entranceway | ( video + action )

Entry tags:

( 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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.]

Oh of course there would be three of you now, lovely.

[ Unfortunately for the demon, there is one thing that America and counterparts can agree on: picking on Crowley. ]

Damn right!

Hah, you're probably the only one that's gonna be even more upset about this than Alfred!

Especially when we find you.

[ Whoa there friend I think you need to slow down. ]

Oh my stars and garters are you trying to hunt me down now? Really?

Hah! You're wearing garters?

Nah. At least I'm not. Got better things to do than waste time with you, obviously.

But can ya imagine meeting his Shadow?

[ They're like little devils on his shoulders right now. America looks like he's actually thinking about it. ]

Actually... yeah. That I'd like to see. I wonder if he's American?

It's a saying you bloody idiot, and no, if my Shadow was American I would literally have killed myself already.

Awww don't do that!

Yeah, who else am I gonna tease this relentlessly?

Yeah, who else am I gonna project my father issues onto?

[ FROWN. That was not supposed to happen. ]

...Are you

You cannot be serious. Father issues?

Bitch I might be.

That is utterly horrifying. You are utterly horrifying.

[ From both of his Shadows: ] No argument there!

[ The real America puffs up like an angry bird. Or like an indignant person in a Miyazaki movie. Or maybe someone having an allergic reaction to wonderful, delicious blue crabs. Point is that he looks far more irritated than ashamed. ]

They're oversimplifying it! You just... you're so British.

And you know how things are with countries. Why else do you think we're so hostile to every English person in Wonderland? You're like having England around to take our frustrations out on, except you don't have the painful baggage of our memories.

That's not the only thing missing. You don't got the bushy brows or voice so dry that you could sand a boat with it.

Basically you're England Lite.

But don't worry, I'm learning to hate ya a little more every day for you, who you are, instead of who you remind me of.

It really ain't hard.

I feel like I should be flattered but I'm having a hard time.

Flattery is kinda the opposite of what we're goin' for.

We only like flattery when it's directed at us.

Or when we're tryin' to get with someone. Y'know. Sexually.

Which, to no one's surprise, never works.

Pure as the driven snow.

Ehhhhh, more like snow that's started to melt and you can start to see patches of dirt.

[ America was starting to look mortified for a second there, but at this point he's just. He's giving up on this. The number of fucks he gives is dwindling. ]

How can an entire country have sex wait you know what never mind I don't want to know or care.

Well you're gonna get an answer anyway!

We got human bodies, don't we? Comes with all the equipment attached.

[ To make everything absolutely worse, both Shadows waggle their eyebrows at Crowley. Ninety percent of it is just to make him uncomfortable and be dicks. The other ten percent is who the fuck knows.

The real America just looks at Crowley like the Batter looks at... anything remotely exciting, aka with dead eyes and with the enthusiasm of a log. ]

No.

Is it Florida? It's Florida, isn't it. [Not even phased by a HATED ENEMY flirting with him, it literally happens all the time.]

How'd ya know?!

That obvious?

[ One of the Shadows grins and shoots Crowley a double-pistols gesture. See: icon of previous comment. ]

'Course it is. Feel free to stop for a visit some time!

[ America hates his life right now and so do I. ]

Ew, no, I'll catch his shitty accent and shittier weather!

[ Because that's obviously the biggest issue at hand with this scenario. ]

Does that make Texas a tit, then? I always thought it rather looked like a tit.

No that's my glasses.

Right of course that makes total sense.

It's a long story involving the thrilling tale of the Alamo.

And degenerative eyesight.

And stealin' land

Maybe you've heard of it.

No I've never heard of the Alamo. [No he's serious tho.]

You're joking right?! C'mon, it's one of the cornerstones of human history!

Not countin' anything outside of the American sphere of experience.

We never do. Far as we're concerned, we're the center of the universe!

If it's pre-America it's pre-mattering.

With a couple ancient empires thrown in for funsies.

[ America clears his throat. ]

It's one of the greatest tales in Texan-- no, American history. It's a tale of the bravery of men of all backgrounds banding together in the name of gaining independence.

A story of rebellion with a happy ending.

[ Which earns a shove from the Shadow in blue, but America pays them no mind. His gaze is a million miles away. ]

The people of Texas--Americans, Mexicans, Indians, just to name some--wanted to get away from an increasingly centralized government that was denyin' their freedoms. No surprise that this led to outright revolt, but the Alamo remains one of the greatest testaments to the human spirit and courage. Heroes were born from the fallen men, including the legendary Davey Crockett. Mexican forces came to the Alamo to place siege. Weary, tired, and hungry, the men held out valiantly--very valiantly, not even an exaggeration!--until a final assault was launched. A hundred and eighty-nine men against eighteen hundred, and still they managed to take down nearly triple their forces! But alas, the Battle of the Alamo was fatal for every Texan who stood against a whole country that day. Gone but not forgotten. Never gonna be forgotten.

The efforts of those fallen Texans were a crucial step in founding the Republic of Texas, which I annexed in 1845.

Which means we inherited the border problems that led to more war.

And I'll never regret it. God Bless Texas. God bless America.

[ The two Shadows throw red, white, and blue confetti behind America like papery fireworks. ]

Oh right, I heard that as "that one time that America stole a bunch more territory from yet another sovereign nation."

More or less.

Felt damn good too. Man, the rush of takin' in land and people, of power, puttin' more toward that hunger that can't ever be satisfied--

You're British you don't understand true heroism.

...Well he does have a point there.

I'd bring up the indigenous Americans, but the English never did much better in that regard.

Also the funny thing about heroes is that they tend to end up dead.

You say that like it isn't in the cards!

You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become a villain.

Isn't than an Xbox quote?

Naw, pretty sure it's Batman.

Whatever its origin, point is that my fate's a long way off.

Gotta go out with a bang!

Not a whimper.

How do you even know about Batman?

Fuck you that's how.

Right.

You got two?

And here we are, barely handling each other. But I've never been very good at handling people, have I?

[The Lorax grunts, forcing himself to ignore his own shadow.]

Why're you different, exactly?

Lorie, I could make a whole list why this is happening to me. 'Cause it's some sorta divine punishment--

--for all we've done and will inevitably do--

--'cause I got too much personality to be contained--

--since we're always in the middle of some weird existential crisis--

--but I think it's mostly 'cause of two simple words:

Civil

War.

[ SIGHHHHHH. America pinches the bridge of his nose while his Shadows smile into the camera. ]

Can we pet you?

Ya look so fluffy!

[...Lorie. Okay. Just gonna ignore that. And the petting thing, uh. Well, he'll see if they ask again.]

Is that a metaphor or are you referring to the whole "I'm a country" shtick?

[Still not 100% buying it out of fear that this guy'll make a fool of him.]

You sure are stubborn 'bout not believing me.

It didn't bother us at first, but now it's gettin' annyoin'.

Kinda makes me wanna turn ya into a very warm hat and feed your fleshy corpse to my raptor.

[ Boy that escalated quickly. ]

Whoa.

[The Lorax steps backwards, which uh. Doesn't really achieve much since they're talking through the communicators.]

...It's just that you seem kinda like the sort who'd try to play jokes on people.

[ Oh now he feels kinda bad. The real America calms down, but the Shadows are still eying the Lorax like they want to make a pelt out of him. ]

Okay, you got me there, I do like to joke around. This just ain't one of those times!

[ The Shadows drape themselves over his shoulders, much to his annoyance. ]

It's a little like the boy who cried wolf. The more you fool around, the less likely the world will take you seriously.

Which works just fine in our favor! Ain't no one gonna expect you to be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

[ They grin like it's scratching at the surface of a dirty secret, but America decides to take in a completely direction. ]

I like wolves. You ever heard a baby one howl? Adorable as hell.

That's not what--

ADORABLE. THEIR LITTLE VOICES SQUEAK AND AUGH I JUST WANT TO HUG THEM. BIG OL' PUPS. SO CUTE.

[ That shuts them up because they can't really argue that dangerous wildlife is adorable. ]

[The Lorax feels as if he's intruding on something, suddenly. Which, really should've been the case all along, now that he thinks about it. The whole shadow thing is awkward for him, after all. Shouldn't be too much of a stretch to imagine that'd be the case for America too.]

I uh, have indeed spent time with baby wolves. And they are awfully cute.

[...Is about all he can think to say for a moment. His shadow, however, dredges up the worry this conversational turn has started festering in the back of his mind.]

Maybe I was right to judge him so quickly. Just like Beanpole. Breaks his promises to me because, well, who cares about a promise to a rat, right?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( video + action )

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

text

video always

TEXT ALWAYS SUCK IT AMURCA

U SUCK IT CROWLEY

NO U

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[video forever]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject