( video )

[starspangledhero]

[ There's some fumbling as the video turns on, giving only a view of crumpled sheets, then a messy room. In the background is some slightly labored breathing, like the person recording has been running (or stumbling) around. The view stays skewed, facing a corner of the bedroom as America talks. ]

Aha! Finally found it! Okay. Man that took a while, haha! Someone decided to turn out the lights on the world. Ain't the first time in my life, and good thing is that this time it's not gas or bullets or pencils or nothing to make it hurt, but I gotta say that feelin' your way around is a helluva lot harder when you've only got one hand to do it with.

...Shit. Just realized. This think on voice recorder mode? If I'm talking when I should be writing–

[ The video switches over to voice, where some muttering can be heard, then text. ]

jjjjjbbbbbbjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµ

[ Then back to video. Now it's facing America. He looks frustrated, but his gaze is blank, eyes staring off into nowhere. ]

–nd when I make mine it'll have voice control. No, better, it'll have something that'll talk back to you so you know that you're talking into it, and it'll be in a pleasant lady's voice.

[ SIGH. Then his frustrated expression flickers to something more vulnerable, almost like a nine year old that's afraid of the dark but too proud to go to his parents for reassurance. ]

...Anyone out there?

Comments

[Video]

[meilihua]

...are you okay?

[Video]

[starspangledhero]

[ He visibly relaxes, knowing that there's still someone to talk to. Even better that it's Taiwan. Or worse maybe. He hates looking vulnerable in front of other countries, especially the ones he's supposed to protect. But... she's seen him worse than this. Blindness doesn't even compare. He speaks casually as though it isn't a big deal. ]

Well, I can't see for shit––or for anything else, actually––but other than that I'm doin' pretty good!

[Video]

[meilihua]

You're...[a hushed whisper] blind? But what? how...?

[She takes a deep breath, as if gathering up her courage]

D-do you...would it help if I came over to see if you were all right?

[video]

[tapdancinskelly]

Well, people always tell me I'm pretty out there. Yohohoho!

[video]

[starspangledhero]

[ Can't see, DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HE'S TALKING TO A SKELETON. ]

Out where?

video.

[dewebbed]

Uh, hey. [ he waves at the screen with one hand. the other is scratching his neck- his face appears to be marred with scratch cuts ] Are you okay? You look really freaked out.

video.

[starspangledhero]

[ America doesn't wave back, but not out of hostility. Just doesn't look like he registered that waving at all. He's still staring slightly off-screen. ]

Nah, not freaked! [ liar ] More frustrated than anything. Someone turned out the lights and every switch I've tried hasn't turned 'em back on!

[ He laughs, though there isn't a whole lot of cheer in it. ]

video.

[dewebbed]

Everything looks okay to me. Maybe the pollen hurt your eyes or something?It's making me really itchy, haha. [ he points to some nice scars on his cheek ]

[schrodingersghost]

Um, America? Are you okay?

[starspangledhero]

Why do people keep asking me that? [ He rolls is eyes, but when he's done they don't rest on the screen. Looks like he has no idea where the screen is. ] 'Course I am! Not like I've never been blind before, and at least it doesn't hurt. It's just inconvenient. And it still sucks.

[schrodingersghost]

...Usually when people randomly go blind its something to worry about.

(video)

[sensuality]

Scrape those barnacles off you.

(video)

[starspangledhero]

[ He looks utterly baffled at the sheets. Actually it's meant to be the camera. Close enough. ]

What.

(video)

[sensuality]

I love you.

video;

[battledancing]

[... what the heck is happening over there?]

America? Do you need any help...?

video;

[starspangledhero]

Why? You gonna come ridin' in here on a dragon demon and save the day? Pretty sure the story goes that the handsome hero comes and slays the dragon to save the girl. But you are just hellbent on twistin' that tale, aren'tcha!

[ He grins and chuckles, but there's still something off about how he looks. His eyes are still their usual clear blue, but they don't focus on the screen, or anything else really. They flit around occasionally as though they're searching to see something, then rest on nothing in particular. ]

video;

[battledancing]

[... America, you're kind of scaring her there. But she figures it's best to keep on talking to him, as she still couldn't tell what was going on and he hadn't told her whether he needed help (she really thought he needed help) or not.]

I was never too fond of gender roles. Besides, I can always ride on Togekiss, if you don't want any dragons around.

[video]

[fierybluebird]

America, what are you talking about?

[video]

[starspangledhero]

[ That single sentence describes everything America has ever said. ]

Pencils. And other stuff. You're gonna have to elaborate if you want any clarification.

[video]

[paprikaholic]

...What are you doing?

[video]

[starspangledhero]

[ It's a voice he recognizes, definitely, but sorry Hungary, it's gonna take him a bit to figure out who it belongs to. He relies on his sight too much. ]

Pressing buttons by feel and memory! Not too bad a result if I managed to get something up on the network.

[Action]

[totallygay]

[He recognizes that room. He shouldn't, and as far as anyone but Marco is concerned, he doesn't. But, Tatsumi does, and because he can't talk...

He's walking over there. You might hear the sound of someone opening your door, America. The sound of footsteps slowly making their way to the bedroom, and then stopping.

Tatsumi gazes at America, waiting to see if he can, well, see. It's not too far fetched of an idea. After all, Tatsumi suddenly lost his voice.]

[Action]

[starspangledhero]

[ America jumps a bit when he hears the door open, the footsteps. He'd usually presume it's England, but he's been around England long enough to know he doesn't walk like that––even if it was, he'd undoubtedly be grumbling and bitching the second the door opened.

So America's alone with a person, possibly a stranger, that he can't see. He hates the way his heart starts pounding like he's anxious. Or frightened. (But he is. It's only natural after... everything, but America doesn't like or accept it. He loathes the anxiety and depression that grip him, all the conflicting and progressively darker feelings that has left him fractured. Most of all he hates feeling vulnerable and weak.)

He does his best not to let it show. Aside from tensing up, he does alright with it. Though he can't find his guns he still has the deathblade attached to his stump. That's somewhat comforting. He turns to look over his shoulder, trying to look and sound nonchalant but only looking blind and lost. ]

Hello?

[Voice]

[hullonurse]

Yes, dear, we're here. Everything alright?

[Voice]

[starspangledhero]

'Course it is! Someone turned out the lights so it's a little dark, but otherwise things are goin' good. Never better!