genuinely worried. What's wrong?

"I...I'm bleeding... so much blood..."

grabs a roll of cloth bandages and rushes over to her. "Bleeding? Where?"

turns white as a sheet. "In places I shouldn't be... I think I should call a doctor...

"

slowly sets the bandages down, looking confused. "...pardon? What do you mean?"

"I'm... it's just... I'm bleeding from my privates." she swoons.

"And my tummy hurts really bad."

manages to catch her, carrying her towards a couch and laying her down. "I think I know what's going on...did you never have anyone give you

the...er...'talk'?"

"What talk?"

rather awkward. "The...talk. About puberty?"

looks like she's going to pass out. "Um... sort of... Australia said that when you turn in to a grownup you grow breasts and have babies..."

leaves just long enough to go to the bathroom and get a washcloth, wishing that he was close enough to a female nation to be able to ask

them for assistance with this sort of thing. "Well...yes, there's that, too...but every month, when the body knows that...er...the woman

isn't going to have a baby, it releases a flow of blood for...er...w-well, in short, it's perfectly natural..."

Listens intently.

soaks the washcloth in warm water, handing it to her. "So...do you want to take a bath? I'll get you a pair of fresh clothes..."

Nods and makes her way to the bathroom.

sits down on the couch, waiting patiently. Maybe he should call someone for advice...but who?

embarrassed beyond belief, but also relieved to know that she isn't dying...

up after a moment, standing and pacing awkwardly around the livingroom.

walks out of the bathroom, unable to meet Arthur's eyes.

looks up, the worried expression still on his face. "Better? Do you need anything?"

shakes her head, but then smiles a bit. "I guess that's why I was feeling down... good to know."

goes into the kitchen, deciding he needs a good, strong cup of tea...and gets out the cocoa powder to make hot chocolate for Wy. "Ah, right

...there's the build-up of teenage hormones, too..."

sips cocoa with a towel still on her head. "Yes, it all makes sense now... thanks by the way."

pours a bit of maple syrup into his tea out of what is slowly becoming a habit, nodding absently. "Ah, yes, you're welcome..I'm sorry I

really wasn't able to help all that much. I don't know as much about...this sort of thing as a woman would..."

looks at Arthur with a raised eyebrow. "What are you putting in your tea?"

blinks, looking over at her and holding up the glass bottle. "Oh...it's maple syrup. Why?"

giggles a bit. "Nothing, just thought it was interesting..."

if he could get away with blaming the slight flush on his cheeks on the heat. "Ah...a-alright, then, if you say so..."

now in troll mode. "Actually, I think I've seen someone do that before! Hmm, I wonder who it was!"

coughs awkwardly, sipping his tea and leaning against the counter as though it will make him less prominent. "O-Oh, really? That's, ah..

rather interesting, I suppose..."

corners Arthur. "Sooo, are you gonna tell me about this, or will I hear it from someone else?"

tries and fails to back away a bit,being pushed farther back against the tile. "T-Tell you about what, exactly? There's nothing to tell.."

slinks back to the counter. "Alright then, I'll ask Hungary... she knows everything that goes on around here..."

splutters into his tea, hurriedly shaking his head. "Nonononono, don't ask Hungary...lord only knows how she would twist the truth.."

Arthur an evil little girl smile. "Tell me?"

decides that the tea needs a little more syrup. "Eh...fine, fine. What is it you want to know, exactly?"

grins maniacally "When did this happen, to begin with...?"

pauses, trying to pinpoint the exact moment. "...a month or two ago, I suppose..?"

squeals in delight. "Where, how did it happen? Did you ask him?"

clears his throat, finishing off the rest of the tea. "I, ah...I went to his house and asked him, so yes. It was a bit of a complicated mess

before that, though..."

too busy glowing to catch the last bit. "That's soooo cutttteeee! You guys are adorable together!"

stares down at the ground, blushing profusely. "A-Ah, well...thank you, I suppose..."

claps her hands and dances about the kitchen, bleeding; forgotten.

watches her, a trace of amusement returning to his face. "May I ask as to why you're so excited about this?

*"

giggles. "I don't even know! You're just two awesome people getting together... it's a nice break from everything else that's been going

on lately... it just makes me really happy!"

nods thoughtfully, letting out a quiet chuckle. "Yes, I suppose that's true...everywhere you go lately, the atmosphere's been tense...it

is nice to have a break from all of that. I-I wouldn't say I'm...'awesome', though..."

"Oh, please! You are SO awesome! And you and Canada make an Awesome couple!"

blushes hard enough to light up a dark room. "E-Er...if you say so...thank you..."

grins. "Always knew you had it in you, mate."

smiles at that, shaking his head. "I suppose we all do, really. It just takes time."

gets a dreamy look in her eyes. "Yeah, you think so?"

nods, reaching over to pat her on the shoulder. "I know so."

smiles as her troubles seem to melt away in an instant. *Now, if only Seborga would notice me.*

blinks, tilting his head to the side at the unfamiliar name. "Seborga...? Who might that be?"

"Oh... nobody, just somebody I know... he's completely adorable... and doesn't know I exist."

frowns, pouring her another cup of hot cocoa. "Come now, I'm sure he's not entirely unaware of your existence...are the two of you friends

,at least?"

"Yes, we're friends... but, that's it."

"...and have you tried telling him how you feel?"

"That's not an option."

"Why not?"

"Because then he might hate me?"

bites back a quiet laugh-ah, he's been in that position before. "Believe me, he won't hate me."

*you

looks doubtful. "But, what if he doesn't like me back?"

her a comforting pat on the shoulder. "Then you chin up and move on-if you're friends, he won't hate you because of that."

looks almost hopeful, but then remembers that Seborga is way out of her league and feels like crying.

frowns at that, wrapping an arm around the young girl's shoulders. "Come now, you can't give up...if you give up, then you'll fail for

certain. I know you can do this."

"Yes, I suppose you're right."

"Of course I am. ...in fact, why don't you try calling him now?"

"N-no thank you! Actually, forget I said anything! So, how about that weather?"

shakes his head, a small smirk crossing his features. "No, I don't think I can forget something like that...what's stopping you?"

"I dunno... well, maybe he wont even be home."

"Hm...well, you won't know until you try, right?"

turns rather pale. "Well, yes, I suppose so."

hands her his cellphone. "Give him a ring, then."

dials as slowly as possible, hangs up twice, and dials again. please don't be home, please don't be home

taps his fingers against his thigh, watching her. "Come, now, you can do this...just tell him how you feel."

hangs up with a look of extreme relief. "He wasn't home, I got the message machine."

lets out a quiet sigh, taking his phone back. "I see..well, promise me you'll tell him the next chance you have?"

"But, I'm a coward..."

"There's nothing wrong with being afraid...you're not a coward as long as you can overcome your fears."

"Alright then... I guess I'll try... but watch him already have a girlfriend, then there wont be any point..."

frowns, shaking his head. "No sense in thinking like that...it's only going to discourage you further. Think positive."

"Positive, right... so, maybe he wont hate me, I'll just pretend I was joking if he looks disgusted..."

"..I suppose that's one way to handle it, yes...I doubt he'll be disgusted by it, though. You're a very attractive young woman."

smiles a little. "Thanks..."

returns the smile, looking a little relieved. "Always glad to be of assistance, Miss Delprat."

hugs Arthur.

hugs back, gently patting her shoulder. "Better now, I hope?"

smiles. "Yes...actually."

nods approvingly, pulling away. "Mm, good. Is there anything else I can get you, then?"

shakes her head. "I think I'll be okay now."

"Alright, that's good...should I bring you home? I would think your parents are worried sick..."

"Australia doesn't care what happens to me..."

frowns. "Come now, I'm sure that isn't true..."

"Well, I'd better get home anyway, I suppose... just so he doesn't lock me out..."

"Mm...yes, that would be rather unfortunate. I can get you a plane ticket, if you like..."

"Thanks. You've done so much for me already... I don't know how I can repay you."

pulls out his phone, ordering the ticket. He offers her a small smile, shaking his head. "It's no trouble...you don't have to repay me."

shakes her head. "I will, someday."

slips his coat on, heading over to the door. "Well, I hope you never have to go to the trouble, but...thank you."