The Race!
Somewhere in this wide world, there is a University-based community. It's location is classified, and even if you were walking down the street, you could not really tell what continent you are on, because throughout the town are stores from every culture imaginable! Besides the stores that would sell school supplies, there are shops that sell various foods, clothing, and other tools.
Perhaps the highlight of this mysterious University-based community is, of course, the University! The W Academy, to be precise! Established only a few decades ago, it reflects the finest in the field of Free-Masonry architecture of that period, and resembles more of a five-story mansion than an educational building. The interiors are mixed beautifully of old and new to best suit the comforts of it's inhabitants, the Nations of the world!
You heard right: Personified nations would be living as though they were regular students! Why? Because! Governments started to put educating their nations as a necessity. After all, how can a nation become great when it's own personification is still living centuries in the past? None, I tell yas!
There is an unlimited selection of courses, allowing the Nations to learn about anything they want! The only exception being History, for obvious reasons...
The W Academy, with it's location between the sparkling waves of the sea on one side and the multicultural community surrounded by green hills on the other, generously funded by the governments of the UN nations, and taught by the best instructors of the world, truly is and will forever be the best educational institution in world history!
Now if you would be so kind as to forget about all that crap and please turn your attention to another large building on the other side of the community!
This building is slightly larger and more modern in structure, but like the W Academy, it offers a pleasant mix of classical and modern on the inside. It also has a waterfront view and is being funded by the UN, however these students are slightly different, in that they are not technically nations.
This building is called NNP Academy, or 'Non-Nation Personification' Academy, and the reason for the modern architecture is because it was built only a few years ago, predominantly to quell the complaints of a certain young Nation-Wannabe, who's name we shall not say, that wanted to get into the W Academy. Another reason added later on was that NNPs should receive an education as well, provided the region they represent can come up with some extra money.
This is where our story takes place.
It was a crisp late September morning, with a slight mist hanging over the sea. Overcast clouds were slowly parting to let the sun warm the earth. Nova Scotia's favourite type of morning!
The Bluenoser was currently down at the docks, placing supplies in the motor boat as she hummed an lively nautical tune. It was Saturday, meaning that she could take the whole day to just relax out on the sea. Missing last Saturday because of rain and spending the rest of the week studying made the occasion all the more desired. Scanning her supplies - a lunchbox, a first aid kit, a bucket for bailing, sun block, a book bag filled with random items, and paddles- Nova Scotia smiled as she adjusted her orange life jacket once more before stepping into the boat. Unroping the boat and starting up the motor, she sailed off into the fog.
~Sometime later~
The mist had thinned by the afternoon. Nova Scotia finished reading the chapter in her story and bookmarked it, setting it down to get her lunchbox. Opening it up, she took out a small, white paper bag that contained a couple of samosas. Grabbing one, Nova Scotia bit into it, sighing contently as the taste of chicken, various vegetables, and spices filled her mouth.
"I can see why these're giddin' so popula back home." She drawled aloud after finishing it. "A'course, it could neva replace tha Donair." The Bluenoser leaned back as her teal eyes gazed in the distance, letting the breeze lift her strawberry-blond hair, which was placed in a loose ponytail today. She could see the cloudy sky above, the deep sea stretching into infinity, the tops of the Academies in the horizon...
... And another motorboat with a very familiar person approaching her.
"Whassup, Scarface?!" The Bay Stater teasingly shouted over the motor, slowing the boat just a few feet from her.
"Nothin' much, Scarface!" The Nova Scotian shot back jokingly. "Jus' takinna day ta relax. You?"
"Same thing. Nice to get away from tha books, y'know?"
"Ha! I hear ya!"
They continued talking on about subjects like the Academy, sports, and food for the next while. Eventually, they just sat in silence together, watching the world.
"... Hey." Nova Scotia spoke up, breaking the peaceful silence.
"Yessuh?" Massachusetts looked over to her. He could see her eyes were staring out to the sea in thought. The State could make out the faint scar on her cheek.
'Can't believe it's been a century already...' Massachusetts thought, remembering that he was the one who bandaged it, along with the rest of her injur-
He mentally shook his head of the memories and ran a hand through his dark brown bangs, focusing on her eyes again just in time to see them brighten up.
"Wanna race?" The Province asked, smiling excitedly. It took the Bay Stater a minute to process what she said, but when he did, a smirk of his own appeared.
"And what be tha conditions?"
"Whoeva passes Shipwreck Cove first wins! If I win, ye'll make me breakfast fer tha next month wearin' nuthin' but a frilly, pink apron!" Nova Scotia's imagination never failed to surprise Massachusetts.
"'Kay... But if I win, YA'LL be tha one makin' breakfast in an apron!"
"Deal!" In a flash, she started up her boat's engine and sped off, spraying the State a little.
"HEY!" Massachusetts yelled as he took a moment to wipe his eyes, the Bluenoser's cackle carrying off in the wind. "...Heh..." His smirk returning, the Bay Stater revved up his own engine, and was soon gaining on her. They skirted around several small islands and a couple of sandbars, their laughter and playful banter stirring the calm nautical atmosphere. Soon their race morphed into a game of chase and spraying each other as much as they could.
Nova Scotia grinned as she closed in on Massachusetts, bucket full of water at the ready. Suddenly, he made a sharp turn, causing the Bluenoser to realize she was now heading right into a sandbar. Putting down the bucket, she quickly trying to make a turn as well, but could see that even stopping wouldn't save her from crashing. Taking a deep breath, Nova Scotia focused hard as she chanted a phrase, gripping the boat with all her might. The sea started forming a wave under her vessel, growing large enough to lift her over the the patch of sand and safely land on the other side.
"Cheata." Massachusetts called out, rather childishly and raspy.
"It ain cheatin' unless I use me magic ta git ahead!" She retorted, clearing her throat as she noticed her voice was also cracking. "Speakinna which!" She zoomed past him, heading back to the Academy. "See y'at Shipwreck Cove~!"
~ Meanwhile ~
In a small wooden boat that was bobbing in the shores of Shipwreck Cove, England turned the page of the book he was reading from, humming to one of his favourite songs from The Beatles, which was playing on his walkman. It felt nice to get away from America, France, and the rest of the Academy every once in a while, and what better way to spend it then relaxing outside with Sherlock Holmes?
It was then that England became aware of boats speeding his way, their roaring cutting through the guitar rifts. He placed a green bookmark between the pages and set it down, removing his headphones right after. His eyes became the size of dinner plates when he saw two boats speeding right at him.
"AHHH!" England jumped up in terror, instantly losing balance and falling over into the cold sea. Coming up a minute later -thank god for life jackets- the Brit coughed out sea water as he blindly pawed for something to grab onto. The roar of the engines died down, rather close to him, when his hands found the wooden edge of his boat. Wiping his eyes, England looked up to see Nova Scotia and Massachusetts in their own boats a few feet from him.
"Uh, y'awrite, Ol' Angland?" Nova Scotia asked worriedly, but forcing a small chuckle. Massachusetts didn't meet the Country's gaze, but looked noticeably worried as well, scratching at the scar across his lip.
"Of course I'm not!" He coughed out. "What were you two thinking, charging at me like that?! You two shouldn't even be around this area! These waters are restricted!"
"Jeez, calm yarself!" Massachusetts spoke up. "We'ah just racin' through tha Cove! I'm sure you've been fahr mahre reckless!"
"You... Gr... Well... Ugh!"
"F'it's so 'Restricted', whadda YOU doin' here?" Nova Scotia questioned, amused at the ex-empire's loss of words.
England let out a few grumbles before trying to speak again. "As the WA Student Council President, your ex-boss, AND your Superior, I order you both to turn you're boats around and get off World Academy waters at once! And don't think the staff at your Academy won't hear about this!"
The two non-Nations exchanged a glance before starting up their engines and slowly riding away from the overboard Englishman. England sighed when they got enough distance. Really, was it too much too ask for one day where he didn't have to dea- Why is the sound of their engines getting louder?! The Brit turned just in time to get splashed with more seawater as the boats sped past him.
"YOU BLOODY WANKERS!" He hacked out, glaring as the two ignored him, zooming through the cove. Gritting his teeth, he looked over to see the remains of an old ship, a gash at it's side. Light flickered in his eyes as a sly smirk donned his face.
"So, they fancy a game, hm?"
[A/N- So! I've now settled into Uni again, and got some loan issues out of the way (mostly).
I actually had this story on file for awhile, but I kept getting writer block with it. I was thinking of making this a One-Shot, but it was getting so long, so I decided to cut this off here and turn it into a two-shot.
I was a little worried about doing the 'World Academy' setting... Hopefully it's a bit different then other Gakuen stories. One big difference I'm seeing is that I'm not focusing on Romantic Relationships (I'm not one for romance).
Hopefully Massy's accent is sounding a bit better and my writing has improved a little bit. Please review! It would be nice to know if all those writing tutorials I've been reading through are helping!
I'm finding at least one place in almost every town around here is selling Samosas. They also seem to be a big hit at Farmer's Markets, too. They're just so tasty!
Headcanons: Nova Scotia likes dressing people up for some reason. When making bets, 9/10 times she will involve dressing up in something, usually something embarrassing or historical, as a penalty.
England knows how to swim in modern times, but is rather weak one.]
