First of all, I must excuse myself for my mistakes. I'm not English, so I'm full aware I'll make a lot of errors. This will be my first story written completely in English thus I would like you to give me a chance and correct me in order to improve my writing.

I decided to write this story after searching about the Spanish Succession War, a conflict that involved more than 12 nations and became the first international war. I know I'm going to touch some sensitive issues, as the relationship between the countries and my protagonist, but I think History must be told and learnt before being able to judge all the involved parties. That said, and for all of those who are going to criticize this work, I'm going to put different sources in order to make my arguments solid enough. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I.

Finally, I do not own Hetalia or their characters. Everything belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya.

1- Encounter (Netherlands)

He never thought being the host country could be that tiresome. When he proposed his place as a replacement for the usual one, he didn't imagine it would mean to deal with every argument with unlimited patience. They spend the last session just trying to decide whether they had to proceed with the next topic or not. Three hours until his patience ran out making him finish today's encounter. Luckily, only four more days were left until the end of that extraordinary meeting.

It was already 9pm. He didn't want to take a taxi, but it was February and the air was extremely cold. Wrapping up with his coat, he walked to the nearer tramway stop. Five minutes later, he was on his way home.

The motive of that 'urgent call' was the delicate situation the European Union was having. They had been having meetings almost every two weeks, trying to expose their problems, either politics or economics, and thinking on ways to solve them. Not only their bosses were having a hard time, they as countries were doing their best using their experience and knowledge. And if that wasn't enough, now the situation in Europe's centre, Brussels, made a new question to deal with[1]. Was Belgium the best place to promote the diplomacy of the European Union? After the disputes between their people, the country's image wasn't in accordance with the concept of stability and peace the 27 members wanted to show. Of course, although all of them knew that already, nobody wanted to say anything. Who would be the successor? Even if Germany was the best suited for that responsibility, the past was still too recent to let him take over the throne.

Netherlands was proud of being a practical and logical man. He wasn't as cheerful as his sister or as passionate as his father nation. He always approached problems with a rational mind, trying to analyse the issue and then making the most of it. He knew Belgium better than anyone and he knew she would never take a strong position to solve the conflict. Maybe she thought the solution of that struggle was in human hands? "Tomorrow I'll start the session with this topic." thought. He was the host country, after all.

An old man with a cane approached him. As a good citizen himself, he moved away letting him free pass to the back seats. He didn't expect to hit a young woman who was reading next to him.

- Het spijt me.- said crouching down.- Are you okay?

Apologising again, he helped her to regain all the sheets scattered on the floor.

- Thank you.- said the girl with a smile.

He didn't need to look carefully to her to know she was a foreigner. Only with that two words, he was able to know she weren't used to speak Dutch. He stretched out his hand and took her mobile. Was about to give her phone when their hands touched.

A sensation of familiarity went through his body making him look surprised.

- Can you...

- Yes, forgive me.- excused himself in English after a few seconds unable to move.

- Do we know each other?- she asked after getting up.

- Maybe.- whispered. "Why does her face look familiar? I can't recall." thought with a puzzled face.- You aren't from here, are you?

Netherlands wasn't a man of words. He was curt and didn't like to waste time with useless conversations. But after feeling anxious about that sensation, she sparked his interest. Who was she?

- Is my Dutch that obvious?- smiled.- I came to Amsterdam a month ago.

- I see. I hope you are having a good time in this city, though it's a bit depressing in winter.

- I hadn't had the opportunity to see much yet, but I came here last summer and I loved Amsterdam. Are you from here?

- No, I'm from Den Haag, but I come here once in a while.- the panel showed the next station.- The next one is my stop. Though today I finished unusually late, maybe we'll see each other again. Nice to meet you.- said extending his hand.

- Nice to meet you too.- the two of them shook hands.- Tot ziens.

- Dag.- he said before leaving.

The tramway left leaving him alone in the street. The air was cold and the difference of temperature made him hide his hands into the coat. Again, the sensation of knowing her came to him at the same moment their hands touched. But this time he was sure: he knew her.

The sound of the alarm put an end to the discussion.

- End of the session.- said Netherlands with diligence.- We'll restart at 13:30h.

Their voices became louder. All of them were exhausted and hungry, and the chance to rest while eating made them happier. In fact, that morning became more intense than expected. Even for him.

- Holland, do you want to come with us? Today we'll go to that French restaurant France told us about. He said they'll make Coq au vin especially for us!- said Spain taking his coat.- And Bel is coming too.

- Sorry, not today.- responded while arranging his papers.

- Come on, we are leaving!- yelled France from the door.

England and Italy hurried to meet with the small group reunited at the exit of the room.

- Spain!

- ¡Sí, sí!- wrapping up with his scarf, Spain decided he wouldn't be able to convince him.- Ok then, see you later.

Netherlands waited until all of them left before deciding to go outside.

Although he loved that country, his country, he had to admit that that weather was hateful. Today, as well as the last two weeks without any change, the sky was clear grey. Grey during the day and a dark orange-coloured during the night, all of it with freezing temperatures.

He walked to a hidden place he knew, not far from the EU's temporal headquarters. It wasn't that he didn't like the French cuisine, but after that much turmoil he wanted a bit of solitude.

The restaurant, placed in front of the canal, was almost full. Maybe that wasn't idea of solitude he was thinking of, but being mixed in the crowd was also a way to become invisible. Greeting the woman at the entrance, she told him they were out of tables. He agreed with a seat in front the bar.

Opening the newspaper, he waited for his menu.

- Hallo.- said someone sitting next to him. Intrigued, he turned his face just to see the girl from yesterday.- What a coincidence! Can I sit here?

- Please.

He couldn't believe it. From their encounter yesterday, Netherlands couldn't stop thinking that something was odd with her. He was sure to have seen that face before, but when? Where?

- I didn't expect to find you here.- trying to know where he could have seen her, he decided to take a closer look at that woman.- One colleague told me about this place and yesterday I didn't felt like cooking so I decided to give it a try. Are you a regular costumer?

Dark and wavy hair, clear brown eyes, white skin, not too tall. Even her accent didn't give him a clue.

- Only when I come to the city. The owner is an old friend of mine.-said folding the newspaper.- I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Mogens Bezuidenhout, pleased to meet you.

- Montse Llobell, pleased to meet you too.

Although the name didn't give him a clue, the way she pronounced those letters was somewhat familiar. "Her factions have to be from south. Not Italy or Spain, but maybe Greece?" thought wanting to ask her directly. But the waitress came before he was able to try.

- So you came to work?

- Yes, I'm an Industrial Engineer from Barcelona. And you?

"So she IS from Spain." sighted. He was losing his sharpness.

- I'm a Diplomat. I work as a Dutch representative in some international organizations.

- You are like an ambassador, then.

They spent the lunch talking. About the city, the weather, the traditions, even the history of Netherlands. Although he didn't planned on wasting that time with something that trivial, in the end he felt even more relaxed than when he left the meeting yesterday night.

- I went to Spain once. Maybe a bit too noisy but still it's a nice place.

He saw she was considering if replying was a good option or not. Was there some controversial he wasn't aware of? He knew Spain was having some internal disputes, but that seemed almost normal nowadays. Spain, Belgium, Italy, UK... even China with his communistic policy had his own troubles. Perhaps she didn't want to make him uncomfortable after knowing about his profession?

After a coffee, the two of them said goodbye and parted ways to their own jobs.

Netherlands couldn't take off his mind the idea of some kind of relationship between her and the nations. He was completely sure she was human, however he also felt her presence wasn't that of a human as if she was able to give him faint memories of the past.

Making a note of searching about her city, Netherlands entered the meeting room.

[1] Belgium's conflict: The Guardian (May 2010). The language divide at the heart of a split that is tearing Belgium apart. [ w_w_w. guardian. co. uk/world/2010/may/09/belgium-flanders-wallonia-fre nch-dutch ]