Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia: Axis Powers. All rights go to its creators.

Part 1 Chapter 6: Faux Pleasantries

Elise, as per Natalia's suggestion, started watching the nightly news. A blonde, blue-eyed woman had been stabbed in her apartment just west of here. From the report, it seemed like she had been killed last night.

Elise was surprised that such violence was happening in such a small town. She hoped that the police would catch whoever killed her.

Along with that, the news reported on the squash festival that was coming in a few days. Tickets were already sold out and Elise was a bit saddened because she wanted to go.

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Elise was surprised to walk into the Kicking Ticker that morning when she was going to get her groceries and Feliciano was pacing back and forth with worry on his face. "I can't work with him today! Please fratello, get someone else to work this shift."

"Feliciano, there is no one else! We have set schedules for a reason you idiot." A man who looked very similar to Feliciano, except he had green eyes and dark brown hair said to him.

"You just don't want to do it yourself."

"You're damn right I don't."

"Pretty please!" Feliciano gave the other man his puppy dog eyes but the other man's expression did not change.

He stopped before grabbing the other man's collar, "Fratello, he could beat me up because I punched him! I'm not a fighter fratello!" Feliciano looked panicked, mouth quivering as he tightened his fists, gripping the other man's shirt.

The other man sighed, rolling his eyes, "Idiota." He said, before she caught his eye, "Hey you! You wanna work here?"

Elise almost jumped out of her skin, "W-well I'm a software engineer. I was just coming in here to-"

"Are you working that job right now?"

"N-no sir."

"Well then you're fucking hired. Do the fucking cash register for a few hours. It'll just be a one time thing."

"B-but I don't know-."

"Just scan the items and give the customers change out of the register. Feliciano, show the poor girl before you fly out of here. I'm going in the back, don't bother me." With a wave of his hand the brunette left the cash register and went towards the back of the store.

Feliciano turned to her, a brief moment of surprise before he frowned. "Lili! I'm so sorry to have this thrown on you so suddenly." Feliciano waved her over.

Elise walked behind the register and before she could move, he threw his apron over her head.

"Oh!" She said.

Feliciano reached around her to tie up the apron.

"You're doing me a huge favor. I'll make you a big bowl of pasta! Or whatever food you like! I'll give it to you tomorrow!" He said finishing up fashioning the apron, before leaning back from her.

"Here are the keys to the register. This button opens it up, this button finishes a purchase, and this one prints receipts." He said handing her the set of keys and showing her said buttons. "If you have any questions, Arthur should be in shortly. Alright, I gotta run before he sees me." He said squeezing past her and running out the door.

"I want -" Elise didn't get to tell him what she wanted Feliciano to cook for her before he was already gone down the street.

"Hey! Where are you-?" Outside she heard Mr. Kirkland, and he looked in the direction Feliciano had gone before making eye contact with her.

"Did Feliciano quit!?" He asked, stepping into the store, eyes widened.

"No sir! He had to do something so they asked me to fill in for him for today."

The man frowned before he muttered, "That makes sense."

Elise noticed that he had a bit of a bruise on his cheek. She wanted to ask about it, but he seemed irritated enough so she wouldn't risk irritating him further.

"I wouldn't put it past Lovino to literally do anything to avoid taking a shift. You don't know anything about working a cash register do you?"

Elise shook her head to which Mr. Kirkland sighed.

"Well, I'll be restocking the shelves and taking inventory. Don't hesitate to come get me if you need any help." Mr. Kirkland said before going towards the back of the store, presumably to punch in and start his shift.

Elise gave him a nod.

Elise stood behind the register as her coworker stocked the shelves, there wasn't much foot traffic. No one had come into the store as of an hour after opening.

That was until she saw the black bow of none other than Natalia. The woman stepped through the doors before she set her sights acutely on herself at the register. Elise jumped at her sudden stare in her direction.

Natalia raised an eyebrow, "You work here?" She approached the register.

"No, I'm doing Feliciano a favor...against my will." She added that last part quietly.

"Feliciano? What's wrong with him."

"I'm not sure, but I heard him pleading with his boss to let him not work today because he doesn't want to work with someone. I'm assuming he doesn't want to work with Mister Kirkland."

Natalia seemed to ponder what she had told her before giving her a nod. "He's still mad."

"Did something happen between them?"

"Yes, quite a bit of drama. I'll tell you about it later."

Elise wondered if Feliciano was the reason for Mr. Kirkland's bruised cheek.

Elise nodded before she frowned, "I'm quite sad they had a falling out. Feliciano seems like such a nice man, and Mister Kirkland even gave me flowers. Oh, that reminds me! I'm going to make you a flower crown! What types of flowers do you like, Natalia?"

"Elise stop giving me things! Now I feel bad I have not given you anything."Natalia said, giving her a pout, and Elise thought it was the most adorable thing ever.

Elise reached over the counter and squished the other woman's face, "You have done so much for me already by just being my friend and unofficial town guide. So, do not worry Natalia!"

Natalia blinked and furrowed her eyebrows. Elise then let her go, realizing she'd stepped into her personal space.

"I still want to give you something. Come to my house; I'll tell you all about the festival, and I'll make you some dinner."

"That sounds nice." She said before ripping off a blank receipt and sliding it towards her with a pen. Natalia took the pen and scribbled her address on the blank receipt before sliding it back to her.

Elise took it, giving her a smile, "I'll see you later this evening."

Natalia nodded before turning around presumably to start her shopping. Just then Mr. Kirkland emerged from the aisles with a box of what looked like apples, to go over to the produce section of the store.

"Arthur!" Natalia yelled to get the man's attention, although the three of them were the only people in the store. Mr. Kirkland, having jumped from being startled, caused a few apples to fall out of the box and onto the ground.

"Bloody fucking hell!" With a frustrated grunt he set the box down and grabbed up the fallen apples.

"Sorry!" Natalia said, "I didn't mean to scare you."

"Hello Natalia." Mr. Kirkland muttered.

"Did you miss me?" She said before running over him and wrapping her arms tightly around him, burying her face into his chest.

"We were together just last night."

"I know! That was so long ago." She said proceeding to reach on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.

Hmm. So they're dating now. That's a bit unfortunate.

Mr. Kirkland squirmed in her grasp, cheeks red with blush. "We're in public! I'm working! Give me some space!" He exclaimed, voice raising to a higher pitch. Elise averted her gaze when he made eye contact with her.

"There is no one here except for Elise. She doesn't care."

Well she would be fine if they were showing light displays of affection. If they were to start full on french kissing in the middle of the store, Elise would have to go lock herself in the bathroom.

"Why would you say that? Of course she cares! I have to finish working, please let me go."

"Alright, fine."

Soon Natalia left the store, Elise had heard the doors open and shut. She continued to look at the counter, fiddling with her thumbs.

"I apologize for that, Natalia, she's a bit-"

"Oh no, not a problem. She seems to really like you." Elise smiled sweetly, but was cringing on the inside. If Elise was being honest with herself, she had started to like Natalia, and this was a bit of a punch to the stomach.

"Yeah...So what is it that you actually do? I'm sure you weren't looking to be a grocer, or are you still in school?" He asked, approaching the cash register.

"I'm a software engineer. I have a few clients in town, which is why I moved to the apartment across the hall from you. Originally, I lived in Switzerland with my big brother."

"Really? You're good with computers? I wish I could afford one. I've heard they're easier for typing papers." He said, raising his eyebrows.

"Oh yes, they are better for editing. Does your work require you to type a lot of papers?"

"Yes actually, I'm an author. I'm pretty sure you've seen my work if you stopped in the bookstore recently."

"No sir! I've been meaning to stop in there, but I haven't found the time." Elise said, a pout on her lips before she brightened up again, "If you want, you could come over to my apartment and use my computer for a few hours."

"I couldn't impose on you like that. We've just met." Mr. Kirkland said, shaking his head.

"That is true...and Feliciano is upset with you." Elise then tapped her chin, "It doesn't have to be now."

"I don't need a computer now anyway. I'll call in the favor when I need it." She gave him a nod. "I'll get back to work. If you have any trouble, you know where to find me." He said turning to go towards the crate of apples

Elise nodded.

The rest of the day went by pretty uneventful, not many people were at the store during the morning shift she'd learned. She learned it was the end of her shift when Mr. Kirkland told her she could leave.

"But what about the apron?" Elise asked, tugging at the loosely hung fabric.

"Hand it to me, I'll take it in back and then Feliciano can get it on his next shift." He said, holding out his hand.

Elise reached behind herself and untied the apron from around her waist before pulling it over her head and handing it to Mr. Kirkland, "Thank you." She said with a nod. "Goodbye Mister Kirkland." She said before turning to leave the store.

He said goodbye to her on her way out, and the thought to buy flowers entered her head again.

The woman at the flower shop was a brunette with flowers in her hair, wearing a pink sundress littered with a flower design pattern. She had dark chocolate brown eyes, and a bright smile. "Hello! What are you looking for?"

"I want something pretty for a flower crown."

"Sure! Are you going to a wedding? Would you like a set made?"

Elise shook her head, "I just wanted to make something pretty for my friends. I'll make the crown myself, I just wanted some flowers."

"Roses are typically the way to go, with a bit of greenery to balance it out. Oh! Daisies are pretty popular too! I've seen baby's breath done, they're very tiny though." The woman reached behind her counter and pulled out a stem with very small white flowers on the end that looked like buds.

Elise thought the baby's breath would go well with the lilies that were dyed various colors. Also she just loved the name.

"Baby's breath." She repeated what the woman had told her. "I want a bouquet of baby's breath please."

"12 piece bouquet?" The woman asked.

"Yes Miss."

Elise looked around at the flowers behind the counter. Sunflowers, tulips, lilies, roses, and various greenery were plastered on the wall behind the woman to show them separately.

Premade bouquets were in the front of the store, ready to pluck from the stand. Display stands for reefs, and arrangements for funerals were also in the front as well.

The bouquet was about $8.00 and the woman wrapped it up very nicely. Elise took the bouquet and gave the woman a smile. "Thank you, have a good day." She said and the woman returned her sentiments.

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That evening, Elise was surprised to learn that Natalia lived so close to the grocery store. Her house was a townhouse, squished close to a few other houses that were also townhouses.

Elise again feeling pressured to dress up nicely, wore a pleated yellow skirt, and pale pink button up shirt. She also wore a pair of tan wedge ankle boots. She knocked on the door and smiled when Natalia opened it up. She was wearing a navy blue long sleeved dress, fishnet stockings and a pair of black high heeled ankle boots.

"Elise, I invited Feliciano over. I forgot that I owed him pasta a few weeks ago for a favor. You said he was sad, I thought that would cheer him up or some shit. That is ok, da?"

Although Elise would have preferred to spend some time with Natalia alone, she couldn't bring herself to say no.

"Yes. That is fine."

She followed the woman inside and plastered another smile on her face when they walked into the kitchen and she met the familiar honey brown eyes of Feliciano.

"Lili!" Feliciano said getting up and enveloping her in a hug. Feliciano kissed her cheeks in greeting. Elise let out a chuckle, "Feliciano you just saw me earlier today."

"I know! But that was so long ago and I was really in a hurry!"

Elise sat down next to him at the small circular table.

"Did he look really mad?" Feliciano asked her, the curl on his head drooping a little. Elise could assume he was talking about Mr. Kirkland.

"At first he was worried you'd quit. I don't think he was mad at you."

"See, Feliciano. I told you he wasn't going to beat you into the ground." Natalia said going to the stove to stir something that she was cooking.

"I just feel so bad but I don't know how to apologize! I'm scared he's going to hate me forever."

"I told you to stop worrying about it."

"Could I ask what happened between you two?" Elise piped in.

Feliciano let out a whine and avoided her gaze.

"He punched Arthur right in the jaw because he slapped that bitch Marianne. I think the bitch had it coming: emotions were high, tensions were thick."

Elise gasped and quickly wondered if Mme. Bonnefoy was alright.

"Natalia could I use your phone?"

Natalia looked over her shoulder and nodded. Elise got up and the woman gestured to the right down a hallway.

"But it still shouldn't have happened." Feliciano muttered quietly.

"It was messy, Arthur and Marianne still have shit to work out, which is why I don't think you should worry about apologizing." Natalia said, as Elise made her way over to the phone on the wall.

She quickly dialed Mme. Bonnefoy's number.

"But Natalia! I still feel so bad! My stomach hurts, and it keeps twisting itself up in knots." Feliciano's voice carried over from the kitchen as the dial tone rang in her ear.

"The pasta is almost done. You like fettuccine alfredo, don't you?"

"Really? Sì, I can't wait! Mhmmm, nothing better than a bowl of pasta to cheer me up!"

Elise heard the line click before she heard Mme. Bonnefoy's modulated voice on her answering machine. "Bonjour, je vais passer le téléphone, pardon. Laisser un message."

"Hallo, It's me Lili. I heard what happened and just wanted to make sure you were ok. Goodbye." Elise said, and then hung up the phone.

Natalia placed a bowl in front of the chair she was previously sitting in when she re-emerged into the kitchen. Elise sat down and sniffed the bowl as steam wafted into her face.

"This smells wunderbar!" She said, making eye contact with Natalia as she approached the table with her own bowl.

"Spasibo. It is nice to hear praise. With Feliciano these sentiments are rare." She said as a matter of fact. Feliciano slurped his noodles.

"The noodles are not as soft as they could be and the sauce is a little watery." Feliciano said, brows furrowed as he critiqued her dish. "But other than that it's good."

Natalia frowned, "You're lucky I don't cut off your tongue." To which Feliciano clamped his mouth shut.

Elise let out a giggle before digging into her noodles. They were soft and she could taste the alfredo sauce, so she assumed it was fine. She wasn't good at critiquing dishes anyway. She then let out a satisfied hum before finishing them off.

"Apparently over the last few weeks there's been about three women killed. I saw on the news that the police think they're all connected because the women were similar in appearance. Do you think that we could have a murderer in this town?"

"Don't say that! They were probably accidents. I-I don't want to think about murders and murderers." Feliciano frowned, Elise noticed his hands were trembling. His fork made a quiet clink, clink, clink as it tapped against his bowl.

Natalia let out an audible groan, "Something exciting finally starts to happen and you don't even care."

Elise herself was a bit frightened at the prospect of a possible murderer in the small town. She knew that no town was safe from crime but serial killers tended to be very manipulative and people often said she was gullible. What if I could be next?

Natalia had glanced in her direction, expression defeated, "Since I'm upsetting you both, I'll change the topic. Elise tell me about how it was working for Tolys? You started creating a database for the books in stock at the store, da?"

Elise blinked before she nodded. Elise then went into a summary about the process of creating a database for the books Mr. Laurinaitis had in his store and the amount of each. She added that on her next visit she was going to start working on converting the Dewey Decimal System to the electronic version to sort the books.

Natalia made a comment that what she had said hurt her brain a little to which Feliciano agreed. Elise agreed that it was a little complicated and added that Mr. Laurinaitis was nice enough to offer her a free book.

Natalia rolled her eyes.

"I didn't know Mr. Kirkland wrote horror novels. I don't think I'll be able to get through it, horror is not my genre."

"Lili! That's it!" Feliciano stood up. "I can't believe I didn't think of it before!"

"I thought you'd read it by now. With how fast you read horror novels." Natalia said, chin resting on her palm.

"It slipped my mind. I'll go out and buy a copy tomorrow. He can't be mad at me if I give him a lot of compliments about his work. I'll casually slip in my apology and poof, problem solved!" Feliciano beamed.

"Don't go heavy on the compliments. You're not trying to seduce him." Natalia pursed her lips, eyes narrowed.

Feliciano gasped before shaking his head, "No, of course not! I wouldn't-I couldn't do that!"

Elise saw that Natalia's expression did not let up.

"Natalia, we're friends. I would never do that to you. Also, it doesn't work on men, silly!" He waved her off.

"Sure." She muttered. "But I'm keeping an eye on you."

A/N: Thank you for reading! Criticism Welcome.

Google Translate:

Spasibo -Thank you.

Wunderbar! -Wonderful

Bonjour, je vais passer le téléphone, pardon. Laisser un message. -Hello, I missed the telephone, sorry. Leave a message.