ran a hand through his hair. He had been spending so much time outside lately that it had gotten even lighter.
knows how that is. He practically turns blonde in the summer. He wonders what the other has been doing?
_Outside that is.
Nikolaas
was
taking care of his garden, like normal. He always had to deweed this time of year.
William
wonders
if he's done, if not Australia wouldn't mind lending a hand. He's craving some decent sunlight.
guesses he could use some help. Though, his garden was special to him, and if he did anything to jepordise it, he'd get payback.
William
thinks
that as long as Nikolaas gives him clear instructions, he'll be fine. 'Alright, how should I help ya?
'
put a bucket between them and got on his knees, facing his garden. "Just take out the weeds, but make sure to pull them right from the root,
or else they'll grow back in time."
nods, opting to watch the other for a minute or two before he was confident of the technique and started himself. 'So... you're a pretty_
solitary block huh? They say gardening is for introverts.'
*bloke
nodded, trying not to take offense to that. "Ja. It's rare I leave the country, unless I visit my sister."
didn't mean any offense, 'I tried that for myself once, being a bit less dependent on company... but I found myself down at the pub a week_
later.'
shrugged as he continued to pick weeds. "I'm there every week regardless. It's a part of my culture, really."
rubs the back of his neck, 'Every other night for a single aussie bloke, back home.' He's steadily working away on his patch, quickly_
falling into an efficient rhythm.
finished his section and shifted over to a new one, after glancing to see the others progress. "It's the only thing you can do alone that
makes you feel better, it's not surprise really."
blinks, 'Gardening or getting pissed?' He soon progresses to a new patch, looking pleased with himself.
rolled his eyes. "Both, really. Gardening is less expensive though, and generally doesn't hurt as much.
*"
laughs lightly, 'I suppose, I bet gardening can get pricey though, with water bills and stuff.'
sat back on his knees to wipe off his forehead. "Depends, really. If the weather keeps up, it's not too hard on the water bill since it's
mostly canals that supply water to the fields. The only thing that could get expensive is fertiliser. That's all."
ahhs, 'You must be a country that gets a lot of water then, eh?' He shakes his head, 'For Aussies it's a completely different story.'
smirked. "I'd say that's a bit of an understatement. My whole country is made of islands. We can't help but have canals." He got back to
work soon after. "I bet Australia is different from that. I've never been, though."
smiles, 'Really? That sounds pretty cool, don't think I've ever been on a canal.' He thinks about Australia, 'It's this big block of land,_
that's only really inhabitable around the coasts. I mean you get people in the outback, but for the most part the population is restricted_
to the coast. The beaches are brill though, so if you're into them you should come visit.' He moves onto another spot, wiping at his_
forehead. Humidity didn't tend to go overly well with him, he could deal with it - his country was for a part of it humid but... he didn't_
have to like it.
agreed with that, humidity was something he disliked greatly. "I see..." He never thought of land that was pretty solid, only because his
land was far from it. "Once we're done this, if you want we can go on a canal cruise. It shows off the main of Amsterdam."
blinks, before grinning widely. 'That would be brill mate, if ya don't mind dealing with me.'
shakes his head as he finished and got up, dusting off his pant legs. "Nee. I find it relaxing, and you're more calm than Denmark."
concentrates on the last few weeds before f0llowing suit, smiling. 'Well, I'm not sure whether I should take that as a compliment or not.'
nods as he took the buckets to the back and dumped them with the rest. "You should. I can't stand him." He headed back to his house and went
inside, gesturing for the other to follow suit. He figured he'd want to wash the dirt off his hands.
would appreaciate it. He follows the other easily, 'That so... he seems like he'd be fun after a couple of drinks.' He shrugs, 'Thanks_
though.'
rolled his eyes. "He drinks every day. It takes more than just a couple to get tipsy. Besides, he's 'fun' normally." He dried off his hands.
laughs lightly, 'Maybe I'm better off just thinking he's a fun drunk then.' He moves to the sink when Nikolaas is done, running his hands_
under the water. He scrubs off all the dirt before reaching for the towel the other nation had used. 'What kind of drunk are you?'
wiped his forehead once more before shrugging. "I don't normally drink with people. But I've been told I'm calm." He made his way to the
front door after. He knew a good spot to start the canal tour.
follows after the other, feeling as though this will be the pattern of the day. He didn't really mind, meant he didn't need to think. 'Want_
to grab drinks after this then, mate?'
smirked faintly and nodded. "Ja. We can drink as we tour if you want. Shouldn't really do it, but as long as we're not raging drunks no one
Nikolaas
will
care."
grins widely, 'Sounds brill actually. Do they sell it on the boat?' He slips his hands into his back pocket, looking around as he walks._
He could see why it was a good tourist place.
scrunches up his face a bit. "We'll be going in my boat. I don't actually like going with tourist things." Ironically enough, he had a bit
of a phobia of people from other nations. "We'll get a case on the way. Almost all stores around sell Heineken."
nods, 'Alright, sounds good then.' He hopes that his people don't cause too many problems. 'Is that your beer? Heineken?'
hummed and nodded as he turned into a store to buy a 6 pack. "Ja. Fully Dutch. We have a few others, but this is the most exported one."
nods, 'I can see why. It's popular back home.' he waits to the side, letting the Dutchman deal with it. 'So, shame about the euro-cup...'
sighed as he walked out and continued on his way with the other. "Ja. If we beat Denmark in the first match, I'm sure my team wouldn't have
been so out of it. They really didn't play their best. Kind of ironic since during FIFA Denmark lost because they scored on their own goal."
((Sorry no alert ;; ))
resists the urge to give him a sympathetic pat on the back. 'There's always next time mate, plus you can prove yourself at the olympics.'
((It's okay, I barely get them either. =< ))
smirked at that as they got to the pier. "Ja, I have high hopes this year. Well, not high. But it will be interesting to know none the less"
follows along, hands in his pockets. 'Should be a riot... England might even develop a hernia.'
((Plurk just doesn't like us xD ))
((It doesn't like anyone. I barely get any updates on anything. ><))
chuckled faintly at that. "I'm amazed he can still walk straight." He got onto his boat and set it up, making sure the beer was secure and
he had enough petrol for the trip.
climbs on with much carelessness, although he looks at home on the boat already pocking about. 'She's a beaut, how old?' he asks. He's not_
as familiar with canal boats as other, and his curiosity seems to be getting the better of him.
doesn't mind, he liked canals. "This one is only 3 years. Still pretty new." He cast off the dock and slowly took the boat out into the
middle of the canal.
pats her, 'Barely legal then, huh?' He soon sits himself down, reaching for a beer.
shrugs. "If that's how you see it." He grabbed his own once he got to a straight and open section.
William
was
just emphasising the boat's youth. He shrugs, falling quiet as he takes in the scenery from the boat.
talked about important places they passed, going as far as to show him the old church and the Red Light Disctrict.
perks up with the mentioning of the red light district, 'Is it true you can smoke pot and then just tumble into an 'establishment' and no_
one cares?'
nods. "Weed is legal in Amsterdam. It'll soon only be sold to Dutch citizens, but it's still legal. And people walk in and out of the
buildings very often. I'd say not even 10 minutes would pass before someone walked into one of them."
blinks in surprise, 'Why only Dutch citizens?' He should probably try it soon then, huh.
sipped his beer as he turned the boat down another canal. "Too many tourists are coming and creating trouble because of it."
ahhs, rubbing the back of his head. 'Sorry if any of my own caused ya a bit of hassle.'
smirked and shook his head. "I'd not know myself. There's a lot of traffic from around the world that come here. I couldn't blame any one
nation for the issues."
William
wonders
what the smirk is about, getting up to wonder about the boat. 'You're a pretty mysterious bloke.'
nods as he pulled out his pipe and prepared it. "So I've been told." He never did much like to talk about himself.
hums, leaning against the rail. 'What's your favourite sport then?'
lit the pipe and shrugged as he took a puff. "Football. It's the one most people here enjoy too it seems."
nods, 'Should have expected that, you being European and all.' His eyes hone in on the pipe, 'Is that hash?'
hummed a little. "Might be." Even though it was technically illegal, it took a lot more than one pipe to get him even remotely high.
wouldn't know, 'Can I try mate?'
shrugged as he passed it over. "As long as you don't drop the pipe in the river, be my guest."
makes his way over, marking a small cross over his own heart before taking it. 'Bloke's honour I won't.' He takes a couple of drags before_
handed it back, not quite sure how strong it is.
liked how he acted, and felt like he could trust him. It was just a normal dose he had made, not wanting to get the authorities involved.
William
has
honestly never done it before, but he doesn't look like he'll fall over any time soon so he's probably alright. 'You smoke that all the time
?'
shrugged as he took another smoke. "Not always. I normally have tobacco in here. Maybe once a week or once every two weeks."
nods, 'So, on special occasions when you have to deal with the headache that is guests?' He grins cheekily before turning his attention to
the scenery.
smirked faintly. "Depending on who it is I might strengthen the dose." He finished with his pipe and cleaned it out before slowly turning
another corner to another canal.
looks over his shoulder with a grin, 'How strong is it for me? Or is it too early to tell?'
looked him over. "It should kick in soon enough. For first users it's almost instant."
doesn't mention the light headedness, not wanting to appear weak. 'That so?' he asks, 'What can I expect?'
got himself another beer and sipped at it. "Feeling lighter. More relaxed. Impressed by simple things."
decides it's time enough for another, 'So like Northern Italy, in short?'
couldn't help but chuckle a little at that. "Ja. Though less annoying and hyper."
hums, 'Or atleast you hope.' He although is sporting a rather lazy grin as he sips his beer.
had noticed and shook his head slightly. "I've not seen a person be hyper while on pot. It's a substance that relaxes the muscles and body."
hums, 'I'll take your word for it.' He falls quiet again as he watches the buildings pass, slowly making his way through the beer.
kept boating around, getting through many canals. "After this, would you like to go to a cafe?"
William
gives
the other a lazy smile, 'Sure. A coffee sounds Brill right 'bout now'
trailed around a bit more before pulling the coat off to the side and tying it up to a small dock. "There's one just around the corner here"
hops off, helping the other tie the boat to the dock. 'Alright mate, I'll follow if you lead the way.'
turned and walked up the set of stairs before going down the street and around the corner. He held the door open for the other. "Want to
order yourself, or do you want me to do it?"
thanks the other other before walking to the counter, pulling out his wallet. 'I'll try myself, just help if I ask for snakes or something.'
He looks at the menu before giving the clerk a charming smile and pointing to what he presumes is Black Coffee. Australian tourists, at_
their best.
smirked a bit. "You can't go wrong here easily. And almost everyone is fluent in English. It's good for business."
eyes go wide before he turns a little red around the edges. The clerk in turn laughs at him. 'So a black coffee?' the clerk asks, to which_
the Aussie can only nod with a laugh. 'Ya could of told me before I went and made a fool of myself mate.'
shakes his head."It's always fun to see how tourists act. Everyone in Amsterdam can understand. More so up north you'd maybe be out of luck"
rolls his eyes, although he doesn't look all that affected. He looks over to the other, 'I'll treat so you should order something too.'
wouldn't let that opportunity go. He got himself a green tea and a few brownies.
hands over his credit card after Nikolaas orders, 'So, are those things special brownies?' He's still sporting a relaxed smile that takes_
years off of him... not that he was all that old to begin with. Australia honestly just feels a bit chilled.
nodded. "All brownies here have some weed in them, unless you specifically ask for it without. It's good, that's why I got you one too."
shakes his head, looking amused. 'It's still a lot to get my head wrapped around.' He leans against the counter as they wait for the order.
'Can you make them too?'
looked around for a table they could sit at, but figured there was plenty to choose from so he waited. "Of course. It's not hard at all."
nods, 'I might have to get you to teach me then.' He takes the order when it arrives, taking the tray towards a table by a window facing the
canal. 'Europe's disgustingly beautiful where ever you look, must be all that history you blokes have.'
sat across from him once they got to the table. "Just because we have a lot of history, doesn't mean it's beautiful. I know a few times
where I'd have preferred to just skip."
replies, 'Not saying the history is beautiful, but you have to admit you guys have the cities and sceneries down to a tee.'
nodded a little as he looked to the canal. "I wish our water was a bit cleaner though. The Dane always rubs it in my face about that."
laughs, 'Sounds like you two are rather close.' He sips his coffee before adding some sugar and cream.'
took a quiet sip of his tea as he looked out. "We are. I've been his ally before, as well as his enemy. But with the amount of things we
have in common, it's hard to ignore one another."
looks out, watching the people as they pass by. 'I think every nation needs someone like that, don't ya think?' He couldn't think of a_
nation that didn't have such a relationship - although some were more extreme than others.
nods as he picked up a brownie and nibbled on it. "Ja. It is nice to speak to someone out side of family once in a while."
smiles lazily, 'Glad to be of help.' He reaches over for his own, taking a hefty bite from the confectionary. 'Hmm, your right, it is good,'
he manages inbetween bites, mouth covered by his hand.
sighed. "Another good thing about being friends with the Dane. You get a lot of good baking hints." He switched back to his tea, sipping
it quietly.
smiles a knowing smile, 'I think you act so put upon when it comes to him because yer actually able to put up with him mate, and don't mind_
him.' He grins, 'It's kinda cute to watch.'
scrunched his face up a bit at that. "I just know his weaknesses. If he irks me the wrong way, I can get him back. He just doesn't risk it."
chuckles at the face, sipping his coffee as he leans back. 'Whatever helps you sleep at night mate.'
shook his head a bit as he finished off a brownie and cleaned off his fingers. "Must be tough for you, being separated from everyone else."
preferred the attention being on Nikolaas, although he lets the dig roll of his back like water on a duck's back. 'I dunno, sometimes_
Indonesia is too close for my liking,' he kids.
smirked a bit and sipped more tea. "Anyone you've had your eyes on?" He hinted at.
raises an eyebrow, before shaking his head. 'Don't think I'm the type to commit, even if everyone and their mother is doing it at the moment
.'
thought about that for the moment and nodded. "I hear you." He occupied himself by watching people pass.
leans over, 'Oi, tit for tat. What about you?'
shakes his head. "... Not anymore." He was surprised himself that he was admitting this much to him.
raises an eyebrow, resting his hand in his chin. 'Want to talk about it? Or should I leave the prying there?'
shrugs. "Even if you wanted to know more, I'd not say anything. I don't talk much about my private life."
takes that as a no, 'I think the olympics are gonna be brill this year, ya know. I can't wait to see England's face when he wins next_
to no medals.'
chuckled quietly at that. "That will be impressive. I am a little curious as to how they'll end out."
grins evilly, 'Hopefully tears.'
rolled his eyes a bit. "I wouldn't mind seeing that myself. But I really don't know how things will turn out." He finished his tea and took
the last brownie to nibble on it.
finishes his own brownie, close to finishing his own coffee. 'Don't you think that would be a class ending ceremony though, England bawling'
((He's mean to England ))
((I never would have noticed. XD ))
nods a little. "It would be interesting. But I think he'd have too much pride."
hums, 'I dunno. We'll have to see I guess, huh?'
smirked as he finished his brownie. "It will be an interesting few weeks. That's for sure."
looks amused, 'So what's got you always smirking?'
shrugged his shoulders a bit. "The thought of seeing disappointed nations who have such high pride."
shakes his head, 'It's not just now, you're always smirking.' He copies Nikolaas smirk, 'Like this.'
huffed a bit and got rid of it, going back to a slight frown. "Then it was a mistake."
looks amused, expression slipping into his own smirk. 'I didn't know you could huff mate.'
rolled his eyes. "I can do a lot of things, you know."
grins, 'Such as?'
shrugs. "It would take too long to explain it all."
replies, 'Then just the highlights.'
sighed as he leaned back. "I can do art related things. So that's the highlights."
hums, 'Oh? He reaches for a napkin and pulls out a pen from somewhere holding out to the other. 'Can ya draw me?'
raised his brow as he took it and sighed. "This isn't the best materials, but fine." He took the pen and napkin before starting to sketch
out his features.
leans forward to watch, wondering briefly if all the sighing the other was doing meant he was a bother. The thought soon fades though as he_
gets caught up in watching the picture form on paper. 'You can use anything for art.'
nodded. "I've had years for practice. And I can do any kind of art." He finished a few minutes later and passed it to him. He just sighed a
lot normall.
*normally
holds it up, a pleased smile coming to his face. 'So I'm this handsome, huh?' he jokes, placing the napkin on the table. 'You're really_
talented mate,' he adds, more serious this time.
barely thought as he nods to that. "I always have been."
guesses the guy has no sense of modesty, 'Ohh really? So you just born the good huh?' he asks with a smirk.
*that good
nodded curtly as he looked outside again. "Not something I could stop from doing, really. It just comes naturally."
finishes his coffee before he carefully folds up the picture and tucks it into his chest pocket. 'Have to say, I'm a bit green-eyed. I_
only really ever bother with stick figures.
shrugs. "It's not for everyone, art. I doubt America himself does too much."
makes a face at being indirectly compared to America, 'Are you saying we're alike?'
shakes his head. "Not at all. I'm just saying I have more talent than him."
raises an eyebrow, 'I guess... although he has those comic books you know.'
shrugs. "I have traditional and more popular art."
nods, 'What do you prefer?'
thought about thta for a moment. "I tend to do more landscape paintings than anything else."
nods, 'I'm guessing of your own country?' He turns his gaze back out the window, 'Do you just set up your easel in the street and draw?'
nodded. "I travel a bit, but stay in the country mostly. It depends what I do, but I like the canals and tulip fields mostly..."
nods, 'I mind hearing you were famous for Tulips. You and Turkey, right?' He glances at the other before turning his attention back out_
again.
played a little with his cup. "Ja. Though I'm more well known for them. At least with exporting."
turns his attention back to Nikolaas, grinning. 'I'll take your word for it,' he reassures the other, looking around. 'Care to finish that_
tour mate?'
nodded as he got up and returned the cup and plate to the counter, before heading out. He felt pretty good now.
follows his actions, smiling as they return to the fresh air. He inhales deeply, quickly following after him to the boat. 'You should come_
and have a go at drawing my scenery...' Although he didn't really have much to draw, he just liked having other nations visit.#
shrugged at that as he got back on the boat and started it up again. "If I can survive the journey, maybe some day."
raised an eyebrow as he climbed onto the boat. 'You don't like travelling?'
shakes his head as he cast off. "Nee. I don't do well in foreign countries, except Canada and Japan."
sits on the railing, looking down at the water. 'Really? Have you even given Australia a try?' Although, he guesses it takes a special kind_
of person to enjoy Australia as a country. It was rather inhospitable.
shakes his head. "I've never traveled that long before... I could try some time, maybe."
ahhs, 'I suppose, even from Japan it's about 9 hours.'
'If you did come I'd make it worth your while,' he says with a wink, grinning
'If you did come I'd make it worth your while,' he says with a wink, grinning
widely.
raised his brow. "How, and in what way?"
would splutter if he had a drink. He turns a little red around the edges, 'I dunno mate. Give you a hell of a tour around Australia?'_
He cops out, he'd mostly been making a sexual pass at the other but you don't say that outright.
wasn't expecting it, which was probably why he over looked it. He was much of one to say things outright, normally. "Wouldn't that just be
a lot of empty waterless land?"
would normally, if the other was an Australian. But Europeans seemed to prefer hints at things, 'There's a big rock in the middle of that_
'wasteland' mate.'
shrugged a bit. "I might visit some time then. Depends how much art supplies I can pack up."
nods, reaching for another beer. 'There's also snorkling and all the stuff on the coasts. It's not all what ya see in Kangaroo Jack.'
couldn't remember the last time he snorkled, and thought it would be a little worth it.
stays seated as he sips his beer and looks out at the city again. He had to admit, the canals were pretty cool.
Nikolaas
was
glad he liked them. A lot of tourists did. Some found it amazing, which he found rather odd.
William
is
sure he's used to them by now. Being surrounded by this much water would be a novelty for most.
finally got back to where they started and sighed as he turned off the engine and docked the boat.
helped where he could, being fairly familiar with boats himself. 'Well, many thanks for the ride Captain,' he thanks the other, grin wide._
'I should probably get out of your hair now though, eh?'
shrugged as he got up the stairs to be back on street level. "If you want. I'll probably just go work on my garden now."
nods, 'I should probably get back and give my Athletes their pep talk.'
nodded at that. "I'm sure that'll help get rid of last minute nerves."
smiles, 'Or increase them. Nerves aren't a bad thing ya know. Means you really want it.'
shrugged. "I guess. It's a good way to psych up people, but can ruin others... Just be careful."
nods, 'I will be.' He grins, 'Thanks for being concerned mate.' He waves before starting to leave, 'Oh, and thanks for the tour.'
nods and waved a bit back to him. "Tot ziens, until next time."