Aria and Recitative [Closed]

[herr_edelstein]

Who: Austria and North Italy. Also Lupo.
What: Discussing staging operas, performing arts, and the like. Possibly angstier topics as well.
When: The evening of New Years Day
Where: Austria's apartment in the theatre
Warnings: PG
Status: In Progress

Comments

[herr_edelstein]

"You won't lose him. Not permanently. But if it is one thing I have learned, Feliciano, is that you cannot live as long as we do and not hurt someone's feelings in the process. To go through life trying to please everyone else while ignoring your own needs will only lead you into misery." Austria's voice was set, but not unkind. He had been firm with North Italy before as a child, but it was for a completely different set of reasons

[herr_edelstein]

Austria actually did not like cuddles at all except when...well, that didn't matter any longer, regardless. He did not enjoy cuddles. But he also recognized a futile effort when he saw it.

Ah, Rome. Though he never spoke of it, he was more closely related to Rome than he ever was to Germania. It was why he resembled the Italy brothers more than Germany and Prussia...Vienna had even once been a Roman outpost. Still, he said nothing, and closed his eyes.

"I am glad that he understands. It's something that those of us who have been so large must all come to understand. I am also glad that you spoke with him about it." Even he had old scars from those days...

"Strength is a good thing to have even outside of war, but you should train in order to help preserve peace, rather than prepare for war. It is what I have devoted my military strength to in the time I am from."

[morethanpasta]

Feliciano cooed softly, trying to wrap his mind around the concept of an army that was strong so it could enforce peace rather than prepare for war. In his experience, keeping the peace in another country was usually just an excuse to invade a weakened foe, maybe under the guise of investing a puppet ruler if you were feeling generous.

"A strong military for peace? Like when Grandpa Rome sent his legions to pacify the barbarian tribes and help them become civilized Romans?" He finally raised his face from Austria's chest to peer up at him with a questioning look in his eyes. He hummed softly. "I don't think that's what you're talking about..."

[herr_edelstein]

"...No, nothing like Rome." Austria didn't have the heart to tell Feliciano that it was likely not peace that his grandfather had had in mind when he'd headed into the German territories. But he shook his head and decided to explain what it was that he had meant

[morethanpasta]

Feliciano's eyes lit up with understanding. "Like the League of Nations! Ve~ why didn't you say so right away!" He shot Austria a pouty look.

"The League of Nations was fun! I thought America's boss had had a very good idea there, I was sad when America wasn't allowed to join us. It was a good idea, that we would talk about our problems instead of waging wars. I helped found it, you know?" He giggled. "Well, my boss did, I'm not good with paperwork and paragraphs like Ludwig is, writing laws makes me sleepy, but I was proud of my boss."

He rested his chin on Austria's shoulder and hummed thoughtfully. "Can I be in the new League of Nations, too, Mister Austria? I'll make pasta for everyone and I'll try not to fall asleep at meetings!"

[herr_edelstein]

"...I did say so..Ach, never mind," Roderich waved his hand dismissively, ignoring the pouty look directed at him. "And while I agree that President Wilson had a good idea, it was not without his faults. Even our modern United Nations is not without problems, but it has survived for many years and helped to spread reform for human rights across the world. It is not perfect, but it is a start. And yes, you will eventually join the United Nations along with many other of our fellows

[morethanpasta]

Feliciano did pout a bit, he had enjoyed the cuddling, but the cold meat felt good on his bruised eye and the delicious smells kept him from protesting or distracting Roderich from his work.

It was odd for Austria to be cooking for him, serving him, he mused, as he watched him work. It felt a bit like the world had been tilted sidewise.

"Yes, I suppose I will know what to do if I think about it long and hard," he chimed in dutifully, though he wasn't quite so confident. He wasn't all that good at making the right decisions, after all, he was better at getting himself into trouble than out of it.

But for now, there was food to be enjoyed and company which had turned out to be more enjoyable than he had anticipated. He smiled brightly. "Let's talk of nice things and enjoy the food you made! Dark thoughts aren't good for indigestion."

[herr_edelstein]

"Just remember that even the greatest of men make mistakes. There is no shame in making them. What's important is that you learn from them." Austria began to prepare two plates, his hands moving with grace. "Please, sit at the bar there. I do not yet have a dining table, I'm afraid."

Turning, he stepped over and put both plates down on the counter; it smelled heavenly, as did the wine that he had found and had poured into two glasses.

With the change of topic, he could only hope that Feliciano would not forget the important things that they had talked about, and settled into his seat.

"So. A Rossini Opera, you think?"

[morethanpasta]

Feliciano's gourmet stomach rumbled happily as the delicious smells tickled his nose and made his mouth water. He sat down across from Roderich, barely remembering his good manners and not digging in right away. Eat nicely and mannerly, even if the food smells so good that you just want to wolf it down, that was an important lesson to remember. And oh, was that food good! Feliciano's eyes fell shut in bliss as he chewed and hummed and chewed and hummed some more.

He picked up his glass of wine and swirled it around, sniffing at it. He made an appreciative humming noise. If it tasted anywhere near as good as it smelled, it was some fine wine, indeed.

"Ve~ Rossini! That would be wonderful! Do you really think we can do it?" It wasn't so much doubt that made him ask his question, as awe at the idea of them having their own opera. Their very own!

He raised the glass and laughed. "Let's drink a toast to Rossini!"

[herr_edelstein]

Roderich was pleased to see Feliciano in a more cheerful mood, and raised his own glass. They had both known the man, many many years ago, though he'd always been closer to Felciano.

"To Rossini." They did not clink glasses, but the toast was honest, all the same, and Roderich smiled as he brought the wine to his lips and took a sip. He savored it in the same manner his dining companion just had for a few seconds, and sat it down.

"I am not sure if we will be able to accomplish it soon. I will have to first train an entire orchestra to be able to play the music. And then there is the need to find and train singers who can also act...It will be an undertaking."

[morethanpasta]

"Ve!" That was a rather shocked version of Feliciano's favorite noise. He gulped down some more wine, he needed it after that explanation. Austria's realistic assessment was a rather effective dampener for his enthusiasm and optimism.

"I wish you wouldn't be so realistic, Mister Austria!" he exclaimed poutily. He twirled the glass around between his fingers as he considered Roderich's points. "It sounds awfully complicated when you word it like that."

He chewed thoughtfully on another mouthful of food, then sighed again. "It sounds like an awful lot of work, too. Are there enough musicians in Ruby City at all?" He hummed softly. "But it's also exciting, isn't it? This is music at its most basic! An opera organized not by businessmen, but by music lovers for music lovers! Isn't that wonderful?"

[herr_edelstein]

"It doesn't do to dream and not understand the realities behind accomplishing that dream," Roderich replied sagely as he elegantly began to eat his meal. He was completely unaffected by Feliciano's pouting, but he did agree, it was going to be a lot of work.

"While it might seem a Herculean task, that would make our accomplishment all the more sweeter, wouldn't you agree? In any case, I know that there must be other musicians or those interested in learning in this city. It is simply a matter of locating them and announcing to the public our desire to form an Arts Council of sorts. A civic orchestra, a small choir or acting group...It can bring the captives here together in a way that will make us even more formidable if we decide to fight against our captors for our freedom. After all, art has inspired many wonderful things in our history."

[morethanpasta]

He cooed pensievely. That was true, art, especially music, had inspired his people when they were dreaming of freedom and unity. Every revolution had to have its songs. "Music can make people stronger and it gives them hope when they have little hope," he agreed cheerfully. "But I like the arts to be something beautiful and peaceful."

He ate a bit more and drank some more wine as he tried to figure out how to put his feelings into words. "I... Ve~ I don't think our opera should be about gathering people for a fight. I think it would be nice if it would bring people together, I like that." Feliciano tilted his head to the side as he regarded Austria. "But not everyone wants to fight against our captors." His face hardened. "I don't like them. They're awful people, except maybe for the nice lady who gave me beetles. They're cruel. But I don't want to fight them." He sighed unhappily. "And there is so much work to be done, I think we'll need their help!"

[herr_edelstein]

"I do not think that the opera itself will promote revolution, but it will bring people together. Now, if we were to perform Verdi, that would be something else entirely; he was nothing if not an Italian nationalist."

Austria continued to eat in silence for a few, thoughtful.

"...But they have brought you here against your will. Incarcerated you without a thought for your freedom. How do you ever expect to return to your rightful place if you do not rise up and fight when the time comes?"

Austria shook his head. "I do not need their help to train an orchestra or vocalists. I only need people, and there are plenty of them here."

[morethanpasta]

Feliciano couldn't help smiling proudly at the mention of Verdi. He had witten such lovely songs for Lovino and him

[herr_edelstein]

"I did not mean to upset you, Feliciano." Austria spoke with impressive calm in the wake of Italy's emotion concerning their captors and situation. But while he he knew that Italy spoke the truth, he could not help but think it was simply an escapist attitude.

He went silent for a long time, and continued to eat. It bothered him that Italy was so set on never returning to their rightful place; how could the world return to its natural order without him? The war...it was only momentary. It would pass; couldn't he understand that? Despite how horrible it was...

"...Yes. I should offer music lessons. Perhaps you should offer art lessons. It would do to inject some culture into this place."