10. Rest Notes and Acrylics
Date Written: January 28, 2019
Date Posted: May 18, 2019
Characters: Austria, Veneziano
Summary: With the rise of the internet, Austria likes keeping in touch with his friends via video calls. Sometimes, he paints.
Notes: I have a little headcanon that because Austria is so lazy at times, he took to technology like a fish in water. A few other Nations who also love technology are Japan, America, Canada, etc. Those who aren't as for technology: Prussia, England, France, etc. (These are just based off the characters themselves and not the state of the Nations themselves).
With the creation of the internet and the widespread availability of technological devices, Austria often found himself quite liking the inventions very much. Unlike most Nations (like Prussia) who had a harder time adjusting towards these savvy advances (that man would never give up his journal writing), Austria naturally adapted the advancements that ultimately helped him…make life easier and more comfortable.
And no, it wasn't like advanced technology was made especially for him. That was the best part, from what he could see. Anyone could use it; anyone and everyone could benefit. Technology had come a long way and by God's green earth, Austria was going to use it for all it's worth.
So, it came to no one's surprise when Austria often resorted to Skype or other platforms to discuss business, politics, or other matters. For one, Austria felt it was far more personal than sending a cordial email with all the appropriate messages. No need for that courteous, polite nonsense that would have prevailed in centuries past. For two, neither of the parties would have to waste time and money moving from one place to another. Saving money was always a plus in Austria's book (and in others'). Finally, Austria could, theoretically, spend more time with those he liked most.
With Hungary, they would often drink tea on their respective sides of the screen and talk about the past.
With Switzerland, they would hold polite conversation while Liechtenstein would ask Austria about his opinions on her newest sewing project.
With Germany, Austria would watch him bake while trading traditional recipes.
With Spain, Austria found himself fondly telling the Iberian to kindly get his economy together and to stop sleeping! It never worked, but both parties got a laugh.
Sometimes…sometimes, he would call Venice. Long before North Italy was the representative of half a Nation, he was merely a Republic. He had been King of the Mediterranean, the trader who imported for far too low and exported far too high. Even after Napoleon had reduced Venice to a busk of his former self, Austria couldn't deny that the Serene Republic had flourished well into the modern world.
Sometimes, Austria would think about the time Italy lived in his house. He remembers the time when little Italy, still the citystate of Venice, was working under him. Those had been prosperous, happy times. But, of course, France had to corrupt the rest of the continent with his revolution. Those ideas had tainted the Mediterranean Nation. Because of that, Austria had to bid his once lackey goodbye.
And now?
"Austria! So good of you to talk to me!" A loud, but friendly voice interrupted his thoughts. As Austria came back to his desk, he could see that the deceptively young man had set up shop in front of a music stand. The resolution on his laptop didn't have the best quality, but the Austrian could see the blurred outlines of music sheets scattered with the telltale markings of music notes and signatures.
"I see you've been preparing for this lesson." Tone dry, Austria pointed to an easel he had placed nearby. Elsewhere, on the table, a vast array of paintbrushes and oil paints rested on top of the newspaper-coated surface. All of them were newly bought and just aching to be used.
"As have you," Italy remarked upon observing Austria's spread. "Shall we flip a coin?"
The brunet man scoffed at that offer. Any coin that passed through Venetian hands would surely sully the integrity of the money decision—which, of course, would result in a very smug Italian and a poor loser Austrian. The sparkling that could only hint at mischief within the young man's eyes did little to diffuse the notion.
Decisively, the much taller Nation grabbed a paintbrush and nodded towards his counterpart.
"It would be far more honorable for me—" Here, he could hear the scoff in Italy's cough and feel the Nation roll his eyes. "—to volunteer this time around. Shall I get started then?"
"Of course! But remember, gentle but sure strokes!"
