come out to the frozen pond, bundled up in an elegant fashion. Ice skating is definitely one of her favorite winter sports- it reminds her

of ballet in its grace. But she sees that this particular pond is taken- by Matthew. She gives a small wave to Francis's former charge.

blinks at her and then turns to look behind him as if she was waving to someone else. Seeing no one, he glanced back at her and waved. "Hey"

slightly confused as to why Matthew looks so shock that she's waving to him. "Bonjour Matheiu," she replies, "It's been too long since

I've seen you."

isn't used to people noticing him so was caught off guard. "Yeah, it has been." He finishes tying up his shoes and skates over to her.

It's one of those rare moments where Louise recognizes Matthew for who he is- and not Alfred. But there's something about seeing Matthew

here in the snow and ice that triggers the memory in remembering the usually invisible nation. "I see your going to practice your hockey..."

nods a little and scratches the back of his head. "I forgot my puck, though.. So I was just going to use a pinecone or something like that."

She frowns a bit. "That doesn't sound entirely too safe to be using a pine cone..." Louise would offer to help him out, but alas she has no

puck.

looks at the ice and kicks up a bit with his skate. "It was a stupid idea, huh..."

He looks a bit dejected, so Louise decides to opt for diplomacy. "It's probably not one of your better ideas," she says gently.

frowns and sighs. "I guess I could run home and grab one but then Kumapito might get confused."

can't help but feel a bit confused. Kumapito? Who on earth was /that/? "That would probably be a good idea... or buy a new one if you're

really worried about ah... uh... Kumapito."

nods faintly and brushes some snow off the ice with his stick. "So, what are you doing around here?"

couldn't help but shrug gracefully. "I felt like ice skating... It's perfect weather for it." She pauses a moment, "I must say, I've never

played hockey before."

's eyes widen. "You've never played hockey? You're missing out."

shakes her head. "Non, I have not." It's too violent for Monaco really- not enough grace or beauty. But it's also good to keep an open mind

about these sorts of things. "Perhaps I should rectify this..."

tilts his head. "Maybe I could teach you?"

she smiles. "Perhaps. You are the world's best at hockey are you not?" If she was going to play hockey... why not learn from the best?

blushes and blinks quickly. "N-no, not the best, but I'm decent."

"But didn't you win gold at last year's Olympics?" she tilts her head in curiosity.

pauses before nodding. "My team did, yeah..."

"I suppose there is a distinction between the two..." says Louise quite thoughtfully, "But nonetheless I think perhaps you are selling

yourself short."

looks away. "I'll go get an extra stick and puck then." He sits at the edge of the ice and starts undoing his skates.

walks over to the man and holds out a gloved hand to him. "I'll come with you then." She's actually somewhat exciting- if anything Monaco

a natural born student. She does love learning new things!

takes her hand and stands up, glad that she's actually interested. "My house isn't too far so we can just run there." He lets go of her_

hand and starts off, glad that he wouldn't be playing by himself.

helps the country up and begins following him. "That's good that it isn't too far." She pauses for a bit, "Sorry to inconvenience you by

randomly dropping by." But then again, he needed to return to the house anyway to get a puck. So perhaps it wasn't much of an inconvenience

anyways. But it's the polite thing to do- and Monaco is all about manners. She's a lady after all.

shakes his head. "No, it's not a problem at all." He points to a house up ahead of them. "And that's where we're going."

glances over at the house- it's fairly nice. "I see. You have a lovely house, Mathieu." She continues trekking after him.

blushes. "Ah, thanks. It's not much but I like it." He pulls out his keys and walks up to the door, swinging it open and holding it for her.

"Sometimes simplicity is the best policy on these sorts of things," says Monaco. She finds beauty in both- simplicity and complexity. She

enters the house and smiles politely at him. Raised by both England and France, of course he would have impeccable manners. She approves.

"Where is the puck and hockey stick?" she inquires, because she feels like helping.

glances around. "Ah, you can sit while I go get them, it shouldn't be long." Truthfully, he couldn't quite remember and he didn't want her_

to see the mess in his garage.