[Event 1: 1886] America's gift has been finally polished, finished, and officially dedicated.
Frédéric Bartholdi is quite a genius, non?~
France
will
now officially demand compensation... Ah, he's kidding. He expresses his thanks for the pedestal and the location, however!~
also thinks that if it is that much appreciated, the original name of "La Liberté éclairant le monde" should also be kept.~ Ohonhonhon.
laughs and would offer some lessons. After all, it is the language of love, oui?
France
thinks
that that's the spirit! After all, your people are... somewhat diverse, are they not?
France
thinks
there's never a better time to learn than now. He chuckles a little. Besides, one day, he might need to woo someone, non?
France
will
now laugh a little evilly in his head, yes. Really, l'Amerique?~ There is no one at all?
knows all too well about denial... he's been fighting with someone who's been in it for... centuries. "Oh, I think you know perfectly
well what I'm driving at.~ Come now, l'Amerique, you do not take me for the gossiping type, do you?"
France
is
now starting to like this game a little. "Ah, come now, l'Amerique. You can tell me. I did help you in your little war... did I not?~" Oh,
yes, perfect choice of words.
notes that colour mentally and confirms he's definitely headed in the right direction. "Oui.~ A celebration from parting from... England,
right?"
covers the smile on his mouth with his hand, clearing his throat to dismiss the laugh coming. "It's too bad, non? Did you not enjoy his
company?~"
sighs. Well, it looks like obliviousness has indeed been passed down. "Well, let me rephrase that... Do you miss him?~"
totally... already does, but he enjoys the squirming. "No? Then I would assume you'll be okay never visiting him again? Tsk, tsk, but
Angleterre gets so lonely, so very quickly..."
"Of course...~" He has been the one to take care of a young Angleterre. "Ah, but what does it matter to you, right?"
holds back his laughter; yes, well, he's had enough to confirm his guess. "Of course.~ Speaking of which, where is he?" He pretends to look
around. "You invited some other nations, but not him?" Pressing the envelope just a little.
(pushing*)
"I see..." He frowns a little, genuinely just a little concerned. "That's not very... should you not have checked up on him?"
"L'Amerique..." He's serious now. "Do you really not care about Angleterre and what he could be doing right now?"
"Oui... That much is true." Because somehow, to the Brit, alcohol is the solution to everything. "Have you ever been with him whenever he
France
has
been in that, er, state?"
blinks and looks away. "Ah, then I suppose that doesn't matter." He wipes the blank look away and smiles. "Ah, now where were we... Ah, yes!
The party. Is mon Matthieu here today?"
laughs eagerly. "Ah, I suppose I should not disturb him for now...~" He looks at him laughingly. "Is there something the matter, l'Amerique?
France
is
now secretly glad his "subliminal messages" have worked. "It is no big deal; drunk people are drunk, oui? And it is you who said we should
not talk about him any more..." He looks around and grabs some eclaires.
"True." He nods, popping a tart into his mouth and finding it just... sufficient. He might sends some chefs over. "But isn't this what this
celebration is about, anyway? You becoming independent from him?~"
"I was..." He could remember it too, that burning conflict showing in their emotions: one defeat and the other victory. "But... I suppose...
it's not something to regret, is it?"
smiles at that. "That's the spirit!" He didn't notice the cake before and now starts to grab a slice for himself as well. "Well, about
Angle-" He pauses, interrupted by his phone ringing. "Ah, pardonnez-moi, let me take this..." Walking away, he frowns and answers the phone.
((Let's pretend it's magic, yesss. 8D))
sighs and scratches his head a little frustratedly as he flips the phone shut. And wow, that is a big piece of cake... it's too bad his
taste buds have been completely butchered at this point. "Ah... l'Amerique... someone has gotten into trouble with the bartender again."
He gives a knowing look. "... This happens all the time, mon dieu..."
France
is
now actually wondering if that cake colour is normal... "Oui... well, I asked you before if you've seen him in his drunken state...? Well,
he generally seems to be worse today, so to speak." He shrugs nonchalantly. "As I have said, he gets lonely."
does not think that constitutes a normal colour! It doesn't even look healthy. He raises an eyebrow. "... And if he is?"
would give it some points for taste, but negative points appearance-wise. "Maybe." Oh yes, being vague works. "Though he isn't "okay",
either."
France
is
now somewhat happy he has the other's attention. "Well, he can hardly be okay on a day like this, can he?" He pauses. "But he should be
fine on his own... somewhat."
just shakes his head. "Well... look at it this way." He clicks his tongue in approval of the normal-looking pasta. "If you went out of
your way to raise someone and they end up separating from you... would you really "be over it" that fast?"
"In which to a nation, that is nothing, right?" He also finds the non-eating America very disconcerting.
France
wonders
what that food is... He would not even attempt to give it a name. "Ah.. I forget you are still quite young..." He ponders on that. "Well,
l'Amerique, I suppose I can tell you this much. England is relatively sane right now.. but ah, are you quite certain you don't care?"
"Because," he says simply, a small smile playing on his face, "I am the country of l'amour, and though I already have my suspicions, it
would be much better to have them solidified, non?~"
's smile just grows a little bit wider at the reaction. "Are you not?"
France
will
take that non-direct answer as a "yes", of course. "And what makes you think that?"
blinks a little at the sudden outburst, not quite expecting such a... loud answer. "We can't help but fight... that's just who we are. And
as to your other point," he takes a sip of the apple juice, "if you look at it from a more neutral point of view, what are his possible
motives then, hm?"
"Calm down, l'Amerique." Really, it wasn't hard to see the boy was raised by England, after all. "Is that what you're really upset about?"
tilts his head, grimacing a little at the carnage being displayed before him. "That should not bother you so much, since England always has
been the type to explore, expand and conquer..." And doesn't he know it. "... then my suspicion was true?"
doesn't think now's the right time for a drink, what with him about to ask, "That you love him?"
frowns and walks on over, patting him on the back. "Ah... l'Amerique, are you alright?"
backs off a bit in case he gets another wild reaction. He tilts his head seriously. "Do you love Angleterre?"
takes another sip of his drink. "Do you really not know, or you don't want to know?"
"Oui, you do." He smiles a little, pleased the other has started eating again. "It is quite obvious, even without me having to ask all
these questions.~"
France
will
stay neutral on that comment; he'd rather not instigate something. "But it is the fact that you do... it just means that one day, if you
think he returns those feelings, you can let him know.~"
shakes his head. "You will never know until you try. Besides," he smiles, feeling just that little smirk coming on. "Never underestimate
the power of l'amour."
France
has
to laugh along with that. "Ah... yes, that's a... plausible compromise of sorts. But for now!" He extends his arms and gestures around. "Let
us enjoy this magnificent work of art, oui?"
France
is
happy with the change of mood again. "Ah, l'Amerique, my people and I would like to apologize for the delay on her... we have been having
some troubling times..."
"Ah, but never mind that, I suppose." Time to steer clear of anything gloomy. "How have you been?~ Circumstances have not allowed me to
visit more..."
France
is
quite impressed by all the progress he's made... So much for being that little kid that he and England fought over. He really was
independent now. He couldn't help but chuckle at the enthusiasm, however, and proceeds to trail behind him. "Is it any good?"
blinks at the weird-coloured drink, looking at it. Can he actually hear a fizzing noise? "... Ah... are you sure about this?"
now really doubts that... but... He takes the cup and drinks tentatively, coughing a little. "Ah.. it.. burns a little."
"A-ah... I wouldn't use the word "awesome"..." More like... different. "What is it made of...?"
now... isn't sure he wants to drink any more. "It tastes like water that bites." 'Coz that's what it is... isn't it?
blinks. Again, with the extraordinary advances in technology... "It doesn't seem very healthy, though..."
finds that even more hard to believe. "Has that been proven?"
laughs. "I suppose." But he'll stick to wine. "Ah, are you going to be having fireworks?" Those were always fun to watch.
France
is
ever impressed with this ball of boundless energy. "Wonderful... I think we should get a better view of it from somewhere high up,
don't you?"
had exactly that in mind. "Oui, oui, let us explore the marvel from within!~" He pulls out his camera and enters, immediately snapping
shots here and there.
... does not appreciate being called an old man. He is not that old! Nevertheless, he takes the stairs slowly... because he doesn't have
that much energy. Yes.
France
is
definitely not panting a little when they finally reach the top... but he does manage a smile at his exuberance. "Coming, coming!" He
glances outside, readying his camera."
really wishes these cameras took better pictures... ah, well. He puts it down and looks outside with his own eyes, glancing at America. He
smiles a little. Yes... with that joyful, boyish and youthful look on his face, it's easy to see why England... He shakes his head. Now's
not the time.~
France
wonders
if he should take a picture for Angleterre... just to lord over him. Probably, because pissing him off is what he does best! Does just that,
but makes it look like he's taking a picture of just the fireworks.
"Hm?" He fiddles with the controls. "I had to take a picture of the fireworks. I have to... cherish this moment, oui?~ Who knows when I'll
be invited back."
breathes out a little. Okay, he was safe for now. He moves over to another side to get another angle and takes a picture again.
France
is
now just going to abuse this sudden opportunity and takes tons of pictures for England!~ Although... it's sort of bittersweet for him...
does not think it would be appropriate for l'Amerique to know.
would love to tell you; he does have not think you are a bad person... just... a little much. But he will say that in terms of l'amour,
America is still quite young... and thus does not know the complications of such.~
France
will
tell you one day... if that event happens. He now moves back to the window. "Ah... everything looks so small from up here.~"
chuckles. "Be careful now, don't fall." He takes another snapshot. "What is it you like so much about freedom, l'Amerique?" He himself is
quite curious as to the extent of his efforts to gain it.
ponders on that, humming a little as he leans on the railing. "Oui... I get that... but, is freedom really everything? Sometimes there are
reasons for restrictions..."
"But... if you let the people choose... I don't think everyone will come to one large agreement. Wouldn't that just lead to more chaos?"
nods, reminiscing. Ah yes, and what a definitely interesting man he was. He chuckles at the choice of words. "No, I suppose if it's you,
you wouldn't have an affinity to them... But... I suppose they could choose for themselves, but having so many diverse opinions...
wouldn't that just slowly tear the nation apart from the inside?"
sighs. He remembers as well... because it was not long after that his own country was torn asunder by the people... "So you suppose that
after all the blood shed, freedom is worth it all? Despite all that you've lost?"
should have expected that answer. "Well then... you have no doubts, which is good.~" He runs his hands through his hair. "I wish I had as
much spunk and energy as you..."
blanches at that. "Not old! I'd prefer it if you referred to me as "big brother".~"
"What!" Okay, he feels a little taken aback by that. "Now, now, l'Amerique, make an exception for moi?"~
pouts a little, but he doesn't mind too much. "Why's that?~"
would suppose he wouldn't. "Oui, oui, I give.~ But at the very least, we are allies, non?~"
"Bien!~" He laughs, clapping his hands together. "Ah, I forgot, because I was in a hurry to have this over but... is there a place I can
stay nearby?"
would... rather not sleep in a random hotel for now. "Do you mind if I stay over at your place? You can take me for a tour around, since I
have not visited in a while.~"
France
is
now looking forward to that trip. He looks around. "I suppose we should head back downstairs now? It's getting late.~" And he had some girls
to hit on.
... will pretend he hadn't already seen the other almost down the whole cake himself.
France
will
now make a mental note that if he ever invites America over, he needs to bake something huge, since half of it will probably consumed
within the first thirty minutes
France
is
very impressed. Though if he wishes, he could invite him over sometime and actually feed him something good?
mourns the loss of his taste buds. At least Canada still had his.
does not recall teaching him anything strange... An example, s'il vous plait?
would think they are still delicious, non? Though knowing Matthieu, he would have added maple syrup to everything.
France
thinks
in that aspect, Canada will never back down. Ah, but he will still cook. Any preferences?
France
is
actually saddened by that. He is now curious, does food all taste the same to him?
doesn't think that's actually very healthy. What happened to actually savouring food?
France
thinks
he should at least one day off where he'd actually taste food.
would be very delighted if he could!~ And for that, he'll cook a feast.
knew as much. He wonders if America would prefer a three course meal, or just... the main dish.
would... think they would be around even actually. They'll be the same amounts but a three-course meal would be divided into three
"sections" of food, so to speak, so more variety.~
France
is
still doubtful, however, since l'Amerique might not even be able to recognize a tart from a shrimp in tast.
taste*
would like to do so, if only to prove to America that food can taste different from each other... and that they all don't have to be
cooked quickly.
France
will
do the three-course meal then, oui?
France
will
prepare it for him, then.~ It will be a beautiful feast... Ohonhonhon, he is already quite excited just thinking about it.
would also like to sample l'Amerique's restaurant's cooking, if at all possible?
would... just like to sample that very famous "American cuisine". And Lord, he hopes it's not all fried food
would like to try a bit of both, if that's alright?
now wonders, though... What exactly do the people eat "every day"? Surely not the same thing repeatedly?
nods at that. Yes, that's fine. He had a mind that it would all just be... fried food.
France
thinks
that he's just... really diverse and open to absorbing a lot of other cultures. Which is fine. As long as he doesn't take credit for his
dishes.
does not find that very reassuring... but nonetheless!~ Would he be interested in learning to cook these dishes?
would love to teach him then, if he has the patience. Perhaps before he turns in tonight, he can teach him one
dish?
France
thinks
he can do it.~ Now... shall they head home? It's getting quite late.
sits quietly and wishes he could take pictures.. but he doubts this camera could get very far other than producing blurs... He sighs.
thanks him for that. He pauses and looks at the house and smiles. "Not bad, l'Amerique.~ You have some taste of decorum." And thank God for
that.
would have thought he'd be completely tasteless after... ah, well, this is good. "Really?~ Perhaps I should get you something to add to your
collection as well.~"
laughs. That much is true. Perhaps that is good enough. He follows his example and does so, smiling at the interior. Extravagant, but
somehow still homey. "Where shall I put my bags?"
shakes his head. "Non, I shall do that myself.~ I would feel bad. Just lead me to the room, s'il vous plait."
nods and thanks him, going over to his room to unpack. He wonders how long he's allowed to stay here...
might stay for a few then... after he checks up on someone. He hopes America doesn't him making a phone call before they leave.
makes the phone call to England, hoping the man was at least sober enough to answer a damn call... and at his home. It was late over
there. He waits for some rings...
England
is
indeed at home, not without a few bottles of alcohol by his side, however. He groaned irritably when the phone rang and reached over to_
_answer it. He picked up the receiver, his leg stretching and managing to knock down one of the glass bottle. "Whaddya waaaaaant?" He_
_choked back a hiccup as he sniffled.
France
is
actually more than surprised to have someone actually answer. He could only guess where the other was... Duh. "Angleterre... you're
drunk." He frowns a little, concerned more so than usual. "Can you try not to overdo it and turn yourself into a bumbling idiot?"
"HAH?! Is this some kind of joke? Whoda bloody hell do ya think you are, telling me what to do?" A hiccup. "I can drink as much as I wanta!"
sighs and massages his temple, resisting the urge to just bang his head on the table... but it's not his. "Arthur." Gritting teeth.
"Speaking as the person who actually helps you get home when you're out binge drinking, I would appreciate it if you took care of
yourself while I'm not there. I won't be there to bail you out of jail." And what a fun time that was.
actually spat at his phone, thinking that it would reach the other somehow. Who is he talking to, anyway? "I can take care of myself_
_just fine! Now leave me alone and stop calling ta rub all your merriness to me!" And with that, he slammed down the phone receiver,_
_ending the call.
glances at the phone with a mixture of exasperation and irritation, before placing it back down. He... would check up on him later. Maybe
early in the morning or afternoon; hangovers were not pretty. Sighing, he walks back downstairs feeling a little shaky, but smiles
nonetheless. "L'Amerique? I am ready.~"
would probably not say, for the sake of not ruining the fragile mood. "Uh... just walking around is fine.~ I do not know of specific
destinations, but if you think there is something I should see, then by all means!"
"That sounds perfect.~" He checks his bag to make sure that his camera's intact... and nods happily. "Will it be cold out, do you think?"