Instability - Countryhumans Tenebrous AU

Chapter 1: Instability

/ Washington D.C. /

/ POV: New York /

Steadily, I'd open the door to America's office, a stack of papers outlining the daily happenings of the country tucked under my beige trench coat.

The personification was poured over papers, rubbing his temples. He'd look up at me with weary eyes and a weak smile. "Ah, New York. How can I help you?"

I'd pause before saying, "Help me? Look, you're the one who needs help. I haven't seen your eyebags this deep since the Cuban Missile Crisis."

"Thanks for noticing," the country would say sarcastically. "Look, whatever you're doing in here, just make it quick. I have a lot of stuff to deal with."

"What's wrong?" Of course I already new—the constant protests from both the left and the right—but I hoped asking America would help him feel better, maybe even get him to talk some things out. Yet of course, America was never one to show his emotions. After all, he had an image to maintain.

"Nothing, nothing.." he'd trail off, before adding in a matter-of-fact tone, "Running a country's just a lot of work."

"Can't say I have good news then," I'd say bitterly, slamming the stack of papers down on the table.

America would sift through the papers, skimming through exaggerated headlines before reaching the papers on people's unrest.

I'd clear my throat as America would read through the headlines, seemingly concerned. 

"More protests, this time nationwide." I'd pause before assessing the causes of the people's unrest, naming them off on each finger. "Some are calling for social programs, green energy, military spending cuts—"

"These people!" America would interrupt, earning a glare from me. "I swear, they don't understand.."

Knowing the personification was going through a lot, I'd choose my next words wisely. "Our military budget is frankly massive, America. All these people want is to be able to pursue happy lives without worrying about financial debts and—"

"So you've bought into it too? I can't fall behind Russia and China. I have an image to maintain, for Christ's sake!" At this point the United States was out of his chair, pacing around and waving his hands in the air like a lunatic, his eyes practically aflame.

I'd wait a minute until the personification had calmed down. "The people are calling for change, America. The only way for these protests to stop is for you to finally listen to the people's demands. Or else you may be in danger."

There was a moment of painful silence between the country and his state before one of the two spoke up.

America would meet my eyes, his tone dangerous. "Is that a threat, New York?"

I felt bewildered, and slightly offended. I had served diligently besides America practically forever, and now he was questioning my loyalty? "Of course not!" I'd exclaim, then adding in a disdainful tone, "You've become paranoid, America. Even turning on your states now, because of protests you can fix by cutting as little as a tenth of your military budget? I'm offended you'd stoop so low. The only one to blame for this whole mess is you."

For a split second, I thought I saw hurt and guilt flash in the lenses of his glasses. But soon the moment faded. The country met me in my eyes and I was shocked at what I saw there—an emotion that could only be described as hatred.

"Leave."

I'd stand there, still shocked at how America could hate one of his own states...

"Did you not hear me? I said LEAVE!"

I'd stumble back, coat clutched to my chest like it could protect me from America's wrath. With shaky footsteps, I'd scurry out of the office and down the red carpet hallway of the White House. In my hurry and disbelief, I'd accidentally run into a secretary. Madilyn was her name. I had worked with her for several years now, and though she could be a bit work-obsessive, she was always there to lend a hand if needed. She wore her hair in a tight bun that always seemed to let a few strands of wispy brown hair loose, framing her pale face and dark eyes. Her glasses sat slightly askew on the bridge of her nose, and she stood rather uncomfortably in a white blouse, navy pencil skirt and black flats. She'd meet my rather startled gaze, confusion plain on her face.

"Whoa— New York, what's the rush?" She'd say, America's daily briefing held firmly in the crook of her arm.

I'd look at the briefing, then look back up at her. "Planning to go to see America?"

She'd nod. "Is there something wrong?"

"Yeah, I wouldn't." I'd say bitterly, walking away without another word, and leaving an utterly confused secretary in my wake.

I'd pace the halls, trying to formulate what made America so.. touchy, all of the sudden. His emotions had seemed so unstable, it was unnatural for the normally thick-skinned country, who took every insult as if it was a compliment. Something was clearly wrong, and New York vowed, as America's most trusted right hand man, to figure out what was going on with the USA.

A/N: Wow, 2 parts in one day? This author must be really dedicated! (Or maybe they just have no social life...) Anyways, this is only the beginning... ;)