Capitol Punishment

You Rang?

The Cold War had ended years ago and with it the need for immediate contact of the Russian government, or the Braginski family. Yet, one of those iconic cherry red phones currently rested on the nightstand. Beside it, a digital clock reading 3:23 a.m. in cool blue letters which cast a soft glow on the sleeping form of New York. Outside the soft symphony of crickets and the discordant sounds of the nation's capital city waking to yet another day drifted in through the open window on a warm summer breeze.

Such a serene morning was a rare occurrence in the Jones household. Typically one of the younger states would be running around and making as much noise as they possibly could. Little D.C., the youngest of the family would wake with his city and demand that their father rise with him. Consequently the oldest thirteen would be forced up and out of bed to assist with the morning's preparations. But today it seemed that the world would finally have mercy on the sleep deprived states.

The phone seemed to have other ideas, as shrill notes pierced through the silence ocean blue eyes snapped open in fright. New York's sleep addled mind tried to grasp the situation. She managed to tangle herself in the sheets and fall out of bed while clumsily feeling for the lamp on the nightstand. Eventually light flooded from a small replica of the Empire State Building. Now fully awake, New York noticed the time and let out an annoyed sigh. What is so important that it couldn't wait until at least six? She thought as she snatched the phone off its cradle. Already knowing who was calling New York forewent the typical greetings.

"Someone important to the U.S. better be dying, Braginski."

The other end of the line was filled with slight static; above it were a few nervous laughs. "No death, but call is important. Owls do not fly during day, da?"

New York's eyes practically rolled back into her head as she let out a long groan. "We've talked about this, Nikolai, if it doesn't concern national security or something sketchy that needs to be covered up before my government finds out then it can wait. I'm not in the mood to deal with your crap, at least not until I've had a few cups of coffee."

"Da, I know." Nikolai said, "Tried to wait, but more came to house."

"More what came to your house?" New York asked irritably as she sat down on the edge of her bed and traced the heart on one of her 'I love New York' pillows.

"Owls, Yankee!" Nikolai shouted, "Big snowy owls, nine of them! They should be sleeping not sitting on front porch!"

Yankee took a deep breath through her nose. "Maybe a blizzard forced them your way." She suggested in a strained voice.

"That is thought I had, but no record of blizzard in area."

Yankee sat silently on her bed as she tried to think of a way to calm the excitable Russian capitol. It had been awhile since Nikolai had freaked out over something; the last incident being when he met Alfred's alien friend Toni.

"Okay, you said they were on your porch, right?"

"Da, on the railing," Yankee could hear the Russian pacing anxiously.

"Do you know how long they have been there?"

"Latvia said he saw first one around seven when he let Kukla out."

The familiar metallic clink of dog tags and the sound of claws scraping against the hardwood floor grew closer as the Siberian husky appeared at the mention of her name. "Hello Kukla, no treats for you. Oh yes, I love you too." Eventually the dog ran off at one the Baltics calling for her.

Yankee smiled at Nikolai's moment with his beloved husky, but she knew that they needed to get back on topic. "So the first owl was at seven and now there are nine, and it's like what, ten thirty there?"