It is a beautiful day in Russia. For once. This, of course, means that myraids of busily buzzing tourists gather in throngs around the place, taking pictures and oohing and ahhing at the snow.
There is, however, a circle with a diameter of about ten meters that everyone mysteriously evades. As if the place were holy, sanctified ground, or something of the sort. Once in a while, a child from another country steps foot into the holy circle, at which point their parents would hastily drag them away to another tourist spot. None of the natives are foolish enough to come even close to this circle.
It makes sense. After all, inside this magical circle is Russia's house.
But as it happens, one tourist comes into the circle without fear.
Russia is examining his sunflowers, tending to them with a careful hand. "How beautiful all of you are. There are rumors that you always face the sun, but that's not true, is it? One cannot always face the light. Sometimes it gets too bright." He turns around when suddenly a very short, yellow-haired girl bumps into him.
"Ah! Sorry! Uh, I mean, извините!" The girl quickly bows her head in embarrassment.
Russia smiles down at her. "It's okay. I can speak English. Do you like sunflowers, too?"
Big green eyes stare up at him. The girl flashes a huge smile in the nation's direction. "Yeah! I do!"
Russia frowns. "Aren't you scared of me? Aren't you going to run away?"
The girl tilts her head. "Am I supposed to?"
A blade of sunlight cuts through the clouds, enveloping the girl with light. It seems that sunlight frames her face. Although her expression is so warm and bright, the light is quite unnecessary, Russia thinks. He takes a breath and asks, "Who... are you?"