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Post by America on Nov 13, 2012 16:43:37 GMT -5
Loop 1
America narrowed his eyes. He rested his chin in his palm, idly patting his opposite hand against his thigh to some rhythm only he could hear.
It might have looked like he was bored, but he wasn't actually. The conference was over—finally—and he'd originally planned to grab a bite to eat, but that seemed like a silly idea now, what with the exciting information that had been presented to him. During break time, Italy scurried on up to him, not unlike he usually does when he's greeting him in passing, and shared with him an interesting rumor he heard earlier.
According to him, there was apparently this haunted mansion somewhere in the area, near the woods. Now, the haunted part wouldn't be something he'd be interested in at all, but he really doubted it was actually haunted. It couldn't be, right? Right. It just sounded like a fun place to explore, if it actually existed! If it's that old of a mansion, there might be some cool stuff in the attic!
That's all he really cared to discover, but he was having a lot of trouble deciding whether or not he should go on his own. It wasn't like he was worried the mansion might actually turn out to be haunted after all if he went alone. That seriously had nothing to do with it. Adventures are just more fun if there's company, or even a sidekick! Yeah. A sidekick. That's what he needed. He'd take one nation with him, but he'd have to hurry. If everyone else got there first, he could miss out on all of the fun, and the potential cool spoils!
Without another thought, the blond was standing rather abruptly, scanning the nations who hadn't up and left yet. The first he saw was Russia, and—oh, it just had to be Russia, didn't it? Of all people.
He forced back an exaggerated sigh and buried his hands in his pockets before his shoulders could slump all too unenthusiastically. Well, whatever. Russia wasn't much of a sidekick, but he'd have to do. It looked like most everyone else was in the process drifting elsewhere, and when he gave it a little more consideration, it might not be so bad. He had potential to provide mild entertainment, in terms of banter or otherwise, so long as he avoided the usual trigger subjects.
“Hey, Russia! Buddy!” He called out across the table, especially chipper, considering who he was addressing. “You got a sec?”
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Post by Russia on Nov 13, 2012 17:59:31 GMT -5
The meeting had more or less droned on and on without really getting under Russia's skin. He'd been allowed to relax and watch today for the most part. No sisters getting under his skin. No cousins pestering him for money or yelling at him that he was a bully. Today was nice, slow... comfortable and enjoyable almost. He'd even gotten away with reading a book under the table while Germany shrieked about something or an other. He'd been meaning to finish this particular book anyway and he'd made excellent headway today.
Yawning when the meeting winded down, Russia put his bookmark in the pages (the one with a picture of a little furry, grey kitten--so cute) and folded the covers of the hardback together so he could put it away to read later. The only thing to make this better would be to go back to the hotel, have some hot tea with jam, and maybe a couple of cookies for after a nice bowl of stew. Yes, that would be the perfect end to a day, he thought, humming to himself as he got up to head out of the meeting hall.
Strange, not even America pestered him personally today--
“Hey, Russia! Buddy!”
In that moment, Russia had never before wanted to do America as much bodily harm without regret.
“You got a sec?”
Russia paused and forced himself to smile sweetly at America when he turned around, the book delicately tucked under his arm.
"Yes, my dearest, Amerika, what is it you are needink~?" Sweet, sweet venom basted those words.
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Post by America on Nov 14, 2012 16:09:46 GMT -5
"Yes, my dearest, Amerika, what is it you are needink~?"
America flashed a toothy grin—all in good humor, obviously—because that definitely wasn't the kind of reply he was expecting from him. Well, they were in public, and he hadn't had the chance to irritate him enough to stoop to the more insulting name calling just yet, even though those serious kind of interactions between them hadn't had a calling years. He was probably just tugging his leg, but he definitely wasn't holding his breath for 'dearest'.
Haha, whatever. He couldn't care less how he did or didn't speak to him, anyway. So long as he got Russia to follow along with the expedition he worked out in the back of his mind, nothing else mattered all too much.
Disregarding the obviously forced smile on the taller nation's part, he stepped around the table, keeping his hands locked in his pockets as he approached him.
“Well, you're not busy or anything, right?” The blond tilted off to his side, spying the book he just now set under his arm. Convincing himself with a subtle little shrug, he went on. This would be way more fun than reading a book could ever be. “You don't look it! So you wanna' hang? I have a pretty cool place in mind!”
In his excitement, he alternated between shifting his weight to his heels and tip-toes, practically bouncing.
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Post by Russia on Nov 14, 2012 20:28:06 GMT -5
America didn't seem to be too terribly phased by his blatantly forced cheerfulness, but then again, this was their typical sort of interaction these days. They weren't openly scathing to one another and kept their hostilities buried further under their skins then they once did. Russia even took the time every now and then to greet America at meetings. Regardless, Russia knew that this "reset" of their relations was only superficial. They were both people as much as they were countries and the soured feelings would take time to ever fully repair, if they could ever be completely repaired. Still, he bore no hatred for the younger country, just... aggravation. Russia just continued to smile while waiting to see what the hell it was that America actually wanted this damn time.
“Well, you're not busy or anything, right?”
Jesus Christ. Was this going to be another of those "let's try to be friends" sort of shenanigans? Things never went well when they did that, like that one time with the table, kinky barnyard animals, and insinuations that one of them was a hooker. That was... That was just best forgotten.
Russia opened his mouth, wanting desperately to just tell America he was busy and that they didn't need to go on any sort of crazed adventure like they did the other times. That agitating voice cut him off.
“You don't look it! So you wanna' hang? I have a pretty cool place in mind!”
Finally closing his mouth, Russia sighed, trying to keep an empty smile on his face as he gently tapped his fingertips against the hard cover of his book. America was going to be a pain, wasn't he? Russia never had the energy to keep up with the more energetic man.
The smile stretched wider. "Why?"
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Post by America on Nov 19, 2012 16:01:41 GMT -5
America rocked with a little more fervor, keeping his usual, if not slightly toned down smile. There was no point in pegging down that sigh, because this was Russia he was talking to. The fact that the other was already annoyed with him wasn't anything strange. It was a universal constant by this point in the game, but agitation or not, he could still string him along if he was insistent enough. That was usually how he got his way, anyway.
"Why?"
“'Cause—” He began simply, working out the rest while he paused to twitch his heels. “—you'll regret it if you don't! It'll be awesome, I swear.”
He didn't need to consider any of their previous encounters, because it wouldn't be like them. There'd be too much of a distraction involved with the actual exploration of the place for them to derail into any kind of... wow, he really didn't have a word for how things were usually reserved to play out between them. God awful? Horribad, maybe? Yeah, why not?
Well, who really cared? The blond knew for sure that he didn't care to delve into those experiences better left untouched, and he doubted the taller nation did either. It'd be better off if he went into this venture with a clear slate, at least as far as emotional trauma regarding being hauled out windows and then accused of having been pregnant goes.
Maybe he should be more specific in his insistence.
“So yeah! It's this old mansion kind of place. I heard a rumor about it earlier. I don't know what's in it or anything, but I really wanna' find out, y' know? It could be fun. You're game, right? Aren't you all about this kind of stuff? You totally are, right?” He went on bouncing, laughing now, inching just a little closer. “C'mon, you know you wanna'! Don't be lame! Out of all the things you are, you definitely ain't a boring guy!”
Wow, did America just compliment him? That's kind of weird. Then again, he was just trying to get him to go along with his adventure. That must have been all. It's not like he was buttering him up or anything, just trying to get him in the right mindset.
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Post by Russia on Nov 19, 2012 19:40:48 GMT -5
This was going to be good, Russia thought, waiting "patiently" for whatever cockamamie answer America was going to pull out his hind-parts today.
—you'll regret it if you don't! It'll be awesome, I swear.”
Of all people to talk about regrets to... Russia said nothing, continuing to hold his false smile in the assumption that the younger country would keep up his babbling. Surely there would be a better put-together attempt at cajoling him into playing whatever goofy games America wanted him to play. Sometimes he wondered if America just really considered Russia something of a playmate that he could really aggravate and their feelings towards each other wouldn't get worse. Well, lately, they had been somewhat stable. That was a plus.
When the topic of a "mansion" came up, Russia tilted his head to the side to take in the rest while America gabbed at a mile a minute. One would think the kid could run out of air at any second.
At the end of the stream, Russia leaned on his free hand in thought for a moment. "All about... what sort off 'stuff' exactly, Amerika?" Sometimes their vagueness with each other led to unintended, disastrous misunderstandings and it probably would have been best to avoid such things this go around if they could. The poor chickens...
Though, he did wonder... How could he be lame? He was perfectly capable of walking and he didn't even have a limp. Russia was entirely uninjured at the moment... At the moment. He did have a penchant for accidentally hurting himself. "Are you threatenink me with violence?" His eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly to let America know that patience was a finite resource. Granted, Russia had developed a relatively high tolerance for America's special brand of "idiotic" by now, but there was always a limit.
Oh well, whatever physical violence America could threaten him with was pointless. They were both immortals. Russia sighed. "Just where is this mansion beink anyway?"
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Post by America on Nov 26, 2012 13:05:11 GMT -5
"All about... what sort off 'stuff' exactly, Amerika?"
America sighed, light, bubbly and wistfully, like the answer was as obvious as the color of the sky, leaning closer still to the taller man. He definitely wasn't going to let him take that route. There's no way he'd be wandering away from this when he was possibly his last ditch.
“Exploring new places, and what not! Y' know, adventure! You're still into that, right? I mean, who isn't? Come on, Russia! Keep with it! Adventure!” He explained with extra overtones of excitement, hoping to convince him in that way. Thinking it over, he might need a better plan than his sheer, mostly nonsensical motivational ability.
"Are you threatenink me with violence?"
At that, he could help but make a bit of a face, his brows twitching and faltering in a way that might give off waves of obvious annoyance, but then it came together, clicked, and his expression reset in an instant. Uh-oh. Here came the deadly trail of misunderstandings. If he didn't clear this up fast, it would twist into something more horrible in no time at all, he just knew it. Well, here was his chance to get better grip of the reigns of situations like these.
“I wasn't threatening you, man! Where the heck did you go and get that crazy idea?” He dismissed with a casual little swerve to his hand and roll of his eyes. Before he spoke, he double checked his words, just to prevent further annoying misinterpretations. At least he really hoped he'd be preventing them. He didn't want to be called a chicken molester in earshot of any potential passer-bys, that's for sure. “I'm not trying to smack ya' when your back is turned, or anything. I'm just saying, don't be lame!”
Just to be sure he was coming off as friendly as possible, once again, keeping well in mind who he was conversing with, the American tossed in an extra little bit of laughter, swaying his upper body left to right once more.
“Y' know, boring, and all that? A stick in the mud? A drag?” He rambled in a sing-song tone, perking up when the best example yet popped into mind. “Basically, like an old dude! Like England! Don't be like England!”
"Just where is this mansion beink anyway?"
Wow. He sure was asking a lot of questions. Well, of course he would be. That's a given, especially since he was reacting so indefinitely to his this idea of them hanging out together. It'd make sense for him to try and find a way out like that. Maybe the blond would have to be giving a little extra shove, or maybe an extra edge to this proposition. What would motivate Russia of all people to explore some old, isolated mansion with him? A challenge? A bet, maybe?
His grin widened to its full capacity once more. He'd be whipping out those guns if he had to for sure. Regardless, he'd keep answering his barrage of questions for now.
“Somewhere around here, I guess? North from this place, down a road, into the forest and bam, can't miss it. I mean, I'm pretty sure the place is huge. It'd be pretty hard not to find it.”
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Post by Russia on Nov 26, 2012 14:07:56 GMT -5
America did... have... a point, sort of, kind of, maybe. Russia had once upon a time enjoyed exploring and he periodically had the inkling to continue with such things, but the Earth had more or less been explored and there was still space to look to for new frontiers. However, sea exploration had never been his forte. He never had the same desire to send out a colonizing navy like England or Portugal. Russia, however, did not respond other than tilting his head to the side slightly to show that he was paying attention to the other country's words.
“I wasn't threatening you, man! Where the heck did you go and get that crazy idea?”
Crazy-- Russia mentally quashed that train of thought before it could begin, knowing it wouldn't lead anywhere good. At least America seemed to have developed the foresight to clarify himself. They didn't exactly have a strong history of communicating with one another effectively, often leading to... less than enjoyable (to use a gross understatement) misunderstandings. He supposed that he ought to have been grateful--No.
He wasn't even going to trust the promise not to be smacked when he wasn't expecting it. Though, he would trust that it wouldn't be more than childishly malicious as opposed to truly cruel or intended to cause lasting pain. He and America had at least toned down their rivalry to be... relatively tame these days (much to the world's relief).
“Basically, like an old dude! Like England! Don't be like England!”
Right. He certainly wasn't like England, not that he could recall anyway. They took their tea in completely different manners and England was far older, and more bitter. He was also missing the vast majority of his "empire".
Russia giggled a little bit under his breath at the thought. "I do not recall beink like Англия, Америка." Though, he supposed he should have taken the entire thought that he wasn't like the younger country's brother-father-caretaker-thing-person as a compliment. He didn't dislike England, they... just weren't really close. Just tolerable to one another most days. That would have been more accurate to say.
“Somewhere around here, I guess? North from this place, down a road, into the forest and bam, can't miss it. I mean, I'm pretty sure the place is huge. It'd be pretty hard not to find it.”
At least America had more or less given comprehensible directions so it wasn't like he was being asked to go on a completely wild goose chase with the younger man.
Russia looked down at the book in his arms, shifting it a bit to better read the title on the cover again in embossed Cyrillic. He would need to drop it in his room if they went anywhere.
"Why?" he asked again, still not sure why America would bother with pestering him of all people... unless he wanted to make it a game and no one else would play with him. With whom else but Russia to play an uncertain game?
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Post by America on Dec 30, 2012 21:17:53 GMT -5
America tapped the heel of his boot against the floor in no particular rhythm. He shifted some, weighing his attention over to Russia's face again.
It wasn't like he could read him all too well, and perhaps he'd grown even worse at it than he used to be when he could manage some minimal amount during their more intense squabbles some years ago, but it was always sort of interesting to try. Very occasionally, he could make out these little flashes of... something. Well, it might have been his imagination, but he liked to think he was actually witnessing these somethings as opposed to his head making them up. At the very least, he knew that smile of his was fake a good ninety-nine percent of the time, if not all of the time.
If it really wasn't all of the time, then maybe it was just while he was speaking with him. That would make sense.
Eh. Who really cared, though? He knew he didn't, at least not all that much, which fit just fine, because Russia didn't give a rat's ass about his feelings either. He was just here trying to convince him to go on something of an adventure with him, not act friendly with him. He'd gladly take the fake over whatever horrors a genuine Russia would bring.
His smile emboldened itself as his thoughts refocused, mostly out of habit, and just a little bit due to the fact that he was still trying to sweet talk the slightly taller nation.
Wow, that was something he never thought he'd be doing. What the hell happened this time?
"I do not recall beink like Англия, Америка."
Regardless, he'd be going back on the offensive now.
“Well, duh! That's what I'm saying. Just don't start being like him.” The blond corrected, deciding to ditch that point anyway.
There Russia was asking 'why' again, so he'd dish out the guns now, just to save some time. While he was saving time, he decided to step away from his soon to be companion and move back around the table to retrieve his suitcase. It wasn't like there was anything important in it—mostly just doodles—but he'd been scolded for leaving it behind enough times that he just didn't feel like dealing with it anymore.
“You're not scared, are you?” The American raised his voice accordingly with the distance, accidentally sounding a little more mocking than teasing, but it would work all the same.
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Post by Russia on Dec 30, 2012 22:09:57 GMT -5
And so it started, Russia thought, just eyeing America carefully as he waited for whatever nonsensical explanation the younger country would be pulling from his hind-parts to convince him.
“Well, duh! That's what I'm saying. Just don't start being like him.”
Of course, that was something Russia entirely planned on doing. America could be so absurd at times. As much as he didn't dislike England, there was no way he would ever be like him. They both took their tea completely differently and Russia complained about things significantly less. He also smiled. England never seemed to smile. It was kind of unfortunate. He would be less of a pain in the ass, probably, if he was a little more jovial.
“You're not scared, are you?”
"Amerika," he said, keeping his voice down like he typically did which was even below what could be considered an "inside voice." He kept his arms crossed, smiling despite the clear skepticism in his eyes.
"Are you implyink that I am a cowart?" What a little brat! Russia was certainly no coward and he certainly didn't miss out on the tone of the other country's voice. If it was just a "haunted house", he thought, than it wouldn't really cost him anything to go except maybe for his time. It was hard to turn down an opportunity to prove America wrong about something just to rub it in his smug little face.
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Post by America on Jan 2, 2013 0:23:45 GMT -5
“Amerika,”
America's grin couldn't have stretched any wider. A hint of mischievousness lingered about it.
“Are you implyink that I am a coward?”
Hook, line and sinker.
The blond dawdled along, slowly trailing back to the position he'd taken previously. He lightly swung the suitcase he retrieved from his seat along the way, keeping his eyes trained on the floor. For the moment, he'd resist boasting further about his accomplishment, even inwardly. It was far too early to be celebrating victory, anyway, even though every ounce of his confidence fell into it. He'd just have to give another little push now, and everything would be going his way, just as planned.
“Huh. I dunno' about that.” He began, speaking a little more sweetly than before. “I mean, everybody's scared of something, right? Some dudes are freaked out by icky bugs, a few by heights, and others are totally spooked by haunted houses!”
He adopted more of a sympathetic expression now, nodding as if assuring himself of what he'd already told him.
“It's no biggie. It doesn't make you any more or less of a coward.” He reassured again—fraudulently, of course. “Don't go losing any hair over it.”
There. He doubted he had to do any more taunty reeling. Now to watch the results.
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Post by Russia on Jan 7, 2013 18:39:59 GMT -5
“I mean, everybody's scared of something, right?"
What Russia feared was not exactly something he wanted to talk with America about. Of course, there were some physical things that frightened him, mostly drowning and such, but there were other things... emotional things. Mental things. These would never be spoken of again if he could help it.
Talking about fears just... seemed to almost violate some unspoken agreement of not showing weaknesses to one another. Although, this was potentially something Russia just mentally developed, put into place, and assumed America would follow without any prior knowledge. "I am not think--"
"It doesn't make you any more or less of a coward.”
That bastard.
Forcing a broad, falsely friendly grin onto his face, Russia dropped a hand to America's shoulder, perhaps a bit more firmly than was necessary.
A few moments of just sort of awkward silence and staring were allowed to pass as Russia mentally put his words together before verbally responding. "We will be droppink my book off ant then we will be goink to this mansion of yours," he explained.
Russia also needed to trade out for a more comfortable coat and grab his pipe (just in case) at the hotel room where he was planning on dropping off his book while they were there. No use going to some strange place unprepared. It shouldn't have been any trouble though, considering it was some abandoned residence or some such thing. Provided there was no swimming or anything of the sort, this "haunted house" would not have been an issue at all.
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Post by America on Jan 9, 2013 16:45:18 GMT -5
Woah. The touching was a little unexpected.
In retaliation to the harder than should have been squeeze, America hardened his smile, meeting his stare fearlessly. He had to admit, it felt strange. He and Russia usually never breached the arm's length barrier they'd wordlessly put into effect, save for those occasions where they'd be forced into a civil handshake. Even though they were just barely pushing past those limitations, it felt significantly closer, almost uncomfortably so. He'd brush that feeling off, though. He doubted Russia much liked the close proximity, either. It didn't matter. He'd probably just gone and ticked him off, but that was partially what he was aiming for.
"We will be droppink my book off ant then we will be goink to this mansion of yours,"
Hm. Looks like he'd be getting what he wanted, even though it might take a little longer.
Worked for him.
"Well, cool!" The blond talked like he expected him to say that, because he did. He'd be pushing the line and insulting him more than he intended to if he went on to ask him if he was sure, as fun as it might be. He already had his fun with the taller nation. Bigger and better things were waiting. "I gotta' drop this thing off!" He gave a little shake to his arm and briefcase for emphasis. "You're bunking at the one down the block too, yeah?"
This was getting just a little too friendly for his tastes, but it would be worth it. Hell yeah, it would. Adventure awaited, and Russia had just consented to it. A delay was just fine.
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Post by Russia on Jan 20, 2013 18:02:03 GMT -5
It was somewhat uncomfortable being in physical contact with America that wasn't a forced handshake or a punch to the face (which were relatively rare and had more or less become a relic of the past). Still, Russia just went along with it, letting go of the smaller man once his point had been made clear.
At least they were going in the same direction though, it looked like. That certainly made things somewhat easier. "Yes, I am stayink there," he said, keeping his voice relatively steady as the book was tucked against his wrist once more. The sooner they were out of here, the sooner they could get their supplies. The sooner they got their supplies, the sooner this stupid adventure could be gotten over with.
Without another word, Russia stepped around America, assuming the younger country would follow him since they were going to the same place. He could hardly wait for this trip to be concluded, considering he had dinner that he needed to later this evening, probably some sort of stew that Ukraine and Belarus put together for him. That would be nice, especially with a cup of tea to help him relax after a day of putting up with his least favorite over-grown child... Even though he really had no room to talk, considering he was just as childish himself, if not more so. "Come on then. There is not so much daylight left."
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Post by America on Mar 15, 2013 6:00:46 GMT -5
America shrugged his shoulders a little, letting his arms droop again when the elder nation removed his hand from his person. His smile still didn't falter. In fact, it instantly became genuine, excitement flowing all the more readily now that this venture he'd had in mind as well as the obtainment of various potential treasures was completely confirmed.
It was going to happen. He made this happen. Albeit, he was a little sneaky about it, but it was happening, and that's all that really mattered, at least to him.
"Yes, I am stayink there," The blond was full out bouncing as the elder nation made his way around him, starting on. "Come on then. There is not so much daylight left."
He giggled brightly, like a child who had just gotten what he wanted, and, well—that's pretty much what he was. It didn't even matter to him that Russia was the one who would be supplying him what he wanted! Out of everything he could choose to nitpick at, he readily decided that he could care less. This was just so great. He'd be doing something other than goofing off in the confines of his own home or forcing his way through paperwork for once!
Without a second thought, he started off in somewhat of light a jog, just to catch up, considering the short distance lead Russia had gotten on him while he was busy jumping up and down in the typical giddy manner.
“Okay!” The American chirped now that he was at his side again, rather agreeably, which he would have stopped to think about any other day. Being agreeable with Russia? But really, how could he possibly give a damn when he was adventure bound for the first time in forever? It was then that he started in on his enthusiastic, repeated whispering. “Oh man, oh man, oh man.”
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