Hetalia – Of Magic and Might
Sweet 16! We're getting a change of setting in this chapter and we are also entering the beginning of the stories first crisis arc!
Enjoy!
Clocktower plaza, The Tea Room, Arthur Kirkland's apartment
Arthur Kirkland woke silently from his pleasant dreamless sleep. He felt content and at peace. Gentle sunlight streamed through the open bedroom door, illuminating the room in soft light. The wafting smell of French toast drifted into the room from the kitchen below. Francis must have already awoken and started cooking breakfast. Arthur sighed happily as he opened his spring green eyes, to find a large foot inches away from his face.
"Urgghhh!" Arthur girlishly screamed in horror, falling backwards out of bed and landing on his hard floor with a loud thud. Alfred snapped awake and did a double take looking for the damsel in distress that had woke him.
"Woah! Who's there?! Miss? Oh it's just you Arthur. Why'd you wake me so early?" Alfred yawned rubbing his sky blue eyes and reaching for his glasses on the bedside table. Arthur swiftly recovered and jumped to his feet, pointing an accusing finger at Alfred.
"Listen here you stupid oaf! Were you raised to shove your smelly feet in the face of your host?! Honestly I finally have a decent nights sleep and I awake up to have a stupid smelly foot in my face! Which by the way, is not a pleasant thing to wake up to! And when was the last time you clipped your grubby toe nails anyway. You sir seriously have a complete lack of personal foot hygiene, you'd think that members of the Resistance would at least have some standards! I can't believe that this is how you repay me for allowing you to share my bed!" Arthur angrily rambled to Alfred who was still waking himself.
"Hmm what's that amazing smell" Alfred said ignoring Arthur's rant and following his nose out the room. Arthur huffed in disbelief and followed Alfred out onto the baloney. Standing on his apartment's landing Arthur heard the sound of running water emitting from the bathroom, Kiku must currently be taking a shower. Looking below he saw Francis transferring caramel coloured French toasts onto four plates. Alfred had come off the stairs,grabbed one of the plates and began wolfing it down. Only to scream in pain from still-too-hot food.
Arthur smiled and returned to his room to change out of his crinkled clothes. Walking over to his wardrobe Arthur reached for the door nob, throwing the door wide and looking inside. Inside among his regular clothes were some rather different types of clothing. Some pieces within included a crimson pirate captain coat that Arthur stole when he was twelve,as well as his favourite dark green cloak. Avoiding these articles of clothing Arthur reached two plain white quarter length shirts and a pair of brown trousers. Slipping out of his old clothes and slipping into his new ones, Arthur left his room once again with his second shirt in hand.
Upon climbing down his grated metal stairs, Arthur proceeded to approach Alfred and hand him his white shirt. Alfred accepted the shirt looking confused.
"Your shirt is crinkled, so I'll temporarily loan you mine" Arthur stated, Alfred giving with his thanks and without patting an eyelid proceeded to change into his given shirt. Arthur coughed awkwardly and walked over to the kitchen sink by Francis.
"How did you sleep Arthur? I didn't hear any talking last night" Francis remarked aloud over the sounds of dishes being washed in the sink. Arthur who had just poured himself and taken a sip of water, did a spit take.
"What the hell are you talking about frog?! I don't sleep talk.." Arthur trailed off sheepishly muting his words by taking another swig at his water. Alfred glanced over to Arthur with a subtle expression of concern, only to have his attention drawn to Kiku who had exited the bathroom. As Kiku sat down with them, Arthur handed Kiku his breakfast and together with Francis sat down to enjoy their breakfast.
"How did you sleep Kiku?" Arthur asked as he cut up his French toast, popping it into his mouth.
"Very well thank you Arthur. The mattress was so much more comfortable then my bed roll back at the base" Kiku politely answered, thoroughly enjoying his breakfast. Alfred pushed away his clean plate and leaned back on his cushioned chair, smacking his lips. Francis to finished his meal and cleared his throat to draw everyone's attention.
"I received a letter from my friend Antonio. He has generously invited us to his manor, Arthur. He says that he'll be holding a small gathering, a dinner party if you would" Francis announced to the table. Arthur set his cutlery down and held his chin thoughtfully.
"Lord Antonio, yes I remember him. His parties were top notch, say where is his manor again?" Arthur inquired, Kiku and Alfred had picked up their plates and started washing them.
"On a remote Isle, something to do with a dolphin fin" Francis airily stated, Arthur sighed and proceeded to correct him.
"You mean Whale-Tail Island? Hell's Bells Francis I know it's remote, but it's still a part of the Isles. Your geography is bloody awful" Arthur scorned, missing the look of shock exchanged between Alfred and Kiku. Arthur and Francis continued unaware that they would be travelling the Isle where the Resistance's base was situated.
"Suppose we better set off then. Alfred, Kiku? You'll be setting as well I suppose. Why don't we walk down to the Air Ship crossing together?" Arthur said brightly standing up and checking his wallet on the coffee table for money. Alfred cleared his throat suggestively for Kiku to speak up, to which he reluctantly complied.
"Actually Arthur, we will be needing passage to Whale-Tail Island as well" Kiku hurriedly spoke, not drawing breath. Francis' and Arthur's eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Then I suppose that we'll all be travelling together" Francis nonchalantly suggested, Arthur shrugged and folded his wallet into his pocket. Kiku ran upstairs to grab his pack and camera while Francis and Alfred waited by the door. Once they were all ready to depart, they left the apartment and began walking back to the Air Ship Crossing.
The Capital, The Capital's Air Ship Crossing and Harbour, The decking the Zeppelin ship 'The Fair Lady"
"Would passengers please remain seated, we will now be leaving departing for 'Whale-Tail Island'. A bell will be rang that will signify when it is safe to roam the ship, thank you" a female voice resounded from the built in Zeppelin speakers. Arthur continued to look out the circular port window whilst listening to the the intercoms voice. Finally they were about to take off, Arthur hadn't chosen this particular ship for its luxury. He'd chosen it for its speed, though it didn't seem particularly quick when it took forever to take off.
The Fair Lady was a fairly respectable air craft. At the centre of the cabin structure was the Dining cart, where passengers came to feast and admire the passing views. The Dining cart was extremely elegant and sophisticated . Spotless white cloth tables were dotted about the room, trim waiters navigating through them with dining charts. Chatter and classical music bounced off the walls, radiating the cart in a lively atmosphere. Arthur and company had seated themselves on a window side table. Dining alongside them were a few passengers collectively sipping wine, though Arthur didn't pay much attention to them. The zeppelin's engine whirred and the air ship lifted off its dock, reversing and started on its set course. On the table side by side, Alfred and Kiku were conversing quietly to each other while Francis sat beside Arthur.
"What do you think Alfred and Kiku are talking about?" Arthur whispered in Francis' ear, watching in Alfred's and Kiku's direction. Their brows were frowned in worry and their eyes kept darting among the other passengers. The display of suspicious behaviour had Arthur more then a little disturbed.
"I think they are talking about that women's outfit. I mean fishnet tights and silhouette heels in fall? Tragic" Francis scoffed flamboyantly with a sassy dismissive wave.
"You know, somehow Francis I don't think that's what their talking about" Arthur murmured in a low tone void to Francis' ears, whom continued to judge other passenger's fashion. Arthur groaned and heaved himself to his feet. Alfred and Kiku paused from their worrying conversation at the sudden movement.
"I'm going to explore the rest of the carriages, be back in five" Arthur announced as he left the table, Kiku nodding in response. Alfred and Francis wearing barely noticeable looks of concern. Arthur sidestepped a hurrying waiter and reached the exit, pushing open the swinging door and stepping into a cabin corridor. Hearing the door close behind him Arthur continued down the narrow corridor, his footsteps silenced by the bouncy carpet. The centre cabin's door was slightly ajar and growing audible conversation drifted into the corridor.
"What the hell do you mean he didn't board? We were told that he would be crossing on this date!" A gruff voice boomed from inside the cabin, Arthur paused and crept closer. From the other side of the door a low mumbled static voice emitted from a handheld radio.
"What'd the boss man say Hyde?" A slightly higher voice said, Arthur presumed to the man talking on the radio.
"He said that the target may not be on the ship. But he said that don't mean we can't make a profit today. Boss says if we hijack the ship, we land it in the HQ's port" The voice belonging to Hyde authoritatively commanded.
"I've always wanted to fly me own air ship!" A rather weedy voice in-putted excitedly. Only to be answered with a groan and slapping sound.
"Screw your head on Dodger! You flying an airship? Ha! You can't even tell your left from your right!" The higher voice cried giving Dodger another slap. Arthur heard Dodger cry in pain and Hyde chuckle.
"The pilot will fly us there, it'll simply take a little…convincing" Hyde amused, pulling a throwing dart from his jacket and examining it. "Remember boys, if a dog gives you trouble. You put it down. I doubt we'll run into trouble, the people of the capital have grown soft and mellow" Hyde snarky said as he rose from his seat and unbeknownst to Arthur, walked silently to the cabin door. All to late Arthur sickeningly realised that the cabin's occupants were leaving. Taking barely two steps back before the cabin door was abruptly opened, Arthur stood defenceless face to face with a furious brutal trio of mercenaries.
And so it begins! Not too much to say about this chapter to be honest. I like to think the mercenaries we have been introduced to speak with strong cockney accents, their names all have connections to London so meh :P. Thank you reading this chapter and if you are enjoying this story, please take the time to leave a review to tell me what you think and follow this story to keep updated!
Until next time folks!