Cry in the Snow
By Strangeandcuriousthings
Chapter 6: It was like a Divorce
They were currently in a store called "La Baie". They had to do a slight detour to the hotel they would stay for the night to drop their luggage and Nanurjuk since he didn't want to stay. Like any other store at his time of year, the Baie was already ready for the crowds that would arrive for the holidays. Based on what Alasie had said, this company played an important role in Canada's economic history; something about a fight for beaver skin and the merging of two companies. Basically, it sounded greatly to a divorce.
The moment they stepped into the store Alasie pulled off Feliciano, Kiku and Ludwig to the clothing section claiming that she would start with them and the rest later.
"It would be great help if you stayed in this store." She said, looking back over her shoulder as she walked away "Also, could you get some maple syrup? Daniel got too busy and forgot to do his groceries again. Thank you."
The rest of the remaining countries waited until they could see Alasie before they turned to the challenge at hand.
With the Axis, Alasie had led them to the coat section and was currently looking over for the ones that would be fit for their trip.
"Would this one be alright?" Asked Feliciano, showing a bright orange wool coat.
"Sadly, no sweetheart. We need winter coat. Meaning, Very thick and water proof."
The young women slowly made her way through the racks and also noting what could fit to the other countries that weren't present. It was strange since none of could say that they were accustomed to this country. It was hard not to be suspicious of the way every time they asked Alasie about their plan her explications never got precise. So, Ludwig decided to try to get more information and context to the situation they were in.
"Could you explain in more detail the plan that you and your siblings have come with. The last time was quite vague" questioned the German, not at ease of not knowing what he put himself into.
"Well, we are going to finish here and then go back to the hotel for the night. Tomorrow we're taking the plane to my place."
"You mean Yukon." said Kiku "Your body is in the is why we need those coats. So, there is no relation to your reasoning of earlier; winter is coming sooner than before"
"Yes, but in my defense, I doubt that there would be someone sane who would willingly go to the north. Let me tell you that even in central Canada, winter is not easy. Up north we are right in General Winter's gaze so it would be best not to tempt faith. Please let me also remind you that if anything happens to you Canada will be blamed, and we can't afford that. Now, where were we?"
Ludwig and Kiku looked at each other; that was everything but clear. Their host was holding back and that was never a good sign. Thousands of years of life could attest to that. For now, they would have to play along and make sure to not lose Feliciano along the way.
Alasie had given them a list. For some reason, Daniel got his maple syrup at a mall. So, for the time the others were being dressed; the allies had the task to find the syrup and use the colorful money to pay for it. Now, the current problem was that they couldn't find it.
"Mon Dieu, how could a simple glass bottle be so hard to find?" sighed Francis
"Well, we could ask someone" suggested the English man, looking as exasperated as his counterpart.
"No way dudes, we can totally do this on our own." Interjected Alfred
"It been ten minutes that we've been looking, aru." Complained Yao "Maybe there isn't even maple here."
"If Alasie said to find it here than it should be somewhere in this store, da." Wondered
Ivan
"And somehow we can't find it" sighed Arthur again, this was getting ridiculous and slightly embarrassing.
"Is say we just ask someone, aru." Frown Yao. Were they really going to argue but this? Though he would never admit it aloud, Yao knew that not only that nations had all their dark secrets but; they were extremely stubborn; he included. As one of the oldest nations still alive, he had seen other powerful and strong personification crumble by the weight of their pride. It was a vicious circle; one which his kind was caged into until the day they perished, and some did not even make it sane.
"Hey look! Is that Mattie?" pointed Alfred, already sprinting to said person.
"Alfred it can't be Mathew he is away from his country right now!" cried out the English man. Seeing that the younger would not listen, Arthur was forced to make use of his old bones and start pursuing his once charge.
"La Baie" was surprisingly a large department and it was a simple task to separate yourself from your group. Determined to not get caught in that situation, faithful clients were entertained by the image of five men running across the store screaming loud enough for the elderly at the clock section to wince. Clerks were tempted to pursue those seemingly crazy tourists and stop them from too much damage the company wouldn't be able to pay for but quickly gave up the idea after the sight of a very tall man wearing a scarf. This man simply walking behind the runners, his long strides made by his tree long legs easily kept up with the others pace. A long smile graced that man's face, but it did not reach his eyes; eyes that had a peculiar color when placed in a certain light. So, the store clerks stayed away, instead they observed the group hurrying around the store and praying nothing bad would happen.
For the American nation, when he noticed brother missing, it was the start of an adventure that he couldn't help but be serenaded to. It was a mystery he wanted to solve however short or simple it may be. As he ran, Alfred felt his creaking legs come back to life, his muscles straining against the rust it had accumulated after year in office work. He had missed it. The adrenaline pumping in his veins was addicting; as he chased about the figure who looked immensely like his brother, Alfred realized that however fast he ran he could not catch up to the figure. Such realization intrigued him and did not help calming his ever-growing excitement.
"Alfred, you idiot, slow down!" forced out the Brit. Surprisingly, he was one of the closest to the American. He blamed that on the many times he had been dragged around by the hyper nation around one of his prized cities.
"This is ridiculous, at this rate the police will intervene" panted the French nation.
Luckily for everyone involved the figure suddenly turned itself toward them. This caught the nation off guard which caused them to make a sudden break. They tumbled over each other except Ivan who smiled down at the pile of flesh groaning on the floor.
"Owww, wait. Where is he?" Alfred perked up from the pile seemingly unaffected by the slightly brutal fall.
"I'm here" grumbled a scratchy voice from below.
The nations scrambled over each other to sit up. What that revealed was a man of a rather tall stature, he wore an autumn red shirt under a fur coat, his dirty blond hair was tied to the back but did not prevent strands from falling in front of his face and his obscured eyes showed strength and resilience.
"Dude, why did it take so long for you notice us? We've been running around chasing for like a lot of time." Laughed Alfred, his cheek pink after the effort.
"Didn't think you were running after me, eh. Sorry about that, Canada is used to crazy tourist after all. I thought you found something totally out of your world and were freaking out about it." Confessed the stranger who was clearly not the person Alfred thought he was.
"It is who should apologize lad. You see that git" Arthur pointed an accusing finger at the American nation "thought you were someone we knew and chased you"
"chill Arty, said Alfred, getting up and held out a hand to the man "Canadian people are super nice and it's not like he is hurt, right pal?"
The man grasped the offered hand and was hoisted up a few feet above the floor before landing on his feet.
"Alfred be gentle!" fussed Arthur
"It's fine, no harm done. Are you part of a tour bus? You seem to be looking be looking for something, well, other than the person who looks like me."
"We're looking for maple syrup Alasie asked us to find some for her brother" answered Francis as he fussed of his ruffled hair.
"You must come from far away if you can't find the maple syrup in three seconds" the man chuckled softly
"Well it's been sometime since we last visited" offered Arthur, slightly sheepish
"so, you have family here?"
"Yeah, my bro lives here!" cheered Alfred "We're actually looking for him"
"Well, good luck finding him. I have to go and here" the man threw a glass bottle at Alfred "I already paid for it. Good luck again." And he was gone.
"Who was he, aru?" questioned Yao. Such a strange character.
"Crap, we didn't ask his name!" groaned Alfred
"It's not like him again anyway Alfred" reasoned Arthur. Human lives were short compared to the lifespan of a nation. If ever there would be a time one of them would see that man; the human would probably at the end of his line; such is the curse of practically being immortal.
"Yeah but, still…"
"Everyone, what was all this running about!"
The group turned to the province swiftly walking towards. Her expression were torn between confused and worried. Behind her was Ludwig, Kiku and Feliciano with arms full of bags.
"Well, I thought I saw Mattie in one of the isles and started running to go see him. Turned out it wasn't him. We talked a bit before he left. The guy was super cool, even gave us the maple syrup you asked." Informed Alfred still high on the action they had gone through.
"I see. Please, next time be careful to who you speak to. I know that there is this stereotype that Canadian are all really nice but trust me when I say that there are some that are ill intent like any other country you would go to."
"Is there something we should know about, little one?" Asked the Russian taking as step forward.
The giant nation towered over the young girl and giving one of his signature smiles. While other in the store tensed at the towering man would do to the petite form facing him; Alasie kept her ground and looked up at Ivan.
"Mr. Braginsky, I am sorry if I have made you suspect any bad omen would come to you or any of your comrades. I assure you are all safe with us." She said he expression neutral but calming "Now, if we are done let us go back of the hotel; it' s getting late." What Alasie had said had taken the Russian off guard. His amethyst eyes stared at her but did not darkened like everyone thought they would. Instead, they slightly brightened and then, the northern nation turned away making his way out.
The group made their way to the exit. The atmosphere was sober; none could ignore how strange Alasie's way of dealing with the Russian nation was. There was no one who could deal with Ivan with so much calm. He was creepy and his history did not help his image to the eyes of the other nations. Though it was also pretty impressive that a small personification could stand up own their own like that, it made the countries wonder if all of Canada's provinces could do the same.
As they walked out, Alfred made his way next to Alasie.
"That was awesome what you just did!" he said
"what did you mean Mr. Jones"
"The way you stood against Ivan! I tell ya not everyone can talk with him without trembling in their boots. I mean, I'm not afraid because I am a hero and heroes aren't afraid of bad guys, but you know what I mean."
Alasie looked down as if in deep thought "Yes, I see. You know, something Mathew took good care to teach us is that people don't always show what they feel but, hide it deep inside to protect themselves and even others."
"You think the Commie is up to something?"
"I don't know … "
End of chapter 6