L:   "Don't remind me," Wehrmacht grumbled, butting his wing against MA's as he passed, "but thanks for the stew."

As they headed back inside, Iremacht stayed next to Poldara. He kept a hand on the kid's shoulder, even though he was aware of the wariness that came off of MA and Poland if he touched Poldara. Iremacht wasn't one to please others; he did whatever he wanted and enjoyed the trouble it brought. 

"So, kid, what do you like to eat?" Iremacht asked. "I'm feeling adventurous today and want to try something new. Get rid of the old beef stew."

M:   Poldara thought to himself for a minute, he liked a lot of things and didn't know where to start, "well, I like lots of foods, I don't know if I have a favorite. But whenever Uncle MA goes on hunting trips and comes back with deer, he makes really good venison burgers. He won't let the cooks do it because he says they don't have enough experience to, but I think he's afraid that someone will outdo his cooking." 

"I am not," MA grumbled to Poldara, "has it ever crossed your mind that maybe I enjoy cooking my own food every once in a while.  When your dad and I still lived in a modest-sized house before you were born we didn't have cooks." 

Poldara just rolled his eyes and whispered to Iremacht, "and that's why we don't talk about cooking to or around Uncle MA, he gets defensive about it and tells everyone he's the best, which isn't wrong but I think he's self-conscious about it."

L:   Iremacht smiled at Poldara's goodnatured jab at MA. He was happy that the kid was also a meat-lover; venison burgers sounded exotic but appealing. 

"I'm sure your uncle just likes to brag," Iremacht whispered to Poldara, "it's an adult thing. And self-consciousness, you got that right. Here's a tip I've learned: when people get defensive, it means they're losing and you've got the upper hand. Use that to your advantage, keep applying pressure - throw some taunts like you did with MA's cooking - and then crush your opponent in one solid blow." 

Iremacht paused, realizing his words took a dark turn in the end. He gave Poldara a reassuring pat and checked to see if MA or Poland had caught any of their murmurings. 

M:   MA did hear what he said since he was already listening, he glared back to Iremacht, "you better watch what you say around my nephew Iremacht, he may be 12 and know about violence and war but I won't have him start acting like you." 

"Hey take it easy MA," Poland said, putting a hand on the militant's shoulder, "you have to remember that Iremacht is a guest here, so please just try to be civil."

MA grunted at Poland, then gave Iremacht one last warning glare before turning around and resumed walking.  Poldara was confused again by MA's behavior towards Iremacht but kept silent about it. 

The group eventually made it to the dining room, it had a medieval style to it with a subtle hint of Greek mosaics on a few of the walls, some servants were setting out a few appetizers on the table as everyone walked in, they nodded to them when they were done and went back into the kitchen to grab drinks for everyone. 

"Just sit wherever you like," Poland said to the Germans, "and if any of you have food allergies just let the servants know."

L:   "Very nice interior design," Germany said as he sat down next to Wehrmacht. "Is there a reason why you chose Greek mosaics?" 

There was an empty seat next to Wehrmacht, and he was very surprised when Iremacht took that seat.  His son didn't look at him though, paying more attention to Poldara.  Iremacht patted the empty seat on his other side to invited the kid and smiled reassuringly.  His smile twitched when his eyes flickered to MA.

M:   "Well, it's just a little something Trigger and I brought back from Ottoman Greece," MA explained, "even though the time period wasn't too kind to us, we still found things we enjoyed."    

He then turned to Poland, "speaking of Trigger, you should probably go check on him," Poland nodded and walked out of the dining room. 

Poldara was hesitant about sitting next to Iremacht, with so many mixed signals coming from everyone he didn't know if sitting next to him was a good idea. Eventually, he decided to play it safe and sit next to MA, giving an apologetic shrug to Iremacht when he did. MA sensed his uncertainty and brushed his wing against his nephew's reassuringly.

L:   Iremacht kept his smile as if to say it was alright, but his eyes held some sadness and disappointment as he looked away. Wehrmacht thought about comforting his son like MA was comforting Poldara, so he reached out a hand. He immediately withdrew when Iremacht swatted him away like an annoying fly. 

"The Mandarians made beef stew for us," Wehrmacht said, addressing the whole table. "I'm grateful MA and Mandara remember our favorite dish." 

"No thanks," said Iremacht. "I'll have whatever Poldara is having. If it's spicy, I can handle it."

M:   "You seem very interested in my nephew Iremacht," MA noted, "I find that intriguing since you too only just met." 

 'Interested' was an understatement, Iremacht seemed downright obsessed with Poldara, it was starting to scare MA and he was very thankful that the kid decided to sit next to him instead of the German. 

"I was actually going to have beef stew too," Poldara said, "but we had meatloaf yesterday and there might be some left." 

Just then two servants came back in with beer for everyone, except for Poldara of course, he just got water.

L:   Iremacht took a slow sip of his beer and told one of the servants, "then I'll have some of that meatloaf." 

He drank some more of his beverage, once again taking his sweet time before answering MA's question. "What's wrong with having a captivating nephew, MA?  I just like observing the growth development of pre-teens, it's the most fascinating transition and Poldara is no exception. He is a wunderbar boy." 

Wehrmacht almost choked on his beer. He forced himself to swallow, but his mind was reeling over Iremacht's choice of words. First "dear." Now "wunderbar."

M:   "Thanks, Mr. Iremacht, I think you're really cool too." Poldara beamed, completely oblivious to what was said. 

"Poldara, do you think you can go find your dads," MA said, trying to not sound suspicious, "they have been gone for a while." 

Poldara tilted his head in confusion, "but Uncle, papa only just left." 

"Can you please just go," MA said again, raising his voice this time. The kid flinched a little from shock, but did as told and left to find his parents. 

With the kid safely out of earshot, MA turned to the Germans with a serious look, "ok, there is a big ass elephant in the room and we need to address it before Trigger gets here." he then looked expectantly at Wehrmacht as he wanted him to 'address it'.

L:   "I-I ... Me?" Wehrmacht stuttered. He knew MA had also caught on to Iremacht's behavior, but he wasn't expecting it to be brought up at this moment. 

Iremacht searched around the room with feigned curiosity, then looked back at MA and shrugged, "I don't see any elephants here, MA. You must be mistaken." 

Germany loosened his tie; all the tension in the room was making the atmosphere stuffy. He concluded Wehrmacht was too shocked to speak, so Germany took over.

"Machty, do behave," he said. "I advise you to watch what you're saying and how you say it, especially in front of Poldara." 

"Oh? Did I say something inappropriate?" Iremacht played with his empty glass of beer. "I don't remember swearing today."

M:   "It's not only Poldara I'm worried about," MA stated, attempting to hide his frustration, "Iremacht, you gave Trigger a panic attack today because you are acting exactly like Prussia. You wouldn't know it since you never met him, but your words and your personality match his to a tee. Trigger and I remember his deceitful nature and flamboyant way of speaking, so my little brother had a panic attack and passed out because it was like Prussia himself was in our house." 

MA took a deep breath to calm his nerves before continuing, "now I don't know why you started behaving like this, but I do know that if you don't button it up it's going to cause more problems."

L:   "Button up my personality?" Iremacht leaned both his elbows against the table. "That's such an extreme restriction, don't you think? Like you said, I've never met my great-grandfather. I know just how fucked up he is. A military god, but fucked up." He sat back in his chair and raised his glass to signify to the servants to pour him more beer. 

"Then why act like him?" Germany grumbled. "I don't need you causing me any more trouble and staining our nation's image all the damn time." 

Iremacht laughed. "I'm not acting, cousin." He waved his hand to indicate himself and narrowed his eyes at MA. "I'm being me."

M:   "Well then stop being you," MA spat, standing up from his seat and bristling his feathers, "I will not put up with a Prussia want-a-be in this house. It is a threat to my brother's mental health as it is, but add on the fact that he is organizing the day we celebrate the defeat of the country who almost tortured him to death, and he is not going to make it. So for the last time, put a sock in it before I punt your ass back across the border."

L:  Iremacht held MA's gaze for a while. Then he closed his eyes, sipped his beer, and said, "As you wish. Your country, your rules." 

Wehrmacht and Germany both let out a relieved breath when Iremacht backed down. Germany was glad it was over for the most part but Wehrmacht was still cautious. He knew rules were one thing his son loved to break. 

"Let's all calm down and wait for Mandara, Poland, and Poldara," Wehrmacht said to MA. "Don't want Mandara to get any hints and worry any more than he already has."

M:   MA glared at him, but took a long exasperated breath and sat back down, busying himself by smoothing out his tense feathers. 

Soon after, the others came into the dining room, Mandara looked tired as he was rubbing his eyes - he didn't bother to put on his eyepatch - and the tips of his wings were brushing the floor as he walked. He froze when he saw Iremacht and a hint of fear flashed in his eyes, Poland had to pet his wings reassuringly to get him to keep walking. The three sat down in their respective places and a few servants came out with everyone's beef stew, though a plate of meatloaf was set down in front of Iremacht.

"Sorry I'm late," Mandara said, "I was ... finalizing the details of Thunder's flyover during the festival." he then tried surprising a yawn, he didn't know that MA had told Iremacht what happened so he tried to hide the fact that he was sleeping, but was failing.

L:   "Rest assured," Germany said to Mandara. "We also got everything settled." He cast Iremacht a glare but the youngest militant was cutting his meatloaf. 

"Mmm, you made a great recommendation, Poldara," Iremacht complimented after taking his first bite. "This is better meat than any of Ireland's dishes." 

"What's wrong with Ireland's dishes?" Wehrmacht mumbled. He wrapped his hands around his bowl of beef stew like it was a treasure.

"Too bland," Iremacht said. "There's more flavor in Mandarian food. It's more exciting. Right Poldara?" 

Wehrmacht just quietly drank his stew.

M:   Poldara shrugged, "the only Irish food I've had is corn beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's day, so I wouldn't know, but Uncle Russia's Borscht is really tasty." 

Poland chuckled, "well you should convince him to make some for us when he comes." 

"If he comes," Mandara mumbled as he played with his stew, "I still have doubts he and Kaz are going to make it in time, have you ever heard of capital problems being fixed in two days?"

"Mandy you need to stop worrying about that," Poland reassured him, "you're stressed enough as it is, just relax for a little bit ok." 

Mandara stared at him and just nodded, going back to his stew.

L:   A brief flash of interest passed Iremacht's face when he heard about Russia dealing with capital problems. Moscow had been the latest city on his radar, which made Russia's anticipated arrival both nerve-wracking and thrilling. 

"You and I seem to have the same taste, so I'll take you up on Russia's Borscht dish," Iremacht said to Poldara. "I wonder what's happening in Moscow to keep him so busy." 

"I heard there's been criminal activity lately," Germany said. "Though I don't know the details. Do you have any idea, MA, since you're the closest militant entity?"

M:   MA shook his head, "not really, I'm not that close with RAF, Rus's militant, but there is a rumor that there is political unrest in Moscow and people are starting to get violent about it, but that's the extent of my knowledge." 

He then heard his brother sigh and he realized Mandara was getting uncomfortable with the conversation. "But let's not talk about political things at dinner, I was thinking that since we still have a day before the independence day that I could take Poldara, Wehrmacht, and Iremacht down to one of my private training grounds tomorrow for a bit of shooting, and you can come too Trigger, help ya blow off some steam." 

"That sounds nice Thunder but I'll have to pass," Mandara said, "I have to stay here for when France arrives, plus I know that Germany doesn't like weapons so I might as well keep him company, if that's alright Germany."

L:   "That is very much appreciated," Germany said. "I don't understand militant's obsession with guns." 

"It's not an obsession, it's a responsibility," Wehrmacht playfully corrected. 

"I hope you have sniper rifles," Iremacht mused. "I'd like to go back to shooting wooden targets instead of -" He caught himself, glancing uncertainly at Poldara. He didn't want to ruin the kid's innocence and resorted to asking, "So what's your favorite gun?"

M:   "I don't have a favorite," Poldara responded, "I like guns for the most part but no favorites. Although, Uncle MA did let me fire a machine gun once and it was awesome." 

"And then your dads nearly stuffed a pillow with me when they found out, so you're not going near one again until you're at least 18." MA said. 

"My son better not go near one again period," Poland spat, "otherwise I will rip off your wings and shove them up your ass."

Poldara started laughing and MA was snickering a bit, "I would love to see you try Poland." 

"Yeah that's not a good idea my dove," Mandara said but then flashed MA a smug smile, "you would want to tickle him instead." 

MA's face went from smug to terrified real quick.