The States

treasures (part two)

Includes (but not in this order): Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington DC

December 12, 1792
William is always writing.

So, for his fifth statehood anniversary, Alfred gives him a leather-bound journal.

It becomes a tradition to give him a new one for Christmas every year.

February 27, 1815
It is Abigail's first birthday since she had been blinded, and Alfred cries.

A lot. Before the War had begun, he'd pulled strings until he'd managed to get one of the banner flags from the Battle of Yorktown.

It was meant to be for Abby.

But now, she was blind. She would only be able to feel the flag.

So Alfred cries, and cries some more, and then goes and finds a music box because he will be damned if he will give Abby a present she can't enjoy.
---------
The man selling the music box tells him that it plays something called Moonlight by some German composer, and it's rather unique because the man who wrote it is now deaf, and still composing.

Alfred nearly drops the music box.

Instead, he buys it, and dances with Abby to the hauntingly beautiful music echoing around her room.

April 30, 1815
Evangeline is delighted by the deck of tarot cards.

She smiles at him, and offers him a reading.

Alfred isn't surprised that everything she says is right, and everything she predicts is true.

January 26, 1840
America had thought that the practice of keeping random wild animals as inside pets would end once Connecticut had moved out.

It had not.

And strangely enough, it wasn't Florida or Texas keeping strange animals in their rooms.

It was Michigan and the goddamn wolverine.
---------
"Come on, Mittens." Michigan says, and for the life of him, America can't figure out why it is called Mittens of all things.

Mittens snaps at Ohio's heels as he passes her, and Ohio snarls back at the animal.

Which. Is, well, concerning.
---------
Mittens sniffs suspiciously at the wrapped box, batting at it with one sharp paw.

Michigan grins at the carved wolverine pendant, slipping it over his head.

"What's it made of?" He asks curiously, feeling at the pendant.

America grins back. "Mastodon bone."

Michigan's eyes light up. "Mammoth? Really? That's so cool."

He picks up his 'pet', and settles it in his lap. "Look, Mittens, it's a wolverine like you."

December 29, 1845
As long as America has known Texas, the boy has been something of a loner.

And he's known Texas for a while, ever since Lora had introduced him to her children. He remembered how Austin had stuck close to Carmen.

The dog barks as Alfred hands the box over.