Can't See the Stars Anymore [3/?]
anonymous
July 17 2011, 11:41:36 UTC
Please don't die from shock (if anyone's still awaiting an update on this fic). After a serious case of Uni and writer's block (the latter of which I'm still not over) I do have some more written on this fic.
If America thought the outside was majestic, it was nothing compared to the inside. Large halls with high ceilings and supporting pillars - all made from smooth, dark marble. There were, however, instances of white marble, creating a complex pattern in the floor. It should be cold with all this stone, but it wasn't for some reason.
On the walls hung marvelous paintings depicting great battles or portraits of what America assumed were former rulers. There were also banners in different colors ranging from a deep red to cool blue, all of which made a nice contrast with the dark colors that dominated the hallway.
The soldier America had been following made a sharp turn to right into a wide corridor, making America almost stumble in his haste to follow.
At the very end of the corridor there were two huge doors that looked sturdy enough to take a full scale attack. America couldn't help but to marvel at them, they were pretty darn cool.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he jumped slightly mid-step when the doors suddenly slammed open and a short man in flowing robes stormed out.
"You are too loud, aru!" the man snarled and America nearly choked on his own spit at the sound of a very familiar voice and vocal tic. Before America could even get a word out, China continued, "You know that the queen is in low spirits and needs peace and quiet."
Then China suddenly froze and stared at America with hard eyes. Feeling less than comfortable, America started fidgeting and was just about to say something when China's face suddenly melted into a relieved and affectionate expression. America blinked. That wasn't a look he'd ever seen on China's face before, at least not cast in his direction.
"So you've finally returned, your majesty. It will do the queen much good to see you. Follow me." The words made America stop. This obviously wasn't China at all.
As the soldier whispered something in not-China’s ear, America thought about the implications of all this. If he, America, apparently looked like the King of Spades, who shared the name America used to pass as a human…
“Yao…” he muttered to himself. As soon as the word left his mouth, not-China froze in his tracks and turned around, his facial expression suspicious.
“Your majesty, I was just informed that you are either playing ignorant of who you are, or suffering from amnesia… or possibly some form of combination. How is it then that you know my first name and would speak it so carelessly?” Yao’s sharp glare made America take a step back. He almost wished he’d been wrong, especially when he saw the soldier hurrying over to the guards standing by the closed doors, obviously trying to get out of the way.
“Look, I… How do I explain this?” America scratched the back of his head with a wince. “I’m not King Alfred, frankly, I’m not even from the Kingdom of Spades. My name is America and I was… uh… following a white bunny and ended up here somehow and…” America stopped talking as he saw the unimpressed look on Yao’s face.
They stood in silence for awhile before Yao sighed and rubbed his forehead. America felt awkward where he stood.
“Leave us,” Yao said suddenly. The guards saluted, left their place by the door and disappeared down the hall. Yao was sizing him up, America realized. The scrutiny was uncomfortable and he wasn’t even sure what Yao was looking for.
Can't See the Stars Anymore [4/?]
anonymous
July 17 2011, 11:44:28 UTC
“Give me your hand.” Yao’s words made America blink, but he reached out awkwardly with his hand anyway. He felt Yao’s small calloused hand grasp his before the strangest feeling came over him, making him gasp in surprise.
Like a thousand tiny threads, something sneaked its way through his body. The origin was obviously where their hands connected and while America wanted to pull his hand back, he felt frozen by the onslaught of energy that moved through his system. He could feel it hum and near vibrate through every part of his body.
Suddenly, it was gone and Yao withdrew his hand with a soft curse.
“So it is true then, you are not his majesty.” The despondent look on Yao’s face made America wish that he was King Alfred. He would be a returning hero then, wouldn’t he?
“Not that I’m not glad that you believe me but... What was that and why do you believe me now?” America shifted where he stood again. The worst part of this entire experience wasn’t how hopelessly lost he was, it was that everyone wanted him to be someone else and the disappointment when Yao found out he wasn’t was heavy and near depressed, like he was giving up.
“I used a simple magic spell to search you for any trace of magic. But there is none. You cannot possibly be the king for he was a great magician and you do not even have a peasant’s amount of magic. You are abnormal in that.” Yao’s words were half unbelievable and half insulting. One, magic isn’t real and two, calling someone abnormal isn’t nice.
“Dude, magic isn’t real.” He echoed his thoughts, causing Yao’s eyes to widen comically. Shame his mouth didn’t drop open so he could do a great fish impression… America shook his head. He must be really getting uncomfortable if he’s starting to think about such stupid jokes.
“Perhaps not where you are from, America, but in this world, this Etheria, magic is very real indeed. The noble families were originally chosen, in all kingdoms, because of their strong magical powers. That’s what made them nobles.” Yao’s face turned grim again and he heaved a heavy sigh.
America frowned but shrugged his shoulders. If there was talking animals, why couldn’t there be magic in this completely off the rocked world?
“There is no more time for explanations,” Yao said in a tired voice, the look of grief on his face making him look years older. “You must see the queen and cheer him up, I’m quite certain that not a single person in this world but the Queen can help you, and at the moment…” he trailed off and America could tell there was a story there. Only the queen could save him, but apparently, not right now.
“Alright,” America half whispered. If it would let him go home, he would see this Queen and cheer her up with his presence. It was apparently the only way he could go home.
He closed his eyes and sighed, even though England hated him… America really missed him right now. England would know what to do, and America wouldn’t feel as lonely with him here…
Yeah, I'm so sorry this not especially long continuation has taken me so long. I am a terrible terrible writer.
Re: Can't See the Stars Anymore [4/?]
anonymous
July 20 2011, 02:45:27 UTC
You are back A!Anon! I have been checking this thread often and am happy to see you continue with this! I mean, after this built-up for meeting the queen.. I'd love to see how it plays out!
I like the atmosphere that you have constructed here, the card AU characters seem to live in a simpler time, and their emotions can run freer. Like how America can sense Yao's disappointment so strongly! I do look forward to see how this plays out with England, and the missing king, too.
Well, good luck and have fun with continuing, hopefully. I'll be lurking!
If America thought the outside was majestic, it was nothing compared to the inside. Large halls with high ceilings and supporting pillars - all made from smooth, dark marble. There were, however, instances of white marble, creating a complex pattern in the floor. It should be cold with all this stone, but it wasn't for some reason.
On the walls hung marvelous paintings depicting great battles or portraits of what America assumed were former rulers. There were also banners in different colors ranging from a deep red to cool blue, all of which made a nice contrast with the dark colors that dominated the hallway.
The soldier America had been following made a sharp turn to right into a wide corridor, making America almost stumble in his haste to follow.
At the very end of the corridor there were two huge doors that looked sturdy enough to take a full scale attack. America couldn't help but to marvel at them, they were pretty darn cool.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he jumped slightly mid-step when the doors suddenly slammed open and a short man in flowing robes stormed out.
"You are too loud, aru!" the man snarled and America nearly choked on his own spit at the sound of a very familiar voice and vocal tic. Before America could even get a word out, China continued, "You know that the queen is in low spirits and needs peace and quiet."
Then China suddenly froze and stared at America with hard eyes. Feeling less than comfortable, America started fidgeting and was just about to say something when China's face suddenly melted into a relieved and affectionate expression. America blinked. That wasn't a look he'd ever seen on China's face before, at least not cast in his direction.
"So you've finally returned, your majesty. It will do the queen much good to see you. Follow me." The words made America stop. This obviously wasn't China at all.
As the soldier whispered something in not-China’s ear, America thought about the implications of all this. If he, America, apparently looked like the King of Spades, who shared the name America used to pass as a human…
“Yao…” he muttered to himself. As soon as the word left his mouth, not-China froze in his tracks and turned around, his facial expression suspicious.
“Your majesty, I was just informed that you are either playing ignorant of who you are, or suffering from amnesia… or possibly some form of combination. How is it then that you know my first name and would speak it so carelessly?” Yao’s sharp glare made America take a step back. He almost wished he’d been wrong, especially when he saw the soldier hurrying over to the guards standing by the closed doors, obviously trying to get out of the way.
“Look, I… How do I explain this?” America scratched the back of his head with a wince. “I’m not King Alfred, frankly, I’m not even from the Kingdom of Spades. My name is America and I was… uh… following a white bunny and ended up here somehow and…” America stopped talking as he saw the unimpressed look on Yao’s face.
They stood in silence for awhile before Yao sighed and rubbed his forehead. America felt awkward where he stood.
“Leave us,” Yao said suddenly. The guards saluted, left their place by the door and disappeared down the hall. Yao was sizing him up, America realized. The scrutiny was uncomfortable and he wasn’t even sure what Yao was looking for.
Reply
Like a thousand tiny threads, something sneaked its way through his body. The origin was obviously where their hands connected and while America wanted to pull his hand back, he felt frozen by the onslaught of energy that moved through his system. He could feel it hum and near vibrate through every part of his body.
Suddenly, it was gone and Yao withdrew his hand with a soft curse.
“So it is true then, you are not his majesty.” The despondent look on Yao’s face made America wish that he was King Alfred. He would be a returning hero then, wouldn’t he?
“Not that I’m not glad that you believe me but... What was that and why do you believe me now?” America shifted where he stood again. The worst part of this entire experience wasn’t how hopelessly lost he was, it was that everyone wanted him to be someone else and the disappointment when Yao found out he wasn’t was heavy and near depressed, like he was giving up.
“I used a simple magic spell to search you for any trace of magic. But there is none. You cannot possibly be the king for he was a great magician and you do not even have a peasant’s amount of magic. You are abnormal in that.” Yao’s words were half unbelievable and half insulting. One, magic isn’t real and two, calling someone abnormal isn’t nice.
“Dude, magic isn’t real.” He echoed his thoughts, causing Yao’s eyes to widen comically. Shame his mouth didn’t drop open so he could do a great fish impression… America shook his head. He must be really getting uncomfortable if he’s starting to think about such stupid jokes.
“Perhaps not where you are from, America, but in this world, this Etheria, magic is very real indeed. The noble families were originally chosen, in all kingdoms, because of their strong magical powers. That’s what made them nobles.” Yao’s face turned grim again and he heaved a heavy sigh.
America frowned but shrugged his shoulders. If there was talking animals, why couldn’t there be magic in this completely off the rocked world?
“There is no more time for explanations,” Yao said in a tired voice, the look of grief on his face making him look years older. “You must see the queen and cheer him up, I’m quite certain that not a single person in this world but the Queen can help you, and at the moment…” he trailed off and America could tell there was a story there. Only the queen could save him, but apparently, not right now.
“Alright,” America half whispered. If it would let him go home, he would see this Queen and cheer her up with his presence. It was apparently the only way he could go home.
He closed his eyes and sighed, even though England hated him… America really missed him right now. England would know what to do, and America wouldn’t feel as lonely with him here…
Yeah, I'm so sorry this not especially long continuation has taken me so long. I am a terrible terrible writer.
Reply
I like the atmosphere that you have constructed here, the card AU characters seem to live in a simpler time, and their emotions can run freer. Like how America can sense Yao's disappointment so strongly! I do look forward to see how this plays out with England, and the missing king, too.
Well, good luck and have fun with continuing, hopefully. I'll be lurking!
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment