Ann
is
trying to stick to what she told France. She is on a walk, her hair free of their usual pigtails and lightly curled. She is also wearing a_
pair of jeans and boots, something she was unused to. She was armed for cooler weather and rain, but ultimately she was enjoying her walk._
She had no destination in mind, she was just trying to enjoy the day and get used to being a little more outgoing.
France
is
also out on this wonderfully sunny day, but he's more plagued by his thoughts than necessary, keeping his head down and ducked, hidden under
a not-so-fashionable cap. But as a side note, he thinks Ann and outgoing are just going to spell disaster.
Ann
feels
like she's being stared at and she isn't sure she likes it. Of course this is only in her mind and she is having social anxiety being _
outside of her element. She quickens her walk and ends up running into him and falling on her butt.
France
feels
a sudden force against his body, but it isn't quite strong enough to knock him down... but it does push him a few steps backwards. Looking
down at the other person, apologies come before he realizes who it is. "Ah, je suis desolee, mademoiselle." He offers a hand out. "Are you
okay?"
stares up at him, looking a little freaked out. "France?"
meets her eyes and quickly pulls his hand back, feeling just as freaked out - if not more. Shaking his head in apology, he quickly steps
back and turns on his heel. Not quite how he was hoping to start his day.
Ann
is
very, very, very confused by that. Certainly not what she was expecting. "W-What!? Am I that repulsive!?" Oh she was emotional about her_
appearance right now. Perhaps she should just go home and put on her dress...
mutters under his breath, "Not repulsive enough." He continues on with his brisk walk however, not sparing her a second glance as he tries
to pull up a mental map of England... there should be a mall here somewhere.
, before she even knew it...felt the tears falling down her cheeks. How humiliating. She takes off her boot and ends up throwing it at his_
head without any mercy.
France
thinks
today is not the day to be out if he keeps getting hit - this time on the head. "Sacre bleu!" He wheels around to glare at the only person
who could have possibly done that... only to find her still on the ground... but crying. Staying his distance, his eyes widen and he asks,
"Ah, ah, Ann! Quoi? What is it? Did you hurt yourself when you fell?"
Ann
is
red faced and crying and was clearly doing her best /not/ to. "S-Shut up! You're just stupid! You've always been stupid! Argh! Why do I_
bother doing unneccesary things!" She pushed herself up and got her shoe. She was one big wreck, her words going from three different things
that were bothering her in one big outburst.
France
is
already way past taking her insults seriously, but nevertheless, they still do sting, and his panic subsides. But there is still that
concern for her that he feels that he can never really pull out. "What are you talking about?" He's genuinely confused by her words. "What
unnecessary things?"
shakes her head. "Oh, now you care. Just cause I'm cryin'! I don't need that kind of wishy washy concern!"
"Oh?" The hole that panic left in its wake is now being slowly filled with irritation and anger, a side of him that's usually hidden save
for the right triggers... and this is one. "Is that what you really think? That I'm just pitying you? Then what, pray tell, should I do?
Do you want me to cry with you?"
glares at him through the tears. "Well you're the one who took one look at me and then ran off! Didn't even say a word, what am I supposed _
to think?"
continues to glare at her with the same intensity, fighting the urge to run over to her. "Why? Why would you even care if I said anything to
you or not? Last I heard, your concern for me wasn't something even remotely close to enviable." He says almost bitterly.
stomps her foot childishly. "You're the one who barged into my life. I didn't go looking for you all those times! Yet you kept coming_
and it..." She trailed off blinking at her own words. What was she saying? She was about to say it made her happy...
doesn't find that motion amusing in the least... which is tell-tale sign that he's really quite upset right now. "Vraiment? Ensuite, je suis
désolé de ne. Si c'est tout ce que vous avez à dire, je ne vais pas vous déranger. Adieu donc, Ann." Somehow knowing he'd regret his words,
he gives her one last stare.
shakes a little as she watches him. He misunderstood. He...or did he just want an excuse to leave her? This was the worst. She was watching_
as another person left her behind.
France
is
watching her steadily and waiting for a reply, but it seems like he won't be getting one. As is totally expected, of course. He can always
put effort in and nothing would come out of it. Shaking his head at her pitiable form, he pulls out his phone. At the very least, he could
arrange her a ride home.
clenches her fists. "It made me happy!" She said finally. "No one has done that for me in a long time...!" She lowers her head, her gaze_
on her shoes.
finishes the call before turning to her, allowing her words to sink in. His surprise is evident for only a second, before she pushes that
away. He sighs. "Angleterre, you're tired and emotional rightn ow. You're saying things you normally wouldn't say. Just relax." He looks
down the street, wondering if the cab would be here soon.
shakes her head. "No...I'd rather be fighting than have you ignore me like that again." She didn't ask for him to come into her life like_
he did. He caused her a lot of inonveniences. Things she got mad about, but could she really say she didn't find it even the least bit fun?_
She couldn't deny it. This was the most excitement she had in her life in a while. "At least if we argue I can see that I matter enough to_
at least make you angry." Ignoring her meant she wasn't even worth it.
France
is
trying quite hard to just zone out and leave her words hanging in the air, but it's quite difficult to do that when she looks so low and
her words are said in that oh-so-pitiable tone... But he... he has in inkling of why he always seem to show his sad side around her and it
would be for the best if she doesn't realize what it is. "... I think you'd be happier if we didn't argue at all. You were plenty happy
before." He says quietly, no longer looking at her.
snorts at his words. "Since when was I happy? I was turning into a bitter old maid."
smiles a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "I'm glad you admit that. But a bitter old maid would be happier without me in their life.~"
Ann
is
quiet for a moment before she speaks up. "Who are you to judge what makes me happy? Maybe I just so happen to like things you don't like. _
Does that mean that I shouldn't like them because you don't? Wrong. That is simply your own opinion. But I do think we're both pretty_
pitiable with our own issues, really...I mean, look at me. I am a total mess right now simply because I am doing something /different./ _
What a joke I am..."
lets her words sink in, but his opinion has already been formed. He only says quietly, "I think you should go home and rest."
frowns at his words, but she agrees silently. She was exhausted. "Come by when you like."
just answers simply. "You don't want me to come over."
furrows her brows. "I just said I did."
, because he's stubborn like that, demands to know, "Why?"
quips back with. "Because you can't just walk into my life and then try and walk out without taking responsibility for any consequences!"_
She takes a deep breath before continuing. "And like I said, those consequences are that it makes me happy. As you damn well know, I am a _
selfish person and I am not just going to let it go just like that."
somewhat... regrets visiting her that day, but a larger part of him demands he does not. But he acquiesces, nodding. "Bien, I will ride
home with you." He shifts his stance, looking towards the oncoming taxi, before adding under his breath, "But I am more selfish than you."
watches him for a moment, before she moves towards the taxi. "If you really do not wish to, then go."
"I..." He shakes his head. "Will go. I have already said so." He makes his way into the taxi.
nods to him and gets in after him. "If you like."
(( I can't unsee this: 29.media.tumblr.com/tumb... ))
((Is it bad I couldn't get that at first? I'm like... what am I staring at? Dx...))
He takes shotgun, not wanting to be closer to her more than necessary. Resting his cheek on his palm, he stares outside.
Ann
feels
like their distance is growing despite everything she said. She frowns, shifting her gaze to her hands.
((I didn't either but when I did my mind was blown.)
simply cannot tell her what he'd realized... even if it is something he's still unsure of. Nevertheless, she seems to be genuinely lonely so
he'll keep her company.
Ann
wishes
he would tell her something, rather than leaving her like this.
doesn't think at all that it'd be appropriate, and would probably hurt her more.
Ann
is
used to being hurt by now.
doesn't want to introduce her to a whole new level of hurt, especially when she's made her opinion of that matter known already.
still wants to know, even if it hurts.
might say... if she's able to catch her off-guard enough, because it's a secret he's embarrassed of himself.
((This sentence confused me.))
((It... confuses me too, now that I reread it. And now I realize it's because it's supposed to say "catch him" not her. Brain has melted.))
((Ty xD No problem.))
Ann
is
not sure how she can accomplish that. She is not good at catching people off guard.
France
thinks
she is good at that, actually. It seems to be a skill England(s) have.
Ann
is
not aware of such a skill. She usually just rushes on in...still, he was a puzzle she was not sure how to crack and it troubled her.
believes that she likes puzzles, oui? Or something complicated of the sort. He would not serve anything to her on a silver platter... except
his food, obviously.
lets herself out when the car stops, casting a hesitant gaze back to him.
doesn't notice they've arrived until she gets out, and he quickly clambers out of the car himself, shuffling along behind her and keeping
his usual distance.
stops outside her door. "Tell me one thing."
looks up just in time; he almost broke that 2-meter distance. "Oui?"
she doesn't look back. "Why did you bother with me in the beginning if things were just going to end up like this?"
pretends to look unfazed, although that probably doesn't matter since she's not looking. "End up like what, ma cherie?"
grips the door. "Like...This. You're keeping things hidden and you look so down. I think I at least deserve some kind of explanation."
France
will
give her points for being observant... does she actually care? At the very least, he'll give her a vague answer. "It is because you are
Angleterre."
knits her eyebrows together. "And?"
just shrugs and looks away. That's as much as she's going to get. Besides, that sort of gave it away.
swerves around. "So basically you're saying because you love England, you can't face me? Because I too, am an England?"
suddenly feels all the pieces shattering in front of him, and he can only shake his head weakly at her too-true comment. "N-non, of course
not..."
Ann
is
being harsh now. "You're a liar. Don't try and fool me. I won't let you pull one over my eyes."
relents a little. "Je ne suis pas un menteur."
| "If you are not a liar then tell me the truth."
just shakes his head and sighs.
frowns at him. "Fine..."
fidgets a little and hope she'll still let him in. Or if she hates her now.
((him* WOW BRAIN.))
unlocks the door and enters. She leaves it open for him.
follows along and sighs in relief, locking it behind her. He keeps quiet, not knowing what to say.
headed straight for the kitchen to make herself some tea. She needed to calm down.
France
is
not sure if he should follow her... so he settles for going into her basement and curling up a little on the couch there.
comes to find him once tea was finished. "France?"
jerks up and sits up, trying to look normal. "O-oui?"
Ann
has
a tray with her. "I brought tea."
"Oh." He nods and stands to take it from her, for now letting go of the 2-meter distance thing. He pours her some and hands it to her.
takes it from him and proceeds to take a sip. "Thank you."
nods and sits back on the couch, not quite knowing what to do.
Ann
is
just sitting there with him in silence.
clears his throat and starts to pour some tea for himself.
Ann
is
just focusing on her tea.
drinks a little... starting to feel more than a little uncomfortable with the silence. "A-are you okay now?"
looks up at him. "I am fine."
"Alright, then." He sets the teacup down and stands. "Is there anything you might need...?"
shakes her head. "I am fine."
sighs and scratches the back of his head, keeping his head down. "I am sorry, Angleterre... Maybe I should not have intruded in the first
place."
sips her tea once more. "Curiosity killed the cat, was it?"
"Ah, oui." He gives her a frail smile. "And was it not you who said you were not cat?"
hums in thought. "Yes, but perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. They have eight other lives to fall back on after all."
's smile grows just a little bigger. "But as nations, we live perhaps a thousand times longer."
smiles a little in return. "Oh yeah."
continues on. "And we actually bathe." He chuckles. "Well, some of us."
giggles a little at that comment. "Well, cats are pretty clean though...Cleaner than some of us."
"You think so?" He pauses to think about that. "But some of us are clearly better-looking, oui?"
laughs a bit more. "But cats are pretty cute. It depends on the person."
pouts a little. "Hm... We are still more intelligent?" And he doesn't have to add the "some of us are" comment in there.
nods. "That much, yes."
crosses his arms and laughs a little. "I think in essence, I'd still prefer to not be a cat."
nods a bit. "But it would be nice to be so carefree I admit."
"But being too carefree is also bad, is it not?"
Ann
has
to think about that one. "I suppose you may be right."
sighs. "But then again, they avoid the complications of life. I envy them.~"
Ann
wonders
how they got to the topic of cats. "Most agreed."
does not know, either... but at least it's conversation. "Well... ah, shall I leave?"
looks up to him. "Do you want to?"
pauses. "It's undecided."
shakes her head. "Your decision. I don't mind."
France
has
to think about that... he's still not sure but... "Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself?"
nods. "I am just fine."
"Um..." Now he's not sure if he should leave. "I am... sorry for before, mademoiselle."
breaths out. "It's not your fault. That's just how you feel."
frowns a little. "And what do I feel, exactly?"
looks at him. "I can't answer that for you."
crosses his arms and decides to sit back down. It was getting uncomfortable. "But you formed your suspicions, oui?"
frowns at him. "Yeah, but my thoughts don't really amount to much."
doesn't quite think that's true, but he just shrugs. "You never know. I still want to hear them."
| "You heard them earlier."
fidgets a little. "And what do you think? Is it true?"
Ann
wonders
why he's obsessed with this. He kept going back to it. "Which part?"
doesn't quite recall which part he was intrigued most about. "Uh.. all of it?"
doesn't remember everything she spoke about. "It's not my business." She chirped, trying to avoid it.
supposes this was unavoidable and shakes his head. Maybe they should start over. "Oui, if you say so.~ Ah... were you planning on going
somewhere special what that outfit?
shakes her head. "No..."
really has just noticed it for the first time. Now that he thinks about it, he's never seen her in anything but a dress. "Then why...?"
takes a deep breath. "I am trying to be more outgoing."
France
is
genuinely taken aback by that. England, trying to change? The world was ending. "... Porquoi...?"
flushes. "Did nothing I say that day sink in?"
France
is
sorry that his mind has been in the gutter lately, so the obvious answer to that question would be, "Non... I do not even know what day
you are talking about."
Ann
is
even more embarrassed. "You j-jerk."
does not quite get it... ugh, someone's obliviousness was definitely rubbing off on him. "Uh... sorry... can you repeat it?"
shakes her head. "No, if you can't remember I don't want to say!"
lets out a deep breath and stands over her, leaning over the back of the sofa to give her an unwavering stare. "Refresh my memory."
looks back up at him. "Why should I?"
"Because..." Okay, think of a reason, think of a reason. He smirks a little. "You know you want to.~"
blinks slowly at him. "Why?"
France
thinks
about that for a moment. "Because you like me?~"
huffs. "Think of a better excuse."
doesn't know of a better excuse... ah! "I will stop cooking you food if you do not tell me!"
seems to waver on that one. "No you won't..."
Oho! He got her on this. "I will. Because I have never been quite welcome in your kitchen, and you always do brag about how nice your own
cooking is, right? So I am not needed.~"
frowns at him. "Perhaps you are right..." Oh she could play this. If he wanted to know he had to offer something else up.
finds this game a little interesting and decides to kick it up a notch. "And I will let all the nations see the incriminating photos I have
of you when you were in Angleterre's house.~"
doesn't believe him. He'd only show those if he was willing to admit how he felt about England. "Oh? Well then I'll just have to go to your_
house and cook."
pouts a little at that; damn, and he thought that would work, too. "But what if I ban you from coming?~"
tilts her head. "Since when does that stop YOU? I will make sure it won't stop me!"
immediately adds, "And if you do somehow manage to come in, it means you are under my house, and my rules, so I will
be allowed to touch you as I please, oui?~"
Ann
gives
him a look. "Only if you're prepared to lose your beard."
smirks, leaning down a little more. "I think I can fend for myself quite well."
knits her brows together. "Yeah, well I think I can too."
raises an eyebrow at that. "We shall see." He sighs, before shaking his head. "In the end, it is fine. You do not need to tell me." He takes
a glance at the tea set. "Au revoir, Ann. Maybe I'll see you again."
closes her eyes and exhales a breath. "Au revoir."
smiles down at her and places a quick kiss on her forehead, tugging a little on a strand of her hair before heading out. He'd make sure he
wouldn't disturb her again.
flops over onto the couch when he leaves, wondering why she felt so down.
((Woop, thread end or what?~))
((Sure~))
((OKay, guess it's my turn to start? XDD)
((Yep!))