Hobbies
When you live forever, you pick up some strange hobbies to pass your time.
Some were actually quite normal. Austria spent all of his time playing his beloved piano, and England embroidered. Okay, that last one was kind of weird, but you got the point.
Germany?
She spent her time metalworking.
Her only eccentricity, the only thing she could use to take her mind off of things.
Carefully holding thin sheets of steel, she brought the mask over her face and began to cut complex designs into each. Sparks flew and exploded in showers of light. She continued to twist the metal carefully over itself.
Switching off the machines and work lights, she stood back to admire her handiworks. Five stacks of steel, brass, copper, nickel, and iron sat on the table, each hinged together on one edge.
She didn't notice him come in.
"Ve? Doitsu?" Italy stood behind her, face puzzled.
She took a deep breath and turned to face him. "Hello, Italy."
"What are you making?" He tilted his head and tried to get a better view.
Germany picked one up and began to unfold it. It was cut away in deep triangles, its angular sides sharp enough to draw blood. The entire shape resembled an eagle in flight, wings spread.
Another unfurled into a delicate metal flower, its petals curved slightly and twisted in subtle arcs.
She took another one in her hands and spread out each face, revealing a jagged star filled with tinier stars. They swirled around dizzyingly, forming a vortex within itself.
The next, folded up, looked like a curved sickle, pointed and sharp. She carefully slid each piece over the others, until a snowflake lay in her hands.
Italy pointed at the last one, still warm, thicker than the others, and a bright reddish gold hue. "What about that one?"
Germany took a deep breath and began to gently unfold it. Layer after layer of intricate and delicate patterns extended. Tiny filaments of copper spun from each branch. Finally, she set it down on the table.
An enormous circle shimmered on the dull table, hearts carved symmetrically on each quarter, and smaller hearts were inscribed everywhere. The entire thing seemed to be made of hearts.
She turned to face him, heart pounding wildly and a blush starting to dust her cheeks.
"I like it." He hugged her.
She smiled.
When you live forever, you pick up some strange hobbies to pass your time.
Sometimes, being strange wasn't that bad.
Aw, sappy sappiness~ I love Gerita...
