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Post by Argentina on May 12, 2012 8:58:23 GMT -5
In the kitchen stood a girl. Long black hair draped over her shoulders, beautiful sea-green eyes fixated on the cup in her hands. Argentina held the cup tight in one hand, filled to the brim with crushed leaves. In her other fist, she grasped what looked like a carved, shaven wooden stick, round at the end, being used to mash up the green and brown leaves. Beside her, over the stove, a hollowed-out calabash gourd held boiling water. Argentina was currently working her way to make Maté, a traditional South American tea that was particularly popular in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and some parts of Brazil, Chile, and Bolivia.
Tina had always been fond of this particular drink. When she had found the materials needed to make it from scratch, she had felt the thickest tinge of reminicense. Making this back home. Back at her home. It was now that Tina had never felt so thankful to be able to hold these memories, although it was depressing that she could not bring herself to think about them until she brewed a drink.
As Argentina worked away at the leaves, she gave a nervous gaze all around the kitchen. She was alone. That was good. Argentina sighed and returned her eyes back to the leaves she was mashing up. Soon, a small humm drifted from her lips, and before Argentina knew it, she was singing along to a beautiful song she had grown to love so. It was by a popular singer - Madonna, was it?
"..It won't be easy, you'll think it strange..." Tina spoke softly, her lips tingling at the words. She hadn't sung this song in a long time, so it took her a few moments before she could actually get into tune. "When I try to explain how I feel... That I still need your love after all that I've done." As the words spilled out, Argentina began to form more of a song,
"I had to let it happen, I had to change Couldn't stay all my life down at heel Looking out of the window, staying out of the sun
So I chose freedom Running around, trying everything new But nothing impressed me at all I never expected it to...
Don't cry for me Argentina The truth is I never left you All through my wild days My mad existence I kept my promise Don't keep your distance
And as for fortune, and as for fame I never invited them in Though it seemed to the world they were all I desired
They are illusions They are not the solutions they promised to be The answer was here all the time I love you and hope you love me
Don't cry for me Argentina..."
By the end of the chorus, Tina's eyes had began to water. Tears dripped off of her cheeks and into the brew, and her lovely singing voice began to crack and falter. Back home... home. Argentina missed her country... she missed South America. Most of the countries had become isolationists, and all of them Tina hadn't spoke to or heard a word from since this whole outbreak started. Sure, Argentina was a disagreeable person. Yes, she did argue with the other surrounding countries... but Tina still thought of them as family. Many of her fellow Latin American countries were under the rule of Spain at the same time as her. These were the nations she grew up with. Whether she liked to admit it or not, Tina loved each and every one of her 'siblings'.
Argentina stole another quick glance around. She quickly wiped away any sign of tears from her eyes, only to quickly re-form. Still, no one was around... so Argentina began to continue,
"Have I said too much? There's nothing more I can think of to say to you. But all you have to do is look at me to know That every word is true..."
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Post by Singapore on May 12, 2012 9:30:12 GMT -5
(Can I join?)
A very beautiful voice filled her ears. She listened again and followed the voice to the kitchen. As she contently listened, she found out that the voice was beginning to break a little. Perhaps the singer was... crying? She walked towards te kitchen, to the source of the voice, and peeked in. There, stood a black-haired girl holding a cup in one hand and some weird-looking stick. She wondered if she should go in. Well, the girl was crying.
She stepped into the kitchen and knocked on the wall.
"Knock knock." she greeted. "May I come in?"
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Post by Argentina on May 12, 2012 9:42:07 GMT -5
((Of course. ^^))
Argentina's voice immediately cut off when she heard a knock on a wall near the entrance way. Her eyes widened and she quickly wiped her eyes, swinging around, only to see Singapore standing there. "H-huh..!? U-um... sure..." Argentina coughed and cleared her throat, trembling. She knew there was no use hiding it.. this little girl had to have heard her.
Tina felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment and looked away awkwardly, shifting her weight from side to side. It was rare to see this hot-headed girl this flustered. "Is... i-is there something you need?"
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Post by Singapore on May 12, 2012 11:04:30 GMT -5
"No, nothing in particular." Singapore answered. Looking carefully at the nation and a few careful moments to think, she recognized Argentina. She wasn't really familiar with most western nations, except for a few. But other This nation's cheek blush, she realized faint year marks. Very faint.
'So I was right about her crying.' Singapore thought to herself.
"Actually, I just wanted to hear you sing. You have a very nice voice." Singapore said. "Usually I have no time for these things. So when I do have the time, I take it all in and treasure it!"
Then it was Singapore's turn to blush. She just said something weird.
"Ah... I mean... I like to hear people sing." she corrected herself. Well, she had to say something! There was a nation who was crying in front of her! She was going to do her best and cheer her up. With or without help.
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Post by Argentina on May 12, 2012 11:11:44 GMT -5
Argentina averted her eyes awkwardly. She bit down on her lower lip, quietly turning off the stove so the water in the calabash gourd wouldn't boil over. "Thanks, Kid... but.. I.. don't sing. It's not.. a usual thing for me! I-I was just looking for something to keep me busy while I boiled some hot water... that's all." Argentina quickly turned her back to Singapore, nervously mashing the leaves together again.
Tina cast a quick glance over her shoulder at Singapore. "...What is your name?" Tina asked, clearly trying to change the subject. She wiped any remaining tears from her eyes and looked back at the leaves to watch what she was doing. Clearly this nation was an Asian country, but Argentina did not recognize her personally. She had never seen her before.
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Post by Singapore on May 12, 2012 12:36:20 GMT -5
"Singapore!!!" she answered. Then she thought for a bit. "Cleanest nation in the world at your service!!"
She decided to lighten up the awkward atmosphere around them. After all, they were kind of like allies now. She should get to know everyone to the fullest.
"You're Argentina, right? I've heard from you about Spain. He's my senior groundskeeper!!!"
Singapore gave Argentina a friendly smile to add to that. She only hoped that that sad enough to get the foreign nation to befriend her and be comfortable with her. Just to let her know that she was welcome to talk to her.
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Post by Argentina on May 12, 2012 13:29:34 GMT -5
Argentina immediately stopped mashing the leaves and looked back over at Singapore. "..Spain.. talks about me?" She asked and lifted an eyebrow curiously. "I didn't think he really spoke about any of his former colonies.." Tina commented quietly before looking back down at the mixture in her hands. She sighed heavily before forcing a smile. Tina knew this girl was trying to be friendly... there was no reason not to at least attempt to return the favor. "But yes.. I am Argentina. You're another Groundskeeper like Spain, Singapore?"
Thinking that she had smashed the leaves enough, Tina set the stick aside and gingerly took the cup, pouring the little bits of leaves into the boiling water. She took a spoon and quickly began stirring it all in, making sure the last of the leaves desolved into nothing as they turned the water into more of an Earl Gray tea type of color.
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Post by Singapore on May 12, 2012 20:47:06 GMT -5
"Yep!!! That's me! Groundskeeper number 2!'" Singapore said. "And well, I do remember Spain talking about you."
But he didn't tell her that he was only introducing the other nations in the warehouse. She didn't need to know that. Then Singapore noticed Argentina stirring out a moisture of some kind. And were those leaves? Out of curiously she stepped closer to the nation. She was taller than she thought.
"Excuse me, but what are you making?" she asked.
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Post by Argentina on May 12, 2012 20:58:35 GMT -5
"Maté," Argentina replied, continuing to stir until the mixture was complete. "But I suppose you wouldn't know what that is. It's a popular South American beverage... much like a particular type of tea. You have had tea before, I'm sure." Argentina looked over at Singapore and smiled weakly. "Would you like to try some? I didn't make enough for two full glasses, but you can try a bit of mine."
She tapped the spoon against the edge of the gourd before taking a drop into the spoon and sipping it. It seemed to be alright. A little hot, but hot was a good thing for maté. It only meant she'd have to let it sit out for a minute or so before drinking it. Other than that, it seemed she made a brew to be proud of.
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Post by Singapore on May 14, 2012 0:58:06 GMT -5
Should Singapore accept that request? Should she try it? Well, Singapore figured that if she did try, she should probably comment on in. Even if she didn't like it. But if she didn't try it, it might be rude. Wait a minute, it might also be rude to just try Argentina's drink! After all, it looks as if she just made enough for herself. What should she do?
"Um..." Singapore started. She really was curious on what the drink tasted like. But her answer was changing continuously as she thought up ways on how rude she would be with the answer on her mind.
"Sure!" the answer came out of Singapore's mouth before she could stop it.
'Drat.' she thought. 'Now I've done it.'
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Post by Argentina on May 14, 2012 6:14:11 GMT -5
Argentina watched the confusion and uncertainty flicker on and off across Singapore's face. "There's nothing to worry about, you know." She commented grabbing a cup and pouring some of the drink out of the gourd for Singapore. Just enough to get one or two good sips from it, so Singapore could really get a good taste for it. "You act like you think I've poisoned it or something." Tina's lips formed a small smile to show she was kidding around. She gently handed Singapore her cup.
"I've always loved Maté. At my home, during the colder nights, we drink it hot, like tea or hot chocolate. During the warmer days, you can also drink it cold, like a substitute for lemonade." Argentina explained, putting a straw into the gourd and taking a sip.
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Post by Singapore on May 16, 2012 1:01:23 GMT -5
'She's really kind.' Singapore thought.
"Thank you." she thanked Argentina as she took the cup. She drank it all in a gulp and she formed a little smile. It was good! It was better than the coffee she usually had at the kopitiam near her place at home. Her eyes shown in wonder at the now empty cup. It really was something!
"That... That was delicious!" Singapore beamed. "I've never tasted anything like this before."
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Post by Argentina on May 16, 2012 8:53:14 GMT -5
Argentina watched Singapore's reaction to the first drink and smirked slightly. "Well, of course it's delicious. It's from my home, after all! My home and everyone in it deserve no less than perfection." She purred, taking another sip from her own cup. Tina glanced at Singapore out of the corner of her eyes. "..Do you want more? I could give you a little more of mine, if you'd like."
Meanwhile, the only thing nagging at Argentina's mind was, as usual... the least important of their problems. Just stuff that she herself deemed to be of-interest... like whether or not football player Lionel Messi had survived this whole zombie ordeal. Damn... if Messi had died or been turned into one of those things, Tina's national football team was screwed over... that would suck. She couldn't help but frown at the thought, swirling her maté around with her straw. Well, it was better than getting all depressed over missing her siblings again.
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Post by Singapore on May 19, 2012 3:15:47 GMT -5
"Ah no! It's okay! You should drink up! It's your drink after all." Singapore said. Just now, she saw Argentina frown a bit. It was obvious that she was very troubled by something. Could it e she misses her home? Singapore knew she missed hers. She was a small country and she wasn't the military type. Most of her fellow citizens had died or had been infected by the zombies. She didn't even know if any of he citizens were left. She also didn't know if her close friends like Indonesia made it. She was also worried about Malaysia. She quickly shook her head. This wasn't the time to be worried over such things.
"Argentina jie jie... Are you okay?" Singapore asked.
(Note: Jie Jie is a term for 'older sister'.)
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Post by Argentina on May 19, 2012 7:32:56 GMT -5
"Jie Jie..?" Tina repeated quietly with raised eyebrows. She wasn't sure what a Jie Jie was, but she just hoped it wasn't an insult. The way Singapore said it sounded innocent enough, however, so Argentina assumed it wasn't anything bad.
"Yeah," Argentina said, taking another long sip. "I'm alright, don't worry. Just kinda wondering what the rest of the South American countries are up to..." Her voice trailed off for a moment. Tina sighed before continuing,
"You're an Asian country, yes? You're lucky.. A few of your fellow Asian nations are here... me, however... I'm the only South American country that has turned up safely so far. I-I do have Spain here... and Romano.. that much I am thankful for... but I'm still just terrified for my neighbors. Most of them I've known for a long time, and--" Argentina cut herself off and paused before looking back over at Singapore. "..Damn it. I'm babbling on like an idiot, aren't I? I apologize." Argentina wasn't sure why she was randomly blurting all of this out as though she were confiding in Singapore... even Tina herself knows she hates to really go into her personal thoughts and fears and worries with anyone.
Argentina's face flushed, and, embarrassed, she quietly went back to drinking.
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