Fitting His Views (texacali)

piece 1

(Mention of real event that happened in May in Austin texas, Uvalde Elemetarary school. In no way is this meant to disrespect the very real deaths that happened that day.)
-_-_-_-__-__-

Texas tapped his leg as he starred in the mirror. His fingers grasped the cloth on the table in front of him as he starred into the mirror. This has to stop..
He swallowed as he had that look, he knew what it was but he could never bring it up. Just as he was bringing up the cloth, wincing when it hit contact to his nose, his eyes widened when he heard that significant noise. He heard what was said before it to, "the stars at night, are big and bright!" It was Florida, of course and God- dang it. Dang it, that's the word, of course there was a meeting.
As he popped in the chair texas took his hat off and held it in front of his face. He couldn't handle this right now, maybe Austin could talk to his friends or something, but texas couldn't deal with them right now. He was really surprised Austin didn't move the hat... wait.

-shooting-

The look it gave each time was the one texas saw himself stare in the mirror to. Really he should've thought about it more as it happened but he didn't care to, why couldn't he focus recently? Probably because of how many times he has gone through this up to recent date. Texas thought since Austin was out right now, he could actually look into what was happening.

It's may 24th... some shooting? What was, Oh no, no it was in austin no-

-the table-

"AUSTIN," Texas voice broke and the hat flew on, Texas eyes were still watering from Austin's time and he starred forward, holding his still bleeding nose. Everyone was starring at Texas, all since he summoned.
"Are.. is um.. are you ok?" Gov spoke, he had seamed to be debating on asking if Texas or austin was ok, but saying as Texas was now present, gov went with him.
Texas just turned down his hat, staying still in his chair. Texas had anxiety so bad.. he had to focus on what was happening, how many... no god no, an elementary school and God damn it no.
Texas moved the cloth from his nose, readjusting the cloth, "Austin ain't.." was all texas said, California frowned , looking down. Texas saw that and a tinge in him forced him to look up and away from everyone at the table.
"That'll make your blood clot, will not end well," Florida warned, wishing he could focus a fun topic away from the situation at hand. All texas did was roll his eyes and look down at the table instead.
"I'm gonna be busy," texas muttered as he felt blood now on his hand through the napkin and he summoned away.
Everyone sat there, understanding all to well just how bad shootings were getting. California looked over the other states before willing to speak, "I hope texas is ok..." He muttered, adding on about Austin afterwards.
Meanwhile in texas room, the door was locked and he brought down a punching bag. He set up his hands with wraps before he set down his hat, letting Austin come out to de-stress. Austin despised that the habit helped him but getting everything out did help him. It helped him and texas both, and sadly, the city followed often in the states steps on these things.
For awhile Austin punched the damn thing until there was knocking on the door. Austin tried ignoring it all but soon enough they were yelling through it and Austin was warn out, grabbing the hat and opening the door before it was even fully on. "What do you want flor-... hey cali," texas always shortened California, and while it annoyed the smaller state, California was more worried.. and had questions about punching bags and Austin as soon as the door opened. "Did you want me or austin cuz depending on your answer will depend how long this conversation will go." Texas said calmly, looking at California.
"You're fine," California stated, looking at texas with a look of slight concern, "I mostly just came to bring you food deciding you probably didn't want to roam the house after what happened.. I tried to make this but uhh, here," California handed texas a bowl of.. cowboy chili. Texas couldn't help but laugh a little, "Oh God how bad is it?" California questioned with a nervous smile.
Texas realized his laugh and gave a cough, "it's not that, it smells amazing trust me, but how long did it take?" He immediately saw some relief and yet annoyance from California.
"To long. The whole house is a heater too, Florida is having a hay-day while new York looks like he's gonna die." California said, pausing a second, "at the same time tho... when doesn't he?" California shrugged, recieving a snicker again from the larger state.
Texas set the dish on his desk while taking off the wraps on his hands he'd had on from Austin's chill time, "that's why it's either made in the winter or on the porch." Texas stated, seeing California's confusion, "kinda like Oregon does with their crock pot soup things?" California gave a nod and kinda stood there awkwardly.
"So.. are you doing ok?" California asked slowly, really wishing he could just ditch the situation now that he brought Texas some food.
Texas stopped before setting down his hands wrappings, "Yeah.. thank you for the chili cali." Texas said, speeding to an end point of their conversation, as he saw Florida and Louisiana walking up the hall.
"For sure, I'll just get going then. See you later Tex," California said 'Tex' in a mock tone since he was always being called Cali. As he turned to walk away tho, he was stopped.
Texas felt a headache starting but spoke a bit quick to try and be able to shut the door before LA and FL got to close, "Just.. wait a second," Texas sighed and he glance to the side as he took off his hat.
Austin smiled slightly at California, but he saw Florida and Louisiana almost right there so, he spoke quietly, "Thanks friend.." his tone was a whisper, and he knew that they'd made California happy from the look on his face as austin gently shut the door, yet still in quick motion.
As texas shut the door, he turned on his heal toward his bed; grabbing the food given to him on his way over. He hated to say it was great due to his and California's slight rivalry...slight, but either way, the chili was great. Better then he would even think of admitting truthfully.
Texas heard a notification sound at his phone as he was finishing hid food, to which he grabbed his phone after setting down his bowl.
He groaned as he saw they were going night fishing, knowing this would lead to him likely being pressured to going.. unless he had an excuse that is. He got off and grabbed his bowl, walking out and going to the kitchen to put away his bowl, deciding to do the dishes in the sink so it's be easier for whoever has them tomarrow before he walked toward the back door, well and prepared for probably the best excuse he could give.
He started dragging out the random stuff from the shed, getting the lawn mower and some other stuff for overall yard work. He figured it would help him out off some stress as well since he didn't get much off from Austin punching for the few hours he did earlier. His phone buzzed a few times as he got messages from Florida and Louisiana about going.
As he was about to message back, he heard the others voice. "Heey Texas, you ready to go? " Florida asked with a white claw in his hand while Louisiana fallowed behind him.
Texas rolled their eyes, trying to show his dislike so Florida would get the point quicker, "I'm busy gator boy, can't you see that?" Texas saw Florida scoff, but he was still smiling.
"Oh you know you love me, and besides, doesn't fishing usually help you chill out? " texas saw where this was going and instead of answering he just started up the motor. The grass needed cut, what could he say? Not his fault.
Louisiana tried to yell over the mower but texas ignored him calmly, only finishing up the lawn when the two finally left. He went back in the house once the car left as well, tho since it took the other states forever to do anything, texas had been able to finish the yard and make it look pretty nice. Texas truthfully was really tired, and instead of dealing with fishing, he was happy he might get to sleep.. after grabbing some water.
While in the kitchen, Texas downed a cup of water before pouring another one to drink. He took a sip before turning around. He was about to walk towards his room when Alaska was standing there in front of him. Texas took a step back, about to walk around him when Alaska spoke, "I won't hold you in place, but can we talk?" Texas moved back to his position and leaned against the counter, drinking his water. "Nice, now than, when are you going to write more against gun violence," Alaska questioned, looking out on the smaller state as he himself leaned on the fridge.
Texas stopped mid drink for a second before gulping down his water and he looked at Alaska, "for starters, you're the one who, at your first meeting at the table, summoned me to specifically tell me you have double my gun ownership. And as for second, you know my current stance." Texas took another drink of water, hoping up to sit on the counter as he did so.
Alaska sighed, reaching in the fridge while grabbing a soda, "almost, doubles. And mine aren't killing each other, mine are killing bears." Alaska turned around again to Texas and set a second soda next to him, to which a nod was given. "Texas, at this rate it's hurting you more to stay loose with the laws." Texas got a bit nervous as he finished his water.
"Weren't you goin fishing?" Texas asked, trying to change topic a bit more subtle but alaska's eyes just narrowed.
"First off, nothing compares to catfishing in alaska on the ice. And second, avoiding me when we are talking won't help, I already told you if you want to leave then you can." Alaska watched texas look over right toward the hall. Alaska figured texas was going to leave but really eye contact was all that's being avoided.
Texas fidgeted some before he grabbed the soda Alaska set next to him, cracking it slowly, "restrictions just loosened more," he mumbled, watching Alaska just about flip but the other state new a freekout would only cause Texas to leave, so, he kept calm during their conversation.
Alaska watched Texas for a minute before sighing and slowly collecting himself, "so what's being done to... help, gun violence die down?"
Texas looked down, sipping the drink, "right now?" He gave a half hearted scoff, "funerals? I don't know Alaska," texas leaned back a bit with a groan of annoyance, knowing that wasn't good enough, "petitions and talk right now... I can't speed things even if I want to, which.. I do want to, but you know just.." texas sighed, propping his right leg on his left knee to lean against some. "All my people are doing is talking, but if I take away guns, it's a riot, I put more restrictions? Riot, I talk about restricting bad people? They like it but when that leads to restrictions I'm sure you can guess what happens." Texas looked down again.
Alaska watched texas; seeing that they were truthfully distraught. "Little bu-.. Texas. I know you care about your people feeling but you have to care about their lives to, you know?" Texas. Had a shaky hand which he pressed down against the counter to stabilize.
"I say anything like that in headlines they ban abortion." Texas tabbed his fingers, God he needed something to mess with. "That's already what's leading to, and I can't stop that either. Austin is trying various things but.. I can't say the mass agrees with him as much as some individuals do. I just am trying to keep my people happy.. I know it tears at me a little bit but, eventually, it'll be for the best."
Alaska's eyes showed a bit of sadness. For a state of solitude, he showed his emotions clearly. "You realize what you just said, right? You just said you're willing to build a fire now in hopes it will naturally be put out when all you are feeding it is oxygen." Alaska sighed when all texas did was tip his hat.
Texas took his last sip of soda before tossing it in the recycling bin. Texas was clearly shaky but Alaska knew not to ask about it as that never ended well. As texas got down his shaking hand hit his glass and as it fell fear filled him when it shattered, making him jumped back further into the kitchen. Oh how something so seemingly small could effect the state so much so quickly.
"I.. I'm sorry I didn't try to," Alaska moved over to Texas and tipped the others hat up gently.
"It's alright little buddy, here, did you get cut somehow?" He asked, glancing over texas hand tho texas was still shaky and as Alaska looked back up at texas face the smaller state shook his head, still muttering apologies. "It's ok, trust me.. I'll clean up but I want you to get some sleep this time around, ok? Hopefully the gator twins will stay out awhile." Alaska joked gently, hearing just the softest chuckle from texas.
"Thanks 'lask.." texas said quietly with a grin.
"It's no problem so long as you never call me that again."
"Would you prefer big buddy?" Texas joked while walking away.
"Lask is just fine all so suddenly."