O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There's only splendour for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
Rather expectedly, America's loud, booming voice was the first to be heard as everyone sat down to the first world meeting of December. He was standing up front as always with his trusty board behind him, ready and eager to get everyone's- rather, his- thoughts down.
"So, guys! Any ideas on how to save more energy this Christmas?" America hollered, pausing to turn over a leaf of paper on the board. He pointed to a very badly drawn map of the world- That looks nothing like my country! France was the first to object- with the majority of it shaded in a deep red. "As you can see from this map, the majority of our countries use up more energy than ever around Christmas time! We need to save that energy so there'll be more of it, so…any ideas?!"
England pouted slightly. "If you're that dependent on us all, you didn't need to become an independent nation, idiot." At this, America grinned, which came as a slight surprise to the others.
"Love ya too, bro!"
Amongst all the, well, commotion, Canada was sitting on a chair between France and America's empty seat, his hand resting on his cheek and his elbow resting on the table. Boredom had soon sunk in, and taken away slightly the feeling of isolation and loneliness in regards to the others present. Just because there was nothing better to do, he looked around the room, and was surprised to find that other than the table and the nations and the chairs and the board and the hyperactive America stood slap bang in the middle of everything, there was actually nothing remotely of interest. It was a blank room, with a couple of windows letting the light in, a big mahogany door at either end, and a few paintings littering the walls rather than decorating them.
Canada slumped his head onto the table in defeat; there was, truly, nothing to do.
And that was when he had an idea.
A few hours later, the countries were still gathered around the table after a short but relieving break. America had taken his 'rightful' place back at the table next to England and, it seemed, Canada. However, as always, Canada was nowhere to be seen or found, and at present was balancing atop an extremely tall ladder, shaking as he hung a singular red bauble on dark green foliage.
It had taken a while, but he had done it- he had found a tree, brought it in, and was currently decorating the gargantuan plant. Little by little, he made his way upwards, hanging baubles and wrapping tinsel, sprinkling glitter and adjusting angels. Canada, strangely, felt relaxed as he did this, looking back at the others occasionally so he'd still know what was happening- last he'd checked, China was arguing with England and America over the true form of 'tea'. It sounded like something he would not want to be in the middle of, and got on with his work.
Canada finished in a couple of minutes after placing the bright, ever-sparkling star on the very top. It looked beautiful and elaborate, and as he made his way down the ladder Canada smiled at the sight- at least one thing he could praise himself on was his artistic eye for things. It came as a surprise to him, then, when as he was about halfway down the blasted thing, he slipped and fell backwards; one thing he obviously didn't have was an eye for anything else. Making a noise was no use, as the other countries couldn't hear him or see him falling. It was over in a second- he thought he had fell onto the ground, and eventually opened his eyes to see dark, tanned arms wrapped around him, and a huff from whoever it was that had caught him.
"You owe me one, America." Cuba smirked, Canada smiling awkwardly and nodding frantically back.
"I don't owe you- OHMYGOSH!" America screamed, forgetting about Cuba entirely and pointing dramatically over at the magnificent tree in all its glory and gaining almost everyone else's attention. "WHERE…WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?"
"I don't know, your alien friend…?" England muttered under his breath, still slightly bitter from the aftermath of the argument. China had been proclaimed by everyone else as the original country of tea, and had proudly shuffled away to make some for everyone.
"It's very pretty," Russia remarked. Japan, sat next to him, nodded quietly in agreement.
"Perhaps…perhaps even more prettier than I thought it would be…" France whispered, blown away by each tiny detail.
"Ah, Germany, they're right! Don't you think it's beautiful?" Italy asked, grinning. Germany muttered a small yes under his breath as he thought for a moment, staring at it intently.
"Anyone want some tea?" China had returned, carrying cup after cup of warm green liquid. England and America pouted slightly as everyone took a cup and drank. There was, though, no doubt across the board that it was tasty, although Germany seemed slightly off-colour after taking a couple of sips.
Canada sat down again at the table, the feeling of isolation returning to him little by little and yet being warded away little by little by his small, timid smile.
At least they're happy…I guess…
I'm very sorry about the wait! I had family over yesterday and no time to write, but I've posted both this and today's chapter now. :)
Thank you for the ideas and requests! I'll get around to them somehow, whether a cameo or an entire chapter, I'm not sure yet.
Have a great day, wherever you are! :D