I'm afraid I rushed a bit this chapter, I hope you'll like it.

Okay, so to explain the title: Mots and maux are French words meaning words and hurts. It's more or less a French pun since the two words are said the exact same way. I remember wanting to change the title at some point, but a friend of mine said it was good, so I kept it. In this chapter, so many things seem to happen for the second time that the repetition in the title seemed perfect, too.

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Chapter 2:

Mots, maux; Words, hurts

What an odd assembly was found at the edge of the pound, and as the two Italian brothers arrived, what a ruckus they were making. All wet and sad, angry and mad, they stared at Roderich as he silenced them and ordered them to sit round of him. As everyone was trying to do so, they still made an awful load of noise.

Feliciano started chatting with a few of the creatures he encountered, while Lovino remained silent, analyzing the birds, crabs, and other irritated animals who had fell in the net of Feli's fishing tears with his golden-brown eyes. All of them had the distinct signs of a nation they belonged to, but were obviously mere inhabitants as he did not spot any nation besides the Austrian. He watched his brother having a lively conversation with a semi-human strange looking bird with an ahoge indicating he was Canadian. It seemed he had the unfortunate habit of saying his thoughts out loud.

"Seriously, I wish he would stop to take me for a fool, I'm not an idiot! But what could I say..."

"Eeh~?"

"H-huh?! I was talking out loud?!"

After that last sentence he hastily ran to the other side of the forming circle.

When all of it was done, the main subject was to find a way to dry them all. In the end it was Austria who declared with conviction:

"All of you, sit down and be quiet! I shall dry you up in no time!"

Every single creature immediately obeyed and sat down in circle, the "Austri-mouse" in the middle of all. Feliciano whispered something in Lovino's ear, something about catching a cold, when Roderich shot him a tense glare. Then silence invaded the moment.

The Austrian cleared his throat to seem important, before talking once more.

"This, listen well, is the driest thing existing under my knowledge. Quiet down, if you please, I shall begin: On 18 February, 1853, Franz Joseph I survived an assassination attempt by Hungarian nationalist. She immediately struck the emperor from behind with a frying pan straight at the neck. Franz Joseph almost always wore a uniform, which had a high collar that almost completely enclosed the neck. It so happened-"

"Excuse me," said a Spanish duck, "what is that so called "it"?"

"What is "it"? You mean you have no knowledge of what "it" is?"

"I know what "it" is, when I found "it" myself..."

Just as Roderich was about to sharply reply, a dodo cut in the conversation.

"That is not the blasted point! On the one hand, we may not understand, but on the other hand," the semi-dodo turned to the Italians, "do you feel any drier?"

Feli swiftly stood up as a soldier and declared:

"As a proper Italian, I state that we, representing the Italian people, are wetter than ever!"

"In that case," Lovino noted the dodo must've been British, "I propose we adjourn the reunion to an other day and proceed to a Caucus-race."

"Ve~, what's that?"

"To cut a long story short, the easiest way to understand what a Caucus-race is, well, to organize one."

Romano took notice of the way he proceeded. The anthro-dodo drew a circle-like race-course, and soon all set about taking place wherever seemed adequate. The brothers took place close to one another, nearby Roderich who had not uttered a word since the reunion incident.

None claimed anything started, each ran and jogged as pleased and would have answered anything by "Whoever, whenever, whatever". After quite a full half of an hour, the dodo shouted the race was now over, and all the while creatures were stopping, indeed being once again dry, they suddenly asked in chorus for prizes. The dodo took a thoughtful expression, seeming lost in some kind of deep meditation. He then took an extremely exaggerated and comical air indicating he found the solution to every eventual problem.

"We all won, therefore must all receive prizes."

"But who shall distribute the prizes?"

"Well her, of course!"

At the very moment, Lovino noticed an uncomfortable amount of eyes staring at him.

Her?!

"Vaffanculo! I'm a male, you fucking bastard!!"

"Fine, fine, no need to be all bloody embarrassed about it."

The thick-eyebrowed dodo shrugged, and whilst Romano was indeed as red as his beloved tomatoes, it was not of the embarrassment the bird had assumed due to the dress, but of pure and simple rage burning the Italian cheeks. Meanwhile, the crowd began insisting on the fact they wanted their prizes.

"Prizes? PRIZES?! How about your own eyes out of your head, is that fancy enough for you, bastards?!"

Just when Lovino started to jump towards the dodo to act up to the words he had just spat, Feliciano had jumped on him to stop him by effectively grabbing his arm just before he could tore apart the bird who had jumped in surprise, with a few sprinkles of fear on top of it. A beautiful cupcake it would've been if it were true.

Feli laughed awkwardly.

"It's fine nii-chan, I'll give them, I'll give them!"

Or maybe nervously would have been more correct. However, Feliciano had for long took the responsibility of taking care of his brother's tantrums, which meant in other words, protecting other people from his furious nii-chan as long as he was sure he wasn't the one causing his anger, implicating he was safe. Others were far from safe though, little Italy knew deep inside that even if they were considered as weak, they could inflict physical damage with their bare hands if they wanted to... just not to scary people like Ivan, Ludwig, Ivan, Natalia, and especially Ivan. Unless one had a urge to be locked up somewhere in Russia with a really sore bum and a few concussions.

The younger Italian reached in the pocket of his apron with his free hand, still holding tightly his brother's, searching for anything that might make an acceptable enough prize for the eager animals. The wandering fingers stumbled on an object they immediately picked out to let their owner indentify their discovery. What a surprise it was for the eyes.

Gelato in cup? This was the first time he'd ever seen any. He shoved his hand in the pocket once again to discern there were actually plenty of them, and of course it seemed only natural to all that the exact number of gelati in cup for each fit in such a ridiculously small pocket. One had to admit it was indeed practical.

My brother is friggin' Mary Poppins was Lovino's first thought. Then again, he merely took his own cup wondering what would be its flavor. Hm? Tiramisu gelato... this isn't half bad.

"But this little fellow needs a prize too" said the Dodo, pointing at little Italy, guessing that the way he called the other could be blameless whether for male or female as he wasn't sure what this one was.

Feli reached in his pocket once more and found a small tomato pin. The big bird ceased it to give it back to Feliciano in an extremely serious way, as it mattered. Of course the Italian was full of joy receiving this unexpected present, as absurd the situation could be.

When all commotion was put to an end, and the gelati cups had been finished up, all sat in circle for the second time and requested Roderich to relate a story. Having not more to do wherever else, the brothers decided it was possible it might be interesting. But then the story turned incredibly confusing and boring, at the point the words the Austrian mouse pronounced seemed to materialize out of his mouth to form odd patterns. Suddenly, Feli got up.

"Ne, ne, Austri-mouse, do you know your words are forming a mouse tail?"

"That's quite normal, Italy, this is a mouse tale. And I would appreciate you not interrupting me while I narrate it."

"Woaw! It's even forming a knot!"

"How many times do I have to ask you to keep quiet? It's the knot of the tale, you ignorant!"

"Would you stop talking all the time and carry on?" asked an irritated crab.

And soon enough followed a horrible ruckus where it seemed one ought to talk louder than anyone to actually have a right to speak. At the point the diverse bird screams were not bearable anymore, the two Italians ran away as fast as possible – which was quite fast, anyone would have admitted it – by fear the argument might turn to a battle of beaks, claws and clamps.

xXx

He was running quite fast indeed, but quite fast didn't seem enough. As fast as he went it never seemed enough. He thought he must be tremendously clumsy to be so repeatedly late in a timeless world. But timeless as ever, if Her Majesty asked for it, he would constantly run in order to not be late. Sometimes he really wondered if fear was the only reason for his flawless obedience. Perhaps he really did want to see her Majesty happy... however, it was hard to understand, even for him.

Perhaps just this once... I can believe that it is what I want.

Smiling tiredly, he bounced and ran faster, the wind blowing in his hair softly making him feel almost happy. Once again, perhaps he was, deep down, but he was never really certain of anything.

xXx

Finally far away. For the second time of their peculiar journey, the Italians stopped whichever conversation they might have had to listen carefully to the footsteps they could hear in the distance. Both of them could not help but feel a little worried, but only waited in silence for the steps to get closer. And there came the same rabbit-anthro they had seen earlier. There was no mistaking it, it really was Lithuania, which was somehow comforting, since it was well-known Toris must've been the most safe nation to be next too. Or so it seemed, however going to that matter, nations would long be gone if they were too weak, so one could consider any of them could be more or less dangerous if it were time demanding it.

Instantly noticing the two, Lithuania hopped towards them.

"You two, please, I call for your help this instant! Now, go over there and go fast, to fetch a pair of gloves and a fan, than come as fast as you went for I really need them."

And with those words he hopped off fast enough. As much as it seemed like a cry for help, Toris had seemed quite irritated while pronouncing the words, so the Italians did not risk to go against his request: they hastily went to the direction the Lithuanian rabbit had pointed without a statement.

They soon arrived in front of a rather lovely little house with the name W.R. Toris Lorinaitis cautiously painted in black on a white mailbox. Entering the house without knocking, they went up the stairs to indeed find a big fan and three pairs of kid-gloves in a room. Lovino ceased the fan as well as a pair of kid-gloves and set about going out of the room when Feliciano stopped following his brother and stared at a vile on a shelve. Though it did not have a label with the words DRINK ME on it, Feli was too curious to resist opening the vile and drinking its content, knowing something interesting might happen if he did so. Unfortunately he immediately started growing again, and as he had no time to finish but the half of the bottle before his head touched the ceiling. And as if it was not enough, he continued growing under his brother's horrified gaze. Soon he had to put his arm through the window and his foot in the chimney. This was tremendously uncomfortable, and little Italy felt guilty he had drank so much.

"Feli, you are fucking crushing me!"

"Ve? Nii-chan, I completely forgot you were there too!"

"If you weren't that big right now, I would fucking punch you, bastard!"

The older Italian knew right on there was no regretting insulting anyone in this position. He even tried to hit his little brother's elbow, which he was under, but the other didn't seem to notice at all. After what seemed an eternity, Toris' voice was suddenly heard. It betrayed as much nervousness than exasperation.

"Where are those two? I asked them to do fast! This just cannot be happening!"

Feliciano was somewhat afraid, and hoped the rabbit would not be able to go upstairs, which would have been utterly impossible in any case: his was so big he was completely blocking the way. Indeed, he tried opening the door in vain, and by the steps Feli heard, he was now going near the window. Suddenly, a very high-pitched scream filled the air, and little Italy had concluded his arm through the window was kind of obvious, though he had hoped no one would notice. He then overheard a conversation he guessed was between the Baltic brothers.

"E-Eduard, Come here!"

"Hm? What is it?"

"In the window? What is that?"

"It sure looks like an arm to me."

"An arm? That's not possible, have you ever seen an arm this large? It fills the whole window!"

"For sure, but it still horribly looks like an arm."

"Well, please do us all a favor, take it out!"

There was then a long silence, and Feliciano wondered what they were going to do next. A few minutes later, whispers from many persons filled the air.

"We need another latter -- Who has the other one? -- Ah, Raivis, bring the other latter over here! -- Put those over there, please. -- No, we have to attach them altogether, like this. -- I say it is okay like this, no need to do that. -- Hey, Raivis, take this rope for a moment, will you? -- Will the roof bear it all? -- Be careful, there's a loose slate. -- It's going to fall, mind your heads! (The Italian heard a loud crashing sound) -- Whose fault is that? -- I fancy it was Raivis. -- Who'll go down the chimney then? -- No way, I shall not! -- In that case I shan't either. – Well let's get Raivis do it! Hey, Raivis, we need you to go down the chimney!"

Feliciano was a bit worried by what he had just learned.

"Ve, Lovi, I think they're sending someone down the chimney."

"Well merda, kick him out, we don't have space for anymore visitors."

And so, he decided he shall do so. He waited to here scratch noises from a small animal in the chimney above him. I'm sorry Raivis was his very thought when he swiftly kicked in the chimney to get the other out. The same chorus of voices started talking again.

"Ah, there's Raivis. -- Oh my, quick you others, catch him by the hedge! -- Hold up his head, now. -- Someone bring water! -- Don't choke him, idiot! -- Say, what happened, are you okay?"

A extremely feeble voice started to talk, and Feliciano did recognize the voice as being Latvia's.

"I-I don't know... all I remember is something kicking me out and then I flew like a missile."

"You sure did!" the others instantly replied.

"I'm afraid we will have to burn down the house." Said Toris.

"N-n-n-no, if you do that I'll tell Ludwig and he'll be very angry!"

There was a long pause as the pack of creatures processed the whining. Rumbling and noise began for the second time at least, thus the Italian expected his threat had worked and they were all going away. If he were them, he would have done the exact same thing, Germany could be very scary.

However he realized they were still there as pebbles were now thrown at him, some even hitting his face.

"Uhwaa!~ Stop it! Stop it! It hurts!"

Another dead silence. Then suddenly he heard his brother - which he had completely forgot about, for the second time.

"Hey, Feli, look at that!"

Looking down, little Italy saw the pebbles gathering and forming little by little small cupcakes. Perhaps if he ate one he would shrink again. And so he did, and so it worked. When he was small enough to get through the door, he rushed outside, Lovino tightly clutching to his arm - a tad to tightly, though the other guessed it was by revenge - and running through the yard they saw the crowd of small animals, with in the middle of them Raivis, seeming an anthro-lizard. All of them noticed the two and started running after them, but fortunately they made it to a small wood where they hid until the mob was out of sight.

Panting slightly, they decided to find a way to both grow, for they had had enough of being so short or growing in the worst places. Northern Italy explained the fact that eating or drinking whatever asked to or seemed to helped changing sizes. But as they set about finding anything worth eating or drinking their efforts seemed vain.

And so it seemed, and so it was,

Looking under mushrooms just as

The thought of looking on top seemed alluring,

Suddenly meeting a blue caterpillar smoking,

Why this person seems familiar, is it not?

But only his hookah seems to him worth the thought,

Ask him a question to be turned down,

While smoking drawings fill the sound.

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And voilà. Hope you liked it.

Next chapter will be so fun to write, it is my favorite part. Also, it should be up a bit faster this time, since I'll soon be on vacations. Hopefuly.

Did you know? I follow the story from a French version of the book, so sometimes I have to do research to be able to translate some words (the French translation is sometimes a bit off compared to the original text. It's odd.) Puns are just not the same thing *sigh*

Also, if they are requests for the cast, I can consider it. But only if it seems fair to me, so please don't be vexed if I don't follow you proposition.