entranceway | ( video + action )

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( video + action )

[ The America that's smiling into the screen looks pretty similar to the one everyone is used to. He looks cheerful. The uniform's different though; a darker blue. A rifled is propped next to him and he casually plays with the bayonet. He seems to be talking to someone off-screen. ]

C'mon now! We just wanted to say hi! You were enjoying us earlier. Who's to say someone else won't?

[ Another one appears next to him, dressed in grey and grinning just the same. Dear god there's two. ]

Oh right, 'cause you're ashamed!

That he likes us?

That no matter how many regrets start to pile up, no matter how much he wants to hate himself, he's always gonna love himself more!

Hard to be a hero when you're hardwired to always put yourself before anyone else!

Hard to be a hero when you're sending your own children to slaughter. But that's nothing new with you, is it? Road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

Best book yourself a room!

[ The blue one starts prodding the grey one with his bayonet a little too hard. Then the device is grabbed away and the real America is seen scowling into the screen. ]

I got a two for the price of one deal. Think I liked it better when they were fightin' with each other instead of picking on me.

[ One of the Shadows scoffs. ]

Liar. The more we get along, the more you feel like you're holding yourself together. No matter how much anyone tells you otherwise: you're gonna be afraid that you'll be split apart. Can't stand losing anything, can you?

Always need more land and more power. Don't lie; that promise of gettin' to the top of the world is exciting.

And you're gonna do whatever it takes to get there! Like always.

[ Welp, his Shadows sure aren't any less chatty than he is. America looks dismayed for a moment, but quickly lets it go and sighs. ]

I'm goin' for a walk.

LET'S RIDE THE RAPTOR.

THAT'S-- [ the frustration fades quickly and he considers it. ] --actually not a bad idea. Okay.

[ If you thought this post was going to end on anything but a stupid note you were wrong. America and his Shadows will be riding around the mansion and grounds on a Utahraptor should you want to run into him. ]

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[It's not as if Martha can stay locked up in her room all day with just her shadow for company, so eventually she ventures out in search of food. She doesn't know if there would be anyone in the diner at this point, since Aerith, Tohru, and Ruby are probably all busy with their own shadows, but she'll just poke her head in and see.

Or at least, that had been the idea, but then she hears the thumping of loud footsteps and stops, exchanging glances with her shadow for a moment before she spots what looks to be a dinosaur barreling down the hall.

She had seen America's broadcast, and the reason behind him having two shadows had been obvious enough. He was from the time of the Civil War, after all, so a shadow to represent each side made sense. She'd felt some guilt because that "promise to get to the top of the world" was probably a reference to his conversation with her.

But it looks like she's going to end up having another chat with him (or them, rather) either way, because that dinosaur is coming right for her and her shadow.]

... Where did you get that? [She shoves up against the wall, not wanting to get run over by the Utahraptor.]

[ In unison all three answer: ]

Closet.

[ The dinosaur comes to a halt, sniffing at Martha and her shadow, snapping its jaws and making all sorts of Jurassic Park noises. Luckily one of the Shadows has a big ham on hand and tosses it to the side as the three Americas slide off. Probably best not to ask where he was storing that thing. ]

Don't worry, I got her trained pretty well. She won't be bitin' your head off any time soon.

And if she does, who cares? Not our problem.

[ Both Shadows shrug. America gives an apologetic look and mouths sorry. That prompts the Shadows to grin wider. ]

[It should have been obvious, but somehow Martha hadn't expected that even something like a dinosaur could come out of one of those closets. It can barely fit in the hallway, though she has to admit she's not surprised that America would try to ride it through here despite that. All the way up on the eighth floor, no less.

She and her shadow take a step away from it in unison, which annoys Martha on principle. It's odd, because right now America definitely seems like the most easily tolerated out of the three. It just goes to show that these shadows are about five times more irritating than the genuine articles. Which is saying something with America.]

This is the one who thinks that you aren't good enough because you're a woman, isn't that right? I'm going to laugh so hard I cry if it turns out that you truly believe that.

Of course not. [Martha hisses the words out before looking back to America, focusing on him rather than the two shadows.] What made you decide to go riding around on that?

[ Oh well now. One of the Shadows, the one in blue, gets uncomfortably close to Martha's Shadow. It's obvious posturing but... the way these two smile, you have to wonder how much is bluff or if they're really going to snap. ]

Why, would it be better if we said it was 'cause you're black?

[ He grins and backs up. ]

But that's not the case anyway.

Not entirely.

[ Their tone is pretty condescending but what else is new. America shuffles nervously and shakes his head. ]

These two did. I mean, I already had Ruth ahead of time, but they came up with the plan. They might be a pair of... [ He stops himself before the insult comes out, knowing that any insult to them is an insult to himself. ] ...but they had a good idea. Maybe they ain't entirely bad.

'Course we are!

We're you!

[It's probably for the best that the shadow backs up when its does, because Martha's double had been halfway to slapping it. Seeing how Martha herself feels tense and wound up in response to those words, she once again has to convince herself that no, that yellow-eyed thing is nothing like her, not really. It's just here to torment her.

When America explains, Martha looks from the three of them over to the dinosaur and back again. Their responses, which chime in almost immediately after, causes her to sigh.]

So... north and south, is it? At least I only have the one to deal with.

[Martha's shadow seems to have calmed down now, but she's got her arms crossed over her chest, looking the others over.] Which means that one of them would probably be happier if you were in chains.

[This is just getting more and more awkward. Martha shifts to the side, nodding to America.] I suppose you should be getting on your way, then?

[ America's thankful too because he seriously doesn't know how far the one in blue will go. If these are supposed to be a part of him... well, maybe Shadows can't hurt other peoples' Shadows. God knows they certainly take a few swings at each other. Speaking of which... ]

Chains? Naw, that's kinda excessive for a gal of your talent, but you'd probably do well workin' in a kitchen. At least I'd take care of ya! Now him, on the other hand? You've heard of the happenings in New York. 1863.

You wanna go, Reb? You think that was bad you ain't seen nothing yet.

Oh, I seen plenty, Yank. Saw that you're so bitter you'd rather see us burned than let us go!

[ Okay, enough of their blabbering. The one in blue launches himself at the gray and they start swinging punches, scrapping like a pair of stray dogs trying to shake up the pecking order. At least they're too busy with each other now to really add much comment to the conversation.

America's been looking pretty mortified the whole time. Their fighting doesn't exactly bring him relief, but at least now he feels safe enough to talk. ]

Er, sorta... it's a little more complicated than that. They're more than that. They're uh... maybe I shouldn't get too much into it. God knows they shake enough skeletons outta my closet without me addin' to it.

[ He looks around past the fighting pair. The dinosaur has wandered off. ]

Aw hell, where'd Ruth go? Knew I shoulda put her on a leash.

[ From the pair of fighters there comes a shout of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID, but which Shadow said it is anyone's guess. ]

[In the kitchen. Right. That's so stereotypical that Martha's finding it difficult to be offended. She hadn't realized that she would ever run into anyone who would make America look like the better option for a conversation partner, but then again -- these two are just parts of him, the ugliest parts.

Still, it doesn't seem fair to judge him based on that. She doesn't want people judging her on what her shadow says, so she won't do the same with anyone else.

When the two of them get into a scuffle, Martha's eyes widen and she takes another step back. America starts speaking with her like that isn't happening in her periphery vision, and Martha decides to just go along with it.]

It's fine, you don't have to explain. [She shakes her head.] We're probably better off ending this conversation as soon as we can...

[Or that's the idea, at least, but they seem to have lost a dinosaur. Martha sighs and drags her hand down her face.] Do you need me to help you look for her?

[Her shadow chuckles and shakes her head.] Wouldn't you rather just run away? You're so very good at running.

[ America nods, shuffling in embarrassment. She's right, of course; continuing a conversation would only put further strain on their interactions, and he needs her if he's going to be allowed anywhere near a clinic in Wonderland.

His gaze flickers briefly to Martha's Shadow. He's obviously curious, but since she's given him the courtesy to not dig into his own Shadows, he'll spare her the questions. ]

Ya don't have to if you don't wanna. [ But since he can't keep his big mouth shut... ]

Honestly though, no matter what she says [ he thumbs Martha's Shadow ] it ain't gonna be anywhere near as bad as what comes outta their mouths. Nasty fuckers.

[ Things have gotten pretty brutal in the tussle; it looks like the blue one just pinned the gray one to the ground jammed a lit match in his eye. But since the Shadows can't be hurt, the damage is healed immediately. Looks like the fighting is starting to wind down. Not really good news for America. ]

[It might be for the best if they don't spend any more time around each other, and America's giving her an easy way out. Martha could walk the other way without any judgment, she imagines.

Her shadow, meanwhile, looks offended at America's comment.] Not as bad? How can you be so sure? Or are you yet another non-human that's going to try and make her feel like she isn't good enough?

[Martha spins around toward her shadow and holds up a finger, as if that will shush her. Though she's half-distracted by the fight that's going on, letting out a gasp when one of them goes for the eyes.

At least her shadow isn't getting into brawls like that. Probably because she herself isn't a violent person, and that only speaks to America's true nature. Then again, he's a country -- war is a part of him. So yes, even if her shadow might speak to her insecurities, it could be so much worse.]

Will you be able to handle them? [She peers back over at America.]

[ Yeah he can't really resist throwing a quip the Shadow's way. ]

If ya wanna win the Biggest Bastard Award, Miss Shadow, you're gonna have to fight us for the blue ribbon.

[ At least he's being honest. Maybe it's the effect of having his own shadows hanging around to spew every little shameful thought or insecurity in everyone's faces? Or maybe he's just so worn down from their commenting that he can't help but be a little self-deprecating.

He turns his attention back to Martha just as his shadows start to get up and dust themselves off. ]

Got no choice, do I? Tryin' to decide if getting drunk will make it better or worse.

Could always pill yourself up like always!

Or put a gun to your head! You know it won't last long, so why not take some time for peace and quiet?

[ America throws his hands up in the air like ~~he just don't care~~ is a hundred percent done with their shit. His shadows take that as a cue to start the wave. ]

Well, I can be rather competitive at times. Let's give it a shot.

[No. The last thing Martha needs is to get into some sort of horrible pissing match with America's shadows. Things have been bad enough as it is, so she's going to try and steer clear of that, thank you very much.

Honestly, seeing how exasperated and disparaging America is in light of all this actually makes Martha a little fonder of him. At least he's not carrying on with the rest of them. But it all takes a dark turn when his shadows imply that along with drinking, he's self-medicated and committed (temporary) suicide before.

Which are all things that she shouldn't really know, honestly. Martha shoots him an apologetic look and lets out a sigh.]

Normally I would help you, but that would only end in tragedy at this point. Good luck with them. [Martha offers both of America's shadows a wary glance while her own shadow waves almost cheerfully at them, and with that she makes an attempt to walk away.]

[ His response to her apologetic looks is just a shrug. Sometimes life sucks and you get an arm shot off and your friends die and you decide to throw some morphine into your drink. What else is new. At this point he can't even be embarrassed or ashamed or awkward he's just so done. ]

Nah, I get it. Thanks anyway. If you came along it'd just get worse. Who knows what they'd do.

Hit on you.

Relentlessly.

Be insulting and demeaning.

Also relentlessly.

And there ya go. There's your answer. There's my life.

[ As she tries to walk away, America waves half-heartedly. But his Shadows decide to just keep on talking and making it worse. ]

Ask you what you're running from.

Pick at ya to find out if it's that alien doctor is the non-human not makin' ya feel good enough.

[ The other one opens his mouth to say I could make ya feel good enough, if ya know what I mean while America jabs them both in the arm and tries to shush them. He might have trouble keeping his mouth shut and he definitely has trouble trying to say the right thing, but this is clearly one thing he at least has the good sense not to pry into.

At least not consciously. If his Shadows are anything to go by, he's definitely curious. ]

[The fact is, it's not as if she hasn't been hit on relentlessly by others here before, and that had been without the shadows. That she might have been able to handle.

The other bits, though, and the fact that they got it right on the first try like that -- that's more bothersome. Martha tries to school her expression into something neutral, but there's a good chance that something peeks through there, a split second of surprise and hurt.

This just makes it even more clear that she needs to get away from them.]

We can discuss it another time. [She doesn't want to, really, not even with America on his own, but Martha also realizes that she might owe him an explanation after all this.]

You hit the nail on the head. Who falls for an alien, anyway?

[At that point, Martha grabs for her shadow's arm and starts dragging her down the hall.]

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