queenoflogs | the best game you can name

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the best game you can name

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beerjugs | Canada and

runawayalot at a different time in the same log for ease.
Date: November 9th.
Summary: Skating!
Warnings: N/A.

One could only stay cooped up in a spaceship cooking things for her sister for so long. There was also a limit to how much practising of one's harp one could do before it got boring. Thus, running out of things to do, Canada had gotten in touch with Prussia, inviting her out for an afternoon of skating. It seemed like the nice thing to do with someone she considered, at least contemporary times, a good friend.

This was why she could be found waiting at the front doors for her friend to arrive, fiddling with one pigtail as she peered around, hoping Prussia wouldn't be late, or get lost, or any of a thousand other things that could go wrong once Canada said, "hey, let's do something."

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When Prussia finally made it, a pair of skates slung over one shoulder by the straps, she was already half an hour late. Different excuses were on her mind, but the real reason--the fear of falling flat on her face--was the one she wasn't about to confess.

The pair was an ivory colored and high shafted, the sort Prussia was used to from her time whenever winter had graced the lakes with ice. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, a change from her usual, careless style.

"Lost track of time," she said eventually, with a sheepish smile.

Canada was starting to fret by then, but she let it go with a breath and a fond smile.

"Well, so long as you're here now, eh?"

It could have been worse. It could always be worse. She pulled open the door to the rink and gestured Prussia inside, adding, "Changing rooms are just to the right."

"Change? I just have to pull those on," she protested, if only for the sake of it. The change in weather had taken her by surprise, leaving her with just enough time to conjure leather leggings and coats. A part of her longed for the soft furred tops the others were sporting.

She did follow Canada with some mild hesitation, plopping down on a bench to replace her boots with skates. "You don't look cold," she commented eventually.

"Why would I be cold? It hardly feels like autumn here," Canada replied with a shrug from under her slight-too-large hoodie. Pushing up the sleeves on it, she sat down across from Prussia to take off her shoes and pull on her skates (black, hockey; they were the more comfortable pair) lacing them up tight.

Hey, at least she was wearing pants, and not a skirt with bare legs today. Be proud of her trying to act normal.

"I suppose you wouldn't be, snow princess," Prussia pulled herself to her full height, balancing precariously on the blades as she did.

Life was getting rather dreary for her in the Gardens. Aside from stealing (or rather borrowing) Austria's flute, she'd hardly been up to any sort of proper and legitimate mischief. The chance of competitiveness despite the threat of humiliation was getting appealing.

"What do I get when I win?" she asked over her shoulder, already stilting toward the exit.

That little comment, the snow princess one, was enough to bring a little bit of colour to Canada's cheeks. She wasn't necessarily embarrassed, but certainly pleased.

Standing up, she followed Prussia out, fidgeting with a pigtail again as she did. "I wasn't aware we were competing, but if we are, bragging rights will have to do." The younger nation gave a self-confident grin. "They're worth quite a lot, if you're bragging to someone who remembers me and my ice."

"We don't have to do it straightaway," Prussia quickly amended, especially as she slid too quickly for her liking once she was on ice. Oh how she was going to fall, she knew it.

"It makes me wish I was around in your years to see what you've become in person," Prussia mused in comment to Canada's fame on ice, turning around experimentally.

"You will," Canada assured, watching Prussia carefully, to the point where she distracted herself a moment, just keeping watch of the kingdom's safety. A moment later though, she caught herself and stepped onto the ice, taking a graceful, gliding push forward, before turning around to continue the motion backward, all the better to watch her friend with.

"I have a particular fondness for kicking Russia's butt, which you never seem to exactly have anything against." She paused, almost thoughtfully. "I like beating my sister, too. It's best when I can kill both birds with one stone. Or puck, I suppose."

For the first time in months Austria's disturbing words of her future came back to haunt her. The smile, disappearing from Prussia's lips for a moment, flashed back uncertainly at Canada.

With dragging, clumsy strides she moved across the smooth surface, taking a few moment to gain momentum and balance. "You're more ambitious now. I like it," her tone was mildly absent, if truthful. A gust of wind blew through her hair, bringing a touch of color to her pale cheeks, and it prompted her to pick up speed with more confidence.

"I'm just warming up, for now," she assures Canada, enjoying the cold for the moment.

If Canada was aware of the reason for some unease there, she didn't let on. Perhaps that was the tact of it, to realize she'd said something unfortunate and to let it go. The compliment, on the other hand, earned a bright, happy smile. To impress someone she respected so much was always a goal.

While Prussia found her ice legs, Canada was already testing her own balance, doing a few quick switches in direction as she skated around in a loose figure eight. "Of course, Prussia, take your time."

Prussia was at the height of her form, so it took a couple of experimental laps to settle on the ice with ease. Matching Canada's skill was another matter entirely.

It wasn't something she had done often. Every once in a while she would accompany the young prince out--a respite for the pair of them from court and war. Getting to do this without having any pressing matters to attend to afforded her a certain measure of freedom she was unused to.

It felt liberating. Keeping her eyes closed, she extended her arms on either side, sliding back to savor it.

To say that Prussia was not a sight to watch would be a blatant lie on Canada's part. Even from the other end of the rink, she enjoyed the older nation's ease, that little look of contentment that was precisely the reason Canada herself enjoyed skating, unless it was for the competitive thrill of hockey.

It was also nice to be skating with someone she didn't worry was going to fall and break something if she skated too far away. Mentally comparing Prussia's skill to Austria's was amusing enough to make her chuckle to herself.

After a few experimental twirls Prussia skidded to a stop, hands resting on her hips as she regarded Canada. "What do I get if I win?" When she would win would have fit her air better, but Prussia's confidence in besting the ice comfortable nation was not quite at an extreme high.

Canada stopped, too, crossing her arms lightly under her chest as she looked at the elder nation with amusement. "That depends on what you want," she said simply. "And what you think you're going to beat me at, I suppose."

"A race, of course." Wrapping her head around the idea of hockey will take some time. She hadn't seen it in action, yet, even if America had demonstrated "baseball" pretty well, on the other hand.

"Very well." Canada gave a nod. Although she wasn't about to show it, her confidence did go slightly down at the decision. It was entirely more likely Prussia was going to beat her at a race. "And what do you want to win, if you do? Cookies? New knitted scarf?"

Now, how would one go about racing on ice, again? She shifted closer to what would make a good starting point, "I'm not one for sweets," although the idea of a new scarf to keep her warm (and perhaps designed with cute little birds, too) didn't seem bad at all.

"Of course, in the unlikely event that I lose I should be owing you something."

It would be the cutest scarf, likely with matching mittens, that Prussia ever laid her eyes on. If she won, of course. Canada skated over to stop on a line near Prussia, grinning. It would be easy enough to name a winner after one clean, fast lap around the rink.

"If you lose, I teach you how to play hockey." In Canada's mind, that would be a win for both of them, and absolutely ideal.

"More ways to hit people with a stick. Got it." Bending her legs slightly at the knees, waiting for the agreed on sign before skidding forward, trying to gain momentum in order to go faster.

She had her lower body strength--years of horse riding and running, going for her, but nothing of Canada's experience.

On the mark, Canada started, initially at the same pace as Prussia, but when the other nation pushed, the younger one didn't, moving fast but not as fast as she could. When they were back again, she slowed, laughing as she caught her breath, a good metre behind her opponent.

"Damn, Prussia," she said, amused. "Way to beat a girl at her own game."

The tingling in her thighs couldn't be good news. She really was out of shape in the Gardens, and as distressing as that was, Prussia was still elated at having won.

"It's not like there was any other option." She huffed, balancing precariously before stretching her sore back, "not that this is my best, of course."

"Oh, of course. I didn't think it was."

There was a good chance Prussia could pick up on the playful pandering Canada was doing just then, but it could never be in anything but good nature coming from her, particularly to someone she considered a friend. "I bet you'll beat me good if I give you time to practice."

As much as her aching muscles begged her to sit down, the hard layer of ice didn't look particularly inviting. Instead, she alternated her weight, swaying softly.

"You're patronizing me again, but I guess I can live with that for today. Not that I did this for any of the things you promised me. I was just proving a point, of course."

Dipping her head sheepishly at being called out, Canada chuckled, skating away backward to make a lazy trip around the centre circle.

"You were very fast, though," she insisted, glancing over at Prussia. "Faster than I expected. You've earned your future scarf."

"I went too fast and tired myself out just as fast," Prussia shook her head. It wasn't as if she was a horse, really.

And on that note, she really did miss the beast.

Once the aching in her legs ceased somewhat by virtue of her not human nature, she skated lazily to where Canada was circling, stuffing her hands in her pockets against the cold.

"I took Germany skating once. It feels like a lifetime ago."

Canada purposely passed up the opportunity to comment on the idea of too fast, or how Prussia obviously had pushed herself in their race. It would have just been mean spirited, and while Canada never really considered herself athletic, as soon as she had skates on, it was virtually limitless just how far she would push herself.

"Oh?" Perking up a little at the Germany comment, Canada switched the direction of her circle, to pass near by Prussia. "Was she any good?"

A tug at her shirt. The little brat was back.

Canada had been prepared to put her skates away for the day, but company might just change that. Looking down at Laura, she grinned.

"Hey, fancy seeing you here."

Laura grabs her hand, leading her toward the rink. "You gotta come watch me now. I practiced a lot!"

"A lot, eh?" Chuckling, Canada easily follows along, endeared by the enthusiasm. "Then I guess I'd better come see."

She leads the way, intensely serious, then gets ready in the rink.

"Are you ready? Are you watching?"

Giving a nod, Canada leans against the boards, completely intent on watching Laura.

"I'm watching, go on."

She has been practicing: there are reasonably competent (if shaky) jumps and twirls. Also a few somersaults, because what figure skating really needs is tumbling.

She hops up from a final flip, arms and legs spread wide in an exuberant X.

"How'd I do?"

The whole thing has Canada watching closely, thrilled to see just how much the girl put into practising and preparing this. The somersaults make her laugh, and then clap quickly so it's not taken the wrong way, and when Laura is done, she applauds again.

"You did fantastic," she assures eagerly. "You've really worked on those, I can tell."

[BEEEEAM!] I bet I could get even better, too! Do you think I should get some music? Like for dancing to?

"Oh, of course!" Canada steps onto the ice to skate across it, only to get off on the other side where some music controls are. "In fact, why don't we try to freestyle with some music right now?"

"Freestyle?" This sounds like fun! Intrigued Laura is intrigued! And following Canada like a puppy.

"Mmm, just doing whatever feels right with the music you've got, to see if you maybe want to perfect a routine with it," she explains absently, fiddling with the music. It sticks stubbornly on a relative classic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpmILPAcRQo) and so after a moment she leaves it, gliding back onto the ice.

Awww yeah, improv dancing with Canada. Laura tries to keep up.

Canada will do a little bit of showing off, then give Laura some tips on particularly fun things they might be good at. Towards the end of the piece, she gives the girl a grin.

"Hey, do you trust me to do a lift? I promise I won't drop you."

"Um... okay!" She skates forward, slightly hesitantly.

With a reassuring smile, Canada skates to meet the girl partially bent over, then grips her sides lightly as she lifts her up, over her head, and stops to twirl in place with her.

OMG

OMGOMGOMG

THIS IS AWESOME!

OMG!!!!!

Laura stretches her limbs out, superman-style, and squeals with delight.

And that is exactly how Canada was hoping Laura would react. She keeps her up in the air as long as momentum will allow, and then slowly sets her back on the ice, making sure the girl has her balance before letting go of her completely.

"How was that?"

"You're really strong!" She hops in a little circle with glee. "How'd you learn to do that?"

"Well, I spent a lot of time watching my skaters, and then I practised with some." It helped to be both stronger than the average person, and to have been on skates many, many times longer than the average person. The advantages of being an icy nation. "That's one of those reasons it's fun to skate with other people. You can't do couples' tricks on your own."

"I gotta find someone to practice with."

This is going to end with some poor animal stuffed into skates and forced to endure lifts.

Canada assumes as much. This is why always having a bear on hand was useful. She missed her companion, here.

"Maybe you can try on a stuffed animal or doll of some sort?"

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the best game you can name

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[At a different time because yeah]

yeah! \o/

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