#aph franswiss

[aph-honk-kong]

Switzerland: Since you helped me, you may hug me for four to five seconds.

France: Forty-five seconds?

Switzerland: No! Four to five seconds -

France: Too late!

[drowning-in-dennor]

Agitating The Gravel

Basch gets a news-flash from his best friend about the fast new Head Girl eyeing him.

  Talking with the best friend you used to have a crush on can often be awkward, but it's even more so when you're talking about the girl who may or may not have her eyes on you.

  Such is the case as Basch ripped arrows out of the target he was practicing on. brushing hay off the sharp, glinting metal arrow-tips while Marlene trailed behind him. "I admit, what I did to Vargas that day was wrong; I usually try not to get into fights. You know that, Lene."

  "Of course I do." Marlene brushed a few patches of hay off her skirt, nose wrinkling in distaste. "In fact, I remember last year when Gretel got into a fistfight with Sandor and, despite being right in front of them and completely capable of breaking up the fight, you decided to study while the two of them tried to break each others' faces."

  He crossed his arms. "I had an international protocol test that afternoon. But that isn't the point. The point is, I lost my temper and hit Vargas with my bow, yes? Bonnefoy happened to be walking past and saw me, and of course she came to intervene. But she let me off with nothing but a 'don't do it again'. Usually, she at least gives a warning, if not a detention."

  The shiny white Prefect's badge on Marlene's right pocket shone in the sunlight, and she shrugged. "Even as a Prefect, Bonnefoy was far more lenient than Kirkland, and maybe she was just feeling nice."

  Basch pulled out the last of the arrows and placed them in his quiver. "I thought so, too. But then afterwards, she winked at me."

  "Bonnefoy winks at everyone."

  "Yes, but after that she's been treating me differently." He picked up his bow and slung it over his shoulder, adding, "for the last two weeks, Bonnefoy has stopped me in the middle of the corridor, asking me how my day was and how Erika's doing. I've only tolerated the questions because of her promise to look out for Erika in case something bad happens, but do you think she's up to somethin'?"

  Marlene suddenly looked away from him, pursing her lip. After a while, she asked, "do you remember Eva de Vries?"

  "She's a second year, I think. Is she the one with brown hair and green eyes, and wears a green headband?"

  "That's the one." Marlene helped him set his quiver down, then they made their way back to the school building. "She also dated Bonnefoy a bit last year. Before Eva agreed to go on a date with her, she did the exact same thing - wink at her, shower her with praise and all that, even though she never gave her the time of day before that. Then she left Eva after Kirkland walked in on them in the midst of an intense make-out in the kitchens."

  He pushed the door open with a little more force than necessary, causing a pair of startled first years to squeak. "So what you're trying to tell me is that Bonnefoy's trying to get me to go on a date with her, and we'll seem like we're going steady for a good while before I get clutched by her?"

  "Pretty much."

  "Nuts." There weren't any more doors for him to slam open, so Basch settled for clicking the heels of his shoes as loudly as possible. "Oh, nuts."

  The two of them reached a split end in the corridor. Basch went left, intending to return to his dormitories, and Marlene turned right. He turned around, "hey, Lene, where're you going?"

  "To the headteacher's office," she called back. "I'm to receive a short briefing before the new student arrives tomorrow. Apparently, she might be unused to our curriculum and the atmosphere here, as she wasn't, in the Headteacher's words, 'raised in an upper-class household like most of the student body'. I do hope she knows the basics of etiquette, though."

  Bonnefoy was around the corner, deep in conversation with the Head Boy. Basch crouched low, mouthed 'good luck' to Marlene, and took off power-walking (Heavens forbid a Prefect stop him and inform him that running was unbecoming) towards his room.

[ignnru]

Faithful guard

Written for @hwscardverseweek day 4! 

Prompt: Masquerade Balls

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Relationship: France/Switzerland 

Vash Zwingli is a faithful guard to his prince and to the kingdom of Diamonds and Francis is naughty prince of the kingdom, who is sometimes a pain in Vash’s ass. 

[aph-honk-kong]

France: Is something burning?

Switzerland: Just my love for you.

France:

Switzerland: And the cake you told me to watch.

France: Oh, for fuck's sake -

[aph-honk-kong]

Switzerland: Are you in the mood for a quickie?

France, choking: A WHAT

Switzerland: A quickie. You know, those omelette-looking things with a crust.

France:

France: Basch, that's a QUICHE.

[aph-honk-kong]

(While looking at a picture of swimming chickens)

Switzerland: I had no idea that chickens could float or swim. I don’t know why I’ve never thought of chickens as buoyant. I never picture chickens anywhere near water.

France: C'est les swimming poules

Switzerland: Get out

[aph-honk-kong]

Switzerland: Change is inedible.

France: Don’t you mean inevitable?

Switzerland: (Spits out a bunch of coins)

Switzerland: No.

[aph-honk-kong]

Sincerely

Snippets of a series of letters between a charismatic schoolmistress and a concerned brother. [Written for @aphrarepairweek2020, with the pairing of nyo!France x Switzerland.]

Dear Miss Bonnefoy,

  Thank you for taking Erika under your wing. She has been frail since the age of ten because of illness, and I am glad that she is thriving under your care and guidance. I hope she’s doing well and is getting along with her classmates.

  Enclosed please find the tuition fee for the next month of my sister’s schooling. Please contact me further if there are more fees I need to cover.

Yours sincerely, Basch Zwingli 1st October

...

Dear Mr. Zwingli,

  The money you sent has been received. On the first day of the next month, please ensure that the tuition fee is sent on time as well.

  Erika is a pleasure to teach - she is always attentive and never has an unkind word to say. All her classmates adore her, and she has already made a number of friends. You ought to be very proud of her.

  I saw a photo of you in Erika’s dorm room during inspection one morning, and I must say, she bears a great resemblance to you. You have taught her well, and I am sure you have passed down many good qualities to her too.

Yours sincerely, Fleur Bonnefoy Dean, Belrose Ladies’ School 3rd October

...

Dear Miss Bonnefoy,

  Enclosed please find the application fee for the archery competition Erika has joined. It is truly wonderful that she is enjoying herself at school; her experience there will surely be a pleasant one.

  You need not flatter me, Miss Bonnefoy; teaching Erika all I know before doing my best to find her an education is my responsibility. As our parents are deceased, I am in charge of taking care of her and I will try to give her only the best. As for our appearance, Erika has been mistaken for me a few times since she cut her hair. I hope she will not face any bad treatment because of how she looks.

Yours sincerely, Basch Zwingli 16th October

...

Dear Mr. Zwingli,

  The entire school will be cheering Erika on during her contest. I am confident that she will achieve excellent results! She is a natural at archery, and the teacher-in-charge of the archery team, Mrs. Väinämöinën, often speaks well of her skill.

  I apologise for the unclear statement, I did not mean to insult yours or Erika’s appearances. Erika is a lovely young lady, and, judging by that photo of you, you are very fetching as well. Again, I am sorry for being unclear.

Yours sincerely, Fleur Bonnefoy Dean, Belrose Ladies’ School 17th October

...

Dear Mr. Zwingli,

  You are coordially invited to the Belrose Ladies’ School winter celebration. Our students have prepared a vast array of performances to close the winter term, and it would be delightful if you could join us. The celebration will take place on the twentieth of December from nine in the morning to two in the afternoon. Refreshments will be provided.

  We look forward to seeing you there.

Best, Elizabeth Kirkland Headmistress, Belrose Ladies’ School 1st December

...

Dear Mr. Zwingli,

  I trust that you have received the invitation from the Headmistress to our annual winter celebration. I do hope that you will come; Erika is dying to see you, and I would love to meet you in person.

Yours sincerely, Fleur Bonnefoy Dean, Belrose Ladies’ School 3rd December

P.S.: There is no need for formalities. If you like, you can call me Fleur.

...

Dear Miss Bonnefoy,

  I will most certainly be attending the winter celebration. I have not seen Erika since September and I miss her dearly. As for seeing you in person, that will certainly make it easier for you to answer any inquiries I have about the school. 

Yours sincerely, Basch Zwingli 4th December

P.S.: You may call me Basch if you like, but I would like to avoid calling a lady I have yet to meet by her first name.

...

Dear Basch,

  I hope the celebration was enjoyable. It has been a lovely first term for us, and surely the second term will be over just as smoothly. 

  I do hope that the coffee and pastries we shared after the celebration were satisfactory as well. If it were possible, I’d mail you some of them. I learned a lot about you, and I hope that we can get to know each other better.

Yours sincerely, Fleur Bonnefoy 20th December

P.S.: We have met in person now, and we even had coffee together. This fulfills and surpasses the criteria you have put out to refer to me by my first name.

...

Dear Fleur,

  I suppose you’re right. I will use “Fleur” from now on, as, if you are all right with it, I do consider us friends. The pastries were delightful, the best I’ve ever tasted. If being a teacher doesn’t work out for you somehow, you could very well be a baker. 

  Christmas is coming soon; would you like to join Erika and I for teatime on the twenty-fifth? Our cottage is on 9 Edelweiss Avenue should you decide to visit, it’s the one with the beige door. 

Yours, Basch  23rd December

...

Dear Basch,

  Thank you for inviting me over and for the present. The croquembouche was amazing, and the fountain pen you gave me will definitely come in handy. 

  I never knew that you wanted to be a chocolatier. But if your chocolate-making skills are even half as good as your cooking ones, you would definitely succeed if you were to open a chocolate shop. I wouldn’t hesitate to visit if you did.

  Merry Christmas!

Yours, Fleur  25th December

...

Dear Fleur,

  Thank you for coming over. Erika and I rarely get visitors, much less ones that stay for teatime. Thank you also for the book. 

  Yes, I would love to be a chocolatier one day. My dream is to start a chocolate shop in the town centre, where I can make and decorate my own sweets to sell to everyone else. Luckily for you, I’ve rented a small space near home for now. It isn’t in the town centre, and of course will not sell anything too expensive, but it’s a start.

  I hope to be able to open its doors by February. Maybe you’d like to visit.

Yours, Basch 27th December

...

Dear Basch,

  Happy new year! Wishing you another happy, fulfilling three hundred and sixty-five days. 

  I’m excited to visit your shop once it’s opened. I bet it’ll be all the rage during Valentine’s Day, what with all the youngsters trying to impress their sweethearts with chocolate. Be prepared to face lots of lovesick teenagers!

Yours, Fleur 1st January

...

Dear Fleur,

  I had a lovely time visiting you yesterday, your cooking is exceptional. I’ll be sure to try out the recipes you gave me. 

  Valentine’s Day is quite a pain — I just hope that nobody visiting my store will badger me for relationship advice. I have no idea how romance works.

Yours, Basch 2nd January

...

Dear Basch,

  Congratulations on the opening of your shop! When I have the chance, I’ll go and visit for sure. 

  Valentine’s Day is coming up. You’ll surely be selling lots of chocolates on that day, and I’m sure you’ll receive some from a few admirers.

  I’m sorry for not writing for so long, things have been quite hectic since school started again.

Yours, Fleur 5th February

...

Dear Fleur,

  I can guarantee you that I will not receive any chocolates on Valentine’s Day, I am about as attractive as a dead rat. I will be giving someone chocolate, though I don’t expect my feelings to be returned. I am currently in the process of designing rose-shaped chocolates for all the visitors that will arrive next week.

  I hope you’re doing well despite the chaos at Belrose. Tell Erika I send my best wishes.

Yours, Basch 7th February

...

Dear Basch,

  I cannot say that I didn’t expect to be the one to receive your chocolates today. You’re not very subtle, darling, but that’s all right. Maybe you’re still mulling over what I said this afternoon, so I’ll say it again here: yes, I like you as well. If you wish, I’d be more than happy to go steady with you.

  Happy Valentine’s Day, Basch!

Love, Fleur 14th February

P.S.: The chocolates were delicious.

...

Dear Fleur,

  I’m having trouble thinking of the words to say, but here are ones that I’m sure of: I love you.

Love, Basch 15th February

[aph-honk-kong]

France: Flirting was part of my heritage.

Liechtenstein: What does he mean?

Switzerland: Rome was a slut too.

[drowning-in-dennor]

Whispers

While trying to rein in his sister and best friend, Ludwig hears some news about the new student.

New names: Gretel Beilschmidt: nyo!Prussia

...

  “TONI!”

  The door slammed open. Ludwig massaged his ears and winced as his sister shouted again, “TONI! Toni, you ignoramus, I’m right here! That’s Linnea’s room, do you want to get chased out with a broom?

  Across the corridor, Gretel’s friend jumped away from the door dramatically and ran into her room. “Oh, I was wondering why the German sounded funny.”

  “Linnea doesn’t even speak German.” Gretel crossed her arms and put her shoes on the opposite bed, a few inches away from where Ludwig was sitting. He averted his eyes and hoped his sister’s roommate wouldn’t make too big a fuss about it. “Anyway, did you hear?”

  “Hear what?”

  Gretel smirked, which usually meant she’d do something chaotic in the new future. “Fleur’s got herself a new crush.”

  “A new one so soon?” Antonio threw himself onto Gretel’s bed. “The new semester’s barely started for two weeks.”

  Ludwig nearly fell off the bed when Gretel crossed her legs (in a Cambridge Cross, which was impressive) loudly. “Hey, has that ever stopped her? Fleur’s had, what? Seven flings over the span of three years? She sees ‘em early, leaves ‘em early.”

  Antonio leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “Who is it this time?”

  Before Gretel could reply, the door swung open again and a small navy-blue blur staggered in. “Luddy did you know I was running across the archery range to get to the fencing circle for training and Zwingli was there and he whacked me with a bow? Then Fleur showed up with her big shiny Head Girl badge and I thought she was going to give him a warning at least but she didn’t! Whenever Fleur doesn’t even give a warning to a person that means she wants to rail them so does that mean she wants to rail Zwingli?”

  Ludwig blinked. “Did you just say that with one breath?”

  “How do you know what ‘rail’ means?” Antonio said.

  “ZWINGLI!?” Gretel jumped to her feet, nearly kicking him in the face in the process. “Fleur’s got her eyes on Zwingli this year!? Oh, my, Heavens help me, out of all the guys she could’ve picked, she chose him?”

  Antonio shrugged. “She’s always enjoyed a challenge.”

  Feliciano casually pushed Antonio off the bed so he could sit next to Ludwig. “Last year there was Olsson and Irwin and De Vries, I can’t believe Fleur got over them so quickly! Ooh, ooh, Ludwig, how long do you think she and Zwingli will last?”

  “Uh...” He looked to Gretel for help.

  “I’d say five months at most.” She grabbed Antonio and began to haul him out of the room. “Hey, Toni, let’s go talk to Hédéváry, I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear about this, also I’m sure Marlene is there too. You know, she was complaining last night about having to welcome the new student who’s coming next month, that girl who has to travel by train apparently, and...”

  The door closed. Gretel’s chattering was swiftly replaced by Feliciano’s yammering. Ludwig rubbed his temples, and tried not to think about a new classmate and if she’d be a headache too.

[aph-honk-kong]

(Over text)

France: I'm cold ;)

Switzerland: Buy a heater then