This actually started as a foreign language practice, then became something much more important.
Anyway, my first creative text in English.
Moscow, 1989
It was a pleasantly silent evening in Russia's house. The only thing to be heard was the sound of a needle pushing through a piece of clothing.
Eva straightened the tissue to check her stitches and was happy to see they were all alike. It was easier to work in the big, well-lit living room. Being a loner, she usually retrieved to her room as soon as she finished her chores. Today, however, was special.
The house was empty. Ivan was on a business trip and the Baltics took that unique opportunity to go on a holiday. The rest of the residents were gone too, but she didn't really care about those. Except for one - her brother.
It seemed that their superior had noticed his potential and sent him away for some important diplomatic assignment. Which was now over three years long.
A sudden noise coming from the hallway made the brunette jump with fright. A second later, a serious young man appeared.
"Oh, it's just you, Lithuania?" she breathed, heart still pounding.
"Did I startle you?" He looked worried. "I'm really sorry!"
"Never mind that. Weren't you out with Latvia and Estonia?" she asked in confusion.
"Oh, that. Mr. Russia called me up at the last minute to do some bureaucratic work during his absence. Can't complain, though, I already finished. Now I can enjoy a peaceful evening with a good book." He sat down, looking really pleased with himself.
"Good for you." Slovakia smiled politely as she resumed her work. Russian winter being cruel, she was secretly sewing a warm coat for her big brother.
Her brother... She hadn't seen that much of him lately, basically since they moved in. Compared to the others, he was rather well-built and fit for outside work. She, on the contrary, spent most of her time taking care of the household. And now that he was out of the house…
"Miss Slovakia?" The Lithuanian interrupted her thoughts. "Do you mind if I put some music on?"
"As you wish." She shrugged, her eyes still on the sewing. Hynek was closer to her than anyone else and she wished him his success. Even though, she could not help feeling somewhat betrayed. And very, very lonely.
She noticed that she was running out of tissue. It wouldn't fit his broad shoulders. She would have to stop at the shop tomorrow. I might as well leave it for today.
The girl turned to her silent company.
"Do you happen to have some clothes that need mending?"
"Not that I can think of." He smiled pleasantly. "But thank you for asking."
Eva reexamined her work. It was true that she was coming of age soon. Maybe he had assumed that she could manage on her own now. The countries he was seeing now were surely a lot cooler. Would he even wear her silly coat? Probably not. Her eyes grew hot with tears as she started to tear out the stitches she'd spent so much time making.
"Miss Slovakia?" Toris, who had been secretly watching the young lady for a while now, interrupted her frenzy. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Of course." She did her best to smile convincingly. It was no good.
"You work too hard," he said, distress written all over his face.
"Time passes more quickly when I'm busy," she mumbled. A sob started to rise up her throat. She swallowed it.
What should I do? Liet wondered. She's about to cry, but she would probably rather die than admit it... Oh, I figured it out.
"How about a dance?"
"Huh?" The Slovak looked at him, confused.
"Will you dance with me?" he inquired, offering his hand.
She hesitated.
"Just one song. Then I leave you be if you prefer, okay?"
"Well... I… O-Okay." She gave up and accepted the proposal.
At first it felt odd - none of them was quite used to it. However, bit by bit, they managed to align their movements and found a certain harmony.
"This feels kind of nice," Eva admitted, smiling timidly.
"Me too." Lithuania returned her smile. "I haven't done this for decades and forgot how pleasant it can be."
They continued to dance, their movements growing even smoother and more graceful. As the song ended, they continued through another one, then a few more until they collapsed on the couch to catch their breaths.
"Thank you, I really needed that!" she beamed.
He blinked in surprise.
"Errr... What is it?" the girl inquired.
"N-nothing... It's just... This is a whole new Slovakia to me. I haven't seen you smile a lot since you moved in." Not at all, now that I've come to think about it.
"Haven't had many reasons to do so." She shrugged.
"I can relate."
For a moment, none of them spoke.
"Say, hmm, ..."
"You can call me Toris."
The teenager was surprised by such confidence. Was he trying to seduce her? I don't really understand men, so this might prove to be a valuable experience.
"I'm Eva."
It felt strange sharing her human name with someone, but it couldn't be undone.
"So... Toris... I was actually thinking of having a drink before calling it a day. It will be pleasant if you decided to join me. I made some mead from this year's first honey."
The mead was Liet's favourite drink. However, being Russia's subordinate, he had no time to make any. He almost drooled at the idea of the warm amber liquid soothing his eternally aching stomach.
"You sure know how to conquer a Lithuanian man's heart," he laughed. It earned him another one of those scarce smiles.
-END OF CHAPTER 1-
(A/N: The story name is a reference to a Daft Punk song.)
