...
~(WMD)~
Happy Valentine's Days everyone.
This isn't a super special fluffy chapter for the occasion, although I would have liked it to be lol.
'Thoughts' "Speech"
-(SC)- = Scene Change
Warnings for - The Request Board and England's Time Paradox
xXx xXx xXx
The Art of Confusion
America lifted his arms and stretched his back as he and Canada exited the conference room together. The meeting had ended only a few hours after they had arrived and now everyone was heading off to do their own thing. Some nations were going directly to their rooms while others were staying behind to mingle.
"My back hurts.." America whined before yawning tiredly.
"Well you did sleep on the floor last night." Canada reminded with a humored smile as he looked over to his brother.
"We need to get that guestroom set up…" America replied, weariness evident in his voice. "I'd rather just sleep with you and nobody else, ..even if you do steal the covers sometimes..."
Canada blushed brightly at that, then took a quick glance around to see if anybody had heard that risky comment. He sighed in relief, no one appeared to be listening to them. Canada let out a slow breath as they walked past a few nations idly chatting away with each other. "Al, be careful with what you say in pub-"
"Hey, what's going on over there?" America asked suddenly, interrupting his brother's quiet scolding. He then took his twin's hand and pulled him to a small crowd that had gathered in the lobby.
"What's this?" America asked as they approached the crowd. They were all standing in front of an old fashioned chalkboard near the check-in counter. At the top of the board, written in white chalk read "Assistance Request Board".
"Dunno, Mate." Australia replied as he moved aside to give America a better view. "I guess we're suppose to write requests on it..?"
"You think so, bru?" New Zealand asked with a light smirk.
"You got a better idea, Kiwi?" Australia grinned as he reached over and ruffled New Zealand's hair before having his hand slapped away a moment later.
"Vat kind of requests?" Lichtenstein asked as she stared up at the board with curious green eyes.
"Do we get paid for completed requests?" China asked with interest.
"Everysings not always about money, China." France scolded as he shook his head at the shorter nation beside him. "Zere are of course ozzer ways we could pay.." He suggested with a perverted smirk.
"Like vat?" Lichtenstein asked innocently as she looked to France for an answer.
"Like pasta!" Italy offered with a grin.
"Or burgers!" America added happily.
"And kimchi!" South Korea cheered after he had jumped onto the American's back and wrapped his legs around his waist. America was forced to release his brother's hand as he stumbled forward, accidentally knocking into Iceland. The Nordic turned around to glare coolly at the rambunctious duo.
"Get off my back, dude!" America demanded as he tried to unwrap the Korean's legs. "By the way, kimchi's totally gross."
"It is not!" South Korea defended with a pout. "You've never even tried it!
"That's because it's gross!" America retorted illogically.
"Why won't you just try some?" South Korea asked sulkily.
"You're wasting your time, Amerique only eats fast food." France shrugged and shook his head in disapproval. He knew of course this was a lie but he couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a jab at America.
"I'veh got an idea then." Italy started with a smile. "Justa put some in a burger." He suggested.
America gaped at his Italian friend in horror.
"That's a great idea!" South Korea agreed as he reached around and groped America's undefended chest. "Kimchiburgers originated in me after all, Da~ze!"
"Vee~ What about Pastaburgers?" Italy asked with a smile.
"Those originated in me as well." South Korea informed a-matter-of-factly.
"Really?" Italy frowned with obvious disappointment.
"Just leave my burgers out of this!" America demanded with a pout. "And seriously dude, quit touching me." He whined as he tried to pull South Korea's hands away.
"Better you than me." China said smugly as he crossed his arms over his chest.
-(SC)-
Walking into the lobby, England took notice of the small rowdy crowd of nations that had gathered around the newly placed chalkboard. He scanned over the individual countries twice but couldn't find the one he was looking for. Only America, who was in the middle of the crowd and at the center of attention as usual. England sighed quietly then scanned the rest of the room. His emerald eyes finally locked onto the other North American twin. Canada was sitting at a table a little ways away from the crowd, a freshly made cup of tea was set in front of him as he stared out the window looking bored.
Canada jumped slightly, startled when England pulled back the opposite chair and sat down at the table with him. "What are you doing over here all by yourself, Matthew?" England asked as he poured himself some tea as well from the already prepared pot on the table.
Canada gave a small smile before answering. "I'm just trying to wind down after the meeting." England nodded in understanding as he lifted the cup to his lips and took a sip of tea. "By the way, Arthur, isn't that chalkboard the one from the house?" Canada asked.
England lifted his eyebrows slightly then smiled. "I see you recognize it. I thought that while yes, this meeting is primarily about the schedule, that possibly we could still find a way to be productive. It would be a waste if we didn't take this opportunity to try and settle some issues and assist each other while we are all gathered here like this. After all, this is a World Meeting." England explained as he looked over to the small crowd of nations.
"Do you think it will work?" Canada asked as he too looked over, though he didn't really want to.
"Somehow, I highly doubt it…" England replied with a sigh as he watched an odd scene play out.
-(SC)-
"Ok, dudes. This is how it's going to work." America said, taking control of the situation as he picked up a piece of chalk.
"Who the hell put you in charge, ya burger bastard?" Romano grouched, crossing his arms.
"I did." America replied simply as he wrote his own name in bold letters. "Everyone who wants assistance with something, write your names here." He said gesturing below his name. "Then beside it, add your request and what you are willing to offer for it." He instructed, then started writing something beside his name. Everyone stayed quiet as they watched him spell out his request.
"Hugs? You gotta be joking." Romano frowned after he read the American's immature request.
"And I'm offering a reward of equal or lesser value." America grinned as he set the chalk down as if he were a teacher concluding his lesson for the day.
"Nobody's going to take you up on that offer, aru!" China proclaimed, unamused as he stared incredulously at the chalkboard.
"Veee~ I will." Italy said as he picked up the chalk and wrote his own name under America's words as if signifying that he was accepting the request. After setting the chalk back down, he turned then stepped forward and wrapped his arms around America, giving him a hug.
"And that's how you do it. Transaction complete." America said as he leaned over slightly and returned Italy's hug with a hug of his own.
-(SC)-
England rolled his eyes after seeing that. "Well at least they have the general idea." He sighed then turned back to Canada. The teen was looking out the window again. "I've been meaning to ask you something, Matthew." England said, getting the Canadian's attention once more.
"What about?" Canada asked as he looked back to the Brit.
"I'm sure you recall the conversation we had yesterday when I brought Alfred over." England began. A small frown came over Canada's face before he nodded. He had a pretty good idea where this was going now. "Don't you find it rather odd that he can't remember anything about that house? We spent plenty of time there after all."
"Pretty odd, eh?" Canada replied evasively as he turned his cup in front of him to distract himself. His tea was already cold and he never even took a sip after pouring it.
"Tell me," England started. "is there something wrong with your brother's memory..?" Canada chose not to answer and instead let his attention wander back to the window yet again. England's eyes narrowed. "You know something, don't you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Canada lied, trying to end the conversation.
"The hell you don't.." England muttered under his breath. "Fine, I'll just ask Alfred about it myself."
Canada turned back to England and narrowed his eyes slightly as well. "Don't do it, Arthur."
"Do what?" America asked with interest as he walked over to join them. Canada shot England a hard look before turning his attention to his twin.
England, completely ignoring the Canadian's wishes, cleared his throat. "Alfred." He began, turning to face the American who was now standing next to their table. "Tell me, do you recognize that chalkboard?"
America lifted his eyebrows then turned to look behind him for a moment before turning back. He then shrugged. "Should I?"
"Don't you remember all of those lessons I tried to teach you?" England asked.
"What? You mean the history lessons?" America gave a small frown. "I kinda slept through a lot of that."
"No, I tried to teach you World History and geography in Virginia. Don't you remember learning arithmetic and writing?" England asked impatiently.
"Hey, I'm awesome at math and if this is about how I spell things-"
"No, it's not about that." England interrupted, getting a little frustrated now. "I just want to know if you remember."
"Remember what?" America asked doubtfully.
"The lessons!" England snapped, loosing his patience.
"Yeh, you shouted a lot.." America replied with a frown.
"Arthur, stop it." Canada demanded as he glared at the Englishman.
"What's this about?" America asked, confused.
England sighed. "What's the earliest you can remember?"
"Dude, you want me to recall pre-colonial times?" America asked, finally starting to get annoyed with the conversation.
"Can you?" England asked.
"Yes, of course I can!" America snapped.
"What about early colonial times?" England pressed, he knew his interrogation window was closing fast from the look on his ex-colony's face.
"Yeh, what about it?" America asked, crossing his arms.
'This isn't getting me anywhere.. I need to be more specific.' England thought to himself as he paused for a moment to think of a better way to word his questions. A sly look appeared on England's face as a clever idea came to him. "Do you recall the time I took you both to Hudson's Bay? That was the first time either of you had ever sailed on a ship."
"Uh, sure.. We all had a lot of fun.." America responded weakly. The Englishman frowned at that. He then glanced over to Canada and watched as a certain degree of sadness came over the Canadian's face.
"We only stayed there for a few months," England continued, strategically guiding the conversation. "then we had to depart again before winter so we could return to Matthew." He then directed the conversation towards the confused Canadian. "I'm dreadfully sorry lad, I still remember how upset you were when we had to leave you behind in Virginia."
"Wait, what?" America asked with an identically confused expression. "Didn't Mattie come with us? Where are you even going with this?"
"Alfred," England began, completely ignoring the American's questions. "do you remember when I returned from Hudson's Bay? I brought Matthew back with me. You were so excited."
America hesitated, as his mind momentarily froze up from the jumble of information he was receiving. He then shook his head slightly before forcing a disingenuous smile onto his face. "Best day ever." The teen finally replied with a weak laugh. Canada bit down on his lower lip then redirected his attention back to his cold cup of tea.
"Look, if you're done with giving me the third degree, then I think I'm done here." America said, concluding the conversation. "Mattie, I'll be outside if you need me." He informed, without looking at his brother directly. With that said, the American turned and left.
Both Canada and England watched silently as America walked off then exited the main doors to the UN Building. Once he was out of sight, England turned back and gave the Canadian a serious look, narrowing his emerald eyes.
"I think it's time for you to tell me what you know, Matthew."
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~(WMD)~
Tell us all what you know, Matthew!
xXx
PastaBurgers - Made in South Korea.
(WMD's fun facts - Kimchi is a traditional fermented Korean side dish made of vegetables with a variety of seasonings. -Wikipedia)
Anyway... Who else thinks Alfred would make an awesome teacher?
Next chapter will be out on February 18th 2014.
Feel free to leave a review~