Just thought I'd add that the humans and France in this are all written by Celticknot14
The next morning the king wanted to speak to Arthur about his mission abroad. Alfred begged and pleaded to be let in to the meeting hall. He really wanted to know what had happened.
The elder nation sighed quietly. "No, America… This is just time for the grownups right now, alright…?"
"Aw… But I'm big and strong like a grownup! You said so yourself!" He folded his arms, pouting.
"Yes, I did… say that, didn't I…?" he pinched the bridge of his nose. "But this isn't about strength, Alfred…"
He looked down, silently plotting revenge for not being allowed in. Maybe he could go talk to that one man Iggy didn't like… Maybe that guy knew how to get back at Iggy for being mean…
He patted the smaller figure's back gently. "I shouldn't be long…"
Al shook his head. "No, go ahead and take your time… I got stuff to do… Like mud pies." He suddenly cracked a grin at his brother. "Yeah, I gotta make mudpies."
"Just… try not to get your clothes too dirty, alright…?" he slipped inside the other room.
As soon as the door closed behind Arthur, Alfred ran off to find the man with the funny voice.
The king and the court inside studied Arthur as he entered, one familiar looking blond man sitting beside the king and smirking.
His thick eyebrows knit together, scowling. "What's he doing here…? I thought this was just between us, not… not that…!"
The king frowned. "This is one of your fellow kind, is he not? What's the problem?"
The blond man merely chuckled and blew a kiss to England. "It's good to see you too, mon cheri Angleterre."
He glared. "Just because he's a nation does not mean we get along or ever will…! What do you want?"
The king frowned. "Sir Kirkland I must ask you to hold your tongue. We're in court now, not out on the seas. Be polite to those you meet, even if you don't like them."
France chuckled. "Do not worry yourself, Monsuier Roi; he's been acting like this to me for centuries. It is nothing I can't stand." He winked at the king, smirking.
The nation grumbled quietly, sitting down heavily. "What is all this, then? I thought I was just dropping off my payment and leaving."
"Oh non non non~" Francis chided. "Angleterre, we have business to discuss involving the prospect of trading within our new colonies. I'm here on behalf of my king who really didn't want to come-" He glanced at the king of England. "Er… No offense intended…"
The king snorted. "The point is, Sir Kirkland, that we've got business to discuss as well. Now is the best time."
He sighed quietly, rubbing the back of his neck. "…Alright…"
The king nodded and France stood up, smoothing out his suit as he did. "Now to just find the colonies… They need to be involved in this."
He blinked. Great… But he'd just sent Alfred off… "Are you certain…?"
"Oui monsuier. They have to know what's going on in their land."
He got up reluctantly, moving for the door. "Alright… fine…"
"Merci beaucoup." Francis smiled, leaving through a side door to find his petit Matieu.
Arthur trailed out of the building to look for his underling, calling out for him on occasion.
Alfred was nowhere to be found at all, having gone mysteriously missing. Matthew was also gone.
He frowned, starting to grow worried and ask around. It wasn't like Alfred to hide very well, even if he was trying to play…
A few of the servants told Arthur they'd seen him hanging around with the castle's Spanish guest.
He went stiff, demanding to know where they were.
None of the servants could give him an answer.
Arthur ran through the buildings, howling for the Spaniard furiously.
France seemed to be having similar issues. He stalked towards Arthur, demanding in furious and speedy French for him to give back Matthew.
"I don't have any bloody time to decipher your idiotic language!" He spat, puffing up angrily. "Now get out of my way!"
"Matthew is gone!" He snarled in Hetalian. "Where did you take him! What have you done to my baby!"
"I haven't even seen your colony in person yet! How could I possibly know where-" He froze for a moment, cursing quietly.
France frowned. "What's that worried look on your normally vacant face?"
"… I was told that… That Alfred had been seen with Spain…" he covered his face with one hand, trying to calm himself. There was a rather good chance the Spaniard had taken France's colonies away as well…
"Sacre Bleau! Are you serious right now!" He gasped in horror. "Normally Spain's a pretty wonderful person but if he's taken Matieu I swear I will have his favorite parts removed!"
"Unfortunately, yes…" his fingers moved to the bridge of his nose. "And I haven't been able to find him around the place anywhere…"
France growled. "Why the hell would you let Spain near your colony! You know he's been after that little boy as long as you've had him!"
"I told him to stay away from him! I made it very clear what the consequences would be!"
"Why was Spain in your castle to begin with!" He snapped.
"I DON'T KNOW!" he howled
France slapped him across the face. "Fighting each other won't get our colonies back! We have to go after them!"
He hissed angrily, holding the spot where he'd been hit. He didn't argue though; getting his brother back was top priority.
"Now, Spain obviously sailed here. Let's go find his boat!" He turned on his heel.
He hurried toward the docks, face completely red with anger. Oh the things he'd do to Spain once he got a hold of him…
The sailors still in port were bustling about their normal business, nothing looking out of the normal.
He demanded to know if any Spanish ships had left recently.
He was informed yes, a Spanish ship had just left the harbor.
"Well, what direction?" he spat, nearly fuming out the ears by that point.
"Out to sea."
He glared, clearly growing impatient. "REALLY? I WOLDN'T HAVE GUESSED THAT MYSELF! WHAT DIRECTION DID HE HEAD?"
The old sailor gestured around at the land. "Out."
"NORTH, EAST, SOUTH, OR WEST YOU DOLT? IT'S NOT THAT HARD!"
"You are very rude, sir. I shall not answer your questions." The man folded his arms.
He looked around frantically, trying to find any of his crew or the Spanish ship that had been seen. They weren't supposed to head off for another few months, though…!
His first mate was at the docks, flirting with a couple girls.
He snarled, stalking over to him.
The man looked over, paled, and snapped at the girls to flee for their lives. They ran away in a hurry when they saw the angry captain approaching.
"Where's the rest of the crew?" he hissed, "There's been a change of plans."
"They've probably taken to the pubs, sir." He frowned. "Change of plans? But aren't you supposed to be at the palace today?"
"I was, until something came up. We leave for Spain today." He turned and started off to find the others, not bothering to wait for further protest.
The man stared after him. Spain? But Captain Kirkland hated that place… Well, there must've been a good reason for him wanting to go there, then. He hurried off to help look for the crew.
After he'd gotten a sufficient amount of men back for sailing, the Brit made his way back to the ship to have it prepped, making sure they had plenty of ammunition and armaments.
France was on deck at the moment, ordering the first mate and who he'd found around the deck. All in all, the ship was ready to set sail by sundown.
Arthur scowled, moving over to France. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm helping ready your ship." He snorted, folding his arms. "Why?"
"Because- E- I-…" He snarled, letting it drop and stalking off. He did notwant to be at sea with that wanker… Not for a week, nor a day or an hour or a minute. But if it meant getting his Alfred back quicker…
France smiled triumphantly and resumed ordering the men around.
England did what he could to get them started before heading to his cabin to tidy it in a rage. He hated keeping all these emotions bottled up… especially when they were so negative, on top of being directed towards Francis. Normally he would have been happy to scream at the Frenchman…
The first mate gave him a courtesy call to tell him when they'd left the harbor. He asked for a direction or a heading or something to tell them where to go.
He paused for a moment, cursing himself quietly. "…Did you happen to see the Spanish ship that left the harbor a few hours earlier in the day…?"
"Yeah I did," He nodded to emphasize his point. "Guy with a red coat and brown ponytail at the helm. Looked really happy about something. Why?"
"Follow that ship." His eyes glinted slightly, half with fury and the other not quite recognizable "That's our target. I want that man dead and that ship raided." He stopped again, glancing back. "There should be two smaller children. As soon as we can get them onto this ship, do what you will with the other. I simply never want to see that vessel or any of its crew afloat ever again."
The first mate paled, never having seen his captain like this before. "A-Aye, sir. Um… If I may, what did the man do to earn this sort of ire from you?"
"It's nothing that requires publication." He growled. "Just do as I say." he sat down on his cot, fastening an eye patch over his left eye. He really didn't want to be going through this again so early…
The man hurried out, calling out orders to follow the course he'd seen the Spanish ship take.
The Brit sighed quietly, moving to his desk to start laying out their general plans and plotting up ways he'd deal with Spain. He couldn't help a certain frustrated fog that spread through his chest. Dang it, Alfred…
France was out on deck, helping the sailors as best he could. He'd never been one for the pirate aspect of sailing, much preferring to cruise around the Mediterranean near his home. That is, if he was on a boat at all.