Vääramatu [1/4]
anonymous
December 12 2010, 08:18:26 UTC
Estonia looked at the door, wondering whether to answer it or not. Partly because of a curious noise that had emanated from beyond it after what he presumed to be a knock, and partly because he was working and currently didn't really want to be disturbed. However, common decency and politeness won through, and he unlocked and swung the door on its hinges, squeaking in complaint of the less-well off times they had recently come across, and only Estonia's long practiced calm façade allowed his face to remain stoic; as opposed to it morphing to a vision of surprise.
For Russia stood there, wearing what might have been a terrified expression in the gloom of the corridor, as he glanced in a nervous fashion down the passage. Estonia, unable to ascertain whether Russia's face truly portrayed fright or it was a trick of the minimal light, allowed his eyebrows to rise above their normal position just slightly as the other nation turned back to him with his normal impassive face, then smiled. Estonia returned the gesture with a polite smile himself.
"What may I do for you?" he questioned quietly yet clearly, and Estonia was rather puzzled when Russia flinched a little, his eyes widening a touch. But soon enough, everything feature of Russia's visage was placed back the way it usually lay, as Russia replied.
"I am having a few problems with my shredder;" he held up the mechanized item that Estonia had previously failed to notice, "and I hoped that you could explain some website programming to me. May I come in?" Estonia inclined his head in affirmation, shifting to allow Russia into the room, leaning across to press the main light switch on to give the nations more light to work with.
Closing the door, he first inquired if Russia would like a beverage, and upon receiving an answer in the negative, asked the other nation to wait a moment until he finished the report.
Engrossed as he was, Estonia neglected to notice Russia looking out the window, which had not yet been shielded by the thick curtain draped to one side. Had he been observing, Estonia would have seen Russia shift uncomfortably in the silence, broken only by swathes of rain meeting the window in loud applause. He might have taken into account the fear that flickered across Russia's face during the strike and sound of the lightening bolt and thunder, crashing down from the heavens almost as if God-sent. Not, that Russia or Estonia were particularly resplendent in any religion, as there was a limit to the amount of sheer suffering one could witness and still believe in an omnipotent being.
However, Estonia had not, prior to Russia's unexpected arrival, noticed the storm outside, despite the sporadic bursts of sound and equally random flashes of light. His focus had entirely been upon the work at hand, as was usually the case with the Baltic nation who, once set to a task, began to tune out all distractions.
So focused as he was, Russia's odd behaviour escaped the normally observant nation for quite some time.
Vääramatu [2/4]
anonymous
December 12 2010, 08:28:50 UTC
Sometime later - Russia would have said around an hour, while Estonia believed it to be less than quarter of an hour - the report found itself on the neat stack of completed paperwork and Estonia's attention returned to Russia. Silently, he held out a hand for the shredder mechanism, and Russia handed it over, pondering whether not having a drink was a good idea, then dismissing politeness in favour of making himself a drink, which raised only a vague lift of the head from the technically-minded nation, who was furrowing his brow at the halted blades.
After five minutes of prodding and finding the problem - a staple left in the paperwork to be shredded had jammed that blades - for Estonia, and half an hour's tense wait in silence sipping a pathetic cup of instant coffee for Russia, the Eurasian nation held his silence no longer.
"Awful weather we have at the moment," Russia commented idly, flinching slightly as another tree became splintered pieces of charcoal. Estonia looked at him with a blank expression before his gaze travelled to the window, where it picked up acknowledgment of the reference in Russia's comment, then he returned to his work.
"Truly." Russia sipped at the coffee once more and then decided it wasn't worth the acidic taste, and poured it into the small sink in Estonia's room, with the kitchen supplies. Reseating himself on a faded armchair that had evidently seen better days, he gazed about the room, taking in details he hadn't gleaned in his other, minuscule, visits to this room.
To an extent, it was like all the other bedrooms in this house; flat, uninteresting white ceiling, with a well-trodden once-beige carpet under foot. The walls were a simple colour, a slight variation from room to room - here, the paint was light green, which might have been a nice colour at one point in time but certainly wasn't now, as it had cracked and faded like everything else, flaking off in areas and showing, much like the ceiling, signs of damp in numerous places.
The room was big enough for essential, daily living and requirements, and had the equipment to cope with such needs - a chipped desk that Estonia sat at; who appeared to have almost finished his task; a small kitchen area in the form of a sink, a cupboard and a surface adorned with a kettle and some jars containing, if he desired to investigate further, tea leaves, instant coffee granules, and sugar. The area also contained a small fridge that - had the weather not been so atrociously loud - could have been heard humming.
The only other items in the room were the single bed, a bedside table in a similar state to the rest of the room, a desk chair and two armchairs, both as worn as each other.
Russia had glimpsed the sheet of paper upon Estonia's bedside desk containing possible flag designs, but retained the knowledge, being eerily unmoved by the belief in his satellite states that independence would arrive soon. For a great number of them, he thought to himself, it would be far too high a responsibility, and at that point, they would slink back to him. He almost grinned at the thought, but lightening lit up the room and he was harshly reminded of why he was actually here.
Vääramatu [3/4]
anonymous
December 12 2010, 08:46:08 UTC
"Russia, I'm finished - there was a staple in the mechanism. Try to remove them and other pieces of metal next time you use it, as they do not pass the blades well, and it may permanently break."
"Thank you, I shall consider it. Could you possibly teach me about some computer algorithms I may use for a website?" Russia enquired politely, even though he had little interest. Estonia nodded, gathered the few unsorted papers scattered across the desk into a pile halfway between the completed pile and the stack of papers yet to be done. He then removed himself to the unoccupied armchair, pulling it closer to Russia so that he could show the other nation the explanations and diagrams in the thick tomes he owned on computer programming. While computing was at an early stage of development, Estonia both enjoyed it and believed that it would be profitable to be knowledgeable about it.
Several minutes later, his observation skills were working like they often did, unconsciously, and Estonia had come to a few conclusions.
"Your arrival here actually had little to do with the shredder and programming, I believe?" Russia nodded, slightly hesitantly. "This visit, pleasant as it is, has more to do with the atmospheric conditions, does it not? May I presume then, that you have astraphobia?"
"Astraphobia?" Russia echoed, puzzled by the term. "The phobia of storms, most notably thunderstorms." Estonia concluded succinctly, to which Russia took his gaze from the Baltic nation, providing all the confirmation required. "It is nothing to be ashamed of. By why come here? Surely Lithuania or Ukraine would have been a better selection? I did not think I was revered for my social skills..."
"It was a dark and stormy night... - so why not go to the person who will judge me the least?" Russia shrugged, his tone nonchalant.
"Quoting Peanuts? But what did you wish me to do?" Estonia inquired softly, with a hint of confusion shining through. On the oddest impulse Russia had ever received in his long life as a nation, he leaned forward to place a kiss on Estonia's cheek, only aware that he enjoyed it. "Distract me."
"What particular distraction did you require?" "Show me love. I would like to know what it encompasses."
"You want sex." Estonia, being quite a blunt nation, didn't wrap it up in words. If Russia wanted such a thing, he would have to look elsewhere.
"No! No, I don't. I want... I want someone to love me. I would like someone to value me as I am, and not try and change me. If you cannot give me what I desir-" Russia's hurt tone was cut off by Estonia's hand, sliding gently over his cheek. If the Eurasian nation required any more recognition that the other nation was quite happy to oblige, even wanted to oblige - it was the finally unguarded look in Estonia's eyes. A glittering green of spring grass, somewhere in between fresh vegetation and the deep turquoise of the endless oceans, and nothing like emeralds, Russia thought, as emeralds were rocks, cold and harsh as the winter ice.
No, Estonia's eyes spoke of life, new growth and warmth. The storm outside melted away, as did the cracking putrid green walls and the touch of the acrid scent of damp: there was only him and Estonia, a new facet to the Baltic nation revealed like the underside of a leaf.
Vääramatu [4/4]
anonymous
December 12 2010, 09:03:12 UTC
Russia almost felt as if the sun shone down on them both, and they were not inside but in a meadow field, thriving with flowers and insects and life. Estonia's hand became the gentle breeze as he swept it slowly through Russia's hair, then a wild flower that tickled his face as Estonia's hand returned to his cheek and a soft thumb drew itself without haste over his prominent cheeks bones. All the while, Estonia held Russia's gaze in unadulterated tenderness. Heart palpitating, Russia leaned towards his hand, savouring the feeling as he expected everything to end any minute, yet the other nation was still there.
As only the arms of their chairs separated, he could see every detail of Estonia's face, from the multi-faceted eyes that would hold every interest, to the seemingly delicate glasses perched upon his slender, milky-white nose, his complexion due entirely to the amount of time he spent inside. He wasn't perfect - there was a line of light scar tissue across the top of his cheek, under his left eye, where he'd sustained an injury in one of the several battles Estonia had been through, and it only reminded Russia that the Baltic nation was a lot more than he appeared. The discovery of such spirit, even when under duress and constant oppression was both frightening and thrilling.
Russia's heart clenched in a not-unpleasant fashion as the other nation began to move forward gradually, deliberately, holding his gaze until the moment just before their lips meet for a split second. Estonia pulled back a few centrimetres to gauge Russia's reaction before meeting his lips for slightly longer. He repeated the action several times, gently, testing the grounds for both himself and Russia, so he would not plough into uncomfortable territory.
After a few, precious moments of leisurely innocent kisses, Estonia drew further back to his position at the beginning of the process, still observing Russia's reactions as he had done constantly, ensuring that unpleasantness was not felt and that boundaries were not crossed, and Russia finally remembered to breath again.
He felt like he understood: love was not in the physical acts necessarily, it was intangible - something one could not hope to grasp without sacrifice, without risk. It was new shoots, and developing buds into flowers and leafs. It was using the sun to advance oneself, and to see everything in more detail. It was to be enraptured by another person, to be encompassed within the care and affection of that person, and to encompass that person in your own care.
"Thank you." Russia whispered, afraid of breaking the moment, and he found that he would enjoy repeating the experience, and realised, judging from Estonia's expressions and actions, the Baltic nation's desires were similar. Russia smiled, giddy, and turned to lean on Estonia's shoulder, whispering another gratitude.
Peanuts is the comic by Charles M Schulz, the characters include Charlie Brown and Snoopy. 'It was a dark and stormy night...' is the typical start to one of Snoopy's stories. (which never get published, ever) Russia seems like he'd read four-panel comics regularly, since they rarely need regular commitment and are easy to understand and find. And are amusing.
I hate to sound conceited, but I'm actually pretty happy with this one. I'm sorry if the romance bit is sappy/awful/just wrong, but since I've never been in such a situation, it's likely there's something odd. But anyway.
I think I probably took quite a few liberties with what technology they had, as this is set when Estonia was still a satellite state of the Soviet Union, so before 1991. I have no idea whether instant coffee was the norm then, or if they had shredders, but never mind.
I hope you enjoyed it!
Oh, and the title, apparently, is 'irrefutable' in Estonian. I just thought it looked nice, but it does have a small bearing to the fic~
For Russia stood there, wearing what might have been a terrified expression in the gloom of the corridor, as he glanced in a nervous fashion down the passage. Estonia, unable to ascertain whether Russia's face truly portrayed fright or it was a trick of the minimal light, allowed his eyebrows to rise above their normal position just slightly as the other nation turned back to him with his normal impassive face, then smiled. Estonia returned the gesture with a polite smile himself.
"What may I do for you?" he questioned quietly yet clearly, and Estonia was rather puzzled when Russia flinched a little, his eyes widening a touch. But soon enough, everything feature of Russia's visage was placed back the way it usually lay, as Russia replied.
"I am having a few problems with my shredder;" he held up the mechanized item that Estonia had previously failed to notice, "and I hoped that you could explain some website programming to me. May I come in?" Estonia inclined his head in affirmation, shifting to allow Russia into the room, leaning across to press the main light switch on to give the nations more light to work with.
Closing the door, he first inquired if Russia would like a beverage, and upon receiving an answer in the negative, asked the other nation to wait a moment until he finished the report.
Engrossed as he was, Estonia neglected to notice Russia looking out the window, which had not yet been shielded by the thick curtain draped to one side. Had he been observing, Estonia would have seen Russia shift uncomfortably in the silence, broken only by swathes of rain meeting the window in loud applause. He might have taken into account the fear that flickered across Russia's face during the strike and sound of the lightening bolt and thunder, crashing down from the heavens almost as if God-sent. Not, that Russia or Estonia were particularly resplendent in any religion, as there was a limit to the amount of sheer suffering one could witness and still believe in an omnipotent being.
However, Estonia had not, prior to Russia's unexpected arrival, noticed the storm outside, despite the sporadic bursts of sound and equally random flashes of light. His focus had entirely been upon the work at hand, as was usually the case with the Baltic nation who, once set to a task, began to tune out all distractions.
So focused as he was, Russia's odd behaviour escaped the normally observant nation for quite some time.
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Silently, he held out a hand for the shredder mechanism, and Russia handed it over, pondering whether not having a drink was a good idea, then dismissing politeness in favour of making himself a drink, which raised only a vague lift of the head from the technically-minded nation, who was furrowing his brow at the halted blades.
After five minutes of prodding and finding the problem - a staple left in the paperwork to be shredded had jammed that blades - for Estonia, and half an hour's tense wait in silence sipping a pathetic cup of instant coffee for Russia, the Eurasian nation held his silence no longer.
"Awful weather we have at the moment," Russia commented idly, flinching slightly as another tree became splintered pieces of charcoal. Estonia looked at him with a blank expression before his gaze travelled to the window, where it picked up acknowledgment of the reference in Russia's comment, then he returned to his work.
"Truly."
Russia sipped at the coffee once more and then decided it wasn't worth the acidic taste, and poured it into the small sink in Estonia's room, with the kitchen supplies. Reseating himself on a faded armchair that had evidently seen better days, he gazed about the room, taking in details he hadn't gleaned in his other, minuscule, visits to this room.
To an extent, it was like all the other bedrooms in this house; flat, uninteresting white ceiling, with a well-trodden once-beige carpet under foot. The walls were a simple colour, a slight variation from room to room - here, the paint was light green, which might have been a nice colour at one point in time but certainly wasn't now, as it had cracked and faded like everything else, flaking off in areas and showing, much like the ceiling, signs of damp in numerous places.
The room was big enough for essential, daily living and requirements, and had the equipment to cope with such needs - a chipped desk that Estonia sat at; who appeared to have almost finished his task; a small kitchen area in the form of a sink, a cupboard and a surface adorned with a kettle and some jars containing, if he desired to investigate further, tea leaves, instant coffee granules, and sugar. The area also contained a small fridge that - had the weather not been so atrociously loud - could have been heard humming.
The only other items in the room were the single bed, a bedside table in a similar state to the rest of the room, a desk chair and two armchairs, both as worn as each other.
Russia had glimpsed the sheet of paper upon Estonia's bedside desk containing possible flag designs, but retained the knowledge, being eerily unmoved by the belief in his satellite states that independence would arrive soon. For a great number of them, he thought to himself, it would be far too high a responsibility, and at that point, they would slink back to him. He almost grinned at the thought, but lightening lit up the room and he was harshly reminded of why he was actually here.
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"Thank you, I shall consider it. Could you possibly teach me about some computer algorithms I may use for a website?" Russia enquired politely, even though he had little interest. Estonia nodded, gathered the few unsorted papers scattered across the desk into a pile halfway between the completed pile and the stack of papers yet to be done. He then removed himself to the unoccupied armchair, pulling it closer to Russia so that he could show the other nation the explanations and diagrams in the thick tomes he owned on computer programming. While computing was at an early stage of development, Estonia both enjoyed it and believed that it would be profitable to be knowledgeable about it.
Several minutes later, his observation skills were working like they often did, unconsciously, and Estonia had come to a few conclusions.
"Your arrival here actually had little to do with the shredder and programming, I believe?" Russia nodded, slightly hesitantly. "This visit, pleasant as it is, has more to do with the atmospheric conditions, does it not? May I presume then, that you have astraphobia?"
"Astraphobia?" Russia echoed, puzzled by the term.
"The phobia of storms, most notably thunderstorms." Estonia concluded succinctly, to which Russia took his gaze from the Baltic nation, providing all the confirmation required. "It is nothing to be ashamed of. By why come here? Surely Lithuania or Ukraine would have been a better selection? I did not think I was revered for my social skills..."
"It was a dark and stormy night... - so why not go to the person who will judge me the least?" Russia shrugged, his tone nonchalant.
"Quoting Peanuts? But what did you wish me to do?" Estonia inquired softly, with a hint of confusion shining through.
On the oddest impulse Russia had ever received in his long life as a nation, he leaned forward to place a kiss on Estonia's cheek, only aware that he enjoyed it.
"Distract me."
"What particular distraction did you require?"
"Show me love. I would like to know what it encompasses."
"You want sex." Estonia, being quite a blunt nation, didn't wrap it up in words. If Russia wanted such a thing, he would have to look elsewhere.
"No! No, I don't. I want... I want someone to love me. I would like someone to value me as I am, and not try and change me. If you cannot give me what I desir-" Russia's hurt tone was cut off by Estonia's hand, sliding gently over his cheek. If the Eurasian nation required any more recognition that the other nation was quite happy to oblige, even wanted to oblige - it was the finally unguarded look in Estonia's eyes. A glittering green of spring grass, somewhere in between fresh vegetation and the deep turquoise of the endless oceans, and nothing like emeralds, Russia thought, as emeralds were rocks, cold and harsh as the winter ice.
No, Estonia's eyes spoke of life, new growth and warmth. The storm outside melted away, as did the cracking putrid green walls and the touch of the acrid scent of damp: there was only him and Estonia, a new facet to the Baltic nation revealed like the underside of a leaf.
Reply
As only the arms of their chairs separated, he could see every detail of Estonia's face, from the multi-faceted eyes that would hold every interest, to the seemingly delicate glasses perched upon his slender, milky-white nose, his complexion due entirely to the amount of time he spent inside. He wasn't perfect - there was a line of light scar tissue across the top of his cheek, under his left eye, where he'd sustained an injury in one of the several battles Estonia had been through, and it only reminded Russia that the Baltic nation was a lot more than he appeared. The discovery of such spirit, even when under duress and constant oppression was both frightening and thrilling.
Russia's heart clenched in a not-unpleasant fashion as the other nation began to move forward gradually, deliberately, holding his gaze until the moment just before their lips meet for a split second. Estonia pulled back a few centrimetres to gauge Russia's reaction before meeting his lips for slightly longer. He repeated the action several times, gently, testing the grounds for both himself and Russia, so he would not plough into uncomfortable territory.
After a few, precious moments of leisurely innocent kisses, Estonia drew further back to his position at the beginning of the process, still observing Russia's reactions as he had done constantly, ensuring that unpleasantness was not felt and that boundaries were not crossed, and Russia finally remembered to breath again.
He felt like he understood: love was not in the physical acts necessarily, it was intangible - something one could not hope to grasp without sacrifice, without risk. It was new shoots, and developing buds into flowers and leafs. It was using the sun to advance oneself, and to see everything in more detail. It was to be enraptured by another person, to be encompassed within the care and affection of that person, and to encompass that person in your own care.
"Thank you." Russia whispered, afraid of breaking the moment, and he found that he would enjoy repeating the experience, and realised, judging from Estonia's expressions and actions, the Baltic nation's desires were similar.
Russia smiled, giddy, and turned to lean on Estonia's shoulder, whispering another gratitude.
Peanuts is the comic by Charles M Schulz, the characters include Charlie Brown and Snoopy. 'It was a dark and stormy night...' is the typical start to one of Snoopy's stories. (which never get published, ever)
Russia seems like he'd read four-panel comics regularly, since they rarely need regular commitment and are easy to understand and find. And are amusing.
I hate to sound conceited, but I'm actually pretty happy with this one. I'm sorry if the romance bit is sappy/awful/just wrong, but since I've never been in such a situation, it's likely there's something odd. But anyway.
I think I probably took quite a few liberties with what technology they had, as this is set when Estonia was still a satellite state of the Soviet Union, so before 1991. I have no idea whether instant coffee was the norm then, or if they had shredders, but never mind.
I hope you enjoyed it!
Oh, and the title, apparently, is 'irrefutable' in Estonian. I just thought it looked nice, but it does have a small bearing to the fic~
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