1st video; bad birthdays

[bydefacto]

[ 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!

Comments

[Video]

[alephbet]

[It's courtesy to answer video video, so Sealand will see the face of an (apparently) young man with a weird visor answering him.]

This is probably the worst present possible.

[Video]

[bydefacto]

Why?! [ Pout. ]

Who are you? [ ....and why would his papa invite you to his birthday party? ] Is the party fancy dress?

[Video]

[alephbet]

It's not a party. You've been kidnapped, essentially.

My name's Aleph Sinclair - I'm another captive of this place.

[Video]

[bydefacto]

Kidnapped?! No, I haven't! You're lying!

[ He's here for a party, dammit. ]

[Video]

[alephbet]

Have you read the letters by your bed yet?

Re: [Video]

[bydefacto]

Letters...? No, I was too excited for my birthday!

[ Though also a bit too freaked out after the sleep paralysis. ]

[Video]

[alephbet]

You should. They won't explain everything about the tower, but they're a good start.

...What's your name?

[Video]

[bydefacto]

If you say so, mister. [ Sceptical. He still thinks this might be some sort of game.

Maybe it's like a treasure hunt and those letters are the clues! ]

I'm Sealand. I'm the smallest nation in the world!

[Video]

[alephbet]

It's nice to meet you, Sealand. Happy birthday, I'm sorry it had to be here.

[Video]

[bydefacto]

Thank you- D-Don't be sorry! It's fine! I know it's just treasure hunt-!

[ Still. This all seems a bit... too strange, and it makes him nervous. ]


Is my papa around, do you know? He's really tall and blond and serious and he wears glasses.

[Video]

[alephbet]

Does his name have a -land at the end, like yours?

[It's a decent way to identify countries.]

[Video]

[bydefacto]

No, his name's Sweden! But there's Finland, too. Have you seen either of them around?

[Video]

[alephbet]

No, I don't think so... Do you have anyone else you might look for?

video

[silencetoreason]

[France has to do a double-take when he sees Sealand's face on the terminal. For a split second, he hopes his brain is playing tricks on him and it's England he's looking at, but, no, those blue eyes and that childish face most definitely belong to Sealand.

His heart drops into his stomach. First little America, now this? How many more children do the administrators plan to trap in this place? And on his birthday, too. How awful.

With a mind full of worries, France flicks on the video feed.]

Sealand? Is it really you? My...

[He tries to smile, but his eyes betray his concern.]

Euhh, happy birthday, I suppose. [He uses the word "happy" very loosely.]

[Video]

[bydefacto]

They're not...?

[ He frowns. Worry is really beginning to settle in the pit of his stomach. ]

Well, what about Ladonia? Or Wy? They look like they're my age.

...Or England. He's my jerk of a brother.

video

[bydefacto]

France!

[ A familiar face! He grins at him, and even though France doesn't look very happy, and Sealand is still confused as hell, seeing someone he knows is enough to quell some uncertainty slightly. ]

What do you mean by "suppose", huh?! And what's going on? Did England organise this birthday surprise? It's weird enough that I think it's more like him.

video;

[chainsawn]

[ Clearly everything about this broadcast is really normal. It is to Urotsuki, actually. So she just blinks, her expression pretty blank, and she asks the most important question-- ]

You mean nobody gave you birthday cake yet..?

[video]

[ladyliberty]

Oh, happy birthday! Forty-six, huh? You look really good for your age.

video;

[bydefacto]

Not yet, but I only just got up. I hope I do get one. I hope it's chocolate... with power rangers! And sprinkles!

[ Yes. Cake can take his mind off the weirdness of everything here. ]

[video]

[bydefacto]

That's because I'm a nation! Nations always look younger than their age. One day I'll be really big... bigger than my brother!

[Video]

[alephbet]

England is here. Even if he's a jerk, it's better not to be alone.

[video]

[ladyliberty]

[Oh, of course.]

Is that so? What nation are you?

[Video]

[bydefacto]

I guess...

And he might give me a present, for my birthday. [ This is important. ]

[ Then a pause. He frowns at Aleph through the screen. ]

Where am I? ...Am I really kidnapped?

[video]

[bydefacto]

I'm Sealand, the smallest nation in the world!

It's nice to meet you, uh... what's your name? [ Why are you at his surprise party? ]

[Video]

[alephbet]

You're in a tower called Animus. And you've been taken from your home against your will - so in that way you're kidnapped.

[Let's not get into the dead world thing yet.]