Sweeny Todd: The Demon Nation of Hetalia Street
Chapter 4: … another trips and swears…
When Maddie got to school on Monday, she was surprised to find the area in front of her locker occupied again, and by the same person, no less. And this time Arthur was not alone. Alfred stood next to him. They both were scowling, facing pointedly away from each other. However, once they caught sight of Maddie, they both smiled. Maddie hurried over to her locker, uncomfortably aware of the unusual amount of gazes looking at her.
"Hey, Mads! What's going on?" Alfred asked excitedly.
"You're the ones at my locker. You tell me."
Alfred's arm came down around her shoulder. "Can't I say hi to my favorite sister without an ulterior motive?"
Maddie's eyes widened and she smiled slightly at the familiarity of his words. Despite claiming to hate each other, Alfred and Arthur responded to some things almost identically. "I'm the only sister you've ever had, and technically I'm not anymore. Anyways, neither of you show up unless you either want a favor or someone to vent to."
Arthur laughed dryly. "Unfortunately, that is true. Clearly something we need to work on."
"Speak for yourself, Iggy. We always sit together at lunch, right, Mads?"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I" Alfred coughed. "I mean, we wanted to make sure you got a call back. If you didn't, Gilbert clearly needs to get his ears fixed."
Maddie shrugged off Alfred's arm and turned to Arthur. "I did. And speaking of Gilbert, how much did you tell him?"
Arthur looked puzzled. "How much did I tell him about what?"
"About me."
Arthur turned bright red. "Um, well, I don't… wait. How did you know I told Gilbert anything?"
"I sent him an email because I have art club tomorrow afternoon, so I'm going to be late. His reply was friendly, but what really interested me was the post script."
"What did it say?" Alfred asked.
"'Why didn't you tell me you were Eyebrows' kid sister? He's told me all about you!'"
Alfred laughed. "Eyebrows? Nice nickname you've got there, Iggy!"
"Shut it, git."
She squeezed by them and spun her lock. "I didn't realize exactly how much that might mean until he asked me about the ice skate incident." She added. She blocked out the ensuing argument, and focused on entering her combination. 61-33-43, there!
The other two stopped bickering the moment it opened. The large poster taped to the inside of the locker door had escaped Maddie's notice, but not her former foster brothers.
"Um, Mads, is there a reason you have a giant poster of a yellow thing on your locker door?"
"Huh?" Maddie turned to look at said door. Sure enough, there it was, staring her down cutely. She blinked and shook her head before quickly grabbing her books and slamming her locker shut.
"Mads? Did you hear me?"
Maddie turned to Alfred, trying to hide her smile. "Yes I did." She began to walk off.
"Well then?"
She stopped quickly and looking back over her shoulder, retorted. "Because it's awesome."
Arthur's eyes widened. She stopped trying to hide her smile. "Good, you've got it. Oh, and Alfred?"
"Yeah?"
"It's called a chick."
And with that comment, she walked off to her first period Trig class.
During class…
While the SMART Board was starting up, Mrs. Willbanks turned to the class. "Turn to page 71 when open up your books to Unit 1.2."
"What page is it?" asked Patricia Moore, having been focusing her glare on Maddie's back.
Maddie had been trying to ignore Alfred's girlfriend's glare, but snickered along with the rest of the class before answering, "She already said page 71, Patricia."
As she flipped to said page, a note fell out of the book. She quickly picked it up before any one saw it. Opening it, she found a quick message.
Hey Maddie!
Having fun in Trig? Hope you like the awesome poster!
See you soon,
-Gil ('v')
The smiled that lit up her face did not go unnoticed by the fuming girl behind her. Patricia silently planned how to corner the other girl after class.
Later…
Just as Maddie walked out of the classroom, she was pulled over and pushed against the wall by Patricia. "Who the hell do you think you are, tramp?"
Maddie's eyes widened. "Huh?" She was still holding Gil's note in her hand, and it was the main thing on her mind.
Patricia growled. "Who the hell do you think you are, talking to my boyfriend?"
Maddie rolled her eyes. "His sister, duh."
Patricia snatched the note. "Just that? Then why is he writing you notes?"
Maddie struggled to reach for in, her glasses knocked askew. "It's not from Alfred! Donnez-lui retour, putain!"
Patricia smirked. "Sorry, I don't speak your stupid language. What was that?"
Another voice cut into the conversation. "She said, 'Give it back, whore!' And I do not appreciate you insulting my mother tongue."
Maddie looked over. "Francis!"
Her cousin smiled. "Mon petit Madeline! Ces problèmes, vous êtes en!"
She wiggled out, snatching her note from the hand of the sputtering cheerleader. "Oui, oui, une petite armada." She walked over to him.
Francis hugged her. "Nous devrions aller avant le dragon reveille." He said, waving at the still stunned Patricia.
Maddie looked back. "Oui. Allons-y!"
Just before lunch…
Maddie glanced at the clock in the corner of her computer screen. If it was right (she didn't count on that) 4th period was almost over. She shifted in her seat, impatient and curious. She had found notes in every class. One had been in her history textbook (in Chapter 6: The War of Austrian Succession), another was in her English notebook, and the last one had been her background when she logged in. She looked at the four notes.
Hey Maddie,
Having fun in Trig? Hope you like the awesome poster!
See you soon,
-Gil ('v')
What's up, Maddie?
Is this chapter awesome or what? Frederick II is the coolest ruler ever!
-Gil ('v')
Maddie!
How's the Scottish Play? Don't say it!
-Gil ('v')
Wait.
The last one puzzled her. It must have taken a lot of work to set up, hacking into her account and changing the picture. Leaving such a simple note after all that effort seemed pointless.
However, as the bell rang and all the other students rushed out of class, Maddie did as the note said. She waited, covering it up by logging out and gathering her things.
She didn't have to wait long. Without any warning, the door to the classroom was slammed open. Gilbert strode into the room, followed by Francis. When he reached Maddie, he only said "Hi" before grabbing her hand and towing her out of the classroom.
"Ah, my bag!"
"Taken care of." Gil replied. Maddie quickly looked back to see that Francis had grabbed said bag and was following them.
When they came into sight, most people only stared for a second before shrugging. The students of Hetalia High had grown used to Gilbert, Francis, and Antonia's mad antics, and no longer hurt their brains trying to figure out the whys. The few second glances were mostly wondering where the third member of the Bad Friends Trio was and which student was the unfortunate victim this time.
Maddie soon realized where they were headed. "You know, I would have gone to the cafeteria anyway." She mumbled.
"Yeah, but this way is more fun!"
"Do you have super-hearing or something?"
"You're just not as quiet as you think."
He had to have super-hearing. No one else heard her when she spoke unless she put in a lot of effort.
While she was thinking, they arrived at the cafeteria doors, which Gil opened the same way he opened the classroom door. By kicking it.
The people inside didn't even flinch as the doors slammed. The only person who openly reacted was Tonia, who waved, calling, "Gil, Francis, did you get her?"
Gil responded by giving her a big thumbs up while waving the hand that held Maddie's wrist in the air. They made their way over to the table, which was also occupied by two other boys. One sat directly across from Tonia with his face buried in a book. The one sitting next to the perpetually happy girl wore a grumpy expression that quickly changed when she turned and hugged him. "Lovi, they're here!"
Lovi's face was bright red as he snapped back, "I can see that, moron!"
Having been on the receiving end of many an overenthusiastic hug, Maddie smiled sympathetically at the flustered Italian. Surprisingly, he smiled back.
Before she could do anything else, Gil sat her down next to the other boy. She turned to greet him, and her lilac eyes met bright green ones under…'oh my.'
"Arthur?"
"Maddie? I thought you sat with that idiot at lunch."
"I did." Maddie looked quickly over at the albino whistling innocently.
Arthur followed her gaze. "Ah, so you've been kidnapped as well?"
Francis rolled his eyes. "Always so dramatic, mon cher."
"Shut it, frog!"
Francis held a hand to his chest in mock offense. "Oh, I am 'urt. You wound me so deeply."
Maddie rolled her eyes and commented quietly, "Je pense que vous êtes le plus dramatique personne ici, cousin."
Apparently she really wasn't as quiet as she thought she was. At her words, Francis flung himself across the table at her, sending them both tumbling to the ground. "Mon doux Madeline, vous avez été corrompu par cette bouché anglais!"
Maddie raised one eyebrow. "What makes you say that, Francis? In what way has Arthur 'corrupted' me?"
Above them, Arthur sputtered. "Corrupted? Me?"
"'Ow else would you explain you're defense of 'im? Next you will say you like scones more that croissants!" Francis moaned.
Maddie rolled her eyes. "I only spoke the truth. Besides, scones aren't that bad." At Francis's astonished stare, Maddie added, "Not as good a croissants, but still, not bad."
Francis was not consoled. "I 'ave lost her!" he wailed.
Maddie looked away. "All this is just proving my point. Also, can you get up? My legs are starting to fall asleep."
Before Francis could respond he was picked up by the back of his shirt and tossed off by an irritated Arthur. Ever the gentleman, he offered Maddie his hand with a small smile.
Maddie took it, blushing slightly. She then brushed herself off and sat back down. Looking up, she asked, "So, where were we?"
The others were all looking at her with various expressions. Gil was grinning like a mad man. Lovi looked at her with the same sympathy she had given him earlier. Francis, who was pulling himself up with the table, was pouting. Tonia was smiling (big surprise) with a look of respect in her eyes. Arthur just smiled wearily. Nowhere, on any of their faces, was there shock or surprise. After a slight pause, the conversation picked back up.
However, the calm did not last for long.
"There you are, Mads! Where have you been hiding? I've been looking for you everywhere!"
Arthur groaned and rolled his eyes. "What is this, the idiot parade?"
Maddie dropped her head in her hands as she saw Alfred squeezing between two tables to get to her. "No, just it's just 'Annoy Maddie Day.'" She muttered.
At least her voice was still quiet enough to elude Alfred. "How come you're sitting here?"
Arthur's voice was cold as he responded. "Maddie was invited ("Oh, sure, now it's invited." Francis grumbled) to sit with us today. Why, is there something you want her for?"
"Arthur?"
"Yes, hello."
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Getting an education. Why are you here?"
"I mean, what are you doing here?" Alfred gestured at the table.
"My answer hasn't changed, git."
Alfred rolled his eyes. "So, Arthur, what have you learned?"
"I've learnt many things. For one, apparently I've 'corrupted' Maddie." He made air quotes with his fingers.
Alfred sputtered. "Wha-what? How?"
"That's another thing I've learnt. Apparently, Maddie thinks scones aren't that bad. Francis feels this is grounds for a mental break down."
Alfred turned to glare at the Frenchman, who was rubbing his head, glaring at Arthur. "What's it got to do with him?"
Maddie rolled her eyes. "He's my cousin, Alfred. And Francis, don't rub at it, you'll lose your precious hair."
Francis's hand darted down. Alfred's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes, Alfred. I've told you this at least five times."
"Oh. Must've forgot." He turned back to Arthur. "Learned anything else?"
"For the last time, it's learnt! And, as a matter of fact, yes, I have. Did you know that today is 'Annoy Maddie Day'?"
"I'mgonnagogetlunch!" Maddie rushed, standing suddenly and running off. Gilbert, grinning, followed her.
Alfred looked after her, confused. "But Maddie always brings her lunch."
"Read the atmosphere, imbécil."
They turned their heads to the unexpected source of the comment. Tonia took her hair down and leaned forward, trying to redo her messy bun.
Francis was the first to speak. "Mon ami, although I agree with you completely…"
"¿Qué?" Tonia asked, looking up from between curtains of curly hair.
Arthur finished his sentence. "You're not usually the most observant person yourself, dear."
She flipped her hair back up and looked at her friends pointedly. "I'm a girl, too, in case it escaped your notice." She tried to do her hair for a few more seconds before she gave up, mussing her hair. "¡Mierda! ¡Odio a mi pelo estúpido!"
Lovino got up. "Oy, tomato idiota, mi permetta di fare che." Tonia's hands dropped and Lovi quickly tied her hair up in an efficient bun. At the surprised looks he got from the other boys, he sputtered, "I have a sister, carognas!" He rounded on Alfred, "And what are you still doing here, cazzo-capo americano!" Having no answer, Alfred took the heroic way out, and fled.
Ignoring his rant, Tonia leaned her head back against him. "Gracias, mi querido." Lovi turned bright red, causing her to jump up and hug him, squealing, "Lovi, miras al igual que un…"
"Non ci dicono che!"
"¡TOMATE!"
"ARGH!"
Arthur resumed reading and Francis resumed eating.
In the lunch line, Maddie opened her mouth to explain herself. "Gilbert, I…"
"I told you to call me Gil!" The Prussian cut in. "And, let me guess, you bring your lunch?"
Looking down, Maddie nodded sheepishly.
Gil just grinned. "Had a feeling." When she looked up, surprised, he added, "No one related to Francis would touch this food."
Maddie glanced at said food, her face scrunched up in disgust. "What is that?"
He followed her gaze. "Fop?"
A small smile crossed her face. "Finest in the shop?"
Gil glanced down the line, looking at the other choices. "Unfortunately, yes."
"Not much of a choice, is there?"
"Let's just say, I'm glad I've brought my lunch, too."
He steered her out for the line, and right into Alfred. Maddie gulped. "Hi, Al."
He was frowning. "Don't you bring lunch?"
"Ah,"
Gil came in with a quick save. "She heard my stomach growling and decided to take pity on me."
Al's frown didn't disappear. "Then why didn't you get anything?"
"I value my life too much. Honestly, I think Artie's cooking is safer."
This chance to make fun of Arthur brought Al's grin back in full force. "Is that even possible?"
"I wouldn't have thought so."
"Guys!" They both turned to Maddie, who was standing arms akimbo. "Leave poor Arthur alone. At least he tries to cook, unlike someone I could name."
"Mads!" Alfred gave her his best wounded-puppy look.
It didn't work. "I never heard you piping up for cooking duty when we lived with the Kirklands."
Gil was holding out his hands. "Whoa, ruhig, mutter bär. Your little cub attacks me too!"
Maddie turned red. "Wha-what does that mean?"
Gil looked away. "N-nothing!"
Now Alfred was interested. "What does it mean?"
"Mother bear." Gil answered before high-tailing it back to the table.
Alfred laughed. Maddie punched him in the arm. "Ow, sis! What was that for?" Maddie just scowled. "Anyway, come back to our table! We miss you!"
She snorted. "Ne Patricia mlle moi?"
He looked confused. "Huh? What does Patty have to do with anything?"
Maddie rolled her eyes. "She's your girlfriend, Al. Besides, I'm already sitting with Arthur." And with that, she left.
At the end of the day…
Maddie had been surprised to find more notes in her fifth and sixth periods. She found the fifth in between the pages of her Latin packet and the sixth in her Chemistry textbook.
Maddie,
I hope you had fun at lunch. Utor vestri dies!
-Gil ('v')
Maddie,
Man, Chem is dull. I think 32 is mein bruder's favorite.
-Gil ('v')
When she got to her locker, Maddie was not surprised to find another note from him taped to her door. What did surprise her were the other notes joining his. She quickly peeled them off and put them in one of the folders she was taking home. She shoved the rest of her things in her locker and ran out the door to catch her bus. Once she was on and her headphones were in, she opened her folder to look at them.
Mads,
I hope your not mad at me! Please call me
so we can talk! Love ya, sis!
-THE HERO
Maddie smiled slightly, noting his bad grammar. "Love you too, Al." She looked at the next one.
Maddie,
It was a pleasant surprise to see you at
lunch today. I hope you will sit with us
more often.
-Arthur
Maddie was not blushing. Not at all. Nope. Next!
Maddie (right?)
I don't usually write these, cause they're
stupid and only potato brain would like it,
but I figure I should, as the only normal
member of our table, warn you.
THEY'RE ALL BATSHIT INSANE!
-Lovino
She laughed. It was surprising to find a note from him, but the contents were not.
Maddie,
Bienvenido! Lo siento. Mis amigos can be
a little insensitive. But I am happy that I
am not the only girl anymore! Gracias!
-Antonia ('*')
No one else besides Antonia could create a tomato out of symbols on a keyboard. Well, maybe Lovino.
Mon cher!
Je suis donc heureux de vous avoir manger avec
nous! Sinon, comment suis-je faire en sorte que
vous mangez correctement! Étreintes et baise!
-Francis (V)
"I am so happy to have you eating with us! How else am I to make sure that you eat properly! Hugs and kisses!" Maddie translated under her breath, and then groaned. She's deal with that one later.
Maddie,
You're sitting with us tomorrow, right? I'll see
you then. Don't forget call-backs!
-Gil ('v')
Maddie's brow furrowed slightly. Was she sitting with them tomorrow? She shook her head slightly. 'I'll worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.' She decided.
The bus pulled up to her house and she got out. She hurried inside and shed her bag and shoes at the door, calling out, "Tante, Oncle, je suis accueil!"
Her aunt stuck her head out from the kitchen. "Madeline?"
"Oui, Tante Jeanne?"
"Pouvez-vous prendre à la poubelle?"
"Oui. C'est Francis accueil?"
"Non. Merci, chéri."
"Bienvenue."
As she was taking the trash out to the barrel, Francis's car pulled in. She crossed her arms and waited as he got out. When he noticed her, he smiled. It was the kind of smile that would make most girls' hearts melt, but after living with him for a while, Maddie had grown immune to it.
"Mon cher! You were waiting for moi?"
"Non. I'm taking out the trash."
He reached out and pulled her into his hug. "No need to be shy!"
Maddie waved the bag in his face and he quickly released her. "No, really."
Francis held his nose delicately. "Well, then, why did you stop when I pulled in?"
She reached into her pocket and handed him his note. "You know very well what I eat. You pack my lunch yourself." She walked away, continuing with her job as if she had never stopped.
Francis smiled again before bursting through his front door with his usual flair. "Maman, Pére! Je suis accueil!"
Translations:
French
Ces problèmes, vous êtes en!- Such problems you are in!
Oui, oui, une petite armada- Yes, yes, a small armada
Nous devrions aller avant le dragon reveille- We should go before the dragon wakes
Allons-y- Let's go (my little Doctor Who reference!)
Je pense que vous êtes le plus dramatique personne ici- I think you're the most dramatic person here
Mon doux- My sweet
Vous avez été corrompu par cette bouché anglais- You've been corrupted by this stuffy Englishman
Tante- Aunt
Oncle- Uncle
je suis accueil- I'm home
Pouvez-vous prendre à la poubelle?- Can you take out the trash?
C'est Francis accueil?- Is Francis home?
Spanish
imbécil- idiot
¿Qué?- What?
mierda- shit
Odio a mi pelo estúpido- I hate my stupid hair
Gracias, mi querido- Thank you, my dear
miras al igual que un…tomate- you look like a…tomato
Bienvenidos- Welcome
Lo siento- I'm sorry
Italian
tomato idiota- tomato idiot
mi permetta di fare che- let me do that
carognas- bastards
cazzo-capo americano- shit-head American
Non ci dicono che- Don't say it
German
ruhig- calm down
Disclaimer: I don't own anything! I am also poor, so suing me will get you next to nothing!
Author's Notes: Sorry this was so late, but life, that pesky thing, got in the way of you that can spot the Sweeny Todd reference (aka, are as big a theater nerd as I am for putting it in) in this chapter get another cyber-cookie! To get the reference in Maddie's locker combo, just Google search "Canada 613 343" and enjoy. Also, as far as teachers and other school staff go, I'm naming them after memorable teachers of either mine or my siblings. I just gave them different subjects. Other minor non-Hetalia characters are named after other people, whether it be friend, family, or annoyance. (Sometimes it's hard to tell them apart.)
I'm writing this based on the play not the movie. For those of you that don't know, there are some differences between the two. However, the movie is the reason why I cast Sweeny Todd, and not another play, which I won't name in case I decide to go back to that later. Reviews are my creative nourishment, so the more reviews I get the faster I write. R&R, people! And Hasta La Pasta!
-Hikari