A strong wind swept in, rattling leaves out their comfortable place in trees around the rather large estate. Unoiled hinges squeaked profusely, as the storm out side attempted to blow the window straight out of the walls.
The room was dark, lit only by the flames in the distance and crack of light from under the door. But even in the absence of light, you could make out the figures lining the walls and tumbling out the ajar closet and lying unceremoniously on the floor and spread across the bed.
They were human shaped, just much smaller. The eyes were glass, hair synthetic, and skin porcelain or plastic. So many dolls, realistic and in expensive detailed clothing, all wearing the same vapid stare into nothingness.
There were a few strikes of lightning in the distance that actually made contact with the earth, yet the electricity only added fuel to the already existing fire and illuminated the face of the dolls with in the room. A particularly loud round of thunder combined with the pelting rain nearly drowned out the sound of yelling men out side.
However, the sound also provoked the terrified girl inside the mansion to jump, and scream out.
She was huddled up in a corner, blanket wrapped tightly around her trembling form. Her breaths came out in short burst, like she was begging to hyperventilating. Eyes, clouded with fear as she gripped the silk blanked tighter around her till her knuckles turned white.
Her shimmering emerald eyes were glassy with unshed tears, long golden hair with not a strand out of place, smooth and unblemished slightly pale skin, petite form covered by a frilly violet night dress. She resembled the dolls surrounding her.
"Big brother!" She yelled as another bang of lightning set her nervous on end. She assumed her call would go unanswered. For her brother should be outside right now, fending off the invading forces along with a small clutch of soldiers from the Swiss army.
A crash nearby, followed by a shout and round of gun fire.
Shaking, she shut get eyes tight and attempted to block out the sounds. A sliver of light briefly filled the dark room as someone slipped inside then closed the door behind them. The girl looked up at the sound of it clicking shut.
It was a boy. Fourteen years old with piercing green eyes and a cold stare. His previously flowing and perfectly trimmed blond hair was now cut to accommodate any necessary safety gear and prevent difficulty with it getting caught on anything during battle.
Yet despite the strange military hair cut and rain soaked form, the girl instantly recognized him; how could she not? She sees him nearly everyday and had spent countless hours simply starting at him in admiration.
"Big brother!" She cried out in relief, finally allowing tears to fall, latching on to the other the second he was in range.
They sat in relative quiet for a long moment, nothing but the girls soft whimper and the muffled sounds out side filling the air as she snuggled into her brother's embrace.
Another crash and her crying grew louder.
Pushing her away slightly, a hand brushed her face affectionately with a disarming smile. Despite how uncomfortable the foreign expression felt on the usually stoic boy's face, he was willing to try anything to help ease the tension that had settled none to gently on his sister's shoulders.
"What's the matter little firefly, I'm here for you. I came as fast as I could when the storm started! I know I'm late, but it's hard for me to slip away from the battle." He rubbed her back in soothing circles and she began to relax, "I'm sorry, really, Elise. I know the thunder frightens you."
She was calmer now, no longer shaking so violently or crying. But she still stuttered as she spoke, "This war frightens me."
The boy looked down at the girl in his arms, slightly surprised she would make such a comment. Being the children of famous military general Blank Zwingli, they had traveled to many different countries and seen their fair share of wars. Of course, none had ever escalated to such a level as this one, nor been literally right outside their door.
He looked out the rattling window at the deep purple sky. Thick grey smoke rather than clouds blocked the stars, and a pale shimmer of moonlight broke through the ash defiantly, as if to belittle the storm raging below.
"Yes, I suppose this war is different than the others we have encountered, isn't it," it wasn't really a question, but Elise nodded her head regardless.
Their pause in conversation stemed from hardy laughter in the hall.
The boy thought for a second that the troops had noticed his absence and figured he would be with his sister. But talk of gathering rations quickly for the guards was heard and the voices soon faded down the hall, a sigh of relief.
"It won't last to much longer, will it?" Elise asked suddenly.
The boy didn't know what to say. It had already been over a month, and the opposing forces didn't even seen weakened in the slightest, a stark contrast to his own troops. His father had given him position of captain, despite some protest over his young age, with the hopes that he could improve the situation as he was an excellent soldier and leader. But there was not much anybody could do, especially when the enemy was unknown.
Almost a months ago, enemy troops had stormed into Switzerland intent on a hostile take over. They wore no recognisable name or logo. They hadn't bothered to say who they were, from where or make any form of communication. Their gave nothing away and there was apparently no room for compromise or any peace treaty.
How was he to comfort his sister with out lying to her?
It was not possible. So he decided to tell the truth, "It threatens to spread," he stated calmly, lifting the girl into his arms and carrying her over to the abandoned bed. Laying her down gently, he picked up a few dolls and placed them on the floor, out of the way, "You've gotten very good at crafting these things, but how many dolls do you need?"
She ignored the question, fear in her eyes growing ten fold, her face paled as she took in the news of the war, "How bad?" She managed to whisper out, sentence punctuated by a large flash of lightning.
He looked away from her, starting blankly at at the dark wall across from him. There was a glass doll with big blue eyes and orange hair standing on a shelf in a rain coat and holding an umbrella. He knew elude would find out eventually, even if he wanted to keep her in a state of blissful ignorance. Better hear it from him, right?
With a sigh he sat down on the edge of the bed, still not looking over at her, "The enemy's origin is still unknown to us. However, from what we have observed, they are getting ready to move on, leaving only a clutch of able men to wipe out our remaining forces..." he heaved a heavy sigh, dropping his forehead into his palms. He remembered clearly the pained faces of the few soldiers as they attempted to stand there ground and defend the western boarders that were now lost to them.
"Thier weaponry is quite advance, and they split our remaining numbers up pretty far across the country. A few of their navel ships are already moving along the Mediterranean sea towards Spain, Egypt and Turkey. Troops have spread through north Italy and are on stand by near German boarders. Who ever they are, they dont seem like they'll be stopping any time soon, they're attempting to provoke another world war."
The proclamation sent shivers up both their spines. Even though everyone was thinking it, this was the first time such was ever said out loud.
Rapid gun fire and panicked shouting drew his attention and he stood from the bed. Elise was less content than ever, but managed a calm facade that her brother undoubtedly saw through.
"Will we win?" She whimpered and, retracting his hand from the doorknob he was ready to open, he turned to face her.
He struggled for a moment to find words that would magically rectify the situation and erase her very rational fears, but their were none. And he was out of time as the frantic yelling of "Captain Vash!" erupted through the ranks.
Walking up to her once more, he kissed her forehead, "When the darkness starts closing in, look for a light."
She was confused, "But I have you, big brother."
Vash shook his head sadly, smile gracing his face despite the tears that threatened to fall, "It is naive to think you always will. I'm afraid that my duties call me to Turkey and you must remain here."
"I will go with you! No matter wha-!"
"Father's orders." He said begrudgingly, cutting her off. General Blank Zwingli was a cold man who looked down on feelings, destroyed weakness. And to him, it seemed Elise made Vash week, so he would separate them.
She was quiet for a long time before she looked up teary eyed, "I will miss you very much big brother."
She embraced him, wiping her eyes on his rain soaked uniform. He didn't mind. Leaning down, he kissed the crown of her head.
"I have to go now Elise," she let go and he shifted away, "Remember," he said with a final smile while opening the door, "find a light to give you hope, live for it and you'll be safe, my little firefly."
The door clicked shut again, this time with Vash on the other side.
Elise brought her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. Her brother was strong smart twice her age and determined to return to her, things would be fine, right?
All she could do was hope, as she sat in the dark of her room, listening to explosions and gunfire grow closer.
There was no way for her to know that on their way to Turkey, her brother's team would be ambushed, that he would disappear, that she would be relocated to America or that this war would rage across the earth for another ten years.
Beiy~ I've never done a story centered around Lichtenstein before! Actually, I've never given her much of a role in any of my past stories biey... time to rectify that! This time around, Elsie is the star! But~ biey, there will also be some tsundere Romano of course, sexy yandere Denmark and RusCan in this! I know how you all love your gay countries biey.
Well, this is kinda a side project, an idea biey that just came to me and I only have a vague idea of what I'm after. Biey! Lots of angsty romance and apocalyptic tragedy biey, but still centered on the strong bonds of friendship and human nature... So! Biey! I need lots of reviews to keep this freight train on track! And will try to update as much as I can! Biey~