"Oh bloody hell! You've got to be joking!"
Alistair observed his brother with a raised brow. He leaned against the doorway of the office, folding his arms and debating whether or not to pull out a cigarette.
"Of course I have! I know damn well we have enough to- no you listen you ignorant fool! I have spent months trying to get to where we are at a stabilized economic situation, and even though we are not nearly close enough to being so…we have do have much more than we did before," Arthur yelled into the phone, all traces of professionalism gone.
Alistair pulled a joint out of his pants pocket and brought it between his lips. He lit it, knowing that Arthur would hate him for it, and relished in the calming sensation it gave him. It is not like he would die from it anyway…he was not a normal human with pitiful lungs.
"I don't need paperwork to know! I am the bloody personification of this damn country, and I can feel it!" Arthur growled. "If I say we have enough money to help America then we do! We don't- what did you just call me? Oh that is it you uncultured swine! I am speaking to your supervisor, so you can kiss your little week vacation in a few weeks goodbye!"
Arthur slammed the phone down and his head fell into his hands with a groan.
"Problems li'l brether?" Alistair asked with a smirk.
Arthur jumped with surprise and looked up, "Oh bugger off."
"I can't, not until ye sign some paperwork I brought for ye," Alistair said.
Arthur raised an eyebrow, "Oh? And just where is this paperwork? In your back pocket?"
Alistair grinned.
"You've got to be joking," Arthur groaned.
Alistair pulled out the crumpled pieces of paper and set them in front of his brother, "Aye."
Arthur rolled his eyes and signed the papers, "You're such an oaf."
Alistair sat down in a chair and plopped his feet on the desk. He glanced over to a picture sitting on top of it, and his heart could not help but lighten a little. It was a couple of decades old, but Samantha's wide smile was definitely something meant to be kept for a lifetime.
"How is Samantha doin' lately?"
"Hm? Oh, she's fine from what I hear," Arthur said, his eyes still on the paper in front of him. "She said something about oil production running a tad slower, but all in all she's doing well."
"Good," Alistair said.
"Alfred isn't though."
Alistair looked up and saw the crease in Arthur's brow, his hands trying not to clench, and the pained look in his eyes. Alistair did not know, nor did he care about Arthur that much…he never had. Arthur, however, did care about Alfred.
"I just…I want to help him the way he used to help us! But I can't! I bloody can't!" Arthur said in a pained voice. "I keep trying to convince myself that I can, but I know that I can't! Nobody can! Maybe Samantha, but she won't even talk to him!"
"The kid dug himself into a deep hole. We've all done it once or twice," Alistair said with a shrug. "If he's really as strong as he says he is, or was, he'll pull himself out. Let him figure it out, he's a grown man."
"I did let him figure it out, and look what's bloody happened!" Arthur cried. "He's into such deep debt I don't even know how he managed it, his states are all trying to secede…he's literally falling apart and there isn't anything I can do about it!"
Alistair swallowed. The idea of a country actually fading wasn't a subject anyone liked to discuss. It could happen in the blink of an eye at any given moment.
"Like I said, if he's as strong as he says he is then he'll pull himself out. If not…then…well-"
"Don't you dare say it."
Arthur grasped his brother's collar and pulled him down so that they were eye level.
"He's practically my son, and he isn't going bloody anywhere if I have a damn say in it. I don't care if I fall apart in the process…" Arthur said, his voice cracking. "I was a damn empire once…don't you dare think I'm not strong enough to save him."
Alistair let out a breath as Arthur pushed him away and stormed off into another room. He took the cigarette out of his mouth and smothered it with his shoe on the hardwood floor. Looking out the window, he wondered whether or not Arthur would have to go through with his claim. What would happen if he did? Would his brother fade? Would he fade?
Samantha looked up the pot of food cooking on the stove when she heard a knock at her door, and she quickly wiped her hands off and went to answer it. She just hoped it was not Mexico. Again.
"Oh hey!" her eyes lit up when she saw it was her friend Virginia. "How's it goin' Gin? Ooh you brought pie!"
Virginia smiled and held out the apple pie for Samantha to take, "I'm doing okay, how about you? How's the whole country business turning out for you?"
Samantha stepped back to let her in, "So far so good. You want some chili?"
"Sure," Virginia said with a smile.
Samantha tasted the chili cooking on the stove, "Yup, it's done."
Virginia sat down at the wooden table in the dining room, waiting for Samantha to bring the food. When she did she set a bowl of chili in front of Virginia, and then took her own seat across from her.
"Thank you," Virginia said.
"So, what brings ya all the way down here?" Samantha asked.
"I actually came to talk to you about Alfred," Virginia said, not beating around the bush.
Samantha paused in bringing her spoon towards her mouth, and slowly set it back into the bowl with a darkened expression, "Oh."
"Look, I know you're angry with him, but have you even thought about apologizing to him? He's absolutely miserable and it's affecting the rest of us," Virginia said with a frown.
"Why would I apologize, I'm livin' the life," Samantha muttered.
"Samantha."
Virginia's eyes were sharp as daggers, and Samantha felt a shudder ripple through her body like waves on an ocean.
"Fine, but I did I apologize and he didn't want to hear it," Samantha said.
"Did you actually apologize, or did you just say you were sorry in the hopes that he would get over this?" Virginia asked with a critical gaze.
Samantha looked her in the eyes from a moment, "I ain't sorry for what he wants me to be sorry for."
"What do you mean?"
Samantha set her hands in her lap with a deep breath, "He wants me to be sorry for leaving him, and I know that somewhere deep down he keeps hoping that I'll come crawling back to him like I did before. "
Virginia nodded, "He's never really been…apart from you for long."
"But it isn't going to happen, we all know that. I am my own country now, and I plan to stay that way," Samantha spoke the next sentence in a small whisper. "But…I am sorry that I hurt him."
"Then tell him," Virginia said.
"He doesn't want to listen to me if I'm not coming back," Samantha said with a tone of finality. "Trust me. You think I want us to keep being mad at each other like this? It's annoying. It's completely screwing our trading system up."
Virginia gave Samantha a look, "Really? That's all that's bothering you about this?"
Samantha sighed, "Of course not."
"Alright, well listen, this is what I actually came to talk to you about. I was hoping that you apologizing would fix it, but if that won't work then I'm just going to tell you," Virginia said, stirring the chili in front of her absentmindedly. "As you probably know, America is so far into debt it's not even remotely funny. Which means, all of us states are in debt. We all, in our way, care about Alfred…but if this keeps up I guarantee that some of us will secede like you. Most of us don't want to…especially some of the smaller states, but…we won't have a choice."
Samantha frowned, "Where are you going with this?"
Virginia looked at Samantha with a frightened gaze, "Sam, if we all secede…Alfred will die. The United States of America won't exist. Some of us might even die if we aren't able to make it. None of us want that…we like our messed up family. "
Samantha swallowed with a pained expression, her chili not looking so appetizing anymore.
"Sam, you have to help him!" Virginia said with a strained voice. "You're the only one who cares about him that is able to…even if it's just a little bit. I know that his pride is getting in the way of this, and I know that you're pride is as well…but please just help him."
Samantha looked down into her chili, seeing her reflection gaze back up at her.
She hadn't looked that terrified since she seceded the first time.
The meeting was held in London, hosted by Arthur with very little assistance from his brothers (no help whatsoever). The attendees were England (who was there on behalf of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), America, Texas, Germany, France, China, and Russia. Each of them sat in their respective chairs around a large wooden table.
Everyone was completely silent.
England cleared his throat, "Erm, yes. Well, thank you all for coming to this meeting on time, for once. Early, might I add."
Germany nodded in approval.
"Indeed," England stated, looking down at some paperwork on his desk. "This meeting, as you all know, is on the matter of finances and where we currently stand in our alliances."
"I will very much be friends with everyone if they want to become one, da?" Russia spoke in an eerily happy voice.
England sunk into his chair a little, "No thank you, I think we can all agree that is not necessary."
Russia pouted and leaned back in his chair while China rolled his eyes.
"Anyway, as I was saying, we need to discuss where we are all financially and who needs to be aiding who," England said. "Looking at the statistics and charts that I have in front of me, I must say that most of us are not very well off. However, I do believe that America is the most far into debt."
"Perhapz we can zink of a way to lend money until-"
"I don't need your charity."
Everyone turned to see Alfred clenching his fists so hard that the knuckles turned white.
Texas glanced at him from the corner of her eyes.
"Alfred please, you need help…you're only going to hurt yourself doing this," England said. "We've all had our ups and downs…and you never had a problem helping us through them. So let us help you."
"Ja," Germany spoke. "I'm not zat good financially, but I can certainly give you a head start."
"Da," Russia slung his arm around America's shoulders with a menacing grin. "Or we could make the amends, and you could become one."
Everyone froze as the click of a gun was heard.
Texas was standing on other side of America, holding her six-shooter to the side of Russia's head. Her brown eyes were dark and her face held no emotion other than anger.
"Get away from him."
America stared open-mouthed at Texas as Russia slowly retreated. Of course, Russia did not appreciate being treated such a way…but he was nowhere financially able to begin another war. Besides, he liked her spirit. He would kill it later.
Texas sat back down and her gun disappeared in its holder as though it had never happened.
"Um…yes," Arthur said. "Well, who else, besides Russia, would like to offer America any financial aid?"
The entire table was silent for a moment before a calm voice spoke.
"I will," Texas spoke clearly.
England glanced over to her, "Oh…really?"
"Yes," Texas said simply.
"No," America hissed. "You are not helping me at all."
"We'll talk about this later," Texas said in a low voice.
America opened his mouth to speak, but then shut it when he saw the look of finality in Texas' eyes.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Alfred demanded as he slammed the door to his house shut behind him.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Samantha said dryly while helping herself to some iced tea.
Alfred sat down on a bar stool and glared at Samantha, "Oh, yes you do. I know you do."
"Know I do what?"
"Stop that!" Alfred groaned. "Stop pretending to be so oblivious towards everything! First you secede…taking a hell of a lot of my money with you, we have a war that costs money, and now a few months later you're offering your financial aid? The hell is wrong with you?"
Samantha set her tea down, on the counter and sat in the stool next to Alfred, "We need to talk."
"Obviously," Alfred muttered.
"Look, I'm sorry. I know I've told you this already and you don't believe me, but I am," Samantha said. "I'm giving you my help to show you that, and if you don't want to accept that then just pretend I'm doing it for the states. Either way, you're going to get the money I give you even if I have to tie you to a chair and shove it down your throat."
Alfred's face turned red with anger, "You can't just waltz in expecting me to-"
"Alfred," Samantha said softly.
"No! I don't want your help! I managed on my own without you before, and I can do it again!" Alfred yelled.
"Alfred!" Samantha hissed. "That was centuries ago, and you weren't trillions of dollars in debt!"
"Rub it in my face why don't ya!" Alfred exclaimed before prodding her shoulder with his index finger. "I bet you like the fact that I'm having so much trouble that I actually have to ask other countries for assistance, don't you?"
Samantha's hands curled into fists, her knuckles white from the force.
"You're such a hypocrite you know? You run around spewing nonsense on helping others when you secretly enjoy the fact that you're better than them," Alfred growled. "Oooh look at me! I'm the Republic of Texas, and I'm better than everyone else! Screw you Samantha! Screw you and your damn lies-"
The wooden floors creaked as Samantha spun around and made her way towards the door.
"Where the hell are you going?" Alfred questioned with a look of confusion. "You can't possibly be going home after you used the portal twice…"
Samantha did not stop walking, nearly running towards the exit.
"Sam, stop," Alfred said. "You can't leave every time someone says something you don't like…that's not like you."
Alfred jogged towards the ex-state and he put his hand on her shoulder. Samantha's arm nearly tore Alfred's out its socket as she pushed it away.
"I'm obviously not wanted here."
Alfred froze at the way Samantha's voice broke, as though she used every ounce of strength she had to try and keep it steady. He could not move to offer her comfort, or even to simply apologize for his harsh words. He was never good at controlling his anger...or his mouth. Alfred did not call out to Samantha as she continued walking away. He couldn't run after her as she opened a pathway home.
He could not stop her from leaving him.
Samantha's eyes met her own, dull and void like the dark abyss of space. The bath water she sat in was crystal clear, acting like a mirror that she used to stare at the monster she seemed to have become. What ever happened to that young girl, full of such pride and determination for her country? What happened to the young girl with eyes too young to see her people murdered, but with an honest heart so strong that it overcame all who oppressed her? Where had that girl run off to, and why had she been replaced with such a depressing shell of a young woman. Surely the woman staring back at her was an imposter, for it could not possibly be her. Could it?
The image in front of Samantha blurred and rippled as a tear escaped her lifeless eyes. Her long brown hair straightened with water feel around her shoulder like a blanket, dripping as though it was crying all of the tears that she could no longer shed.
What was the point of having your own country if everything you care about is gone? Sure, her people were fairly content for the time being, but would they still be content when they realized that the United States, the source of most of their belongings, was about to crumble? Surely they would be just as devastated, wouldn't they?
Wouldn't they?
No, they wouldn't. They would either rejoice or mope around for a few days, and then they would move on with their lives as though nothing had happened. It was no longer their concern. So, would Samantha also move on?
Could she?
Yo! So, I haven't actually updated this in like…over a year? Yeah, it's been forever. I don't know if I'll ever finish this actually, but I just had this random urge to update. I dunno…