Arthur woke up to the old woman gently nudging him. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he sat up and asked if something was wrong. "Oh, no-no, it's just breakfast," the old woman smiled and went to wake the other three up. Kiku was already dressing up and asked Arthur whether he slept well or not. "The beds are just perfect for a night's sleep," the Brit answered stretching himself. His friend agreed and went downstairs, leaving him to finish dressing.
Gilbert shot his eyes open the minute he smelt food through his sleep. The old lady didn't even have a chance to wake the other two up - Gilbert already proceeded to give Antonio and Francis his cruel wake-up call (which in essence practically means jumping on their bed and pouring bottles of water to their sleepy faces). After about 10 minutes of lying on the floor after being punched in the gut, he stood up and went to wash off the black penises off his face. Luckily, they haven't drawn them with a permanent marker, since Francis and Antonio both agreed that it wouldn't go well with their overall image. Having washed and dressed himself, he proceeded downstairs where the others were already enjoying their delicious breakfast. "There you are," Arthur smiled while spreading some garlic butter on a piece of warm bread. "Oh, forgive me, Artie," Gilbert said as he sat down and gave his two best friends a mean look, "I just couldn't get off the floor." Antonio and Francis tried hard not to snort a laugh whilst drinking their coffee. "I already talked to the owners. They marked the supermarket's location on my map, too," Kiku said, content, and proceeded to type something in his PDA. A little while later he said: "Alfred missed his flight." Arthur facepalmed and Antonio let out a slight laugh. "Typical," was all the Brit said and drank another glass of orange juice. "What time will we go to the mansion, oh capitaine?" Francis asked Gilbert with a grin as the white-haired man ate a piece of grapefruit and let out a quite sour expression. "When it's dark," he only coughed and took some sweet orange jam instead. They finished their breakfast in about 15 minutes and set out to discover the more common areas of Rio.
The morning was beautiful. The Sun was shining in the clear blue sky, people were minding their own business with smiling faces in their gardens and the careless and happy feeling the 5 all shared was giving them the mood boost they'd need before a potentially nerve-wrecking evening. "So, what's on the list?" Antonio asked with his mouth full, munching on a huge sweet passion fruit. Kiku pulled out a piece of paper from his little hipsack and recited the things they'd need. "Flashlights and batteries, salt, a knife, candles and matches, something to eat and drink, some paper and pencils... and... other miscellaneous things we think... we might need?" "Candles, paper and pencils? Not to mention the highly suspicious last bit at the end." Arthur turned around and cocked an eyebrow towards Gilbert. "Why on earth would we need candles if we're going to buy some torches and batteries?" Gilbert scuffed and told Kiku to add sleeping bags to the list as well. "W-we're going to stay there? Are you mad?" Antonio choked on his fruit and looked at his friend. "I see what he's getting at," Francis furrowed his brow and laughed a little while later. "Well, I don't," huffed Arthur next to him, "I don't see the need to get adrenaline-high by spending a particularly unpleasant night at a ready-to-topple house in the middle of nowhere."
A little while later they arrived at a nice convenience store and entered it in high spirits, not minding the other misunderstandings and quarrels they also had on the way there after the feud about the shopping list. Because it was just 11 AM, there weren't many people there and they managed to get everything they needed and take some photos nicely. Gilbert took care of dealing with the cashier due to his unrivaled skills in Portuguese, arter which they decided to head back to the guesthouse to pack their stuff ready for adventure and then just chill until it was time to go. "Ah, don't look so down, Gilbert," Francis said and nudged the man, "we'll just take some blankets and rugs instead the sleeping bags." Kiku and Arthur both curiously rummaged through the bags full of groceries. "There are so many things here I haven't even heard of, not to mention haven't eaten," the Brit awed and smiled while looking at different jars, packages, bottles and some dishes. Francis couldn't help but to break out a small laughter - he had already forgotten how new ingredients may seem to less active cookers than himself, who has cooked so many different dishes in his life. Gilbert looked at his friends feeling content. "Oh yes, tonight's going to be great," he sighed to himself with a smile and continued to tease Antonio.
After arriving back at the house they packed all the equipment they'd need. Since Francis was decided as the most culinary, he was in charge of packing the foodstuff (to which he obviously frowned). Gilbert packed the flashlights and other stuff they'd need "excavating" the place and Kiku took care of managing the blankets (because if there's anyone who knows about futons, it's that guy). Their backpacks by the door, they decided to play cards for a few hours before moving out. Going to the store and packing had taken more time than they thought it would and since the mansion was an hour and a half drive away from the house, not to mention the awful traffic they'd encounter in the middle of Rio, they estimated their time of arrival to be about eleven o'clock or so, since they wanted to have dinner here and check out a few places on the main street before going too. Alfred was going to catch the plane next morning and since he'd be coming from Washington, it wouldn't take too long for him to arrive in Brazil. The next day was the 31st of December anyway, so the places they were to seek out were related to spending and celebrating New Year's Eve. Just as Arthur had already thrashed his friends in their fifth game of poker, the old man called them for dinner from downstairs. "Soon," Gilbert grinned and laughed evilly as he watched Antonio and Kiku get anxious, looking outside. "Ah, don't worry, mes amis," Francis said heartedly, "he's just trying to put you in a frightened mood before we even arrive there." "I saw the place, I know what it's like," Antonio swallowed and sighing heavily, he started to climb down the stairs. After given a meaningful look full of I-hope-Gilbert-won't-make-the-exploration-awkward- and-I'm-sorry-if-he-does emotions to Francis, Arthur followed him. "Oh-la-la, what was that misty-eyed moment just back there?" Gilbert asked grinning after Kiku had went too. Francis just rolled eyes and pushed Gilbert towards the stairs.