A/N: Wow it's been a while since I've written ANYTHING. So this is a collab between my and my lover, Venus Syrinx! Kesesese… I'm doing Lili's POV and she's doing Vash's. It might get kind of awkward with changing writing styles but try to bear with it. Hope you guys will enjoy.
I am Lichtenstein. Though, I have been told that I could be called Lili as well…
Whom has granted me such a name you ask? Well, in all honesty, I'd like to call him his name as well… Vash…
But as he is in every sense my savior; Me, the Lichtenstein whom had nothing and is nothing, finally had something to possess the moment I laid eyes on Switzerland…
Yes, Switzerland.
It was quite a lovely day, I had just finished picking weeds around a fresh edelweiss that had bloomed today. Edelweiss is bruder's favorite plant by the way, and he does everything in his power to protect these rare blossoms. Sometimes, he'd even go as far as pointing a rifle at anyone who dare to pick these flowers off the ground!
That's my bruder, quite a sadistic person from afar, but as soon as cold stares stray away, his gentle and caring natured-self immediately takes over. That is one of the many things I've learned to love about him… Yes, indeed, one of many, many more.
*SNAP!*
Hm? What did that-
…
I seem to have.. Broken the stem of the edelweiss…
Oh… OH DEAR! W-WHAT… What should I d-do…?!?
I quickly took the blossom away, my heart pounding thrice as fast as the ticking of my pocket watch… I must hurry and find a pot for the poor thing…
More importantly, I should steer clear of bruder!!
Honestly, the many situations I get into whenever bruder comes to mind…
It isn't just cooking either, but also when I sew… I can't even begin to describe how many times the needle had pricked my tiny finger.
…
I managed to find a nice little vase and had filled it with water…
Bruder certainly has a reason for being so protective over these… Certainly I would not be able to talk my way out of this ordeal…
B-but I did not intend to do such a thing… Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!
I hear something… Could it b-
"Liechentstein!"
"B-bruder!" I slowly made my way towards a little stool next to the old grand piano, tucking the vase under the enormous instrument shortly after I sat. Whew! He's busy removing his coat… Oh dear…
"Oh? Have you finally intended to play me the piece your tutor had taught you? Bach, is it?"
Play a p-piano piece? I've hardly been practicing! Oh dear, oh dear!
"U-uhm.. Y-yes, bruder… I-I… will play… B-bach…"
He gave a few instructions to his household helper before facing towards me with a smile. Oh, if only I did practice my piano instead of messing with bruder's garden…
He sat on the velvet-white couch beside the piano with a tired huff, and slowly started removing his neck-tie. "I don't understand all this German composer nonsense though. If you ask me, I'd much rather hear a piece from Abravanel, Huber or Bovet, perhaps?"
Oh dear, I don't even recognize ANY of them!
"D-does it have to b-be now, bruder?"
"Well, you've got me to sit down here instead of going straight to my study. This is the opportunity for you to take pride in what you've learned, out with it!"
He flashed a determined and reassuring look with his bright, green eyes; His fist gripping his neck-tie with eagerness to hear my piece.
*Gulp!* As I turned around to face the piano, I felt my hands turn cold, I can hear my heart beat even faster than the pace it beat a moment ago, and my sweat run slowly across the back of my neck… Is this really happening?
I eyed the edelweiss that sit quietly under the piano, it seemed to cackle with enjoyment as it peered towards me with it's sharp-edged petals; sitting ever-so comfortably in its tiny vase. Suddenly, remembering I was expected to play something, I asked him, my heart filled with anxiety and regret, what song he wants me to play"
"W-well, bruder? Do you h-have a song in mind by Bach?" I waited silently for his answer, the touch of the cold piano keys made my hands tingle…
Vash
"Well," I said. It seems that Lili hasn't really been practicing hard enough to be as goood as Austr- I mean… That aristocrat! Always buying a new piano… Is he planning to have a piano in every room in his house?! I bet even his bath-
"B-b-bruder?" Lichtenstein stuttered. "Um…" Poor Lichtenstein, so nervous in performing in front of me… What piece would she be comfortable enough to play?
"W-well?" she prompted nervously. Is it really nerve racking to perform in front of me? Austria seems- Ah! Why does he always bother my thoughts?!
"I think you should play a piece you've mastered well." I said, giving her a smile as I clutched my necktie's knot, loosening it.
"A-ah! I-I will play Minuet in G Major. I'm sorry I'm not yet so good!" She said. She emitted a loud exhale then she started pressing those ebony and ivory keys.
Ah… I closed my eyes to relax and take in the music and ambience for awhile. The sunset pouring down the music room's window, tinting everything orange… The warmth of summer's end… Lichtenstein on the piano… It seems so nice to listen to during the afternoon, like this… But I would still have preferred Abravanel, Huber or Bovet. But nevertheless, it has calmed me from a day's long tension.
I clapped my hands as soon as the song finished. She looked at me hopefully. Anxiety was still evident in her eyes. I smiled at her to convince her that she did great. "That was wonderful Lichtenstein. Maybe one day you'll be better than Aus- your tutor." I said, cursing myself for thinking of Austria.
"Well, I'm off to the study now. I need to do more of those paper works. I see you at dinner." I said as I stood up towards her and patted her head for her improvement in playing the piano.
I turned towards the hall and started walking towards my study. I wondered how my edelweiss is doing… I suddenly had the urge to look at them. I turned to the direction of my garden.
"B-bruder~!"
"Ah!" Lichtenstein suddenly blocked my way towards the garden.
"Ah! Ah!" She panicked.
"Something wrong Lichtenstein?" I asked.
"Ah… N-nothing b-bruder! I-I was just… uh… Your study is that way right? Why are you heading this way?" She babbled on as she pointed on the direction of the garden.
"Yeah, I was heading there." I said, wondering why she reacted like this. "Is it strange to want to go to the gardens?" I asked.
"No no no! I-it was just… I mean, you have a l-lot of paperwork, bruder!" She sounded so nervous.
"Liechtenstein." I said, seriously. She looked suddenly so nervous.
"Y-yes bruder?" She said shakily.
"Are you hiding something from me?"
"O-of course not!"
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"O-of course! Why would I hide something from you bruder?"
"If you say so…" I decided to let it go. Maybe that damn Austria asked her to tea? OR! OR! OR! Maybe, to become one with him! Or maybe it was Prussia! Or Germany! Or maybe even Hungary!
"Did someone ask you to become one with them?" I said as I gripped her shoulders, forcing her to face me. "Was it Austria? Or or or Purssia? Germany? Hungary? France?!?" I asked quickly.
"N-no bruder! Nothing of that sort. Really bruder, do not worry. Go to your studies, I will take care of dinner, and the house. So please bruder…" She said giving me her smile, which did not reach her eyes. I looked at her and decided to really let go of it this time. Perhaps it is a girl thing. Those once a month visits. I sighed and gave her a smile.
"Okay I will. As soon as I talk to my beautiful edelweiss-"
"What!?!"
"Why?" I asked.
Lili
"I-I… uh"
I knew lying from the start was a positively horrible idea, with one lie leading to the next… my problems seem to keep piling up just like bruder's paperwork!
"Well, out with it. What are you hiding?"
That question echoed through my ear like it would a dark cave. I quickly scrambled around my mind for a plausible reason…
"There's this boy, you see…"
Switzerland's eyes widened in a flash. Oh dear WHAT have I just said? !?
"A b-boy?" He said, while gripping his fists.
"Y-yes…" I swallowed whatever was left of my pride and went ahead with the lie.
"A b-boy keeps watching m-me in the garden and I believe for it to be absolutely d-dangerous for you to go out there at this time of day!"
What. Have. I. DONE?
He just stood there after hearing what I have just managed to say. I couldn't tell if bruder was angry, disillusioned, suspicious or worried!
"Does this boy, wear glasses, have a mole, and a giant white cravat on his chest?" He asked me with a stern yet strong gleam in his eyes.
"N-no…" I can't manage to have him and Austria fight each other over a silly thing like this!
"H-he… He has… Black hair… Black eyes…" I need to think of characteristics people here wouldn't even dream of having… I mean, everyone around here has either light brown or blonde hair and different colored eyes…
"He's quite short too, and he sneaks around a-as quiet as a m-mouse…"
This way, bruder would have to shrug it off! I am positive that bruder has no such friend that would fit the description I just ga-
"Nihon."
"I b-beg your pardon, b-bruder?"
"I said Nihon. I knew he was up to something ever since I heard the conference blunder we had, but stalking YOU in MY house? This calls for a goddamn WAR, I tell you!"
Oh dear, oh dear, oh DEAR!! I will have to end the lies now and just say it-
"I, uh… Y-your, edelweiss!"
"Scheisse! My edelweiss!!! Quickly, Lili, who knows what that jerk has done to my prized blossom!"
Before I even got to open my mouth to reply, he grabbed my arm and rushed me towards the garden. To be close to bruder is indeed a wonderful thing, but to be doing so from having to lie? And an impending war as well? Oh Lichtenstein, you've done it now!
We rushed towards the garden, passing through hall upon hall, then gate upon gate, stairway upon stairway… Until we got to the scene of the crime.
I was too busy panting to notice the indescribable look in my bruder's eyes. Yet again I find myself frantically guessing what he was thinking, shock, anger, hate and disbelief… Or perhaps a mix of such feelings?
"B-bruder…!" It was not, Nihon, whomever this person is… I-it's me! I continued with, "The edelweiss… It snapped off because of m-"
"The maniac! I am fully aware, Lichtenstein. Nihon and his people are known for doing insulting and terribly scarring acts of hatred towards races they loathe… I SWEAR NIHON WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU!!"
I looked up, down, left and right, frantically finding a way out of this one… Perhaps, telling the truth is out of the question, seeing as I'm trapped in an inescapable tangle of lies that entangle me more and more until I can no longer break free… Whatever shall I do?!?