L:   Both Wehrmacht and Iremacht were impressed that Poldara was familiar and at ease around guns.  Wehrmacht cracked a smile at MA's change of expression; who knew someone could be so deathly afraid of tickles.

"I think you'd be formidable with a machine gun," Iremacht said to Poldara, ignoring the adult banter. "I'd have to watch the skies carefully in case you dive bomb me."

"Don't encourage him," Germany said. "Machine guns are dangerous and only used to attack and hurt people. Pick something you can use for self-defense or sport."

"But that's boring," Iremacht dismissed. "We want to have fun."

M:   "Germany's right Machty," Mandara agreed, "you may be able to handle high power weapons on a regular basis, but my Blue-Jay is only 12, I don't want him getting hurt."

"I'll be careful dads," Poldara reassured them, "and I'll stick to smaller guns too."

"Good man," MA said, "because I don't want to go through tickle torture."

Unfortunately for him though, Mandara decided it would be funny to puck a feather and softly brush it against his brother's neck when he was facing Poldara.  MA immediately squeaked like a dog toy and reflexively smacked Mandara in the face with his wing.

"Damnit Trigger, you know I'm ticklish!" MA barked as he rubbed the place he was tickled.

"That's why I did it Thunder." Mandara chuckled, rubbing his face from being wing slapped. Both Poland and Poldara started giggling at the noise MA made.

L:   Germany and Wehrmacht both laughed, although Iremacht looked disinterested. As he was finishing the rest of his meatloaf, he left some pieces on the plate. Iremacht called over a servant and whispered in the human's ear to pack the scraps in a box for him.

"I'm not sure if that was a sound a militant should be making," Germany said to MA.

"MA has just been imitating bird calls too much," said Wehrmacht. "They make squeaking sounds occasionally."

His smile transitioned to a frown when Iremacht stood up, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"Excuse me," Iremacht said with a bow. "I have to use the restroom." He didn't wait for a reply before walking off.

M:   MA grumbled in his throat at their laughter, then Poland said, "yep, whenever they get surprised or startled they squeak, Mandy more so than MA."

Mandara rolled his eyes but noticed that MA kept rubbing his neck and his expression changed to disheartened. The country realized what he did and he frowned too.

"Sorry Thunder, I didn't mean to bring that back," he apologized.

MA just shrugged and stood up, "I got to go check on my flyover, I'll see you guys later." He then left without another word, Mandara facepalming his mistake afterward.

L:   "I don't mean to pry," Germany said, "but what was that all about?"

"Tut mir leid if we insulted him in any way," Wehrmacht apologized. "It was just a joke."

-----

Iremacht hadn't actually gone to the bathroom. He headed towards the kitchen area and luckily met the servant as he was exiting with Iremacht's box of leftover meatloaf. Iremacht wordlessly took it from the human and headed for the backyard.

M:   "it's not you guys, it was me," Mandara sighed, "a little over 4 years ago we were at war with Ukraine and Thunder was captured by him.  My poor brother was treated like an animal during his month-long imprisonment.  Ukraine had him chained to a wall and tortured him in front of three of his officers, and when Ukraine surrendered to me and brought Thunder to the treaty meeting, he was forced to wear a dog muzzle, leash, and shock collar.  The contact nubs of the collar actually dug into his neck and he has two scars that he's really self-conscious about.  I just forgot that he doesn't like being touched on his neck as it brings back memories."

Mandara shook his head sadly, "Thunder was so supportive of me when I had my PTSD, but I suck at helping him."

Poland put a hand on Mandara's, "you don't suck at it hun, you're doing everything you can."

L:   Wehrmacht couldn't believe little Ukraine had turned out so cruel. Shock collars brought back bad memories, even if he'd never been on the receiving end. Now that he thought about it, the Mandarians had only invited Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, excluding the fourth sibling.

"Give him space," Germany said. "MA will recover. He's strong and I'm sure just having his family around is a great support already."

"Like this talented nephew of his," Wehrmacht said, smiling at Poldara.

-----

Iremacht scanned the backyard for signs of dogs before stepping out. He went straight for the tree, where he hoped a certain bird was still perched. Iremacht stopped at the root of the tree.

"Mandoria!" he sang. "I brought a little treat for you! Consider this my apology for our bad start." He opened up the meatloaf box and held it towards the leaves.

M:   Poldara smiled back and Mandara let a half-hearted one spread across his face. "I hope so," he said, "I just feel like there's more I should be doing."

"Dad, should we go after Uncle MA to make sure he's ok?" Poldara asked.

"Not right now buddy," Mandara replied, "like Germany said, he just needs to be by himself for a little bit, I'll apologize when he's feeling better."

Poldara nodded then let out a small yawn, Poland chuckled, "look's like someone's ready for bed."

"I agree, we've all had a crazy day today," Mandara said, then turned to the Germans, "well, I hope you guys had a semi-enjoyable first day here."

-----

Mandoria screeched and landed on a branch near Iremacht, he was hesitant at first and just watched the militant for a moment. When he was sure that there was no funny business he stepped closer and started pecking at the meatloaf.

L:   "Other than the various animal attacks, it was quite enjoyable, yes," Germany said, finishing his stew. "Though we have yet to encounter any snakes, thankfully."

"Let me redress your hand before you go to bed." Wehrmacht nodded at Germany's bandaged hand. "And Iremacht - "

His son hadn't returned yet, he frowned, "is taking an awfully long time in the bathroom."

"He probably got lost," Germany said. "But I'd be worried more so for the Mandarians in case Iremacht breaks something or snoops somewhere he shouldn't be."

-----

Iremacht was able to get a closer look at Mandoria's feather coloring at this closer range. Since he knew the eagle could understand him, he asked, "So Poldara rescued you eh? I can tell you're close. What can you tell me about the kid?"

M:   Mandara and Poland exchanged glances, "well, other than our bedrooms and Mandy's office there are not too many places that are off-limits to you guys."

"I'll go find him, he probably did get lost," Poldara announced and didn't wait for a response as he left.

As he was searching around, he happened to pass by the backdoor and spotted Iremach by Mandoria's tree.  Poldara tilted his head in confusion and walked out to him, and when he got closer he saw that he was feeding the bird, adding to his confusion.

"What are you doing out here Mr. Iremacht, this isn't the bathroom," he asked

L:   Poldara's voice jolted Iremacht but he didn't turn around since he had to keep his hand steady for Mandoria.

"No it isn't," Iremacht agreed. "I thought Mandoria would like to have some of this delicious meatloaf that you suggested. It looks like he's enjoying it. I take it dinner is over if you're here? Where are the 'adults'?"

M:   "They're still in the dining room," Poldara said, walking closer. "I came out here because we thought you got lost on your way to the bathroom. Though Uncle MA was scared away when dad touched his neck. Mr. Ukraine hurt him with a shock collar, and now if you touch his neck he gets sad and leaves."

As Poldara watched Iremacht feed Mandoria a sad expression crossed his face, "why do people have to be so mean, Dad was hurt by Ussr and Prussia; Papa was hurt by Ussr, Third Reich, and Schutzshaffel; and Uncle MA was hurt by Ukraine and Prussia. I don't understand why people have to hurt other people, what is there to gain from it?"

L:   "Well," Iremacht said carefully, "some are like Prussia - complete assholes. Inflicting pain pleases them. Others hurt the people who get in their way, believing the ends justify the means."

When Mandoria finished all the meatloaf, Iremacht lowered himself down at the trunk of the tree, stretching out one leg and propping up the other. He gazed up at the leaves drifting down.

"We're all bound to hurt someone when we grow older - but the best just hurt fewer people." He laughed bitterly. "Obviously, I'm not the best."

M:   "Oh," Poldara sighed, he wasn't sure if he liked that answer, but it made sense. He knew that his dads and uncle hurt people too, but the people they hurt were bad, weren't they?

"I know you've hurt people and my uncle has hurt people, so what if we are bad too, because those people must think what they're doing is right and what we're doing is wrong, does that mean we are the bad guys?"

L:   Iremacht blinked at the kid. He knew for a fact that he himself was a bad person - he'd stirred up enough commotion today to prove it. What surprised him was that Poldara had come to such a profound conclusion so fast.

"Of course," Iremacht said. Then he checked himself. "But I'm only telling you this because I want you to keep it in mind. You're not a bad person yet, Poldara. Keep it that way for as long as possible because innocence is precious." He lowered his voice, leaning his head back against the tree with a sigh. "I would kill everyone in the world to get it back."

M:   Poldara looked a little alarmed at that last statement, but the remorseful tone in the militant's voice made him feel more sorry for him than anything else. He sat down next to Iremacht and wrapped a wing around him to comfort him, "I'm sorry you feel that way Mr. Iremacht, but maybe it's not too late. I noticed you and your dad don't seem to get along very well, so maybe it will help you feel better to fix that, because dad says that if you don't spend time with your family, you will feel lonely and make bad choices."

Poldara then resolved to give Iremacht a reassuring hug, "but if you don't want to, then know that I will be here so you don't feel lonely."

L:   "I ... thanks," Iremacht said. He'd stiffened at first when Poldara had touched him with his wing, but the feathers were actually soft and soothing. "I think I'll stay here. I only associate with ... the family members that I choose to associate with." He pulled out of Poldara's hug to fold his arms behind his head and lounge against the trunk. "How cold are nights in your country? Think I could sleep out here?"

-----

Wehrmacht was contemplating waiting for Iremacht and Poldara to come back.

"There's no point," Germany told him. "Even if Poldara found Machty, do you really think he'd walk with you to the north wing?"

Wehrmacht sighed. Part of him hoped so but he replied, "Nein ... let's go. He'll come to bed on his own."

M:   Poldara leaned against the tree too and looked up at the darkening sky, "not too cold, it can actually get pretty warm in the summer," he said.

Before he left he did want to ask one more question, "Iremacht, do you ever get scared when you're by yourself?"

Unfortunately for him, Iremacht didn't get to answer because a voice came from the backdoor, "Poldara, what are you doing out here, it's been almost 15 minutes."

Mandara walked up to the tree with a confused look, "what's going on out here?"

"Sorry dad, Mr. Iremacht came out here to feed Mandoria and we just started talking," Poldara said as he stood up, "now he wants to sleep outside."

Mandara raised a brow in confusion then looked to Iremacht, "are you sure about that, we do get wolves in this part of the country."

L:   "I don't mind wild animals," Iremacht shrugged. "I care more about humans. Any assassins, murderers, infiltrators?" He pointed up towards the tree branches. "Either way, Mandoria can warn me. Sleeping with nature, the risks of natural danger, it's worth it. Would you like to try it for a night?"

M:   "No thanks," Mandara chuckled nervously, "the last time I was camping, my tent was placed on a fire ant nest, and something like that can scar you for life."

"Can I do it, dad?" Poldara asked.

"I don't think so my Blue-Jay, Iremacht may be crazy enough to brave the wilderness but I'm not having some wild animal turn my son into chicken wings." Mandara joked

Poldara pouted a bit but decided not to argue, so he turned back to the militant, "verace merger, Mr. Iremacht, see you tomorrow."

And with that and a wave from Mandara, the two headed inside to their rooms.

-----

MA was sitting in the living room making phone calls to some of his officers, just like he said he would, he was checking in on his flyover preparations, and everything was going smoothly. When he was done checking his event, he decided to help Mandara with some of the other events.

The militant knew he should be going to bed since he was taking Poldara and the two other militants to shooting practice, but he didn't want to go to sleep and risk a nightmare after Mandara triggered the memories to return. So the Mandarian ended up working into the night and only fell asleep on the couch when the first morning rays were shining through the windows.