Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia: Axis Powers. All rights belong to its creators.
Part 1: Chapter 2: The Drifter
Elise "Lili" Vogel stepped out of the taxi that had taken her from the New York City airport. It was quite the long drive so she had to pay a hefty price to the cab driver. But she'd be starting her new job in software management in this little town so it didn't matter much.
It had a cute little name, Cliffdover. She wondered briefly if they were over a cliff. She gripped her luggage and followed the address to her apartment.
Her apartment was quite far from the little strip of shops she'd seen on her way over. Maybe she'd stop by the bookstore before she actually started working there. Maybe the grocery store and the clothing shop too.
"I'll just spend a day in town." She said quietly to herself.
Elise walked into her apartment complex and up to the second floor. She was renting a one bedroom apartment. She clicked on the light, it illuminated the living room/kitchen area.
She walked past it towards the narrow halfway which led to her room in the back. The bathroom was on the right side.
Elise set her luggage against the wall and immediately phoned her brother who was still in Switzerland. It was about 11:00pm here so it'd be like 5:00am there.
It picked up after about 4 rings. "Do you know what time it is?" She heard a groggy but irritated voice over the phone.
"I'm sorry to bother you Vash, I just wanted to let you know I'm here and I'm fine."
She heard a sigh over the phone. "You did the right thing. I would've called worried if you hadn't. Good night Lili."
Elise let out a giggle. "Good morning to you big brother."
And with that she heard a click as the Swiss hung up the phone.
Elise had called the moving company a few days ago to bring over most of her large things she ordered over the phone from local shops.
Her bed was here but unmade. She brought a pair of sheets and pillows with her. She then made up the bed.
Elise suddenly felt tired from all of her traveling today. The weight of it hitting her all at once. She opened up her other luggage bag and got out her pajamas. She went through her bed routine before turning off the lamp at her bedside and going to sleep for the night.
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Elise, after spending the morning putting away her clothes, and going shopping for a kitchen table and a rug in the business district, decided to get some groceries.
Elise took the bus to the grocery store, it pulled in front of a little bookstore. She looked up at the sign, "Turn a Phrase." She thought the name was cute.
She walked to the grocery store called the Kicking Ticker and stepped through the automatic sliding doors. She would be installing the software for the time clock here.
"Hello! Welcome to our store! Happy shopping!" A man with auburn hair and honey brown eyes said to her, his smile wide as he waved frantically at her.
"Oh hello sir. Thank you for welcoming me! I just arrived here yesterday." She smiled back at him.
"Oh really? If you want someone to show you around, I'd be happy to! I could always just call off, mi fratello doesn't mind." He said with a wink.
"Oh no, I wouldn't want to stop you from working sir." Elise shook her head. "I'll be fine exploring on my own."
"Maybe after work? I get off in about 2 hours." The man said leaning on the cash register, chin in his palm, cocking his head to the side.
"Ok, I should be finished shopping by then."
Elise thought the man seemed nice, plus it would help if he could introduce her to the locals.
She grabbed a few items like milk, eggs, cheese, bread, a few apples, and a rotisserie chicken. The man's shift ended in a half an hour now. She said she'd be back after she put up her groceries.
When Elise got back to the store the man was talking to a blonde haired woman in a very expensive looking dress that showed off her figure. He was on the other side of the register and she was opposite him. The man was not wearing his apron, presumably in preparation to clock out.
"Oh I just stopped by you know. I had a little free time." The woman seemed to speak in a French accent. Her lips a rosy red with gloss, nails painted the same color. Loose curls framing her heart shaped face, her skin milky white and blemishless. This beautiful woman drawed Elise's attention especially with her bright cobalt blue eyes, and she tried not to glance at her full bust which was probably lifted by her bra.
"You're usually so busy Marianne. I would love to cook you dinner but I'm doing something right after work." The man said, to which Marianne pouted, her bright red lips puckered. She tilted her head downward and gave him the most pitiful puppy dog eyes.
"H-how about you come with us." Elise spoke up, causing both of them to snap their heads in her direction.
Elise met Marianne's deep cobalt eyes, and could feel a bit of blush warm her cheeks. But she could just frame it as shyness if anyone asked.
"I'm supposed to be showing her around! That's a great idea! Come with us around town!" Marianne's eyes softened, placing a gentle hand on the other man's arm.
"You are such a helpful and kind soul, Feli. That is what I like about you. Ok I'll come with you. I wanted to see a grumpy little pair of eyebrows anyway."
"Oh silly me! I never introduced myself. I'm Feliciano Vargas! You could call me Feli if you want. And you bella?" Feliciano said, holding out his hand to shake.
"Elise Vogel, but my brother calls me Lili, whichever you prefer." She said shaking Feliciano's hand.
"Lili, it suits you. Like a delicate flower." Marianne said, brushing a gentle hand through Elise's hair, "Marianne Bonnefoy, you must have heard of me. I'm a fashion model."
Elise didn't pay much attention to fashion growing up, her mother forced her into frilly pink dresses and bows. The woman was horrified when she'd chopped her hair off to emulate her brother. But upon accepting a job here she decided to change her image a bit. She got rid of the bows, dyed her hair dark brown, and opted for pants or skirts.
"No, I'm sorry miss, I don't pay attention to those sorts of things. But I'll start now." She said, determined.
"Here, I got the newest issue of Heta Fashion." Feliciano said, taking out a magazine.
"Feli." The woman said in an almost reprimanding tone with a hint of playfulness.
"You didn't think I'd have one?" He lowered his voice to say in Italian,"Sei bello. Mi piace guardarti." You are beautiful. I like looking at you.
"You could have asked, I would have sent you as many pictures as you liked." There was something seductive in her gaze.
And she could see Feliciano raise his eyebrows. "Oh."
Elise took the magazine stepping away from the pair and quickly skimmed it to see Mme. Bonnefoy. She was beautiful in all of the outfits she wore in the magazine. There were other models sure, but was the one that stood out.
"Allez. Let's go, we've been keeping this poor girl waiting long enough, non?" Mme. Bonnefoy said leading the way out of the grocery store.
"Wait, let me punch out first." Feliciano said hurrying away towards the back of the store.
"So where are you from mon cheri? Your accent sounds Eastern European, nothing like people from this little garbage town."
"I'm from Switzerland. I just arrived today, I'm a computer software engineer. My job starts Monday. I'm eager to meet everyone." Elise said, a bright smile on her face.
Mme. Bonnefoy let out a chuckle. "There is nothing special here. I'm only here for a few months for a modeling contract, and to see little Feli." Mme. Bonnefoy rolled her eyes.
"The man is oblivious to the charms of moi."
With that Feliciano returned and they set off towards a park. "I like to feed the ducks sometimes! They gather in this little pond, see?"
Elise joined Feliciano at the edge of the pond. She couldn't help but smile as the man threw out bread crumbs to the ducks. He offered some to herself and .
Feliciano rushed to Mme. Bonnefoy's side as she leaned over to scatter some crumbs. He lightly gripped her arm."Be careful, I wouldn't want your dress to get wet." Feliciano said with a chuckle.
"Do not worry, I could drive in heels. So this is nothing." She flicked her wrist.
Elise watched them with a fondness in her eyes. She wished she could do things like that with someone she loved. Elise also wondered how Mme. Bonnefoy didn't notice that Feliciano liked her too.
He could be this nice to everyone.
It was not like she knew him.
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Mme. Bonnefoy offered to pick her out a few dresses from the local shop. Elise declined, not wanting to impose nor take the woman's money. Mme. Bonnefoy shrugged her off and purchased them anyway. Elise thanked her profusely and begged to repay her.
"Show me how to use those fangled new computer things that are supposed to change our lives."
"I could do that."
"Fantastique."
They went to an ice cream parlor, and even ate dinner at a restaurant that sold Asian themed food. The trio lastly arrived at her apartment complex.
"I just wanted to stop by an acquaintance of mine. Feliciano told me he lives here now." Mme. Bonnefoy said to her as they now stood in the lobby of her complex.
"Oh yeah Arthur's my co-worker, he's been here for about a year. He started working at the Kicking Ticker a few months ago." Feliciano said to her. "I was surprised when he said he knew you personally." He turned to Mme. Bonnefoy.
"Ah we grew up together, but it seems that we can't get rid of each other." Mme. Bonnefoy said with an almost sad sigh, shaking her head.
Feliciano just chuckled in response as though it did not matter, "He didn't tell me that. He talks like he can't stand you." Feliciano said.
She responded with a shrug, "He is just jealous that he isn't as fabulous as moi." She said with a smirk.
Elise offered a small smile, "Would he be ok with me tagging along? I live in this complex, I could just leave and let the three of you talk."
"He's a bit of a chat grincheux. I wouldn't force you to. Even I tire of him after too long." Mme. Bonnefoy's expression was a bit sour. She walked over to the pay phone built into the adjacent wall.
"I will part with you both. Thank you for taking me to a few places in town." Elise said with a nod.
"Oh! Ciao bella! I'll see you around!" He handed her a slip of paper, "And call me if you need anything. I'll be happy to help."
Elise nodded in gratitude taking the slip of paper.
"Oh murde, Feli, do you happen to have a pen and paper?"
"I have my business card, Madame Bonnefoy, if you need help setting up and using your computer." Elise said, producing the card from her pocket.
"Très bon! This is so cute. Au revoir Lili." The woman smiled bright, phone resting against the crook of her shoulder as it rang.
Elise waved goodbye to them both before ascending the stairs.
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Her first client was at the funeral home. She learned from Feliciano that Popescu's Funeral Home was a bit far from town and he suggested she take the bus.
"Natalia commutes there every morning, you might see her on your way. Just get on whatever bus she does. She has blond hair, dark blue eyes, and she usually wears a bow on her head! Oh and she never smiles, so look for a frowning girl." He'd said to her over the phone.
"Thank you so much Feliciano, you are most helpful."
"No problem Lili, happy to help, ciao bella!" With that he'd hung up the phone.
Elise had gotten up at around 3 am, anxious with nerves for her first day on the job and went to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water from the tap.
She heard the rustling of keys and the thuds of heavy footsteps, outside her door. Her front door was right by the kitchen. She chanced a look out of the peephole, to see a blond haired man, before he went into his apartment across the hall.
He must work late, poor guy.
Elise realized she hadn't met her neighbors and decided that she would introduce herself to him in the morning.
When she was on her way to her job with her first client, she was surprised that she didn't receive an answer when she knocked on the man's door.
Was he gone already?
Elise shrugged and continued on her way towards the bus stop, she could see a blond haired woman wearing a black bow, long sleeved black shirt tucked into a navy blue skirt, and combat boots already there. She looked to be frowning although her cheeks were dusted pink. Elise thought the woman looked cute, in her skirt and bow. Her lipstick black on her puckered lips. Elise suddenly felt a little self conscious, she was wearing a pink polo shirt tucked into her jeans and a pair of high top sneakers.
Should I have put on a little lipstick?
"Hello, are you Natalia?" The woman snapped her head in Elise's direction, her mouth twisted into a more vicious snarl than the frown she had on previously.
"Yes, who's asking?" She said, her Russian accent making it sound even more aggressive.
"I-I didn't mean to bother you. I was just referred to you by Feliciano, he said you'd know the way to Popescu's Funeral Home. I-I'm the software engineer." Elise hurriedly gave her spiel to Natalia who's eyebrows furrowed before flattening.
"Oh. I think Vladimir mentioned something like that to me but I was barely paying attention to him." Natalia shrugged, "I'll take your word for it."
As Elise and Natalia settled into silence, Elise wanted to ask the woman more questions but she was afraid that she would become more upset with her. So she twiddled her thumbs and tapped her feet as they waited for her bus to arrive.
"Hey, don't look all sad like that."
Elise snapped her head in the other woman's direction.
"I'm sorry." Elise said, voice quiet, eyes downcast.
"You're making me feel guilty with those big eyes of yours. Did you just move here or something?"
Elise nodded.
"If you're planning to stay here, the town is nice. People are usually nice too."
"Have you lived here all your life?" Elise asked her, and she nodded. "Could you give me directions to the auto repair shop in town? I asked Feliciano but he said he doesn't like going there and wouldn't tell me."
"Sure. My big brother works there. Figures that pussy wouldn't want to go there. Ivan makes the little pasta eating fucker shit his pants." If Ivan was anything like Natalia, Elise could see why he was terrified.
Sensing her unease, the dirty blonde added, "Ivan is really nice though, he's just a large, intimidating looking man. I'm the one you have to watch out for."
Natalia did not smile but Elise could tell that Natalia was lightening the atmosphere. Elise felt a small smile blossom on her lips.
"I will keep that in mind."
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Elise was tasked with helping to transfer the database at Popescu's Funeral Home. Apparently, Mr. Popescu was having a hard time inputting the data, and actually getting it to save without crashing.
"You can't overload the hard drive. I'm going to look at the code, but also start saving parts of the data onto a floppy disk, just so you won't lose everything if it crashes."
"Ok sounds good, so should I just leave you to it then?" Mr. Popescu asked her.
"Sure, I'll be here until you close." Elise confirmed, nodding her head.
"Great." With that left the room where the computer was and went back out into the hall, presumably to attend to his customers.
Elise took a look at the code for the virtual database and saw that it was all just one pathway, and did not have multiple returns. It was just one if else statement repeated. She got to work on making the code cleaner so it wouldn't overload the computer so much.
After a few hours Mr. Popescu came in to check up on her, "Are you doing alright? Did you want to take a break? I know a funeral home isn't ideal to have ice cream, but it's always so cold in here so I thought, eh why not?"
Elise turned to see the man holding out a fudge ice cream bar towards her while also licking an orange dreamsicle of his own. She stretched from having been in one position hunched over the computer for hours. Then she gratefully accepted the treat.
"Thank you. Natalia was right, everyone is really nice around here." Elise said to him.
"I wouldn't say everyone, but most people."
"Are your eyes naturally red?" She asked, as she noticed the color, and that he had fangs. Is he a vampire enthusiast?
Mr. Popescu smiled at her before slowly backing out of the room. "Maybe they are, maybe they aren't. I'll never tell."
Elise furrowed her eyebrows but smiled a small smile nonetheless. "Okay."
She had just finished half the code when Mr. Popescu said to her that it was closing time.
She gave him an estimate and he gave her half of the payment.
She met up with Natalia to wait on the bus back home. "I'm sorry you have to deal with him. Vladimir is a strange man." Natalia pursed her lips.
"He is a bit weird but I like him. He gave me ice cream. Did you get some too?"
"He gave me one of those rockets." She said.
"I had a fudge bar."
"I would have rather had that one."
Elise smiled at her, "I'll buy you a whole box."
"You don't have to. I don't even know you." Natalia said looking at her with her eyebrows furrowed.
Elise felt her heartbeat increase. There was something about Natalia, sure she was pretty but she felt like an old friend. Elise didn't think she'd met her before but it was just a feeling she had.
"I want to, just because." She said looking towards the bus as it pulled up.
A/N : I know very little about coding, so I will try to have the work be as little and generic as possible. Thank you for reading! Criticism welcome.
Italian and French courtesy of Google Translate
Sei bello. Mi piace guardarti. -You are beautiful. I like looking at you.
chat grincheux -grumpy chat
Allez -Come on.
Très bon- It's good!
More Character Age References:
(Marianne) France 31
(Elise) Lichtenstein 23