viisteist // 15

[technophiling]

A: 946 Beulah Street, 7133 Brooks Street, Mayfield High

[Being in Mayfield for a full year meant that Estonia could allow himself a day of really not caring at all. This means he's riding one of his pets to school, like a horse. Except it's not a horse. Or any other animal usually known to man. In fact, if you look at it too long, you might just go crazy.

Of course, first he needs to pick up Latvia to walk him to school. He's a... good friend, like that.]

B: the bowling alley

[Were you planning on spending your Friday night at the lanes? Congratulations, there may just be a mochi (or four) hanging around, making very poor fake bowling balls, as they're far too squishy for that, and generally being nuisances. Estonia's drone manager must be out.]

C: 5720 Cunningham Lane

[It's not uncommon to have Estonia over visiting Ukraine, particularly in the evenings. The fact that he arrived on the mochi monstrosity and then left it tied up outside while he went to ring the doorbell is slightly more uncommon.]

Comments

[balzams]

I guess they'd do something horrible to you if they did, wouldn't they?

[technophiling]

You'd get droned.

[balzams]

... What does it feel like?

I don't think I've been droned before but... I remember when I came here there were people... well, Russia, saying there was something wrong with my brain.

Did I used to be one of those people?

[technophiling]

... Yeah. You lived next door, actually. Rin, the robot girl who lives there, too, she used to look out for your drone for me.

And it feels... well, it's easier not to talk about, really.

[balzams]

I don't remember anyone called Rin...

... So have you been droned before then?

[technophiling]

A few times, usually just for a week or two.

[balzams]

I see...

So are you like, aware that it's happening or is it just like lost time?

[Even though he's been told not to press the issue further he still can't help but be curious]

[technophiling]

[Estonia hesitates, picking and choosing what to possibly share.]

Most of the time, you're aware. At least, when it's only temporary droning. Maybe it's different if you're not supposed to be coming back from it. It's a little foggy, sure, but... Hard to pass off as just a weird dream.

[balzams]

[Latvia grumbles and rests his head against Estonia's back again]

That sounds really...

[He's not sure what the word for it would be. Being pretty much told that you had no autonomy was one thing, to have literally no control over yourself must be awful]

B-but that's just if you do something bad?

[technophiling]

[The other nation simply shrugs.]

It's not like they give you a trial and read you the charges. I'm never quite sure, by the time I'm back to me.

[balzams]

So I guess it's just the sooner we get out the better...

I hate this.

[technophiling]

I know. I'm sorry you're here.

[balzams]

[Latvia just grumbles into his back and doesn't say much else for the rest of the trip]

[technophiling]

[Once they've arrived at school, Estonia stops the mochi and gently elbows Latvia to get down, before climbing down himself and tying the monstrosity to a nearby tree.]

[balzams]

[Awkwardly he clambers back down to the ground]

Thanks for giving me a lift...

[technophiling]

No problem. I'll see you after classes?

[balzams]

Yeah, I'll see you then.

[He parts with a small wave]