Movie Minglers

Take Six

Paint It White--

Pleasing the Pictos 

"You go ahead and eat as much as you want to!" China said happily to all the Pictonians seated around the tables lavishly laden with food.  

"Sì~!" Italy said while lifting a dumpling up to his mouth. 

"Nein, zhat is not for you!" Germany yelled at him. I slid over and leaned across Italy to put the end of the chopsticks in my mouth, making an obvious "Nom" sound to go along with it. I looked up at Germany with a bored expression and chewed the dumpling thoughtfully. "Great job, China!" 

"Thanks!" he called back. "And it is time for the show to start, too!" 

However, the Pictos didn't know if they were enjoying themselves or not, and China's soul just kinda... floated away in crushed defeat.  

Then it was France's turn to show them his own brand of hospitality, and it didn't end well either.  

"Vee~" Italy cooed with a plate of food and a fork.  

"Zhat is not for you, eizher!" Germany shouted at him, grabbing Italy's jacket and shaking him back and forth. 

I sauntered up with a platter of my own and a fork sticking in my mouth. "Whassa mattah wiff eating?" I inquired before taking another bite and chewing slowly. Germany deadpanned and took the plates from both of us, walking away. 

"Heyyy!" I complained. "We haven't eaten in a while, meanie!"  

"You love it, non?" France was asking the Pictonians.  

A pause filled with silence, then, "We don't know." 

Cue France's soul doing the same as China's when he was defeated as well.  

A Russian ballet starring the Baltics later... 

"Vhy, hello zhere. Zhis is a particularly good German beer from vhere I am from... so... I hope you like it..." Germany said with difficulty as he tried to pour the drink into a glass for a Pictonian.  

America slid over and clapped him on the shoulder. "You seem a little nervous there, dude."  

I mirrored my older brother and occupied Germany's other side. "Here, let us handle this." 

Then the room went dark and a single spotlight shone on America, who spoke into a microphone while wearing a spontaneous tuxedo. I grinned and set up my area, making sure everything was set where I needed it to be. 'Beer capital of the world, do your stuff.' 

Then I was presented along with the huge casino and other girls, although I was manning the bar. "Come on over, Pictos! What'll it be for ya?" I asked a Picto, who murmured "I don't know..." shyly.  

"Not to worry, not to worry!" I replied, scanning the menu quickly. "Ah, I know what to make. Piña colada, that'll do nicely. And for you, sir?"  

"I don't know..." 

"A strawberry daiquiri, of course!" I got to mixing, chatting as best I could with the aliens. "Alright, these fruits come this planet, all over the board. Pineapples and coconuts from the tropics, strawberries from slightly colder areas, rum imported from the UK-" 

"Could I have some of that, then, Alice?" England inquired as he slid into a barstool and leaned coolly against the counter.  

I pursed my lips at my uncle. "The last thing we all need is you getting drunk while we're trying to hold a reception for the Pictonians, out esteemed guests." 

"Oh come on, just a little glass!" he pleaded.  

"Nope." 

"Bugger..." He slunk away, probably to make himself happier by, I dunno, making scones or something.  

"Dudette, how's it coming?" America whispered in my ear as I shook a bottle filled with a martini mix.  

"Awesome!" I replied cheerfully. "They seem to be liking it." A Picto set down his glass and asked for another, which I quickly obliged once I served the martini. "Right away, sir!" 

"Sweetness, keep it up!" my brother encouraged, patting my shoulder.  

"You got it, boss."  

"What's a... cuba libre?" one alien inquired.  

"Rum and Coke, would you like to try one?"  

"I don't know..." 

"Here, have a go at it. It's all on the house, guys!" 

One Picto had won over at the slot machines, and another was raking in the dough at the roulette wheel. The aliens flocking to the bar were happy (as best as I could tell) with what I was serving, so things seemed to be going well. Japan and America were talking about something, then Al held up a piece of paper and Japan shook his head. I couldn't tell what they were discussing, but hopefully it wasn't something that was premature.  

The scene changed; I was dressed in my normal clothes again and the bar was gone. Japan was atop a tall platform with a large drum, and he was dressed in what must have been traditional Japanese clothing for this certain occasion.  

"Konnichiwa, Pictonians!" he called out over the crowd. "This is Bon Dancing Festivar! This is where we arr dance together!" A lively beat started up and Italy danced among the aliens happily while the rest of us countries just watched.  

"Think it's working?" I whispered to France and China, who both agreed that it did seem that way.  

"I took the liberty of providing the gift bags," England said proudly while holding up an example. 

"Dude, your sense of timing is incredible!" America complimented as they were passed around.  

Then they found out what was in the bags.  

"Dude, I think your scones pissed off the Pictos!" America exclaimed fearfully. I yelped as their lights grew brighter than they were a few seconds previously.  

"This is bad, this is very, very bad!"  

"But why? Scones are so yummy," he replied in confusion.  

A few rolled their eyes before Italy ran over and started talking happily to them. Their attack halted as they denied his suggestion to have another scone and keep having fun.  

"No way, no way." 

"Run away!" we countries cried out as we dashed off.  

"How are we getting off a spaceship?" I asked as I kept up with the group, Italy a few paces behind us.  

~~~ 

"I think... It is the soft grow of hope," I heard Japan saying as I emerged from the tropical forest, riding piggyback style on America. Everyone was completely filthy and looking exhausted, including us, but that "soft grow of hope" is what had brought us all together, and that's what mattered.  

"Hey, you guys! The pasta will be ready in just a minute!" Italy called, Pookie sitting atop his head like the usual.  

I smiled and dismounted from my brother, racing over and hugging him tightly. He seemed surprised, as if we'd last seen each other an hour ago.  

"What's-a the matter, Alice?" he asked, and I just stepped back.  

"Nothing, I'm just glad to see you're alright," I told him, and he grinned happily.  

"Yay! I'm alright, are you?" 

"Sì, grazie~"