Chapter 2
~Ramie's Corridor~
Ramie skipped happily down a few hallways, pointing out what they were for. "There's the art hallway, and the music one, and dance down here. The kitchen hallway is that way, and we have green houses along that way. And here are our hallways! Japan, you and America are bunking in the first room to the right. Next to you guys are France and Spain, and across from France and Spain is Canada and Prussia, and to complete the square is Denmark and Sweden in the first room to the left. Russia and Poland are in the last room to the right, and I'm sharing with Hungary here in the last room to the left! If you have any problems, just come see me. And I believe your bags are already in the rooms! Now, let's go get settled in!"
Ramie grabbed Hungary's hand and headed toward their room. "We're the only girls, so I thought it was most proper for us to share a room. Poland might have been okay, but then one of us would have had to bunk with Russia, and even I wouldn't want that. I mean he's flipping insane, probably even more than I am!" She giggled.
Hungary stared at her, wide-eyed, for a second, seemingly worried. "Um… Insane?"
Ramie stopped smiling. "Yeah, not truly, but… It's a long story. I'll tell you in a while."
Hungary just nodded, knowing she had reached a touchy subject. "Well, let's get settled in then!"
Ramie grinned again. "Let's!"
And together, they stepped into their room. Ramie quickly ran over to a bed tucked into a corner that you wouldn't see if you looked straight into the room from the door. "This bed is mine, clearly, because of all my stuffies!" She squealed, grabbing a tan-yellow rabbit. "Bunny!"
Hungary took 'stuffies' to mean stuffed animals. She headed to a bed in the opposite corner (that was clearly visible from the door) and sat on it, noticing no bags around. "Where is all my stuff?" She asked the other girl, figuring she'd probably know.
Ramie paused in her cuddle-fest with her 'stuffies' and looked at her. "They put all of our stuff in drawers already. If you're missing something, just tell me and I'll tell the staff and see if they can get it for you!"
Hungary nodded, going through her stuff and seeing nothing missing.
"Oh, and your yaoi is safe... We had them put it in a different room; I'll show you later. Now I need to go see how the other groups are doing, so I'll be back soon." Ramie stood up and exited the room carrying a white stuffed bear and yellow bird, leaving a very confused Hungary behind.
"How did she know about that? I only ever told Japan..."
~Canada and Prussia~
Ramie knocked on the door of their next-door neighbors. "Guuuuuys~! It's Ramie, I'm coming in!"
She opened the door before they could protest. They were looking through their drawers, apparently, and were surprised to see her.
"Look! I have these as presents~! I know they're not as good as the originals, but here!" Ramie smiled brightly and handed the stuffed Kumajiro to Canada and Gilbird to Prussia.
Prussia smiled sadly at Gilbird. "Yeah, this is nice, but I still miss the awesome little guy."
"I miss Kumakichi, even if he never remembers who I am..." Canada reflected quietly.
"Alright, Canada, his name is Kumajiro. I had it written on that ribbon around the bear's neck so you can remember. And you can see them soon. I know where they are, and I'll show soon, I promise." She smiled. "But for now, here is your first challenge." She pulled out a piece of paper.
"Hello again! It's that country again, and I'm here with your first challenge.
For this challenge, we'll keep it simple. You must wear the clothes that will be put on your beds during dinner the whole of tomorrow, no exceptions! At the end of the day, whoever has not snapped or gone even more insane will be rewarded!
Bye for now!"
"That sounds fairly simple. But what clothes are they?" Canada asked.
Ramie smiled, but a little more evilly than they were prepared to see. "We shall see. Au revoir!" She called, walking out of the door suddenly.
"What the hell was that?" Prussia turned to Canada, who shrugged.
"No idea." And the two went back to putting their stuff away.
~Denmark and Sweden~
Ramie knocked on the door, getting no response over the commotion inside the room. She sighed and walked in.
The two were yelling at each other- over something called Mr. Teddumms.
"Just admit it, Swede! You stole Mr. Teddumms!" Denmark yelled.
"I most certainly did not." Sweden glared. ((A/N: I'm terrible at accents (especially Sweden's...), so hopefully you can imagine Sweden's...))
"Who the flying fudge is 'Mr. Teddumms'?" Ramie crossed her arms and looked at them.
"My Christmas present from Norge from back in... a while ago." Denmark looked at her. "And Sweden stole him."
"... Is he a large white teddy bear?" Ramie asked.
"Yeah! How did you know?"
"Ways. Come with me, Denmark." Ramie turned around to exit the room.
Sweden looked on saying nothing as his room-mate left.
When they reached the girls' room, Ramie knocked on the door. "Hungary, I'm coming in!"
"Alright!" A voice called back.
When they walked in, Hungary was reading Ramie's copy of Eragon on her bed. (It was obviously Ramie's copy because the cover was taped on with British-flag themed duct tape.)
"Ramie, you have great taste in books! I love this series!" Hungary smiled at her. "But why don't Eragon and Arya just get together already? I mean, come on, in the last book he should have at least let them kiss!"
"Exactly!" Ramie squealed. "And the same with Murtagh and Nasuada!"
"Oh my God, I love that pairing!" Squealed Hungary.
Denmark watched this with mild amusement. "So I take it this is a good series?"
They turned to him, jaws dropped. "You mean Norway hasn't forced you to read it yet?" Hungary asked. "Because I remember him loving it at book club."
"Um, no... And you guys have a book club?" Denmark asked.
"Yup! Norway, Romano, Canada, and I... By the way, Romano secretly loves sucky romance novels like Twilight. Same with Canada..." Hungary confided.
Ramie looked at her. "Why the duck would they like that crap? Eragon is clearly the superior four-part series."
"I dunno. Also, Denmark, catch." Hungary tossed Denmark the book. "She also brought the next three books for when you're finished."
Denmark caught the book. "Alright."
Ramie walked over to her bed. "And here's Mr. Teddumms. He was on my bed and I wondered why."
Hungary snickered. "'Mr. Teddumms'?"
Denmark looked offended. "It's his name, don't be mean!"
"Alright, alright..." Hungary waved them off. "I'm going to look for another book; one that's hopefully not Harry Potter..."
"You should try I am Number Four or I'd Tell You I Love You, but then I'd Have to Kill You. They're both brilliant." Ramie suggested as they left.
"I'll look at them, and see you later!"
They walked back down the hall. "Did you know that Romano is actually quite the fashionista? I heard some of the staff complaining about how many clothes he had; almost as many as Hungary, Belarus, and Ukraine combined! And definitely more than me." Ramie laughed.
"He's certainly quite interesting under that shell of his, that's for sure!" Denmark laughed with her.
"And I want you to apologize to Sweden when we get back."
"No!" Denmark stopped and glared at her.
"Denmark, you're acting childish. Just apologize, please. I'll find a way to get you beer if you do." Ramie looked at him.
He was flabbergasted. "You mean we don't get beer here?"
"Not unless it's a reward." Ramie shrugged. "I don't really care either way. I'm only 12, after all. Almost 13, but still."
"You're only 12." Denmark looked at her. "How are you only 12?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you're not acting 12." Denmark looked at her. "What 12 year old reads enough to give Hungary new suggestions for books? She reads a lot."
Ramie shrugged, walking again. "I read a lot, as well. And Dakota is only 9. She's getting a helper, but still. Esprit is, I believe, 15."
"Seriously? You guys are all still so young." Denmark walked behind her.
She turned around and glared. "We are not as 'young' as people make us out to be. You'd be surprised if you knew half the crap we've gone through. Now just be quiet and get back to your room, so I can give you guys the challenge." She walked quickly off again, still holding Mr. Teddumms.
Denmark followed her, quickly but still cautiously. As soon as they got into the room, he walked up to Sweden (who was reading on his bed. Something about mountains.) and apologized stiffly. "I'm sorry for accusing you of taking Mr. Teddumms."
"Alright. Apology accepted." Sweden went back to his book.
"Alright, guys, here's the challenge." Ramie held up a piece of paper and read it out loud.
"Hello again! It's that country again, and I'm here with your first challenge.
For this challenge, we'll keep it simple. You must wear the clothes that will be put on your beds during dinner the whole of tomorrow, no exceptions! At the end of the day, whoever has not snapped or gone even more insane will be rewarded!
Bye for now!"
"And I'm going now." She walked out of the room, shooting a quick glare at Denmark.
"What did you do to her?" Sweden asked. "She's not very happy."
"I called her young, and she snapped about having been through crap. I dunno." Denmark shrugged. "I wonder what the actual challenge is though."
"We'll have to wait and see."
~Ramie~
She stomped down the hall, back toward the music room. When she got there, she was surprised to see him. "What the bloody hell are you doing here?" She snapped.
"What? I can't come to see my lovely~?" He purred.
"Fudge no you can't.
"But why ever not?" He asked, put off.
"You're a git, that's why." She glared at him.
He gasped dramatically. "Me, a git?"
"Yes, you are a huge git. Now go away." She pushed him away from her and went over to grab her guitar. "And leave me alone. I don't want to see you."
"You're not acting very nice, you know."
"Oh, I know. Because I hate you." She walked out.
"But I don't hate you. Far opposite, actually." He sighed, knowing she would never hear. Then he left the music room, heading back to his own quarters.
~Ramie still~
She headed to the forest-like greenhouse to calm down a little bit, going to the pond in the center. She sat on the large moss-covered rock in the center and strummed the chords before picking out a song.
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
She could feel her mood improving with every lyric she sang, and did not notice her new visitor.
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"
She was getting really into it now.
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
She sang the next few lines, the chorus, loudly, not caring if anyone heard.
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
She soon finished the song, quite surprised to hear the clapping at the end.
"That was wonderful!" Spain hopped out. "I didn't know you played guitar."
"Oh, yeah, I learned a while ago. You play, right?" She said softly, still recovering from the shock.
"How did you know?" He motioned for her guitar, and she gave it to him gently.
"Guitars are practically known as Spanish instruments world-wide. Why wouldn't you?"
"True. What was that song you were singing?" Spain looked over the guitar, liking it a lot. It was clearly kept in good condition.
"Viva La Vida, by Coldplay." She said.
"It's a beautiful song."
"It is indeed. One of my favorites. Hey, Spain, I have to go back in like..." She pulled an iPod out of her pocket and checked the time. "Now. Wanna come?"
"Yeah, sure, why not! I don't know how to get back anyway; I followed your singing here."
She blushed. "You guys could hear me?"
"Yes, everyone could." The brunette nodded. "Hungary was going to come, but I told her I would. So let's go."
~France and Spain~
She led him to the music room to put her guitar back, then entered his room with him. "France, Spain, here is the challenge.
"Hello again! It's that country again, and I'm here with your first challenge.
For this challenge, we'll keep it simple. You must wear the clothes that will be put on your beds during dinner the whole of tomorrow, no exceptions! At the end of the day, whoever has not snapped or gone even more insane will be rewarded!
Bye for now!
"And I have to go tell two more groups before dinner, bye guys!" She rushed out of the room, heading to America and Japan's.
~America and Japan~
She knocked on the door. A voice yelled out from the inside, "No Russia, you may not come in!"
She giggled. "It's Ramie!"
America opened the door quickly. "Yo, Ramie, dude! Come in, come in. That commie bastard has been annoying us all day."
"Alright. Konnichiwa, Japan." She nodded at him.
He looked faintly surprised at being greeted in his own language, but greeted her back anyway. "Hello, Ramie-san." ((A/N: Would this be the correct honorific? If not, please tell me what would be... I fail... X.X))
"Alright, here's the challenge:
"Hello again! It's that country again, and I'm here with your first challenge.
For this challenge, we'll keep it simple. You must wear the clothes that will be put on your beds during dinner the whole of tomorrow, no exceptions! At the end of the day, whoever has not snapped or gone even more insane will be rewarded!
Bye for now!"
"And I have to go, see you guys later." She rushed out.
A second later, she ran in and football tackled America, knocking him down. "AHA! I've always wanted to do that! But seriously, I have to go now, guys. Bye!"
They stared after her. America looked at Japan seriously. "Japan, I believe we've found my long-lost sister."
"I believe you might be right, America-san." ((A/N: Again, please correct me if I'm wrong...))
~Russia and Poland~
Ramie knocked on the door of Poland and Russia, unsure if the silence was a bad thing.
"Like, come in!" Poland called.
"Yo, Poland. Um, is Russia here?" Ramie gazed curiously around the room.
"Yeah, he's in the closet. I totally don't want to know why." Poland was sitting on his bed and painting his nails. He looked up at Ramie. "Oh, can I, like, dress you up some time?"
Ramie blushed. "Um, sure, maybe, I guess, um... RUSSIA, get out here, I have your challenge."
Russia stepped out of the closet. "Da?"
Ramie took out a piece of paper and read off of it.
"Hello again! It's that country again, and I'm here with your first challenge.
For this challenge, we'll keep it simple. You must wear the clothes that will be put on your beds during dinner the whole of tomorrow, no exceptions! At the end of the day, whoever has not snapped or gone even more insane will be rewarded!
Bye for now!"
"And dinner is in a few minutes, so I'll go tell Hungary now. Bye guys!"
~Hungary~
"Hey, Hungary, I have the challenge!
"Hello again! It's that country again, and I'm here with your first challenge.
For this challenge, we'll keep it simple. You must wear the clothes that will be put on your beds during dinner the whole of tomorrow, no exceptions! At the end of the day, whoever has not snapped or gone even more insane will be rewarded!
Bye for now!"
"Alright. And I am Number Four is brilliant, isn't it?"
"Yeah, tota-"
Bells rang in the distance. Ramie clapped her hands. "Dinner time, come on!" When they were in the corridor, she yelled that even louder, getting all of the nations out. She led them to the cafeteria.
After a great meal, they headed back to their rooms, curious to see what clothes they had gotten.
~Hungary and Ramie~
"Oh, hell no! I refuse to wear a dress, least of all this!" Ramie shrieked.
"Why not? At least you don't have to wear anything too provocative." Hungary gestured at the maid's dress she had to wear.
"Yeah, but I'm not even 13 yet, derp. And this is just blasphemy." Ramie glared at the dress.
It was dark blue and form-fitting, and the sleeves only went down to just below the shoulders. "Besides, I'm going to get too cold." With a huff, she grabbed the dress and walked out of the room, muttering about getting the sleeves fixed.
Hungary stared after her. "She's such a tomboy."
~Japan and America~
America stared at the clothes. Seriously? A cowboy? And even worse- a pink cowboy?
At least he didn't have it as bad as Japan. He had to wear a frilly girl's dress.
~France and Spain~
"WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?" France cried. He had to wear very unfashionable sweatpants and T-shirt.
Spain sighed, honestly not caring at all about the very uncomfortable looking red tuxedo he would have to wear.
~Canada and Prussia~
Canada stared wordlessly at his outfit. Regular jeans (thank God) but a bright yellow shirt and a bright yellow hoodie. That had a bird hood. Seriously?
"Kesese~ You'll look exactly like Gilbird, Birdie!" Prussia laughed.
"And you'll look like Kuma-" He checked the ribbon on his stuffed bear. "Kumajiro."
Prussia had gotten jeans as well, but with a white shirt and white hoodie with a bear hood.
"Great, then we'll match! Kesese~!"
~Sweden and Denmark~
They had to wear matching very slutty dresses. And they were both passed out on the floor.
And were quite possibly going to die of embarrassment the next day.
~Russia and Poland~
Russia had to wear his own regular clothes; everyone was too afraid to give him anything that might make him unhappy.
But Poland had to wear the same as France, and was very sad now. And annoyed, and quite possibly going to murder someone. With chopsticks. Unsharpened chopsticks.
A/N: So yeah, that's it for now~! The next chapter will be Dakota's challenge, and then Esprit's. They all have different days for challenges. Also, the other characters' reactions to these characters~ I'm going to have so much fun!
Also, don't expect 10-PAGE-LONG chapters from now on, I have no idea where the hell this came from. Probably the six inches of snow. I like snow, until like five inches.
Also, still taking characters~ I love you all!
Reviews are lovely. :)
~RedWhiteNBlue