US presidential elections. Nothing of that sort beyond brief mentions as seen in this chapter.
Feel free to ask questions if you're confused or curious about anything. I'm looking for a beta too, and hopefully someone who can beta while contributing to ideas and discussions with me and my muse. I also apologize in advance to anyone who becomes my beta.
Anyone who can guess why California had a Bluetooth and who he was talking to gets a sneak peek of the next chapter!
This concludes this extremely long author's note that I never meant to make this long. I'm sorry. (You can also message me on tumblr I'm hetaliafairy).
