Alfred was up at his usual 4:30 AM, there was a lot to be done before camp started. He stretched, threw on his usual jeans and flannel shirt, to repel the cool of the very early morning. He put on his boots and began the long journey to the stables. Humming quietly as he passed the girls cabin, he noticed someone sitting on the picnic table out front. Red hoodie, Jean capris, red converse and pigtails, sipping at a cup of what appeared to be coffee. He walked over, trying not to look too giddy.
"Good morning Madeline!" She looked up surprised.
"Uh Bonjour… I did not think anyone else would be up this early."
Alfred laughed quietly. "No one but me, I'm afraid. Ludwig will be up in an hour." Madeline nodded and they stared at each other awkwardly.
"So… Uh… Do you want to come with and see the new painted mare? You can name her…"
Madeline stood up, with a smile on her face, before quickly righting herself. "Uh, I would love to come, only if I will not be in your way…"
Alfred gave his a million watt smile. "Of course! One question, do you know how to ride?"
Madeline gave a sly smile. "My Papa owns a ranch in Alberta. I can ride western and english."
If even possible, Alfred's smile got even brighter. "Great! Once I watch ya and I ask, Would you like to exercise the horses with me? Maybe you'll get along with the new mare!"
"SHHHH!" Madeline hissed. Alfred blushed heavily, jumped onto the deck grabbed her hand and started jogging towards Mary Randell.
"Let go!" she pushed his hand off and he turned around looking startled.
"Sorry, sometimes I just get carried away, but we better move, or else we might not eat breakfast." She nodded and they jogged faster.
Ten minutes later, they stood in the center of the stables. Alfred took a deep breath inhaling the scent of hay, horse and horse dung. He looked over at Madeline, assessing her. Jean capris, Check, sweater, Check, Converse, NO.
"Hey Madeline, Follow me, we got to get you some new shoes." She nodded and followed him around the corner to the tack room. This was his favorite room, it smelled like old leather, grease, wool and steel. He led her through the maze of saddles and rope to the back wall that was covered in riding boots. English and western, ranging from baby size to huge grown man feet. She selected a size six and slipped her feet in (sans converse).
"Ready?" He asked as she wiggled her toes in the boots.
"Ready."
Alfred led her back through the tack room. "We have a few things to do before we can go meet her. I hope you're not afraid to get your hands dirty." The morning routine began.
An hour later, they finally finished. They were now sitting on a bench, legs out thirstily sucking down water and breathing heavily.
Alfred was first to catch his breath. "We…" Weeze "Have…" Deep breath. "To wait…" Semi normal breath. "For Tim and Tom to get here." She tossed him a questioning look.
He laughed breathily. "Ha! You think I can look after 16 kids AND 20 horses. I may be a super awesome, but I am not, in fact, a super hero. They help me out." He blinked slowly, listening to the sound of tires on dirt. "Now, let's take that ride and meet our new girl."
He stood up and lent a hand. After tugging her up they went out side. Alfred turned to her. "Do you want to ride first or meet the mare?"
Madeline thought about it for a second. "Ride first, then mare."
Alfred smiled. "Back to the tack room~" He sang.
Tacking up took 15 minutes and by that time, it was now 6:00. Alfred looked at his watch. "Whew! Time flies when you're doin' work." He turned to her. "We have enough time for a 45 minute ride and 10 minutes with the mare. Does that sound good to you?"
He probed her purple eyes. "Yeah…"
"Great! Today, you'll be riding Noksa. Need any hel…" He cut himself off as she gracefully swung onto the tall horse.
"Yes, I need tons of help." Sarcasm dripped from her voice.
Alfred just smiled, climbing onto his on horse. "Let's go."
50 minutes later, they were both leaning on the edge of the coral watching the black and white horse trot around.
Alfred looked at Madeline. "You are welcome to come with me every morning, I mean if you don't mind the work…" Madeline snapped her gaze to him.
"I'll make you a deal. Every other day. Not because you're any fun, just because I love the horses." She said with a teasing smile.
Alfred pouted. "Fine we shake on it though." She stuck out her hand, they shook.
"Oh and Checkmate."
Alfred looked confused. "Huh?"
"Her name, Checkmate." She said again.
He smiled.
"Checkmate."
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Heracles was a happy man. Not only did they put him with his favorite age group, but they put him with Sakura as well. Right now they were in the craft hut, with the new girl, who was, as it seemed, sparklingly sarcastic, endearing and on the way to being very well loved. They were currently starting this years year long craft. It seemed as though someone had donated money, because you couldn't see the sky through the ceiling anymore and the walls had been re drywalled and painted with chalkboard paint. Currently they were coming up with ideas for Unit 4's Camp - Help Craft (Or the CHC for short), The top of the list consisted of a new roof for Chickadee because the one that was there leaked. Heracles smiled at this.
Little kids are so cute… But not as cute as her…
Sakura was sitting across the room, sketching something.
Probably Manga…
He would ask her about it later, right now he needed to focus. The soft sunlight seeping through the open air windows, gave the room a magical, sleepy feel. The old building smelled like old wood, finish, acrylic paint, clay and summer time. The kids were smiling and talking adding Ideas to the ever growing list. He lay his head down on the table he was occupying.
A little nap wouldn't hurt and Madeline has control of the children…
30 Minutes Later….
Heracles felt a tapping on his back and sleepily opened his eyes. He blinked lazily, sitting up, before noticing the paper hat he was wear and the cape. He stood up very confused, noticing all of the kids standing on the other side of the room, trying to keep the snickers to a minimum. But then the redhead, Olivia Maybe? was about to explode, but then she did. It was infectious, everyone began laughing, like so hard you could pee laughing. Even Madeline was chuckling and Sakura was giggling and that made him happy. So he did poses. This continued until one kid actually did pee there pants, then everyone just laughed even harder. Needless to say Crafts kind of finished after that, the final decision being that they were going to fix the peace garden.
Heracles watched as the kids filed out and started the short hike back towards Chickadee. He walked slowly next to Sakura, who was smiling slightly and seemed to just be enjoying the outdoors.
He decided to interrupt it. "Hey, what do we have after lunch?"
She snapped out of whatever daze she was in and pulled out her schedule. "Nothing, it appears, that means Gaga ball and games until dinner at 5."
Heracles looked at the sky. "Uh what time is it now?"
"3:00." She answered.
"Ah… and have you decided on a name for your kitten?" He asked lazily.
She was surprised. "Yes, actually, Meg."
He smiled.
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Francis had worn his swim suit just in case, it's not like he wanted to go swimming, but if he had to, he would be prepared. His Unit had just marched into the clearing at the waterfront, when he noticed another Unit was already there. Unit 6. Arthur. They sat around him as his arms flew wildly around, obviously telling one of his fairy tales. His eyes practically glowed green, as he recounted age old tales of beasts and heroes. Out of the corner of his eye he must have noticed the frenchman, because the arm movements stopped, there was an "mmmmm" of disappointment, before he stood up and walked towards Francis. Arthur didn't even wait to get over to him, before he began scolding.
"You do know Frog, that every minute you are late, is a minute MY Unit can't be swimming." He said disapprovingly.
Francis just laughed and threw an arm around the brit's shoulders (Only to have it shoved off almost instantly). "As grumpy as ever I see cher, Pardon mon ami, We got caught up having "to get down" with Ludwig and Gilbert's Unit."
The Englishman's (large) eyebrows knitted together. "That is no excuse!"
Francis smiled like a cat. "Well you, are wasting precious swimming time scolding me~" He sang watching Arthur go redder, knowing he'd won.
"Whatever!" He shouted before turning back to his Unit, telling them something about sunscreen and herding them over towards the lifeguard. Francis snapped out of his haze of winning and turned to his own campers.
"Okay enfants, put your stuff over there," he said pointing to a tree split into two trunks. "Then join Unit 6 listening to Madame Anna." Francis could practically see the girls internally swooning. He enjoyed his power. He followed his campers over to the bench where Anna was standing. He joined Arthur standing in the back. Arthur scooted away without taking eyes off of the woman in red.
After the 15 minute safety speech was over, all the campers had their buddies, all tags had been put on the board and children safely under Anna's watch, he sat down next to Arthur on the picnic table near the fire pit.
Arthur was reading.
Francis leaned out enough to catch the title. A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. "I see we have moved on from Pride & Prejudice." Arthur didn't look up, but nodded. "Honestly I like the Hound of Baskerville, much better."
This time Arthur looked up, slightly amazed. "You've read the Sherlock books?" Francis laughed like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Of course! What do you think I am, an uncultured swine?" Arthur blushed.
That would be yes…
He watched as the englishman collected himself.
"No… Uh… Of course not. I just figured you would read french literature." Francis laughed again.
"Of course I do! The only reason I read it was because I was forced!" Arthur was aghast, his temper slowly rising.
"What are you saying? English Literature is no good?" Francis smiled slyly. "Maybe…" Arthur's temper hit the ceiling.
"Why I wouldn't!" He couldn't even finish his sentence, he was so angry. Francis just continued laughing. He closed his eyes, letting the laughter tears pour down his cheeks.
His wake up call was a slap across the face. "Asshat! Its rude to laugh at someone's temper!" Francis who had been laughing to hard to really feel the slap, began to laugh once more.
"But your temper is so fun cher!" Arthur frowned.
"Again Rude." He turned back to reading his book. But god damn, the sun was lighting up his jaw at the perfect angle. Catching his hair and making it look golden. His eyes which were normally radioactive green, they were literally glowing, as though every word he read was kindling to the flame. Francis did his best not to stare, but it was impossible.
Rivalry runs deep, but Love runs deeper.
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Madeline had only been there for one day, and she had officially decided that Mess was her favorite time of day, especially evening mess. It was loud and jumbled and like a Mess or a family is supposed to be. Madeline walked through the double doors and into the "Food Hallway" as Feliciana had aptly called it this morning. It smelled heavenly, and she closed her eyes and let her nose lead her to the front of the line. Tonight's meal, consisted of handmade fried chicken, mash potatoes, maple sugar roasted carrots, snap peas, cinnamon apple sauce and for dessert Apple pie. She piled her plate, focusing on the smells and wondering if this was what it would be like if…
No we don't think about the what ifs…
She took a moment and let the sensation wash away with deep breaths, when she noticed something peculiar. A little ways into the kitchen was Alfred. He was towering over a woman with blonde hair and soft indigo eyes. They were talking and the woman laughed at something Alfred said. His smile made the lights flicker (not literally). The woman said something and he giggled. It was when he open his eyes once more that he noticed Madeline. She waved and he waved back. The woman noticed and whispered something that made him blush. He retorted and she chuckled. He leaned down (way down), and let her kiss his forehead. That was all she saw before she was pushed out into the dining room. Madeline walked to the councillors table, where Elizaveta flagged her down. She smiled taking her place between her and Sakura. "How was your early morning ride?" the Hungarian asked wiggling her eyebrows. Madeline just looked at her with her perfected Resting Bitch Face,
"None of your business." The elder just smiled.
"I guess I'll just have to fill in the blanks myself." She said with a cat's smile. Sakura's nose burst out in blood. Madeline blanched. They sat in silence, Madeline trying to erase the images Elizaveta put in her head.
The silence stayed until Alfred sat down a few minutes later. "Hey guys sorry I'm late!" He sat between Arthur and Lovina.
"Does it look like any of us were really concerned about it genius bastard?" The older Italian said before turning back to eat her food. Alfred's cheeks coloured. Arthur had a laugh.
"Speaking of which how is your company doing?" Alfred immediately perked up.
"Great actually! I just recently sold off a new idea to Google, for a nice chunk of change…"
Heracles perked up from farther down the table. "Is that why the Craft Hut has upgrades?"
Alfred nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! I donated almost all of it, not all here, some at other places like H20 for Life and The American Cancer Society, but a good portion of it went here." Everyone nodded and grumbled as though this was completely normal.
Madeline was very confused, and some part of her must have conveyed it because Arthur laughed. "Oh you are so cute poppet! You look horribly confused. Let me explain it to you… It begins in the mystical sands of time, which are dreadfully unfair if you ask me… But anyway, somehow Alfred was endowed with knowledge beyond the rest of us."
He was cut off by Alfred himself. "I prefer the term imagination… but continue…"
Arthur glared at him, but continued. "He graduated high school at 12 and college at 15 and began his life as an adult." Madeline's jaw dropped and the american smiled.
"Oh… but that's not all," Elizaveta interjected. "You know Dash?"
Madeline laughed. "Everyone knows Dash, and anyone who's anyone has an account." The hungarian opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Alfred.
"Thats mine! It was the first programing piece I did after college! It really was a big success!" Madeline's jaw dropped once more.
"You… you are the creator of Dash?" He nodded. There was silence, stunned silence. That is until Feliciana tripped and dumped her dinner all over Alfred's head. Everyone laughed. Madeline smiled.
What did I get myself into?
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They watched from not too far away. The center table, the councillor table. The councillors were laughing and talking and joking and singing. And Flirting… They saw the way Alfred looked at the new girl. They saw the way Francis poked at Arthur. They saw how close Elizaveta and Gilbert sat to each other. They looked at each other, and nodded in agreement. Tonight they strike…
My personal head canon is that, America is incredibly smart, he just hides it. Also that Canada is very Sassy and also very smart.
Translations:
Bonjour - Hello
Noksa - Beautiful (Norwegian)
Cher - Dear
Mon Ami - My friend
Enfants - Children