The small clock showed six o'clock Nina jumped down from the kitchen counter to where she was watching Ib cook and ran upstairs. She knocked on Japan's door and put her hands behind her back, balancing on her heels. Japan soon enough opened his door and looked down at her. She smiled, "Dinner's ready!" before running to Germany's door and doing the same.
The black-haired man blinked a bit before retreating downstairs. He entered the kitchen and blushed brightly. Ib was standing in front of the counter, fully clothed I assure you, but she was wearing a dress, or a kimono in proper words. It was to her ankles and the sleeves draped over her hands. It was made of purple silk and had the design of lavender butterflies flying around. The obi was of lavender silk and had the same design of purple butterflies flying around. The rose in her hair, that was originally a dark red, was now a light lavender. She turned to him and he struggled to swallow the red on his cheeks. One word came to mind when he saw her in that, kawaii. She gave him a small smile as the others entered. She handed them each a plate and motioned to the counter full of food, "Pick what you like."
At the look of the counter, most ask, "Why make so much?" but in Ibliechenstein, food is a separate matter. "In an Ibliechensteinese family, the woman of the house is to make large portions. If any is left, the youngest is to take the extra food and pass it to those who cannot eat for the night. My country's poverty rate is 8% and to lower it slowly, we're feeding those who are in it to give them more energy to work and receive more money," Ib explained at their confused faces.
"Although," she made the giggle-like noise, "I don't think we'll have any pasta left if Italy is still as he was back then."
Italy smiled and began to pile his plate with pasta, as everyone expected. Germany watched as Nina put a few sausages on her plate along with three slices of cheese and did the same as her, only doubling the proportion. "Japan?" Ib asked.
He turned to her, "Hai?"
"Italy said you liked salted salmon and rice so I made some for you," she said, handing him a plate of rice and salmon.
He blushed at the fact she made it specifically for him. "A-arigato Ib-san," he stuttered as he bowed his head.
She tilted her head, "Arigato? What does that mean?"
"It means thank you in Japanese," he answered, now blushing from slight embarrassment.
"Okay. How do you say you're welcome?"
"Dō itashimashite."
"Then dō itashimashite, Japan. I like salted salmon as well," she said, picking up her own plate of the fish and grain.
He had a ghost of a smile on his face as he and the others followed Ib to the dining table. Everyone sat down and began to eat silently. The silence wasn't awkward nor was it satisfying. It was a silence that happened when everyone was content and believed the world was in alliance, even if at the time it was not.
Soon enough, everyone finished his or her food and everything was quiet. "Nina?" Ib asked, "Since it is late, Haru will give out the food tonight so you can sleep for school tomorrow."
The small child nodded, rubbing her eyes in an effort to keep them open. Haru left the table, taking everyone's plate with him. Ib picked up the small child and carried her to her room, the other countries following. Nina's head lay on Ib's chest as she softly began to sing, "Baby mine, don't you cry. Baby mine, dry your eyes. Rest your head close to my heart, never to part, baby of mine."
Ib began to sway slightly as she walked towards Nina's bed, "Little one when you play, don't you mind what they say. Let those eyes sparkle and shine, never a tear, baby of mine."
Nina's small eyes slowly closed, being lulled to sleep by Ib's voice chorusing, "If they knew sweet little you, they'd end up loving you two. All of those people who scold you what they'd give just for the right to hold you."
"From your head down to your toes, you're not much, goodness knows. But you're so precious to me, sweet as can be, baby of mine," she laid the smaller girl on to the medium sized bed.
Nina immediately cuddled into the blanket, smiling. "If they knew sweet little you, they'd end up loving you too. All those same people who scold you, what they'd give just for the right to hold you," Ib sang.
"From your head down to your toes, you're not much, goodness knows. But you're so precious to me, sweet as can be, baby of mine. Baby of mine," she sang once more before kissing Nina's forehead.
Ib slowly left the room, sighing in content. "Ib?" Italy asked, which caused Ib to jump.
"Lo siento," he apologized but she waved it off.
"It's alright Italy. What do you need?" she asked, looking at him.
He looked down then glanced up at her, "Could you sing to me too?"
Germany was about to smack him but stopped when Ib made the giggle-like noise again. "Of course Italy," she said.
He smiled and took her hand, running to his room. She followed him and the other men ran after them. As if they had done this before, Ib sat on his guest bed and he lay down next to her, head in her lap. The other two countries watched from the doorway. She began to pet his hair, being cautious of his curl. "Buonanotte, mio angelo. Il tempo di chiudere gli occhi. E salvare queste domande per un altro giorno. Credo di sapere quello che mi hai chiedendo, Penso che tu sappia quello che sto cercando di dire. Ho promesso che non avrei mai ti lascerò. E si dovrebbe sempre sapere. Ovunque si può andare. Non importa dove ti trovi. Non ho mai sarò lontano," she sang in Italian.
He gave an airhead-like smile, beginning to fall asleep. "Buonanotte, mio angelo. Ora è il momento di dormire. E ancora tante cose che voglio dire. Ricordate tutte le canzoni che ha cantato per me. Quando siamo andati a vela su una baia di smeraldo. E come una barca sul mare. Ti sto a dondolo a dormire. Scuro dell'acqua/ E nel profondo questo cuore antico. Sarete sempre una parte di me," she sang, petting his head softer.
"Buonanotte, mio angelo. Ora è il momento di sognare. E sogno che meraviglia la vostra vita sarà. Un giorno il bambino può piangere. E se cantare questa Lullabye. Poi, nel tuo cuore. Ci sarà sempre una parte di me," she sang as he began to snore in his strange way.
"Un giorno saremo tutti andati. Ma lullabyes andare avanti e avanti. Essi non muoiono mai. Ecco come si e io sarà," she finished.
She softly moved his head to the pillow before getting up and leaving. "Ib?" Germany asked.
She looked at him and raised an eyebrow, "Don't tell me you want me to sing to you to."
He blushed a light pink and shook his head, "Nein. I vant to ask jou something."
"Okay. What is it?"
"I vant you to join us in the second Vorld Var. Come out of isolation and fight vith us against zhe allies."
She turned and walked down the hall, "I'll think about it."
She got to the end of the hall, but peeked her head around the corner, "Oh and Germany?"
"Ja?"
"When I say 'I'll think about it' I mean yes. Gut nacht."