So, it all begins here. Chapter one. Follow Austria as he finds a way around his "little problem" and discovers Italy's secret talent; and Italy himself as things seem to turn for the best with the Holy Roman Empire.
The song Italy sings is "Green finch and linnet bird" from "Sweeney Todd", if you listen to it while reading, you'll get more in the atmosphere.
I know, first history blunter. But I'll try to keep history as straight as possible.
WARNING shippers: HREXchibitalia. Mild and sweet.
hope you enjoy. :D
Music Lessons
"Sigh…one more time your majesty, please."
Austria was at his limits. If the princess got the song wrong once again, he'd go berserk. "But maestro Roderik, wasn't that good?" "No, Maria Carolina, not enough. Please again."
His hand gave a tired wave to the violinist beside them which started playing all over again, pained face visibly showing. He too was now pressing angrily his fingers on the piano's keyboard instead of softly passing over them, like he normally would.
"aDEstE FIDeeeeeeLEEesS, LAEEEEtiIiIiii TrIumPhAnTeeeess…" This was too much! His fingers slammed on the keys for the most unbearable sound; and then breathed in and out to keep calm. He turned to face the archduchess which had stopped singing confused.
"Maria Carolina…dear….you should REALLY concentrate more and remember what I tell you every time." "But maestro I do. I'm fully into the musi…" "I'M TIRED! Let's call it a quits for today." As he said it, the violinist dashed out of the room with no dignity at all and the princess happily turned her heels humming the tune.
As they both left, Austria could slam his head in his favorite instrument: how could the pretty daughter of his beloved queen Maria Teresa be SO GOD DAMED off key?!
It was frustrating to give her lessons, but he had promised his queen to do so. What for? With that voice she surely wouldn't have ingratiated her future husband, Ferdinand the second, nor any music loving Neapolitan.
Worse of all? If he couldn't find any better substitute of that age for the opening "Adeste Fideles" of the annual royal concert for Christmas, he'd have to make her take it and, surely, disgrace it. This wasn't fair! He though twisting his face almost childishly. Not for an esteemed musician like him.
Oh, well….he'd find something in one way or another; now he only wanted the relief of a hot chocolate and Hungary's comforting words. He was walking through a corridor, headed for the kitchen, when he suddenly halted. He could hear a voice, a pleasant one. Just a few rooms ahead.
"Green finch and linnet bird, nightingale, black bird, how is it you sing?"
Someone was singing. He followed the sound. Who could it possibly be?
"How can you jubilate sitting in cages never taking wings?"
It seemed to get more and more pleasant as he got closer. As he reached the door his eyes widened and his jaw opened marveled. Italy was there, so cutely, cleaning with a rag the furniture; addressing her song to the caged oriental bird in the room.
"outside the sky waits, beckoning, beckoning, just behind the bars. How can you remain staring at the rain, maddened by the stars? How is it you sing
Anything?
How is it you sing?"
Austria hid slightly behind the door for a second as Italy twirled graciously across the room, following her own rhythm. Now polishing the bird's cage itself.
"My cage has many rooms,
Damask and dark.
Nothing there sings,
Not even my lark.
Larks never will, you know,
When they're captive.
Teach me to be more adaptive."
Italy gave a glorious, natural high pitched note, that made Austria's heart soar.
"Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
Teach me how to sing.
If I cannot fly,
Let me sing."
Italy finished singing but kept humming as she worked. Austria was dazzled, completely.
Why would Italy sing such a song , one he had never heard before, or the meaning of it, went beyond his understanding. However, It almost felt ridiculous to hear her ask to be taught to sing with that voice. To a miserable bird moreover, but he guessed that even that fine voice needed study and adjustment.
He definitely would enjoy to instruct such a splendid human instrument and… now that he thought about it…..Italy, despite being over 1600 years old, looked old, more or less, like Maria Carolina. Oh, god, he hadn't hoped for so much! He had discovered a way out of his problem and a wonderful singer that needed his knowledge in one go.
The day after started delightfully. Tea in hand as he sat in the big Royal palace's dining room having breakfast. "Have you called for me, Mr. Austria?"
"Yes, indeed. You and I need to have a little discussion, Italy." Italy's expression dropped. "Oh, no. I'm sorry! Did I accidentally leave the tea leafs infuse for too long?" "No, nothing like it. Don't panic, already. I was wondering, can you sing, Italy?"
Italy looked surprised. Now that was unexpected. "Well, I don't know….maybe a little. Why?" Austria snorted: tsk a little! "Have you ever overheard one of my music lessons with Maria Carolina?" Italy nodded shyly. "Can you affirm you have better skills than the archduchess does?" She turned visibly embarrassed: everyone knew how bad the archduchess was, but only few could say it out loud. "Hum….maybe a tiny, winy, little bit?"
Austria got up in a burst. That was his cue. "Prove me what you have just said." He led a confused and scared Italy near the piano in the music room, sat at his place and gestured the child to stand straight at his right. "Sing me the music scale"
"Do - Re- Mi – Fa – Sol –La - TI- Do…..Do – Ti – La –Sol –Fa –Mi –Re –Do"
Very good. Now came the tricky part.
"Do –Mi – Mi –La –Ti –Ti- Sol –Fa –Do –Re –Ti –Fa –Do –Mi –Re –Re –Sol –La –Do…."
When he realized that Italy hit the notes even when mingled, he went nasty. He increased the pace suddenly just to almost halt it. Fast, slow, Up scale, down scale, one ninth down, two ninth up.
Hey, no kidding on this part, arpeggios were fundamental!
Poor Italy followed, stressed and feeling bullied. At a certain point, without a warning, Austria kept his finger steady on a single note obligating Italy to perform a high pitched note. Yes, that was it! Just like the other day.
The clear voice echoed trough the room steady. Italy looked worriedly the finger on the key, he didn't seem to have any intention to take it off anytime soon and he wouldn't dare to stop before it.
Austria looked back at her with his usual stern expression, grinning inside. He wanted to see just how long she could take it. Then, glancing again at Italy's shaking figure he decided not to push it. "Very well, I'm satisfied." Italy could only pant for breath. "Italy, you'll perform at the Christmas concert of Vienna this year."
Italy's eyes went wide and tried to say something back, but Austria didn't bother. "Of course, you know the Adeste Fides?" "Hum, yes, of course. But, but I…." "Good. From this day forth, I'll take two hours from your regular working schedule and turn them into music lessons. You'll attend my class every day, Sundays aside. Today we're starting at 15:30. Make sure to be on time. And no, no need to thank me for my magnanimity. Just consider it your greatest pride and honor. Now, get back to work!"
Italy didn't know what to say or do, this was too awkward. So he bowed to his master and left quickly. "As..as you wish Mr. Austria, sir." Austria gave an other sip to his neglected tea cup, satisfied smiled on his lips: this was really a pleasant turn of events.
But enthusiasm had taken the best of him making him forget a little detail. A nock on the door. "Gutten morgen, maestro. I'm here for our lesson. I actually practiced a lot yesterday. You know, I'm sure I'll leave every one breathless at my wonderful opening."
Oh, yeah, her. So, he remembered. "Gutten morgen to you, my beloved Archduchess. But I must inform you that a little….. complication, yes, has arised." "What happened?" "You see, my dear, very unfortunately it won't be you to sing the Adeste Fideles."
"Wha…why not?" Austria studied her face, what to tell her? After a second he decided that HE was the nation and SHE was a little and worthless princess that would be gone to a far away kingdom soon: he'd be blunt. "I found someone that can sing that song any time of a day a lot better than you could ever dream to do." Maria Carolina froze. "So for all November and December our lessons are cancelled, we'll start over with basic lessons at January." The girl's eyes filled with tears and ran out of the room.
Okay, maybe that had been a bit too blunt. "But you can still be part of the chorus." He screamed back at her as she dashed away. And so, now even this was settled. Despite the snow, the day was truly bright.
As he rushed to get his work done quickly, Italy bumped into the Holy Roman Empire. "I'm sorry, Holy Rome!" Holy Rome helped him up. "It's nothing. You ok? You seem to be in a rush!" "I am. I have to get almost everything done by 15:30." "Is there something special going on at 15:30?"
"well…" His lips curved into a smile as he looked at the boy he liked. " decided I should take music lessons with him. I don't understand much of it, but he said I should sing a song at the Christmas concert this year." "That's splendid! I'm sure you'll be wonderful!" "How can you say? Have you ever heard me sing, Holy Rome?"
Oh, yes, he had! Many times, while stalk….making sure from the shadows that she was ok. But he couldn't really say that, now, could he? "Austria has great taste in matter. I trust in his decision and….I have the feeling you're a great singer." Italy brushed her hair back, flushed. She was perfect. Ah, he also had something to add.
"Hum, also: thank you so much for this morning. Austria doesn't approve, but…thanks for adding honey to my milk. It was a nice thought of you." "You're welcome! *Giggle* I know you like you breakfast best that way, and about Austria…what he doesn't see can't possibly hurt him, right?" Italy gave him a wink.
He smiled back at her and they stared at each other longing and sweet for a while. He was actually doing it! He had turned all red, true, but he had been able to tell Italy thanks for her caring action, and now he could look at her lovingly without crumbling apart. Things between them had gotten wonderful lately. All it took, he figured, was to be a bit bolder and less panicked. "Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I'm taking your time." "It's ok, I like talking to you. I'll see you later." And as she was running away she added "When I'm done working we're having a pick-nick together, right?" "Sure, I'm counting on it."
Italy's head remained fluttery and in the clouds all morning as he worked; worrying more of which flavor the cake he'd bake Holy Rome would be, rather than the way he was cleaning the windows or the chandelier.
But having his head in the clouds was hardly anything new for Italy, and so, in one way or another, the work piled up dimmed drastically and the time to show up in the music room arrived sooner than expected.
He swiftly brushed his hair, washed his face and hands, fixed the apron. And when he showed up, he found the young master already there settling some sheets. He closed the door and bowed with respect. "So, you're here. Very well, a short introduction first, if you please." Italy nodded and had a sit.
"My lessons cover all points in music study. In other words, you'll be learning about music theory ,history and it's different genres. As for the practical side, I'll teach you how to moderate your voice and sing correctly with awareness, and of course, it'll be sided by the study of musical instruments." "Mr. Austria, so you'll teach me how to play the piano?" "The piano, the violin, the harp and the oboe. With time you'll learn also how to conduct an orchestra."
"That sounds very nice." Italy cheered. "Good to see you enthusiastic about it. Since it's already the 2nd of November, we'll let the theory part alone for now, and we'll focus on getting you ready for the concert. Now, let's begin without further ado." He set back down in the piano's chair and motioned Italy to get up and back to the position she held that morning. "Let's see how you would normally sing the song. And 1-2-3…"
"….And she sang wonderfully, at the first try already. Well, we have to fix the downs and the "Re" but I'm very positive about this. It will be the crowning jewel of the concert!" Hungary listened happily as Austria ranted about the first music lesson with Italy.
Apparently, he was so engrossed by it that, while was only half way done, she had already finished her dinner . It was nice to see him less stiff from time to time. "I'm so happy, dear. It will be good for both of you. It's centuries I had been thinking you two need to tie up with something. Music will be the perfect bond!"
"Tie up, you say?" "Yes. After all, she is your colony and you're her ruler. It's important for you to share some sort of pleasant relationship and…you're usually so cold or sever with her." Austria's face contracted.
He sever and cold? Why, he was by far too kind and patient with that ungrateful kid, already. Hungary laughed, she could read right through that expression. So she took a seat right beside Austria and held his hand dearly. "You know…..Italy is full of wonderful sides, she's just so full of life and joy that it becomes impossible not to mellow out with her. You'll see for yourself." Austria smiled back at her as they hugged.
In the mean time, two teenagers where laying happily on a red, big and stiff carpet in front of a vivid and warm fireplace. It was Holy Rome's room and both, him and Italy, were enjoying their pick-nick. "Why don't you take the last one?" said Holy Rome smiling to Italy, motioning to take the last chocolate cookie. "Can I have it?" "Sure"
But simply having it wasn't enough; Italy opened her mouth asking him to feed her. He blushed but lifted one of his elbows from the carpet, reached for the cookie and brought it to her lips. "What a pity that it's so cold outside and we have to stay indoors." "Why? I like being with you like this. It's warm and nice." "Italy…you…hum…do you like…errr..spending time with me?" "Yes, very, very much! I'd spend all my days with you, Holy Rome." He closed a second his eyes, dreamy for his beloved's answer, and then stared at her.
It was the same for him. He'd spend eternity with Italy, just like that, smiling and staring into each other's eyes, talking in sweet whispers. She was so beautiful in the fire's dim light, which tinged red her brown hair"…You're so beautiful in the fire's dim light, which tinges red your brown hair"
Oh, no. He said that loud! PANIC. How stupid could that be? "You're beautiful too, Holy Rome. Even though the fire doesn't tinge red your blond hair." She giggled, teasingly. But Holy Rome went red alright, not his hair, but all the rest of his head.
Italy laughed once more. After a minute of pause, she softly closed her eyes and leaned forward. He felt his heart speed up like mad and his chest tighten. He also leaned forward, shaking in anticipation, placing softly a hand on Italy's cheeck, brushing her hair first. Their faces were millimeters away, their noses brushing against each other. Holy Rome looked at her a second more: her breath on him, her beautiful eyelashes, black, thick and curved upwards. He closed his eyes as well and leaned for a tender and romantic kiss.
All's well what ends well! Except the story has barely began. How will the new born love develop? Will Italy and Austria finally learn to get along?
Find out, soon enough.
If you have enjoyed, plz comment or fav. it would be most appreciated.
Even if you didn't! Let me know what you think is wrong and how it would have been better.