Seychelles looked rather miserable when she showed up, and Germany hoped it wasn't to do with him because he really didn't know how to make people… not-miserable. He had a feeling that the patented feed-them-pasta-and-listen-to-them-vent technique wouldn't be applicable here, if only because he didn't know what Seychelles liked to eat, and besides part of it seemed to be the cold. Which wasn't bad, but it was enough to cause Germany to quickly buy her a coffee, because a miserable-looking Seychelles tended to be something that the world cried out to fix.
It was probably the eyes.
"Thanks," Seychelles said through faintly chattering teeth. "It's, well, it's lots warmer back home, you know." She took a sip and sighed happily. "So… we're on a date?"
"Yes?"
"Okay, it's just… I thought… ah, never mind." Seychelles swept some stray hairs behind her ear. "Because Veneziano told me to be here, and I… I just, I sort of assumed, I guess."
"Assumed what?" Was this line of questioning going to become a common theme? They'd all asked him about Veneziano, as if they knew something secret they weren't telling him, and it was becoming very odd, as Veneziano intruded on his life and thoughts quite enough already, thank you.
"That… never mind." She took another large sip of the coffee. "Uh. So how was your day?"
"It went well enough. We completed some public works projects— well, the blueprints for them, anyway." Germany stared at his hands- Veneziano had tried to guide him on the blueprints, all the arch should maybe go like this and let me shade it! despite Germany's protests.
"We?"
"Veneziano and I— what?" Seychelles had started laughing- under her breath, but there- and it was extremely disconcerting because what was so odd about working with the same person very often? "He's good at drawing, that's useful for the blueprints— what?"
"Nothing. Mine was okay, they're still worried about the cost of living stuff. You know, I don't think they'll ever stop being. Do you know how that is?"
"Mm. Yes."
Was he making small talk? Germany couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment- he was really improving. Veneziano would be proud, even more so than when he'd brought the chocolate from Belgium (and he hadn't stopped being proud even when Germany actually explained its origins).
Seychelles straightened her blue skirts and finished the coffee, humming to herself. "If you ever want to come visit, I'd be happy to have you over. Usually it's just France and Madagascar who show up, so it'd be nice to have some new faces." She smiled. "You could bring Veneziano too, he's always nice to have over. Not that you aren't."
"I… thanks. I'll consider it."
"Thanks!" Standing up, Seychelles continued, "Sorry to cut this short, but America said she wanted to talk to me really soon. Thank you for the coffee, by the way, it was very good."
"You're welcome. See you at the next world meeting?"
"Sure!" And Seychelles trotted briskly down the street and was gone.
When Germany returned home, Veneziano was indeed proud, and was very enthusiastic about the possibility of visiting Miss Seychelles, wouldn't that be wonderful, Germany?
Yes, he said, it would.
