[Closed]

[thebestandwurst]

Characters: Germany and Russia
Location: Russia’s apartment
Rating: Russia--
Time: August 30, Morning
Description: Germany promised Russia they will talk. Over breakfast seems nice. Start your day productive and all that.

Comments

[thebestandwurst]

He flinched at the mention of his soldiers. Hitler had not done them a good deed by refusing to pull them out, Germany had been so ill because of Stalingrad, and they had lost anyway. His own men, reduced to rubble because his boss had been too proud to be wise. But he set that aside to listen intently to Russland's conditions, filing them away one by one in his mind as he grew paler and felt a little like he was doomed.

He would say yes. He always had.

They were at least reasonable, except for some.

"I agree to all except one. Russland, I cannot speak for Litauen's involvement in this, he is independent. You have spoken to Litauen about this? He is independent from you, in his time. Surely there is another way than to subject him to slavery--" A pause, as he remembered the alternative. "Litauen and Preußen are not related, please see reason. One cannot stand for the other."

And to distract: "And what are we to do in your house?"

He picked up on it, the subtle threat to Italien. Germany did not appreciate it, but what could he do? At least he was in a better position to claim his meister. Litauen had the misfortune of belonging to Russland once.

[hoarfrosted]

"I see reason, alright. To think that any form of payment on your side can alleviate my injuries!" Russia snarled, his voice dropping an octave and becoming more accented as he goes. "How dare you, to think that death can be repaid by sum, in full, throughout the years! I do not forget, comrade. You take me to be a fool, you think me blind. No, I will not allow this. I want my house, Germany. You want your brother alive? Well, I cannot be whole if my house is not filled. And it is not slavery so much as returning what's supposed to be in my house. You both will stay in my house like the Baltics have done, and you will keep your brother alive. One life for the other. Or do you want to give more? There are plenty of souls in this city, comrade," Russia smiled, humourlessly, "it might be an easier way to become one with this world, if you cannot bargain with just one. And what is so different with becoming a monster with being myself?"

He was bluffing, partly so -- but to think that there are things allowed in this world such as the consumption of souls ....

[thebestandwurst]

“We were all injured,” he intoned, not pleading, not yet. He considered the wisdom of telling Russland that he does take Preußen away from him in the future, but decided against it. The man might make truth the matter here, might see it as an option more than he already has. Germany had paid for his crimes for two of his humans’ generations and it seemed that he was to pay more.

Was there a way to turn things, then? Russland speaking of consuming souls terrified him more than it should. Russland as a kishin - the thought was more horrifying than anything he could think of at the moment. “No, you are right,” he said, finally, hands flat on the table as he thought and thought and thought.

“Then I shall lay my own terms, before I agree to this treaty.” Bold, perhaps, and a trifle foolish, but Germany was nothing if not thorough. “When I am to stay at your house, it will not include the hours delegated to training people for Shibusen. That is from six to nine in the mroning. You will, on top of Preußen and our citizens, leave Italien and his brother unharmed. You will also not bother Kanada, for he has functions with Shibusen here to fulfill for all of us.” They could not fight back if Russland started a quarrel with them, with the exception of his brother. The others, at least, he knew could struggle.

“And you will not, under any circumstances, eat the souls of the innocents here.” The last one was important. “Consuming souls here will end you, Russland. You will simply cease to be.” Besides, they were all American.

“Finally, you will let me speak to Litauen about these arrangements.”

[hoarfrosted]

kolkolkolkolkol.

"Very well, comrade," Russia said, smiling. That Germany will says something to it didn't surprise him. Speaking to Lithuania, though?

Well, he can do what he thinks he can do. But really, the bargain was fixed right in the beginning. It doesn't matter whether Germany will say 'yes' or 'no' to his terms on Lithuania; he will take Lithuania as he pleases and grind him to his bones, as he always had. Everything was just a formality. "I will let you train. I will leave the countries alone. I can even lend you a hand, if you are strong enough; you know my military firsthand, after all. Even if they are not here."

Russia laced his finger, one by one, the knife in his pocket pressing quietly against his pants as he leaned back on his chair. "Speak to Lithuania if you wish; I don't intend to, and will only move to take back what is mine." He'll not talk on souls anymore; as far as he's concerned, none of them are innocent. Especially the countries from the war.

[thebestandwurst]

Having some measure of control at least gave Germany a slight peace of mind enough to stop panicking. He rose to his feet, still fighting to stay expressionless, trying to keep the professional face, and extended his hand to Russland.

“Then I agree to the these terms.”

Litauen was another matter entirely. Silently, Germany apologized to the Baltic in his head, wondering if there was any way he would be able to make up for this. Not his fault, but he could have done something, tried to lessen the burden. But it was about Litauen that Russland would not budge. Perhaps more shifts, yes.

[hoarfrosted]

"That is good, comrade." Russia stood, smiled serenely, and shook his hand with both hands. "I am glad you understand."

That is the most that Russia can tell him, anyway. Good only for him, and Germany understanding that what he just walked in to might give him problems in the future. Well, that is alright. He moved to escort Germany out, one hand firm on his shoulder, smiling. "I am glad we got to talk, comrade!" After all, people will end up living. "Say hello to your brother to me. He will be alright, now. Ah, and good luck to your talks with Lithuania. I look forward to the results."

[thebestandwurst]

“Thank you,” he answered automatically, politely, allowing himself to be led to the door. His shoulder felt inexplicably painful from Russland’s touch. “I will… see you in the game later. Kuba has informed you, ja?” Germany had asked the other country to request Russland to join their team, after all. One of the many steps to something he didn’t understand yet.

“I will also see you on Saturday.” It was a very good thing that it was a Monday today.

[hoarfrosted]

"Yes! Comrade invited me. Very nice of everyone! I am glad I could play, even though I came in late." Or rather, he was there earlier than everybody thought, but surfaced a little later on as he decided to learn the world first. "See you Saturday, comrade!"

[thebestandwurst]

Germany breathed once, twice, calmed himself from that cheerful greeting and nodded. And then he was briskly making his way out the corridor, feeling much like his knees were made of kuchen.