OPEN!!

[pineandmaple.livejournal.com]

Characters: Canada and all
Setting: Dorm floor; Stairway/Pool Floor; Kitchen/Cafeteria
Format: Either/or
Summary: Canada is making the venture down past all the spooks!
Warnings: none yet



A. Dormitory Floor;

Canada took a deep breath. She couldn't stay locked up in her room forever, like she had since the punishment for skipping work had made her cut a finger and it had bled all over her shirt. Her good shirt....her only shirt. She'd washed it as best she could and tugged her jacket down over her sleeves.

Unfortunately now was the time to get some sort of food in her and that meant braving the staircase. She ventured out of her room and peered down the hallways, trying to ignore the whispering voices and the phantoms in the corner of her eye.

"Everyone alright?"

B. Staircase

One step at a time, one hand on the wall, that was how she had to go. She paused at every door, peering out into the gloom. The pool looked particularly ominous in the dark...

She stepped out, peering at its depths. Maybe it had monsters--no that was silly. Something America would think. She shook her head and made a little 'come-with' gesture at Kumalop who had gone to bat at the water. It didn't help to linger...and she still had to pass that forest. She gave a little shudder and continued down.

C. Kitchen Floor

The harrowing walk down the staircase had finally gotten her here, to the kitchen floor. What a relief. She stepped through the dimly lit cafeteria, swallowing and contemplating if there might be someone just around the corner. That was silly really, she was a nation, she could handle anything lurking in the shadows. But then she heard that proper voice, the one she'd known for years and she swiveled on the spot.

"E-England?"

Comments

[creme-master.livejournal.com]

He stepped closer, almost cautiously. Like you'd approach a spooked horse, as Canada was doing an amazing job of impersonating one. The smile that he could barely see was forced and she was standing a little too stiff for her to be completely comfortable.

Not that anything about this was comfortable, bodies around and shadows seeming thicker than normal. Nodding, he offered a bit of a solution.

"I heard there are flashlights by the infirmary but really, it is quite questionable if we should be venturing out in the first place." Paternal instincts kicking in and all, he offered her his most reassuring smile. Quietly adding "You should be in your room, petite. I will help you back..."

[pineandmaple.livejournal.com]

Canada recognized the way he moved and how cautious and reassuring he was trying to be...The part of her that hated being coddled made her stand up straighter and she smiled again.

"I was looking for a little food. Kumalapo needs to eat and I should probably get a little something too. I am quite alright really..."

[creme-master.livejournal.com]

Shit... she did that stubborn in denial thing that Mathieu was capable of. Ignoring the pang of longing for the boy, he focused on his other half that was trying to boldly go past him in the dark. Sighing to himself, Francis watched her somewhat wearily. Curiosity besting him, he broke the silence.

"Why were you calling out to Arthur? You and I both know he is not here, Madeline," Somewhat hesitantly, he added: "Unfortunately. This place is not safe. Put my old heart at ease and allow me to walk you back there."

Back there was just as dreadfully dim as the rest of this hellhole. "Just this once, non?"

[pineandmaple.livejournal.com]

"England. I heard her...out there..." Canada stared into the darkness, squinting at where she felt she could almost make out shapes of people. Kumaril pawed at her skirt and she looked down at her.

"I--let me grab something from the kitchen oui?" She didn't wait for his answer, striding off in what she thought was the direction of the kitchen. She didn't want to say she may have gotten turned around in the dark.

[creme-master.livejournal.com]

Her. That was, of course, understandable. Francis felt stupid for a moment, but as he hadn't seen the female counterpart to his old companion it had slipped his mind. Even with a very female Canada in the room with him. He too had looked around, seeing the shadows shift unnaturally; he had chosen not to stick close to one place outside of his dorm.

Which he currently occupied on his own -- which made enduring this trial in the Tower that more stressful.

Before he could stop her, the silhouette of his Canadian counterpart was striding past him and he was unsure, but ... "The kitchen is more toward your left. Away from the ominous shadows I've been trying to ignore." Please, you silly girl...

[pineandmaple.livejournal.com]

Canada hesitated. He probably did know better. He hadn't been startled by shadows, voices and a very real nation. So she adjusted herself a little left and called back.

"Thank you then. I know it's a bother but I really need to get something for Kumaraku. You know?"

[creme-master.livejournal.com]

Hadn't been startled? He was quite scared for more than one reason, but after such a long time and a messy bout of history behind him he was a bit better at hiding it. And ignoring the ache in his jaw from keeping his jaw clenched so hard.

He was trying to avoid the shadows, not wanting to stare too long; weary that they would solidify into something familiar if he gave them too much attention. Honestly, Francis had wandered toward the kitchens because he could stand not eating nothing anything any longer. Such a pampered man, Fran.

Walking in the direction of her voice -- she'd not gotten too far, thankfully -- he nodded uselessly. "Your companion is needing to be fed as well; it is understandable. Come, I was being honest about being hungry. You would think we would get a break during the day, mais non. This is madness."

Best to keep her distracted with idle chatter, all in lowered tones. She would probably resent this later -- but this is France. He's used to some ill-intent toward his person.

[pineandmaple.livejournal.com]

Canada turned her head back toward him and smiled, even if he may not be able to see it. She shook her head and waited for him catch up.

"Of course we don't get a break. We are in a crazy tower that sends ghosts of friends after us and attempts to hurt or kill us. Perhaps we just need some food ourselves."