five.

[welljustwatchme]

A: 1447 Mitchell Road, early morning

[Considering what happened the day before, Canada wasn't about to let that potentially happen to her household again. She didn't sleep much anyway, but this morning she's up particularly early, getting to the milk before Holland can and immediately downing a bottle. The rest she tosses out, ignoring the way her

Comments

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[gezellighe]

[Finding Canada dead when he'd gone downstairs that day was a shock. The worry he had was the same; when Hilbert died, he'd come back a drone and so far had never recovered. Even though it hadn't happened to him. . . he was worried for Canada. He'd set her carefully on the sofa in the basement, set a sheet over her, and hoped he'd see her in the morning.

He'd hardly slept, but natural tiredness combined with his injuries from the droning had him passing out in the early hours of the morning . . . until he heard some familiar sounds. He sits up blearily, looking at the door. . .

. . . the door. . .

Have Holland stumbling down the stairs frantically after you, Canada. He grabs her forcefully from behind.]

[gezellighe]

Nothing.

[He doesn't know.]

Come back to bed.

[welljustwatchme]

[She stays where she is for the moment, one hand fiddling with the skirt of her dress as she watches him.]

Are you sure?

[gezellighe]

Nothing's happened yet.

[So tired. He buries himself in the blankets.]

[welljustwatchme]

[That's what has her worried it's the same sort of thing she stumbled upon yesterday, but she doesn't say it. After a moment, Canada goes to sit on the edge of the bed. Watching him still, though. Canada stop being a weirdo and just cuddle him.]

[gezellighe]

[. . . hnn. Those stomach pains were probably not normal, but Holland doesn't care. It's just like he said; this was his turn. He might breathe a little faster, but that's all any sign would be that something's wrong.]

[welljustwatchme]

Would you like me to fetch you a drink of water or anything?

[gezellighe]

It's fine; come back to sleep.

[Mostly because he just doesn't want to move at all.]

[welljustwatchme]

[She's about to protest that she doesn't really want to sleep any more right now, but then she clues in that it's not about her sleeping. It's about him and her being there. So Canada just nods and lays down on her side next to him, reaching out to brush his hair off his forehead as she looks at him sympathetically.]

[gezellighe]

. . . that's nice. . .

[That sounds really labored. The poison is working very fast; she should feel how clammy his skin is. He'll be dead in less than a half hour; still, he scoots closer and rests his head right next to hers.]

[welljustwatchme]

[Worried and knowing full well there's nothing she can do, she slides her hand over his head, then down his back, effectively wrapping her arm around him as she shifts to be a little bit closer. Then, impulsively, she cranes her neck enough to kiss the corner of his mouth before giving him space again.]

Things will be better tomorrow.

[gezellighe]

Ja. . .

[So quiet. with her arm around him she should feel the tremors going through him. Soon he's breathing very hard and he nuzzles closer. Plain and simple - he trusted Canada, even if she wasn't the Canada he knew.]

[welljustwatchme]

[Canada doesn't want to be here right now. She really, really doesn't. But he'll be back tomorrow and it's really not that much of an issue, except for how it is and she's stupidly fighting at tears right now. If only he'd let her do it instead... She wouldn't feel like she was letting him down then, at least.

All she can do right now is hold him supportively, not going anywhere.]

[gezellighe]

[He was holding out fairly well for the time it took for the poison to kill him; even though it hurt and it felt impossibly weak and dizzy he was glad for Canada's company. Netherlands could tell it was bad. He managed to stay calm, only the occasional quick breath or jerk as pain got worse and he never managed to stop shaking. It was over soon, and with a tight hug to his friend and a muttered apology he was gone, his arm about her loosening as his frame relaxed.]

[welljustwatchme]

[She keeps holding him until she's certain, then slowly pulls away, getting out of bed and taking a moment to compose herself, adjusting her hair and wiping the tears from her cheeks before she goes out to the linen closet, fetching a sheet. It takes some coordination, but Canada and Kumarie get him wrapped in it and down into the basement, laid respectfully out for the town to do whatever it will do. She takes a momentary pause to apologize for not being able to do anything more before heading back upstairs and locking the door to the basement. Then she heads into the kitchen with Kumarie and starts to make breakfast for Hilda, trying to pretend everything is perfectly normal.]