But, but, but, but...! AU's are lovely, America!

[statusquorebel]

I appreciate that you've remembered me, mun, but I'm afraid not.

I do not want to be a merman.

They are supposedly cruel and predatory creatures, aren't they? That's not a very heroic character. Even if I ignore that you were not expecting me to play the hero, I'm not convinced there is a scenario where being a good and noble merman would be easy. I should not like to be a sea-monster.

Besides, that story you read had it wrong! Mermen are not beautiful. Ireland always said they were hideous and feral... Mean and less interested in humans than the females. And I was missing the iconic merman beard. Do you think that the writer was inspired by listening to Finland's mermen stories perhaps instead? I suppose that would make more sense...

But merfolk are not real anyway! I'm happy just the way I am. You should read fewer silly things so that your head is full of less such fantasies. You would accomplish more if you did! I think if you want to play with a mermaid, you should adhere to using the ladies you have for those pursuits. I have more important things to do, mun!

Comments

[bratzhena]

So your mun wants you to grow scales? I don't see anything wrong with it

[statusquorebel]

And a tail! She'll take away my legs if she gives me a tail. How will I walk on land? And gills and fins! What if I have to grow that beard to be a proper merman?

[bratzhena]

[Belarus ponders to picture America with gills, fins and a merman's tail. She looked at him with a disgusted expression]

At least you can help me find brat if he was drowning in the middle of the ocean. And I suppose you do need to have a beard to be a man, period.

It could be much worse?

I have to go, but I'll tag back in a few hours!

[statusquorebel]

I— What's so wrong with not having a beard as a man?

[ America frowns, a little insulted. He has trouble growing any facial hair at the young age his physical body is stuck at for the time being. ]

And, uh... "brat"?

[ He's also too young to recognize Belarus, so he doesn't know who she's referring to. ]

no worries, take your time~!!!

[bratzhena]

I hear that the longer your beard, the manlier you are.

[I think, pretty much she understands that America was not this young when they first met. Leaves some room for a little bullying, since she doesn't owe THIS america anything]

....what's the english word for it. I believe England uses the word "brother"

[statusquorebel]

I know what it means— I mean, who is your brother?

[ America's brow furrows in mild annoyance, but he refrains from being out rightly rude. The mention of England makes him uncomfortable, as does the assumption that he's completely ignorant of the Russian Empire's language. He may not be entirely fond of Ivan, personally, but they began ignoring England's orders over a decade ago that America not trade with anyone. In this time, he's picked up a few words. He likes learning new things— as long as no one harasses him to study when he doesn't feel like it. ]

If you know England, you must be a nation at least.

[bratzhena]

[She is completely unmoved by America's sudden change in expression. She didn't really care about emotions except for her brother's emotions and her own. But this was America. He may not be the America she knew, but he was still the same nation. She continued talking to him with the same cold voice]

My beloved brat is the most perfect nation alive. He is Russia.

Da, I am a Nation.

[statusquorebel]

Russia...

[ Only the slightest crease between his brows shows his lack of fondness for the other nation, but he doesn't insult Russia. ]

So what's your name, if you're one of us?

[bratzhena]

[judging from his reaction, Belarus realizes that this America knows of her brother already. She needs to be cautious]

They call me Natalia Arlovskaya, known as the nation Belarus.

Hope you don't mind a bbEngland, forgotten muse was feeling lonely. >w<

[babubrows]

[England frowns at America, a little wary, as he tends to be around nations he doesn't know. He's very keen to get across an important point, however.]

But... but Merpeople are real, though!

Have I mentioned Rev *loves* babies? He is the most willing babysitter.

[statusquorebel]

[ Well, this was certainly unexpected, but definitely not unwelcome. America blinks down at the small child-nation in surprise, but when his protest registers with the teenager, he grins and crouches down so they're at eye-level. ]

Have you ever seen one?

Buhyoo! I don't believe you have.

[babubrows]

[England blinks back at the teenage nation, though at a little more ease now they're at the same level, with the other blonde smiling at him.]

Of course I have, I live on an island! There's lots of them around here.

[He pauses, before adding quietly:]

They're not always very nice, though.

[statusquorebel]

[ America chuckles quietly, raising a hand so that the sound is muffled behind his wrist. ]

I thought they were never nice. At least, that's what E—

[ Being closer to the small boy though suddenly makes something very, very clear to America and he immediately stops smiling. ]

—Er, that's what I was told...

[babubrows]

[England seems not to notice the change in the American's expression for now, frowning at the ground for a moment as he considers.]

They're... not, I suppose. Some- Someties I think they might be nice, but it's only a trick. I shouldn't want to be one. If you're a Merman, you have to be ugly.

[statusquorebel]

[ England. This tiny child is England. America knows he shouldn't keep talking to him, but he's curious. He's curious as to how much like his former caretaker and his current enemy the child is. America has always been the inquisitive sort and given how deeply personal this is, he really can't help himself. He definitely should not be trying to test the little nation's patience either, but he wants to know just how long England has been a temperamental person. He may never get this chance again to learn so much about the Empire's past! ]

As I've said, I don't wish to be one either! I don't want to be ugly. You don't think I'm ugly now, do you?

[babubrows]

Ugly?

[The small nation looks up at the teenager, green eyes running over his face. The short answer is, of course, no. But England being England, he can never let things be so simple. He looks away, folding his arms over his chest and frowning, pretending to consider this quite seriously.]

W-Well. You don't look ugly enough to be a Merman, I suppose.

[statusquorebel]

[ America tries not to allow himself to feel too charmed by this reaction, but somehow, it's much more endearing a characteristic on a toddler than it is on a grown man whose affection and acknowledgment he craves, despite all. The lack of straightforward answers is one of the things that frustrates him so much about Arthur Kirkland, but he understands it more coming from a child. Here, England is small and young and vulnerable. Surely this is part of how he's learned to protect himself.

And yet, America reaches out and pets his yellow hair softly. ]

Ah, well, thank you for that. It must be because I don't have a beard, mustn't it?

[theseasbemine]

[He glances to the younger him and has to smirk a little. Two against one!]

See? I told you they're real, did I not?

[statusquorebel]

[ That's not fair! They're the same person! ]

Two testimonies is hardly conclusive evidence!

[theseasbemine]

[Rev's heated reaction is rewarded with a chuckle from the Pirate and him coming closer.]

Aye, I'd have to agree. Therefore, this only means one thing.

[He stops before Rev and gives him a most secretive smirk. The Pirate's got a plan it seems.]

[statusquorebel]

And that is?

[theseasbemine]

You'd have to come along on my ship one time so I can show you proof.

[He may look all confident and almost smug as he stands before the rebel, but he's also nervous. What if Rev doesn't want to come? What then?]

[statusquorebel]

[ The American looks decidedly skeptical. ]

Proof? A wooden one from the bow of your ship isn't proof.

[theseasbemine]

[...Sighs.]

Not the one I meant...

[statusquorebel]

[ He still doesn't seem very trusting here (because mermaids definitely don't exist), but he is at least less guarded. ]

All right, then.