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The State of Tennessee
☀Andrew S. Hickory☀

Tennessee felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end at the look the Californian had fixed them with. Though it only lingered for a few seconds, it felt like ages and he distinctly got the impression that they might unwittingly be in the line of fire. He had to wonder what sort of trouble Florida and Georgia had caused. Perhaps leaving those two together had been a bad idea. It normally was, but it was normally a bad idea because they fought with each other rather than someone else. Maybe they broke something important?

Well, no sense in pressing the issue now if ever.

"That's alright," he said politely. "I'm not too big of a wine drinker myself. What time do you want me to come over an' help you clean up?" Getting out of the irate Golden Boy's hair as soon as possible might be the best plan and come back later once everything had cooled down. "I don't mind stayin' to help now, if you want, but you look like you could use a moment alone is all."

Grade 9
The Volunteer

The State of Tennessee
☀Andrew S. Hickory☀

Andrew hesitated when California pointed out that Charlotte might like a bottle and, if she didn't, then it might be something Seychelles would like. She was French--or something like French--after all. Tennessee finally nodded after a moment of consideration. "That's awful nice of you," he said before glancing at the others. "Well, you heard him. If you ain't gonna help clean up, then go on back to your rooms."

The Volunteer then set to work picking up discarded cups and bottles of any drinks that had been consumed. The party hadn't gotten too big so it didn't look to be a big job, but it was rude to leave all the clean up to the host who had been gracious enough to let them stay in the first place. Besides, California didn't seem to be feeling well.

Which was probably a gross understatement.

While they worked, Andrew didn't press for details about what happened. He wasn't a nosy person and preferred to keep to himself for the most part, but he was also a good listener and willing to hear California out if he had anything to say. The closest he came to talking about what he had seen was when he made one statement:

"Don't mind George for talkin' bad 'bout the Beach Boys," he said. "I still like 'em just fine myself."

Grade 9
The Volunteer

The State of Tennessee
☀Andrew S. Hickory☀

Andrew was surprised by the question and took a moment to think them over. It was no secret he wasn't always pleased by the movies about him, but what did he think about being featured in Landon's films as a whole?

"... It depends on the movie," he finally concluded. "Sometimes they're fine an' sometimes they're... not very flattering. It'd be nice if they weren't always 'bout country singers, simple folks on farms or in small towns. Farms are great an' all but it makes people call me a hill billy even more than they already do even though I got quite a few industrial cities myself..." He paused and glanced over at California with a small smile. "I suppose it don't matter too much, though. The movies just reinforce what folks already assume 'bout me an' I ain't got nothin' to prove to 'em anyway. 'Sides, it's always excitin' when you and your people come over to film with all your equipment. I don't always like the product, but I like watchin' you work. You're a good story teller an' I think that Johnny Cash woulda been happy with that film you did on him a few years back."

He wrinkled his nose. "But I got a thing or two to tell that Billy Ray Cyrus 'bout the movie he an' his daughter put out there," he grumbled. "Honestly, that man was a Tennessean at one point an' he signed off on all that ridiculousness. His mama raised him better than that."

Grade 9
The Volunteer

~Lundy~
Diana Kirkland
I'm bloody Lundy you dimwits!
Diana watched the fight sadly, the normal air of cheeriess that was around her quickly fading. It was sad to see two with such a bond fight like this- it even made her a little thankful for the often annoying brothers she had. Although it had been suggested they leave she got to work on helping cleaning up the mess as well. Although what Landon had done seemed so wrong in her eyes, especially for the sake of media, she couldn't help but pity him a little.




Out Of Cups:

The State of Tennessee
☀Andrew S. Hickory☀

"Well, the music industry ain't been doin' too much better 'bout that sorta thing..." Tennessee admitted when Landon pointed out how Hollywood liked to sensationalize its films. Andrew would be lying if he said that didn't happen in Nashville and Memphis, too, where the music sometimes became second to the glam of rising stars. It was a bit depressing to think about all of those who had sold themselves out for fame. Even so he supposed he couldn't exactly condemn them for their choices so long as they weren't hurting anyone else. "I don't like it, but I can understand it."

Andrew's cheeks flushed when he felt the slap on his back as Landon declared him a skilled maid. The easily flustered young man hoped he really was joking about that! The only maids that came to mind for him were the sort who walked around in neat little dresses with aprons and funny looking hats. "I-I'm just used to helpin' 'round at my neighbors' houses when they have trouble sometimes is all..." the Volunteer mumbled shyly. "Ain't got nothin' to do with maids." He blushed more at the thought of himself--or anyone for that matter--running around in one of those get ups.

Grade 9
The Volunteer

The State of Tennessee
☀Andrew S. Hickory☀

Andrew started to relax when Landon first informed him he was just joking until he saw that thoughtful stare and the way he stroked his chin as if he was envisioning something. The shy state seemed to both pale and flush simultaneously as he began to internally panic at the thought of California potentially trying to get him into a maid costume for some reason. H-He wouldn't really do that, r-right?

Probably... Tennessee had been asked to do crazier things by saner people.

When the Golden State began to laugh, he remained confused and startled for a few moments more until the blond pointed out how seriously he took some things. W-Was it really funny? Andrew was hesitant for a moment as he thought over it before chuckling lightly. Despite himself, he really did like humor, pranks and jokes. It wasn't too hard to get him to see the humor in most anything.

"You don't have to thank me for nothin' at all," Tennessee said with a modest shrug. "It's just good to see you back in a better mood. Don't seem natural for you to be all upset, you know?"

Grade 9
The Volunteer

The State of Tennessee
☀Andrew S. Hickory☀

Andrew blinked and wondered just what Georgia and Florida had done to upset someone like Landon so much. He never had seemed like a person who would be easily shaken. Having lived with the other two Southerners all his life, he was familiar with how much trouble they could cause. Maybe to someone who wasn't used to them it might be a little shocking.

"I'm sure George and Rutilio didn't mean to offend you," he said. "They're trouble sometimes, but they don't mean no harm to anyone but each other." Usually. Once in a blue moon those two might team up together against a greater evil, but that was a rare thing to behold from what Tennessee had known about them all his life. "I figure it's better to stay out of their problems as best you can. You get used to their fightin' after a while."

Grade 9
The Volunteer

The State of Tennessee
☀Andrew S. Hickory☀

Andrew blinked in confusion when California snorted and scowled. It just didn't look right on the normally perky young man's face and once again he had to wonder just what had happened to upset him this deeply. Something about it seemed so unnaturally off and Tennessee worried maybe Georgia was drunker than he seemed to have done something so bad. Maybe it had been a mistake not to follow after his big brother when he left the dorm?

The Tennessean took the bottle that was offered to him with a soft blush when Landon suggested giving it to a Frenchman. It was more a French woman who lived just off of Africa which came to mind for him. He rubbed the back of his neck shyly and wondered if anyone had told California about him having a girlfriend now. If she was here he would of liked to introduce them, but it didn't seem like the right time to say anything given the current mood.

"Thanks," he said. "It's no problem. If there's anything else you'd like to get off your chest, I don't mind hearin' you out." He hesitated as he glanced around and took note of something that had been bothering him; neither of Landon's room mates were anywhere to be seen. Andrew wondered if it was a good idea for the Californian to be alone when he was so obviously distressed even if he did seem cheerier now. "You know... If you want, you can come spend the night in my room," he said. "Hawaii's been stayin' over, too, since she got hurt last. I think she's prob'ly goin' back to her dorm tonight since she's feelin' better, but I don't think she'd mind another sleep over if it meant catchin' up. George won't bother us none."

Grade 9
The Volunteer