January 29, 1861—Washington, D.C.

Today should be a wonderful day for Kansas was ready to be admitted as the 34th state of the Union. She should be happy as a sunflower on a sunny morning. She should be hopping up and down, completely filled with joy like a blue jay finding seeds in the springtime. She should be full of praise after working so hard in the past seven years to have a star represent her on the American flag. Having waited patiently since April to gain congressional approval, she should be smiling from ear to ear to have her dream come true at last.

But an ache deep within her hollow heart bitterly felt her admission was merely a hollow victory.

Because she knew in actuality her admission only occurred due to national disunity amidst the Great Secession Winter. Several members of the South were absent during the vote. Had they been present, they would've continued to oppose and prevent her statehood. Though surprisingly, their absence didn't sit well with Kansas. Indeed, she benefitted from their secession. However, she believed that to be awful and unfair. Regardless of their stance against her, Kansas harbored relatively little ill will toward them. She understood why they held a grudge against her and could only feel bad for "betraying" their expectations. Even so, she hoped they could talk things over and work together despite their different views.

Sadly, that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. South Carolina was gone. Mississippi was gone. Florida was gone. Alabama was gone. Georgia was gone. Louisiana was gone. Texas was...

On the way out the doors of the U.S. Capitol, Texas stopped in her tracks when she picked up the sound of footsteps, looking back to see Kansas approaching her with a distraught face. "W-Whatcha doin' here, sunflower? Are you lost or something? You should be with the others, celebrating your statehood." The Texan faked a smile that would've fooled the Kansan had she not sensed her strained undertone.

Kansas struggled to find the exact words to express her concerns, having not thought this through when she saw the Lone Star State leaving unnoticed by everyone else at the party. She wasn't certain until she caught Texas's hand on the door handle. She blurted, "Stop! Please don't leave us! Please..."

Texas kept their hand on the door handle, assuring her while smiling forcefully, "No need to fret. I'm just going outside to get some fresh air. Really, I'll be okay. I can handle this cold weather."

'Liar...' She frowned, recalling the stormy rumors she had heard whispering throughout the day. "Listen, Tex. I understand you're frustrated, but I'm sure we can work something out that makes you happy. If you stay with us—"

Texas sighed heavily, "I pity you."

"Um, pardon?" Kansas blinked her eyes in bewilderment.

"Honest to God, it's quite admirable to see you're still endearing as ever despite the disgusting crap you've gone through," Texas admitted in a pitiful tone. "If everyone had the same devotion to preserving peace as you, I wouldn't be here, worrying about breaking your little heart."

"What are you...?"

She smiled sadly, "The truth is ... I'm giving myself time until the end of this week to decide what I want to do when I ... leave the Union."

Kansas stared wide-eyed at the Texan, utterly dismayed to hear another state she respected turn their back on the Union. "Why...? Why is this happening...?" She grasped the folds of her skirt, blinking back tears in her eyes. "Is it too much to ask you, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and South Carolina to come to a compromise with the rest of us?"

Texas remained still, seemingly wanting to comfort the sniveling sunflower. However, she hesitated as though she came to realize something about this sad situation. Whatever it was, it hardened her heart from showing compassion in her response. "Why should we compromise? We all know it pleases no one. We all know it settles nothing between us. We all know everybody is breaking and ignoring it." She scoffed, "Why do we even bother calling it a compromise if we're going to keep wasting our time and breath, bringing up the same issues over and over again? By this point, we all know a compromise isn't a true solution to our differences; it's a temporary tactic meant to delay the inevitable at the South's expense."

"But..." Kansas sniffled. "It shouldn't mean secession. It shouldn't mean leaving the Union."

"It shouldn't mean that, yet..." She clenched her teeth. "I can't envision myself being better off remaining in the Union. I get no respect, no satisfaction, not even trust, from working with members outside the South. I rather just leave and not feel forced to deal with an unfair system of endless hatred."

Kansas whimpered, "Is there no other way we can change your mind?"

She shook her head. "I appreciate you taking the time to listen to me, but there's nothing you can say to persuade me to remain in the Union. I've given up on making amends, especially with Northern scum."

"D-Don't say that," Kansas pleaded. "We can still get along. There's still time for us to talk things through and find a way to resolve this divide between us."

"I hope you're right," Texas grimaced, "but we'll have to see how things play out." She twisted the handle and pushed open the door, letting inside the icy winter air as she stepped outside.

Kansas shivered, stepping forward with a stretched hand. "N-No! W-Wait!"

"Stop! Not another step!" Texas snapped, startling the Kansan to stay away from reaching out to her. "Don't cross the line unless you intend to walk away from the Union."

"But Tex..." She slowly withdrew her hand.

The Texan hid her somber eyes, adjusting her sombrero. "Go back to your party, Kansas. Go back to celebrating your statehood. You deserve it. You really do deserve it..."

"Do I really ... deserve this?" Kansas uttered with tears running down her cold rosy cheeks, watching her leave her sight. Her knees became weak, and she fell to the floor in despair of being unable to stop another state from leaving the Union. The only thing a helpless little girl like her could do was cry her heart out. 'Nebby, I wish you were here...' She sobbed. 'I think I made a mistake and made things worse. It feels like everything is my fault, and I don't know what to do...'

☆☆☆☆☆

Seven years ago seemed entirely serene, almost like a fairytale to Kansas. It all began with her living in a little house on the prairie. Everything changed when she received a formal invitation from a handsome American prince to meet him in a big white palace that oversaw his vast kingdom. With some help, the young girl made the long journey by horse-drawn carriage to her destination. Upon arrival on the 23rd of January, the prince and his subjects became enchanted by her princess-like charms and her beautiful baby blue taffeta crinoline dress with flounces and bows to boot.

"Kansas, huh? Is Arkansas your brother by chance?" Tennessee asked.

"Brother?" Kansas cocked her head.

"I noticed you two have similar names."

"That may be true, but I hardly know her," said Arkansas. "Besides, if she was actually my sister, she should know how to say her name correctly."

"I thought my name was pretty straightforward."

"Naw-uh. That's where you're wrong. The proper pronunciation is actually 'Ken-saw'."

"But my name doesn't end with letters that make an 'aw' sound."

"Don't sass me— Owowowow! My ear!"

"Stop pickin' on the new gal," Louisiana berated him for his bad behavior before letting him go. "It's impolite and none of your beeswax to criticize whatever way she prefers to call herself. Alright?"

He grumbled, "Alright, I hear ya..."

"Pardon the interruption." Maryland approached the Midwestern territory. "I just want to say you look lovely today. I especially love your braided pigtails."

"T-Thank you!" Kansas blushed. "I learned to braid them myself from the Kaw people."

"I see," Georgia noted. "Personally, I find your red hair rather attractive."

She giggled, "Yeah, I'm not surprised. My hair has attracted the attention of many people, including America. The Kaw won't even try to dye it since the vermilion they often use does little to my hair."

"That's quite a compliment," North Carolina chuckled. "Being a fellow redhead, I can tell we're gonna get along just fine like sisters."

"Great!" Kansas smiled.

"That's funny," South Carolina huffed, eyeing her twin in annoyance. "Being your actual sister, I wish you treat me in the same manner you're suggesting to this little newcomer."

"Why should I treat a doppelganger like a sister?" North Carolina retorted.

"Such insolence!" The Palmetto State took her doppelganger by surprise, shoving her aside to get the new territory's complete attention. "Listen here, little darling. You're gonna get along with me instead of my stupid sister. I can do better than her to help guide you in the affluent footsteps of a beautiful Southern belle." She smirked with a sparkle in her eye. "Does that sound good to you?"

"Absolutely not!" Massachusetts answered abruptly with furrowed eyebrows, entering a confrontation with the Palmetto State. "I won't stand by and let you turn her into another Southern bitch cracking a whip."

"Watch your tongue!" South Carolina snarled, glaring daggers at the New Englander. "I refuse to tolerate that foul mouth of yours spewing Northern nonsense."

"Nonsense? Is that what you call your immoral business and behavior?"

"Don't go twisting my words! What I do to make my living is perfectly sensible, according to the Holy Bible!"

"There's nothing perfectly sensible or holy about selling and separating families!"

Kansas froze like a tiny kitten caught in the middle of a ferocious dog fight, shuddering scared in her shoes to see everyone around her snap and growl at each other. She stuttered to say something sincere to stop the spiteful squabbling, "U-Um... No... D-Don't fight... Please..." The poor child shrank at the sounds of somebody shouting coarse insults at another state, leaving her utterly speechless and heartbroken.

Nobody cared. Nobody listened. Nobody appeared to notice her tears of distress except...

"Come with me." The warmth of someone's hand suddenly reached for Kansas's hand to take her away from the hostile environment. Kanas couldn't determine who the person was until she finished wiping her eyes. To her surprise and comfort, it was her nice and helpful neighbor.

~ Missouri! ~

Kansas knew the state a while back, often needing their help to trade her goods and teach her how to farm. Such services were unaffordable to the rural Kansan. Fortunately for her though, Missouri was generous enough to offer her services at a discount on several conditions of various difficulties. No matter how hard or strange that condition was to Kansas, however, she always expressed gratitude to Missouri for making her life easier—sometimes.

"Sorry about that," Missouri apologized, unknowingly disrupting Kansas's thoughts as they walked around the halls of the U.S. Capitol. "Politics has this weird way of turning people into monsters if you get what I mean."

"I see," Kansas mumbled. "Will they be okay?"

She shrugged. "Arguments happen all the time. They normally sort out their issues eventually, although that hasn't been happening very much lately... I have to say. It's embarrassing to admit I don't have much confidence in everyone around me. Because right now, it feels like we're heading toward a bloody..." She stopped short of finishing that sentence, quickly changing the subject to spare the sweet child from stressing too much about politics. "I forgot to tell you earlier, but you should know we're going to see another territory."

She gasped, "Really? Another territory? Like me?"

"Yep," Missouri simpered, amused to see her crystal blue eyes sparkle in amazement. "Surprise, surprise. You're not the only territory working hard to become a state. There's Minnesota who lives way up north and under seven feet of snow. There's Oregon and Washington who live way out west by the Pacific Ocean. There's New Mexico who lives out in a hot and dry desert. And lastly, there's Utah who lives with a harem."

"A harem? Is that like a town?" Kansas wondered.

"You don't wanna know," Missouri expressed eerily, eyes darkened with disgust. "It's so gross. After learning about it, you'll get sick and puke on the spot."

"O-Oh. You don't have to tell me then..." She gulped. "Am I going to meet these territories?"

"Not today, but you'll meet them eventually. For now, you'll meet Nebraska, a territory around your age who's basically in the same boat as you, awaiting approval from Congress and the President to become an official U.S. territory." She stopped before a set of tall ornate doors. "Do your best to get along with her. She doesn't talk much, and her personality is flatter than the Great American Desert."

"I-I'll do my best!" Kansas nodded eagerly.

Without further ado, Missouri pushed open the doors, leading Kansas into the Great Rotunda, the symbolic and physical heart of the U.S. Capitol. The round central room was designed to resemble a chamber of a Classical Greek temple in the modern era. Therefore, it was treated as such to be a ceremonial gathering place for the people of the democratic republic. Instead of all-powerful beings, it had portrayals of American history placed along its curved sandstone walls. Each separated by fluted Doric columns were seven enormous oil-on-canvas paintings, one of which illustrated the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. It was being observed by a blonde fair-skinned girl, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a plain cream-colored cotton dress with long puffy sleeves, until Kansas and Missouri disrupted her viewing when they entered the picture.

Shortly after admiring the grand rotunda and the dome's copper-green canopy, Kansas turned her curious sights to the other girl in the room apart from Missouri. They appeared to be around the same age, leading Kansas to assume that girl was the other territory awaiting government approval. Contrary to what Missouri said earlier, she was fairly optimistic to meet Nebraska.

'I can't wait to be good friends with her,' Kansas thought confidently, despite Nebraska's indifferent demeanor.

"I'm gonna head back to the meeting chamber to make sure the other states haven't done something stupid like starting a shooting contest," Missouri informed out of the blue, startling the Kansan out of her thoughts with a pat on the shoulder and a wink. "Behave yourselves until America gets back from the White House, okay?"

"Y-Yes, will do!" Kansas squeaked, watching the Missourian leave her and Nebraska alone in the room. Shortly after a moment of silence, the little Kansan princess did a short prance around the waxed sandstone floor in her pretty blue dress, giggling in delight, "This place is so big! If we had music here, we could have a ball! How does that sound?"

Nebraska said nothing, continuing to stare silently at the happy-go-lucky Kansan.

"... A-Anyway," Kansas approached her with a friendly smile, "Missouri told me earlier you're a territory like me. Your name is Nebraska, yes?"

She nodded.

"... Wonderful! I'm glad to finally meet you." Kansas curtsied. "How's your day, by the way?"

She shrugged.

"... Are you shy?"

She shrugged again.

"Oh, well, it's okay," Kansas chuckled in a lighthearted manner. "I'm kinda shy, too. It's my first time visiting the capital. It's all new to me, even— Oh! I forgot to introduce myself. My name is—"

"Kansas," said Nebraska, finishing that sentence with a blank face.

"Uh, yes. That's my name. How'd you know?"

"I watched your introduction from the gallery on the third floor."

"Really? You saw everything?" Kansas spoke in amazement, completely unaware until now.

She nodded again.

"I see... Did you have any problems remembering the names and faces of all the states during your introduction?"

She quirked a brow, tilting her head unsure.

Kansas giggled, "Thank goodness. I feel much better, knowing I'm not the only one struggling to tell apart Ohio from Iowa."

"Pfft!" Nebraska quickly turned her face away.

"What's wrong?"

"I-It's nothing." She calmly recovered her composure from covering a horrendous cackle.

Kansas watched the Nebraskan brush away some of her long flaxen hair, tempting the Kansan to ask, "Do you like my braids?"

"I guess," Nebraska mumbled, "they make you look cute."

"Thank you," Kansas smiled. "Would you like to have your hair braided like mine?"

"Um, I don't know."

"Why not?"

"Well, I doubt I'll look good with them."

"Well, I think you'll look much cuter with braided hair. I can help braid it, and you can see for yourself. Does that sound good?"

"I'm not sure..."

"Pleeeaaase," Kansas whimpered, begging constantly with the most precious puppy dog eyes. "I would be so happy to braid your pretty hair. Pretty please?"

Nebraska sighed, "Fine. I'll let you braid my hair."

~ Yay! ~

Since that day, Kansas and Nebraska stayed at the capital while awaiting approval to officially become U.S. territories, forming a close and inseparable bond that vastly differed from the ever-growing distant divide between the Northern and the Southern states.

From the bitter cold days of January to the hot and muggy days of May, representatives of the North and the South debated fiercely over the passage of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, a territorial organic act that might seem innocent in its intentions. On closer inspection of its contents, however, it contained language in consideration of any decisions on slavery in the new lands. Similar to the Compromise of 1850, in which New Mexico and Utah wouldn't be restricted on the question of slavery, the territories of Kansas and Nebraska would have the freedom to choose between becoming a free state or a slave state in the future without federal restrictions. Voices from the South expressed support for such a measure, suggesting the government had no place in making intrusive decisions for the territories. Under the notion of popular sovereignty, they believed the question of slavery should be left to the people rather than politicians. In effect, it would end all national discussions on slavery, or so they claimed. Voices from the North expressed otherwise. They were frank and brutal in their disapproval of passing such an act, stating sternly they couldn't justify the evils of slavery expanding to these new lands. After all, everyone had agreed before the limits set by the Missouri Compromise. Should they ever pass the Kansas–Nebraska Act, they would be undoing over thirty years of peace between the North and the South.

Regardless, even after everyone had been warned numerous times about the consequences of its passage, the Kansas–Nebraska Act inevitably passed in the Senate and by the barest of margins in the House of Representatives.

"... Well, that fucking blows," Rhode Island muttered in his seat at a table with an old-fashioned glass in hand, disrupting the dark and somber silence in the tavern following the final vote.

New Hampshire followed that up with a sigh, "Tragically disappointing, I know."

"Shut the fuck up," Massachusetts grumbled, finishing his third pint of ale. "You voted in favor of its passage. Did you forget, traitor?"

He scowled, "I supported its passage because the president promised me it was for the preservation of the Union."

"At the cost of two territories? I think not!" He got served another pint, which he chugged furiously before slamming it down on the table. "Fuck you and that useless Pierce-of-Shit! You've doomed us! You've doomed America!"

"Brother, please." Maine gave him a grievous look.

"Damn it all!" Massachusetts ignored her as he proceeded to take his frustrations out on Illinois sitting at the bar next to Iowa. "You simple-minded snake! Have you no shame, sucking up to the South like they own your—"

"Don't you fucking dare finish that!" Illinois stood up angrily from his seat, growling, "I was commissioned to construct a transcontinental railroad from Chicago to California's house, and I needed Nebraska to be organized as a territory for that to happen. Unfortunately, that wasn't going to be possible without the approval of the Southern states. They would rather see Nebraska sink in hell than glance at me had I not tossed them a compromise of sorts."

"And you thought it would be fine to compromise millions of lives for the sake of your little railroad project," Massachusetts mocked.

"That's not it! I hate slavery as much as you and everybody else in this fucking room, but... Goddamnit!" He banged his fist on the counter. "What other choice do we have?! Do you honestly expect things to get done without the cooperation of the Democrats in charge of our national government?!"

He huffed, "Not at all. If I was in your position, I would've agreed with the South—except I would've chosen to let Nebraska sink in hell."

Iowa gasped in offense, "How can you say that? Nebraska has the earnest right to become a territory. It's for her and Kansas's sake I supported passing the act."

"Ha! That's really fucking funny to hear coming out of your careless cornhole," Massachusetts sneered. "Does that mean you're willing to justify the expansion of slavery in their home? Is that what you want for them, to see them become spoiled rotten like Southern belles at the sacrifice of the enslaved thousands?"

"N-No! That's not what I..." He fell silent in remorse.

Massachusetts shook his head in disgust, deciding to go back to drinking at his table after exhausting much of his rage on affirming his anti-Nebraska argument, slumping in his chair and muttering bitterly to himself, "Damn it... They can't get away with this..."

~ Elsewhere... ~

The Southern states were having a high time, hitting up a hotel bar in celebration of the Kansas–Nebraska Act getting passed in Congress.

"Cheers to the victorious South!" South Carolina hooted gleefully with laughter, toasting with a glass of white wine. "I can't express enough how pleased I am with today. For not only have we achieved our objective. We have also shattered the morale of those Northern scoundrels, making them out to be weak-willed losers. O-ho-ho-ho!"

"Haha! That's so true!" Mississippi clapped and laughed along with her. "They looked so sick to their stomach after the final vote. I had to ask if they needed to be escorted to a doctor. I thought they were going to urp out a bunch of ugly babies."

Alabama whistled impressed. "Goodness, Missy. I didn't think you were capable of cooking them up like a flank steak on an iron skillet."

"Cooking them up? I don't recall cooking for them. Though I do remember the taste of that flank steak I ate two days ago for dinner. No offense to the cook, but it was tougher to chew than chewing tobacco."

"Oh, Missy. Bless your heart," Georgia sighed before glancing over at Texas sitting two chairs over from her, noticing her fellow Southerner had been brooding for some time. She asked out of concern, "What's on your mind? You've been awfully silent as a mouse after the session."

"Ah, well, I can't say I disapprove of the results," Texas muttered, rubbing her neck awkwardly. "Don't get me wrong. I'm happy for Kansas and Nebraska, but I feel uneasy just thinking about the effects of repealing the Missouri Compromise. I mean, we had been told to maintain it for bringing peace between the North and the South, yet we decided to end it—just like that without a care for what happens to the Union."

"Uh-huh." Georgia slowly nodded. "I can understand your reservations. Quite unfortunate, but that's to be expected since it was only a matter of time. Whether we like to admit it or not, the truth is the Missouri Compromise was never a true compromise, as demonstrated by our recent arguments with the Northern states." She took a moment to drink some wine, exhaling in exhaustion. "It's why I believe what we're doing is honoring the republican principles of our country, giving back the citizens of every distinct community the right to govern themselves in their domestic matters as they will. That way, we won't have to listen to any more Northerners ramble on for hours in the chambers of Congress."

"I suppose that makes sense..." Texas stopped short of sipping her drink when she became startled by the slam of a door.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH Y'ALL?!" Missouri stormed into the room, stunning the Southerners into silence. "Great God! We had been told to keep the question of slavery out of Congress! For THIRTY something years, it was completely, entirely, and forever out of Congress—until we dragged it in by breaking down the sacred laws that were supposed to put the problem to rest!" She banged her fist on a table, covering her mouth in disgust. "I can't believe y'all... Laughing and toasting to what may bring the Union's downfall... I feel sick to my stomach..."

"O-Oh, dear," Mississippi frowned. "Should I escort you to a doctor?"

South Carolina simpered, "Not quite yet." She sauntered over to the Missourian. "I have something to discuss, something only you can do for us."

Missouri turned away with crossed arms, retorting, "Whatever it is, I refuse to hear it."

"Aww. Don't be like that. Don't you care about Kansas?"

"Kansas?" She looked back at her in bewilderment. "What about her?"

South Carolina smirked. "As we all know, the Union currently has 31 members: 16 free states and 15 slave states. Therefore, it's critical we even out the political landscape with the addition of Kansas in our ranks."

"Okay, but what about New Mexico and Utah? They've already established slavery."

"Well, I'm afraid they're nowhere qualified to become states yet due to complications, with the former being Mexican and the latter being Mormon."

"Fair enough," Missouri grumbled. "What about Nebraska then?"

"Who?"

"You know, the boring blonde girl."

"Her?" South Carolina scoffed. "I haven't given her much thought. Considering where they are on the map, I figure it's expected for Nebraska to become a free state and Kansas to become a slave state."

"What if Kansas prefers to become a free state?"

She sneered, "That ain't happening."

"How come? Isn't the point of popular sovereignty to let the people decide how they want to live rather than let the government decide for them?"

"That's correct," South Carolina snickered. "Our master plan to quickly turn Kansas into a slave state is to have you send lots of people to the territory and have them vote as settlers in favor of legalizing slavery in her home."

"That sounds..." Missouri grumbled with hesitance. "I don't think Kansas will approve of this."

"She'll come around. You're her neighbor and senior, yes? She'll undoubtedly look up to you and listen to whatever you say to become a state."

"Sure, but I rather not—"

"I rather not lose Kansas to those lying Northern abolitionists." South Carolina hissed, menacingly looming over the Midwesterner. "You'll do as obliged by the South. You'll tell Kansas not to worry. You'll ensure a little dainty girl like her won't have to do so much labor under the sun to develop all that land. You'll show her how much she can benefit from adopting our way of life. And most importantly, you'll do whatever it'll take to convert her into a slave state, no matter the cost. Otherwise..." She leaned back, stepping away with a callous smirk. "You already know, don't you, what can happen should we fail to make Kansas a slave state?"

"I..." Missouri lowered her conflicted eyes, clenching her fists in frustration. "I understand..."

~ Nebby? ~

Kansas and Nebraska strolled side by side along a wooded creek on a late sunny afternoon, wearing matching opaque white organdy day dresses and crowns made out of false sunflowers that were picked earlier that day. They also picked earlier plenty of wild strawberries, highbush blueberries, and red mulberries, which they carried in little round wicker baskets. Pies and marmalade were all on Nebraska's mind until Kansas interrupted their food-filled thoughts with a random question, "How come you don't talk a lot?"

The Nebraskan considered the question for a second before shrugging her shoulders. "I don't know. I don't mind talking, but I suppose it depends on the person and how comfortable I feel in the situation."

"Oh, is that so...?" Kansas wondered. "What about me?"

"What about you?"

"Do you feel comfortable talking to me?"

"Um, I guess so—"

"Superb!" Her eyes glowed like sunbeams passing through a pair of blue crystals. "What about Mr. America?"

"Um, I guess I don't mind talking to him. He can be too loud sometimes, but I've gotten used to him acting like that."

"That's good." She nodded happily. "What about the states?"

"I... I suppose Iowa is okay..." She grimaced, seemingly tense. "Everyone else though... It hurts whenever I see them..."

"O-Oh. Is it because they argue a lot...?" Kansas waited for an answer until she noticed Nebraska stop in her tracks. She looked back worryingly as she promptly assured her fellow territory. "I-It's okay! I get what you're saying. I sorta feel the same way whenever they fight in front of me. I wish they get along better, but it's supposedly normal for them..." She chuckled awkwardly. "Oh, well. It's unfortunate, but we'll hopefully not have to see them fight for a long time. Now that Congress has passed our territorial organic act, we can expect things to go smoothly for us—"

"Kansas."

"Uh, yes, Nebby?"

"It was originally supposed to be me."

She cocked her head cluelessly. "What do you mean?"

"Almost everybody disliked me when I was introduced by myself. There was no possibility of becoming a territory on my own had Iowa not approached me with a deal that would improve my chances of getting congressional approval. All it took for me was to give up most of my land, some of which ended up going to you." Nebraska made a painful expression. "I thought I was doing myself and everybody else a favor..." She gripped tightly the handle of her basket. "Instead, I feel like I made things worse, dragging you into this terrible mess..."

"... Thank you for telling me." Kansas placed her right hand over the Nebraskan's hands, assuring her with a warmhearted smile. "I know it hasn't been easy, but you mustn't feel sorry. I may not yet understand politics, however, I do know you're a good person. Even though you don't talk a lot, I can tell you care a lot about me and everybody else around us. For that reason, I like you."

Nebraska blinked her eyes in amazement. "Do you truly mean that?"

She nodded. "Everything is going to be okay, Nebby. We're going to be territories soon. When we do, we can start working hard to become states together. How does that sound?"

She shrugged. "Good, I guess."

"Wonderful! I shall look forward to celebrating that day with you by my side!" Kansas cheered, skipping ahead on the forest path toward what she imagined to be the beginning of a promising future.

~ .......... ~

Hey, hey, daddy, give me Kool-Aid!
Hey, hey, mommy, hey, hey, mommy!
I cannot forget the taste of that
Reuben sandwich I ate long ago!

Draw a circle, that's the Earth!
Draw a circle, that's the Earth!
Draw a circle, that's the Earth!
My name's Nebraska!

Draw a circle, that's the Earth!
Looking closely, that's the Earth!
Or maybe, that's the Earth?
I'm the Cornhusker State!

Ah, with just a brushstroke,
A beautiful world can be seen!
Planting trees to save the planet!
I'm Nebraska!

☆☆☆☆☆

+ The Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854 was a territorial organic act that created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. It was introduced by Illinois Senator Stephen A. Douglas with the intention of opening up new lands to develop and enable the construction of a transcontinental railroad. However, Southern leaders refused to allow the creation of territories that banned slavery. To win their support, Douglas agreed to make revisions that would repeal the Missouri Compromise, letting the question of slavery in the territories be decided by popular sovereignty rather than have Congress decide for the people. Understandably, the revised bill caused outrage among Northern leaders who saw it as an aggressive attack empowered by slave states against free states. Despite strong opposition, the support of some Northern Democrats and almost all Southerners got the Kansas–Nebraska Act to be passed in both chambers of Congress, leading to what would be infamously known as a Tragic Prelude to the American Civil War.

~

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