unnoticeable | [voice] 3rd grievance.

I think... that it's bound to slow down again and get back to a more normal pace. [It was logical, right? And besides. The relaxed nature of the place helped.]

I hope so. [And problems here were entirely isolated. They all seemed to come and go in waves, much like the ocean itself. If you didn't like it, wait a while. That seemed to be the case, from what Iceland had gleaned.]

In a way, it almost makes our normal lives seem a bit like a dream instead.

[That was about the same theory Canada had about the whole thing. If one waited enough, things would calm down for a bit. Then pick back up. ...then calm back down. There really was no other rhyme or reason. Or set anything.]

It does. It's so... I can't even find the proper words to fully describe it. But it's an overall generally pleasant thing.

[One didn't have to worry too too much, knowing whatever happened, it would return to that calm eventually.. even if that was easier said than done.]

I agree. One can appreciate the good without the prominence of the bad, or something.

[Perhaps not what Canada meant, but the feeling Iceland got was remembering mostly the good years-- the Kalmar Union, his simple childhood with just the seabirds, his first independence day. The history that made him happy. The plague and the economy crash seemed almost like they didn't really happen, somehow, or as if he only learned about it second-hand. It didn't beat the strange, unattached feeling of his body not reacting to going-ons at home, but he was getting used to that. Slowly. It made him feel... strangely human.]

It certainly can be looked upon that way. [After all, it was open for interpretation.

It was a strange thing. Being... almost human. He missed the connection with his people and land and everything else. It was oddly quiet without it but sometimes... it was okay. In a way, anyway. He wasn't too sure if he really liked it or not.]

Yeah. [He cleared his throat a little.]

Um... [He wasn't sure how to express himself quite the way he wanted to, but now he was stuck. Have a very awkward Iceland, probably twirling his fork nervously and staring at it too.] Well, it's.. nice, to have company down here. O-Other nations, I mean, y-yeah. [Yeah, that didn't come out the way he meant it, but he hoped Canada got the gist of it at the very least.

For Iceland, Vatheon had most of what he had wanted back home and lacked most of what he had complained about, yet he still wasn't terribly happy. He was beginning to think entirely in English, too, until he would catch himself. That was about as eerie as the numb, quiet, human feeling.]

[It's sort of cute in an odd sort of way. Many times Iceland did remind him of an awkward teenager. Then again, there were times in which Canada could be just as awkward, so he sort of understood how it could be.]

It's... always nice to see familiar faces. Plus, we now have the chance and opportunity to talk with those who we wouldn't quite have had much interaction with before. I'm... glad for that. Plus, I've met others I never would have had the chance to otherwise. [And yet it was still a bit awkward. Vatheon was nice and all, but he still missed some of the comforts of home. Many times he'd just talk to himself in French just to keep active. He could only imagine how hard it was for Iceland. Maybe... he'd be willing to learn Icelandic if it helped. That way, Iceland could have someone to talk to so he wouldn't always have to think in English.]

Mm, you're right. [Certainly just in meeting other nations, but meeting people from entirely different worlds, not to mention walks of life, was an eye-opener too.] There is meeting new people from different worlds.

[With all the linguistic pride Icelandic has, that'd probably make his year. He'd try to learn some French as well, if Canada offered. It'd be a taste of home, like national foods, and an opportunity to get his mind off of less pleasant things.

...And he'd always had a curiosity over how one actually said half of the sounds in French.]

Their worlds are so different and yet... similar, all at the same time. It's such a phenomenon in a way. [He could probably find a way to offer to learn that wouldn't be odd at all. In fact, he might have the perfect way of doing so. ...well. Maybe not perfect, persay, but a decent enough way. Plus, he'd be more than happy to teach him French as well. He'd even offer up showing him recipes as well.]

Have you thought about what your resolution of the new year is going to be yet?

It is certainly interesting to think about, yes.

[Recipes. Probably another good thing to know. At this rate, they'll be teaching each other things forever. For better or worse.]

Mm... I think I'll resolve to be able to cook things. [He loved take out, but it didn't beat a home-cooked meal. And he felt awkward if it was someone else cooking the meal, didn't really matter who it was, so.] Figure now's a good time as any to learn, in case I blow things up or something.

And maybe try to keep this place clean, fresh start and all. [He'd picked the place up just a little in anticipation for Canada coming over, but since he didn't have many things here, it was far easier to keep the place tidy.] And yourself?

[At least it'd give them something to do and a way to pass the time. So it does have a sort of silver lining in that aspect.]

Those are all good and should keep you busy. [Busy enough, anyway.] I'd be happy to teach you some recipes if you'd like. It'd give you a greater variety of dishes to cook from. [Among other things. Though, chances were, it'd also give Canada a reason to continue showing up at odd hours and cooking.]

I figured I'd resolve to learn new things. Things like languages and histories and recipes. I mean, there's a lot out there, after all, and I'm sure that not everything is the same.

And to continue to make new friends, I guess.

Ah, if you'd be willing to, that is. [He wouldn't want to feel like he was forcing Canada to come, but it would be nice to have some sort of help. He was related to Norway and England, so he didn't have good cooking genes on either side.]

I can't help with recipes, but I could teach you some Icelandic, if you'd like.

[He couldn't help with recipes or making new friends-- he wasn't even going to jokingly make that a resolution, it wasn't going to happen-- but being what he was, he knew language and history. Canada had been so nice to him, he figured it was the least he could do. Especially if Canada wanted to learn a little bit.]

Of course. I wouldn't have offered otherwise. [There was a chance he might have still offered otherwise, but he seemed interest in it, anyway, so that was a good sign.]

That'd be a wonderful trade-off. [In fact, his interest seemed to perk up even more at that. It sounded like a good plan to him, in fact.] Just let me know when you're available.

[Don't worry Canada, Iceland knows you a little better than that.]

Really? [Have a little bit of a smile, you made his day.]

Well, I'm available most of the time. [The nature of Vatheon, and all.] Whenever is good for you, really.

[He's rather glad for that. Secretly.]

Of course! How does around noon sound? Then we can start with simple lunch-time recipes and work out way to more complicated dinner ones. [And after a nice meal, they can relax and learn languages. It sounded perfect to him.]

[That worked for Iceland.]

That sounds perfect, then. [Easier recipes were probably better to start with, and they'd be awake enough to learn and teach languages as well. Always good.]

[Perfect. He'd have to put together some simple recipes and figure out what he wanted to do. There were so many choices and finding a starting point was always the hardest of them all.]

I'll take the time to write them down as well, so I can pass them along.

[And Iceland would have to figure out where to start teaching Icelandic as well. Perhaps the alphabet was a good place to start; he did use a few more letters than most were used to seeing.]

Thank you. [That would be a good idea, now that he thought about it.]

...Have you memorized all of them?

[It was always helpful to learn the alphabet. And numbers. ...and simple greetings.]

N- not all, but just my favourites. [...which made a good place to start. He could figure out which was the easiest ones of those and work his way through them. Fewer ingredients were also simpler to start with. He was certainly starting to formulate a plan at least.]

[As Canada was formulating a plan, Iceland was thinking of one as well. First the alphabet, then numbers, some greetings and simple sentence structures, and some nouns and adjectives to go with them...]

Oh. Like pancakes? [They at least seemed slightly simpler to make; though, the making of the batter could be complicated.. and Canada did seem to like them. And whipped them up like nobody's business earlier; Iceland didn't see a single recipe card anywhere.]

[It did always help to have a plan for such things. It made things go a whole lot smoother. And there was less awkward moments and fumbling around. ...not that there probably wouldn't be any of that, anyway.]

Exactly. Omelettes as well. And several dessert recipes. [...it went without saying he'd be teaching him pancakes first. There wasn't much to them. Plus, the'd be a good first recipe to learn. Then again, he was also biased.]

[It was Icelandic. Four grammatical tenses, three genders. Probably a lot of awkwardness would ensue, but Iceland would be too happy that he was trying to learn it to care.]

Ah, okay. [Well, of course pancakes would be first. This is Canada, of course.] Well, I suppose I'll start somewhere.

[He wondered if he might teach Canada to cook ethnic Icelandic dishes, but... probably none of them were remotely palatable. Darn.]

[There was no doubt he was bound to make a few mistakes as well, but at least he'd offer accidental entertainment with his slip-ups.]

Though I'm not too sure many consider omelettes lunch. Maybe I'll wait on those. [If it helps, he's willing to try and modify dishes to make them at least edible.]

[They'd probably both make their fair share of mistakes and provide their fair share of entertainment therein. It was part of the fun of learning and teaching in general.]

True. Though, it's not entirely unheard of. [Modifying dishes. As long as Canada did all the modifying, they'd be okay.]

[At least they'll be having fun doing so. At least, that's what he hopes. It makes it better that way, anyway.]

It's sort of like how Al would eat pizza for breakfast. I guess anything is a food for any time nowadays. [Don't worry. Canada would take control of such an endeavour. And do his best.]

[voice] 3rd grievance.

action; there's so much doom.

action; this is only the beginning. wait till 2012.

action; ...it's all going to explode.

action; i want my mommy ;n;

action; let's go hide.

action; yes. my trusty cardboard box will keep us safe, let's hide there.

action; ...can we go to mars in it, too?

action; sure! we'll power it on candy bars and imagination.

action; PERFECT! I'll stock up on the candy bars.

action; ..to get all the way to mars, we may need some 'imagination brownies' as help... ;o

action; i got those alllll covered. /shifty.

action; .... |Db

action; don't worry. it'll be delicious.

action; i can't wait~

action; it'll be chocolate-y goodness and everythinnng.

action; g ....

action; mmm. magical brownies.

action; extra illegally delicious~!

action; that's what gives them an extra special quality~

action; and we all love it~ well, except the police, who obv. have poor taste in desserts.

action; all those doughnuts ruined their taste for dessert.

action; tsk tsk tsk. despicable.

action; ikr? they're such slaves.

action; i knew there was a good reason we were going to mars, man.

action; it's so normal there.

action; i will go the distance 'till I fiind where I belooong~ ..sorry, it sounded like a song cue.

action; all cues are song cues. always. >.>

action; ALWAYS. i can see i chose the right crewmate on this trip to mars, indeed.

action; totally. it'll be the best trip ever.

action; definitely! \ o/

action; everyone'll be so jealous.