animus_network | 1st video; bad birthdays

[ Sealand’s face can be seen, very close to the screen, his expression bewildered yet somewhat excited. He's on the terminal closest to room 1-20, and he might seem familiar to anyone in the tower who knows England. The only real differences between the two are his somewhat tamer hair, his blue eyes, and the fact that he looks no older than twelve years old.

Oh and guess who totally hasn't read either of those important letters by his bed yet? Who needs to read when it's finally his birthday. He's pretty proud of himself for having figured out how to use the terminal without any help. Technology can help him out here! ]

Hellooooo?!

This is the weirdest birthday surprise I’ve ever had and I don’t know if I like it yet. It’s for a party, uh, right? A surprise party? …Here, for me? This is a strange place for a party, but it’s okay, there must be some reason for it!

I bet my dad organised it! Is he here? And Fin and Wy and everybody? Is this like a game? Is there a cake?! And why did you change me into this suit thing? It's weird.

Anyway, I’m forty-six years old now, you know, I'm practically ancient and more than ready for true nationhood! I hope I have lots of presents and you’ll all take the opportunity to realise how much I’ve grown!

Oh, also, I think this computer’s broken. I can’t find the internet link and I need to get on facebook! I should have lots of birthday messages!

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Wha- why?

[ Sealand wouldn't want to admit it, but he's actually pleased to see England for once. The sleep paralysis, along with waking up in a place he doesn't recognise, in clothes he doesn't recognise, had not exactly thrilled him. He's very uneasy, despite his optimism about as to why he must be here, and a familiar face - however sour - is welcome right about now. ]

Well- where's my present and my birthday party then, jerk? That's why I'm here, right?

No, that's not why you're here. [Despite England's dread, the frustration rises easily within him at Sealand's assumption. His eyebrows furrow inwards and down and his mouth sets into a deep scowl.] You didn't even read the letters by your bed, I see.

[Not that England is really surprised. He does feel a little bad; this certainly isn't the kind of birthday party anyone would want, much less a kid like Sealand.

But he's going to have to rain on this parade sooner rather than later. Maybe once Sealand is filled in, he can at least be careful so he doesn't end up with a really awful birthday gift.]

I don't have time for reading boring letters on my birthday, not unless they're birthday cards!

[ He'd barely noticed the letters, actually. After he'd calmed down from the sleep paralysis he had glanced at them briefly, but seeing that they obviously weren't birthday cards, he'd childishly not paid either letter anymore mind.

He scowls back at England. Nothing is sitting right here, and it's both frustrating and unnerving to be so in the dark. ]

Why am here, then...?

[There's obvious hesitance before England speaks, a twitch of his eyelids that betrays the sheer magnitude of the answer to that question. He averts his eyes, mouth set into a firm frown, before he can finally bring himself to speak.]

Our world has been destroyed. The administrators of this place claim to have "saved" us.

[He figures it isn't likely that Sealand will accept the explanation. But England will get to the more complicated bits of the matter later.

Preferably not over the network.]

[ The notion is so ridiculous to Sealand, at first he assumes England must be being sarcastic. Their "world" destroyed? That was just like something straight out of one of America's science fiction movies. ]

Be serious!

[ Then by his expression he realises England seems quite serious, and Sealand is even more confused. ]

N-No, it hasn't...! Quit lying, and tell me why I woke up here!

I'm not lying. [The assertion is strong in his voice, because— he can't ever forget what happened on the ground floor. The pain of losing his entire nation all at once; it was different from looking through the viewfinders, it was so real that England won't stand for being accused of telling lies.

He seems to compose himself a bit after that. Or, rather, he puts on his best stiff upper lip and fakes composure well enough. His expression remains grave, though he's done his best to do away with the offence.] I've been here for a couple of years, now. Haven't gotten home once.

But you are. I saw you just the other day!

[ There's a pause as Sealand frowns at his brother, uncertain. England doesn't seem to be tricking him; he really seems to believe it. And it worries Sealand a little, because obviously none of that can possibly be true... ]

You're being weird, jerk. Maybe- Maybe you were doing magic and it messed things up.

[He can only keep up the façade for so long; irritation creeps back into his features at Sealand's insistence. At least with France, England could communicate his point and vent his irritation at the same time through violence. As it is, he'll have to settle for channelling his frustration into a lecture.] That'll happen around here. Supposedly we're all from completely different worlds, even if some of them seem similar to each other.

[France coming from 2013 seemed to speak of that, at least. To say the least of those awful phantoms.]

I don't mess up magic— and even if I did, it wouldn't take me two years to fix it, brat.

[ Sealand shakes his head, growing more frustrated himself now. He has, of course, never been a fan of England's lectures, so that doesn't help. ] That- That doesn't make sense! Stop it!

[ He folds his arms across his chest, glaring at the screen. He's getting rather panicked now, going from unsure to afraid. ]

And your magic is rubbish, jerk, it- it always messes up...!

1st video; bad birthdays

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