Chapter Six: Venice

Feliciano Vargas, or North Italy/Italy Veneziano, was walking happily through the streets of Venice. It felt good to be back in his city. But, the Italian had to remind himself that he was on an important assignment. His boss-but mostly Romano-had given him the task of keeping an important representative safe.

Anyway, Italy was nervous. Romano hadn't told him what country the person was from, or even if they were a country themselves. Italy wondered around the airport, looking for anyone that he might have seen at a World Meeting. No such luck. He sighed. Italy then felt someone tap on his shoulder. He jumped, frightened by the sudden contact, before turning around. A sixteen year old girl had tapped his shoulder. She had curly light brown hair that rested a little below her shoulders and baby blue eyes. She wore a light pink sweatshirt and a pair of knee length jeans. A mix matched pair of blue and yellow converse were on her feet. A gold necklace with a gold balloon shaped charm hung around her neck and she wore a smile on her face.

"Oopise!" She laughed. "Didn't mean to scare you! I just need a little help. I can understand Italian, very well in fact, but I have no clue how to speak it! I was wondering if you could speak English."

"Si, mia bella." Italy said, nodding. "I am Feliciano Vargas."

"Nice to meet you, Feliciano!" The girl said, shaking his hand, "I'm Diane!"

Pinkie Pie was happy. Then again, she always was...except for that one time but no one really ever talked about that. She'd just met one of the nicest people on Earth, and after talking with him, she found out he was the Italian representive-or one of the Italian representatives, saying he just represented the Northern half of the country-for the U.N. Right now, Pinkie was bouncing behind Feliciano, and followed him through Venice. The waterways mesmerized the Earth girl, the way it flowed and the way that everyone acted like it was normal. But, Pinkie got a little too distracted. Someone pushed into the girl, and since she and Feliciano were so close to the edge, Pinkie fell into the canal. Her guide grabbed her hand to pull her up, but ended up falling in as well.

When they entered Feliciano's home, both of them were soaking wet and laughing. Another man was sitting in the living room, staring at Pinkie and Feliciano. He looked surprisingly like Feliciano, but his hair was brown and parted differently. He had hazel eyes and the same strange curl that Feliciano had, but on the opposite side.

"Perché entrambi siano ammollo bagnato?" He asked.

"Siamo caduti nel canale." Feliciano answered, still smiling. The other man groaned. "This is my fratello, my big brother, Lovino. He's the Southern representative for the U.N."

"It's wonderful to met you, Lovino." Pinkie giggled. Lovino ignored her.

"Quel bastardo francese ti ha chiamato. Ha detto che la riunione è stata spostata alla settimana successiva." Lovino said. Feliciano nodded.

"Andrò dirò Germania." The Italian said before rushing off.

"Non ti azzardare a chiamare quel bastardo di patate! Fratello, tornare qui!" Lovino yelled at his brother. The younger sibling did not come back. So it was just a soaking wet girl and an Italian representative that clearly did not want to be left alone with said girl.

Pinkie walked over to Lovino and leaned over him.

"What do you want?" Lovino asked rudely. So he did speak English.

"I was wondering if you could tell me about Italy." Lovino cringed for a moment.

"I would if I wanted to, but I would only tell you about the Southern half." Pinkie tilted her head.

"Why?" Lovino glared at her.

"That's none of your business, ragazza." He snapped the book he had been reading shut and put it down on the couch before fleeing the room. Pinkie blinked for a moment, confused, before Feliciano came back into the room.

"I hope my brother didn't give you any trouble..." Feliciano asked. Pinkie Pie shook her head.

"Nope! He was a little antisocial and walked away." The Spirit of Laughter smiled. "But I have yet to meet a person I couldn't make smile yet!"

Italy tilted his head to the side at her words. "What are you talking about?" He asked. Diane giggled.

"That's my job silly!" She laughed. "Back home, I made it my job to make everyone smile!" Italy grinned.

"Can you tell me what your home is like?" Diane's face turned to that of immense concentration.

"My home is awesome! I was a party planner back home, too! Though I worked as a baker part time in my hometown's bakery. I lived above it with the owners and it was sorta my way of paying rent, you know?" Italy blinked.

"I think so." The nation responded. This girl sure did talk quickly.

"But I have to say, my friends made my home much more special." Diane continued. "I really miss them." She frowned a bit.

"Don't be sad, bella!" Italy said, trying to cheer her up. "You said you make people smile, right? Then it's my turn to make you smile!" Diane cocked her head to the side curiously. Italy smiled and grabbed her hand, leading the foreign girl to the kitchen.

Diane watched Italy as he worked. Italy hummed as he did so.

"Whatcha humming?" Diane asked.

"A song my friend helped me to write!" Italy answered. "Do you want me to sing it?" Diane nodded.

"Hey hey papa, could I have some wine?" Italy sang, translating the words from the Japanese they were written in to English. "Hey hey mama, hey hey mama! I can't forget the taste, Of the bolognese I ate before! Draw a circle,that's the Earth! Draw a circle, that's the Earth! Draw a circle, that's the Earth! I am Italia! Draw a circle, there's Earth! Looking closely, there's Earth! Or maybe it's Earth? I am Italia! Ah, a fabulous world,That can be seen with a swipe of a paintbrush, Let's have a toast with our boots! Italia!"

"You're a really good singer, Feliciano!" Diane commented, hopping up on the counter.

"Grazie, bella!" Italy smiled. "I think it should almost be d-"

"What did you mean when you sang that you were Italy?" Italy froze. He had forgotten to change that part of the lyrics!

"It's just a nickname!" North Italy said quickly. "I show up most of the time for the U.N. meetings, so my friends call me Italy!" He added a laugh at the end.

"Okay!" Diane smiled. Nervousness left Italy's body. His secret was still safe.

He held the plate out to Diane, who took it curiously.

"It's called pasta!" Italy explained. "Come on, bella! It's really good!" Diane put the food into her mouth and smiled.

"This is really really delicious, Feli!" Diane said. She put the plate on the counter and hugged the Italian. Italy smiled.

"Grazie, bella!" He thanked her in his native language. This girl was one Italy would have to show the other nations. Most of them definitely needed to smile.