† 003

[hullonurse]

[Video switches on, the communicator looking up at England's face. There's her eyes are wide and she looks very disturbed. On her lap, a woman's head is resting. There's no sign of life on her face, though her features are similar to Rosemary's, and England's free hand is tangled up in her long, red hair.

But you only have a few seconds to take that sight in before England quickly fumbles with the communicator to switch it to voice as she originally intended.]

What's going on? [Her voice is a little shaky, but she's clearly trying to hide that.] They weren't- They weren't even here how could they have...

This is a trick, yes? [Laughs a little, sounding slightly hysterical.] It's not funny, you know! They're all too stubborn for this anyway!

Comments

[hullonurse]

[England is silent for a moment, still clutching Ireland tightly. Slowly she sets her down and stands up, determinedly not looking at Wales or Northern Ireland and walking around Scotland's prone body.

It's all fake. None of it is real.

She slowly opens the door without saying anything.]

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

[hullonurse]

[For a moment, Rosemary freezes. Then she slowly lifts one hand to curl her fingers around the fabric of France's shirt.]

... I'm fine, you know.

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

Of course, and so am I. This is just a greeting. I will let go in a moment and then you won't have to hit me with your broom!

[hullonurse]

Yet. [So behave yourself, m'sieur.]

[She leans against him for just a few second before stepping back.] What do you want? [If she pretends there's nothing behind her, maybe she can look like she's holding herself together.]

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

To visit you. To ah, find company, of course!

[hullonurse]

[Behind her both Irelands have somehow vanished now that no one is watching them, not that Rosemary notices.]

I can't promise I'll be very good company today, dear.

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

But I am always good company! And why should I stay alone when there are others in the apartment?

[hullonurse]

... I'll make a cup of tea. [Because that's what you do when you're British and distraught. England turns around and freezes again.]

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

I don't--

[hullonurse]

[Looks at her remaining sisters for a moment before carefully stepping around Scotland to go into the kitchen.]

You don't need to drink it, I just need to make it.

[Why there isn't anyone on the floor there, obviously not, if she pretends not to see them they're not there.]

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

[hullonurse]

[England gasps at the sight of the two on the floor, surprised though she doesn't recognise them. Something about them does look terribly familiar, though she can't place what.]

... Anyone you know, dear?

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

...

Canada... and... Seychelles.

[hullonurse]

[... Well, now she can quite plainly recognise them, both of them having enough similarities with the versions she knows.

She gently takes hold of France's wrist and tugs him away from where the bodies are laying.] Just ignore them. It's not them.

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

... If you won't drink the tea, I will.

[hullonurse]

Of course, dear, come on now, a good cup of tea will make us both feel better. [Focusing on being concerned for Francis at least helps distract herself from her own worries, and how disturbing the idea of any of her siblings- no matter what their gender- being hurt is.

So she holds his gaze only slightly unsteadily and tugs on his wrist again.] Come on, now.

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

You are so kind, being so motherly toward me. Not hitting me with a broom...

[hullonurse]

You haven't done anything to deserve it yet, and I'm hardly in the mood regardless. [Huffs and turns to put some water on to boil.] You're so jumpy all the time, you'd think I was a violent woman. [England, you are a violent woman...]

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

...

You are.

[hullonurse]

I will be if you keep that attitude up. How do you take your tea?

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

Plain, nothing added.

[hullonurse]

[England freezes up, confused for a moment about just what the hell is going on.] ... What are you doing?

[crotchroses.livejournal.com]

I am tired and distraught and I happen to find you comforting.

[hullonurse]

I didn't give you permission to touch me. [But that does make her feel a little bad for him.] Sit down if you're tired. I can comfort you without being touched.