50 States: Chapter 24
Oregon watched the nations from his table while deep in thought. A part of him wanted to talk to one of the nations, especially the ones he had heritage to, but another side was reminding him of how England and Japan had hurt his siblings. Not to mention the horrible crimes their people had committed in the past. Now Isaac knew his country had done their fair share of horrible deeds but should he try talking to them at least? It would be a lie if he denied that he was curious about them as much as they were about the capitals and his family.
"Why are you staring at them?" Washington asked, gazing where his brother's eyes were directed. Oregon shrugged.
"Just wondering if I should talk to one of them." Isaac replied. California raised his eyebrows.
"Why? What's there to talk about?" Nathan asked, turning to look at the nations. His expression suddenly became incredulous. "You're not seriously thinking about apologizing, are you?"
The younger state scoffed and rolled his eyes. "No way, that was the most fun I've had in forever."
"So why do you want to talk to the nations?" Joseph laughed as a fight broke out between England and France. Before Isaac could answer, North Dakota ran up to their seats and whispered something in California's ear. Whatever John said made Nathan grin.
"Are you serious?" He asked, turning to his younger brother. "Please tell me you're not joking!"
"Nope." John now had the same grin as Nathan. "Minnie's heading up to upload them as we speak."
"Holy shit! I gotta be there!" California quickly stood up from his seat and grabbed a surprised Washington by the arm and nearly dragged him out of the room. "C'mon Joe!"
"See you later, Isaac!" Washington called as California dragged him out of the dining hall. Oregon then gazed back at the nations.
It's kind of funny how the nations tend to act like their stereotypes. He thought to himself as he watched Norway choke Denmark with his tie for shouting something stupid before turning to the capitals table where the Nordic capitals were seated with Kiev, Moscow, and Minsk. It became like an unspoken tradition for the Scandinavians to sit with the East Slavs after Lovise married Nikolai. Isaac had seen the Nordics reaction to seeing Oslo and Minsk together last night and couldn't help snickering at the sight. At first, seeing Lovise and Nikolai together had been a surprise for the Jones Household, but then everyone saw what a great match the two made at their wedding. They hadn't even been together for three months and announced their engagement two weeks after America had entered the Great War. It had been a shock with how they wanted to get married so quickly, but it was understandable at the time before Nikolai went off to war.
Meanwhile, Hungary noticed that her camera was missing...
…...
After lunch, America had Delaware and New Jersey summon the nations outside the dining hall for an announcement.
"Alright Dudes and Dudettes, since you're scheduled to leave at 6 pm you can take your remaining time to relax and do whatever you'd like. You all got your maps, Right?"
At the nations confirmation, Alfred nodded in satisfaction.
"Great. I'll see y'all downstairs at six, 'kay." He declared before walking off to find something to do now that he finally managed to finish today's paperwork thanks to Virginia's help. New Jersey breathed a sigh of relief.
"Finally. I'm getting tired of hauling their sorry asses around." He muttered before turning to the nations. "What're you all still doing here? We're not babysitting you anymore."
"Translation," Delaware cut in, putting her hand on her brother's shoulder. "Feel free to explore the mansion and have a look around. Be sure to use your maps so you don't get lost and if you need help, just anyone who's around, okay? Enjoy the rest of your stay!"
"Wait!" Ukraine cried out, surprising some of the nations. Delaware and New Jersey halted in their steps before turning.
"Something wrong?" Charity asked.
"No, I just wanted to know where Russia and Belarus are." Katyusha stated, looking rather serious for once instead of timid. "I need to talk to them."
Ethan took out his walkie talkie. "Come in, Alaska."
"Yes?"
"Dyadya Vanya's with you, right?" At Nanuq's confirmation, he added. "Could you put him on?"
There was silence on the other end for a few moments before a Russian accent spoke through. "Privyet, Ethan. You wanted to speak to me?"
"Hey Dyadya Vanya." Ethan greeted. "Ukraine wants to talk to you and Ciotka Natalia. Where are you?"
"I see." Russia's voice suddenly went soft and New Jersey could tell that he was nervous. "I am in Room 516 and Natalia is right across from us. I will let her know."
"Alright thanks." Ethan said. Russia said a brief 'Pozhaluysta' before ending the call. New Jersey then turned to Ukraine. "Dyadya Vanya and Ciotka Natalia are on the fifth floor in room 516. The nearest elevator is just down the hall, then take a left."
Ukraine gave him a smile of gratitude before walking in the direction the state had pointed. "Dyakuyu, New Jersey."
Ethan just gave her a nod and walked off in another direction, Delaware following after making sure no one else had questions.
"Vell, if you all vant to explore zhen go ahead but I vant everyone downstairs at exactly 6:00. Do not be late." Germany ordered before taking out his map and walking down the hallway with Italy following him, babbling about where they should go first. Eventually, all the nations dispersed to further check out America's mansion. Hungary on the other hand, went to search for her camera, thinking she might have dropped it at some point.
…...
Estonia and Latvia had found another library on the fifth floor. The entrance had a sign above it that read 'LIBRARY A'. Raivis was a little reluctant at first to go in but Eduard's reassurance that it wasn't the Classified Library eased his worries, just a little bit.
"If this was a restricted area, I am sure America would have made that known." Estonia said before opening the door. Once again, the two Baltics found themselves astounded by the vastness of the library.
"Wow," Latvia whispered. "I think this library may be bigger than the classified one."
Estonia could only nod, too mesmerized with the thousands of written works that seemed to be calling for him to investigate.
"Is he alright?" Someone chuckled from a few feet away. "He looks as if he's going to faint."
It was Tallinn. She smirked at Eduard's expression and walked past the two brothers into the library.
"M-Miss Tallinn," Latvia stuttered. "W-what are you-I-I- mean-"
Raivis shut his mouth when the female Estonian held up her hand and spoke to him calmly. "Latvia, take a breath. And think before you speak."
As Latvia did as he was told, Estonia snapped out of his trance. "Tallinn-"
"Liisi."
"What?" Estonia questioned, wondering if he heard correctly.
"My name," Tallinn replied. "is Liisi."
"Err, alright...Liisi." Eduard muttered, testing the name on his tongue before remembering what he wanted to say. "What brings you down here?"
Liisi raised an eyebrow before gesturing the room. "This is a library. I came here to find something to read."
Latvia then caught sight of the ring on Tallinn's extended hand.
"Is that an engagement ring?" He suddenly blurted before clasping his hands over his mouth, cursing his mouth diarrhea.
"Raivis!" Estonia hissed before giving his capital an apologetic look. "I'm sorry about that, Liisi. He has a bad habit of speaking before thinking it through."
Tallinn turned her gaze to the ring on her finger and the two countries felt an aura of sadness evolve around her.
"It's alright." She said after a long moment of silence. "To answer your question, Raivis. Yes, it is an engagement ring."
"Well, congratulations." Estonia said, taking notice of the sorrow in Tallinn's eyes. The best way he could describe them was the sort of sadness in which one should be crying but no longer has any tears left to shed. "If you don't mind me asking, who are you engaged to? You don't seem exactly happy."
Liisi pressed her back against a nearby bookshelf and held the hand with the ring over her heart with the other on top of it. She took a deep breath before speaking.
"Years ago," She began in a soft-spoken voice. "I was a nurse for the United States Navy, stationed in Hawaii of 1941. I made quite a few friends while I was there but...then I met this young man."
Tallinn reached into her pocket and handed Estonia an old photo of a young man who appeared to be in his early twenties wearing a Sailor suit. From the rank, he appeared to be an Ensign. The shading of his hair suggested that it was either blonde or a light brown and his eyes were likely blue or green. Despite it not being a colored photo, he looked very handsome.
Eduard and Raivis suddenly knew where Liisi's story was going.
"His name was Elmer Phillips." The Estonian continued. "He was such a good man. He helped me settle in when I first arrived and then...he started finding reasons to visit me."
Liisi swallowed a lump in her throat as memories of her beloved surged through her mind.
"I...I tried not to. God knows I tried." She continued. "But he kept pursuing me. It was like he could read my mind and I eventually gave in. I could no longer deny that I was in love with him. He had proposed to me the day before the attack. I knew...I knew the consequences of falling in love with a human, I knew it would eventually end, that it wouldn't work out...but I stupidly said yes."
Tears suddenly welled up in her eyes and Liisi pulled out a handkerchief to dab at her eyes.
"Then, the Japanese attacked." Tallinn said, her voice cracking. "I rushed to the hospital to rescue the patients. Elmer was stationed on the USS Arizona...before he died, he had saved thirty of his fellow sailors in getting off the ship."
Liisi sniffled and her lips curved into a sad but proud smile. "He saved their lives. He was a hero."
Eduard and Raivis listened in a stunned silence, both feeling for the girl in front of them. The younger Baltic looked back at the smiling man in the picture being held by his brother. It was rare for nations to get close to humans, let alone fall in love with them because of the pain that would follow after their deaths. However, there were a few nations that did become attached to humans at least once during their existence. It turns out that capitals were no exception to this.
Before either of the Baltic brothers could say anything, a shrill scream was heard from the floor above them, causing the three to jump. Tallinn's eyes widened but she didn't seem too concerned.
"That sounds like Minnesota." She said, gazing at the ceiling.
"S-should we do something?" Latvia asked, concerned. Tallinn shook her head.
"When you live in this house, the strangest of things will start to seem normal." Liisi replied. "I just have the feeling that she might have done something that she probably regrets right now."
…...
Minnesota cackled as she set up Hungary's camera. Washington, California, and some of her midwestern siblings were standing behind her.
"Okay, it's downloading." Caroline announced, as the computer began to load. She then picked up the camera. "I'm going to sneak a little peak."
As she selected the most recent photo, Minnesota's face went from smug to horrified as soon as she saw the photo. With a scream, she dropped the camera and ran out of the room with her hands covering her eyes.
"What the-" Washington started before running after his sister. "Minnie?! Minnie, what's wrong?!"
Joseph and the midwestern states ran out of the room in search of Minnesota while California stayed behind. Nathan picked up the camera and braced himself to see what had possibly traumatized his sister. Upon seeing the picture, he gagged and instantly turned away.
"Okay...that is just wrong." He muttered, placing the camera back on the table. Nathan rubbed his eyes as if it would erase the image he had just seen from his mind. The large screen suddenly came to life and revealed a list of documents, each with a label that made California's eye twitch.
"GerIta...Spamano...PolLiet, ew!" Nathan cringed and tried desperately to turn the computer off when he saw the labels 'USUK' and 'AmeCan', knowing exactly what they meant. "Ew, ew, ew, ew!"
When the screen finally went dark, Nathan slumped against the desk and banged his head against the wood.
Hungary is one sick freak. California thought. Dad...and Uncle Mattie?! Gross! Doesn't she know they're brothers?!
One thing was for sure, he would not be returning this camera. Oh no. First, the Hungarian She-Beast beats up Onkel Gil and now he and his little sister were scarred for life.
Nathan decided to give it to one of his most trusted aunts, and maybe also Budapest. Dániel Bácsi will likely have a good idea of what to do with his country's most treasured possession.
AN: Well, here's chapter 24. I apologize for taking so long but I've been so busy preparing for finals, it's a relief that they're over! Anyway, next chapter will be a continuation of the countries exploring the mansion and interacting with the capitals and/or the states. Don't forget to review! They bring inspiration!