Hetalia – Of Magic and Might
Chapter 15! Unfortunately this is the second time of writing this chapter. For some reason my iPad decided to troll me and crash Microsoft without me saving it :( lesson learnt, always always save. Any who there's the next chapter and we are back with our dynamic duo!
Enjoy!
The Capital, Clocktower plaza, Outside the front gates of The Winter Palace
"Reckon he's trying to compensate for something, eh Kiku?" Alfred Jones asked his Japanese partner as he awed at the architectural wonder in front of him. After he and Kiku had left Arthur and Francis, Alfred found that the palace was only a little distance away from the Clocktower plaza. Which truth be told was more then alittle embrassessing for Alfred.
Alfred would be lying if he said that he was not impressed by the Winter Palace. Built with its white slab stone that looked golden in the setting sun and enormous brick-red roofed towers. The palace was a beauty to behold. The crowd that was usually swarming in front of the tall gates were more subdued, perhaps the heat had finally got to them Alfred thought as he people watched. His partner Kiku was standing next to him holding his modified vintage camera. It's lens was altered so that its magnifying power was a thousand times more powerful then it's original magnification. Kiku was using it to get a close up view of guard positions and the occasional snap when someone appeared beside a window. They had been stationed a little distance away from the gates for a few hours, simply observing the palace.
"This is hardly the time to be making jokes Alfred. Have you noticed how many people have been entering and leaving through the gates?" Kiku asked lowering his camera for a millisecond to stare at the slowly opening gates.
"Yeah, it's weird. The Emperor must be planning something and I bet…. Hold the phone. Is that Francis?!" Alfred cried pointing at exiting Frenchman, making frantic waving movements to draw his attention. Francis spotted the enthusiastic Alfred and swaggered over to them with a smug grin on his face.
"Ah Alfred, Kiku! It is so good to see you again so soon. They really do always come back for more" Francis teased flirtatiously with a wink, shaking Alfred and Kiku's hands fiercely.
"It's awesome to see you again Francis, so uh what were you doing in the palace anyway?" Alfred asking tucking his hands into his pockets and glancing over at the palace.
"Early this morning two guards arrived to escort Arthur and myself here. On arrival I was interviewed by the radiant Natasha Arklolhkay" Alfred and Kiku shared a look as Francis mentioned the name of the Emperor's sister, before Alfred realising the other piece of key information.
"Wait wait wait, wait. Wait. Did you say Arthur? Is Arthur in there?!" Alfred cried gripping Francis roughly by the shoulders and shaking him vicariously.
"Stop it Alfred! Qui yes Arthur is came with me, speak of the devil" Francis mused as he spied the Brit emerging from the front palace doors and through its iron gates. Arthur made his way through the crowd towards Francis, Alfred and Kiku with a scowl on his face.
"What the bloody hell are you doing here!" Arthur shouted as he stopped by Francis' side. Despite being yelled at, Alfred grinned. He was just pleased to see Arthur exit the palace alright.
"You know Arthur, where I come from it's a pleasantry to exchange a polite "hello" before the insults start" Alfred returned with a playful goofy grin on his beaming face.
"Oh I'm sorry Alfred. Hello, you muppet" Arthur sarcastically mocked performing a jesters bow as he did so.
"What back atcha sunshine" Alfred joked to the entertainment of his bemused audience.
"So what actually are you blonkers doing in front of the palace? Hoping to strike the Emperor with his pants down?" Arthur snickered.
"That wouldn't be practical. The Emperor hardly ever leaves the palace, when he does its always via private air ship. Besides if the mission was to assassinate the Emperor, then General Ludwig would send me with a more professional agent" Kiku surprisingly spoke up as he lowered his camera, packing it into its leather case. Arthur and Francis nodded in agreement as Alfred sputtered in disbelief.
"What's that supposed to mean! Whatever. So what do we do now Kiku?" Alfred asked turning to Kiku who pondered for a moment.
"I suppose we go to the air ship crossing to head back to base. Francis do you know of any ships that would be crossing this late?" Kiku inquired to Francis who shook his head sadly.
"I guess we'll have to find lodging Kiku, c'mon we'll have to start searching unless…" Alfred trailed off, spinning to throw his large Aqua puppy eyes in Arthur's direction. Arthur made a sort of hissing sound and started frogmarching down towards Clocktower plaza.
"Fine! You can stop over at mine! We'll have to pick up tea on the way though" Arthur called back to his following troupe, Alfred cheering the whole way.
Clocktower plaza, The Tea Room, Arthur Kirkland's apartment
"Mannn! That pizza was awesome! I would live in the Capital just to get a taste of this everyday. This. Is. The best pizza ever" Alfred screamed in delight as the company entered Arthur's apartment, Arthur immediately flicking on the lights. Everyone trooped into warm clean apartment and set their empty pizza boxes onto Arthur's round table.
"Yes, Feliciano is quite the master of his art. Did you see the open letter on the counter? It looked like a love letter, if I wasn't mistaken I spied the letter 'L' at the bottom" Arthur amused as he led his guests onto the upper floor. Alfred observed three bedroom doors and one bathroom door, identified by a green and blue towel hung on an attached hook. Arthur strode over to the farthest left door on the horse shoe metal landing. Pushing it open Alfred could see a white plain guest room with minimal styled furniture.
"Kiku, you wil be in the guest room if that's alright. Alfred you get a choice, my room or Francis' room" Arthur remarked opening the door for Kiku who strode past him, nodding his thanks and wishing the his hosts goodnight. Francis eyed Alfred playfully and twirled the end of his styled ponytail.
"Why don't you join me Alfred, although I'm afraid I can't guarantee that you'll have much sleep" Francis purred in Alfred's ear, causing Alfred throw himself against the wall to escape Francis grasp.
"Uh I think I'll go with Arthur, thanks Francis" Alfred stammered sprinting into the room that Arthur had just opened, it's door bearing a golden plate designed in the shape of a thick oaken tree. Upon passing the doorway Alfred examined Arthur's lodging.
The room was moderately large with the softest green walls and dark waxed floor panelling. Opposite the door stood a double bed with white covers, decorated with embroidery in the shapes of falling leaves. On the right of the bed was a colossal wooden wardrobe with beautiful intricate engravings of lions, unicorns and dragons. While on the west wall pinned to the wall was a stretched out map of the Isles, some isles circled with colourful markers. Scraps of small paragraphs were written beside the encircled isles, though Alfred could not read them from the distance he stood at. Interestingly there was a circling on the map that contained no Isle , instead of small neat notes there was a large question mark. On the walls hung photographs of various views of scenery such as woods and beaches. It was a room that Arthur had made his own, to Alfred it felt like every aspect of the room was engraved with a touch of Arthur's memories. Revealing small hints of Arthur's character.
"Nice place, it feels homely" Alfred complimented as he strode over to Arthur's wardrobe, tracing detailed patterned strokes of one lion's mane. Alfred could imagine Arthur with a whittle knife, craving his art into the sturdy wood.
"Thank you, although I never truly had a home. This is how I imagine it would be" Arthur replied walking over to join Alfred by his wardrobe.
"Are you okay Arthur? I mean really okay. You were in the palace. Being interrogated by the Emperor's sister" Alfred questioned seriously, turning his head slightly to look Arthur in the eye.
"I'm okay. For a horrible moment I thought I had been found out, that they were there to take Francis and I in. I can't deny I wasn't scared Alfred" Arthur returned not meeting Alfred's eyes, instead examining the dancing dragon in the wood. "They were asking about you Alfred" Alfred's eyes snapped in shock and dismay. "They wanted to know if I had been in contract with any recruitment rebels" Alfred let out a breath of annoyance and rubbed the neck of his neck.
"Great, just great. So they know who we are then?" Alfred finally said, undertones of fear creeping into his voice.
"They didn't know specifically. I believe they just generally think that rebels are in the capital" Arthur reassured certainly, taking his tie, shoes and socks off. "Take your shoes and socks off before you get in bed. I do not want mud on my covers!" Arthur added as he sat down on the right side of his bed. Alfred nodded and proceeded to do as instructed, also pulling his waist coat off as well. Arthur pulled the covers back and lay in bed facing away from Alfred as he too climbed into bed.
"Hey Arthur? Why have you let me sleep upstairs this time?" Alfred murmured, there was a lot he wanted to talk about. Though he got the impression that Arthur was keen to sleep.
"Because you're my friend, you twat" Arthur yawned as he stretched and curled into a ball. Alfred despite his sleepiness smiles and drew more of covers to his side, cacooning himself in Arthur's covers
"Night Arthur" Alfred whispered already half asleep, eyes closing and slipping into darkness. Arthur stilled in response, the last time he had slept beside someone and exchanged 'good nights' was with his brothers. The night before the tournament as they had excitedly discussed which arrows to take, debating various techniques and stances. Arthur had felt such joy back then that it hurt so much to remember. He knew that Alfred didn't realise the personal meaning behind those words for him, yet Arthur appreciated it all the same. Despite bringing the threat of being caught to his home, Arthur was secretly extremely glad that Kiku and Alfred had accidentally stumbled into his shop. If they hadn't then Arthur felt he would have two less dear friends he could trust completely.
"Goodnight, Alfred" Arthur spoke softly into his warm pilow, following Alfred into blissful unconsciousness
Awww. So the famous four for back together for the time being. In this chapter I've placed quite a lot of references, for example Feliciano (North Italy) sending and receiving letters from 'L'? I wonder what that could stand for S:) also Arthur's room was quite nice to imagine, the wardrobe referencing 'the lion, the witch and the wardrobe' as well as the carvings and decoration. Arthur was very much a traveller and a lover of nature so of course his room would reflect this. The map was well, hmmm. Both Ivan and Arthur have detailed maps of the Isles, what's that all about? Thank you for reading and if you are enjoying this story, please take the time to leave a review and a follow. They really mean and help me so much :)
Until next time folks!