"Hey, New York?"
Out of all the things New York wanted to get out of this meeting, it was not a conversation.
"What, California?" He snapped, glaring at the state across him. It seemed like it jabbed a bit, but he continued regardless.
"When's your birthday?"
Oh, not this shit again. He already had this conversation with Florida.
"Listen, if I were to spend my birthday with anybody, no way in hell would I willingly hang out with you on my birth—" California cut him off, shaking his head.
"No, no, not that. It's for a thing I'm testing," He responded vaguely, getting a glare from New York.
"Listen, if Florida put you up to this one, tell him he can fuck off and leave me alone, because I'm not gonna spend my birthday getting him out of troub—"
"I just wanna know your zodiac sign, dude."
Oh.
Well, that was a new one.
"Zodiac signs? Really, California?" New York rolled his eyes, getting a defeated sigh out of the other.
"It's not that weird! They've been around since the Babylonian's! I just think they're interesting to learn about, I mean, they've been around for so long, it makes you th—"
"I'm a Leo, California. Now quit asking," New York finally snapped, cutting the rant short. He ignored the flash of surprise (and mild hurt) that crossed California's face and focused his attention elsewhere (which happened to be the plant in the corner of the mostly empty room. Seriously, where were the other three? Wasn't Gov big on punctuality?). His straight up glaring at the plant made the twiddling of California's thumbs go unnoticed, which made it all the more infuriating when he started talking again.
"Y'know, that's kinda funny, since Leo men are associated with being like, hopeless romantics and stuff-" California chuckled awkwardly as New York's glare shifted back to him.
"Just because I was born in-"
"I know, I know, your birth date doesn't define your personality, I get it. I just think it's funny, since you're.. well, not. Lovey at all. I don't think I've ever even seen you in lov—"
"Oh my god, California," New York sighed, "You don't have to bring it up."
The brief smirk that flashed on California's face before he covered it back up made New York want to strangle him. "Right, right, sorry. You know, I could probably get your whole birth chart up if you tell me the date - it might be cool, I could tell you about your zodiacs."
"I'll pass, thanks. Especially if all you're going to tell me with this is that people think I'm some romantic weirdo."
"It can be cool if you're not so cynical about it-!" California started, immediately stopped by the door swinging open to two other states walking in. A disheveled Gov and a proud looking Florida that made it clear Florida had been up to something while the two were talking.
"Sorry, you two. Usually I push for being on time but Florida caused a fight outside," Gov sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose at the chuckle that came from Florida.
"I told Ohio Michigan ate his leftovers of that chili stuff he eats, he got pissed!"
"And what exactly happened to the chili in the first place..?" California asked hesitantly, waiting for some terrifying answer that was on brand for Florida.
