A Matter of Perception
Drabbles and One-Shots
Associated with the "A Matter of" Series
By: cultureandseptember
Coda A Matter of Course Chapter 20
"My buddy Egypt," the man laughs, "you have never been the one for disguises. Spying was never your game." In response, the African Nation merely shrugged his shoulders and looked out into the crowd. Sports jackets and knitted sweaters and gloved hands. There was a set of young people near the doorway with knapsacks and pillows. He wonders vaguely if Michelle might've taught those students in the other world. It was neither here nor there, he supposed. What did that matter anymore? Idly, he sat his phone on the tabletop and tore his gaze away from the hotel's busy lobby. The man across from him was watching, eyes alert and muscles tightened in expectation of something. "Come on, man. Give me something here. You're silent as ever."
"I need your help."
There was a momentary pause when Egypt considered walking out, but he decided against it. No matter how badly he hated his current situation, he had to endure it. He was good at enduring. Across from him, it seemed that realization was finally dawning. "Hold up. You're asking me for help? Oh boy, what kind of trouble did you get yourself into this him, huh?" Egypt chose to remain silent, glancing back toward the students again. They were so energetic and excited. Most of them were likely dead in that alternate reality. His guess was good for nothing though. "Did you get a human pregnant?"
Snapping back to attention, the African Nation gave a dull stare. Of course he would jump to that conclusion. A sick feeling entered the pit of his stomach. It was the least logical leap that could be made. Attempting not to roll his eyes, Egypt instead shook his head and gave a tired sigh. "No, that is not the problem." Before Turkey could argue, he held up a hand. "Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Belgium, and Romania have been abducted. Additionally, two of America's States." He tapped a finger on his cellphone and checked the time. "Two magical Nations."
"I know that," Sadik waved off the information. "What's your point, Egypt? You gonna save them or something? You've never been the heroic, ya know?"
Egypt's head shook slowly, deliberately, betraying no emotion. He'd never been a lot of things. "They are of no concern to me." At Turkey's surprised expression, the younger Nation drew a breath and then sighed. With a sort of casual lethalness that he rarely showed, he leaned back and crossed on leg lazily over the other. His attention trailed upward, lips pursing in thought. How would he make Turkey understand? Did it matter if he did? "I do not care about the Nations. They're pawns."
Dark eyes narrowed in his direction and he felt the atmosphere shift, from the lightheartedness of a friendly meeting to the looming threat of a war council. The change was what he expected. "Always have been, right?" Sadik let out a chuckle and sat back, crossing his arms over his burly chest. "Pawns. So, don't care for the other Nations, huh? This got anything to do with the whole globe fiasco at the meeting? When all that crazy went down?" When Egypt didn't deign to answer, there was a nod of affirmation. "You figure something out then? O' course you did. You wouldn't come to me otherwise."
Egypt's phone buzzed and his reflex was as quick as any trained Nation. He head snapped down from where he had been staring and his fingers were immediately dancing across the screen. Something in him snapped into place when he read her response. He didn't have time for this."Nevermind. I can do it alone," Egypt stated as he tucked the phone into his pocket.
"Probably," Turkey agreed as Egypt stood. "And what are you gonna do, huh?" There was a snort of laughter and Egypt tried not to let himself get irritated. He should have known better. He took his brown leather jacket from the back of the chair and slipped it on, mind whirling through plans. "What? I was kidding! You're not seriously thinking about doing something stupid, are you?" The look Egypt sent him was nothing less than his timeless dull-stare. The one that made even the wisest Nation feel like an ignorant child. "You're joking. C'mon, Egypt!"
He wrapped a scarf around his neck and turned on his heel, heading for the door. Turkey continued to call his name. There are others he could have contacted. Austria, though that would be more difficult. Perhaps Hungary. Greece. Perhaps more allies would be the safest route. Egypt's eyes narrowed as he stepped out into the midday sun of Istanbul. His hands slipped into his jacket pockets as he turned to walk down the busy street. A corner of his mouth ticked up and mentally, he began to count backwards from three.
"Wait up, ya freakin' jerk!"
Be careful, she'd said.
If he wasn't certain and determined before, he was now.
At a friend's suggestion, I have decided to start a one-shot/drabble collection for the bits and pieces that didn't make it into AMOT or AMOC. These might have romantic pairings or different perspectives on events in the main story. Some might be considered canon to AMOS, but most will not be canon. Some might be from my Tumblr, others will be new and original. This is to add some new perspective and give everyone a little bit to hang onto in between chapter postings in the main story. I can write drabbles easier than 8,000 word chapters!
I hope everyone enjoys these new perspectives! Please leave me some thoughts!
