queenoflogs | gliddy gloop gloopy

Entry tags:

gliddy gloop gloopy

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beerjugs
Date: September 1
Summary: Canada is borrowing Spain's flute from Austria so that Prussia, who has flute envy, can play it for a little while and possibly antagonize Austria at the same time.
Warnings: N/A (unless someone starts on dirty flute metaphors, which is entirely likely)

The more Canada thought about it, the more apparent it became that there was pretty well no way, "hey Austria, can Prussia borrow something of yours?" was going to go over well. They had a history, she knew they did. But things were supposed to be peaceful here and now and Canada would feel too responsible if she let anything change.

So that was why her mission today was to deliberately omit some truth. She was going to be as nice and trustworthy as possible to Austria, to talk her into lending Canada her flute for the day, with no mention of her old adversary whatsoever.

And then Canada was going to deliver the flute to Prussia, loiter for a little bit, and hope to every divine being ever worshiped that no one else found out about the deceit.

It was simple, really.

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"So, did it work?"

She really shouldn't have been looking as anxious as she was, as a father expecting--hoping for the safe delivery of his baby, but she had twirled the ends of her hair around her finger until the skin there whitened with impatience and anticipation.

It was odd to see Prussia so anxious, but then again, it sort of made sense. And it wasn't as if Canada herself wasn't anxious about this whole thing blowing up in her face. Nevertheless, she mustered up a reassuring little smile as she carefully handed over the flute.

"It did."

She reached forward with a swiftness that could have hurt Canada's hand, had she been reaching for the flute itself. Instead, Prussia's hands alighted on Canada's slim wait, spinning her around once in gratitude before deftly relieving her of the instrument.

"You're good!" something glinted in her eyes. Mischief and mirth.

The enthusiasm surprised her, but not in a bad way. It was good to see that from Prussia.

"Of course I am," Canada said, indulging in being cheeky a moment. "And I expect to be played in song, at some point today."

"Only an ingrate would dislike an audience," Prussia twirls the flute in her fingers for show, before stroking the end carefully.

"Should I let you have a few moments first? And I trust you to be careful with it, but I recommend you work really hard to not play anywhere Austria might hear you."

"Right, of course!" Waving Canada's concerns away impatiently, Prussia's fingers are already getting used to the shape of this forbidden object, made more desirable by knowing she shouldn't have coveted it in the first place.

The tune wafting was mildly festive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foIIbU8qadQ), with a chirping quality to it. Soon enough, the white haired nation would lose her previous apprehension to the melody.

Canada watched in silence, although her smile grew with Prussia's enthusiasm for the piece. It suited her well, Canada couldn't help but think, and when the tune came to an end, she clapped hard enough to be just on the polite side of terribly enthusiastic.

It was hard not to smile around the mouthpiece, having noted Canada's gentle appreciation. Even if it was a comparison Prussia was not apt to use often, coaxing music out of a fine instrument was not unlike edging a strong horse with grace and skill. Hungary had told her that, once.

The memory stilled the breath on her lips for a moment before she transitioned into another melody altogether (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dHzHdYWJUA), more melancholy and deliberate. Prussia closed her eyes as she moved through it, unseeing and distant when the melodic sadness first interlaced with the music.

Falling quiet again, Canada wasn't sure if she should stay or go. It seemed almost like an intrusion, when she'd only asked for one piece. But Prussia hadn't given any indication she wanted to be left alone, and music was for sharing, in some respects. So she stayed, tentatively, standing still as she watched and listened raptly.

When the piece ended, Prussia took a moment to wake herself from her reveries, as if surprised to see Canada there, listening. She rubbed her thumb across the end, however.

"I think I'm a bit rusty, but that wasn't so bad,"

"Not bad at all," Canada insisted, giving Prussia a smile. "I'll be near the spaceship when you've finished, all right? Just come find me."

Tempted to ask for clarification, Prussia fell silence once she realized that alerting Canada to her intent to keeping the flute so early might not be a good idea. A slight sense of something akin to loss washes over her at the disappearance of her audience, but she shrugged that altogether.

"Ah, Canada," she cleared her throat, somewhat embarrassed.

The young nation tilted her head slightly to the side, although her smile remained. More or less.

"Yes?"

"Thank you," she leaned back, meeting the smile with one of her own. You didn't have to. I'm thanking you for caring. You could be a friend. It hung in the air between them, loaded into that simple sentence.

Canada's smile came back full force, pleased to have Prussia's approval, her appreciation. As far as she was concerned, it was a hard thing to earn, but she always did like earning it.

"You're quite welcome." She inclined her head toward the flute. "Enjoy it."

"Heh," a smirk curved her lips upward. She was getting back into her old spirits once more. Dragging her fingers along the solid surface once more, she then set out on another sonata, a louder one, but her heart was more at ease.

Lingering a moment longer before she left, Canada eventually did go, leaving Prussia with her music. Of course, as soon as she was out of earshot, the idea of having done something good was again replaced with the doomsday feeling of how easy it could be for things to go wrong. But, no. She couldn't think like that. She had to trust Prussia. And hope very sincerely this wasn't one of those days Austria wandered around lost.

The rest of the day, and well into the night, if it came to that, Canada would spend outside the spaceship. Try not to let her hit you with the lacrosse stick again when you show, Prussia.

Austria was surprised by Canada's visit. The two nations had been on rather friendly terms, yes, but Austria was not accustomed to having visitors at such short notice. Thus, she was naturally a bit thrown off at Canada's request to visit to discuss something only just that afternoon. However, she was perfectly alright with it and had taken the time to prepare coffee and creme puffs. She busied herself with tidying up a few things while she waited for the other nation's arrival.

Soon enough, Canada would be announcing her arrival, anxiously smoothing out her skirt (repeatedly to the point of obvious obsessive compulsion, actually, because she hasn't noticed it yet) while she waits for Austria to let her in. Her expression, however, is perfectly neutral.

Upon hearing the knock, Austria made her way to the door, opening it for the other nation.

"You had a matter that required discussing, Canada?"

"I do, as a matter of fact," Canada said politely, as she swung her arms behind her to clasp her hands behind her back. "I was wondering if I might borrow something of yours."

Austria blinked at that. It was certainly unexpected.

"...Perhaps. It depends on what it is that you wish to borrow."

The young nation took a deep breath. This was the moment where she had to be sure of her story in order to keep suspicions down. "Your flute, actually. If it wouldn't be too much of a bother. I've been... well, to be honest, I've been wanting to practice on a decent one for a while now, and I know every instrument in your care is impeccable."

"My flute? Are you referring to the gift I received from Spanien before she disappeared?"

Austria blinked, a bit surprised. She didn't recall when Canada would have even seen it; the time when she broadcasted her despair over Spain's disappearance was something she tried to forget and, though she cherished it, she didn't play it particularly often. Her piano was always her first love, after all.

"Yes!" Canada said enthusiastically, as if there was nothing to be suspicious about. "That's the one. I promise I'll take good care of it, and it'll only be for the afternoon."

Austria raised an eyebrow.

"You never mentioned being capable of playing the flute as well as the harp before..."

She pondered for a moment. That flute meant a lot to her, after all, but she did trust Canada.

"...I suppose it couldn't hurt. Please do be careful with it, though. It...holds quite a bit of sentimental value for me."

With that, she retreated into the music room to gather the flute.

If Canada had been prone to crying with relief, now would have been the perfect time to have a moment. However, as she was not, she just stopped clenching her fingers tight enough to break behind her back and murmured an empathetic, utterly sincere, "Oh, of course," as Austria went off.

Now she simply had to be sure nothing went disastrously wrong, hope she could remember any of her own marginal flute training in case Austria asked to audit her afternoon's practice, and keep two life-long enemies happy. Easy as pie.

Any other outside observer who knew anything about Austria and Prussia's relationship would probably think Canada was crazy to agree to something like this. Getting found out would never end well, after all. Of course, surely Canada knows that the best thing to do is not mess this up and all will be fine.

Austria returns shortly with the flute, which she's fashioned a wooden case for. She hands it over to Canada.

"Bring it back tomorrow at your earliest convenience, please."

"I will. And thank you for this," Canada said warmly, taking the flute as carefully as possible. It may never have been her instrument of choice, but she could certainly handle it with the same respect she would handle her own instruments, or the harp Austria had so generously crafted her. "I'm quite enjoying practising music in my free time here. It's something I've sorely missed having time to do."

"You're welcome,. I admit I'm quite glad to have someone around with a passion for music besides myself. It's a nice change."

She was clearly watching Canada's handling of the flute like a hawk, but was satisfied with her treatment of it.

Can you tell that she could hardly care less about flutes in general? No? Perfect. This is a much more personal care, knowing the value of both sentimentality and trust.

"Common interests are a great thing, aren't they?" Canada let out a little laugh, perhaps a bit awkward, but no more so than she usually was. "So... I should go. But thanks again, and I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Indeed, they are. I admit, I was not expecting for you to be so heavily interested in music, but I am pleasantly surprised."

Any awkwardness Canada may be displaying goes unnoticed by Austria. Well, any that would seem unusual or suspicious, anyway.

"Yes, I'll see you tomorrow. I hope you enjoy your practice."

"Oh, thanks, I intend to," Canada said, giving a little curtsey before turning away, still holding the flute carefully. "Have a nice day, Österreich."

"Have a nice day as well" Austria answered, watching as Canada leaves as if just waiting for her to mess up in carrying the flute.

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gliddy gloop gloopy

Muuuuch later

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