Chapter 23
The only thing America would tell the countries is that Busch Gardens is an amusement part. Most countries, with the exception of Finland, Latvia, Italy Veneziano, Prussia, and Denmark seemed indifferent or upset about the announcement.
"How will an amusement park teach us anything about your country?" England asks, seemingly insulted.
"You'll see," America answers with a grin.
The visiting countries were shocked and surprised to find out that Busch Gardens was a country-themed amusement park. The states were restless, wanting to sprint off to their favorite areas and rides. The moment everyone was off the busses, the states were crowding America and Russia for their wristbands.
"Listen up!" America shouts, making the states quiet. "First up! It's 5:15 (pm) right now, we're meeting by the fountain in front of the United Kingdom at 9:00 and leaving at 9:15, got it?"
A chorus of "yes!" is heard from the assembled states, and America nods.
"Second, no one goes alone! Everyone in groups of at least three at all times please! Matt and Diego are babysitting the territories, so D.C., Delaware, Maryland, and Carolinas, please don't make everyone freak out again over loosing kids that weren't here in the first place. I don't need another heart attack."
The last sentence is said with a bright, joking smile directed at the four embarrassed states and capital.
"Third, yes you can buy soda, junk food, and candy, but anyone under 13 can't have candy after 8:00, and no one under 17 can have caffeine after 8:30, understood?"
Several protests are heard from the states, with the exception of the older states. A timid hand from within the country group is raised, catching America's eye.
"Yes, Latvia?" He asks the Baltic country.
"Does that apply to me as well?"
"Not unless you want it to," America shrugs. "You're not one of my kids, so I have no jurisdiction over you." Latvia smiles before America addresses his states again.
"Finally, all rules we use when going out as a group still apply. If anyone gets hurt, find a country, or, if one is unavailable or unfavorable, go to an older state. If anything is broken or similarly serious, call me and go to to the nearest lockers. Understood?" America's military voice is used here.
"Yes sir!" The states all reply.
"Alright, come and get your wristbands from Ivan." America turns to the rest of the countries, handing out wristbands. "I'd go with a partner. Try to have fun" America grins teasingly at Sweden.
Latvia ends up going with the states, Lithuania and Romano go together, Belarus pairs up with Japan, and Prussia and Denmark partner up. Spain and China, England and France, and Germany and Veneziano all pair up. The couples of Sweden and Finland, and America and Russia also go with each other.
(Timeskip)
(With Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota)
"I'm going to fuck a sheep and you can't stop me," Iowa says in a deadpan voice.
"... What the actual fuck?" Minnesota turns to stare at her sister, who bursts out into giggles. Wisconsin shakes his head at his twin giggling. He points to the mini sheep pen they're walking by.
"Just because it's technically legal in your state doesn't mean that you should do it." Wisconsin tells Iowa, sending the state into even more giggles. (1)
"You two are so weird," Minnesota says, shaking her head. "Now c'mon, lets go ride the sky lift, I wanna go to Germany." Wisconsin and the still giggling Iowa comply, following their sister.
(With North & South Dakota, Prussia, and Denmark)
"C'mon! You'll love this ride uncle Matthias!" South Dakota -the more energetic of the two Dakotas- promises, practically dragging the Nordic nation to the roller coaster.
"Invadr, huh?" Denmark looks at the name of the ride.
"It's a Viking/Nordic themed ride," North Dakota explains.
"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Denmark exclaims, getting in the -unfortunately- very long line. (2)
(With Arizona, Utah, And Maine)
Arizona, Utah, and Maine are enthusiastically making their way to the Greek-themed water ride that's somewhat separated from the rest of the park. They don't expect to see England and France in line just ahead of them. The trio of states stop short and just kind of stare at the countries, Maine edging his younger sister and brother behind him.
While Maine technically wasn't one of the 13 Colonies, his land was. He has the memories of what happened from that time, even though he wasn't personified yet. And, he is one of the states that still holds a major grudge against England, the Aroostook War in 1827 (3) not helping the grudge at all.
England and France were also unmoving, unsure as to how to react to the appearance of the states.
"I don't like you two very much," Arizona decides, sounding every bit like the 12-year-old she appears to be.
"Ari-" Utah hisses, cut off by France speaking.
"And why is that, chérie?" The nation asks, moving slightly so that he can see the dark-skinned state from around Maine's protective stance.
"You make dad upset. Especially England. He also says that you're the bad guys." The young-looking state is blunt, looking straight at France.
"Does he n-" England is cut off by Utah.
"In a way, yeah he does! He kept us a secret from the world because of you two and Spain, and any other power-hungry wannabe empires out there! Dad was afraid that we'd get taken away from him by you guys, so he kept us hidden! He thought that you guys would take us and raise us to use against him in another war! Lord knows it's happened before!" Utah snaps, quieting as he notices Arizona's upset face.
"Ari-" he falters, not good with his siblings when they're upset. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-oomph!" He's cut off as she hugs him tightly. Maine continues to glare at England as if this is his fault.
"It must be upsetting," France speaks quietly. "To live with that fear. Amérique did a good job protecting you. I used to fear for my colonies too," at this, all three states look to France in unconcealed surprise.
"I hated having to give Matthieu to Arthur after the Seven Year's War, but I had several younger colonies in the Caribbean to look out for as well. Mon Dieu, so many of my colonies would go back and forth between myself, Angleterre, and even Espagne. I always worried about how they were, if they were alright, if they were being treated well, if they were sick, the list goes on and on." France admits, refusing to look at England and keeping his eyes on the states.
"D.C., Dad, and pretty much all of the states have had nightmares about it." Maine speaks up. "Being taken away. Most of the time by England, Spain, or you. Florida has it pretty bad (4). They fueled dad's fear. Dad immediately began begging папа, or Russia not to tell anyone about us when he found out Alaska had been personified, and that was back before the Cold War. He's still a little paranoid today about the youngest of us."
"S'il vous plaît, rest assured, I have no intention of taking you or your siblings from Amérique. I don't want to tear apart such a happy family. I am only here to see how Alfred truly is, without the pressures of World Meetings and international stereotypes." France promises, his eyes twinkling kindly, a soft, honest smile on his face.
"I like you a lot more now," Arizona decides with a smile, detaching herself from Utah and being so bold as to hug France quickly.
Stunned, it takes France a moment to respond. "Merci, Arizona. I hope that I can prove to the rest of your family that I am not the same man I once was."
"Keep it up with the honesty, and you will," Utah promises.
They're now at the front of the line, and England is already out of sight. The three states and the Frenchman get into the carts and take off on the ride.
(1) - The sheep thing? Based on an actual conversation between some friends and I at Busch Gardens. I looked it and apparently, through a loophole, in Iowa you can technically "fuck a sheep". It's weird, and now it's an inside joke w/ my friends and I.
(2) The Invadr was my favorite ride, but my friend and I waited in like for nearly half an hour and our friend who was holding our stuff left while we were in line. With our stuff.
(3) - the Aroostook War didn't involve any actual warfare, but it was a long-standing political conflict between America and the British Empire (and by extent, Canada) over Maine's boundary lines.
(4) - Florida was English, French, and Spanish territory at different times before becoming an official state. Plus, there was a series of small wars called the Seminole Wars fought between the USA and the various Native American tribes that formed the Seminoles fought from 1835 to 1842.
How's that for my return chapter? I also accidentally gave France some redemption, but I can't help it. Like Spain and unlike England, I can't make myself mad at him.
I feel like England is too prideful to lay himself out like France did, and I mean, c'mon! The dude canonically gets sick every July 4th!