L = Luv

M = Mittens

            -------

L:   "Germany, there's a letter for you," Wehrmacht called. 

He walked into the living room of the estate, holding an envelope that he had retrieved from the mail. It had subtly curved embroidery on the edges that suggested formality. 

Germany's footsteps echoed down the stairs and the country emerged soon after. He took the envelope from Wehrmacht. 

"From the Mandarian brothers," Germany read the first line as he opened the envelope.

M:   Dear German Family, 

Dahver friends, we hope you are doing well as it has been some time since we've visited each other.  Thunder and I are writing to you to invite you to our country for a few days. In a few weeks is our country's independence day and we are celebrating the defeat of the Red Army. 

We understand that it may seem strange to invite you to celebrate something you had no part in, but as previously mentioned we haven't gotten together in a while and I thought this would be a good excuse to do so; plus little Poldara has been begging to see his Dad and Uncle's German friends for the past three months, so it's hitting two birds with one stone.  If you choose to accept the invitation then please send this letter back with a note that you accept, if not, then disregard this letter.

Hope to see you all here, 

~Mandara and Derogan

L:   Germany folded up the letter after he was finished reading and hummed, "Their independence day.  That's no small occasion." 

"And it seems Poldara's been dying to see us," Wehrmacht said, "I wonder how big the kid's wings have grown." 

"Does this mean you'd like to attend?" Germany asked.  When Wehrmacht nodded, Germany handed him the letter, "then it's settled.  Draft a letter back, I'll go think of a gift to give them."

M:   It was two days before the Mandarian's independence day and Mandara and Poland were getting ready for their guest to arrive. 

"Poland are you sure Flurry and Tank aren't gonna get out of the bedroom, I really don't want them tackling the Germans when they get here," Mandara shouted down the main hall of their estate. 

"I'm sure Mandy," Poland called back, "I'm deadbolting the door this time." After a moment, Poland came down the hall, "I think that's everything, where are the boys?"

Mandara chuckled, "They're out in the yard, I think Thunder is trying to teach Poldara to swordfight with those practice swords he got him, I swear it's like we're raising two kids." 

The two countries laughed, then went downstairs to wait for the Germans.

L:   Wehrmacht and Germany's car was surrounded by black security vehicles as they neared the capital city of Mandara.  While Germany admired the scenery, Wehrmacht was on the phone, slight frustration in his voice as he talked.  He eventually hung up with a sigh. 

"We're almost at our destination," Germany told him and gestured at the phone, "any luck?" 

"Iremacht says he'll come," Wehrmacht said, "but he's making it clear it's to see the Mandarian brothers and Poldara.  Not us."

"Years of estrangement, I suppose," said Germany, "as long as he doesn't cause a scene, I'm fine with it.  Who knows how many other countries the brothers invited." 

They drove the rest of the way in silence.

M:   Mandara also just got off a frustrating phone call, apparently, Kazakstan and Russia were going to be delayed at least a day because of a problem arising in Moscow.  Mandara had tried everything to convince them to not worry about it, but Russia wouldn't listen and Kaz was staying with him to make sure things were ok.  

Poland had just come back in from telling MA and Poldara that they needed to wrap things up when he saw his husband pouting on the couch. "Mandy, is everything ok?" He asked.

"Kaz and Rus are going to be late," Mandara said simply, "something happened in Rus's capital and he thinks it will be at least a day before they can come."

Poland frowned, he knew that problems in capitals can take a long time to sort out so he knew why Mandara was stressed, he also knew why it was important for them to come. He sat down next to Mandara and started preening his wings to comfort him, "it's going to be ok hun," he said, "they've never missed this day before, so I doubt they're gonna miss it now even if they are delayed."

L:   The German's cars were joined by Mandarian security vehicles when they entered the city. Neither German felt threatened - this was a really custom procedure.  They reached the outer gate of the Mandarian estate in the cleared traffic and Wehrmacht was particularly happy to finally step outside the car and stretch his large black wings. 

"Tut mir leid," he murmured when he nearly whacked one human guard with his feathers, "long ride." 

Germany also stretched and adjusted his tie.  He looked up at the towering estate and appreciated the architecture.  It seemed they were the first to arrive which satisfied the German because he liked to be either punctual or reasonably early.

M:   Mandara and Poland both perked up when they felt their wings vibrate, Mandara looked at the clock on the wall, "they're an hour early, I guess the escort team didn't mess around." 

"Guess so," Poland agreed, "I'll go get the two troublemakers while you greet them." He then stood up to do just that, picking up the few feathers he plucked from Mandara's wings.  Mandara on his end did as told and walked to the front doors, opening them and stepping out. 

"Germany, Wehrmacht, I'm so glad you two could make it," he said when he spotted the two.

L:   "Guten Tag," Germany and Wehrmacht greeted at the same time.  Germany came forward for a handshake while Wehrmacht flicked one wing to say hello. 

"Hope our arrival was not too unexpected," Germany said. "I didn't realize the traffic in your country was so smooth.  I do want to preface that Iremacht will also be arriving.  He might be fashionably late though." 

Wehrmacht exhaled like the tired father he was at the mention of his son.  He tried steering the conversation away and looked around. "Speaking of kids, don't you have a new bird in town?"

M:   Mandara both shook hands and flicked wings and he greeted his friends.  He was glad to hear that Iremacht was coming too and softly chuckled when Wehr sighed. 

"I'd say that 'new' doesn't describe my Blue-Jay anymore, the kid's almost 13, thinks he's 17, and acts like he's 6," he then rubbed his face with a sigh, "definitely a handful once they pass the age of 10, I completely understand why you kept warning me against having kids Wehr, but it's worth it all the same." 

The Mandarian gestured to the doorway of his estate, "why don't we head inside, and hopefully avoid getting tackled by kids or pets."

L:   Wehrmacht cracked a smile at the mention of teenagers. Germany, having no children, wasn't as familiar with it but he did find the nickname interesting.

"Is there a reason why Poldara is called Blue-Jay?" Germany asked. "I assume it's because of his wings, though I have yet to see them. How many colors does he have?"

Wehrmacht guessed that since Poldara was a mix between Poland and Mandara's wings, he'd have at least more than two colors. He tucked his own wings closer to himself self-consciously.

M:   "He has three," Mandara answered as they walked to the doors, "white, black, and blue, which tells you all you need to know about his nickname."

When the three went inside, it was absent of family members, "huh, they must still be out back, Poldara must be winning against-" Mandara didn't finish his sentence because there was a loud bang that came from upstairs and a bout of barking started getting closer.

"Oh, shit," was all Mandara had time to say before two giant furballs came flying down the stairs towards them. The country tried to block them but they sped past him and tackled the nearest visitor, which happened to be Wehrmacht.