AN: Hi, everyone. Sorry I haven't updated in sort of a while- school and life has really been getting in my way! I hope you like this chapter, it's sort of random, I know... . Anyways I did my best with the culture thing, so if there are big mistakes let me know but I think everything is spelled right and makes general sense. Let me know what you think :D
Days started melting into weeks as Chibitalia settled into preschool. He became used to morning circle times with songs in all different languages and increasingly chilly after-lunch recesses. Culture Days became more fun as the children got to taste foreign foods and prance around in different nation's outfits. Miss Hungary even brought in clothes from her country one day, and Chibitalia loved the beautiful embroidery.
Chibitalia was very excited that the field trips were starting soon. Miss Hungary had announced to the class that they were going to visit different places all over the world. Naturally, Grandpa Rome was delighted that his cute grandson would be able to experience new cultures first hand. Even better still was that Miss Hungary had asked Roman Antiqua if he would be interested in showing the class around his home.
Grandpa Rome had managed to clear his busy timetable for an afternoon. Both of his grandson's classes would be going on the field trip. Roman Antiqua had difficulty deciding what the children should visit, because there were an awful lot of epic sites around his home. Eventually, Roman Antiqua set up a visit to the Coliseum, a tour around his traditional home, and a lunch of Roman cuisine. Being a very smart empire, Roman Antiqua made sure pasta would be in at least one of the lunch boxes even if it wasn't strictly "traditional".
The first field-trip day had finally arrived, and all the children were thrilled. However, the bus ride to Rome was very long. Miss Hungary and the chaperone, who ended up being China, had to make sure Spain wasn't harassing Romano. Then the American started fighting with his twin. Thankfully, Prussia distracted the twin and they ended up playing cards. Japan and Taiwan were fast asleep, the Asian girl's head resting on her friend's shoulder. China was very puzzled and commented to Miss Hungary, "Why aren't they this calm at home aru? They are always playing chase!"
Chibitalia sat beside Holy Rome, who was completely silent the whole ride. Sleepy little Chibitalia fell asleep on his shoulder, making the little black-capped nation blush.
At last the two classes arrived in Rome. The sun was shining brightly as the children formed buddy pairs. Holy Rome was second to last to pick partners and ended up with Chibitalia. Then, Miss Hungary and China split the groups and started walking around the Coliseum. A reenactment of a battle was going on, but Grandpa Rome managed to arrange for both groups on a quick, minimal-gore tour. Chibitalia already knew about the gladiators but was under strict order not to tell the other children to avoid upsetting other people's parents.
During the tour, the children were instructed to hold hands so they wouldn't get lost. Without thinking twice, Chibitalia took Holy Rome's hand.
Holy Rome is very strong, so I know he won't let me get lost. Veh~ why is he shaking so much? The Coliseum is loud but it's not scary…
Though the Coliseum was wonderful as always, Chibitalia had seen it a lot before and was distracted by Holy Rome. The boy was normally very serious and silent, but today exploring the Coliseum he seemed quite cheerful. This was what interested him- symbols of greatness and becoming stronger.
After the Coliseum, the groups took a tour around Grandpa Rome's house. Romano and Chibitalia found this part pretty boring because they lived in this house too. Their classmates seemed interested in the triclinium, because apparently they didn't recline on couches while eating in their homes. While Romano wandered off towards the kitchen set on finding a tomato, Chibitalia painted in the workroom until Miss Hungary told him it was lunchtime.
Lunchtime is the very best part of the whole entire day! I wish it was lunch time all the time veh!
The two "N" classes settled down in the middle of the peristylium for their lunch because it was such a lovely day. Grandpa Rome had arranged for some couches to be brought out into the garden for everyone to recline on, just for the experience of doing so. Most of the children were so short that eating while reclining was a messy affair. Eventually they gave up and enjoyed their spiced vegetables and pork sitting upright.
When the meal ended, all of the children but Chibitalia and Romano got back on the bus to go home after saying thank-you to Roman Antiqua. Romano then ran and hid in his bedroom before Spain and his friends would find and tickle him. Chibitalia, though, lingered because he was talking to Holy Rome.
"Chibitalia, how do we thank each other in your country?" Holy Rome asked.
"Well… I suppose like this," replied Chibitalia, kissing Holy Rome on each cheek.
Holy Rome turned redder than Spain's best tomato. Unfortunately, China was rounding up all the children and led Holy Rome away before he could return the gesture. Chibitalia climbed into his grandfather's arms and watched the bus pull away; waving frantically hoping that one little boy on that bus could see him.