Alrighty! First off congratulations to Vanilla Slash who won the random drawing! I wrote her a fic which is titled Torn Memories and New Beginnings. It's a direct correlation to This Is Justice and is a side story involving Flopsy, Alfred, and some of our beloved historical figures. You can find it from my profile page. So if you want to read something TIJ-related that's more fluffy and happy then go check it out on fanfiction. Here's the last bit of the URL:
.net/s/5984459/1/
Second off, I am seriously sorry I've been so delayed in postings. Remember that writers block I mentioned? Yeah multiply that by about twenty and that's how I've felt about my style lately. D': Blah.
The Versailles was overwhelming. With the elaborate architecture and ornate fixtures, Alfred didn't know where to look first. He was staying in one of the guest rooms or something of the sort, right near both Washington and Franklin of course. Alfred wanted to make sure that he remained as close as possible to them.
When they had first arrived it had been too late to do much of any exploring, and Francis had been apologetic about it, but really Alfred didn't mind.
Now, he sort of wished there had been time to have been given a tour. He had decided to go exploring on his own and now was completely and totally lost. Maybe it would have been a good idea to just wait for Ben and George to get back from that meeting they were having with some of the French representatives. The Comte Maurepas or someone like that Francis had said.
Oh well, he wouldn't get un-lost just standing around so the best course of action would be to just keep on searching and find his way back his room, or something.
Thus began Alfred's really confusing journey through the halls of the Versailles. It wasn't unpleasant though, it gave him time to think and look at all of the really amazing features of the palace. He stopped and examined some of the molding around a door, eyebrows raised.
It must have taken them forever to get all of this done. There was nothing like it back in the coloni-States. Alfred mentally corrected himself as he returned to walking through the grand halls, occasionally passing guards who ignored him for the most part.
Alfred was officially beginning to lose hope. These hallways were beginning to look suspiciously familiar. Okay, no reason to panic, this was fine...No reason to freak out whatsoever.
And panic definitely wasn't the reason he had gone from walking to nearly running. No, this was just because he felt like running, obviously. His running almost resulted in him missing something very important. Alfred slid to a stop right past a set of doors and then backed up as he peeked through the paned windows on them curiously.
He glanced back and forth down the halls before he reached over and pushed down on the latch, gently easing the door open as he peered around it.
A gentle breeze greeted him as he stepped outside, looking around with wide eyes as he took in the change of scenery. From cramped and gilded hallways to open air with a garden as far as he could see. Alfred stared, somewhat dazed by everything as he approached the railing and looked over the entire area.
There were so many trees, and water. Alfred didn't know where to look, there was just so much to take in. The American folded his arms on the railing, putting most of his weight on his forearms as he leaned forward. There seemed to be an orangery too. Neat.
The afternoon sunlight cast shadows on the geometric walkways, which Alfred traced with his gaze, before finally focusing on the fountains. All this seemed so…So grand.
"Are you enjoying the gardens ma petite colonie?"
Alfred jumped at the voice, having been so immersed in seeing everything that he hadn't heard the Frenchman approach. With a grin he straightened and turned around to face Francis, eyes bright with excitement.
"This is, this is amazing." The admiration was apparent as he gestured to the gardens surrounding them both. The cool autumn wind picked up once more. "I bet it's somethin' amazing to see in the summertime."
Amerique's enthusiastic reaction had Francis smiling as he took the last few steps to stand next to him. "Oui it is." Francis reached out and took Alfred by the elbow, "Let's take these steps and visit the orangerie. You seem to have become enamored with it." He said this with a twinkle in his eye as he watched Alfred.
"Alright then." Alfred readily agreed to the suggestion, letting Francis lead the way.
Questions were running about in his head, but Alfred kept from asking them all at once. That'd be rude, and Francis probably wouldn't be able to answer them all so quickly anyway, well that and the garden kept distracting him.
Blue eyes moved from one spot to another and then something else would catch his fancy and he'd be looking at that instead. A grin seemed to be plastered across his features. He finally broke the quiet "You must be used to all this." And Alfred must seem an ignorant, uncultured youth, but he didn't care.
Francis observed the American with a bemused look. His spontaneous reactions were like a breath of fresh air, the open spontaneity of the younger nation was invigorating.
No wonder Angleterre had tried to keep this all to his self.
"Was all this here before?" Alfred was looking at all the trees, especially those further out that had matured wonderfully over the many years.
Francis shook his head, "This was designed by Monsieur le Nôtre, the landscape that is." His hand that wasn't resting on Alfred's elbow gestured around them, taking in the entire of the gardens. "The ground was flattened, the fountains were added and of course the woods planted and the orangerie." Francis smiled as he recalled all the workers rushing about to finish.
He shook off the memories and focused on Alfred, who had an almost flabbergasted look to his face.
"You planted the woods?"
Francis arched one elegant brow. "Of course ma petite, all of this did not simply sprout from the ground." He teased him gently as he said so. "The fruit trees about do go in the orangerie come winter time of course."
Alfred still couldn't believe that they had made everything. That all of this had once been rolling hills and moats. It was mind boggling. They had simply decided to plant a forest and so it was? It was amazing, and must be hard to keep up with. All the tending and watering. He couldn't quite wrap his mind around it.
They entered the orangery, balmy air taking the place of crisp air from outside. Alfred's head tilted back as he took in the tall ceilings.
Without another wasted moment Alfred walked further in and knelt down to look at a young tree that was obviously just beginning to grow. He smiled softly, completely oblivious to the gardeners moving about and taking care of the plants.
Out of nowhere he spoke, "I'll need to work on my French again." He glanced over his shoulder to Francis and then back to the tree. "It's been a while since I've used it, and you know you're terrible when even Franklin teases you."
As Alfred spoke of his own French, along with that of Monsieur Franklin's, Francis openly laughed. It certainly wouldn't be pleasant to hear Alfred butcher his language, but it was hard to say no to the naïve nation. "Oui, then perhaps we should switch to French, non?"
At France's suggestion Alfred quickly amended his request, "Well maybe a little later?" He heard Francis chuckle from behind him, and was glad the French nation couldn't see the flush across his cheeks. Seriously, it wasn't his fault Arthur had strictly forbidden his speaking 'that frog's nasty language.'
Alfred's face scrunched up as he recalled Ben laughing and poking fun at him for his accent and mispronounced words. Which was double the insult considering the man's less than stellar grasp of the language.
Finally done examining what he figured was a lemon tree Alfred walked back over to Francis, and linked an arm casually through his. He looked around, eager to see all that there was while he spoke, "Well, if you don't mind helping me learn that is." It was nice, but strange to be speaking with Francis in such a casual manner.
Francis's regarded their crossed arms, the obviously homespun cotton of Alfred's clothing pressed against the silk of his own sleeve.
Without hesitating he responded, "Of course, ma petite colonie." The linked arm easily slid around the American's waist, as Francis all but leered at him. "I would be more than happy to assist you in any way."
Alfred turned and looked at the suddenly much closer French nation, eyebrows raised, "Really?" He hadn't expected Francis to help. Though the arm around his waist left him blinking rather dumbly for a few moments, but maybe it was just some French thing. Europeans tended to be more touchy-feely or something like that. So he settled for staying oblivious of any other implications.
"Thanks then!" He was positively beaming as he thanked Francis. "I don't want to wear out my welcome here though." It was enough of a good thing to have the French truly considering his delegate's proposal. Alfred didn't want to make a mistake with asking too much of Francis.
Said nation leaned more firmly against Alfred, "Ah, Amerique, it would take far more than teaching you my language to wear me out." He paused as he gazed at the tree that Alfred had been looking at so closely a moment ago. "You are refreshing. Young, much like the trees here, non?"
In response Alfred's face heated up instantly. Compliments weren't what he was used to getting, let alone from older European powers. So instead he laughed it off, "Naw it's just my country roots talkin'." He smoothly slipped into a Southern drawl, as natural to him as the crisp Northern accent he often spoke in.
"But thanks." He added, almost as an afterthought, face still red.
The accent caught Francis by surprise. He peered over at Alfred, thinly veiled surprise apparent as he openly appraised the nation. If people spoke with such a pronounced drawl in America he would have to visit, and soon.
"You are different ma petite, but it is a lovely sort of different." The almost bashful and embarrassed reaction was not what Francis had been expecting from the boisterous young man. He would have to compliment Amerique more often. "Though certainly some things are the same..." He trailed off, curious to see how Alfred would react to such an insinuation.
Alfred shrugged his shoulders, well as best he could with a Frenchman all but hanging on him. "We don't have anything like the Versailles, it's amazing. Our government is just, well your center for political happenings is definitely a lot more…" Over the top? Refined? Sophisticated? All of those things really.
That was an interesting answer. Francis smirked at the American, "Oh? Though what of parties and balls?" That was more of the noble's fun and games than the government's priorities, but it took place at the Versailles none the less. The luxurious and lavish events brought a smile to Francis's face.
Alfred shook his head vehemently, "No, not really. I'll take fishing over that any day. All the fancy clothes, getting dressed up, having to dance." He shuddered. Those events were stifling to him, unbearable really.
Francis gave Alfred a coy look, amused by how rustic he seemed, and how dedicated he was to such common amusements. Long fingers intertwined through Alfred's, as his hand slid along the nation's lower back to rest on his hip.
Without giving Alfred a chance to do much of anything he gracefully swept the flustered nation into an impromptu waltz.
"Then do you truly not know how to dance?"
Alfred didn't have much choice but to place his free hand on Francis's shoulder. He could feel his face heat up as he stumbled after the other's lead.
"Not very well." Alfred mumbled to the floor, embarrassment keeping him from making eye contact with Francis. The last time he had 'waltzed' was when he had been small enough to still stand on Arthur's feet as the older nation walked through the steps. Which didn't really count he supposed.
His stomach did a flip when Francis's fingers trailed up from his hip to his chin, gently guiding it up so he was looking at his 'dancing partner' rather than the floor.
Francis smiled at the bewildered teen. "I've had much worse dance partners, no worries ma petite colonie."
They both stood there for a few moments, with Alfred unsure of what to do, and Francis seemingly content to hold one of his hands while the other rested beneath his chin. Even for Europeans this had to go beyond the usual realm of touchyfeelyness right?
Alfred's lips parted to say something, but then everything went white hot and he collapsed to the floor. Searing pain ran through his body, limbs twitching as he curled up on himself. His fingers reached up, curling and digging into the sides of his head as he screamed.
Francis dropped down next to Alfred not a moment after he had fallen. "Mon dieu!" He reached out, hand lingering just above Alfred's head as he looked at the American nation. The boy's eyes were wide, tears welling in them as he stared ahead, gasping for breath like a fish out of water.
When the spasms that wracked Alfred's body seemed to slow, Francis scooped him up. The nation was still but a boy, not yet fully grown and Francis was extremely grateful for that at the moment.
He all but ran across the gardens, cutting across the smooth grass. Alfred screamed the whole way, his voice growing hoarse as they neared the Versailles. Francis rushed up the steps, and was relieved to see the guard that had taken up post outside the doors.
Without needing to ask, the guard opened the door and Francis hurried past. He made for the boy's rooms, and along the way just so happened to pass the Comte Maurepas who was speaking with both Washington and Franklin.
The three stopped and watched the French nation move by them swiftly, and without another word Washington ran off after him leaving Franklin with the French representative.
"What happened?" George asked as he looked down at Alfred, reduced to groans and quiet mewls of what sounded like the word 'burns.' Francis stared ahead with a bleak air. "I've not a clue Monsieur Washington." As they approached Alfred's room, the General wordlessly opened the door and followed in after Francis as he set the nation down on the large bed.
George stood off to the side, watching with a frown as Francis hovered over Alfred.
Now released from the rather strong hold of the Frenchman, Alfred twisted and convulsed. His eyes opened partially, glancing over but not quite looking at either Francis or Washington. "It burns."
George frowned and glared at Francis, "Is this your doing?"
Francis scoffed, more offended than he cared to say at the insinuation. "Non Monsieur. I believe this would be Angleterre's doing." Francis looked over at the American General, "Please hold Alfred down, I need to be sure of this."
Clearly unhappy with helping out, Washington walked over and sat on the edge of the bed near Alfred's shoulders and reached over to hold them down. "It's alright Alfred, you're here. In France, you're safe." George whispered softly, and Alfred's teary gaze flicked up to him. He stopped thrashing about as he stared up at Washington, and the General wordlessly placed one hand on his forehead in response.
Meanwhile Francis had taken to unbuttoning Alfred's shirt, and hissed in displeasure when he saw what he'd been expecting.
Alfred closed his eyes; pitiful sobs shaking his shoulders as George looked down to see what it was the French nation had made a sound about. His own eyes widened as he saw what it was that Francis had apparently been searching for.
"What would cause that?" A new voice asked, as Franklin made his way into the room and stood at the foot of the bed.
Francis grimaced as he leaned back from Alfred. "Angleterre has just burned something." He looked between the two men. "Or many things, very important to Amerique." With a final sympathetic look Francis moved to leave, pausing in the doorway.
"This is to be a long night Monsieur Washington, Monsieur Franklin. I'll be back shortly with bandages."
Not a whole lot for notes here. The Versailles is amazing though, and you should google pictures of both the Palace and the gorgeous gardens. Comte Maurepas also known as Jean-Frédéric Phélypeaux was a minister of state, and had a rather interesting life. He also supported the Americans in their Revolution and ideals to pursue independence from England. Andre le Nôtre was an absurdly talented landscape artist, his most obvious work being the garden of Versailles.
I was going to add in some more Arthur to this chapter, but realized how ridiculously long it was and decided not to torture my poor readers with an even longer chapter. Color me curious though how do you guys think this story will turn out? Shall Alfred gain his independence? Or will he get reigned in by Arthur? Tune in next week! ...Oh that was so corny. I apologize.
Sorry for the update by the by. Had to fix a typo that was driving me insane. Also I forgot to mention that an orangery us basically a green house. :D