Florence, Italy

Date: January 2011? (I can't keep track of dates here ;n; )
Location: just outside Florence, Italy


Veneziano really didn't know what was going on anymore.

Sure, there had been all those horrible, horrible things on every source of media available to date, but this was all different. A few weeks ago it had been easy to block out the hushed and frantic whispers of his citizens, simply not read a paper, don't watch the television or listen to the radio...it was simple. Now was different. As naive as he was, Veneziano couldn't ignore this any longer when he began to see the effects of whatever it was that the media was buzzing over. He could see people getting sick and acting odd. The panic and fears were visible and the peace was long gone.

It really scared him. Sure, the Italian was easy to spook in the first place, but this wasn't just a small and over dramatized fear. This was the kind of fear that literally made him sick to his stomach. He felt as if there was nothing he could do to calm his nerves either. The normal means didn't work, no matter how much he loved the activities. All he could do was worry. It seemed that many of the other nations were in just as much of a panic as Veneziano himself -- or that was what he gathered. As panic was setting in more, he did try calling some of the other nations, only to get no answer on the other line. Of all the times to not pick up a cell phone...

At first, his method was simply to stay inside. If he didn't go out, the creatures couldn't get him. In his mind, it was as simple as that. However, as in many cases in life, most things are easier said than done. The plan had worked for a brief period of time. Eventually, he heard things and began thinking of something else...something his brother had told him. If anything was ever to happen, they were both to go to the Vatican. This plan made sense, it was the Vatican that they were talking about. Whatever was going on in the world, that place was so pure that surely no monsters could get inside. It made complete sense in his mind, and was that glimmer of hope in the dark he needed.

Unfortunately, the Vatican was much closer to Romano than it was to Veneziano. Representing the northern half of the country, he naturally lived and frequented places more north than his brother. Florence was so far from the place he needed to be...

Sure, Veneziano was known for being a coward but he still had a brain. If Romano was going there, he needed to be there as well. Unfortunately for him, that meant venturing further into the city to find some way to get to his destination. His home here was a little off from the main city, in a nice spot where he could attempt to keep to himself. Were the buses and trains even working? He didn't know, but it couldn't hurt to try. Another call to his brother, and there was no answer...

That was when it all really started or spiraled downwards depending on the viewpoint.

Veneziano was a pretty fast runner, and now was a time where he actually put it to good use. He was able to sprint a good ways away from home and into an area that was a bit more populated. It was good, but it also had its down points. One being that he was actually beginning to see more and more of what people were calling zombies. The other was that there were more normal people. They looked just as scared and frantic as Veneziano felt. It was an odd and horrifying scene to take in, seeing one of his most beautiful cities in such a state. It was almost too much for him.

Perhaps that is why he zoned out for a moment in the street. A moment was all that it took to set off a chain of unfortunate events. He hadn't really noticed, but one of those things certainly took notice to him. Apparently they thought that Veneziano, standing there in shock and practically defenseless, would make a scrumptious afternoon snack. Being in the state that he was, he really hadn't noticed until the suspicious person in question was all too close. Since he had been ignoring the news for the most part in the past few weeks, he wasn't extremely well versed in the ways of these creatures, but he did know one thing. They ate people.

Maybe luck was on his side that day, but someone nearby did a better job of noticing Veneziano's predicament than he himself did at first. A pair of strong arms grabbed him and dragged him inside of a nearby building, leaving the zombie locked outdoors for the time being. It took a moment to register what was going on between the nervous beating of his heart and the unstoppable urge to cry, but he was safe. Standing in front of him was a man much older than himself. This was of course in appearances, as Veneziano was actually much older than any other person in Italy with the exception of his brother, though he didn't look a day over twenty. After frantic thank yous and other exchanges of words, the man had said that judging by the noises outside, it probably wasn't safe to go back out at the moment. The two males were stuck in there for what seemed like forever. They talked, leaving Veneziano to make up a silly story about what he was doing out at the moment when it was so dangerous and he probably should have been heading the other way. All this storytelling was almost distracting enough for him...until there was a dreadful crash from a distant room in the building they were in. Everything happened way too fast after that.

There was yelling and running, of course. He really didn't know what to do. Now inside was just as bad as outside. There wasn't really much time to think either, not with those creatures indoors now. After that, it was just a blur of more yelling, blood, and pain. For some reason, that brave man decided to save "Feliciano" that he had only just met who was younger than him. He was told to run despite his own bleeding wounds. Told to run far away from that place as fast as he could. It was wrong. It was so wrong to leave him, but Veneziano did as instructed. Judging by the scene from when he left, he assumed that the man who saved him never made it back to his family.

So he ran right back to the place where he had started. It really did take a great effort. Not only was he hurt, but of course now he was crying. Though he was never bitten, he still did get injured and there was a steady flow of blood loss from himself. He couldn't tell what was his own, and what belonged to that other man and had gotten on him in the scuffle. It was hard to tell when all blood looked the same. Needless to say, it only scared him more. He didn't even care as he stained his own front door with bloody hand prints as he tried to get inside. The door stayed locked once he entered. Nor did he care at the blood he left dripping on the floor at various points all over his home.

Making his way further into his home, his mind really just wanted to change his clothes to get rid of the disgusting mess on himself. Sadly, that isn't what Veneziano's body wanted. All it wanted to do was collapse on the floor before he made it to his room and sob. Body beat mind, and that was how he stayed for a while whether he wanted to or not. He really wan't sure how long he had been sitting there on the floor, but he heard something from downstairs. Honestly he hadn't a clue what it sounded like, but he didn't like it one bit based on what had been happening in the past few hours. The eerie site of a trail of blood on the stairs that he had left didn't help his vivid imagination.

Not knowing what to do, he made his way as quickly as possible to the closest bedroom door, accidentally getting that a bit dirty too in the process. It was a guest bedroom, so didn't have too much inside it. It especially didn't have anything useful for any sort of zombie invasion of his home. There was one thing the guest bedroom did have though. It had a closet big enough for him to sit and hide in. And Veneziano did just that. Sure he was still hurt and crying, but at least there was a closet door between him and whatever noises were going on outside his home. So he sat there on the floor...

((I posted for Germany so...so....be manly and German.))

Name: Ludwig Beilschimidt
Status: Uninfected
Date: 2011

When all hell had broken loose there were two things that stuck out in Ludwig's mind; getting weapons and finding Veneziano. The Italian had the luck of the devil but with the way things were now he wasn't so sure anymore. In any case the trip from his home down to North Italy's was not a very long one and he had left the day of the outbreak. Zipping straight through his country he had tried his very best to go only through small towns or rural areas instead of big cities. There was only two times he needed to stop somewhere bigger and that was to stock up. This was all some damn nightmare that he just had yet to wake up from yet was all. He couldn't get in contact with Austria, Prussia was nowhere to be seen or found, and Switzerland was going to be impossible at this point. It was day four of his drive and he had already cleared most of the North half of the country. As he neared the young man's home he parked his car somewhere out of sight and got out grabbing his weapons and locking it.


They were everywhere those things were just practically swarming the city. He grimaced and loaded his Assault Rifle walking forward his combat boots crunching against debris. Raising his rifle he shot a zombie between the eyes and then turned around shooting another. Yep, they were everywhere and he knew he needed to move much quicker than this. Breaking into a sprint he started to navigate the haphazard streets and chaos. Jumping up on the hood of a car he ran over top of it and lept off landing on the sidewalk and kept running. All his military training he ever received really paid off well at this point. As he neared Veneziano's home he noticed the two bottom windows were broken in and he stopped peering in carefully. He could hear those things inside the usually bright and cheery home. Stepping in he felt and heard the glass crunch under his feet and he paused, did they hear him? Looking left and right he did not see anyone charging at him but he still proceeded with caution. There was a trail of blood and the blond haired man knit his brow together studying it carefully. Blood? What if they had already gotten to his companion of whom which he knew had no fight in him not anymore.


Ludwig shook his head and searched the lower level of the house first. Entering into the kitchen he saw a zombie lumbering near the pantry and crept upon it. If he opened fire now he would alert more and that would cause him more problems. Taking out his combat knife he mustered up his courage and grabbing the thing by the shoulder pulling it back and stabbing it in the forehead. Pulling his knife out he wiped it off on his pants and kept going. Taking out the remaining downstairs he headed upstairs and started searching. He was careful not to yell not wanting to alert anything other than Veneziano of his presence. As he searched room to room he finally entered the guest bedroom unknowingly where the young man was hiding. He saw another zombie but then saw there were two in there and they both charged him.
"Shit!" He growled and quickly moved out of the way barely missing one scratching at him. They made a horrible growl and other guttural noises as they pursued. Tossing his heavy gun on the bed he suddenly kicked one right in the stomach knocking it back, and the other he turned and stabbed it through the neck and kept slicing. There was an awful mess of blood now but he did not care about that as his attention returned back to the one he knocked over. It had taken to crawling after him at which point he suddenly brought his boot down on its head. He kept stomping and stomping until he knew it was dead.
"Verdammt creature!" He kicked its head for good measure before looking around the room. Was Veneziano in there?

Character: Italy Veneziano
Infection Status: Uninfected
Date: -- -- 2011


There were very few times that Veneziano didn't want to be in his own home, and this moment in time was certainly pretty high on his list. As much as he seemed to have a never ending supply of tears in his body, he really did get tired of it. After a while of sitting there alone, it felt like absolutely forever. He felt disgusting, sitting there in wet clothes that he wished were simply wet with water. Of course, with all the battles he had been in and witnessed first hand, blood wasn't an uncommon sight. That never made it anymore pleasant though. As much as he wanted to change, he was simply too spooked to leave his current location. Who could blame the poor guy?

It took a while, but he managed to somewhat calm himself down a bit. Veneziano also wanted to bandage himself up, because his left side was still in pain, though at least it looked like some of the bleeding has subsided. Though he didn't know the details of what exactly had happened, he had somehow hurt his left side in the scuffle back in the city. Just his luck.

Lifting up his shirt, he carefully examined himself to make sure that there wasn't anything missing. There just appeared to be a very nasty gash there that was very unattractive to the eye. It needed to be covered, but really, what could he do in an unused closet of his house? There was nothing of use in there. Pulling down his shirt gingerly as not to cause himself more pain, he tried reasoning with himself. 'There was nothing outside when I came in so I should be okay! I can get out of this closet and then go get some cleaned up and find food and then try to call Romano again!' he told himself, continuing the little mental prep talk. Romano...Veneziano hoped with all his heart that he wasn't stuck out there. At the moment, his mind was such a jumbled mess that he couldn't clearly remember the status of Rome in detail.

His musings of his older brother's condition and any uplifting optimism to get himself to leave his hiding place was cut short all too abruptly. Any confidence that he had mustered up as he went for the doorknob was long forgotten as he heard the distinct sound of shattering glass coming from somewhere in his home. His heart dropped. Broken glass was never a noise that one wanted to hear. It wasn't just a small shatter either, like when guests got a bit too rowdy and broke a wine glass. No, this was something bigger. On instinct, Veneziano slowly retreated back into the far corner of the closet where he had been before he had decided to move. The following noises weren't very reassuring either.

It was just like before. It was them.

Veneziano could feel a new wave of fear coming over him. He really couldn't handle the scene that he had witnessed earlier. He didn't know how long he sat there huddled in the corner, shaking with fear. Silently, since he didn't want to make any noise out of fear of being caught, he prayed that he would make it out of this alive. No one, human or nation, wanted to die -- especially not like this.

However, it almost seemed as if no one was listening to his prayers at the moment. He could hear someone or something getting closer and closer to his makeshift hiding spot. Veneziano could tell after a few moments that he was no longer the only person in the room, and it was a downright horrible feeling. Right now he desperately wanted someone -- anyone -- to come in and save him. Even if before he swore he was tired of crying, he could feel the tears falling again. He couldn't help but mumble "no" over and over again to himself. This was horrible. Things didn't really make sense to him right now in general through panic, but he was even more confused when he heard footsteps approaching at a fast pace. Well, that wasn't reassuring him in the least. Yes, Veneziano prided himself in his ability to run quickly, but what if one of those things was actually chasing after him?

Then he heard it, and a small glimmer of hope appeared in his heart once more for a second. A voice. A clear, human voice. Since it wasn't expected, he didn't register the voice in his head at first. Was luck really on his side yet again? Had another savoir really come to rescue him from his own home? He really wanted to believe that, but the following noises weren't reassuring. There was obviously some kind of struggle going on out there. They made Veneziano very uneasy. But then...that voice spoke again and there was no mistake in recognizing it that time. It was familiar, all too familiar.

That unmistakable German, that tone, everything about it...it was Germany. It had to be Germany. He came and saved him. That was all that made sense in his mind at the moment and he recklessly stood and opened the closest door despite the obvious dangers lurking outside his closet sanctuary. "Germa--" His eyes were met with a sickening sight. Blood stained what used to be a little room that he was rather proud of, because it was normally tidy. It was a disgusting sea of red, and the sight of two mangled bodies didn't help the scene at all. He stood there for a moment, trying to take it in before he met eyes with the only other living person in the room. Indeed, it was just the person that had been on his mind.

Germany was standing there with a knife in his hands, matching the blood all over the room. The sight was never more reassuring than it was now. Veneziano himself looked like a complete mess with blood like Germany, and tears coming down his face. "G-Germany! You came...you really came! I was so scared!" Luckily he still had use of his feet perfectly fine, so he was able to run over to the other man and forceably hug him tightly. Sure, it hurt his side, but he was able to suck it up for a moment. "I thought that I was going to die! I am so glad!" He buried his face in the other man's shirt, and while it wasn't the most pleasant feeling giving the state of their clothes, it was sill necessary in his mind.

He was saved!

Ludwig looked at Veneziano with relief coming over him in a wave; thank god Italy was safe. As the young man ran over to hug him, Ludwig returned the hug holding Veneziano tightly. They may have been covered in blood but, Germany did not care about that right now. As of this moment the safety of the young Italian was what mattered most to him. Loosening his hold on Veneziano he looked at the young man in his eyes and then around the room.
"How long have you been hiding in here?" Germany inquired stepped over the dead bodies and closing the door. Right now his next objective was to get North Italy out of here, and then probably take himself and the young man to an uninfected place.

It was odd. Veneziano could have sworn that he almost saw a hint of nervousness in the other man. It wasn't that Germany never got nervous, but it was never a reassuring sight for him since usually the blonde was the one calming him down. He really wished Germany would just sit still right now. It was such a nice feeling to have him there safe. Though, the bodies in the room were not helping the sickening feeling in his stomach in the least. Oh boy, that was going to be lovely to clean later when this fiasco was over.

"I've been here for a long time. It has been--" he paused, trying to really think it over. "I am not sure. It felt like I was in the closet for so long. I wanted to get out and fix my side, but I was scared." With that, Feliciano held an arm over the injured area tenderly. Even if he trusted Germany more than he trusted a lot of other people, the door shutting was a bit unsettling. His eyes shifted to the bodies dirtying up the interior of his home. Veneziano let out a tiny noise of worry. "What if they wake up Germany?"

Ludwig walked back over to Veneziano, and gave the young man a sympathetic look. Here he usually was the one who protected the country, and yet this time he felt he arrived to late to really do anything. Reaching out he carefully removed Veneziano's arm from the wound, and lifted his shirt to give it a look. He kept his expression cool but, he had not seen a wound on North Italy like that since the war.
"I will need to clean this up for you." The blonde said reaching into his small military bag. Inside was a first aid kit which he opened up pulling disinfectant out. Frowning some the man began to carefully clean the wound, knowing it was going to sting Veneziano some. This whole situation was such a damn mess and here North Italy was injured. Swearing lightly under his breath he was careful not to poke into the wound. Putting the cloth down Germany picked up a mesh cloth, and then the bandages unwrapping them.
"If they get up I will make sure they are annihilated." Germany said with a rather lower, angry voice. These things had caused enough issues for him, and he was not about to be bitten by a counterattack. Dressing North Italy's wound the blue eyed man stood up and looked at the bodies. Nope, he could tell there was no way they were going to get up in their current state. While traversing from his home to here, he had killed enough of these bastards to know when they were dead.


He walked to the window and drew the curtains slightly to take a peek outside. God it was worse than both world wars, and a hundred times bloodier. Those things were everywhere so getting Veneziano to safety was going to be difficult. Yet, Germany felt a resolve inside of him that forced his mind back into survival mode. He would get North Italy to safety, and like hell any of those undead bastards were going to stop him. Even if he had to get bit himself just as long as Veneziano was okay, that was all that mattered. Turning around to look at the Italian he walked back over, and then reached up cupping Veneziano's face gently in his hands.
"You will be okay, all right? If they try to come near you I will make sure they are dead." Germany swore to him giving his word. His feelings for the Italian were always haphazard, all this way and that way half the time. There were many times he acted annoyed, and then he would act as if Veneziano was the best person ever. Germany supposed it was his confusion in having someone be so close to him. They had grown terribly close to one another, if not reluctantly in his case, during World War II. Since that time Ludwig had grown more attached to Italy than he would admit. Even when the two had been separated through much of the 50's, 60's and 70's, Ludwig constantly worried about North Italy even without realizing he had been doing so. The times he spent thinking about if Veneziano had enough things, did he get his shoes tied? Was he able to protect himself in case someone tried to mug him in the city?


Those worries though appeared to be very trivial now.


Ludwig looked into those gentle gold eyes, and softened his expression more. To think that those unnatural abominations tried to kill Veneziano sent a ripple of rage through him. His thumb gently feathered over the others cheek before he leaned down, and gently placed his lips over Veneziano's, his eyes fluttering shut.

He felt a bit bad, agreeing to let Germany tend to his wound. Though he was clumsy with half the things he tried in life, Veneziano was actually pretty handy with a first aid kit. Before Germany had burst in through the door, he had full intentions of taking care of it himself. He just hadn't factored in all these other things that changed around the circumstances. The whole time that the wound was tended to and dressed, Veneziano let out little whines and the occasional verbal whining. Despite all this, he was grateful. "Thank you Germany!" He squeaked out when the process was complete as he gingerly prodded the newly wrapped area of his body to make sure it was still okay.

The blonde's reaction to his question made him a littler nervous, though he wasn't sure what kind of expression he was expecting in return. This was a rather harsh subject, after all. Sure Veneziano was usually the more outwardly expressive and sensitive of the pair of them, but Germany was known to get worked up over things like that. He couldn't recall the news at this point in time, but he assumed that in the other man's country the situation was no better off.

Veneziano was happy to hear that the other man had no intentions of just leaving him here after this. Not that he thought he would actually do it...but even if he tried, the Italian would wormed his way into going along. It was very reassuring to hear that he was going to try to keep him safe. He made a mental note that Germany had said it first before he even had to beg for help. So when they were in a troubling situation, the bigger male couldn't complain at all to his tears. Once again, Veneziano wasn't doubting Germany. For him though, promises like that made everything more real and comforting. Despite the reassuring promises, he was still frightened and not too keen on going back outside. Then again, with a look around what used to be his untouched and clean guest room, he didn't really want to be here either. It left him feeling rather unsure of how to respond.

At least when he turned back around, Germany looked a bit more calm which was a nice sight.

Before he could really register what was happening, his own feeling quickly changed. Veneziano felt the familiar brush of a hand on his cheek, followed by a familiar hint of a flush coming to his own face. Of course, he kissed back even though he hadn't been expecting it. It was an enjoyable surprise. There were no complaints on his behalf. It was odd, considering their current gruesome surroundings and even the bigger scale of circumstances. Even after the two broke apart, Veneziano stayed close to the other male, looking up to meet his blue eyes. "You have to promise to stay safe too, okay?" He looked very sincere in saying this. "I wouldn't want Germany or anyone else I care about to be hurt." He felt a pang of guilt (or was it just a nicely timed pain from his wound?) saying that when he had no idea where Romano was at the moment.

Germany stayed close to the man as well after the kiss they shared. Of course he had not planned anything so strangely romantic as that but, given the circumstances they both needed reassurance. Sometimes the best comfort came from a gesture of a loved one. His hand did not move from Veneziano's cheek as he nodded in response to his statement.
"I will not get myself into any mess I cannot get out of, and please try to do the same. Even so, I will protect you with everything I have." The man said seriously as if the promise was a writ in a holy scripture. There was no way in hell he would let Veneziano die. He would much rather die saving the man and ensuring he stays safe as well.

Now for this mess going on outside around the home; it was going to be difficult. The two of them were going to need to make it all the way down to Rome; to the Vatican. There was the chance that Romano was not even alive but, then there was the chance the man was too stubborn to die. Ludwig was betting he was probably much too stubborn to even die. With that in mind he felt slightly comforted in all honesty, and even having Romano say hateful things to him again would be a refreshing change from the carnage.

"All right Veneziano we're going to leave, are you ready?" He stepped away over a dead body towards the door. Opening it slowly he poked his head out and looked up and down the hall, listening. Nothing. When he was sure it was clear the man gestured for his lover to follow him.


No matter what he was going to kill every, single undead being he came across.

"I'll try..." he said, trying to sound as confident as possible but really that felt like a lie. On all their adventures together in life, it was Veneziano who got the pair into messes and Germany who got them out of it. Normally it was just silly things, but in a situation like this, the thought was daunting. Could he really keep out of trouble just this once? It sounded simple enough but remembering what the outside was like right now sent a chill through his body. Was it really possible to make it through that alright?

Part of him still just wanted to stay inside, but he knew it was impossible. Veneziano followed after the blonde, carefully stepping over the disgusting bodies on the floor. Still, blood was everywhere around them. His shoes got the blood on them, and as he walked closer to Germany, Veneziano found that he was leaving behind bloody footprints. Great. This was all never coming out of his poor carpet. He hoped his shoes would be okay. They were expensive.

Judging by Germany's expression, the hall was safe. Good, he didn't want to have to deal with them anymore and risk one of them getting hurt. As he followed after him, he noticed he was leaving more footprints again which caused him to get a good look down at himself. His clothes were a bloody mess, and there was a nice gash where his side had been hurt. This realization caused him to stop in his tracks. "Germany, we cannot leave yet!" His room was only down the hall, it would take a few minutes. "I need to change my clothes, I am all dirty and I have a hole in my shirt. I will only be a minute! Promise!" And with that, he abandoned Germany and ran to his bedroom to change into cleaner clothes.

Before Ludwig could actually start down the hall the way he wanted to, Veneziano had stopped about his clothes. The blonde haired man wanted to turn around and yell, and drag him off whether he liked it or not. However before he could turn around to do any of that, the Italian man had already darted back into his room quickly. Groaning a little the German pressed his back against the hallway wall, and slid his hand down his face slowly. Honestly, their clothes were going to be a bloody mess no matter what so why did it even matter? Veneziano would change, and then later he would get considerably dirty all over again, rinse and repeat the process.

"Do not take forever please, we have to leave as soon as possible." Germany stepped towards the window in the hallway. Peering out carefully he saw things lumbering slowly out not too far from the home. He furrowed his brow and chewed his lower lip. This situation was going to become worse and worse, and god he hoped that Veneziano wouldn't get hurt more than he was.

"I know Germany, I know!" The reason why he had run was because he knew the other man well enough. He was expecting some sort of protests from him. Germany never was one to care all too much about the condition of his clothing in stressful situations like this where they seemed to get dirty. "I will be as quick as I can." With that final word, Veneziano closed the door to his room and walked over to his closet. He wasn't really planning on keeping the blonde waiting long, but he was probably going to be a little more slow than he had made it sound like. Even if this was his house and there was currently blood everywhere, he was pretty sure it was the lesser of two horrible things right now.

It didn't take long for him to find a new set of clothes to wear. He had the clothes collection of a teenage girl obsessed with fashion, so there was plenty to chose from. Obviously he was just going to have to walk through dirty things again, so he just chose a simple shirt and pair of pants. He would most certainly be coming home eventually, so he didn't want to ruin any of his favorite things. Veneziano got dressed as quickly as he could because he knew Germany was expecting him in the hall. Unfortunately it was a bit awkward for him to put on his shirt without feeling a little discomfort from the wound that Germany had just fixed up for him.

A few minutes later, the closed door opened again and out stepped Veneziano in his new, clean clothes. "Thank you for waiting! I feel a lot better now!" He closed the door behind him with as much of a smile he could muster up given the grand scale of the situation, but he wasn't oblivious for the fact that he was going to have to walk right by that gruesome mess in his guest room again to leave. "Are you sure you don't want to change too? I am sure I have some of your clothes around." Maybe now he was stalling...but it wouldn't hurt to offer, right?

When the Italian made it sound like he would not be long, is when Germany prepared himself to wait a little while. Irritation still set in though when a few minutes did tick by, and there had been no sign of the bouncing Italian. Did he really think this was not a serious situation that they should take into consideration? Veneziano's home had broken windows on the bottom level, and that meant those things could saunter in. All the while the idiot was probably figuring out what outfit to wear. Perhaps Ludwig was being too cruel in his sentiments but, could the man really help it? He had been travelling across his homeland, over the border, and through infested cities to get here. Actually, he felt a sense of relief wash over him again knowing that he did get here in time. The very thought of Veneziano huddled scared, shaking, and possibly in danger of being eaten in that closet shook Germany. He furrowed his brow looking down the hall some as images of what could have been played in his head. That would've been a true nightmare, really.


Once his companion emerged from the bedroom Ludwig turned around. His blue eyes looked over the Northern Italian, and then he eyed where the wound was. Opening his mouth about to say something Ludwig suddenly shut it again. Get changed? Get changed? Was this guy even thinking about what he was saying to him? God, here came the irritation all over again.
"Veneziano, I don't have time to worry about changing my clothes. In any case I would not be able to fit in anything of yours to begin with." Germany scolded the Italian as he always did, always. Why was it every time he turned around he was reprimanding Veneziano? Honestly, could they go at least two days of their travel without that situation.


Without saying another word he grabbed the wrist of the Italian, and started on down the hall to lead them downstairs. They needed to make it down to the capital city of Rome, and that is where Veneziano would find his brother. Of course some part of Germany was not thrilled about having to look for, and find Romano. The thought of an angry, undead, Romano for some reason did not bode well. Even with the brain of a vegetable he was certain Romano would recognise him, and kill him; or at least try to. Ever careful with is steps, and his finger lightly hovering over the trigger of his gun Ludwig descended to the foyer. The man barely even looked as if he were breathing while he scoped the area. His posture rigid as if he were expecting anything to pop out at this point. Outside were the groans of zombies, and Ludwig was praying that Veneziano could keep his cool. More importantly that Veneziano would be able to defend himself if need be. Turning around Ludwig pulled his military pack from his back, and unzipped it quietly. Rummaging through the carefully laid out contents he handed the Italian a high caliber pistol.
"Point, shoot, the safety is right there." The man instructed shortly and sternly. Turning back around Ludwig crept ever closer to the front door.

"We're going to Rome, all right? While we do this I want you near me at all times, we cannot get separated understood?" Ludwig did not look at Veneziano while he spoke. Perhaps it was for the fact he did not want Italy to see the worry etched in his eyes. Part of it was because he had little trust in Veneziano's abilities to fight but, most of the reason was because he was afraid they would get separated. That strange protective feeling he had for Veneziano was in full swing right now.

Veneziano had been planning to protest and insist that Germany change out of his now ruined clothes. Surely the other man had to remember that he had kept a few pairs of clothes at the Italian's home. Accidents happened and it was always best to be prepared! Of course, normally accidents involved getting food on his shirt or mud on his pants in the rain. Whatever the reason, the accidents didn't usually include being dirty from being splattered in the blood of undead monsters that seemed like they crawled out of a horror movie. This was a new one for the list. All protests to get the German to change were gone when he was dragged by the wrist. "G-germany wait!" It was no use. It was a fact that the blonde was stronger than him. Plus, Veneziano often got dragged away when he wasn't being helpful. This wasn't anything new. Like always, the brunette just whined.

When they passed the guest bedroom that the pair had been in only moments before, Veneziano adverted his attention elsewhere. He didn't want to think about what was in there. The distraction was short lived as he was tugged down to the first level of his home. What his eyes we met with was a bit heartbreaking. No one enjoyed seeing their home broken into and disturbed by forces beyond their control. In the least, there was no blood painting the scenery like the unfortunate bedroom upstairs. That was something Veneziano was thankful for. He was never one for the sight of blood. Maybe he was imagining something, but he swore he heard faint groaning from a ways away...

Next thing he knew, Germany was speaking to him. This was probably for the best, as it took his mind of the certain troubles that were lurking outside the safety of his home. Veneziano took the gun from him, looking it over. Like all of the representations of countries, he had used guns before many times in his life. Even without Germany's instructions, he would have known how to work the device. This didn't mean he had to enjoy it, however.

Never in his life was Veneziano particularly blessed with the ability to hide his emotions, especially when upset. Now was no different. The worry was clear on his face, as well as the feeling of pure fear that was creeping up on him. He didn't want to go out there. He had seen what it was like. Having another person -- especially Germany of all people -- by his side made him feel better than his first trip, but this didn't change much. The Italian nodded in agreement to the taller man's statements to show he was listening, but it was a moment before he could actually think of what to say. "Okay...I will try not to run away and get lost this time." On their little adventures, this seemed to happen more often than not. This was not the situation for that. "How are we getting there though? Won't it take days and days to walk there? We will be so tired and then...then...." Veneziano could feel his hands shaking as they held the pistol that was given to him. He never finished his sentence, unless Germany counted the whimper that came from him.

Germany turned to look over at Italy while eying an easy route away from the property. His blue eyes were not the usual harshness he had been known to portray. Instead there was a look of worry and nervousness that seemed almost uncharacteristic of the man. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh and reached out placing a hand atop Veneziano's head. For a moment he stayed silent, and looked into those golden eyes of the young man across from him.
"Please, I do not want anything to happen to you." Ludwig was unsure how to stress this point enough. The very thought of Veneziano getting separated, wandering and lost just shook him. The man used to have little faith in North Italy's abilities to fight but, these days he learned the young man was indeed able to defend himself. However, against an army of the undead how good could the Italian really be? Even he himself a decorated military soldier, and a precise fighter almost got swarmed and eaten just getting here.

Removing his hand from Italy's head he moved it down to the man's wrist, and then began to make his way along the outskirts of the yard. The unearthly groans and gargles of their enemies sounded through the otherwise quiet air. Ludwig was able to keep himself focused and calm but, he worried about how well Veneziano could keep himself from freaking out. In his home country Germany had seen the army General actually break down and shoot himself in the head. So, for someone who would typically have a strong will to just lose it like that gave him little hope for Italy. Right now though the blonde haired man realized he needed to push these thoughts from his mind. The objective was to find a vehicle to use and make their way down to the capital city of Rome. Gun at the ready he peered through the bushes.

None.

Well that was a bit odd to say the very least but, he wasn't about to complain. Not letting go of Veneziano the man lead the way through. They were on the road now that took them through the neighborhood, and off in the distance he heard the loud screech of a woman. Swallowing thickly Ludwig led the two of them in the opposite direction, and walked near the side of the road. No use to stand out in the middle like a sitting duck ringing the dinner bell.