The second half of the meeting was starting in a few minutes and Mathieu couldn't help but feel nervous at the thought of going back in. With Francis and Arthur arguing Mathieu didn't want to be forced to sit between the two arguing nations. Usually Alfred took it upon himself to separate them but without him it was left to Mathieu. Entering he let a relieved sigh when he saw Francis and Arthur had already situated themselves across from each other. Sadly the seats beside Francis were also taken forcing Mathieu to sit across from him.
Taking the only open seat beside Russia and Italy Mathieu watched as the morning repeated itself as everyone began talking and arguing and generally creating a nuisances themselves. Surprisingly Francis was silent and Arthur was quiet as well but both were shooting glares at each other. With five minutes in Ludwig seemed to be done with the chatter and stood, "As with this morning I will give you part of the time to talk and such simply because you don't seem capable of focusing but we all came from a break so I expect you to focus, for the first half of this meeting."
At this everyone silenced themselves and sat quietly. Italy was the first to stand and present his normal absentmindedness was gone as he began. Topics ranging from local politics to global warming was spoken about and Mathieu looked on in boredom as his mind raced in worry. Alfred missing meetings wasn't unheard of, it happened a few times a year and Mathieu always filled him in anyways. Alfred missing hockey weekends was unheard of and Mathieu was far more worried he was missing that, mid hockey season the time when they would see each other the most often.
After watching Arthur freak out at lunch the Canadian could already tell others were noticing his absence and Ludwig's question when they were cleaning up just confirmed the fact. Mathieu wasn't surprised, unlike himself his brother was a lot harder to forget. Non the less having Germany suspect it was something more was worrying enough and Mathieu couldn't help but feel something on the tip of his tongue, something he was missing. Not that that helped at all.
"Guys…" Mathieu said trying to break in. Alfred had been missing for a few weeks not and he had begun worrying. Trying to bring it up with anyone was fruitless and trying to bring it here seemed to work just as well, as in it didn't work anyone. Scowling Mathieu tried to get Francis' to attention from across the table only to be ignored. Scowl intensifying Mathieu let out a curse in French sure to grab his big brother's attention.
"Mathieu!" Francis let out a scandalized sound before sending him an appalled look. "That was a horrible word, where in the world did you learn that?" Mathieu smirked at him not saying anything as everyone turned to stare at him in confusion. He ignored them and after a few minutes they returned to ignoring him.
'Can you get their attention?' Francis nodded and Mathieu sent him a smile.
"Guys, wake up and pay attention mon petit garcon," Francis said voice loud as he interrupted Germany's speech. "I believe he has something to say." Everyone turned to look at Mathieu who turned red at the eyes staring at him. After being motioned to stand up Mathieu raised himself nervously.
"I'm not certain if you noticed or not but… Alfred is missing," Mathieu said thankful when Francis silenced Ivan who tried to interrupt him. "I know that doesn't mean much to you guys but I'm his brother and I'm getting very worried. This isn't like how he usually missing for a meeting or two but he's been missing for a few months and… if anyone knows where he is. C-could you tell me?" Mathieu bit him lip in anxiousness.
No matter how much he hated being ignored Mathieu hated being stared at more. "Why would we care?" Ivan asked raising an eyebrow at him. "Stop being ridiculous!" A whack from Arthur shut him up.
"I was wondering as well," Germany pitched in. "America isn't one to miss a meeting no matter how much he hated being here." Kiku nodded in agreement. "Does anyone know where he is?" No one answered and Mathieu already knew no one in the conference room would know anything.
After a few minutes of silence Arthur let out a huff glaring at, "Well, if no one knows what's going on then I suggest we go find him. Everyone in favor?" Mathieu was the first to raise his hand, Francis was next and everyone else followed, a few reluctantly.
"So yes?"
"Well I'm going," Mathieu said standing up and gathering his papers even though there was about a quarter of the hour left of the meeting. Francis followed with Arthur walking beside him. Germany walked behind them and, rather reluctantly, the rest came along as well. Walking to the parking lot everyone stopped.
"Where should we go?" Italy asked tilting his arms looking expectantly at Mathieu, Arthur and Francis. "You three are his family, you must now where he goes to stay or something like that alright?"
Mathieu looked at the ground and looked at Italy and looked at the ground again an exasperated look on his face when he looked again, "If we knew where he was do you really think we'd be looking for him?" He put a hand to his head his patience wearing thin. He didn't understand how Alfred could stand being the center of attention all the time, it was exhausting. "Alfred has three houses he likes the best, well technically four but he never goes to Malibu anymore. Anyways, Al usually stays in his apartment in New York and his mansion in Virginia. You know the one Arthur." Mathieu nodded at the Englishman.
"Okay so we should go check them all out, da?" Russia asked smiling his normal, creepy smile in place. They had fallen into a circle and Mathieu felt at ease with the tall Slavic man across from him rather than to his side. The purple aura seeming to surround him was scaring poor Italy who was standing next to him. "So we should split up as well, you said there were three houses?"
The Canadian rubbed the side of his neck, "Yeah, there's his apartment, the mansion, and his town house near the White House. If Kiku and Italy go to America's apartment that's one house down, and Russia can head to Boston with Germany. That'll leave Virginia for Arthur, Francis and me." Everyone nodded. "So we're good with that plan?"
"Ja," Russia said nodding. "But we'll need the addresses of all these places."
"Right, right," Mathieu said pulling out his cell phone. Typing quickly he opened message and began a group chat for the group hoping to simplify everything if it was all spoken like a conversation. "I'm going to need everyone's number. Specifically yours Russia, and yours Italy."
"Vey~," Italy said bringing out his own phone. After numbers were exchanged words were spoken the group split up heading to their respective cars. As everyone began driving out of the conference buildings Italy sent out a very important question, 'where should we all meet up?'
Mathieu had thankfully thought that far ahead, 'we r all going to meet up at the Lotus Hotel in DC k?' sending the text he could only watch as Francis drove fast and rather distractedly. 'when u finish up u can hang around the city' His phone was jerked out of his hands as the car pitched to the side, the blonde was glad he had already pressed send. "Papa, what the heck?"
"Angleterre decided to grab the wheel so I wouldn't hit the roadkill," Francis growled jerking the wheel again so they were back in the correct lane. Sometimes Mathieu hated carpooling with the two bickering nations, it was such a pain. Bending down to pick up his phone the Canadian silently vowed to call shotgun next time if only to avoid a situation like that again. "Now, it's near the coast right?"
"Yes, frog," Arthur crossed his eyes in annoyance. "I still don't know why you didn't just let me drive, at least I know where I'm going." Continuing to grumble the Brit stared out the window still stuck in a bad mood from the argument over lunch. Mathieu would diffidently stop riding with these two, screw keeping them alive.