Hi guys! Arthur Ciel Kirkland here! I am going to do my first two shot! It'll probably be fairly long. We don't really think about how Canada felt, because he got his freedom from Britain pretty much by asking. But what if Canada was a girl who's tired of France and her brother treating her like she's a little girl. This is her journey on becoming independent and showing France what women can do! Dedicated to my good good friend. Fem!Canada slightly OOC, a lot about women's rights in France. Timeline probably not right but oh well ;) here we go!
The day was bright with a nice warm breeze. I had a copy of a Shakespeare play in my hand ratty and torn, but still readable. I looked around to make sure no one was looking and then climbed up the tall oak tree in the center of the yard. Papa would have my hide if he found me, but I personally think there wasn't really a problem with climbing trees, though I preferred maple to any other kind. I had seen my older brother do it plenty of times, and while Arthur got very worried about him falling, Alfred never got in trouble. I mean for climbing the tree. I was six years old and I already had to wear dresses all the way to my feet. I seated myself comfortably in a bow and began to read Hamlet.
Papa didn't like me to read much, he thought that it was much more appropriate for me to do sewing or listen to him design something. I didn't really care but made an attempt to try and look interested. I couldn't voice my concerns either, one, because I would feel bad, and two, I had a devastating stutter that limited my ability to speak. When I could I tried to read it out loud, but always felt too embarrassed and stopped. My little six year old mind could already comprehend many things, like life and death, but there was one thing I found rather odd, and I pertained to hamlet, why was he so attached to his Mama? I understood to love a parent, but it was bordering obsession. He had to protect her, but it never explained why.
That was something to think about. One other thing I didn't understand was why I had to wear hats outside all the time. Papa always made me wear bonnets and other things to protect my skin, but he didn't and neither did Britain, or Alfred. I head snapped up when I heard him calling me through the house.
"Madeline! My dear Madeline?" he called. "Ma cherie come out!"he laughed looking for me. It surprised me to the point I fell out of the tree hitting my tailbone.
"Ow!" I exclaimed picking myself up and dusting myself off. Papa had come out running at the sound.
"Are you okay?" he asked. I nodded surprised. "Be more careful!" he exclaimed. "How did you fall anyways ma cherie?"
"I-I-I w-was up i-in the t-t-tree eh." I said sheepishly. See what I meant about the stutter?
"MADELINE!" He scolded. "Leave the tree climbing to the little boys wont you? You are meant to be a lady." He picked me up and carried me into the house. "Are you hurt too badly?" he asked setting me on the counter.
"N-n-no I-I'm fine P-p-papa." I looked down. "Y-your voice s-surprised me a-a-and I-I fell." He lifted my chin so I was forced to stare into his blue eyes.
"It'll do that when you're doing something naughty that you shouldn't be." He said.
"W-what m-makes climbing s-s-so b-bad?" I asked. "A-alfred does it a-all t-the time."
"Don't get terse with me little girl." He warned. "You are a lady, and ladies do not climb tree's." he looked me over. "Ugh, you're filthy, go wash up this instant, and then we will eat. Arthur and Alfred just got here." I was looking at the ground again. "Come on tut suite!" he said clapping his hands. I hopped off and headed towards the door when he swooped in on me and gave me a kiss. "I love you. Now hurry up before Alfred breaks something. I nodded smiling at the thought of my active older brother making a mess of my 'type a' father's house. I washed my hands and cleaned off my face, oh well. I didn't really care for my looks anyways. I walked into the dining room where Arthur, Papa, and Alfred were already sitting. Arthur stood when I entered.
"Ah there you are Madeline, we were waiting for you darling." He smiled at me green eyes sparkling, I couldn't help from smiling at him.
"T-t-t-thank y-you." I said my cheeks tingeing pink, my eyes staring at the ground. He chuckled,
"No need to be blushing, it was the right thing to do." I moved to sit down and Papa pulled out my chair for me. I sat down contentedly.
"Hiya Maddie!" I smiled shyly at my older brother who was beaming at me from his seat across the table. (I'll say Alfred is about 9 or 10, please don't give me grief over the inaccuracy)
"H-hello, Alfred." I said smiling politely. We began our meal, they talked and laughed, though I stayed mostly silent smiling sometimes, but not speaking up. Eventually Arthur directed the conversation towards me.
"You certainly are quiet Madeline, are you feeling alright?" I gave him a worried look and nodded vigorously. "Is the child always this silent Francis?" he asked giving his attention to my blue eyed father.
"I'm afraid so, she does talk sometimes but-"
"But you have that stutter huh?" said Alfred cheerfully with his mouth full of food.
"Alfred!" Arthur exclaimed looking straight to me. "I'm so sorry love, I'm sure he didn't mean it."
"It's fine." I said.
"But really, that stutter still…you know Francis I have some of the best writers and speakers-"
"No Arthur, you are not going to take Madeline with you, she is my land, my daughter, my little Canada." Papa said with a flash of anger, and a tone of finality in his voice. He sighed.
"Fine Francis," Arthur winked at me, "But if you ever get tired of old frog face over here, come stay with me until you find your bearings."
"That wont be happening any time soon, if ever." Papa interrupted. "Alfred, Madeline, you are done oui? Why don't you go play outside?" I nodded and Alfred jumped up eagerly. I walked past him when he caught my arm and gave me a kiss on the forehead. "Behave yourself." I smiled.
"Of c-course papa." And then led Alfred outside.
"I am sorry about what I said Maddie, I swear." Alfred said kicking the dirt.
"It's fine, l-like I said."
"But see! You hardly even stuttered there!" I was blushing, I knew that the stutter was bad, but I hoped it would get better.
"T-thanks." I smiled again. Alfred and I started to play, him playing hero and telling me I was the princess.
Meanwhile
"Arthur, it doesn't really matter if she's amazing at speaking or not, she's only a little girl." Francis said, still arguing with Arthur. The large eyebrowed man scoffed.
"What does her being a girl have to do anything?"
"She's my little girl Arthur, I swear, if you touch a single hair on her head, I will kill you."
"Calm down wine bastard, I'm not planning to invade or anything, but I just think that you should treat her with a little more respect, all of your women in fact, my women want suffrage, and I'm going to try as hard as possible to give it to them."
"I don't want you planting that seed in her head, leave us be Arthur." Francis growled.
"Alright fine! But not giving her fair treatment is going to bite you in the arse someday."
~6 years later~
Alfred, got his freedom from Britain a while ago and Francis had taken an even tighter hold on me since. I was rightfully Britain's but with some streak of amazing compassion and kindness let me stay with France. My brother had come to visit me a couple of times since then, and is really happy with his new found independence. He hit a rocky patch, but now is on the right track again. Papa has gotten really hard on me. He always is correcting me on something, and my stutter has gotten only a slight bit better…
"Madeline!" I heard the voice fuzzy in the back of my head. I didn't hear so well when I was reading. "MADELINE!" the voice stormed into the room snapping me out of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. I looked up at my very miffed looking guardian. "I called you, why didn't you respond?" he asked, well more of demanded.
I stood hastily smoothing my skirt. "I'm sorry Papa, I suppose I didn't hear you." I fidgeted nervously. He sighed and ruffled my hair.
"Don't look so nervous ma cherie." He said. "I only wanted you to bring lunch and eat with your Papa." I found it odd that he referred to himself in the third person. "Madeline?" I jumped.
"Oui?"
"Are you listening?" he asked, I jumped again Why am I so jumpy and fidgety today? I didn't understand why, but I suppose it was just me itching to get back to my story.
"Ummm…"
"I'll take that as non." He said. "Go to the kitchen please and fetch some lunch for the both of us. I'll be waiting in the dining room." With that he walked out. I sighed pushing my glasses up gently and grabbing my book. I hurried off to get what was already prepared by our chef, and placed it on a plate along with a bottle of wine, and what I would tell him was water (it was actually coffee and he didn't approve of me drinking it.) I burst through the kitchen door and almost ran into him dropping the wine, before catching it quickly in midair.
"I'm sorry." I said shaking my head.
"My my, my little fille is so clumsy." He clucked as I set down the meal on the table. "Well go on sit down." He said. I smiled a little bit, and took a seat tucking my ankles to the side. I picked at my food eagerly turning the pages of my book under my table. I gasped, as Jim shot Israel Hands, killing a man for the first time. "What is it dear?" he asked. I wasn't aware I had made the noise out loud.
"Nothing." I said quickly closing my book. "So…P-papa, how is business?" I asked, taking a small bite of potato. He laughed.
"I don't think that is appropriate for you to talk about with me. Why not we speak of the new fashions coming out hm?" he asked forking a piece of his lunch. I groaned inwardly. I was much different than my papa. I didn't care much for fashion and would much rather read or listen to music.
"Lovely I suppose." I said eyes downcast.
"Oh? Perhaps a new gown is in order for you, you are turning 12 after all." He chuckled to himself. "Canary yellow I think." I nodded, still more interested in the swashbuckling tail I held under the table. "Madeline?"
"Hmm?"
"What is it that has you so distracted?" he asked leaning in a little bit to study my face. "What is it you have under the table?" damn caught again.
"I…. I was r-reading P-papa." I said taking out my book. He shook his head and gave a small eye roll.
"What in the world makes reading so appealing to you?" he asked looking genuinely confused.
"I-it's just interesting…I-I s-suppose. It's adventurous, and tales of courage and feats of bravery. R-really it's, it's lovely to read." I said, with my natural shyness trying to tell me to keep my mouth shut. I ducked my head and closed the book placing it on the table. I finished my meal quickly. "G-good d-day Papa." I said clutching my book, my skirts whirring out as I turned leave. He caught me by my elbow.
"We spend no time together." He said his blue eyes looking into mine. "Why don't we do just that in the rose garden this afternoon." He asked, I gave a small smile.
"Sure." I curtsied and he took my arm leading me outside. I took in the air and the flowers. We walked together, as he reminded me of the flower names, tucking a blue violet in my hair.
"It matches your eyes." He said. I began to hum softly picking some flowers I would put in a vase for my room. "Ah your sweet voice comforts me." He said holding my hand. While my papa could be charming at times like these. I never did like the way he treated me as a little girl. To be quite honest it bugged me.
"Mercis bocoup." I said pushing my bangs out of my eyes. He gave me a kiss on my forehead. We sat together on a garden bench with me leaning against him. He ran his hands through my hair lovingly.
"Je'taime mon petite." He said and I fell asleep. I woke in my bed the next morning apparently carried to bed. I washed and dressed hastily not even bothering to get breakfast before I practically ran to the library. If I got up early enough I Papa wouldn't question where I was until midday. There were heavy curtains in the library, but what my guardian apparently didn't care to notice was how there were in fact unlocked windows. My brother was here today, to see me and I wanted to get out early to talk to him. I opened the window and hopped out landing surprisingly lightly on my feet. I took off down the street to a little restaurant that I frequented whenever I could.
"Bonjour Cosette!" the owner called as I walked through the door. Monsieur Francis was one of the most powerful men in all of France. Everyone in town when and if they saw me, thought I was just a very young maid working for him.
"Good morning Jeanne." I said giving a small smile.
"Got a day off have you?" she asked. I nodded and came behind the counter. " Are you wanting to use the back?" she asked. I nodded. She had the flattest backyard to the restaurant I had ever seen she didn't have a use for it so I asked if she could let me use it to practice a game that I invented. It was better on ice, but wheels worked too. I skated around and tried to hit a ball into a goal with a stick. I personally thought that if it was flat it would work better as an ICE sport. I was good too, and played the game alone. I was good too really tough hitting the side wall a little bit and falling time and time again. I got warm and sweaty wiping the sweat off my brow, I took off the helmet and I turned to see Jeanne watching me. She smiled. "You play tough you know." She said leaning against the door jamb. "There's a boy asking to see a girl who looks like you." I quickly swooped inside and changed into a dress pulling my hair into a bun.
"Thank you." I mouthed and hopped over the fence. I walked in through the front door looking around like I was trying to find someone. "Alfred!" I exclaimed seeing him. The owner smiled and walked out back leaving us alone.
"Madeline!" he said pulling me into a hug. "How's my favorite sister?" he asked giving me a kiss. I blushed and pulled away.
"I-I'm fine Alfred, let me go." He set down. Why did everyone treat me like a little girl? I took a seat. "How are you?" I asked contemplating ordering a cup of coffee.
"I'm good kiddo, glad I was able to visit ya." He gave me a big 'Alfred' smile.
"Are you sure you should be here?" I asked. "I thought that your country was heading to war…with itself."
"Yeah." He scratched the back of his head. "I think Abe has it under control for now." I nodded.
"Well that's good, but I think that you should start thinking too, about the women-" my brother gave me a cut off.
"What about 'em?" he asked carelessly making me cringe. I shook my head.
"Y-you really s-should give them more r-respect." I said. "And h-honestly? You h-haven't heard a-about how the w-women want the v-vote?" he almost spat out the lemonade he was drinking. "Wha-what? The vote really?" I breathed out heavily.
"Um, yeah. L-listen to them, please? Just consider it." I said and he laid his hand on top of mine.
"I will okay? It have to wait until after the war though." Hmph. I guess its okay because they were freeing the slaves poor dears. I found it ridiculous that a man was treated differently because of their color.
"Y-your on the n-north's side right?" I asked. He looked at me oddly.
"My little sister shouldn't worry herself with the prospects of war now should she?" I snapped.
"Just answer the question A-Al." I said gritting my teeth, cursing the stutter on my last word. He ruffled my hair.
"Yes I'm on the north's side. After all the constitution did say that all men were created equal." He gave a crooked grin at me. 'And women.' I grumbled to myself. Alfred apparently hadn't heard me. "Where's France?" he asked looking around. I gulped pulling a little at my lace collar.
"He-um-he's just across the street." I said trying to breath. "Is it just me or is it hot in here?" I muttered.
"Strange for him to be up this early." He commented. I was eager to change the subject. "So he's been treating you good?" he asked.
"H-have you teased me about my h-height my whole life?" I retorted sarcastically. He backed up his head a little bit.
"Since when were you a smart aleck?" he asked me. "Last I checked you were a sweet 12 year old girl. Maybe I ought to have a talk with France."
"NO!" I gave a small exclamation. "I'm s-s-sorry Al. But you know France has treated me fine my entire life. There is not a r-reason for him to be anything but nice for me. You s-s-shouldn't worry." I said blushing a furious red color. He laughed.
"I'm your brother, I can't help worry." He said winking. "I'm sure France wont mind if I escort you home will he?" I shook my head no hastily. "Good." He kissed me on the cheek. "Let's go." He pulled me out the door.
"A-Au r-revoir Jeanne!" I called, though with my voice I don't think she heard me. We walked through the town, with me on his arm. We looked almost exactly alike so it was fairly obvious I was his sister, he didn't bother not flirting. Winking and smiling, giving little waves to anything pretty. I rolled my eyes and frowned. He looked over at me.
"What's wrong, why are you frowning?" he asked.
"It's n-nothing. I h-have to go okay?" I took my arm from his and began to set towards the house. He ran after me.
"Maddie! Madeline!" I stopped and turned to look at him. "You don't think your leaving without a kiss, little miss." He gave me another kiss on the forehead. "I love you, behave yourself okay?" I nodded and turned to walk away, my mouth immediately back into a straight line. 'I don't need to be told what to do.' I muttered climbing the wall and back into the window. I had heard France stirring his room so it would be best him find me in my room rather than the library. Wow, I was so lucky I haven't gotten caught yet. I walked down the hallway past my father's room barefoot. The door opened and I froze.
"Sneaking around the house Madeline?" he tsked. I stood straight and clasped my hands behind my back.
"G-good morning P-papa." I said. "I wasn't sneaking…I was t-trying not to wake you." I said my eyes downcast.
"Well, that's quite considerate of you, and you're wearing one of your best dresses!" he exclaimed, taking my arm and turning me gently. "Is it just me, or are you trying to look lovely because you want something?" he asked jokingly. I smiled gently.
"N-no, I'm just doing t-this because Papa." I hated this. I loved him yes, but I hated the fakiness that came with it. Pretending to be interested in needlework, and new gowns, when I would rather be playing hockey, or trying to spark the rights for women movement. "B-breakfast?" I asked and began to walk toward the dining room with him.
"Yes." He smiled at me fondly when we sat down across the table from each other. I noticed him looking at me.
"I-is something wrong?" I asked timidly my violet eyes shining with worry.
"Non! Not at all ma cherie, but I was just thinking about how grown you look."
"Really? You're not p-pulling my l-leg?" he gave a chuckle.
"Non, I am not. As much as I don't like it you're growing up my little Madeline. Or should I just say getting older. I don't think you've gotten taller in the last three years." I didn't say anything. I was fuming inside though and he knew that. He laughed seeing my pissed off expression. "I am positive that you'll grow taller darling, you are still growing after all." He dug into whatever he was eating. I just sat there my mind somewhere else.
"Not hungry." I said when he cast me a questioning look. I looked away. "So…I-I heard t-that A-Alfred is on the r-road to w-war." Papa almost spit out his food. He swallowed hastily.
"How did you know about that?" he asked wiping his beard.
"H-h-he's my brother." I explained. "I have t-to talk to him, i-I care about him." My eyes were now staring at my cutlery.
"Madeline, how many times MUST I tell you." He said pointing his fork at me. "I do NOT want you to be involved in warfare!"
"I-I know papa, but I can only feel that i-it's my d-duty to m-make sure he's okay." I didn't mention the fact that I was actually interested in what was going on, though I wanted the war to hurry. He sighed.
"My darling, I don't want you involved. Do you understand me?..." I kept my head down. "Answer me Madeline."
"I-I understand P-papa." He leaned over to pull me into a hug.
"I don't want my lovely rose tainted by worries of WAR of all thing." He rubbed my back. "Mon frère will be fine." I knew he would be. I wasn't honestly all that worried somehow through the bloodshed I knew that he'd make it out okay.
"I know." I said just sitting in to the hug, not particularly hugging him back, but not rejecting it either. He let me go and smiled at me. He got back to eating.
"I trust you also know that you skipped your piano lesson yesterday?" he asked I cringed. I much enjoy music, but the sweet taste turned bitter when you were FORCED to practice. I hung my head biting my lip. "Italy is coming over to visit to day, and I have a meeting with L'Angelterre so I'm afraid he'll supervise your lesson. I nodded. What else was there to do? "He'll be here in a matter of minutes. Run along to go meet him. He shoed me off. I pushed in my chair and was about to leave when he stopped. "Give your papa a kiss first!" I gave him a kiss on the cheek before hitching my skirt and running up the stairs. Despite how Italy could be an idiot sometimes, I guess you could say I enjoyed his company. In an odd role reversal he was able to be my confidante. I sat him enter the house looking around.
"Bon Journo Madeline!" he said giving me a hug. I was shorter than him too…sigh.
"H-hello Italy." I said moving her bangs. "H-how are you?" I asked as the two of us walk up the stairs to the piano room.
"I am good ve~ ! how are you?" he asked smiling.
"Fine." I whispered as he took a seat on the couch.
"You don't look like your fine. What's wrong?" he asked me caramel eyes shining with worry and curiosity. "You can tell me, I won't tell big brother France." He promised. I broke.
"Well I've just been thinking lately, what exactly makes France in charge of me?"
"Well he's your Papa silly." Italy said smiling.
"N-no, but d-different than that. A-alfred acts like he's in c-charge of me t-too, and I'm his s-sister almost h-his age, it's not my fault I'm younger than him…what makes us different? Were girls but does that matter?" I asked sitting down at the piano knowing how cross France would be with me if I didn't practice. "I'm twelve- going on thirteen mind you, but he still treats me like I'm five! Same goes for my brother." I huffed placing my hands on the keys.
"Ahhh I understand. You want to be treated like an adult yes?"
"O-of c-course I d-do! B-but I have a f-feeling that even when I'm h-his age he'll still t-treat me the s-same, a-and it's b-because….I'm a g-girl." He nodded understandingly. Thank you Italy. I played the bright piece that Papa had taught me, and had given me to study. When I finished the short piece the auburn hair Italian applauded politely, and came to sit on the bench with me, and played his own piece much more fluid and happy than my own. "It's like he expects me to not have a brain." I thudded on the keys.
"It's okay. Someday when you become a big nation, you will be able to live on your own and be your own country like your brother." I mused at that.
"Hm….like my brother eh?" I asked. Maybe there was some sort of truth in that….