Chapter 1: Oliver
Tap tap tap.
Liechtenstein (Lili) was sleeping. A peaceful sleep. Nothing disturbing her. Nope, just a completely ordinary, peaceful sleep.
Tap tap tap.
Ah, such bliss. Being able to get some peaceful sleep at last. No nightmares or anything. Pure bliss.
Tap tap tap.
To be able to sleep like this was just- hang on, what's that tapping noise?
Lili sat up in bed. There was nobody at the window, and the door was open. The only other thing in the room was..
..the mirror.
She swung herself out of bed and went to check the mirror. Nothing seemed off about it. A simple circle of reflecting material, with a plain wood border. Big brother didn't want to risk spending money on more embellishments.
Tap. Tap. Tap...
"Hello, poppet."
Lili screamed. In the mirror, instead of her reflection, was a man with blond hair and blue eyes, with a tiny dot of pink in the center. He was grinning madly.
"See you soon."
He vanished as quickly as he had come.
...
"Big Brother!"
Switzerland had heard her scream. He burst through the door.
"What is it? It isn't Austria, is it?"
"N-no. There was a man in the mirror."
Switzerland sighed.
"Lili, it was just a nightmare. Don't scream like that."
But if it's a nightmare, how can I avoid screaming?
"Y-yes, Big Brother."
Lili tried to go back to sleep. It was only a dream, right?
That morning, Lili woke to sunlight. No more nightmares. Nope.
Breakfast was completely ordinary, no discussion of the mysterious man in the mirror. Lili did a few chores, spent time with Switzerland, nothing worth mentioning. Though lunch was good.
In the afternoon, something happened. Something so strange that Lili thought she had hallucinated.
Waiting on the dresser in the bathroom was a cupcake. Vanilla with pink frosting and a blue wrapper. It was topped with a british flag, but with pink and pastel blue instead of red and navy blue. It was placed upon a white china saucer rimmed with pink flowers, and there was a note card attached.
To Lili. From Oliver.
Oliver? Who's Oliver? I don't know any Olivers.
Something told her not to trust that cupcake. She knocked it into the garbage can and left it there, crumbling to dust.
...
"Big Brother?"
"Mmhmm?"
"Do you know any Olivers?"
Switzerland stopped chewing.
"Yes, why?"
"Somebody named Oliver left me a cupcake on the bathroom dresser."
He froze, mid-bite. Looked up at her.
"Lili. Listen to me. Never, ever, EVER, eat one of those cupcakes. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Big Brother."
Switzerland waited for her to leave, then went straight to the phone.
"Arthur? Yes. He's back."
Hello, my poppets! This is the new story, not the one I said would be the new story... Yes, it's Oliver again (the wanker), and I hope you like what comes next!