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Post by Czech Republic on Feb 23, 2013 23:19:38 GMT -5
A pair of nimble feet stepped very carefully onto the ice below. Being very cautious, Czech Republic took off her boots to reduce the weight distributed to the frozen lake. Her sharp eyes observed and her ears strained to hear if there were any cracks caused from her footing yet did not hear a thing. A smile touched her face lookig very pleased at this but knew that she could not afford to just think that it was safe like that.
With that in mind, she grabbed the sides of her scarlet red dress and continued her way out into the once frozen over lake that was near the base reaching well past the area where she'd be knee deep in water. Her ears listened against as did her eyes stare down. Looking satsified she flashed a look over her shoulder while grinning.
"It looks pretty safe America!"
She giggled to herself whilst kneeling down to touch the ice. Though this was sturdy she was very sure that there were weak spots somewhere around here. Spring was coming before they knew it and would take affect immediately everywhere in the Canadian wilderness. This Lake for example would melt. Czech being a Scout knew very well that this Lake was good for when you wanted to evade Zombies; Run across the frozen ice, keep your balance, and let the clumsy footing of the undead take care of the rest.
However if it was melting faster than expected Czech would have to be sure to tell the other Scouts and everyone else. It would be very unfortunate to fall into a freezing cold lake. Curious eyes stared down past the ice into the darkness of the water below seeming to shudder for some reason. Shaking her head she looked over to America. "Is everything still clear America?" She asked this quietly peering past her friend's shoulder, knowing full well that because the season was getting warmer that it meant that their undead friends would be moving faster...with the intent of making meals out of all of them.
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Post by America on Feb 24, 2013 0:00:20 GMT -5
America had been asked to come out with Czech to scout a little bit, and then to make sure that the lake was still frozen over. It seemed like a ridiculous idea to him at first, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized it made sense. They were better off knowing earlier than they were running across it from zombies and figuring out when it was far too later. It was spring, after all, and while it was still early enough for some of the lakes and rivers to still be frozen, he knew it was getting late enough for them to start melting, too.
"It's all clear over here!" he responded, glancing around and returning her gaze with a nod and his own concerned stare. He hadn't wanted Czech to go out. He had offered to do it himself, but she refused, stating that she was the scout and she could do it. Which was true, America supposed, but she was far too tiny to cause much damage. They had to see if it would test all of their weight.
"You be careful," he warned, eyes sweeping over the frozen water in front of him. "This thing could collapse at any minute. First sign of a crack, you come here, got it?" He didn't want to risk her falling in. It would be freezing, for one thing, and for another, she could get hurt pretty badly. |
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Post by Czech Republic on Feb 24, 2013 0:58:26 GMT -5
She sat up straight, smoothing her skirt once more shaking her head at America. "Oh don't worry so much America!" Pushing her hair from her eyes, she continued on her way just tip toeing very delicately on the ice having had experience when it came to walking on frozen water that could of been very thin. So far everything seemed perfectly fine as though it could last for maybe another week should the sun stay at its current temperature that is. Czech could agree that this lake could collapse at any minute...it had happened to her before and all the times were very close calls save for one where she did fall in. She remembered the water being so cold that it felt like her skin was being burned off. And once she was able to climb back onto the surface the strain her body went through to try and warm herself back to regular body temp was almost unbarebale. So no there was no way she was going to repeat that if she could help it.
Continuing on her merry little way she gave a little hum almost wanting to do a skip like she'd usually do but advised herself not to knowing it would be a stupid move on her part. She continued to tread ever so softly on the risky ground beneath her only to find her head perk up suddenly. "What...?" Getting on her knees once more she took her gloves off and placed them beside her then pressed her palms against the blistering cold surface.
There it was. A tiny little bubble that reached the ice's surface. Swallowing a lump down her throat, she proceeded to pressed her head down feeling more reach the ice allowing her sense of touch to flare up. How could that be possible? The fish would have migrated...and there was no way that they'd be back this early. No life was to be present in that water as of now and yet those bubbles suggested otherwise making her nose wrinkle in confusion. "What on earth..."
Standing up at once she turned towards America her looks showing that something was settling right with her which couldn't of been good for either of them.
"America something weird is going on with this lake."
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Post by America on Feb 24, 2013 15:36:23 GMT -5
America hovered around the back uselessly, holding his rifle close to him and managing to keep alert for both zombies behind him and Czech in front of him. He wasn't in the mood to lose track of what he was doing. Honestly, though, he was ready to call it quits and get back to the warehouse. He didn't trust the ice whatsoever, and he had already been outside for long enough. "Czech, c'mon," he whined. "I've got a shit-load of paperwork to fill out, and-"
He had to stop, though, when he saw her bend down. She looked far too interested for his own good, and America's gut feeling told him that it wasn't going to end well. What the hell is she doing? he thought, holding his breath. It couldn't have been good. If it was something having to do with the ice, then it wasn't good.
When she stood up and spoke, his heart began to race. "Well then, get off the ice," he responded, a little bit snappy. "Seriously, it's chilly and the warehouse is warm and cozy, and I gotta finish filling out some stuff that the officials over in Europe sent me." That was depressing enough as is. Focusing on his devastated country, looking at all those ridiculously detailed charts and graphs that portrayed what all he would have to do to even get halfway to where he once was, and listening to suggestion after suggestion (the worst of them being that maybe he should let someone else take over his country, something he absolutely refused to do).
Anyway, focus. Yes, the lake. He glared at Czech, motioning her over. "We're probably not even supposed to be near it. It's gonna melt soon, you know, and I reckon it'll be sooner than we expect." |
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Post by Czech Republic on Feb 24, 2013 16:14:28 GMT -5
Czech shook his head at his whining, really he could be such a child. Which she had no room to even acknowledge seeing how she was also childlike in both appearance and personality. When got her news back to him she could see the worry in his eyes and even looked a little surprised by his snappy comment at her. Usually he was very laid back and
never seemed to snap at anyone unless well deserved. Maybe it was because he was cold? Or maybe it was because he was worried about her. She decided it was more than likely the latter.
Usually at a time likes this she'd pull a 'Czech Pout', wanting very much to stay out a little longer to investigate those mysterious bubbles but she had shot the idea down at once. She had already used it once to get America to come out here with her and could tell that he just wanted to go back to the base. She realized that it was better not to be selfish and just allow him to have his wish knowing that she could always investigate later.
"Alright, alright America I'm coming just stop your whining!"She teased while slowly making her way back over to the bank. "And stop glaring at me you brat!"
Hearing the mention of paperwork, the dread in his voice was very clear which made her smile warmly at him. "If you're having trouble with paperwork America, I can help! I am rather skilled at handling legal affairs!" Which was true seeing how she managed to get more land from the other nations when building back up her own after WWII than the others would of liked to have admitted they owed her. "It's the least I can do seeing how you came out here to help--"
The young lady's voice died in her throat as her feet came to a complete stop. It seemed that a small sound had assaulted her ears. One that was in no way welcomed. Eyes looked ahead instinctually seeing that she was very much far away from the bank which made her heart race even faster as she started to process everything. Czech dared not look down, too afraid to confirm it but did so anyway and what she saw sent heat and cold flashes seering down her spine. Her ears and eyes confirmed it; a crack had been made in the ice.
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Post by America on Feb 24, 2013 22:26:48 GMT -5
America rolled his eyes when she started scolding him. Sure, she was older, and therefore in a better position to tell him what to do and what not to do, but he really didn't want to admit that he probably did need to stop whining and groaning. It was just a few minutes out of his time, and, besides, it would probably be beneficial to everyone in the long run. "Yeah, well...just kinda busy, is all," he muttered, and he didn't know whether or not she had heard.
He was about to take her up on her offer, but a loud crack suddenly sounded through the air. She stopped, both in speech and movement, and America stared at her, eyes wide. He wanted to say that it was just a gunshot from some other nation hunting down zombies or food nearby, but both of them knew better. It was too close, too different, to be a gunshot. No, there weren't any other nations around them. It was there, something right in front of him, right below Czech and-
"Oh my god," America gasped, following Czech's gaze and noticing the crack in the ice.
Suspicions confirmed correct, America's heart began to race, though he made it a point to try and stay outwardly calm. "It's no biggie, I'm sure it'll hold you up. You're tiny enough. Just...stand still. Stand perfectly still, and-" No, then she wouldn't be able to ever get off the ice. "Wait, never mind, walk towards me." He dropped his gun beside him and stepped closer to the bank, until the toes of his boot were touching the ice. His hands reached out, gesturing her to come. "Slowly, Czech, c'mon, it's just a few steps." |
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Post by Czech Republic on Feb 24, 2013 23:00:57 GMT -5
Czech busily scolded herself staring down at the crack beneath her feet which filled her with both self-loathing as well as fear that she did her best to hide by putting on a very emotionless expression not wanting to worry America more than she knew he already was.
'Idiot! You stupid girl how could you have of missed the one weak point of ice! I'm such an idiot! Idiot, idiot, idiot!"
Once her mental cursing was complete she looked to America as he started talking to her. He was trying to act calm for her sake but was failing miserably; she could see it in his eyes that this was bad and he knew it. She gave a nervous laugh to his statement that she was 'tiny enough'.
"Thats what makes it worse...If the ice is so weak that my weight made it like this, that means..." She cut herself off mid-sentence having no wish to scare America without making a complete assessment of her predicament that she was in. Her eyes and ears saw and heard what America could not...the ice was breaking from her weight with each passing second. This was a very weak patch of ice, obviously being the one place the sun had pointed its rays dead on making it melt much faster than the others. After her observations were complete she shook her head knowing all too well how this was going to end.
Her head jerked up when she saw America approaching the ice and her protective instincts kicked in. "America, stay where the sun isn't touching the ice! That's where it'll be most stable!" She forced herself to laugh when he said it was 'just a few steps'. They both knew it was well past a few steps away. Swallowing hard she forced a smile on her face.
Her eyes fell to the ice again seeing that it was close to the breaking point and saw that the ice around it was cracking as well making her more than less trapped in her position.
"America I can't move."
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Post by America on Feb 25, 2013 11:31:16 GMT -5
America practically had to force himself to stay standing where he was. He longed to run out on the ice and grab his friend, but he knew that if he did so, they would both fall in, and that wouldn't be very helpful. The only thing he could do was stand back and wait. Wait for her to fall. Seemed like a rather unheroic thing to do, but if it was the only thing that was reasonable, he would have to hold back.
"Don't say can't," he scolded. "I hate that word." Where there was a will, there was a way, and America had the will for it. Even if Czech was lacking, America was determined to get her across the ice safely. He could lecture her for making him worry later (even though he longed to do so at the moment, and laughed because he was much younger than Czech was). His blue eyes surveyed the situation, taking note of the cracks that were continuing to form right under Czech's feet.
He moved her scarf aside, then began to take his own jacket off, throwing it behind him. If he had to dive into the water to rescue her, he might was well be prepared for it. "Alright, all we gotta do is think through the possibilities." He knew she wouldn't die from falling in water, but when it was this cold, this dangerous (he couldn't imagine what it would feel like being trapped under the ice), he was determined not to let it happen.
"Try jumping," he said. "Just jump, 'kay? Doesn't matter if you crack more of the ice- over here looks a little bit more sturdy than over there. Besides, if you jump, you can be closer to me and I'll actually be able to catch you." |
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Post by Czech Republic on Feb 25, 2013 12:39:54 GMT -5
Czech had to fight down every urge to show her vulnerability, to show just how scared she was in this situation but kept a relatively cool head. She knew that panicking would serve no useful purpose to her, that it would only serve as a hindrance to her. As soon as her hands finished weaving a long, thick braid she tied it off , smoothed back her bangs then looked back to America showing she was ready for anything.
His suggestion to jump made her want to laugh but was far too focused on America as he started to take off his jacket. ‘What is he…?’ Her eyes suddenly widened realizing his intent almost instantly. “No America! You can’t jump in! If you do you’ll be in the same predicament!” Her eyes were looking at him earnestly with a touch of desperation. “Don’t jump in. If you do I will never forgive you!” She didn’t mean the last part but knew it would get her point across and would show just how dead serious she was.
Now that, that was out of the way she considered his idea though knowing it would not work. Without a running start she’d fall in without a single doubt. But then again, she was going to fall in either way. Very calmly her left foot rose up then touched just in front of her as another loud, harsh crack hit her ears making her flinch. Just one more step. That’s all it would take. Her eyes glanced up at America one more time as she flashed a quick smile.
“Stay where the sun doesn’t shine, don’t jump in after me...if--if I don't resurface it means I can't find the hole I fell through...when that happens you'll have to get creative, and America?”
Her eyes darted down before her as she felt a small twinge of fear come over her. It wasn’t the water r she was afraid of, it was what was below it that worried her…whatever was down there terrified her to no end without her even having knowledge of what it was. Shaking her head she turned back to her friend.
“Don’t keep me waiting too long.”
Without another word she took the next and final step causing t the final crack to ring out making her close eyes and held her breath as the ice finally gave way, allowing her small body to plunge into the icy depths beneath her. Only the sound of the splash followed after her, and then a silence subsided showing that in her place was a patch of broken ice and water. She was gone.
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Post by America on Feb 25, 2013 20:31:16 GMT -5
America had been about to respond - something along the lines of, "You're not my mom, and I don't have to listen to you!" - but she took a step, and boom. Crack. Whatever sound the ice made. He wasn't exactly listening, because he was more focused on the fact that she had gone under. She had fallen through, and while they both knew that she would, his breath still caught in his throat, and he still took a step forward, now stepping fully onto the ice. It wasn't cracking or sagging under his weight just yet, but he figured that was because he was still at the bank, not in the middle, as Czech was.
"Dammit, Czech," he hissed. Oh, was he ever going to lecture her. He narrowed his eyes as the water began to settle. His heart didn't settle, though. If anything, it began to pound harshly in his chest. It was practically ringing in his ears, the only noise he happened to be hearing at the time. C'mon, c'mon, c'min, he thought, the words repeating in his mind until he was completely and utterly sick of them.
Standing around wasn't going to do any good.
Something had to be done. He had to find a way to get Czech out of there; it already felt like it was too long, though America guessed it hadn't even been half a minute. His eyes scanned the area, but to his despair, there was nothing. He could run to the forest and grab a tree branch for her to hang onto, but that would take too long, especially if something went wrong here.
Finally, he just held his breath and stepped forward. The ice wasn't creaking just yet, so if he could just get closer to the hole, he could be in a good position to save her. |
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Post by Czech Republic on Feb 26, 2013 10:49:43 GMT -5
The splash had sent a symphony of vibrations into the waters once the nation’s body had entered the seemingly empty waters. If life had been present, then the fish that called this lake ‘home’ would have scattered in terror of the intruder, but there was no fish and thus no life to take notice of woman who had fallen into the dangerously ice cold lake. However something had taken notice from the bottom of the water, something that was far from alive.
The cracks from above had ‘awoken’ them all from a stupor to gaze up above seeing the faint sunlight blocked by what they didn’t know was a pair of feet. This had them all interested, much like animals who took interest in the possibilities of prey. While observing the object of their interest suddenly fell through the ice. In this mass of frozen water the heat of her body was very noticeable yet they weren’t focused on the fact that she was alive or that she was a person in general. In this icy imprisonment there was only one thing she was to them; food.
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The water wrapped itself around Czech constricting her as though it were a snake, filling her to the brim with agony as a silent scream left her lips. Her body thrashed without her consent which could not be helped; below freezing waters always hurt like a bitch. The pain turned into sudden panic as her hands flew up trying to find the hole she fell through yet could not find it. And how could she? Her eyes had been shut tightly to prevent the cold water from stinging her eyes any further. Dainty hands reached up frantically deep down trying to tell her to calm down and to not panic but to no evail, raw instinct was controlling her now.
Something however forced her to stop her searching as something touched her. A bubble. Her closed eyes turned down where it hit her feet that could still surprisingly feel anything. Slowly, very slowly she managed to open her eyes allowing them to take in the water doing her best to take in the pain as they gazed frantically around her looking for where it came from knowing that whatever it was it was not good nor was it natural for Canadian nature in general. When her eyes couldn’t find anything her eyes turned back to the ice as she slammed a fist against the ice finding it didn’t even make a dent much to her dismay. Her instincts told her to get out of the water, that if she didn’t she was going to suffer terribly for it. Her useless hitting continued silently praying that America had figured out some way to get her out of here.
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Post by America on Feb 26, 2013 17:37:52 GMT -5
America couldn't see her.
She was under the ice. Probably trapped, since, well, that was the only solution to why she wasn't coming up. He paled, frantically trying to think of a way to get her out. He didn't expect that. He thought she would come up and he would be able to help pull her on land. He thought they could go home in just a few seconds, but now this had happened and what was he supposed to do? He searched, searched for anything that would help.
Without many plans, he vehemently started to curse, and turned around to grab his rifle. He didn't waste much time in shuffling forward carefully, trying to get closer to the hole. When he realized there really was no way to do so without falling in after Czech, he stopped where he was, then slammed down harshly with the butt of his rifle to the ice right in front of him.
It cracked just slightly, and America sighed with relief when he realized it was just thin enough for him to make a small hole, but thick enough not to break all around him. One more hit, and part of the ice gave way. He threw the gun behind him and stuck his hand in the water, hoping Czech had her eyes opened, praying she could grab him. |
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Post by Czech Republic on Feb 26, 2013 22:33:36 GMT -5
It felt like hornets had made their way into her eye socket, forcing the nation to close her eyes once more. Not that she wanted to mind you, knowing that sight would be a big help in this, but it was a reflex that her body was forced to follow. Her fingers nails started scratching against the ice in a futile attempt to break the surface. Her chest felt so tight almost like her lungs were being inflated like a balloon. If she were kept down here for too long they'd collapse and she'd die.
Well no, she wouldn't die exactly...she would basically go into a comatose state until air was put back into her lungs. That was the perks of being a nation; it was nearly impossible to be killed by anything else a human would die from. But it would be quite a hassle to drag her body out from the bottom if she were to drown. If there was one thing Czech hated to be, it was being a hassle towards others. Her hands felt something hit the ice making her flinch as the harsh vibration pounded against her slightly blue fingertips. Terror was about to ensue her but forced herself to calm down realizing that it must of been America trying to find a way to get her out.
'Hurry America...please hurry!'
She didn't know how much breath she had left but knew that her time was very much limited thanks to her screaming that she had done before that only suceeded in destroying a good bit of her precious air supply. A muffled crack filled her ears and she forced her eyes to open despite the pain her only focus was now on where the hell that noise had came from. Her eyes darted everywhere looking all the while her mouth let out the air from her lungs allowing the pressure from her chest to be relieved.
Now she had a problem. Now that the pressure was gone there was nothing to keep her lungs busy as she started to feel herself suffocate. Her body wanted air so badly that without her even knowing her mouth had opened and took in a good amount of water, trying to substitute liquid for oxegyn much to her horror as she felt her heart race so fast like it was about to burst out of her throat!
Suddenly a miracle happened, her eyes spotted a patch of light not far off from her. Heaven? She considered for a second but she knew better than that! She was an atheist for god's sake! Using the last of her strength, her arms flailed in front of her as she did what could have been called swimming towards the source until she was under the light above her. Her legs kicked, kicked for dear life mustering all the energy knowing she had to make it all the while not realizing that something was following her to the surface.
Her head submerged from the icy lake so suddenly that there wasn't a doubt that America hadn't expected it. Her arms flailed to pull herself up so much so that she had hit him very hard, hard enough to knock him back. She had not the time nor any such knowledge of giving an apology all she could focus on was getting air into her lungs. Coughing produced the water from her mouth and once that subsided was able to suck in the sweet air into her very greatful lungs that began to pump back up and try to help her in her dire need to breathe. After two minuteshad passed she managed to lower the coughing so that she could inhale and exhale through her mouth while looking around with a very dizzy disoriented head.
Half of her body remained in the water while the other was laying against the ice for support while she did her best to gain back her regular breathing tempo. In a situation like this, it was best to just leave her for a minute or two to gain back her breath and not to touch her lest she begin to hyperventalate which could only make things worse for her poor body.
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Post by America on Feb 27, 2013 11:21:29 GMT -5
America was about to give up what hope he had gathered. There didn't seem to be a way that Czech would find his hand. If she hadn't done so then, he could only gather that she had run out of breath. So he nearly drew back to shed more layers of his clothing and jump in after her. It would be cold, sure, but he was a hero, and even if he wasn't Czech was his best friend. He wasn't going to leave her alone any longer than he had to. His hand started to move away from the icy chill of the water, but then he felt something touch his fingers.
Without much warning other than the simple touch, Czech's head suddenly burst up from the surface, and the rest of her body was following. As she struggled to get out, one of her hands hit him, but America didn't do much other than stumble back just slightly. He recovered quickly, far more interested in taking care of the female nation laying before him. She coughed water from her lungs as he fumbled for his jacket, and the worry was evident in his eyes. She didn't seem to be hurt, just probably winded from such activity.
"God, Czech, you nearly gave me a heart attack," he snapped, wrapping the jacket around the top half of her body, the one that was sticking out of the water. He cupped her chin in his hands, forcing her to look up at him. "Just get your breathing back to normal and we'll move," he said after a few seconds of examination. The breath was coming out harshly, and he knew better than to start picking her up just yet. It would be for the best to let her relax for an extra minute or two.
He wasn't going to stay silent during that time, though. No, the worry was slowly being accompanied with anger (or maybe it was the worry causing the anger). He sighed, narrowing his eyes at her. "You know, that was probably the most idiotic thing I've ever seen." he scolded. "What would have happened if you had drowned? I would have had to jump in after you! I mean, didn't you even think? It's fucking cold in there, if you're anything to go by. Look at you! Gosh, your fingers are blue, Czech!"
Of course, he never could keep up his anger for long. In an instant, it melted away and a warm smile came on his face as he grabbed her hands in his own, rubbing them to try and get some sort of heat to her. "You're going straight to bed when we get to the warehouse. So much for helping me with my paperwork, huh?" |
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Post by Czech Republic on Feb 27, 2013 17:18:26 GMT -5
"No...sleep..."
Even those two words were hard for her to sputter while she was busy coughing and trembling violently all at once, nearly drowning in below freezing waters never mixed well. Her blue eyes looked up at him and gave a small weak smile. "Duties." She managed to say before resting her head down on the ice to continue to even out her breathing tempo. Even when almost suffocating she refused to allow herself to shirk her duties. And if America wanted to stop her she wouldn't allow him...not without even putting up a verbal battle at least.
A minute had passed and the nation was finally relaxed that is except for the unstoppable shaking and trembling along with her chatter teeth. Deciding it was time to get out of the water, she handed America his jacket then pressed her hands on either side of the whole that America had made and prepaired herself to pull her body out of the lake.
Something however forced her to stop as her eyes slowly fell below her. Something had tugged at her skirt so much so that she noticed it very much. Without any such warning, something had grabbed her ankle and effectively yanked her down in the water. It was no sudden that she hadn't even had time to scream; all that left her lips was a stiffled 'help' before she sucked up what air she could before she was forced back into the water.
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