L:   "Nein, nein, nein, NEIN!" Wehrmacht's yelling was lost in a sea of fur as he tumbled down from the weight of the dogs, "I just got this uniform!" 

Germany stepped as far back as possible, glad it wasn't him because he was wearing a white collared shirt that would've turned spotty brown if he'd been attacked.  Wehrmacht attempted to crawl away, but the excited pets kept on licking his face. 

"Help!" he managed to strangle out.

M:   "FLURRY, TANK, STOP IT!!!" Mandara shouted, "Poland deadbolted the door, how in Jastrem did you two get out?!" 

He tried to pull the dogs off the German by their collars, but 144 lbs of excited pooches was hard to control for him alone.  Somehow, Poland had heard the commotion and came to investigate, instinctively running to help when he saw what was happening.  It still took both of them a while to calm their dogs down enough to drag them off Wehrmacht. 

"I am so so sorry Wehrmacht, we tried everything to keep them from ambushing you guys, are you ok?"

L:   Wehrmacht felt very much squashed to the floor.  He groaned as he sat up, wiping the saliva off his face and making sure his wings still functioned. 

"All good," he said in relief, hoisting himself to his feet, "I can't say I miss having dogs. I swear they're bigger than bulls." 

"He's going to need a new set of clothes," Germany said to Mandara.  He still kept his distance from Wehrmacht because the militant was covered in pawprints and tongue slime.

M:   "Yep," Mandara sighed as he gazed at Wehr's ruined uniform, though on the inside he was laughing his ass off, "unfortunately, you're about Thunder's size and he's out in the backyard, so we have to go out and let him know before we start rummaging in his room." 

Poland then piped up, "and before that maybe hose you down so you don't get sticky from your warm welcome." That quip broke Mandara and he let out a small snicker.

L:   "Blast me with a hose?" Wehrmacht said nervously, "no thanks.  Could I use the shower instead?" 

"A shower is better," Germany agreed, "you'd look fresher that way.  If it's alright with you Mandara, perhaps my uncle can wash first while we ask MA?"

M:   Both Mandara and Poland snicker harder at Wehr's reaction, "relax Wehrmacht, it was just a joke," Poland explained, "follow me." 

As Poland led Wehrmacht to one of the estate's bathrooms, Mandara led Germany to the backyard, the dogs trailing behind them.  "I'm so sorry about that Germany, the mutts get so excited to meet new people it's like trying to stop a charging rhino,"  he said.

Soon the two countries made it to the backdoor and walked out onto the patio, where they saw MA and Poldara sword fighting next to a large tree.  The two didn't notice the newcomers and just continued fighting, with Poldara struggling to keep up with his uncle's skills.

L:   Germany watched the two winged figures clash with their blades.  He kind of wished Wehrmacht had come with him to see the fight; the militant knew more about combat than he did and would've provided analysis.  Germany wasn't too keen on weapons, let alone sword fighting, which in his opinion was an ancient art in the modern gun days. 

So he asked, "Have you trained Poldara to shoot a gun yet?"

M:   "I haven't personally," Mandara admitted, "I've always felt nervous when he goes near real weapons, I guess it's just a fatherly instinct.  Though Thunder is more than happy to teach him things, which doesn't help my anxiety problems," Mandara then called to the two, "hey soldiers, look who came early." 

Poldara looked towards his father and smiled at Germany, but was then knocked to his back by a sweeping kick from MA.  "Hey that's not fair!" the young country whined.

MA just chuckled and pointed his practice sword at his nephew, "rule number one in combat; never take your eyes off your enemy." 

Poldara glared at MA, who then held out his hand to help him up. When the kid was standing the two made their way to the countries.  MA saluted Germany, "It's good to see you again Germany, we're so glad you decided to come."

L:   "I wouldn't miss such an important day," said Germany, nodding back, "Wehrmacht is also here, but he got ambushed by the resident canines and had to go take a shower first."  Germany smiled at Poldara, observing the kid's wings, "he'll be glad to see you, Little Blue-Jay, as I am told.  Speaking of which, since Wehrmacht's clothes are stained, could he borrow some of yours, MA?"

M:   MA chuckled at hearing that Wehr got ambushed, "of course he can, I'll go grab some while you visit with the little soldier." He rubbed Poldara's head when he said that, who in turn simply grunted. 

As MA went inside to head to his room, Poldara tried to salute Germany like his uncle did, though it looked weird since he was still learning. "Dahver Mr. Germany, it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance." 

Mandara chuckled at his son's formal greeting, which he usually only used when he was nervous about meeting new people, "It's ok buddy, Germany is a friend, no need to be nervous."

Poldara nodded and dropped his formal stance, then proceeded to hug Germany instead.

L:   Germany dipped his head to acknowledge Poldara's awkward salute but stumbled back when the kid hugged him as an "informal" greeting. 

"Ahah, okay, it's nice to meet you too Poldara," Germany stammered.  He was definitely not used to kids hugging him - the last time that had happened was years ago with Iremacht, who he barely saw anymore.  In fact, this was the first countryhuman child Germany had encountered in a long, long time.  He whispered to Mandara, "At least this is better than being tackled by dogs."

M:   Mandara smiled as he tried to hold in his laughs, "take it easy Blue-Jay, you don't want to crush Mr. Germany before he can celebrate with us and your uncles." 

Poldara nodded and let go of the German, taking a small step back. "Dad and Uncle MA have talked a lot about you and Mr. Wehrmacht. Is it true that you two were WWII soldiers?" 

Mandara's eyes widened when he said that, "Poldara, I thought I told you to not bring that up when the Germans were here, you know they don't like that time in history."

"Oops," Poldara said, "sorry, I forgot."

L:   "It's alright," said Germany, "I remember Iremacht pestered MA and Mandara a lot when they visited. To answer your question, Poldara, I wasn't a soldier - I was around your age or a little younger during the Second World War.  Vater would never let me on the battlefield anyway." 

Germany winced when he mentioned his father but cleared his throat and continued, "Wehrmacht was the Supreme General, though.  Kind of like your Uncle MA.  He made battle plans and led most of the troops and fought a lot too.  I do second Mandara here, it's best not to bring up WWII with Wehrmacht.  If you have questions, you can ask me instead."  Then Germany clapped his hands together and looked around, "so, what do you have planned for this independence day?"

M:   "Yes sir, I won't bring it up again, it's the same with dad and Uncle MA when people talk about Ukraine and his dad," Poldara promised. 

Mandara nodded approvingly and answered Germany's question, "well, it is Mandarian tradition to hold a big festival in Mandoria Park.  It is kind of similar to a carnival with games and rides, and at exactly noon, Thunder leads a flyover with a few of the very planes that helped win the war.  After that, there will be a large dance performance and a ceremony to honor the fallen soldiers who fought bravely to ensure communist rule would not exist in this country."

"And then Dad will knight a random solder who is still alive," Poldara added, Mandara just rolled his eyes.

L:   Germany felt a little bit excited at all the activities Mandara was listing.  Wehrmacht was sure to enjoy the flyover and Germany himself was interested to see the ceremony.  His childish side also wouldn't mind the carnival rides.  He arched his brows in curiosity when Poldara mentioned the knighting. 

"I'm sure it's not a random soldier," Germany said, "People always say us countryhumans don't associate with humans but I know - well, Wehrmacht knows - a couple of outstanding humans who show exceptional loyalty and competence."

M:   "It's true buddy," Mandara agreed, "this year's soldier helped plan out the rescue mission for your old man, and I'd say he's definitely overdue for a knighting." 

As he finished that, a loud squawk was heard from the tree that MA and Poldara were fighting near.  Poldara perked up, "Oh I almost forgot, your new here so I have to introduce you to my best friend." He then took a few steps back and held his arm out, immediately a large brown raptor landed on it. 

"Mr. Germany, this is my best friend, Mandoria, he's a Lesser Spotted Eagle," he said, with Mandoria screeching afterward like he was saying hello.

L:   "Why hello there Mandoria," Germany said, "Isn't that the name of ..." he hesitated and glanced at Mandara, "... your father?  He truly is a magnificent bird.  Is he wild-born or did you get him from a pet shop?" Germany reached out a hand but paused before stroking the eagle because he didn't want to touch it without permission or startle the bird.

M:   "It is," Mandara confirmed, "my little Blue-Jay admires his grandfather, so he named the bird after him." 

Poldara nodded, "and he's wild, I found him hurt in the backyard and Dad let me take care of him, we've been friends ever since." Poldara saw Germany reach for Mandoria and said, "He likes his chest scratched, but if you want to keep your fingers then don't touch his wings."

L:   Germany took the advice and scratched the bird's chest.  The feathers were soft on his fingertips and reminded him of Wehrmacht's.  He liked Poldara's compassionate nature for taking care of the injured eagle. 

"I see where you winged countryhumans get your extreme sensitivity over your wings from," Germany said, "even after all these years, I still can't touch Wehrmacht's wings without getting a jerk reaction from him." 

As he said that, Germany's fingers accidentally trailed from Mandoria's chest to the shoulder, brushing the top of the wing.

M:   Mandoria screeched aggressively and bit Germany's hand, not hard enough to take off any fingers but it still left a nasty gash.

"MANDORIA!!!" Poldara screamed in shock, but before he could do anything Mandoria flew away to his tree.

"Tes muler!" Mandara shouted, "Germany are you ok?!"

L:   "JESUS CHRIST-" Germany screamed, yanking back his hand and cradling it close to himself. Blood was already spilling out from the wound and dripping onto the floor. "Scheisse, that was so fast."

He eyed Mandoria's tree fearfully and started retreating into the estate. He was careful not to get any blood on his white clothes but the alternative was that it dripped all over the polished tiles.

"I-I need bandages," he said, "this is going to make a mess."

M:   "Oh my god," Mandara said in a panicked tone of voice, he quickly led Germany inside and called for MA to grab the medkit. He then sat Germany down on the couch and tried to help stop the bleeding while they waited for MA.

"Dad I'm so so sorry, I should have known he would do that," Poldara apologized.

"It's ok bud, it wasn't your fault." Mandara simply said, though his wings were vibrating from his panic.

Seconds later, MA came flying down the stairs with a medkit in hand, "what happened?" he asked when he saw Mandara and Germany on the couch.

"Mandoria bit Germany when he was petting him," Mandara said, MA didn't need to hear anymore as he rushed to Germany to patch him up.

L:   When Wehrmacht was finished showering and put on the clothes that MA had gotten him, the first thing he heard when he stepped out of the bathroom was loud frantic voices. He was supposed to wait for Poland to escort him but the German's instinct made him rush towards the sound, where he saw Germany sitting on the couch with a bleeding hand and the three Mandarians surrounding him.

"What happened to your hand Germany?" Wehrmacht asked when he got close enough to see MA patching Germany up, "please don't tell me you slipped and fell."

M:   "Mandoria bit him when I let Mr. Germany pet him," Poldara said guiltily, his wings hanging down to the floor, "It was my fault, I knew he was wild yet I treated him like a pet."

"It wasn't your fault my Blue-Jay, that eagle was just scared that his wings got touched," Mandara reassured him, his own wings settling now that the excitement died down.

"Germany will you please hold still," MA grumbled as he was disinfecting the wound, "It's going to hurt worse if you keep squirming."

L:   "It hurts like hell," Germany retorted. He flinched back again when the cut stung from the alcohol, "ouch, careful."

"Suck it up, Germany," Wehrmacht said.

He listened to Poldara's and Mandara's explanation and guessed Mandoria was Poldara's pet eagle that bit Germany. Wehrmacht also got a good look at Poldara and his tri-colored wings that were drooping onto the floor. The German's own black wings vibrated in reassurance.

"Hey, you must be Poland and Mandara's kid, Poldara," he said, changing the subject. He gave a casual salute, "name's Wehrmacht."