Stupidly Stupid America OneShots

So What's this about Multilingual People?

In which Alfred says something dumb and sparks the conversation of being multilingual.

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Alfred's POV

     Typically, when a person is deep in thought, you'd expect them to jump a bit or be startled when they snap back to reality. (Ope, there goes gravity.) But for some reason, Italy isn't like that and it's weird. It freaks me out not just 'cause he kinda phases back to the now, but also because it's one of the only times you see his eyes and he stares creepily at you.

     For real, I've been sitting here with him for who knows how long, and he's just staring somewhere between me and his food. We came to this random restaurant out side of the meeting during break, only because Gil and Germany wanted to have food together, and Gil has a habit of inviting uninvited people. I guess it was s'pposed to be a brotherly bonding time, but Gilbert invited me. And apparently also Italy. I don't really know why though, since I'd assume he's here for Germany and they see each other often enough.

     But anyway, their boss called because one of them did something stupid apparently. All I heard was something about Walmart. I didn't even know they had Walmart. I thought Germany hated it. Not, like, the country- but- like, the guy- Really, it's annoying not knowing human names. But I guess that's  fine. We aren't really close anyways.

     That is all beside the original point.

     I can't eat with this normally cheery Italian staring at me, it just gives me the creeps. Maybe he's pissed I didn't order something pasta based? Maybe he's mad because we are in my country, and it's not how it is at home for him. But, we're in an Italian restaurant that is family owned by an Italian family. That supposedly moved here from Italy within the recent years. So, it's gotta be better than Olive Garden. I will never take him there again. Or Romano. I got ratted out for it the whole time we were there. I'm also now kicked out of an Olive Garden establishment because of "unruly behavior and violence towards customers and staff". I didn't do it. For once.

     "America.." remember how I said normal people jump when brought back into the real world. Yes, I am, in fact, as normal as I can get. He spoke rather loud, and if there had been someone at the next table they would've heard him.

     "Yes Italy, was'up?" He glared at me more and then added an accusing finger pointed towards me to his stance. "You say you're a mixing pan?"

     "Mixing pot- or bowl- would be the preferred term, but pan works. Yes I have a lot of different cultures, why?"

     His glare turned into more of a thoughtful look before he finally, finally closed those creepy eyes, "so, you have a lot of people, with a lot of different beliefs, and a lot of different foods, yes?"

     "That would be correct, yeah. Again, dude, why d'ya ask?" A small smile crept of him face before he spoke again, "Nichts, vergiss es."

     "You wouldn't ask if it wasn't important.. also, when did you learn German?" I was surprised he did. He seemed pretty content knowing only Italian and English.

     "Quando l'hai fatto, eh?" 

     "What does it matter when I learned it? It's not that big a deal," even with non-visible eyes, you can tell when the Italian is getting frustrated or annoyed.

     "That's-a proof you know at least three languages. How does that happen? Do-a you learn them automatically when there is a certain amount of native speaker on-a you land? Do-a you learn them whenever you want?" Alfred hadn't expected the conversation to go this way. The Italian is fascinated by his being multilingual. It didn't make much sense to Alfred though, as most of the nations are, save a few who're either such a younger nation that worldwide affairs have not had much an affect on the yet, micro nations who don't need to, or native English speaking countries.

     "W-well, I'm not so sure, to be honest with you," and I'm really not sure. It just kinda happens. Not suddenly, like Italy had assumed, but I also don't choose to learn them, "I kinda just, pick.. them up? I guess, I don't know. I don't try to learn many languages, only dead ones just for the heck of it. But active languages- like Italian and German- are relatively easy."

     He just titled his head to the side, instead of nodding and dropping the topic. I'm not uncomfortable with it, really, I just don't even know myself, and if any of the meeting ever are anything to go by, I'm not one for being put on the spot. I just doesn't work well like that.

     "Could you explain then? How does it happen?"

     "Why would you want to know, I mean, this is totally random and you gave no warning of this conversation at all my dude," if I was going to be forced into talking, I'd  at least like a reason, is that to much to ask for?

     "Recently, I've been able to-a pick up on-a French, surprisingly well. But, even when I lived with Mr. France, we were only able to-a communicate in English, or with a trusted translator. But I think, if I wanted to-a hold a conversation with Mr. France, I could. I thought maybe you would know." He said it with an edge to his voice I did not like. Almost like he was challenging me. Or.. something.

     I was lost for words. Really, I had expected something totally different and random to come from the Italian, but instead I was hit with a legitimate reason. Like, really, I was not expecting that at all, "Uhm...."

     "Well?"

     I don't even know myself bro- like, seriously, how can he expect me to know? Or even know how to talk about it? Nobody ever asked before so I never had to think about it. And now he just wants me to? Nah. No. Uh-uh. Nope.

     "HALLO MEIN AWESOME FRIENDS!!" The most perfect get away came at the most perfect time, "Hey Gil! What's going on with the whole Walmart situation?"

     Easy get away, easy topic change. Just how I like it. 

     The Persian smile widget and sat down next to me, forcing me to scoot further into the booth, "No more Walmarts in Germany!! Haha, sucks to be you my not as awesome but totally still awesome freund!"

     "Sure Gil," I l owed him as I spoke, "whatever you say."

     I caught Italy's eye and froze for a moment. Keep suspicions to a low, don't get questioned. It's not a bad thing, it's just incredibly awkward, and I hate awkward. So, I though of the first thing I could to make Gil think Italy is crazy for anything he could ask about this, "By the way, you've said that a lot, what does freund mean? It's not and insult," I leaned in close for the jokes, "is it?"

     Gilbert just laugh, "OF COURSE NOT! You're mein aweSOME FREUND- friend- I WOULD NEVER."

     "You would never!" I said in a mock offended tone. Gilbert just laughed. I caught Italy facing my direction with a scrunched face, but it brightened and changed the moment Germany sat down.

Suspicion successfully avoided.

Word Count: 1231