Iain took a drag of a cigarette, then slammed it down in the nearest ash tray. "Why are you here?" he slurred. Not that he cared much.

"It's... um..." Madeline had never seen a cigarette before, much less breathed in the smoke from one. A little anxious, she stroked her pigtail. "I came to negotiate... an alliance. Yeah... that's it." she laughed nervously.

"Well then," he stood up, his legs spread apart, "how about we discuss what's mutual about us?"

Madeline felt a lump rise in her throat. "I'm... Canada. And you're Scotland. That's a start."

"Well, duh!" he laughed a little, but it wasn't normal laughter. It was booming, a little like a hyena. Madeline was starting to question his breed herself. "Anyhow, what are you like?" he started to look a little less intimidating without a cigarette in his mouth and a scowl on his face.

"I like maple syrup, and this is Kumajirou," she held up the white bear that was protecting her from being fully exposed to the man. Being a rather young country, she didn't want to be taken advantage of.

"Cute," he mumbled, which surprised her. Did he really like cute things like she did?

"I like cute things... too." As soon as she said this, she held her tongue. What was she thinking! Maybe he would get so mad he would -

"Really?" he cocked up his head, "So do I! But not really girly stuff... no, like faeries and pixies."

Her voice cracked, "...faeries? ...pixies?"

He turned his head so that she could see his right ear. "This is to ward off the evil ones, they're nasty little buggers!" he laughed again, though with less fortitude. "So, what else?"

After about a half hour of nervous conversation, the two of them headed into the kitchen to find something sweet for them to share.

...

"Scotty!"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" he backlashed, taking a fresh drag.

"What's up with your weird girlfriends! You know your older brother doesn't approve, right?"

"What do I care? You spend your days with that git Alfred!"

"THAT'S NOT A RELATIONSHIP!"

"Whatever you say," he smirked. He wasn't going to give up this golden opportunity to insult his brother.

"Ugh... I give up with you!" he opened and slammed the door without leaving, obviously a little more than pissed. Iain just laughed and shouted.

Francis strolled through the door, noticing those two unruly men fighting. "What are you two doing?"

Arthur sighed, "Scotty's going out with Canada..."

"Canada? I knew that her lovely French charm was too much for anyone to resist!" he bragged and ran a finger through his hair as if it was his own accomplishment. "Anyways," he laid his hand on the rogue red-headed country's shoulder, "if you want to keep a shy girl like that, you're going to have to take my advice."

"DON'T ENCOURAGE HIM, YOU BLOODY WANKER!"

"Who cares about you? Canada's sensitive, she needs a lot of love, and someone that's going to give her attention."

The three of them started yelling into each other's faces, obviously about to start something similar to World War III over just a private relationship. Nobody noticed Madeline standing in the doorway.

"Umm... guys? I'm right here,"