Work Text:
May 1808 :: Montreal, Lower Canada
Arthur stared at his colony. "Twins, you say?"
Matthew fidgeted. "I assume so, sir, but I didn't find them for several days."
"That's close enough for our kind, but... Two new personifications, lad, you're sure?"
"I'm sure. After splitting me in two, what else did you expect?"
"I expected that you would remain Que- Lower Canada," he corrected himself, "and that a new personification would appear for Upper Canada and the English-speakers there. And now you're... What are you?"
"The Canadas, just as I was last year."
"I see." Arthur took a breath, tried to focus. Two new siblings, just his. "Why didn't you tell me before?"
"Because you were on ship when I found them. I tried to tell you when you first debarked, but-"
Well, it was his fault, but Matthew should never have let Arthur go on about taxes and tariffs the way he had, not with news like this. "Something of this magnitude cannot wait, lad, no matter what you think I want to hear or speak about. Do you understand?"
"... Yes, sir."
"Good." He stood, reached for his coat.
"Sir?"
"What are you waiting for, Matthew? I want to have a look at them myself. Fetch your coat, there's a good lad."
Matthew nodded, and hurried from the room; Arthur hummed to himself, and wondered what to name the children.