Off the Boat (9a/?)
anonymous
November 28 2010, 16:02:57 UTC
And so life with America proceeds. The first month is full of new discoveries, not the least of which is the chain store market, where America buys all his dry and canned goods. Lithuania had stared openly when they entered A&P; it was large and full of shelves and rather than being greeted by a clerk, America had picked up a basket by the door and gone straight into the stock himself, picking out items according to the grocery list (compiled primarily by Lithuania).
"You ... pick out your goods yourself?" Lithuania had stammered, hurrying to keep up with the younger nation. Grocer's markets were similar, but at least the hawk-eyed seller watched you pick your items right in front of them. "And so many in one place ..." Canned goods were nothing new to him, but he had preserved and canned them himself. Only in America, whose lands were so vast and things had to be shipped so far, did something like this exist.
"Yep! This is a phenomenon unique to me!" Alfred had beamed at Lithuania and then pulled down a can labeled 'Maxwell House Coffee Grinds', and Lithuania saw for the first time America's coffee. "It's way more efficient. The less time that can be spent shopping means more time can be spent doing other things, and that's always great!"
Lithuania gave a tentative smile. "But if can get it yourself in a setting like this, doesn't that increase the chance of thievery?"
America had shrugged in response. "Probably a little bit! But most people are honest. Isn't it better to trust in people instead of being suspicious?"
That is the luxury of youth, is what Lithuania thought, but he just nodded. America was strong but naive, and it was times like this that Lithuania remembered just how idealistic and young America really was.
The butcher's store and the green grocer's were more familiar to Lithuania. To his mortification, on their very first trip America had made him order their food and pay the bill by himself. He braved his way through the interaction and was rewarded with a heavy slap on the back - of congratulations, but Lithuania had reacted as if America had shot him, back going ramrod straight and whirling to either punch America or run away, he hadn't been sure which.
America had put up his hands, eyes wide but still grinning. "Woah, that's just how we say 'good job!' here! Did I hit you too hard or something?"
Lithuania didn't trust himself to speak, so he had said, "S-sorry," and waited for America's usual bluster to breeze by the incident entirely, which proved a successful strategy.
*
During the weekends America spends his time in his garden; as requested Lithuania joins him, weeding and watering and pruning. It's only a little bit like farming, but after so many years of doing mostly housework, it feels good to be knee-deep in dirt and making things grow. America fills the air with chatter most of the time, requiring only a minimum of input from Lithuania to keep going. A few times Lithuania's thoughts wander while America talks, only to be snapped back to reality by America asking, "Well, Lietuva? What do you think?"
"C-could ... could you repeat what you were saying?" he answers helplessly, and America always obliges, cheerfully oblivious, much to Lithuania's relief.
Off the Boat (9b/?)
anonymous
November 28 2010, 16:05:04 UTC
During that first month the chores settle out. Lithuania makes mistakes, but none so egregious that America throws him out or even scolds him. For the most part the nation is contented to say, "I'll show you how" or "I'll do it this time." He cleans the kitchen daily and the other rooms each once a week, except for the storage and the study as per America's instructions. He wakes up every day in time to make America coffee before he goes to work; sometimes America is dressed formally, but other days he's wearing workman's clothes. "Building roads," he says, proud, and Lithuania thinks of the automobile. America never once complains about his cooking and Lithuania slowly learns how to make 'American' food, which really is strange, bastardized versions of food from everywhere else most of the time.
(Orange juice is quickly Lithuania's favorite drink. It's refreshing and he's amazed when America tells him it's available all year round. He's going to miss it when he goes home, which he eventually will do, of course.)
Laundry day becomes Thursday and even though Lithuania is capable of getting the laundry done and making dinner at the same time, America refuses to let him do it and insists on cooking himself. It takes Lithuania a little while to realize that rather than afraid that America doesn't trust him to do a good job, he's feeling insulted. When he does figure this out he spends the rest of the evening in a terrible mood. I'm so proud of my housekeeping skills, but I developed them all in horrible conditions! What's wrong with me!? I should be grateful America pays me so much to do practically nothing and take advantage of it!
America doesn't go to church except on Easter and Christmas. Lithuania's circumstances being what they are, he's not yet confident he's in a position to ask America if he can go to Mass, so he just says extra prayers on Sunday morning and does his rosary three times instead of once.
Lithuania receives letters from Estonia, Latvia, his boss, and much to his horror, Russia. He doesn't open the letter from Russia. America delivers these letters to Lithuania from the mailbox the same day they arrive and without opening them. Lithuania still makes a point of not saying anything bad about America in his correspondence, just in case.
In this way they achieve a balance that America finds comfortable and Lithuania finds livable.
Lithuania never sends his letter to Poland, but he gets one anyway. He leaves it unread for a week before curiosity gets the better of him and he opens it.
Hey Liet,
Why haven't you written me yet!? You think you're too good for me now that you're at America's house? Well, I'm coming to visit 'cause a whole bunch of my people live there too. You should totally meet up with me.
Unless America is some kinda tyrant. He's not, is he? If he is you just gotta say the word, Liet, I'll own him in a second! Like half of his population is Polish by now anyway. He's so sketch, stealing our people like that.
Anyway, you better write me back! If you're still mad about Wilno, get over it already. You know you can come there any time, so what's the big deal?
Your best friend,
Polska
Lithuania stares. Then blinks. Then he chews his lip, throws his arms across the desk, and buries his face in his elbows.
Dear Polska,
Please please please don't just drop over to America's house unannounced. That's rude, and furthermore, it's ruder to visit his housekeeper and not him.
Would it kill you to call my capital VILNIUS?
Sincerely,
Lietuva
P.S. I'm still not talking to you.
He sends the letter post-haste and has the horrible feeling he's too late.
tbc
'under horrible circumstances' - Lithuania does the chores at Poland's house, too, so he's exaggerating because things weren't terrible under Poland, just not as awesome as Poland would have you believe. Liet's not very happy with Poland still.
Re: Off the Boat (9b/?)
anonymous
November 29 2010, 09:43:25 UTC
Bahaha, oh Poland. How do you manage to be so utterly FABULOUS? XD I laughed far too hard at his letter. And Liet's reply. Especially the 'ps'. Hahaha ow, my side hurts. Too much laughing.
Oh, the next chapter sounds like it will be uttely brilliant. I feel kind of bad for looking forward to it so enthusiasticly. Ah, the chaos will be brilliant, though I will rather miss the emotional porn. Tiz glorious. Though I suspect it shall return once the proverbial shit hits the proverbial fan. :D
"You ... pick out your goods yourself?" Lithuania had stammered, hurrying to keep up with the younger nation. Grocer's markets were similar, but at least the hawk-eyed seller watched you pick your items right in front of them. "And so many in one place ..." Canned goods were nothing new to him, but he had preserved and canned them himself. Only in America, whose lands were so vast and things had to be shipped so far, did something like this exist.
"Yep! This is a phenomenon unique to me!" Alfred had beamed at Lithuania and then pulled down a can labeled 'Maxwell House Coffee Grinds', and Lithuania saw for the first time America's coffee. "It's way more efficient. The less time that can be spent shopping means more time can be spent doing other things, and that's always great!"
Lithuania gave a tentative smile. "But if can get it yourself in a setting like this, doesn't that increase the chance of thievery?"
America had shrugged in response. "Probably a little bit! But most people are honest. Isn't it better to trust in people instead of being suspicious?"
That is the luxury of youth, is what Lithuania thought, but he just nodded. America was strong but naive, and it was times like this that Lithuania remembered just how idealistic and young America really was.
The butcher's store and the green grocer's were more familiar to Lithuania. To his mortification, on their very first trip America had made him order their food and pay the bill by himself. He braved his way through the interaction and was rewarded with a heavy slap on the back - of congratulations, but Lithuania had reacted as if America had shot him, back going ramrod straight and whirling to either punch America or run away, he hadn't been sure which.
America had put up his hands, eyes wide but still grinning. "Woah, that's just how we say 'good job!' here! Did I hit you too hard or something?"
Lithuania didn't trust himself to speak, so he had said, "S-sorry," and waited for America's usual bluster to breeze by the incident entirely, which proved a successful strategy.
*
During the weekends America spends his time in his garden; as requested Lithuania joins him, weeding and watering and pruning. It's only a little bit like farming, but after so many years of doing mostly housework, it feels good to be knee-deep in dirt and making things grow. America fills the air with chatter most of the time, requiring only a minimum of input from Lithuania to keep going. A few times Lithuania's thoughts wander while America talks, only to be snapped back to reality by America asking, "Well, Lietuva? What do you think?"
"C-could ... could you repeat what you were saying?" he answers helplessly, and America always obliges, cheerfully oblivious, much to Lithuania's relief.
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(Orange juice is quickly Lithuania's favorite drink. It's refreshing and he's amazed when America tells him it's available all year round. He's going to miss it when he goes home, which he eventually will do, of course.)
Laundry day becomes Thursday and even though Lithuania is capable of getting the laundry done and making dinner at the same time, America refuses to let him do it and insists on cooking himself. It takes Lithuania a little while to realize that rather than afraid that America doesn't trust him to do a good job, he's feeling insulted. When he does figure this out he spends the rest of the evening in a terrible mood. I'm so proud of my housekeeping skills, but I developed them all in horrible conditions! What's wrong with me!? I should be grateful America pays me so much to do practically nothing and take advantage of it!
America doesn't go to church except on Easter and Christmas. Lithuania's circumstances being what they are, he's not yet confident he's in a position to ask America if he can go to Mass, so he just says extra prayers on Sunday morning and does his rosary three times instead of once.
Lithuania receives letters from Estonia, Latvia, his boss, and much to his horror, Russia. He doesn't open the letter from Russia. America delivers these letters to Lithuania from the mailbox the same day they arrive and without opening them. Lithuania still makes a point of not saying anything bad about America in his correspondence, just in case.
In this way they achieve a balance that America finds comfortable and Lithuania finds livable.
Lithuania never sends his letter to Poland, but he gets one anyway. He leaves it unread for a week before curiosity gets the better of him and he opens it.
Hey Liet,
Why haven't you written me yet!? You think you're too good for me now that you're at America's house? Well, I'm coming to visit 'cause a whole bunch of my people live there too. You should totally meet up with me.
Unless America is some kinda tyrant. He's not, is he? If he is you just gotta say the word, Liet, I'll own him in a second! Like half of his population is Polish by now anyway. He's so sketch, stealing our people like that.
Anyway, you better write me back! If you're still mad about Wilno, get over it already. You know you can come there any time, so what's the big deal?
Your best friend,
Polska
Lithuania stares. Then blinks. Then he chews his lip, throws his arms across the desk, and buries his face in his elbows.
Dear Polska,
Please please please don't just drop over to America's house unannounced. That's rude, and furthermore, it's ruder to visit his housekeeper and not him.
Would it kill you to call my capital VILNIUS?
Sincerely,
Lietuva
P.S. I'm still not talking to you.
He sends the letter post-haste and has the horrible feeling he's too late.
tbc
'under horrible circumstances' - Lithuania does the chores at Poland's house, too, so he's exaggerating because things weren't terrible under Poland, just not as awesome as Poland would have you believe. Liet's not very happy with Poland still.
That's why the next part is going to be such fun.
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Cannot wait for the next part. Though I have a feeling it won't be such a happy day for poor Lithuania.
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Oh, the next chapter sounds like it will be uttely brilliant. I feel kind of bad for looking forward to it so enthusiasticly. Ah, the chaos will be brilliant, though I will rather miss the emotional porn. Tiz glorious. Though I suspect it shall return once the proverbial shit hits the proverbial fan. :D
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