Chapter One: Terror
The meeting had not gone well for Russia. Lithuania could tell this simply by his master's presence: the way his perky childish smile seemed to conceal a greater darkness; a mad rage just below the surface, unrestrained by sense or logic.
"Have you raked the yard?" he asked Toris, who began to nervously rub the handle of the mop he held.
"Yes, sir."
"Have you tidied the library?"
"Yes, sir."
"Have you prepared supper?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good!" Russia said, eyes briefly brightening: he was pleased. "Ravis!"
A quivering boy-shaped piece of red and gold looked up from where he was standing. He seemed to be trying to become one with the wall.
"Y-y-yes M-Mr. Russia s-sir?"
"You'll set the table, da? That's a good boy." Latvia hurried into the kitchen and began pulling plates and forks from their respective drawers, as Estonia turned off the burners on the stove. Scooping the contents of one pan onto a platter, the oft-unnoticed Baltic nation proudly examined the meal he'd prepared, wiping condensation from his glasses. Lithuania dried his mop and placed it in the closet, then turned on the sink to wash his hands. Aside from the sink, the only sounds were the clatter of dishes as Estonia finished designing their supper, and the rattle of Latvia trying to arrange place settings while shivering in perpetual fear of Russia. Russia, meanwhile, was flipping though the novel Estonia had left on a coffee table in another room.
"Eduard, this really is silly, da? Why would a vampire want to go to a school with humans? And such foolish ones too..." He was interrupted in his disapproval by the harsh sound of a plate shattering on the hard tile floor, and Latvia's yelp of surprise and fear. The boy had dropped the plate, he was shaking so hard. Russia turned, and Lithuania and Estonia looked on in horror as he approached Ravis.
"Aren't you a bad boy, Ravis, breaking dishes? Whatever shall I do with you?"
Latvia trembled and seemed to shrink in on himself, if it was even possible for him to appear even smaller than he already was. "M-Mr. Russia! I- I'm sorry!" He leapt back as Russia stepped forward, and a flailing arm caught on the tablecloth. A bowl tumbled to the floor and broke. The rest of the tablecloth was luckily held in place by the steaming pot Estonia had just laid on the table.
Lithuania winced at Russia's expression, wishing he could intervene and save his little brother from Russia's cruel anger. But he dare not say a word now, for fear of worsening the consequences on both Latvia and himself.
Russia, his facet pipe luckily (or unluckily) stashed in another part of the house, stepped into the kitchen, and grasped the still-warm pan from the stove, and approached a terrified Latvia, brandishing the hot metal. Lithuania closed his eyes and prepared for the worst. He knew Russia somehow meant well by this treatment, but he could not fathom how the massive nation's mind worked. He just prayed it would be over soon...
Footsteps, not Russia's.
A whimper of terror and... confusion? from Latvia.
And Estonia's voice, fearful yet unwavering in its intention: "You're... not going to hurt him, Russia. Not this time."
What?
Lithuania opened his eyes. Estonia stood before Russia, wrapping protective arms around Latvia.
"What?" Russia said, the pitch in his voice indicating he was surprised by this reaction, "Talking back to a superior, Eduard, you really are a naughty boy! You need to learn..." And before Lithuania could shield his mind or his eyes, Russia struck Estonia's shoulder with the pan, and then again, this time leaving the metal to burn against the poor Baltic's skin for several long moments.
Estonia shrieked in pain, and fell to the floor, Latvia crumpling in his grasp. Whatever happened, Estonia would protect his brother...
"Yiwan! Yiwan, aru, you left your scarf at the meeting! I've also brought over some tea I think you'll like, aru." China strolled into the dining room, Russia's pale scarf in one slim hand and a small lacquered box in the other, large red-and-gold sleeves swirling as he waved the scarf about. "Are you busy la- AIYAAH! What is this, aru!" The Asian stopped in his tracks, staring at Estonia and Latvia, and then at Russia, who was brandishing the pan like a madman.
"Ah, Yao! Isn't it nice to see you, da?"
"What- what are you doing, aru?"
Russia smiled nonchalantly, "Oh, just dealing with two very naughty boys, but that's not important, da?" He raised the pan again, but before he struck either of the Baltics again...
China dropped the scarf, and in one fluid movement laid the box on the ground, strode across the room, and wrapped himself around Estonia and Latvia, robes pooling in a circle around the three nations. He stared furiously up at Russia, while Latvia, whimpering, pressed himself against the unexpected protector. Estonia gave a startled cry as China pulled him closer, away from Russia.
"What are you doing, Yao? It is quite simple, da? Bad boys need a punishment, and that's just what I'm doing-" Russia began, but was cut off.
"You'll do nothing of the sort, aru!"
And that was when half of Europe charged into the room.
