America the Mysterious (United States of America #1.5)

Don't Ask Me

*Requested by HetalianSkywalker* I think I failed miserably at this. Oh well.

Italy and Romano were tense. Really tense, and the atmosphere was not helping matters.

The brothers had decided to visit New York City (Italy mostly dragged his unwilling brother with him) when they ran across New York and New Jersey, who were on a business trip together and we're heading to the former's apartment. Of course, Italy asked to come along, to Romano's dismay.

The son and daughter of Netherlands didn't seem pleased with the suggestion, but they complied, mostly out of politeness.

So, here they were, sitting uncomfortably in New York's apartment as the brother and sister worked on paperwork, not saying a word to the Italian brothers. It wasn't a secret to anyone that having many Italian immigrants and even problems with the Italian mafia, New York and New Jersey weren't really pleased with being around the two men due to the latter. Although they didn't seem to have a problem with Italy openly, privately was another story.

Even Italy seemed to be affected by the tension.

"Ve...Ryker, Alida, are you okay?" he asked. Near him, Romano snapped his head at him, looking ready to shout at him.

"We're fine," New Jersey answered curtly, not looking Italy's way.

"I would apologize for the mess in here. I wasn't expecting any guests today," New York joined in, his expression anything but pleasant.

Now, Italy may be a cowardly, weak, and naive man, but he wasn't stupid. He knew why the siblings were a little hostile, even if he didn't like it. The two had to deal with the Italian mafia all the time in the past during the 1900 immigration. Of course, Italy didn't need to be told to know that the siblings were pissed about the amount of criminals that were brought to their lands.

Heck, he'd be pissed too!

Well, at least this visit was a little more pleasant, because the last time the Italian brothers came to the U.S., the siblings were openly hostile. They glared at the brothers in anger, which scared Italy so much that he automatically blamed Romano for sending the mafia, which resulted in a heated argument between him and Romano. 

Well, it was pretty one-sided, considering how Romano was the one yelling, while Italy was apologizing like the world was ending.

The siblings watched on with irritated looks on their faces.

"How is Mother able to deal with them again?" New Jersey asked, never taking her eyes off the arguing brothers.

"How should I know?" New York countered.

Back in reality, New Jersey called, "Are you two going to stand there all day, or are you going to tell us why you're here?"

"Please, we didn't want to come!" Romano spat, glaring at the girl's back.

"Then leave."

Romano whirled on New York, who never tore his eyes from the paper he was working on. "My sister and I have better things to do than listen to you whine about every inconsistent thing there is. Now, if memory serves me right, don't you have a meeting you need to get ready for tomorrow, specifically one held by our mother?"

Romano blubbered, while Italy screamed, "Oh no!"

He then grabbed his older brother and rushed out the door, leaving it open in the process. New Jersey sighed in irritation as she closed the door behind the Italian brothers and went back to her work.

"Again, how does Mother deal with them?" she asked.

"Ask Mother that," was her only reply.