-August 6th, 2006. The Italians' Residence in Venice, Italy-

It seemed that Italians were better at cooking British food than actual British people. England was in complete bliss as he was eating his meal. He wanted to savor the flavor forever. He didn't know whether he should be depressed that he couldn't cook that well or if he should just appreciate it.

Romano's hair was still wet by dinner, but he had changed out of his old clothes into a graphic t-shirt with a picture of an Italian rock band along with some jeans. England looked down at his two piece suit and wondered if he may have been a bit too dressed up for the occasion. Thankfully, forgetting to change into some clothes for gardening did not end up being a problem.

They didn't eat in silence. Seborga was talking the entire time with Romano yelling for him to be quiet. England would have been annoyed if not for his meal. Veneziano just looked over them as if he were some sort of shepard looking over his bleating sheep.

"Hey, hey, England! Why don't you come over sometime?" Seborga asked cheerfully. He smiled like he didn't have a care in the world. "Just remember to bring a pretty girl with you."

England sighed. Seborga always seemed to be talking about one girl or another. Hair, eyes, clothing. It didn't matter. Seborga was a real flirt. He remembered when Seborga and Wy came over to visit Sealand. With Seborga's attention directed towards Wy, Sealand was basically a Canadian to him.

"I'm not sure if I would have the time to come over," He lied.

"Do you think you could convince someone like Belgium or even Ukraine to come if you do? Just don't bring Belarus. It is a gamble just to bring Ukraine because of Russia, but bringing Belarus is just suicide if you know what I mean." Yes, He did know what he meant.

England finished the last bite of his food. He had tried to make sure to save the best bite for last, but Seborga had stolen some of his food when he was talking to Veneziano. Veneziano almost looked ready to scold him.

After dinner, Italy took up the plates. It looked like there might have been a bit too many of him, so England took some off of his hands and asked him if he wanted any help washing dishes. Italy didn't seem like the type to enjoy chores anyways.

"Ve- That would-" Italy started with a smile. It quickly melted away to that out of character straight face. "No. I think I can do it by myself."

"Cheer up, Veneziano. Just let him help," Romano said to him. "After the jerk came into our house uninvited and all, that is the least he could do."

"Just so you know, this was a planned event," England sneered at him. Romano stuck out his tongue childishly.

"Just go help Veneziano," he commanded.

England followed Italy to the kitchen. They set the dishes in the sink. After Italy put on a white apron, they began.

"Hey, are you really okay? You have seemed a bit out of it lately." England said to him as he scrubbed a plate.

"Ve- Yeah. It is just that... Well, big brother is sick. I am kind of worried," Italy looked down.

"Kind of? It seems to be a little bit more than that. However, you don't have to be worried," England said. He was trying to remember how would cheer America up when he was little. "France would never let something as stupid as a cold overcome him for too long."

"Hey, England?" Italy said to him. There was a look in his eyes that screamed his yearning to say something.

"Feel free to call me Arthur," England said. Maybe casualness could improve their relationship.

"It's nothing." The look disappeared. England thought that he might have gone a bit too far to make that request.

England and Italy were almost done with the dishes. England looked out the glass door as something dark passed it. Something small, but quick.

He walked over to the door with a cup still in his hands. He put his hands to the glass, but saw nothing because it was already dark outside.

Then, he clutched his ears as an ear-splitting scream was heard. The cup fell from his hands and shattered instantly on the floor. He crouched as he held his ears until it stopped. Italy ran over to him.

"What is it Eng- Arthur?" Italy asked him. He carefully stepped around the broken glass and crouched beside England.

"Did you hear that?" England asked him. He could only hear what Italy said by a little.

"Yeah. The glass hitting the floor was so sudden that I jumped," Italy said with a small smile. "Don't worry though. These cups are really old. You have nothing to regret."

England was stunned and wondered if he had even heard the screech.

Italy went to the closet and shoveled through it. After a moment, he brought out an old broom and started to clean up the mess.

As Italy did so, England went to the doorway of the kitchen, looking to Seborga. He was still sitting at the dining table, playing with a pack of cards.

"Hey, what was that noise?" Seborga said, looking up at him. England went closer to him.

"Did you hear that scream?" He asked in a whisper. He didn't want to scare Veneziano.

"Wait, what?" Seborga said in the same if not louder level of voice. "All I heard was glass shattering."

"Yeah, I accidentally dropped a cup. Sorry." England said as he turned to go back to the kitchen. In the kitchen, he noticed that the glass door to the court yard was now open. Italy stood by it as cool air drifted in. In the court yard there were many more flowers growing.

"I opened it to let some fresh air in," Italy said as he emptied the dust pan into the trash.

"Isn't there fresh air inside?" England joked. He was trying to lighten the mood. Italy smiled.

England looked back to the door. He really wanted to see the garden. He was scared though that something that was not supposed to be there was. None of his magical friends were there to help him if something bad happened.

"It's okay. You can go out if you want," said Italy. "I will finish the rest of the chores.

"I will help, just give me a minute," England replied. He made his way out the door and began to look around for anything suspicious. He couldn't help but be amazed at the floral as he searched around. He came to the middle of the court yard, looked back towards the kitchen door.

Then, he felt himself falling backwards.