and the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air

[colonial]

Characters: America, France, England, open
Setting: the cafeteria and the library
Format: action
Summary: America finally learns about the Fourth of July
Warnings: tiny colonial baby learning about that whole revolution thing

A; Cafeteria - CLOSED TO FRANCE
[It wasn't unusual for America to wander around the Tower on his own, at least a little bit. More than England knew about, really, but being in the cafeteria was hardly unusual for him. And they had good food again, so America was taking advantage of it. He'd stacked chocolate pancakes high enough they were a hazard to carry around, and he'd been unable to choose between chocolate or strawberry milk and had thus gone with both.

He's in a good mood today! What could go wrong?]


B; library - OPEN
[There were books scattered everywhere, some in piles, some open and abandoned, some left dangling off of chairs--it looked as if a small hurricane had taken place in the library, and given this was the Tower that wasn't impossible. But the real source of all the chaos is sitting on a book shelf he's rapidly clearing out. He's got a dictionary on his left and he's reading something else--but eventually he sighs and tosses it onto the ground.

This explains the state of the library.]

There's nothing here! It's not here at all!

C; England's room - CLOSED TO ENGLAND
[And, after tearing the library apart and finding absolutely nothing that would help as far as intricate details went, America had to return to England's room in the evening exhausted and unhappy. He knows England is sick--he was sick last year around this time, too--and he doesn't really want to bother him, especially with something France basically said was going to make him sad.

Instead he climbs into bed and tucks himself against England's side, trying not to look too downcast. He still looks really unhappy and frustrated, though, in spite of his best efforts.]

Comments

[silencetoreason]

I see.

[France isn't sure what to think about that. He understands why England might not want to bring it up, sure, but... for two years? He lead America to believe that he wasn't from over four hundred years in the future for that long? France isn't sure if England did it in America's best interests, or in his own.

He realizes, with a growing feeling of dread, that he'll find out soon enough.]

He- He probably did not want to shock you. [France offers an apologetic smile and goes to lay his hand on America's back.]

[colonial]

[America nods, quick to latch onto whatever made England out to be his idealized guardian.]

...Does a lot of bad stuff happen in my future?

[silencetoreason]

[France is silent for a moment, one that seems to stretch out for a long time. His mouth is dry all over again when he goes to speak.]

There's... There's good and there's bad. That happens in everyone's life. [He finally tries to meet America's gaze again.] But you do a lot of good, mon petit. You always have the best in mind.

[Nowadays, he would never give America compliments like this so freely, but he can't bring himself to be anything less than optimistic while he's looking down at those big, sad, blue eyes.]

[colonial]

[America decides he can believe that, if only because he already wants to do good things now. Even if he's too little to do a lot of things and he's not really a country like everybody else, just a colony.]

Then... Why did I get a new government? [He stumbles over the pronunciation of "government" a little--childishly.]

[silencetoreason]

[Oh boy. Here comes the really hard part.]

Because... You did not think that England had the best in mind.

[colonial]

[That concept--that England is anything less than his perfect hero figure--might be the hardest thing for him to grasp.] Why wouldn't he?

[silencetoreason]

It's- It's very complicated, mon petit, I am not sure we should get into it right now.

[He's still trying to figure out which route will make England less likely to punch him in the stomach until he stops breathing - giving America more information, or less.]

[colonial]

...Okay. [America is used to that sort of answer, though not about this sort of subject. He curls in on himself in his chair.]

Should I not tell England? [He doesn't want to make England sad.]

[silencetoreason]

[France has to think on that for a few moments. It would be so much simpler to say yes, to somehow try to get America to keep going on like everything is normal, but that's more of a selfish desire than anything. He knows it's impossible, especially at America's age. England would notice the difference the second he saw the boy.

He bites back a sigh and rubs his hand in circles over America's back, trying to comfort him and soothe his own racing mind all at once.]

You can tell him if you want. I- I think he would want to know. Just... [And then he gets a little pale, and forces a smile.] Perhaps you could try to keep him from, you know, from being quite so merciless on me for all of this...?

[Yup. Good ol' chickenshit France.]

[colonial]

[America does know how England and France fight, at least. He nods.] I'll say someone else told me.

[Of course, now he has to figure out how to tell England. Maybe if he knew more details it would be easier, but he doesn't think France is going to tell him, since France had said it was complicated and that was always what people said when they weren't going to tell him something.

He swallows more food while he thinks. Maybe the library would have something...?]

[silencetoreason]

Ah! Yes! What a great idea! [There is no way that this could possibly backfire on him.

France sighs and lays a quick kiss on the top of America's head, and the smile on his face turns apologetic.]

Désolé, America. I did not mean to cause so much strife. Try to enjoy the rest of your- uhh- future birthday happily, won't you?