Aiyah, I'm probably late! China thought as he knocked frantically on Russia's door. "I'm sorry, Russia! But aiyah, the tofu took longer than expected to prepare!"

Right. Taiwan was downright annoying about her independence, and Hong Kong was warning China over and over again, "You'll be late!" (HE EVEN CAME FOR THAT REASON!)

The door opened, and instead of expected Russia, peeked out another country. "Late?" she asked. "You're expected an hour later."

She was familiar to China's eyes. There was no way to forget her appearance, with her murderous violet-blue eyes and smooth flaxen hair, as well as her fatal knife, staunchly threatening another.

"Then I should go home then and come back later?" China asked regretfully.

The girl shook her head and smiled sweetly, though the smile was tinted with a bit of poison. "No, China. Come in now." She opened the door to let him in, and China decided to enter.

The girl led him through the house, and China saw many subordinates-when he counted them, he counted fourteen. Compared to the two I have at home, he thought. They're quite the silent type too. For though some of the subordinates were talking, it was quite silenced, and about things like dinner. China thought about Taiwan and Tibet scolding each other about extravagance and crudeness and so on. Sometimes China thought about buying some earmuffs.

However, in this house, China thought a hearing aid would be more appropriate. "Why's everyone so silent?" he asked the girl.

She turned on him, surprised. "So other people can focus better, right? Isn't it like that at your house?"

"Not really. Aiyah, my siblings talk so loudly!"

The girl nodded. "What do you want to do, China? Talk? In my room?"

"That's fine by me." The two sauntered off, and China tried to make some awkward conversation, though he had no idea how to start. Girl talk? Probably not. It would work on Taiwan, and maybe long-gone Hong Kong, but China had feeling this girl wasn't really THAT into fashion and accessories, etc. Economics? The subject couldn't make either China or the girl happy, as far as he could see.

"So, I think I've seen you before, but aiyah, I couldn't remember your name. Was it White Russia or something?" China asked the girl.

"I do go by White Russia, China. However, I prefer Belarus," the girl replied. "It also means 'white Russia', and sounds much less racist."

"Alright then." China followed Belarus into her room. It was an extremely simple place, consisting of only a bed, a closet, a desk and a lamp, along with some worn photos.

"Where would we stay?" China asked Belarus, who pointed to her bed. The two countries sat down on the arranged covers, and first there was an awkward silence.

Then Belarus spoke. "So how do you think of this house?"

"It's fine, I suppose. Just aiyah, there's so many subordinates!"

"Don't you have any?"

"Yes, but only two. My sister and Tibet."

"I remember your sister, faintly. Her name is Taiwan, and she's a Nationalist?"

"Aiyah, it's true they fled to her place. They're in the northern part of the island."

Belarus nodded. "Do you love her?" China wondered if he was just imagining it, but Belarus became a bit sad. China, however, was a bit tongue-tied.

"Well, you see, Taiwan doesn't like me that much. Aiyah, she likes Japan better. She's pretty mean at times, but still, I do like to keep her around." China glanced at Belarus. "Why?

"It's nothing," Belarus regained her straight face. "Brother's just a bit…distraught these days."

"Russia is your brother?"

"Yes. He's never had an easy time."

China could believe that. He had heard of Russia's bosses, who did look quite abusive, even from a distance. The U.S.S.R. might have been a leading power, but underneath that power, was just fifteen people, all either miserable or at least semi-miserable. China wanted tot ask if Belarus was one of the miserable, or the semi-miserable, but he had heard about how "insane" she was, and how many knives she carried around. True, Taiwan caught much gossip, but China had seen Belarus' abilities in face.

"Belarus, can I ask you a question?" China said timidly.

"Go ahead. But not if it's about why the U.S.S.R. is bad."

"I never said it was. But anyway, are really insane? Aiyah, you don't have to answer."

Belarus seemed to have caught fire. "If I were insane, China, do you think you would be standing in this house, alive and well?"

China backed up cautiously, while preparing his wok. He tried to stay as calm as possible. "Aiyah, why shouldn't I be?" he asked Belarus.

Getting prepared for a fight was the right choice, as Belarus took out a knife, and began to corner China. However, he couldn't get himself to hit her. She wasn't an enemy, and from all China saw, she wasn't really that cruel either.

"You don't understand!" Belarus screamed at him. "You don't understand!"

"Then explain it to me!" China screamed over her. He wasn't sure what 'it' was, but it was probably what he didn't understand. "You're not making things better!"

"Will cookies make things better?" asked a nervous voice. Latvia poked his head in cautiously, as if afraid that he would get killed. He was right to be afraid. China and Belarus seemed ready to fight: one for defense, the other for anger. Fortunately, Latvia had just arrived in the nick of time.

"Thanks," China smiled at the Baltic State. "These cookies look delicious."

Belarus seemed to have calmed down as well. "Everyone else is in the living room?" she asked Latvia, who nodded and then left.

China wanted to pick up a cookie, but before he got the chance, Belarus took the whole plate, and wrapped them up in one of the provided napkins.

So it meant no cookies.