Hello to everyone again, this is Shii. This is a purely Hetalia fic, although my OC Naktis Vechnyĭ is present. Naktis is the Soviet Union, which, after Russia's Civil war, was actually its own thing. It had a freaking army and flag. Most of this will be explained in the prologue… and that's all.
I own nothing but Naktis Vechnyĭ and sometimes I wonder if it's not the other way around. I think I own Burya and Zvezda? (Naktis: If you're enough of a badass to deal with them, they're yours.)
Long author note, sorry. *cyber cookie to that 30% of you read it to the end* Please enjoy.
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"This is what I brought you, this you can keep
This is what I brought you may forget me
Promise to depart, but promise one thing:
Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep."
-"Prelude 12/21" by A.F.I.
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The Year is 1917.
The Russian Czar, Nicholas Romanov II, has fallen, as well as his family, on March 15 1917. Rumors have spread his beloved daughter Anastasia had survived, however, later forensic work proved the rumor to be no more than that. Russia has become engrossed in a civil war, declared by the Revolutionists. During this time, Ivan Braginski, better known as the country of Russia, has been too busy to notice the eerie presence in his country; one that would change how Russia was seen forever.
The Year is 1922
After the Revolution side of the Russian Civil war won out, Ivan was confronted by she who had been growing up in this country of eternal winters and unrest; She claimed her name to be Naktis Vechnyĭ, the Soviet Union. It's obvious she's young, new to this world, but has grown up fast and been around long enough to know how much of a mess the world has become and what she has to offer him. It's made painfully obvious by her abilities as a soldier and as a vizier. Ivan considers her a useful ally and begins to train her as a personal mercenary.
The Year is 1941
WWII has begun, and Naktis Vechnyĭ has left Ivan's side to create a pact she believes will help both her cause and Ivan's with Germany.
Coat billowing behind her in the hot July air, Naktis walked up to the house belonging to Ludwig Beilschmidt. Her long coat, a deep grey-black with silver buttons along a double-breasted front, would have seemed too warm in the spring wind, but something like that was easily ignored considering how formal this meeting would be deemed. Pulling her cap down tighter on her ears, she knocked loudly on the door. One would think he'd have noticed her…
It's awfully peaceful here, she noted, flicking blue-violet eyes to the rustling trees and partly-cloudy sky. It's a wonder Germany is known for their armed forces. False security, perhaps? Although, in my few meetings with Ludwig, he does not seem the type to fake hospitality. I could be wrong- remain on guard, Naktis Vechnyĭ!
Zvezda and Burya, her Siberian huskies growled quietly in synch and pinned their ears. "Hush," Naktis commanded and both dogs quieted down. Ludwig came to the door, also dressed formally as this occasion demanded. "Hello, Ludwig Beilschmidt."
"Ah.. you're Naktis Vechnyĭ, correct?" She nodded to the blonde man and quieted Burya again, who had reached out his neck to attempt to sniff at Ludwig's leg and deem him yummy or inedible. "Is Ivan with you?"
"I come alone- this is a matter of the Soviet, not of the entirety of Russia." At Ludwig's confused look she continued. "I represent my own wants and needs, despite the fact that Ivan will be immediately affected by my decisions. As such we have already discussed this attempt at a non-aggression pact."
"I see," Ludwig moved aside for Naktis to enter. "Would you mind leaving your dogs outside?" Burya growled again, Zvezda following suit, before Naktis shushed them again.
"Of course," she replied. "Prebyvaniya, tiho." Both Huskies sat and ceased their incessant growling. "I apologize on their behalf for their rude behavior. Neither are accustomed to new people- they are war dogs, not pets." She scowled as the three dogs belonging to the German pushed their heads through the doorway, causing Burya to bark and raise his hackles. "And they dislike other dogs. As I said, they're not pets. Tiho."
"I understand," Ludwig nodded. He motioned his dog away, a command they immediately responded to. "Come in. Sit, please." He inclined his head toward a chair in his sitting room. "You called asking to create a non-aggression pact with Germany, correct?"
"Yes," Naktis said. "With World War Two beginning I figured it best to keep friends close and enemies closer. I'm certain, with your reputation, you understand. However," Ludwig winced as he sensed what came next, "your choice of allies seems poor. Italy has a useless army- you're certain personal feelings toward an individual aren't coloring your judgment?"
"I would rather not go into my personal life, Naktis Vechnyĭ. This is a war meeting." Enemies closer? He thought. Obviously a sibling of Ivan.
"Please refer to me as Vechnyĭ or Soviet. Either is fine." Ludwig nodded. "How should I address you?"
"Ludwig is fine," he assured her. She nodded and withdrew a clip of papers.
"This is the pact," she said. "If you find anything you do not find satisfactory, or anything you disagree with, please tell me. I will be returning to Russia within the week, however, you have until September to agree to this pact. You can contact me in any way you would like- through Ivan or directly."
Ludwig nodded again and began reading through the papers. "And, Ludwig?"
"Yes?"
"Your home is truly lovely. Don't let yourself be terribly hurt. It would be a pity to see this place become wounded."
"I… will keep that in.. mind." He shook his head as she closed the door and went back to reading the pages.
X
Naktis absentmindedly scratched the backs of Zvezda's ears as she read a book in a chair. Her room at the inn she had been recommended by German citizens was terribly comfortable. She sighed with envy when she saw it- Russia was known for its architecture, specifically by the Gothics, but not for comfort. This was quite the luxury.
"Ah, Ivan, you wish you here," she smiled, closing her eyes and leaning her head back. "Instead of back home in Russia alone in a huge house. How boring." She snickered and looked at the bright moon outside. "But how I wish we weren't wrapped up in another war. How often are we going to get in the middle of things? How often are we going to get involved with the things we wish not to?"
The phone in the room rang loudly. Naktis reached over to answer before Burya began howling and waking everyone else in the inn. "Hello?"
"Privet, Naktis." Ivan said through the line. "How did the meeting with Germany go?"
Wow, speak of the devil, huh? "Fine," she replied. "We will have a reply within the next month. He doesn't seem hostile, and this will be advantageous if we work this correctly."
"Ah, what I would do without you…"
"Probably nothing, da?"
"Da." He replied with a laugh. "You are fine, of course?"
"I take care of myself, Ivan. Thank you for wondering, though." She looked back out the window. "Ivan."
"Da?"
"How is everything where you are? I fear you are holding secrets from me. Are you alright? Nothing bad has happened?"
"Nyet," he replied, sounding surprised. "Why did you wonder?"
"…I suppose I may be slightly homesick. The moon is so large here- it never felt so big in Russia." She chuckled softly. "Maybe I'm just imagining things." The world feels so big now that I'm in it. I used to think I could take the world and now I wonder if I can even take on Germany. However, with Italy as his ally, maybe this will be easy..or easier.
"Naktis, you are planning something, da?"
"Whatever makes you think that?"
"Your pause. You must be planning something with Ludwig, da?"
"Clarify."
"The non-aggression pact is a decoy."
Damn. He saw straight through it. "Perhaps. We'll have to see how the world plays itself out." Ivan laughed on the other end.
"I enjoy how you think."
"It's getting late. I should go. Do svidaniya, sobrat."
"Do svidaniya," he replied, and the line went blank. Naktis held the phone loosely in her now lax right hand. The world is so big, there's so much to do… and I have to start again tomorrow. She sighed and closed her eyes. So, this is the real world.
X
The Year is 1941
Moscow was alight with the news of the signing of the non-aggression pact with Germany. The summer had been terribly mild, bringing forth fear the winter would be worse than normal. It was the perfect setting for a war, people mused. Ivan would turn a blind eye, however his sister would listen and wonder.
X
Naktis raced through the streets, only just having been relayed the message that Ludwig was travelling to Russia to sign the pact.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she shouted as she banged through the doorway. Ivan laughed at her disheveled appearance. "Answer the question, sobrat."
"I only got the message as well. Come, you look like hell- hardly the way to greet a visitor."
"How long until Ludwig Beilschmidt arrives?" Naktis insisted, looking for her nice coat and professional-looking army attire. She really owned nothing else. I have got to find things other than military clothes. Maybe a dress for formal occasion? Maybe not- I don't wish to be seen as overly feminine and lose my reputation. Then again, Natalia wears a dress and no one contradicts her nor questions her authority… Where is my holster? She paused a moment and shook her head. I need a hobby.
"What are you thinking about, sestra?" Ivan asked, as Naktis began buttoning up her double-breasted coat. "Your plan you have yet to disclose with me?"
"Actually, I was thinking about getting a dress for formal occasion. Like Natalia wears, only different. Perhaps in black, or silver.." At Ivan's silence, Naktis trailed off. "What is it?" Naktis immediately had a sinking feeling in her gut as she assumed what could only be described as a "Latvia" feeling. "Or not, too, I suppose. What does it matter anyway? By the way, your coat has come undone." Way to sound like Toris, Naktis…
"Soviet," Naktis winced, having the feeling she had royally pissed her brother off. He never called her "Soviet" unless they were at a World Conference or..
Or he was royally pissed off.
"Soviet."
"Yes?"
"I.. I think you should get a dress. You have a nice figure." Naktis silently let out a breath. Her sorry hide was saved for another hour."We should invite our sisters in for dinner sometime, da?"
Naktis nodded, chilled by the event that could've certainly been maiming or death, but glad it had blown over easily… she hoped. Picking up her machete and stowing it easily within her coat, she walked into the sitting room after Ivan. "Sobrat, we should talk about what happens when Ludwig arrives."
"Your plan, I presume?"
"That, yes, I suppose." Naktis sidled over to the window, peering out at the milling masses, looking to where the abandoned home of the Czar would stand, past the horizon. "I feel that my earlier words of keeping enemies closer than allies still remain true. I asked we create the non-aggression pact as a cover. Ludwig will arrive with only his trusted ministers and maybe a few guards to protect his fuehrer."
"He will be.. compromised, as it were?"
Naktis nodded stiffly, eyes still on what she considered her birthplace- the Czar had fallen and from the blood of the revolution she had grown. It sounded more poetic than it had been. "And we strike. With him out of the way, his allies will be easily taken down. They may even choose not to fight. We have more land, more forces, to do whatever we please." Her blue eyes wandered to a spot beyond the threshold of the house, looking at the well-kept garden. Sunflowers had bloomed early, though many still remained in the budding phase.
"You planned this on your own, da?"
Naktis nodded again, but couldn't ignore the pit in her stomach. It was one thing to plan an attack, another entirely to put it into action. She swallowed nervously and looked back to the horizon. The silhouettes of the Moscow buildings in the setting sun steeled her gut and she set her jaw. "Entirely."
Ivan was silent before muttering a cussword in Russian. Naktis almost flinched, finding it impossible to read Ivan's voice. "You are incredible. How old are you, anyway?"
"As a country, nineteen. I don't know how I would be aged in human years."
"You look nineteen. We'll call you nineteen." Ivan sighed a laugh. "I doubt by this point anyone would care. Germany, hah. My little sister has surpassed me in cunning."
Blushing slightly around the ears and neck, Naktis politely laughed. If only you knew how nervous I am.
"Comrade Ivan!" someone downstairs called. "Ludwig Beilschmidt has arrived. Should I allow him in?"
"Of course, of course!" Ivan replied, smiling. Naktis turned slightly to get view of the entryway. "We're in the sitting room." He turned toward Naktis. "Ready?"
She nodded and worked on keeping her composure. Her resolve was diminishing as the door opened- Germany had done nothing to harm Russia nor attack the Soviet Union. Still, to back down now would ridicule her and show her inability to be what she had made herself out to be, standing beside Ivan.
"Hello, Soviet, Russia." Ludwig said politely, using the formality of country names. Naktis faltered a moment. Something's up. She quickly and discreetly scanned the area as Ivan gave a "warm" welcome to his "dear friend." Nothing seems out of the ordinary. What, then, is bothering me so?
X
Burya and Zvezda laid side by side in the yard. As the German visitors arrived, Burya raised his head and growled. Zvezda whimpered and folded her ears, standing up and curling her tail nervously. The dog's sharp sixth sense told her something was not right. The Germans standing outside the door were proof enough- they were hiding something.
Nudging Burya to stand with her, Zvezda looked up at the window where her mistress stood. The German officers inside gave off a bad scent, Zvezda thought, and they didn't seem right. The fear scent trailed off the one they had met before, the one with the dogs that looked a little like them but smelled different and acted weird. Like… "pets".
Burya looked at the men outside the door and snarled viciously. Their dogs barked madly and pulled at their leashes, begging to be let go of. A quick cue was given by the supposed leader from upstairs while Ivan and Naktis weren't looking, and the dogs were let go of.
X
A shrill yelp hit Naktis' ears and she spun around to see outside. Several large German shepherds were fighting with her huskies. The German soldiers storming the house also caught her attention and she quickly drew her gun and fired twice, hitting a soldier. Ivan stared for a moment, obviously confused that he hadn't been given a signal, until the others in the room took their weapons.
They beat us to it, those scheming… Naktis growled and fired again before one of the fuehrer's guards could. That's what I felt. Damned Germans were bluffing this whole time! They're bad liars, though- that's good to know.
A resounding crack was heard as Ivan drew his pipe and charged a man who had tried to attack him first. The soldiers outnumbered the two Russians, but neither was willing to give in or give ground, choosing instead to take no prisoners.
"Stop that!" the fuehrer shouted- to whom it was uncertain. Perhaps this plan was not told to him, or he didn't count on a counterattack. Naktis laughed humorlessly. Idiot.
"Enough." Ludwig commanded, finger tensed on the trigger of his gun. "You stop now or you will die. We have the advantage."
He heard a soft click behind his head. "Put down your weapon, Ludwig Beilschmidt. You have no dogs and your backup is dead. Think of it as payback for attacking us within our home." Naktis steeled herself again and motioned her dogs to take rank beside Ivan. Bloodstained muzzles pulled into grimaces from growling, the dogs followed her orders. Ludwig obediently lowered his gun.
"Your.. dogs.. killed our forces?" The fuehrer asked. "I didn't realize… Russia.. had… army dogs."
"Not Russia. Only the Soviet." Naktis looked over Ludwig's shoulder at Ivan and shrugged. It was true. Although he does technically have a dog of the military. But that's a totally different connotation. Ludwig's eyes rolled to look at her in surprise. "I warned you, they are not pets." Naktis lowered her weapon as well, glad all the bullets in her new clip remained inside it. "Are you prepared to negotiate ceasefire? This was supposed to be a non-aggressive meeting." Even though we meant to hit you first... Best to bluff it out. The fuehrer seems confused, after all. Damn, is this what failure feels like? Her eyes shifted a moment back to Ivan. Pleasedon'tkillme.
"Dumkopff." The fuehrer said. His own concealed weapon was drawn, and Naktis' eyes widened. A shot rang through the house as she dropped to the ground.
X
The year is 1941
Naktis Vechnyĭ woke in a silent room. She looked to the window beside her, the sunrise pouring in, delicate strings of sky lighting the dust in the air that danced upward. The sight would have taken her breath away if any intake of oxygen didn't scald her lungs so much. Am I dead? She wondered. I didn't realize pain existed in death.
The soft sound of sleeping breathing alerted Naktis to another presence. Turning slowly onto her side (the bad one, ouch) she looked at the sleeping form of her brother, hunched in a chair. He had placed a sunflower on the nightstand, she noted with a smile, beside a clipboard that held her medical record.
She reached for it, hoping not to startle Ivan into wakefulness. So far so good. The doctor's handwriting was impossible to decipher. After several attempts, Naktis gleaned what he had meant to write.
"Naktis Vechnyĭ: shot in the side at …. (this part was impossible to decipher, supposedly a date or a location, but Naktis couldn't be sure) by the fuehrer of Germany. (Something about cats? Dogs? Some backboned animal? Or about food.)
Naktis thought of food and her stomach growled. She scanned the page for how long ago the accident occurred. Nothing. Naktis groaned with annoyance and threw the clipboard onto the bed. While I'm up I may as well get something to eat.
Swinging her legs out of the bed, she carefully paced around Ivan, picking up the sunflower on her way to her dresser to find a sweater or a coat or.. she suddenly noticed her bare legs and blushed, hoping no one had seen her yet when she was compromised… or pants. Trousers, trousers. She mentally sang and dug through the drawers. No trousers. Okay then. Lots of shirt-things… ! She picked up one of the "shirt-things" to see it was actually a petticoat. A rather lovely petticoat. She smiled and found a burnt-gold dress to put said petticoat under.
A nurse came in as Naktis arranged her skirts around her legs and straightened the scalloped collar. She gasped and Naktis swung around, immediately doubling over and gasping with pain.
"Oh, dear! Miss, you're not supposed to be wandering around yet. You just woke up after being asleep for thirty-one hours." There's my answer. That's how long I've been out, meaning I haven't eaten in thirty-nine hours. Wow. "I'm not surprised if you didn't rip your stitches.." she trailed off, "…op..en." A soft gasp of wonder passed her lips.
Naktis snuck a look at her exposed side, where, yes indeed, her stitches had ripped open, revealing her mostly unblemished skin beneath, save for the places the stitches had pulled loose and drawn blood, and a scar where the bullet had housed itself. Nothing but a hideous bruise marred her ribcage. "Whoa."
"E-exactly what I would say." The nurse burst into laughter, surprisingly not bringing Ivan into the woken state. "I shouldn't have expected anything else, though. You are a country! You all seem to heal so quickly!"
For reasons Naktis couldn't place, those words, you are a country, bothered her immensely. She silently hooked her dress back into place at the nurse's okay and walked out the door. She slipped on a pair of ballet flats as she walked outside into the garden.
The Russian landscape unfolded itself gracefully in the early daylight. A soft breeze tugged her skirt and pulled her toward a knoll in the center of the sunflower patch. Naktis sat down carefully and tucked Ivan's gift behind her ear. Watching the clouds, she began to think.
Why should it bother me to be labeled as a country? I am one, after all. As much as one can be, anyway. So, what's bothering me? She closed her eyes a moment and sighed. I'm probably just tired, still. I've never actually been shot before- I guess I wasn't prepared for everything the way I thought I was. Even so, the healing thing is a neat trick. Better to not question it but I'll try not to rely on it- who knows when it will run out? Like beginner's luck. I've had plenty of that.
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A/N: Well then, 'tis done. Please critique. I love being told I suck if I do and if I'm doing something well, well, that's always nice too. I also like it when people like my stories, don't get me wrong! *laughs*
Please tell me your opinions on Naktis. Yes, the Soviet Union is typically viewed as "evil", but I wanted to show a transition into a steeled soldier from a more-or-less innocent (maybe "naïve" is a better word) girl who grew up in war. Also, tell me if I messed up anything historically. I researched, but it's possible I missed something- if so, please tell me. I've been known to give out history lessons in my reviews.
Also, thanks to my beta, MapleCrazyCanuck. Check out her stories- totally worth it.
Do svidaniya!
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