Now France can't exactly say that he wasn't pleased about the Italy brothers change. Their cloths where much more tasteful now, and their way of bringing home ladies had definitely improved.
But, there was one thing that he absolutely disapproved of: Italy's "bambini's".
Quite frankly, they scared the living merde out of him, and while the brunette never showed them to his "guests", he was more than willing to play show-and-tell whenever a male nation (France, America, Germany, Japan, Spain, ect.) dropped by.
In fact, he could still remember the first (and unfortunately not the last) time he saw them...
It was a beautiful spring day, the warm Italian sun shining down on upon two well-dressed nations strolling along a Venetian canal as a cool northern breeze made it just the right temperature.
"Ve, grazie for coming, big brother France-is." The brunette said to the blond beside him, quickly correcting himself on the name when he remembered they where in public.
"It's no problem It-Feliciano. You know I always love to see your new works." So I can see if they'd look as charmant as I think they will in my museums. France replied, adding the last part in his head.
The day before, Italy had called him about a wonderful new collection he acquired and had invited him to come see it. Assuming that it was a collection of paintings of sculptures as usual he had accepted the invitation as soon as it was offered. As wonderful as the art from the Italian Renaissance was, he thought that people would like to see new things. And seeing how the other nation had "let" him "borrow" his art before, this was the perfect opportunity for him.
The nations where currently headed towards Italy's private home in his favorite city, which was obviously Venice (his reasoning was that it didn't make sense for him to abandon the place he was originally the personification of, especially since he was passing on the title of North Italy to Tuscany or someone in a few years. France honestly didn't understand the Italy family). His brother had his own private home in he believed to be Naples, but he wasn't sure.
They strolled along the waterways for a few more minutes before they turned off into one of the numerous alley ways and came upon spring green two story house. "This is it I presume?" France asked his companion.
"Sì." Italy replied, and walked up the brick steps. After he unlocked the door, he invited the physically older man inside.
France was shocked at how homey the living room, and entrance room, felt. It was a small-ish room, the sweet and spicy scent of drying herbs in the air, he presumed the smell came from the kitchen. The walls were a light brownish red with the dark beige silloettes of vines painted along the celing. There was a comfortable looking leather couch along the wall opposite to a TV, a house plant on the window cil, two wicker rocking chairs with deep red cushions forming a triangle with the couch, and a cherry wood coffee table in the middle of the couch and chairs. He could also hear traditional Italian music playing from somewhere in the room.
"Wait here for a few moments big brother France, and I'll get my collection. Do you want some biscotti and coffee, ve?" The brunette nation offered, leading him to the couch. "Oui, merci Italy." France replied.
Italy then disappeared through one of the doors, and the blonde continued to look around the room...was that a gun in the plant?!
But he didn't have time to further explore that, as Italy had reappeared back in the room balancing a steaming cup of strong Italian coffee, a few chocolate biscotti on a plate, and a beautiful mother-of-pearl and laurel wood box.
"Let me help you with that, amour." France offered to the smaller nation. "No, no. It's fine. One gets used to carrying multiple things when you're painting, ve." Italy replied, skillfully setting down the cup and plate on the table in front of his guest with one hand, barely even disturbing the coffee.
"Ok, let us see this beautiful collection of yours then." He offered after taking a few bites of biscotti. "Sì! I always love sharing my bambini with others." His host said happily. Then, with a flourish, Italy opened the latch on the box.
And there, laid out on the boxes black velvet lining, where a set of three simple silver throwing knives with reddish-brown leather handles, one lovely bronze dagger with opals inlaid in the handle, a thin steel dagger with a black leather grip and veins of amber weaving designs in the grip, 15 small silver knives that looked like they could be hidden anywhere without notice, and a downright deadly looking steel knife with a simple black handle.
"These are my newest collection, ve. Well, not exactly new since I've had them for a little over a year now, but their still the newest out of all my collections. I call the throwing knives Le Terzine , the bronze dagger Danza del Sole, the steel and amber dagger Crepuscolo, my little silver knives L'esercito Invisibile, and the steel knife Aiutante Notte." Italy declared fondly, running his hands over the blades as he said their names.
France had suddenly lost his appetite.
Translations
Le Terzine - The Triplets
Danza del Sole - Sun Dance
Crepuscolo - Dusk
L'esercito Invisibile - The Invisible Army
Aiutante Notte - Night's Helper