Humble Beginnings

Virginia

America quite liked living under the care of England. England told the best stories, making beautiful moving pictures out of magic while he did. He had a nice house and was near enough to town that he could get things if he needed to. But England made sure that he never needed to go anywhere out of necessity. Of course, England was not around frequently, so America often wandered up and down the coast while he was gone. He had no particular goal, just a pull to go past England's property.

He hadn't intended to meet the Virginias, in fact, they met him in a way. He had been away from his new home for a couple of days. Rather long, if you considered the fact that he looked like 6 year old child. In any case, he had ended up in a decently sized town near the James River. It was market day, and there were many carts and horses and people going to and fro to get everything done. America was getting hungry. There was a conveniently placed stall of apples at the corner just across the street from where he was watching. The tender was dozing off and not paying close attention. Glancing back and forth across the street, America darted forward. And was promptly yanked back by his collar as a horse and rider dashed through the road, right where he would have been.

America fell backwards from the force of the pull and landed heavily on the ground, which gave out a great 'oof' as he landed on it. He blinked upward as the clear blue sky was filled with England's face.

America let out a small laugh of delight, "Hey Iggy! You got short! When'd you get so young?"

England frowned in confusion, "I'm not...Who is Iggy?"

"You?"

"No. I'm not Iggy. ... Could you please get off my sister?"

"What?" America looked down and finally saw what, or rather who, he had landed on. A girl with long blond hair and sharp green eyes was sprawled on the ground beneath him. She looked about 2 or 3 years older than he was. America scrambled up in a panic, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to fall on you. It was an accident, I swear! I --"

She smiled quietly, "Don't worry. It's no problem. Help me up?"

"Oh--Oh, yes! Of course."

He hauled her up and, when she was standing, proceded to brush off her dress fervently. It was a pretty dress, a light tan color. The dirt from the ground was obvious all along the back.

"Stop!" she cried, "It's fine, I swear to you. I can wash it when I go home."

"I am sorry. Miss...?"

"My apologies for not introducing myself." she smiled, "My name is Virginia."

"Like the colony?"

"Yes, exactly so."

At this, her brother let out a sharp cough. America turned to face him, but he was looking devoutly at the ground between his feet. America frowned and turned back to Virginia. She was looking at him oddly, a frown on her features. America didn't want her to frown.

"Tell me," she began, "How old are you?"

"6" he smiled. That was the answer England told him to give.

"No. I mean really. How old are you?"

"I don't know."

She frowned again and turned briefly to her brother. "Let's take you home. Give you a meal and a warm bed. No matter how old you are you ought to be well fed."

"Ginny" her brother finally spoke, "are you sure?"

"Yes. Absolutely."

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