Hetalian Old Alphabet- 5
G is for Gibberish
Characters: Holy Roman Empire, Italy Veneziano
It was the only thing that Holy Rome could say to her most of the time- Just a lot of incoherent gibberish. Austria could never tolerate this. It was 'not proper' as the nobleman would put it. But he couldn't help it! Was it his fault that his heart beat hardly out of its own accord? It was because it was getting harder to breath, he always used that excuse.
It may be an excuse but it was true. In one of those romance novels Austria forced him to read, well, he remembered scoffing at such antics. 'Heart beats fast, knees grow weak'- all this from falling in love? He just wouldn't believe it.
He can regret laughing at it. Everything that 'unreliable' book told him became real at the instant he saw his love scrub at the floors determinedly. Well, all that and becoming unbelievably clumsy and prone to talk gibberish.
Gibberish… One day he will surpass it.
That day soon became known as today, decided the young empire.
Finding Italy was no big deal; she would either be out sweeping the courtyard or playing in the garden at this time (if asked why he would know, Holy Rome would just flee the question). So, giving the impression that he was simply looking around his manor, Holy Rome looked for the little Italian maid. He was just about to go check in one of his carefully tended gardens when a shy hand tapped his shoulder. Looking behind him, he saw a trembling but otherwise smiling Italy.
It took Holy Rome all the control he had over his body to not jump in surprise… or to melt in a puddle.
"Good afternoon, Holy Rome," squeaked the maid.
Looking away, Holy Rome managed to muter a hello. "Hello Italy,"
"So, um…" Italy shyly directed her gaze to something she had been holding. It was a bundle of art supplies. "Austria-san gave me permission to do whatever I wished for the rest of the afternoon, and I was wondering if Holy Rome would like to paint with me…" said Italy, with a very bashful expression on his face. Holy Roman Empire noticed her trembling hands, as if she was expecting a no from him.
'This is my chance to get closer! Damnit… My throat can't go dry now,' before his throat could be completely parched, he nodded his head. Italy's expression brightened.
"Yay! Let's go to the garden!" Excited and happy that he had agreed, Italy grabbed his hand and started to drag him towards the garden he had been meaning to go to. Holy Rome let the maid drag him- not like he could do anything else; his crush WAS holding his hand after all. Holy Roman Empire had to fight the several incomprehensible words that were trying to escape his mouth. Oh, here we go again with the nasty gibberish...
They had been spending the last few minutes trying to find something interesting to paint. Some things that Holy Rome pointed at, like the canopies of the trees or the occasional street that the garden overlooked had captured Italy's interest, but she insisted that there might be something more. Dejectedly, the two sat down on the grass.
"Ah! Holy Rome, there's nothing to paint!" The maid despaired, with her small fist trying to squeeze the paintbrush in it. Italy rarely ever got frustrated- it was only ever during Turkey's quests to invade the waters in her boundaries.
"Those streets still looked interesting to me," muttered Holy Rome. He really did think that it was enough, despite Italy's rejections.
Italy heard him, and sighed. "It didn't feel lively enough… I'm sorry,"
Holy Rome ignored this, once again looking at the streets. To his surprise, it was now crowded with people. Exasperatedly, he tugged Italy's sleeve. "What do you know; now it's full of life."
As soon as Italy's amber-colored eyes met the now lively street before her, she beamed. "You're right Holy Rome!"
It took a while before Holy Rome realized that he held gibberish-less conversation with Italy. And when he did, it was already time to go back to the manor.
H is for Housemaid
Characters: Hungary, Italy Veneziano
A housemaid is a servant who takes care of most of the things in the house. They are loyal. Or rather- they were paid to be loyal. Housemaids can go away as soon as they realize that they cannot be paid- that was how life was back then. Some were not so lucky. There were also housemaids that behaved differently- those ones who were overwhelmed by the power and therefore had no choice but to serve.
It was one thing Italy and Hungary had in common. They simply can't go away that easy- they WERE under Austria's rule, after all.
That was why, one morning, all but them were left in the mansion. Holy Rome left that morning too…
When Italy was sent outside to fetch water (a ploy for him to meet Holy Roman Empire one last time), Austria explained to Hungary what had happened. It turned out that the household was far too chaotic, and that Austria was in a very tight spot among the other Germanics and nations in the Holy Roman Empire.
And thus, began their life as the only three in the manor.
But it was all the more reason for them to stick together. Hungary had always considered them a family; that was why she treated them as such- Italy especially. Once, they even made a promise to each other, that they would gain freedom together. Of course, that promise would be broken in the future, but they didn't mind.
On bright days when both of them felt lonely, they would go back to the Holy Roman Empire household to reminisce.
"Ve~ Hungary, remember when my voice changed? Austria's face was priceless!" said a grown-up Italy to an older Hungary. Hungary giggled.
"You're right! Oh, how I wished cameras were invented back in those days!" she replied. How could she forget? She was actually considering telling Austria that Italy was really a boy back then- after playing his pretty music, of course. But when they heard Italy singing, Austria's expression was indescribable. "Oh! How about that time when France molested him over his piano?"… That was also when Hungary gained her obsess- *cough* love for men's romance.
Italy shuddered. "Ah, I think I was scarred for life that day… Big Brother France sure likes to flirt,"
They would go on like this until the dusk reached them, and it was time to leave the abandoned building. It was a shame to leave. But a nation's duty calls. They would bade goodbye to one another, and go their separate ways.
One day, when they were at the mansion again, Hungary decided to ask.
"Hey, Ita-chan," she began, using her nickname for him too. The auburn-haired man beside her looked. "Did you ever feel like you wanted to go back to being a family?"
And Italy opened his eyes, looking quite surprised that she asked that. But as the shock came away, somberness filled his eyes despite the smile on his lips. "Ve~, I did. Well, minus the being a servant part. I always did think that Austria was my Papa, and you as my Mama, and that Holy Rome was something of a brother…" He then tore his eyes away from her and gazed forlornly at the broken windows and creeping ivy of the mansion before him. "I miss the old times,"
Even though Hungary told him nothing, they both got the message that they were just thinking much of the same thing.
Author's Note: Hello, and back again for another chapter! Please tell me I did it right… I don't think maids got paid back then, did they? Anyways, please tell me your thoughts on this story (even though this is technically not a story; just a bunch of mindless plot), and stay tuned for the next chapter. Damn, I need more chapter ideas…
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia, anything and everything belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya-san.
