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4:09pm May 19 2014
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Alfred chuckled softly. "I'd say at this point your main frame of reference is me," he said with a grin. "I don't know how well you can gauge the country on that." He had to admit that for some reason it was comforting, hearing that the world likely didn't think of America as a whole as obnoxious. "Okay so cute animal time," he stated, typing in exactly that into youtube and tapping the first result, glancing at Ivan to watch how he reacted to seeing cute things. He couldn't help himself; he remembered the ex pression the Russian had had when he was looking through his album of Penny and it was an ex pression he wanted to see as often as possible. Why exactly he already felt so strongly regarding his friend he did not know, but at this point he wasn't too awful bothered by it.
((I make the squeakiest little happy noises when I see you've replied xD)) |
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4:49pm May 19 2014 (last edited on 4:50pm May 19 2014)
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"True, true, but I have not noticed any obvious obnoxiousness since coming here - even that Jacob guy only seemed sullen - and I have seen Americans on the internet who have not been obnoxious. Admittedly, some were, but so were people from other places. Therefore, I doubt that all of America can really be called obnoxious - just those types that every place has. It is natural for such a large country to have many of them, but for every one of them there are several nice ones or boring ones or funny ones or - well, you know... other sorts of people. It balances out~" Ivan responded at length, seeming unfussed, and waving one hand vaguely. When Alfred clicked onto the next video, he initially squeaked a little - catching sight of an adorable bunch of fuzzy kittens rolling around. Yes, actually rolling. "Uuuaahh, so cute!" He exclaimed, his round lavender eyes fixed upon the screen, and his mouth curled up into a childlike smile of delight. "Look at all the fluff! They are like little round puffballs of snuggles!" It looked as though this was a rather effective distraction from the intensity of feeling that hadn't entirely submerged itself yet, and it was causing Ivan to - well - squee...
((You do? I'm flattered~ I like seeing the little alerts that tell me you've posted as well. I don't actually tend to make a noise out loud, but it's in my head.))
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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5:00pm May 19 2014
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((Oh my god Ivan sweetheart you're adorable
And I do ;v; Out loud even))
Alfred nodded in response to Ivan's explanation, about to respond when his friend's squeak caught him slightly off-guard. He blinked once, processing that such a tiny, adorable little sound had come from Ivan before he grinned, blue eyes practically shimmering with delight. "Honestly you come pretty close to being that adorable, Kotenok!" he stated, lightly poking him in the side. "And the best part about you is that you're within reach," he said, ending up abandoning his phone in favor of leaning up to start tickling him again, grinning wide. "A big, cuddly, ticklish kitten!" he chirped, unable to help himself. The situation had totally called for this course of action. |
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5:13pm May 19 2014
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"Hmm? I a-heewhooaghahahaahahihiheeheehehehe!" Ivan uttered, caught off-guard by Alfred's surprise attack. Those eyes shimmer so well... He had time to think, before he began to flail about again, just as he had before. "Phhwhaahahahahahoohohohaahahahahee!" He guffawed, unable to do much else. He wriggled about as much as he was able, again making the attempt to tickle Alfred back, but in the end, he had to surrender again before he started wheezing from shortness of breath. Once he had been released, he simply panted for a while, grinning like an idiot. "Hahh, you got me good - My turn!" He declared, launching himself at his friend and trying to find out where he was ticklish.
((Gotta go, see you tomorrow.))
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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5:39pm May 19 2014
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Alfred giggled as he continued to tickle his friend, grinning as wide as he possibly could. He had to admit that seeing Ivan lit up and laughing like this struck a chord somewhere deep inside of him, driving him to keep it up as if he was trying to drive away a lifetime of...hurt. Driving away all the bad that Ivan had ever experienced.
He was forced to pull back when the other was wheezing, laughing again. He was about to say something else when suddenly he fell back, squirming a bit until Ivan found where he was actually ticklish -his sides- and he burst into loud, honest laughter, uselessly flailing at the other male, even snorting a couple from just how hard he was laugh. "Ieeeee giiihahahahahhahve!" he shouted, wriggling a bit as he tried to escape, a particularly loud snort causing him to cover his mouth and muffle himself.
((Mmkay ^v^ Sleep well!)) |
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12:52am May 20 2014
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It did indeed help Ivan to feel carefree and untroubled, being tickled in this way - it was as though Alfred was telling him with tickles what he had told him the previous night: that he was not a monster, but harmless. Otherwise, who would dare? I... I am not... alone anymore... Was the prevailing thought that the Russian got from all of this, and it felt like a hug inside - even when he was still writhing around under his friend's mischievous attentions. It was as though Alfred was fixing something within him that had been broken for so long that Ivan had forgotten that it needed to be mended.
"Ahh, so it is your sides that are ticklish~" He grinned, enjoying the laughter that washed over him as he attended to that part of his friend. "Are you sure? I could always start on armpits, da?" He teased, continuing for just a moment more, before halting and allowing Alfred to catch his breath. "Just kidding~" He grinned, giggling. "Tickles are fun, aren't they? I had forgotten..." The American's wriggling and attempts to muffle himself had been quite endearing, Ivan reflected, but he had liked the laughter best when it was uncovered. Somehow, it just seemed as though it was something that should be allowed to ring out as it pleased.
((Thankies~))
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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4:57am May 20 2014
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Posts: 11,785
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Alfred's giggles continued long after his release, the American curling his side once his ribs began to complain. "Aw man it's been a while since I've actually laughed hard enough to hurt my sides," he said with a smile, wiping away his tears of laughter before he moved to wrap his arms around Ivan and lean lightly against him, grinning like an idiot. "Literally the best day ever. Hands down, trumps everything I've experienced," he said happily. Fun and familiar and warm. He moved to lightly rest his head on Ivan's shoulder, smile softening again. To make things better they could keep on like this for ages. Ivan wasn't going anywhere any time soon. They had all the time in the world.
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5:09am May 20 2014
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"Hmm, me also - ahh, but your laughter suits you so well. It seems, well, natural for you." Ivan responded, neglecting to mention how very cute the giggles were - not to mention Alfred's endearing tickled-expressions. He could feel warm arms enfolding him, and he sighed with contentment, feeling as though he were floating in a warm pool of happiness and peace. He would really have to do something for Alfred in return, he mused - perhaps some flowers? It was not uncommon to give such gifts where he was from, so he did not immediately assume that such a thing would be taken in one way exclusively. Then again, perhaps he should get his friend something useful... Hmm, what to do... Perhaps I ought to look around in the little shops around town? There might be something there. Ivan pondered, enjoying the feeling of Alfred's head resting on his shoulder, and the warm closeness of his friend to him. "I quite agree, I cannot recall a better day~" He replied, his tone merry. "Even more, because I know that I can come here with you again~"
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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5:29am May 20 2014
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Alfred nodded. "Assuming we don't have classes and I don't have to work, we can come here as often as you like," he responded softly before he looked over at the flowers, wondering just how they were going to possibly transplant a couple to their yard. Were they a flower whose roots would regrow if you cut it and put it in soil and water? Alfred would have to look that up before he tried so he didn't kill any of them accidentally.
But then his stomach rumbled lightly and his cheeks flushed. Darn it, he didn't want to leave yet, but obviously his stomach had other plans. Well, he supposed, at least he knew how to get here now, so it wouldn't be that big a deal to come back, surely.
And then his mind wandered to that night, and whether he should offer to remain with Ivan through the night again. The both of them being together seemed to bring enough comfort for them to relax, but...then again, maybe they wouldn't have nightmares that night? What even triggered dreams like those, he wondered.
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6:19am May 20 2014 (last edited on 6:21am May 20 2014)
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“That sounds nice~” van responded, giving Alfred a lazy smile. He, too, was wondering about how they were going to bring sunflowers home. It would take some good-size pots, he felt, but he didn't know whether it would be better to cut them for a vase or dig them up to preserve the roots. They'd last longer if they had roots, but it would be more effort. Well, if all else failed, there were always garden centers... The flower-addled Russian was startled out of his reverie when his friend's belly released a gurgle, and he chuckled slightly. “Ahh, I guess that it is time for lunch, da?” He asked, amused. His own stomach hadn't started issuing demands yet, but he knew that it was only a matter of time. He was reluctant to leave this bloom-filled paradise he'd been led into, but he knew that they could not feasibly stay there indefinitely. Besides, they would definitely be returning. Ivan's mind was far from the events of the previous night, wafting up in the clouds of his current emotional state. I think... perhaps I will find him something useful... and some little flowers as well. That will be a nice thank you gift.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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6:31am May 20 2014
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Alfred chuckled softly. "I guess it is, huh?" he said with a quiet laugh before he stood up to stretch out, taking a moment to retrieve his jacket and automatically slip into it. Hus hands found his pockets and he smiled. "So do you want the stuffed hamburgers for lunch or for dinner?" he asked, offering out his hand for Ivan to take. "Because we can go home foe that or we can stop by a fast food place since we're already out and about " he grinned. "I can show you Burger King or Dairy Queen or whatever you want."
He was, of course, unaware of Ivan's plans of giving him a thank-you gift, since he felt that Ivan being happy was thanks enough, but that wasn't exactly a sentiment he voiced out loud. |
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6:58am May 20 2014
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When Alfred stood up, the loss of contact produced a slight twinge of something in Ivan, but he stood up as well without saying anything about it. He retrieved his coat from the ground, brushing off a few nature-related things that had got onto it, then put it on - easing his scarf out from under it so that it was on top. "Hmm, does Burger King do stuffed burgers?" He asked, contemplating the idea. "I would like to try either, or both if it is possible. It is such a nice day, though, that I think perhaps we should eat while we are out. While the idea of ice cream for lunch has a certain tempting appeal, I am thinking that I can wait before I see the Dairy Queen place." Ivan answered, slipping his hand into the one Alfred offered and smiling. Remaining out and about would likely further his own plans, so he certainly had no objections.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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7:05am May 20 2014
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Alfred chuckled softly. "Oh man if they did I can't promise I'd be as thing as I am now," he responded, curling his fingers around the hand in his own. "Dairy Queen has actual food too, by the way. Chicken and hot dogs and stuff," he said with a smile. "But, uh. Let's see. Burger King has like, chicken nuggets and chicken sandwiches and bacon burgers and all kinds of stuff," he stated, smiling wide. "But yeah I can totally make the stuffed ones tonight if you want so you can pick whatever from the menus," he said happily as they began the trek back to his car. Man, today was nice. Literally zero regrets regarding his life because ultimately it led to this and it was great.
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7:14am May 20 2014 (last edited on 7:14am May 20 2014)
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"Ahaha, I see~" Ivan chuckled, amused, and enjoyed the feeling of Alfred's hand holding his own. Though this was hardly new by now, he still found it comforting and... well, it was almost as though their hands held different magnetic charges, causing them to pull together whenever they drew close enough. "It does? Oh - I did not know that, I thought that it was all about the ice cream." He added, a little embarrassed. He had been imagining an ice cream parlour, dedicated entirely to chilly dessert. "Is there anything you recommend? I do not know precisely what to expect, you see, but you have been there before..." Ivan asked, having perked up a little at the notion of getting to try the stuffed ones later and go try out Burger King. At this point in time, there was nothing weighing down his heart, and he felt so... free.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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7:44am May 20 2014
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"Well, obviously, my favorite thing of theirs is their burgers. Um, like the Whopper and stuff. Those are also pretty big but they make smaller ones too," he said, saving his hand a bit as he began to prattle on about the wonders of Burger King. It was one of his absolute favorite places to eat and he couldn't help but talk endlessly about his favorites things. He did mention that he rambled a lot so hopefully Ivan was prepared.
((I made myself hungry xD)) |
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9:02am May 20 2014 (last edited on 9:04am May 20 2014)
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((I do that to myself as well sometimes. ^_^))
"Hmm, I think I might try a Whopper, then... I wonder if there are any with bacon?” Ivan mused absently, as they wandered back towards where Alfred had parked the car. “Ahh, I would also like a milkshake - do you know if they use ice cream in their milkshakes? For preference, I like the vanilla ones, but I also like strawberry~” He continued, trying to process the information that he was being given, sifting through Alfred's words in search of something he could use. It seemed that there were many different varieties to choose between, even in the Whopper category, but he'd decided that he would only pick one that had bacon in – just to narrow the field – and particularly if there were also egg. No onion, though, as that was one of the relatively few things that he didn't really like eating. If he was hungry, and it was the only option, he'd take it without complaint, but not with so many other choices. What can I get him that will be useful? Ivan wondered, his mind wandering. Something simple would be good, maybe something that... Ah! I have an idea! Hmm, and I could put the flowers into that, if I choose little ones.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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9:18am May 20 2014
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((Oooh Ivan what'cha planning' there? eue))
Alfred grinned and nodded, answering Ivan's questions in turn as they began to approach his car, only letting go of Ivan's hand once they reached it and he had to climb in. "Aw man it's all so great!" he said happily, going ahead and starting the car as he waited on his Russian friend to get in as well. He could show Ivan so much about America and everything and in return possibly learn more about Russia. And of course they could always visit Ivan's home. Alfred was glad that Ivan was stay I g but he wasn't going to keep him away from home entirely. That would be much too cruel.
Plus he kind of wanted to see Russia for himself and what better way than to go with his Russian best friend? |
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9:28am May 20 2014
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((It's something that I hope will be cute... Is the Burger King in an area with a bunch of other shops and stuff? If it is, then there's something I could do...))
"Da~" Ivan answered, clambering into his seat and strapping in. "From what you have told me, I think that the Big Beefy Whopper is what I would like - what will you be having?" He asked, mildly interested. He was already learning a lot from his friend, and he wondered whether Alfred was also interested in his culture. Seeing as he had seemed so enthused by the idea of trying Russian food, that seemed likely, so Ivan decided to toss him a piece of information to see what would happen. "By the way, did you know that many Russians celebrate Christmas on the seventh day of January? It is because of using a different calendar. Knowing both days is a great excuse for me to eat chocolates and things~ Ahh, but not too many, or my stomach hurts." Would Alfred like his country as much as he enjoyed this one? He didn't know when there would be any opportunity to find out, but he so wanted to show his sunshine friend the beautiful things his homeland had to offer.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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9:55am May 20 2014
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Posts: 11,785
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((Uhhh I'm pretty sure? Kansas City apparently has like 8 burger kings so I'm not totally positive xD))
"Probably the Double Whopper," Alfred responded with a grin. "Combo with a drink and fries because french fries are amazing," he added, perking up slightly as Ivan began to share information about Russia. He grinned a bit. "So while you're here you can totally have two Christmases," he stated, glancing at his friend for a moment. "That's awesome! Do you guys do anything super special for Christmas? All we really do is sing carols and hang stockings and put up Christmas trees but I've heard other countries do really cool things for Christmas so I've always been at least a little curious." |
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10:35am May 20 2014 (last edited on 10:40am May 20 2014)
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((Sounds good to me~ It doesn't have to be absolutely accurate, though. ^_^))
Ivan smiled back at his American friend, well able to imagine Alfred eating something of that size. “Da, I suppose that I could~” He responded brightly, giggling. It was a fun idea, and it would be good to hold onto a part of his culture out here in America – and share it with Alfred. “Well, eating a kind of porridge called kutya on Christmas Eve is often done – is often served with honey, poppy seeds and fruit, maybe even fruit jellies. It is usually all dished out from a single bowl, to symbolise unity.” He began, warming to his topic. “Other options are borscht – which is beetroot soup – and vegetable pies. Ohh, and salads. For Christmas Day, sauerkraut is the main focus in the dinner. Often, there are cranberries and shredded carrot with it. Ahh, it is a sour cabbage dish, though, so I am not sure if you would like it... There are also pies, though. For dessert, honeybread cookies or gingerbread cookies with fruit and nuts is quite popular, and there is a sweet drink, vzvar, which is made by boiling honey and dried fruit in water – is traditional drink for birth of a child, so you can see how it fits in with Christmas. In Russia, we call Santa Claus by the name Ded Moroz, which means something like Grandfather Frost. He always brings his grand-daughter, Snegurochka – the Snow Maiden – along with him. He has a staff, wears wool felt boots – valenki – and he rides in a troika – a sledge pulled by three horses. Ahh, but many people see him as coming to leave presents under the tree on New Year's, because of the time when Christmas was not supposed to be celebrated so openly. The tree is still a symbol of the Christmas holiday, but New Year's also has it. We also sing carols, though, so maybe we could be singing together?” Ivan hadn't intended to ramble quite so much, but he supposed that turnabout was fair play, and he waited to see what Alfred would say about the information he had just splurged.
Gneiss, but not taken for granite~
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