Chapter Seven: Slumber Party Fail
After each fail of the four dates America had been on thus far, Hungary decided that it was time to take things in her own hands. She'd had Canada question America about what she looked for in romance, and had in turn questioned Canada, but nothing he told her seemed to help anyone with their dates. It didn't make sense. Canada had specifically told her that his sister adored the southern, romantic European men, that she loved the spicy romances, though she was too shy to admit it to anyone. So why hadn't she gotten back with Spain after running away from that old proudly nude man? If she was interested in Spain, wouldn't she have tried to get back with him, try to reschedule another date? And what about Veneziano…or Romano, for that matter? America hadn't communicated with either Italian since the mafia incident that she knew of.
Someone had been wrong about America find the Mediterranean nations attractive. Hungary was positive that she had not misunderstand Canada when he had given his report, but if that were the case, then that meant that he had either gotten mixed up himself or lied to her. He didn't seem the kind of man to lie. Maybe America had lied to him, too embarrassed to admit what she really liked in a man? But then why would she lie to her own brother? It's not like Canada would ever tell anyone—well, he would her because that was the whole point of his covert operation, but he wouldn't tell anyone else about his sister's fancies!
But the first four contestants were gone now and there were three more to go. Hungary had spoken to Canada several days ago and asked what else his sister found appealing when it came to the opposite sex. He had told her that his sister really enjoyed a man that liked video games. That led the woman to believe that perhaps Japan should go next, seeing as the island nation was the only real candidate that knew as much, if not more, about video games than America. And that would be good because she had also learned that America, surprisingly, liked a man that would keep her tamed, and Japan could certainly do that. She must really be more old fashioned then I thought! Hungary mused.
Despite what Canada was telling her, however, Hungary had witnessed America and her behavior on the dates, and recently, the brunette had come to the conclusion that there was only one man in the contest that could ever hope to win over America's affections. America might think she liked some other types, but Hungary just knew that the blonde was the kind of girl that liked the strong, manly type, and Germany was just that type.
But this was all speculation on her part. She didn't know for sure. So, she decided that a new plan to get to know America would have to be enacted. It was time for drastic measures. Sitting in Austria's living room, Elizabeta turned towards her ex-husband, who was playing his piano, and frowned in thought, when an idea came to her.
"Roderich," she called from the couch.
With an irritated sigh, the brunette paused in his music, to look back at his guest. "Ja, Elizabeta, what is it?"
"I'm throwing a party here in a couple of days," she informed him crisply. "I want you to start clearing your schedule and help me get ready for it."
"What?" the pianist stood and stared at the woman across room from him incredulously. "Lizzie, I have important things to do this week! I cannot afford to have guests over now. And why can't you have your guests over at your house?" he demanded, placing his hand on his hips.
"Don't be so cheap, Roderich," Hungary waved off the Austrian's concern. "I'll provide all the food and whatnot, but we're having the party here. Your house is so much bigger than mine. I'll need the space for all of my guests."
"It's not just a matter of expense," Austria scowled disapprovingly. "This is about you being rude enough to decide on having a party here in my house without even giving me the courtesy to accept or decline on my own, or even giving me enough time to think about having guests over."
It might not have seemed like it to most people, but Hungary knew Austria better than anyone, and she knew from the answer he'd just given that he was already starting to cave in his resolve. Unlike his cousins in the north, Roderich was a bit more easily swayed, and Elizabeta had found that all she had to do was bat her eyelashes the right way, and in the end, she would get what she wanted out of him. Though, she had to note dryly, this did not extend to his political life or she would have been a free nation a long time ago.
"Please, Roderich," she stood up, pouting, making her way over to the fuming Austrian. "Won't you please let me have my friends over? It will just be for the night, and they'll be gone by the afternoon the next day. Bitte?" Austria was always a sucker for her accented German and had admitted once that he found it cute.
Amethyst eyes bespoke of his ever crumbling resolve, and Hungary kept her pout in place as walked over to her ex-husband and cuddled up against his side, wrapping herself around him, laying her head on his chest, as she looked up at him pathetically. "Bitte?"
Sighing, sounding both disgusted with her actions as well as at himself, Roderich readjusted his glasses agitatedly. "Well, who are you even going to be inviting over?"
Gotcha! "Just a couple of friends," Elizabeta shrugged innocently, drawing circles on Austria's chest with her pointer finger. "I was thinking of just America, Ukraine, Belgium, Portugal, Liechtenstein, Georgia, Kenya, South Africa, Peru, Vietnam, Taiwan, Seychelles, Monaco, Wy …you know, just to name a few..."
"'A few'?" Roderich stepped away from the seducer, taking both of her hands in his to prevent her from doing anything else that might insist he sway in his judgment. "Lizzie, what the hell are you trying to do? Invite all of the female nations here?"
"More or less," Hungary shrugged. "Oh, and Poland."
Austria looked a strange mix of confused and aghast, and he seemed to need a moment to sort through what had been told to him. "Why Poland?" he asked the most obvious question first.
Hungary shrugged. "He needs his girl time too, you know."
"This is absolutely ridiculous," the pianist muttered. "There is no way this is happening, Elizabeta. While you're up all night, giggling and gossiping and doing whatever else you women and Poland do all night, how am I supposed to get any work done? How am I supposed to sleep?" he stressed, still scowling. "You might be able to do what you like all the time, but I can't! I'm already behind thanks to your experiment with America."
"Stop being so dramatic," the green-eyed nation rolled her eyes. "You'll get your beauty sleep."
"And how, pray, do you believe that will happen? You know what a light sleeper I am!"
"Because," Hungary smirked, straightening out his ruffles on Roderich's shirt carefully. "You won't be here while my little get together is happening."
The room went silent, but in her head, Elizabeta was counting to ten, just waiting for the Austrian to explode. "I beg your pardon?" he sputtered at last. "Not be here? Where else am I supposed to go? This is my house!"
"Why, you'll be with Germany, of course."
"Germany?" his eyes bulged out a bit. "What on earth would I be doing there?"
Austria was good looking, sophisticated, and brilliant at music, but there were times Elizabeta grew tired of her lover's denseness. "Well it's no wonder you're horrible at directions, Roderich, if you can't even follow a simple conversation!" she declared, earning a stunned expression for her lovable brunette. "I'll be inviting Maria over as well, and you'll go to spend some time with Ludwig. You know those two have been having some kind of problem lately. While I'm here talking to her, you'll go to him and see what he says, and maybe we can help them settle their feud."
"B-but Ludwig won't talk to me about that sort of thing," Roderich tried desperately to not look into those bright green eyes before him, lest he fall into their trap. "He doesn't talk to anyone about his personal problems except Maria."
"And she and him are having some kind of trouble," Hungary concluded with a nod, "meaning that he'll need someone else to talk to, and that person's going to be you."
"Elizabeta, I can't just run off to Germany like this," Austria rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I'm in enough trouble for going to Italy several weeks ago. I can't keep doing this!"
Pouting thoughtfully, Hungary knew she had to think fast, lest she let this chance get away from her completely. "If you do this for me, kedvenc, I'll do anything you want afterwards," she smiled prettily for him. She might not be officially married to him anymore, but dammit all, Hungary still loved Austria, stubborn man that he was. They had been forced to end their marriage for political reasons, but that didn't mean they didn't still acted like a married couple, still engage in marital activities since they still believed, in their heart of hearts, that they were married.
Raising an intrigued eyebrow, the pianist appeared thoughtful before looking away, asking, "Anything that I want?"
"Anything, my love," she promised suggestively.
Nodding once, Austria leaned forward and captured her lips with his. Hungary took this as a very good sign and melted into her ex-husband's kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. When they broke away, his purple eyes were shining brightly as he smiled gently at her, giving her a nod. "Good." Elizabeta nearly squealed she was so excited to have gotten her way. "Because," the pianist went on, caressing her cheek, "you'll be spending the next month cleaning my house."
"What?" Hungary dropped her arms to her side, staring up at the other nation indignantly.
"Just like old times," he smirked at her, turning to walk out of the room, leaving her there to ponder if this deal was worth it. "Oh," he paused in the doorway, "and you'll be wearing that outfit I got you several years ago as you do it."
"That's a little too much!" Elizabeta argued, crossing her arms.
Austria merely raised an eyebrow at her. "So's having every female nation over for a slumber party in my home when I'm not even present," he deadpanned before he turned and walked out.
Why did she love that man again? "Germans," the brunette muttered to herself. But she couldn't waste anymore time thinking about Roderich. She could do that later. At the moment, she had to get on her computer and start sending out emails to invite everyone. She just prayed America would accept the invitation.
oOoOoOo
As planned, a couple of days later found several of the world's female nations in the home of Austria. There were quite a few people that had turned out, but not everyone came. Luckily for Hungary, America had been one of the first to accept her offer, though she was one of the last to arrive. Prussia, inconsiderate woman that she was, arrived last to the get together after not even responding if she was coming at all. The albino had probably come last minute when she'd heard Roderich was going to Germany for a visit. That girl was still a bit bitter with the brunette, always bringing up past grievances that she could use against him for one reason or another.
When it seemed everyone had finally arrived, Hungary wasted no time in making her guests feel more at home. Food was immediately distributed to keep everyone happy as several of the nations had traveled significant distances, after all. It began just as smoothly as the hosting nation had hoped, everyone seemed to relax around one other and gave themselves over for a good night, talking and smiling, laughing and joking. Well, except Prussia, who seemed to remain constantly putout. And Belarus, who Ukraine had brought along, saying she couldn't very well leave her little sister behind to miss all the fun!
To one side, Poland stood amongst all the women, telling some sort of flamboyant tale that had sent America into a laughing fit, her mirth louder and more booming than Hungary had heard it in some time. She wondered what sort of story Poland had concocted this time, but was pleased to see that at least America was relaxing. That was good. If she was going to get any information out of the blonde, she needed the North American nation calm and willing.
After food came the expected gossip time, all the women, and Poland, gathered around to share stories or anything interesting that they had come across recently. Peru proved to be a wealth of information about her fellow South American nations, telling several embarrassing stories about Chile and Brazil, some of them, Hungary had never heard of before, and she found that she was laughing just as hard as everyone else, almost forgetting her true objective in this get together in the first place. And even Liechtenstein managed to tell a rather hilarious and interesting story about her older brother that no one had heard, not even a nation as nosey as Hungary could be, and by then, everyone was in tears they were laughing so hard.
"—and so when he heard a booming sound," Liechtenstein went on, trying to finish the story through the tears, "he ran into the conference room, still dressed in the frilly pink pajamas I'd made him, rifle aimed and ready to blow a hole through those mice, but stumbled into a private meeting his boss was having with Japan's boss, screaming, 'I've got you now you little bastards! I'll show you for ruining my peace!'"
"HAHAHAHA! N-no way!" America was literally rolling around on the floor, tears streaking down her cheeks.
Even Prussia had lightened up enough to find the story as amusing as everyone else, as she was doubled over. "KESESESESES! S-seriously? He seriously did that? Keseseseses! That's so awesome!"
"What d-did the Japanese think of that?" South Africa asked, holding her sides tightly to stop the pain that stretched her sides from all the mirth.
It took several moments before Liechtenstein could even speak, before she answered. "Th-they of course thought Vash was insane and assumed he was being insulting, so they actually started yelling and stomped out of the room."
Everyone burst out laughing even harder, until Hungary was certain her sides were literally going to spilt open. Of all the ridiculous things Switzerland had done in the name of peace and neutrality, this was probably the most bizarre, and certainly the most riotous. Who would have thought that mice scratching in the wall would infuriate the Alpine nation so much? Shooting at planes that entered into his air space was one thing, but running through the house, shooting at mice in a pink night shirt with guests in the house was a completely new level of insanity on Switzerland's part.
It took a long while for the women to calm down, and when they finally did, it was surprisingly Ukraine that spoke up after. "That actually reminds me of a story about little Vanya when he was only seventy-years-old or so," she smiled fondly.
All heads turned in the direction of the Slavic nation, smiles easily coming to their lips. "Yeah?" Poland leaned forward. "Like, what about 'little Vanya'?"
"Hmm?" Ukraine snapped out of her reserve to look at the other nations staring at her expectantly.
"Yeah!" Seychelles bubbled. "What did Russia do?"
"It's bound to be good," Belgium whispered over to the side to Monaco, "if Russia did something stupid."
"You mean besides jump out of an airplane without a parachute?" Wy snickered, having heard Belgium.
Ukraine looked a little flustered, like she hadn't realized she'd spoken out loud and was now regretting it. "W-well, I'm not sure if Ivan would like it if I—"
"Tell the story, Big Sister," Belarus shocked everyone as she spoke. "I would like to hear the story as well," she admitted, apparently loving anything to do with her big brother.
So Belarus is at least seventy years younger than Russia, Hungary thought. She had never really known much about Belarus, and could never remember exactly when the girl had come into being, but then again, Elizabeta had had plenty of things to keep her mind occupied in the past and couldn't worry about some young Slavic girl. But it was still interesting to get information about the Slavic siblings and try to piece their mysterious and complicated relationship together.
"All right then," the older woman finally nodded before sitting back, smiling softly as the memory sprung up again in her mind's eyes. "As I said, it was about when Ivan was seventy-years-old, still very young, very little. Lithuania was still in his rebellious, rough stage at that time, and he would come around every so often and scare little Vanya." Ukraine chuckled, not noticing the murderous gleam in her younger sister's eyes.
"Anyway, one day, while I was very busy with meetings and negotiations for the south, I had sent Vanya out the play, but told him not to wander too far to the north or he might get into trouble. Moscow was still around in those days, you know," the Slavic woman added seriously, her cyan eyes seemed to see the events of the past before her. "Ah, Ivan was always so cute back then! He told me that he would not go far, and that he promised to come when I called him.
"Well, as it turned out, while I was working, he had come across a nest of mice. Although I am not sure why, he decided that it would be best to move them to a new home, and scooped up the nest to search out a more suitable place for them." All around the room, women were "aww-ing" and smiling at the image of a tiny Russian, bundled up so that only his nose and eyes could peek out into the world, his little scarf wrapped around him, because that, of course, was how everyone imagined Russia to be like back then.
"Well," Ukraine went on. "Apparently, in his quest, he did not realize he had gone too far north, as I had told him not to, and he wandered into Lithuania's territory. Lithuania told me later that he had asked Ivan what he was doing so far from home, but Ivan would not tell him. Toris had asked him what he had in his hands, but Ivan would not tell him that either, would not even speak, actually. And so, when Lithuania leaned down to try and look, maybe make himself seem a little less intimidating so that Ivan would speak, Vanya ended up taking the mice out of their nest, and threw the straw at Toris, right in the face! Angry, Toris swatted it away, but Ivan had pushed him backwards, and before Lithuania could have done anything, Ivan picked up a handful of dirt and threw it into his mouth!"
"That's just gross," Portugal grimaced.
"Da," Ukraine nodded with a giggle. "Toris became so angry that he started chasing Vanya, who, with the little mice in his pockets, raced back home to me. Apparently Lithuania hadn't noticed where he was going, and so while I was sitting talking to Turkey, those two come barging in, running around the room, Ivan crying, and jumping into my arms while Lithuania was yelling, still wiping dirt from his face as Turkey tried to hold him back!"
Everyone started laughing as they could imagine the chaos that must have ensued. What made it all the more amusing was the rather ironic twist that it was Lithuania that had been scaring and chasing Russia. "Aww, it must have been adorable!" Hungary gushed affectionately. She had always had such a weakness for children. She loved them so much, and to just imagine a little Russian with his little pets peaking out of his pockets was sweet. She'd had enough fun watching Holy Roman Empire and Veneziano with all their childish antics, she could just imagine what Russia would have gotten up to.
"It is in hind sight," the Slav nodded, still giggling. "At the time, I was less than amused."
"And, like, she was scary when she wanted to be back then," Poland added, smirking. "I can't, like believe Tory would chase a little kid though," he snickered. "He, like, really had balls back then."
Sitting between Belarus and America, Prussia snorted. "Wish that kid would'da kept that gutsiness," she frowned. "Maybe he would've saved us all a lot of trouble and kept that Russian under control."
Next to the albino, stormy blue eyes glared daggers at the Prussian. "Big Brother is perfect," Belarus hissed. "It was you and that nightmare Germany that were trouble."
"O-kay!" America clapped her hands together, moving herself to sit between the growling women, not realize that she was probably not the best person that should separate those two. Hungary had heard that Belarus and America had had a bit of a run-in at the last World Meeting. And then for some reason, since the moment she had arrived, Prussia had been glaring furiously at blonde, apparently just as infuriated with the American as the Belarusian.
And then it occurred to Hungary: Had Prussia figured out about the contest? Is that why she was angry with Germany, and now seemed to hate America almost as much as she did Belarus? The albino hadn't let a thing slip thus far, but honestly, why would the East German care? This contest was just the thing that someone as cynical and mean-spirited as Prussia could really get behind. France and Spain, Prussia's two best friends surprisingly enough, liked this idea from the beginning, so why would the albino care?
Unless Maria just hated the notion of the boy she'd raised going on a date with America? But why would that matter? America was a pretty good sort of person, it would certainly sweeten any German deals with the United States should Germany and America begin dating. Was there something she was missing here?
"What's next on the agenda?" America's voice broke through Hungary's fog. Blinking, Elizabeta realized there was a thick tension mounting in the room as Prussia and Belarus both continued to glare at one another and also America, who didn't seem to notice the hateful looks thrown at her.
"Oh my God! I, like, know a game!" Poland called.
"Sure, what's that?" Elizabeta asked, relieved that someone had broken the strain.
"Okay, so, like, we all write out five questions on, like, cards or something. Then we mix up all the cards, and like, go in a circle, draw a card, and like, ask each other the questions. And totally make them, like, fun questions, nothing stupid," he emphasized with a bored look across the room.
"So we should make these questions as ridiculous and potentially embarrassing as possible?" Georgia grinned nastily. "This will be fun."
"Well, duh!" Poland laughed. "That's what makes it all, like, interesting!"
Hungary smirked almost as nastily as Georgia had, and ran to get index cards and pens for everyone to write down their questions. After five minutes or so of writing, the women, and Poland, passed their cards to Hungary who shuffled them and put them in a pile in the center of their circle. Since it was Poland's idea, they all agreed that he should be the one to start the game.
"Okay!" he cried, drawing a card. "This is for you, Hungary," he turned to the woman next to him. "It says, 'Like, if you could sleep with anyone in the world, human or, like, nation, who would it be?'" A few of the younger nations, such as Liechtenstein, Wy, and even America, blushed a bit, though America, ever the follower, laughed along with the rest of the group of women.
Hungary sat for a moment, truly thoughtful and not at all put out by the question. "Well, besides Roderich," she smirked as the other women hooted in appreciation. "I think… András Stohl," she admitted.
"No way," Vietnam crossed her arms. "Of all the men in the world?"
Elizabeta shrugged. "I think he's cute and he's a great actor. There's just something about him when he smiles…Okay, my turn. This is for Kenya. 'What do you wear to bed at night?'"
The African woman smiled coyly. "Well that depends on what I'm doing in a particular night." The other women in the room laughed at the suggestive reply, Hungary completely missing just how uncomfortable America was becoming. "But on an average night? Something light, and Egyptian fine," she winked. "Men love that. Oh, but now, this card says, 'Describe your perfect man,' Belgium."
The European woman grinned like the Cheshire cat, and without missing a beat, replied. "One covered in chocolate." Even America had to laugh at that one as she had watched enough of her awkward comedies to appreciate that joke at least. "Well, I guess more realistically, he'd have to be smooth, charming, polite, and would do anything I asked him. I like a man that can take orders."
"Don't we all," South Africa sighed dreamily.
"Anyway, this is for Wy, I guess," Belgium went on. "'If you could travel anywhere with anyone, where and who would it be?'"
"That's no fun," Georgia grumbled under her breath. "Too tame…"
The young island thought a moment before blushing a bit. "I-I guess if I could go anywhere and with anyone, I'd…" she blushed a little bit more. "Do I have to answer?" Everyone nodded vigorously. "I-I guess I don't care where, but I'd just want to be with…with A-Australia," she admitted.
There were several "aww's" again by the older women as they giggled at how cute and shy Wy looked at that moment. "That's so cute!" Poland giggled.
Quickly grabbing a card, so as not to have the attention on her much longer, Wy read, "Liechtenstein, 'You're out with your crush and he just made a move to kiss you; what would you do?'"
The tiny nation surprised everyone by answering with relative calm, despite the slight blush on her cheeks. "Well, I suppose I'd let him kiss me."
"Really?" Taiwan questioned, looking a bit skeptical.
"Ja," Liechtenstein nodded firmly. "Because I'm pretty sure it'd be the last thing he ever did before my big brother tried to kill him."
Everyone laughed a bit at this, shaking their heads in fond exasperation. Oh that Switzerland…
"Okay, Prussia, your turn," Liechtenstein smiled as she drew a card. "I guess it is similar to Belgium's question. 'What is essential when looking for a man?'"
The albino was old enough not to blush at such questions, and confidant enough that she didn't even have to waste any time thinking through her answer before she spoke. "He needs to be strong, self-efficient, like beer, and can follow my orders. Anything else I'm not wasting my time on," she pronounced harshly, as she drew a card, glaring at America as she did so. "'If you were trapped all alone with only one other person in the…the zombie-pocalypse, who would it be?'?" Everyone frowned. "What the hell? Is this your own question, America?" the German scowled.
America smiled a bit uncomfortably, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah, that's mine. Am I still allowed to answer it?"
Poland frowned, probably not really approving of the odd question, but he shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. But, like, you have to tell us why you choose the person you do."
"Cool!" America beamed brightly. "Okay, I'd pick Russia."
Everyone froze as they stared at the blonde even as Belarus fumed. Coming out of her shock first, Peru shook her head, black hair falling into her face slightly as she asked the question everyone wanted to know. "Why him?"
America rolled her eyes, as though the answer was the most obvious thing in the world. "Anyone who can survive Stalin and deal with him so directly on a day to day basis can totally handle zombies."
Poland looked like he was about to argue, say something to dispute her claim, but ended up snapping his mouth shut. "Well," he said after a minute. "Why else?"
For whatever reason, America seemed excited to be able to explain her reasoning. "Well, for starters, he's really huge. I mean, he takes up, like, the whole north eastern land, expands over Europe and Asia, which makes him really strong. He's also used to fighting and pours an insane amount of strength into all his tactics, so I won't have to worry about picking up any slack. And though I'm loathed to admit it—" and she really did look it— "his AK47 really is an awesome rifle. Not as good as my M16, of course, but still good. Dude, with my new Hornady Zombie ammunition and my knowledge on how to survive a zombie-pocalypse, we'd totally survive. Like a boss!"
Silence.
"You really just don't have much going on upstairs, do you?" Georgia frowned.
"Hey!" America cried. "It could happen! And when I'm the only one prepared, then you'll be singing a different tune, and you'd all be wishing you'd've listened to me."
"How's that alien of yours, by the way?" Georgia pressed, smiling sardonically.
"Tony's totally real!" the large western nation scowled. "He just went to New Jersey for the week so he could run some experiments on the water there because he doesn't understand the concept of tanning and thinks that the water is why some of the people look orange."
"Oh my," Ukraine grimace. "Orange? That doesn't sound natural…"
"Would you just read Belarus her Goddamned question?" Prussia growled.
"Geez," America glared back at the albino. "What's your issue?" But before Prussia could have answered, the Superpower grabbed a card and read, "'You are stranded on a desert island with nothing, not even the clothes on your back'—" she frowned at that—"'but you are allowed one item. What would you bring with you?'"
"Big Brother," Belarus ground out, still looking hatefully at America, her hands balled up into fists so tightly that her knuckles were white.
Hungary had a very bad feeling that the three women in front of her would come to blows later that night if precautions weren't taken soon. But as it was, the game went on with no one plucking out anyone else's eyes and no one fought, probably due to them all watching the tensions between America, Prussia, and Belarus growing. None of the women actually did anything except snip at one another. America, despite having no clue as to why the other two were angry with her, was equally guilty of stirring up a bit of trouble, always at the ready with a snappy reply and insult to the others.
The evening went on from there, the game ended with some more laughs, more embarrassment, but Hungary no closer to actually figuring out what sort of man America liked, except strong, but that was a given. It had become apparent as the night went on that Prussia knew something was going on concerning America and Germany, and the albino hated it. It surprised Elizabeta when she truly realized how much Maria seemed to care for her brother-nation.
Although it was never said, nothing was too clear, Hungary saw through the albino's façade and realized that Prussia didn't just love Germany, she was in love with Germany. The stupid twit was getting jealous of anyone that described a man too similar to the nation she had raised, just as Belarus was also growing more and more resentful and furious all the time. America, unfortunate girl, was caught in the middle. The blonde certainly didn't deserve Belarus's harsh treatment since Russia was certainly safe from any of the American's advancement, but Elizabeta knew Prussia had a real threat since it could very well end up that Germany and America would start dating.
To get everyone away from talking, to try and defuse any chances that might blow up soon, Hungary suggested that they watch a movie. It was agreed to, and soon everyone was sitting around the large projection screen that Elizabeta had made Roderich buy before he'd left. Soon, all the women, and Poland, were relatively quiet watching some sort of Asian romance. A few, America and Georgia the loudest, protested at first, wanting something more upbeat and exciting, but eventually relented.
For at least the first twenty-five minutes everything seemed to calm down, and Hungary began feeling that perhaps she could go talk to America and needle out information, but it was with horror that the hosting nation watched as Belarus beat her to it.
"Amerika," Belarus hissed quietly, so as not to draw attention.
"What?" America whispered back, looking wary of the usually crazed nation.
"Stop talking to Ivan," the European nation growled. "He doesn't like you and he's mine."
"I can talk to who I like," the Superpower scowled. "And he's not yours, you're just the psycho who can't even see that you terrify the shit out of your own brother."
"How dare you," Belarus hissed, looked ready to explode, but before she could go on and perhaps stab the blonde, America stood.
"Anyone want anything from the kitchen?" America asked.
Several people called out requests before the American left without looking back, leaving behind a fuming Belarusian. That was too close, Hungary thought, sitting back in relief. But before she could get too comfortable, she saw Prussia get up from her seat by Belgium and Liechtenstein with narrowed red eyes. Oh shit! Hungary raced after the pair, hoping that she wouldn't be too late to help save America from the albino's wrath.
She went as fast as she could, but Hungary didn't get to the kitchen before the confrontation began. "You must think you're something special, don't you?" Prussia asked, looking like a predator as she stalked around the younger nation.
It was probably because she was too use to spying that caused Elizabeta to hang back and hide behind the corner to listen. It's not like she was doing anything wrong, this was her …er, Roderich's house—which was same thing really— and she was just waiting to see if she would be needed to diffuse a potential fight. This wasn't like spying spying, she told herself. This was different…
"What now?" America sounded annoyed, if not a bit exasperated.
"Listen, I know," Prussia growled. "And I'm not going to let you take him. You might think you're hot shit right now, being the leading nation in the world at the moment, but you don't scare me. You're still a little twerp, and I'll be damned if I let you steal West from me."
"What?" America sounded completely taken-back. "I'm not going to take anyone away from you, least of all Germany."
"Save it," Maria snapped. "Listen, I do not approve of everything you do, and you're a horrible influence on West, so just stay away, got it?"
"What is with everyone and thinking I'm going to steal their brothers, or something?" the blonde exclaimed. "First off, you can't make decisions for Germany, and even if you could, tough luck, he and I are major trading partners, so we'll have to see each other. And for the last time, I don—"
"Hello?" Hungary popped around the corner to find Prussia and America almost literally face to face as they were staring each other down. Both women were about the same height, and about the same build, Prussia being just a bit slimmer, so had they been human, America would have had perhaps a slight advantage in that sense. But both women were uncommonly strong willed and while America possessed far greater strength, Prussia had the cunning and drive to allow her to put up a very good struggle, perhaps to even wear her opponent out over time.
When the two feuding nations saw Hungary, they both snapped their mouths closed and took a tentative step back from one another. "Hi," America smiled weakly at the hostess, her blue eyes reflecting just how tired she was.
"I came to see if you needed help carrying things back," Elizabeta explained, quickly.
"Sure, thanks," America nodded, looking out of sorts from her back to back encounters with two very jealous women.
Soon, the three of them had gathered up snacks and drinks for everyone in an awkward silence before they turned to go back. America quickly left, apparently not wanting to be around Prussia any longer than she had to, but before the albino could leave as well, Hungary stepped in her way.
"You need to leave her alone," she warned.
"What the hell are you going on about?" the albino snapped.
"Leave America alone," Hungary's voice lost any civility as she virtually snarled at the other woman. "She's not done anything to you, so back off."
"She's done plenty, I assure you," Maria snorted as she tried to walk around the brunette, but Elizabeta brought her to a halt once more.
"I know what you think, and you need to let it be." Before Prussia could question her on how it was Hungary knew her recent troubles with Germany, or how she knew it could possibly connect with America, the southern nation went on. "I realize you might…have feelings for Germany, but you can't keep everyone away from him." The albino looked absolutely floored. "He has a right to be happy too you know, and you trying to keep him away from other women, like America, is just hurting him more."
"Sh-shut up!" Prussia snarled. "You don't know anything! West is still too young to realize and understand relationships and love and all that. He's a man, he sees a woman, is attracted, but doesn't know how to deal with the emotions behind it. And I'll be damned if I let some tramp waltz into his life and break his heart!"
Hungary frowned, more out of sympathy than anything else, at the bitterness in Maria's voice. "So you would ruin his chances of happiness by spoiling any relationships he might be able to form with others so you can selfishly keep him to yourself?" Again, the albino looked stunned. "You're hurting him now by refusing to talk to him and working out your jealousy issues. That's why Austria went to Germany, to try and be there for Ludwig while his own sister-nation isn't and is being cruel for what appears to be no reason at all."
"Halt die Klappe!" Prussia hissed, her ruby eyes churning with many different emotions, none of them calming. "You just…you just have to be in everyone else's business, don't you? Well you need to stay out of people's lives, Elizabeta! Not everyone wants you in it, you know!"
Unable to say anything else, the green-eyed woman watched as the albino pushed past her to stomp back into the other room to finish the movie and hand out the remaining snacks. Well, that could have gone better…
When she was back in with everyone, Hungary noticed that America had gone to sit with Peru and South Africa, far away from the two jealous European women. Ukraine seemed to take note of his sister's anger and had taken measures to restrain the crazed nation from everyone else. Prussia had gone to sulk beside Liechtenstein and Belgium in the corner, away from everyone else. Apparently, the three women had settled all that they could tonight without becoming violent. But that was well enough for Elizabeta. At least none of them had gotten into a physical fight in Austria's house, otherwise the pianist would have thrown a fit!
Sitting down once more between Georgia and Taiwan, Elizabeta sighed. I hope Roderich, at least, was able to find out more than I was, she thought sadly, regretting that now all her chances at charming and warming up to America to get the girl to talk about her love life had closed.
Arthur's Note: Hornady's Zombie Max Handgun Ammunition is now on sale for $16-$20. — Seriously, I'm not making it up. Go look for yourself. Americans have finally made zombie amo…should I be proud of my country for this? Only time will tell, I suppose. *shrug*
AK47 (Avtomat Kalashnikova )is a Russian assault rifle while the M16 is like the America equivalent…the AK47 has been proven to be the better weapon, though America can't seem to admit it here, can she? Both really are wonderful weapons and are used in both militaries, it's just that the AK47 is easier to clean and reload. (You can tell I hang around hunter/military guys too much, can't you?)
** Someone, in a review, told me that in many European nations it is illegal for citizens to own guns. Well, I DO know that, but in this story, because we're talking about the nations, I believe that they are all, to a certain extent, active militarily, and also granted special immunities in which it would allow them to carry weapons on their person. I mean, it just makes sense, doesn't it? It's just a precaution on the governments' part to ensure that their nations can defend themselves outside of their own land, right? In a sense, they're their own bodyguards at times. So…yeah, just if you were wondering about that…
Hungarian: kedvenc-(like) darling (…or so I was told. Correct me if I'm wrong, please!)
András Stohl= Hungarian actor.
'Nother Note: Well, Canada's certainly been busy distracting everyone it seems, hasn't he? Anyone want to hazard any guesses about what could possible happen next? Thanks again everyone for all the AMAZING reviews I've been getting! Over 100 and only 6 chappies! That's awesome! And thanks to all my anonymous reviewers! I really wish you all had accounts to log into so I could respond to all your kind words! It really means a lot, everyone. :) So please leave me more of your thoughts, as we come into the final stretch of men in our little contest! :)
