France's tour of Paris (Intro)

“Wow, this is going to be awesome!” America exclaimed, bouncing up and down like an excited child. “I can’t wait to see all those old buildings and all the important historical figures! We’ll go see France’s Lady Liberty, right? Right? And then we have to go on that big pointy tower thingy! And then-”

“It’s called the Eiffel Tower, you twit.” England countered. “And can you please be quiet for a minute? We’ve just arrived and you’re already driving me nuts!”

“Vee~ I can’t wait to visit big brother’s city! I haven’t been to Paris in a long time!” Italy pepped in, talking to Germany. “I’m glad you came along! Are you glad to be here too?”

“Ja, I guess.” Germany replied.

“What about you Japan? Are you excited to be here?” Italy inquired, smiling.

“Hai. Very much. I hope to make lots of memories with my camera.” He showed him the camera straped around his neck.

“What’s taking that bastard so long?” Romano complained. “He should already be here!”

“Relajarse mi amigo” (Relax my friend) Spain soothed. “He won’t be long now.”

“Shut up! I wasn’t asking you.” Romano retorted.

Spain grinned. “You’re so cute when you’re angry.”

Romano blushed and looked away “Just leave me alone bastardo…” He grumbled.

“This is so exciting, big brother!” Lichtenstein commented. “I’ve never been to Paris before. Have you?”

“Yes. A long time ago.” Switzerland answered. “Listen Lichtenstein, make sure to always stick close to me; always be somewhere I can see you. I don’t want you getting lost. It’s easy to get lost.”

“Yes, I will big brother.” Lichtenstein smiled back.

“I hope we’ll pass by Abesses.” Austria remarked, talking to Hungary.

“Why is that?” She asked.

“France told me that there is a piano over there out on the streets for everyone to play.”

“Oh.”

“I’m so glad you told me about this meeting, Lithuania” Russia commented, patting – I mean smacking – Lithuania on the head. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know about it.” Russia grinned, then stopped hitting Lithuania. “As a reward I’ll buy you anything you want.”

“R-Really?” Lithuania inquired shyly, looking back at him with big round eyes.

“Of course.” Russia smiled back. Although Lithuania couldn’t help but notice how cold his smile was.

Russia turned to China. “I’m glad I invited you to accompany me.”

“You mean you dragged me along…” China corrected.

Russia walked over towards him, standing centimeters away. “Don’t say that China.” He smiled, looming over him. “You know you wanted to come too.”

“Yes, yes. I do.” He replied, taking a few steps back, a shiver ran down his spine.

“Good.” Russia grinned.

Canada was out. He headed for a ticket booth; he was helping France out with the preparations. France had asked him if he could get transport tickets for everyone while he went to the information booth to buy touring guides, and Canada had gladly accepted. He was happy to help France out and, most of all, happy to be noticed.

He finally got to the booth. The lady barely glanced at him, before going back to her book.

“Bonjour.” He greeted quietly, smiling.

With a sigh, she put her book down. “Que puis-je faire pour vous ?” (How may I help you?) She asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, her expression full of boredom.

“Puis-je avoir cinq paquet de dix ticket, s’il-vous-plais ?” (May I have five packets of ten tickets, please?) He asked.

“Oh...” She drawled, suddenly all her attention was focused on Canada. She sat up straighter, her eyes widening, and a smile slowly spreading on her lips. “Cet accent…” (This accent…) She leaned forward, placing her arms on the counter. “Est-ce que – par hasard – tu serais canadien ?” (Could you be – by any chance – Canadian?) She inquired, her eyes full of awe.

“O-Oui…” He replied, wary.

“Aha!” She clapped her hands once. “J’le savais!” (I knew it!) She exclaimed. Then she leaned forward even more, and asked “Que viens-tu faire ici ?” (What are you doing here?)

“Je viens rendre visite à mon père.” (I came to visit my dad.) He answered back, a small blush heating his cheeks, which was caused by the proximity of the young girl.

“Ah bon ? T’as de la famille ici en France ? Tu dois venir souvent alors !” (Oh really? You have family here in France? You must visit often then!) She grinned. Canada didn’t understand why that statement made her happy.

“Ça te dit qu’on aille prendre un vers après ?” (Would you like to go have a drink with me afterwards?) She inquired, staring intensely at him.

Canada’s blush deepened. “Ah! Um… d-désolé, je ne peux pas…” (Ah! Um… s-sorry, I can’t…”) He apologized.

Her smiled instantly disappeared. “Ah bon…” (Oh really…) She looked down, opening a drawer, and took out a post-it on which she wrote down her number, before handing it to him. “Voici mon numéro, si jamais tu change d’avis.” (Here is my number, in case you change your mind.) She winked at him. Then she opened another drawer and took out the tickets. “Et voici t’es tickets.” (And here are your tickets) she handed it to him. “Ça fera vingt euros s’il-vous-plais.” (That will be twenty euros please.) Canada handed her the money, then said goodbye to her, and left. [1]

On the way back, he bumped into France.

“Ah, te voilà Canada!” (Oh, there you are Canada!) France greeted. “J’allais tout juste venir voir si t’avais besoin d’aide.” (I was just about to go see if you needed any help.) He stated, then asked. “T’as les ticket?” (D’you have the tickets?)

“Oui.” Canada handed it to him, and France thanked him.

They walked together back to France’s house. Once inside, France greeted everyone.

“Salut! (Hi) Sorry about the wait.” France apologized.

“About time!” Romano muttered. France decided to ignore him, and immediately started handing out to each of them tickets and two maps: one with the streets of Paris and another for the transports.

“Come on, let’s go!” America blurt out. “I’m sick of standing here.”

“Patience.” France replied. “Ok. Does everyone have tickets and maps?”

“Yes.” They all agreed.

“Now remember, this is our meeting place. If any of you get lost on the way, you come back here, ok?”

“Remember that, Lili.” Switzerland said, addressing Lichtenstein.

“I will.” She replied back.

“We’ll be walking most of the time, and sometimes we’ll take the metro, or the bus.” France continued. “And finally, here is the list of what we will be visiting.” France said, showing them a piece of paper. He looked and it and said. “The first place we will be visiting is…”