with something or other, and he could've sworn he was getting a headache just from watching them all scurry about. And he would never admit

it, but maybe he missed the carefree associations people bothered him with when they weren't so occupied with other things. [Arthur]

personally isn't all that fond of large crowds and the like, but he thinks that all of that mess is only a very small part of the holiday

season, albeit a rather unimportant one. He's sure you've heard this a thousand times before, but perhaps you just need to relax a bit in

order to enjoy it-perhaps a bit of alcohol to unwind?

definitely been told that, but more like a million times than a thousand. For some reason, he just can't find it in himself to relax like

everyone else. But... Alcohol? He had been avoiding the substance lately, but with a certain Dane nowhere to be found, he didn't really have

to worry about bad choices, did he? He glanced at the Englishman warily. "One drink. That's all I'll agree to."

why, if you've been told so many times, then, you haven't ever considered it to be true. We're nations, after all-stress is sort of a given,

but that doesn't mean we shouldn't unwind every once in a while. He hasn't been drinking very much lately, either, but that's by his own

choice. He no longer needs whiskey to sleep at night, after all. "Alright, fair enough. I'll pay for it, too, if you're fine with that."

can't help it; relaxing just isn't in his nature. He deals with stress in different ways than most nations, usually involving being alone.

Still, Arthur is definitely among one of the more tolerable nations, and Lukas didn't have quite as many problems being around him as he did

some of the others. He smiled, albeit faintly. "Well, how could I possibly turn down a free drink?"

that spending a bit of time alone is a perfect way to unwind, especially if your stress is caused by a certain person. However, once

you've reached a certain level of stress, being alone tends to...make things worse, more or less. He's glad to hear that you enjoy his

company, at least. "Hah, I was hoping you'd say something like that. Off we go, then."

nodded; he had recently discovered how much worse being alone could make someone feel. He shrugged. "You lead the way. You are paying,

after all."

to be the one to suggest this, but perhaps you ought to get a girlfriend? Or a dog. Good company is always a mood-booster, after all. "Ah,

yes, of course. I know a nice, quiet pub not too far from here." He starts off down the street, motioning for the other to follow."

let out a laugh before he could stop it, though he abruptly hid it behind a hand. A girlfriend? That was absurd. But a dog may be nice. He

followed behind the other at a steady pace, eyes fixed on the ground. "A quiet pub? Sounds like an oxymoron to me."

smiles slightly at that, thinking that if he can get the man laughing before he's even put a pint in him, than this is going to be a very

successful afternoon. Nonetheless, it was just a suggestion-worth a try at least, right? "It would be, in most places. This one's only

really loud on Sundays, when all the Protestants come after church."

shook his head. He wasn't used to laughing very often, as sad as that sounded. Then he rose an eyebrow at the other. "You are aware it is

Sunday, aren't you?"

blinks, stopping at the door to the pub. Has he really lost track of the date again? No suprise, considering Cameron's been working gim

*him into the ground lately... "...is that so? Funny, I had no idea.."

nodded grimly. "Looks like you're in need of this as much as me." He glanced at the door before glancing back at the other, a determined set

to his shoulders. "Like you said, sometimes we need to be around other people, right?" He'd have to get used to it eventually, anyways.

hesitates for a brief moment before nodding as well, opening the door and going inside. "Yes, it certainly seems like it. This'll be good

for the both of us, then-a few pints, shits and giggles with a couple of humans...just let me know when you're ready to go home."

followed after the other, cringing slightly at the noise in the pub. It... really would take him awhile to get used to crowds. "Right. Too

late for me to back out now, I suppose?"

walks over to the bar, plopping down on a stool right in the center. He waves at the bartender, calling for two pints of ale. "More or less,

if we're planning on actually getting something accomplished."

sighed, following after the other and sitting next to him with a sense of resignation. "Accomplished?" He glanced at the glass the bartender

set in front of him before shrugging and picking it up. "Then let's get this over with." At least his alcohol tolerance had increased a bit.

stares at the mug with slight relief, picking it up and bringing it to his lips, taking a long, oh so satisfying draught. "Mm, yes,

accomplished. The entire point of this is to relax, is it not?"

took a small drink of his, sighing as it went down. Maybe this wouldn't be such a bad idea, and he wouldn't regret it later. Now, if only he

actually believed that. "Well, yes, it is. I suppose I'm just having trouble adjusting to the concept again."

quickly finishes off the first pint, a warm feeling settling in the pit of his stomach and making his recent troubles and worry seem miles

and miles away. He looks over at the other male, a small smile on his face. "Well, like everything, it takes a bit of practise. I'm sure

you'll get the hang of it after a while."

stared at his glass for another moment before downing the rest in one go, squirming slightly at the strange feeling in his stomach. He

snorted, shaking his head. "Practice? Not likely to happen. It's not every day I get free drinks."

waves at the bartender, ordering another pint each for the both of them. "Well, if it's practise you need, perhaps you could do this on a

regular basis? Alone, with someone else...whatever works for you."

wondered briefly what had happened to 'just one' before easily shaking the thought off. "Perhaps. But if I don't watch out, I'll become as

reliant on it as Denmark." Honestly, he hardly ever saw the other without a drink, and he saw him plenty.

can't help but think that the second drink is even better than the first one, and instead of ignorning the constant din of the bar around

him, he finds himself tuning into it, and almost enjoying it. "Oh,no, we wouldn't want that. But it's not the alcohol itself that's

addicting,you know."

quickly downed his second drink in an effort to make the setting a little less uncomfortable. Instead, it only succeeded in fogging his head

even more, even after he shook it in an attempt to clear it. He looked curiously at Arthur. "Not the alcohol that's addicting?"

nods thoughtfully, leaning back so that his stool tips and sways in a dangerous manner. "No, of course not. Alchohol messes with your body's

functions, yes, but it's the feeling you get from it that's addicting-the elation, the relief. All alcoholics want to forget something."

nodded understandingly. "So, in theory, it's bringing a literal meaning to the phrase 'drowning your sorrows'?"