01. (return)

[mounties]

A: 1447 Mitchell Road

[There's a small, bewildered moose in the kitchen, a large maple tree in the front yard, and a nation with a polar bear patiently knocking from the inside of the master bedroom door.]

Nederland? Hilda? Is anyone around?

[Although she's not sure why she's here again, even after years, her memory's sharp enough that this isn't terrifying, not like it was the first time. Just slightly bizzare. At the same time, there's a little bit of hope for her, too, to think she might see some of her friends here again.]

B: phone

[Canada clears her throat nervously, some time later in the day as she does her preliminary checking up on everyone.]

Um, well, don't worry if you don't remember me, but I seem to have been brought back here, after quite some time. Or... not very much time, by Mayfield's calendar. Anyway, it's Canada, and I really hope everyone's doing alright here.

Comments

A

[gezellig]

Finally.

[The drone wife had stopped crying. It was an irritating sound, but the sound that is now coming from the bedroom upstairs is puzzling. It sounded like the drone was asking for something - but they never did that.

Holland's first thought is that somebody new has been stuck in Mayfield. He's not looking forward to a different companion in the house, but his curiousity overrules his annoyance.

Along with the person's basic human needs for food and water, that is. He's not a monster.

Somewhere, so very far back where he's managed to cram it, is that sliver of hope that he might see Canada again. And when he hears someone calling for him, for 'Nederland', he'll stop dead in his tracks. It was really just too good to be true, but that doesn't stop him from suddenly racing up the stairs, not able to trust his ears alone.]

Canada? Canada!

[mounties]

You're still here!

[It was just a hunch, really, that she'd tried calling for him, but the fact that he's definitely coming is a wonderful, wonderful thing. She feels terrible that he's still trapped, of course, but the fact that she's not alone and she gets to see him again...]

I promise I won't accuse you of being German this time.

[gezellig]

[He'll hurry even more when he hears her say that. Ignore the sound of him tripping on the stairs,
Canada. He'll fling the door open, looking extremely happy.

. . . no really, very happy. Look at this face.]

B

[promfromhell]

[Carrie eyes the phone....then picks it up.]


....You came back.

[mounties]

[It takes her a moment, but she hasn't forgotten.]

... Carrie, is that you?

[promfromhell]

[Oh she does know her...]

You remember....

Um...yes. It's me.

Phone

[commie_island]

Canada!

[So glad to hear you.]

'Course we remember you.

[mounties]

It's been a long little while since I heard from you. Perhaps we're all coming back, eh?

[commie_island]

It seems like it.

I've been hearing all sorts of people on the phones saying they're back.

B. Phone

[motheringnation]

Canada! You're back, did you just get back? Were you home for a long time? How are you?

[Well Ukraine hasn't changed.]

[mounties]

Hello, Ukraine. [For some reason, the frantic worry actually calms her a little. It's normal and nice and she hasn't gotten to see her Ukraine much lately (it's a theme, really, blame his sister).]

I just got back, yes, and I'm fine. It's been... well, some number of years, although I'm not caught up with everyone yet. It was 1976.

[motheringnation]

I'm glad, I was worried when you were droned.

[Like always.]

And you're from more recent times at least.

Though I suppose I'm not independent yet...or my counterpart isn't independent yet, in your world.

[ooeeooahah]

Meg!

[ Ilsa sounds happy to hear from her, then pauses. ]

Oh, wait... what year is it for you?

[mounties]

1976. I know I'm still off, Ilsa, don't worry.

[ooeeooahah]

Good, it hasn't happened yet. [ Ilsa giggles. ] Remind me what was the last blow-up here before you got to visit home?

A

[achromous]

[There's rapid-pace footsteps coming down the stairs that probably provide a hint of what is about to happen--which is that as soon as Hilda skids, in her socks, into the kitchen, she nearly leaps at Canada to hug her.]

You're back!

[mounties]

[Canada only gets minimal warning, but she catches Hilda anyway, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around once before settling her back on the floor.]

Oh, sweetheart, it's so good to see you.

[achromous]

Even if it's here, it's good to see you again. [Hilda grins--well, grins more, since she can't quite stop smiling right now even if this does mean Canada's trapped in Mayfield again.]

Did you go back home or are you missing time?

[Phone]

[bye_to_yer_head]

Which one are you? Th' one with the moose?

*Welcoming party: FAIL.*

[mounties]

That was me.

The moose is back, too. I expect you to still not shoot him, by the way.

[bye_to_yer_head]

I'll be sure t' remember that. Though I ain't been doin' much hunting anyway. Nothin' much to shoot.

B

[kinship]

Ms Canada!

[Oh wait, that sounded too enthusiastic for a stranger.]

I'm sorry, ma'am, we don't know one another. My name is Cain, I'm a friend of Mr. Holland's.

[And he's been moping over her, so it's good she's back.]

[mounties]

... Ah, I see. It's very nice to meet you in that case, Cain.

B, phone

[birthmarked]

I didn't know you before, but welcome back all the same. I'm Sister Esther Blanchett. I trust everything is alright with you?

[mounties]

Yes, I'm quite fine, Sister, thank you. I still have a good number of acquaintances in Mayfield, so adjusting again is easy.