Tjuefemte januar:

Egypt:

Gupta was a businessman through and through, he would sell merchandise to do with the various holidays, even if that holiday didn't have good memories attached to it, or something to that effect, to the tourists that came to his country.

As he never intended for people, especially his people, to get offended, he always made sure to find ways to let them know that he'd the highest respect for whatever purpose the holiday had.

His explanation, or excuse, which he to his people let be known as a general fact, and to the tourists he waited until they asked was,

"I agree that one should fully respect (any given reason for the holiday in question), which is why I always make sure that I've high quality products that don't affect the price adversary." Said in a calm, serious tone, that always placate people. Particularly when accompanied by his deep, hypnotizing eyes.

Even now, as he walked by police stations, cemeteries, and the ever alluring market place, he sold pots, dissuading troublemakers trying to pick a fight with him, with that line. The officer assigned to walk with him was amazed by his efficiency in selling; he could've sworn Gupta only talked when someone tried to pick a fight, yet when they reached Ismailia Police Station, he'd sold over 200.

Gupta didn't stop selling before they reached their destination. As they walked up the steps, he gave a defiant nod to the building. Once inside, he went to the wall commemorating the fallen, and stood with some of the policemen who had been excused from duty for today, remembering, and thanking, the fifty whom had fallen on that day in 1952.

Scotland:

He wasn't sure how he'd persuaded his brothers to join him for Burn's Night, but one thing was Alistair Kirkland determined about; they weren't leaving before the night was through. No matter how hard they tried.

And they tried.

They all walked nicely enough in as the piper greeted the guest, but Alistair was of a suspicious mind that turned out to be justified.

First, Arthur, the one whom loathed to spend time with the rest of the family the most (though Alistair had to admit that he'd good reasons), tried to sneak off before supper had even begun.

Alistair cut him off by saying his welcoming speech, and throughout the Selkirk Grace he glared at every one of them. Daring them to try.

The next one, seemingly in acceptance of this dare, was Seamus whom tried to creep away while Alistair recited the Address to a Haggis.

Alistair stopped him by casually (in a threating way), wave the knife he brandished in his direction, while calmly reciting.

The third one was surprisingly Peter. Though he'd grumbled a little when he was the only one of the brothers that didn't get any whiskey, he'd seemed in good spirits and enjoying the dinner. So, when he tiptoed away while Alistair recounted some of his personal memories with the great man himself, he was baffled.

But he soon pulled himself together and made a stern indication that Peter SHOULD RETURN TO HIS SEAT IMMEDIATELY, lest he be denied desert, forever.

As the supper was nearing its end, Alistair knew that only one of his brothers hadn't tried to get away, so before he recited some of Robert's poems, he looked over at where Rhys was seated. Great was his astonishment when he discovered that his oldest brother was almost at the door.

Before he could press down the door handle, however, Alistair called out to him,

-Got any preferences, Rhys?

-No, not really, he answered in the calm voice of his.

Thus thwarted, Rhys sat down.

At the end of supper, Alistair called upon Rhys to give the vote of thanks, acknowledging his skill in almost escaping, before they joined hands, pretending not to, and sang Auld Lang Syne.

It wasn't before everyone had left that Alistair realized that he'd enjoyed this Burn's Night, too.

Author's notes:

I'm particularly proud of the Scotland-piece I wrote, but if there's any way I could've improved it, either in terms of the piece itself, the details about Burn's Night or the characteristics of the Kirkland gang; please let me know.

I don't own Hetalia