Off to the pub
"Russia, right?"
Russia beamed happily. The redhead remembered his name! And he appeared happy to see the tall Russian.
"Da!" He replied joyfully.
Scotland nodded before glancing behind Russia. He was still looking out for France and when he was sure that the French man was gone, he returned his full attention to Russia. Of course Russia didn't know this so was very curious.
Russia surveyed Scotland. The Russian had only ever seen him in his bright blue uniform that hung loosely from him. Today, he wore casual clothes; thick jeans which hung low at his hips and no shirt and a thick silver-coloured steel chain around his neck. Russia marvelled at how he could stand the chilly air with so little clothing. It wasn't any where as near as freezing as Russia but it was still cold in this country with this damp weather.
Scotland stood, blocking the door but not making it obvious. He noticed that the red head didn't automatically invite him into castle. It seemed that Scotland still didn't totally trust the beige haired man.
"Can I come in?" Scotland paused. He looked unsure of whether to let him in or not. "I brought something to drink. You did invite me for a drink, da?" He held out the crate of vodka. Scotland opened his mouth then closed it again. He nodded cautiously then smiled again.
"Aye. I did invite ye fer a dram. It would be rude of meh ta change me mind." Russia smiled brighter and Scotland couldn't help but grin back. Scotland may not be the most trusting but he was friendly to strangers unless provoked to act otherwise.
"I'll grab me coat and we'll gah ta me favourite pub."
"To a pub?"
"Aye. Drinkin' is moore fun at a pub." Russia nodded excitably.
"Come in while ye wait." The red head lead him into the castle. The door slammed shut behind them without either one touching the door. Russia jumped a bit but Scotland didn't even seem to notice it.
Compared to the ancient looking exterior and surroundings, the inside was surprising very modern, shiny and clean looking.
He showed Russia to a medium sized room that acted as a living/games room. It had a huge flat screen TV hooked up to a DVD player, a wii and an x-box. One entire wall of the living room had a large book case. 1/4 of the book case was books while the other 3/4 were stacks of DVDs and games.
"Make yerself at home." The red head disappeared quickly.
Russia giggled. His plan was going well. Soon his precious Scotland will be drunk like England and it will be easy to take him home.
Russia examined the room with interest after placing the box of vodka down. It was quite stylish but not very informative of Scotland's personality. It seemed that this room was mainly designed to entertain lots of people rather to relax in. He scanned the DVDs, games and books. He was surprised by the number of classic novels and old books. Some of the books were so old and worn, they looked ready to crumble. The DVDs were a wide variety, as were the games. Russia had soon memorised the room.
It didn't suit Scotland's image.
Many of the DVDs seemed to be for someone else, some being kid's films and others being romantic comedies. Most of the games were competitive or fighting games for more than one player.
It was a room made for Scotland's guests and visitors, not for the redhead himself.
Russia was more curious about the rest of the house. He hoped it would reveal more about Scotland than this simple room. He exited the room quietly. He looked along the corridor and carefully memorised the layout. The castle was huge and it would be inconvenient to get lost.
He made his way down the first hallway, peeking in different doors. Small wisps of light and shadows trailed after him, without his notice. Small invisible creatures watched the tall man. The first five rooms were fairly large, shiny and modern like the room he was left in. They included a bathroom, a kitchen (with a cooling chocolate cake) and three guest bedrooms.
However the sixth one was very different. It was ancient looking and matched the castle more. It was a huge study with a large wooden desk in the middle. It looked expensive and well carved. Russia guessed that it might actually belong in a museum. It had unlit torches on the walls and a suit of armour in the corner like the stereo-typical castle but it also had modern things like proper lighting and new looking book shelves on the wall.
Something moved in the corner quickly but when Russia checked, nothing or no one was there.
Russia wondered if any other room was like this. He checked the next four rooms and they were old designs and layouts, with equally old but well kept furniture. In each room there were a couple of new, modern fixtures to make them more comfortable and easier to be in.
Russia smiled as he figured out the castle's design. Scotland had remodelled a few rooms to cater and accommodate to any guests but the rest of the gigantic castle was left mainly untouched so it kept its retro charm.
If the beige head had free time, he would love to explore the entire castle's grounds. He giggled at the thought of finding out about Scotland from his home. He decided to visit later.
Russia navigated himself back to the first room, taking a couple of wrong turns. He felt that things were following him but every time he checked behind him, nothing was there. The hallways and corridors criss-crossed in a complicated pattern so finding your way around was difficult but Russia eventually made it back to the living room.
He had only just sat on the huge sofa when Scotland reappeared.
He wore a white t-shirt. Over his white t-shirt, he wore a snug dark blue sleeveless hoodie with black horizontal black stripes and a picture of Jack Skeletons head. It looked good on him. He glanced at something in midair before turning his full attention to Russia. He smiled slightly but his eyes were hard.
"So did ye like tha toor?" Russia blinked before blushing. He didn't think that he would get caught.
"How did you know?"
"Ye smell like vodka, sunflowers and iron." Scotland mentioned lazily. "It wasnae hard ta notice yer scent all ova tha place." He didn't look particularly pleased. Russia smiled slightly.
"I'm sorry, da. I was just curious."
"Tha's barry and all but tell meh first. Me home ain't exactly a safe place." The red head spoke in a slow, low voice that sounded like a mix between a warning and a threat.
Russia nodded uneasily. The man sounded dangerous but he also sounded concern for the purple eyed man. The house must hold something risky and the red head was just protecting him, he reasoned….
Even more cause to collect Scotland.
If he took him away from this unsafe house, then Russia could protect him. Scotland grinned suddenly.
"Grab tha drink and I'll drive. It's only 10 or so minutes away." Russia beamed again.
He admired Scotland's ability to change so quickly. He really was like fire. One moment, he was calm, flickering flames that warmed people but the next minute he was a volatile fireball that threatened to burn everyone and everything around him to ash but soon he was calm again. It could be complicated at times but Russia still enjoyed the thrill.
He took the crate and followed Scotland to the door cheerfully.
Something suddenly grabbed his shoulder. He could feel the fingers grip him tightly and he froze.
He tried to turn around and confront the one foolish enough to challenge him, the personification of Russia but he couldn't.
He tried to call out to Scotland but his throat closed up.
He was stuck in place against his will by whoever had decided to hold his shoulder. He felt something like ice trickle from the hand and through the many layers of thick clothing to his body, freezing him slowly. He gasped when the cold touched his skin, it burned him.
Scotland turned around suddenly with a strange glare on his face that was directed to behind him. He walked over quickly and flicked at something on his shoulder.
The relief was instant as the hand and the cold slipped away. Scotland stared angrily behind Russia for a moment before turning to him with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry. Saw a spider. Thar quite common in meh home. A real nuisance." He sounded like normal. He dusted the taller man's shoulder carefully and he felt warmth instead of a chill.
"We should hurry befoore tha pub stops lettin' people in. Standin' aroond here isnae gonnae help." Scotland grinned patting him on his back and leaning on him slightly. He was led to the door subtly.
Russia looked behind him before leaving and saw nothing in the long, bright corridor. He touched his shoulder and it felt like normal, no penetrating frost or finger marks. He shivered slightly though. Yes, he had to take the red head away from here tonight.
The car journey was quiet but not awkward and over fairly quickly. Russia regretted that a little. He enjoyed being in the car with him. The only conversation they had in the car was about smells.
"How did you know I wandered around, da?"
"Told ye. I smelled ye. Yer like vodka, sunflowers and iron." Russia looked confused so Scotland explained. "Got a sensitive nose. We all do. Same with hearing." He shrugged.
"Hmmmm~" Russia hummed happy to discover another fact. Just one thing bothered him…
"I do not have any iron things on me, da." He only had a lead pipe and that was safely concealed in his jacket.
Scotland tilted his head slightly, looking a bit nervous and uncomfortable. "It wasn't that sort of… iron. It was blood."
"Da."
Scotland smiled. "At least it ainnae yer blood." He added cheerfully.
It had just begun raining lightly when they entered the pub. It was fairly busy but not uncomfortably so. Among the crowd were some strange looking humans that didn't seem quite real or there. Most of the people in the bar turn and yelled out welcomes to Scotland.
"Och Hi Iain!"
"Foos yer doos?"
"Who's tha tall bloke?"
"Hey, it's Alba!"
"Yo Scottie!"
"Introduce me tha blondie behind ye la'er!"
"Canne ye introduce meh first?"
"Nae fair!"
Scotland called back. "I'm dandy! And he is…" Scotland hesitated.
Russia finished the sentence. "Ivan. Ivan Braginski." Scotland grinned.
"Ivan." Russia giggled with a light blush when he heard him use his human name. It was so personal.
His red head then greeted a man with open arms and they gave each other a rough hug. A couple of others did the same. Everyone seemed very close and friendly. Russia was not greeted by hugs and loud cheers but he was accepted easily.
Scotland pulled two bar stools up to the bar and gestured for him to sit down. Russia grinned and placed the crate on the bar. He opened it, revealing 5 large bottles of vodka. The barmaid sauntered over and leaned on the bar in front of the too.
"Hello Iain. Braw ta see ye." She gave a wide smile.
"Och, Flora. Foos yer doos?"
"Barry." She glanced at the Russian. "Hey Ivan. Yer new ta this part?" Russia nodded with a slightly creepy smile. The barmaid gulped slightly but kept a smile.
"Braw. Ye be be gud ta oor Iain."
"Da." She looked confused but didn't say anymore to him. She faced Scotland.
"Wha will it be?"
"Two shot glasses." She produced the glasses seconds later.
The red head leaned forward to take his when he found his collar being grabbed and pulled forward.
"Hey! Whit ar~" The barmaid sniffed his breath gingerly before releasing him. He stumbled back slightly on the chair.
Russia clenched his fist angrily and tensed. How dare she? That woman laid her hands on my red head!
She wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Gawd! Yer alredy drunk!" Scotland laughed guiltily. "How many bottle did ye hav' befoore coming here?"
"Ummm… Three?" She rolled her eyes.
"I'm limiting ye ta one bottle of whiskey."
"Aye. Fine. But me mate Ivan brought us a wee dram so I canne live with tha'."
"Then stop givin' meh those puppy dog eyes! Gawd Iain. How auld are ye again?" He looked thoughtful before breaking into a wide grin.
"Hmmm… Auld." She smiled slightly.
"Ye should act like it then."
"Nae possible. Plus it would be borin' fer ye." He said teasingly. She sighed in defeat.
"Aye. But as long as ye dinnae git ta drunk and start some stupid fight. Especially with Thomas!"
"I'll try but nae promises." She rolled her eyes.
"Gud enuff." Russia watched the conversation curiously. He acted differently here than how he acted in his home and with his brothers.
His Scotland smiled as she took one of the vodka bottles from the crate and poured them both a shot. The Scotsman held up his glass expectantly. Russia took his glass and stared at Scotland confused.
"Da?"
"Yer meant ta tap glasses and say 'cheers'. It's fer luck."
"Oh."
They tapped glasses, saying 'cheers' and spilled a few drops of the clear drink. The hot, burning taste of vodka slipped down their throats. Russia sighed happily. This was what he wanted; to drink his favourite drink with his newest collection.
At England's house...
America had just left noisily after racking up a huge phone bill for England, deciding to go visit Japan instead.
England was just settling down to enjoy a cup of well deserved tea when the phone rang. He answered it politely, like a true English gentleman.
"Hello? You are speaking to Arthur Kirkland, England."
"Ummm… Hello Mr England?"
"Lithuania?" England smiled. "How are you?"
"Uh… I am fine… Do you know where Mr Scotland is?" He sounded nervous and timid, but England didn't pay mind to that. That's how he always sounded.
"He is probably at his house."
"Oh… That's good!" The timid man sounded relieved.
"Why do you need to know? Isn't the trade between your two countries handled by government officials? You rarely need to meet him."
"Uh… Well, you see… Mr Russia left today saying to he was going to… uhh… 'visit' Mr Scotland and I became worried."
England paused. He thought about it. Russia had no idea of knowing where Scotland lived. It was only known by a couple of people because of how isolated it was and Scotland's need for privacy. He was safe. Russia would not be able to find it and if he came here, he would just refuse to tell the Russian.
"It is okay. Russia does not know where he lives so he is safe."
"Thank goodness! Thank you for calming my mind, Mr England…."
"Goodbye Lithuania."
"Goodbye Mr England." The two hung up and England went back to his tea without a worry.
(A/N - Scotland's house is haunted by ghosts, fairies and other magical creatures. It is only natural that they are not all friendly or safe.
I like the idea that magical creatures are attracted to people with magic. AKA - The British brothers + Ireland. The more magical you are, the more they stalk you. The brothers are not strangers to this and have had magical girlfriends - like fairies etc.
The more powerful your magic is then the more you attract the mythical creatures. My theroy and reason behind this (that's right there is one!) is that to produce more powerful offspring, they need a powerful mate.
This causes problems for the brothers though, especially Scotland and Wales (and sometimes England) as sometimes the creatures do not abide by the human's law and just try and kidnap them. It is easier to force someone help you bear a child than try and court them in their eyes. They are just like that though, it's instinctive.
Scotland is wearing a steel necklace to ward away fairies as possessing steel or iron stops them from 'lifting' you away. He also wears a steel stud in his left ear.
Wales uses a steel bracelet and a ring, Ireland uses a steel cross with Jesus on it on a long chain (He is fairly religious surprisingly), North Ireland just carrys a lump of iron ore in his pocket and England has a small iron necklace or steel cuffs on his suit. The Irish brothers also use four leaf clovers which also provide protection.
Fun Extra Fact: The Irish brothers also always carry gold on them, usually in the form of multiple thick chain necklaces around their necks. They have a fondness for it and because it brings them closer to leperchauns, who they are particularly close to.
In Scottish Forklore, fairies are divided into the Seelie Court, the more beneficently inclined (but still dangerous) fairies, and the Unseelie Court, the malicious fairies. While the fairies from the Seelie court enjoyed playing pranks on humans they were usually harmless pranks, compared to the Unseelie court that enjoyed bringing harm to humans as entertainment.
Russia was attacked by a Unseelie court fairy that wanted to freeze him to death. There are going to be more fairy related things in the future as I love them.
REVIEW PLEASE!
And my decision for that potential 'M' thing is to post a warning at the start of a potential 'M' chapter/story and keep the whole collection as a 'T' so it doesn't deter readers. My main focus is teens, not adults. And my 'M' isn't a strong 'M'. So watch out for any warnings at the start of my stories/chapters. You can chose to read them or skip them.)