Chapter 1: Ribbon Raven
I should have been more careful! Austria clearly saw me, I know it. He stared at me with that man, knowing full well about the laws I'm breaking. At least he saw us as friends instead of a hook up. I just hope that's exactly what he saw. Anyway, I don't have to worry much longer. America's given me tickets to freedom from these despisable international laws. I just have to wait one more week and I'll be living with him. Maybe even cuddle with him by his fireplace in Montana or take a walk in New Hampshire. It is fall, I would love to experience things with him more. That sound so wonderful...
What was that? What's with the banging? West, are you trying to wake me up? Hell no, this is my weekend, my time, and my room. I'll stay asleep if I want and think of my messed up life. We have an official deal about weekends, this is an outrage.
"West! I want to rise with the awesome sunset! Thanks," I yell under the covers. I like his dedication to schedules, but damn he can't take the weekends as breaks. I moan in annoyance. He might go away if I make it seem like I'm out of bed. That always works unless he makes the dogs bark up a storm.
"Fine, I'm up and adem, geez," I lie, shifting my weight so the bed makes noise. I wait a moment as something seems fishy. The bed's squeaking more than normal. There's also visible light going through the blankets. Better to ignore it and go back to sleep.
After shifting around the bed, it seems awfully clear something's not right. The banging is louder. Maybe it's the dogs that're up? If it's not him then it's the dogs. I know how cranky Blackie is in the morning when the bowl is empty. Might as well get up and tend to the dogs, I bet Germany has finally slept in for once. Taking my time, I lower the covers from my face and stare at the orange glow on the wall.
The walls are a light tan, covered in a warm light. My nose is assaulted with a putrid smell that I would call rotting londry. It's like someone died recently. Like literally, it smells like a rotting corpse is under the bed. Sitting up, I confusingly pat the wall. After waving my hand for a shadow, I look to the rest of the room.
The lit teacup candle on the end table seems to be dying, giving the room an eerie edge to its blank walls. There's a large wardrobe next to the door. Next to it is a completely white, small dresser. There's also a large green and red rug on the floor. The red looks like it was thrown on. No empty bird cage, no soft stuffed animals, even my computer is gone. This is clearly not my room. I slide my legs over the edge and let my bare feet touch the cool floor. With this light dying I should get moving and figure out where I am. As my feet touch the cold floor the door emits a snarl.
My eyes pay attention to the sudden noise. It sounds big and strange. It's too loud and deep for a normal dog. Where am I, Russia's experimental dog factory? Not going to lie but I think that's an actual possibility. Yes, I've been kidnapped by Russia. I swear it on every sunflower he has cut in his life. Good thing that door seems to hold. Now standing, I make my way to the door. Each step making a sound. I don't make it half way when the thing on the other side goes nuts. Violent scratching loud enough to echo on the other side is jump worthy. Growling and abnormal barking just makes it worse. More than just a chill goes through me.
I don't understand what got over me. I kinda just got on the floor, shaking. Why am I so afraid? I mean I'm still a nation, a new one, yet a nation none the less. Fear isn't an easy thing to feel. I'm still an awesome nation that shouldn't get scared. I've faced life threatening wounds and did heroic things for my brother, I'm awesome! No reason for this fear, none at all. I slowly get up with my awesome thoughts and move to the dresser. As I compose myself I check it out.
It's a simple dresser, nothing fancy. I do notice a strap hanging from the top drawer. I open the top and find a few things. I'm taking everything I see, no exceptions. Good thing that strap belongs to a sturdy bag. It's hard to see since the candle light isn't too bright. I bag what feels like three pens, a book, and two jagged ball things the size of small marbles. Keeling, I check the bottom drawer and find clothes. Well...socks and shoes that fit, but that's still an awesome find! I take them and walk to the bed. A draft attacks my bare chest, telling me where to look next.
After emptying the contents I can see everything. The book in my possession looks more like a journal. Skimming through the blank pages, it turns out to be new. There's no writing nor signs of ownership. I now declare this as mine. Stopping in the back I test out the pens. Two of the three pens work. This is good, might as well start using it now. I hastily write 'Get out' before another wild attack on the door startles me. I didn't even realize the thing calmed down! My head whips around towards the door, which emit more sounds than before. Hissing and strange gerules combine with the thing's noises.
I then hear it bark. Bark after echoing bark, it sounds like it's running away. From what though? Whatever it is the new sounds have taken over. They're not as loud, but they're still trying to get in. They're making little effort to actually get in, settling me down. At least I'm trapped now by "nicer" experiments. Man, I'm watching too many american horror movies.
Next I check out the small blue jagged things. Picking one up to the light, It seems crystalline. A little blue crystal, I wonder why this was here. I pack everything, including what seems like useless blue crystals. I at least I have something to throw. Leaving the bag on the bed I go to the wardrobe.
The doors are heavy and makes a large creek as it opens. This slightly sirs the "whatevers" on the outside. Checking out the inside, it's almost empty. There's like, only two sets of clothes in here. The shirts both fit me, the paints too. The next thing I find is underwear, new underwear. The price tag is still on them, who would not wear these? They're incredibly soft. After checking the size, I'm happy these fit me. I relocate them to the bed to see them better.
Since everything fits me I just get dressed with the nicest clothes. I put on the plain blue button down shirt and gray pajama like pants. My god even the socks and shoes are comfy. Why are these clothes so soft? I love it. Now that that's over I should pack everything. My bag has plenty of space.
The noises outside the door have become random. I've decided that it's better to stay quiet in hopes that the things would leave. With everything packed I begin to wait for the opportunity to leave. I hop on the bed and just lay there. Escaping can get boring sometimes, so it's nothing new. What can I do? There doesn't seem to be anything else in the room other than the teacup candle. It's covered in dried wax droplets, covering the designs that only the handle reveals. It looks like a piece of art.
Sitting up I get an idea about what to do. I start playing with the bag. The bag gets tossed from one hand to the other, slowly becoming a mindless game. After a while that gets boring and I get a little risky. The bag's now getting thrown into the air. It makes a little thoud as the leather lands in my hands. After about ten throws I accidentally miss. It makes a loud thud clearly getting attention the moment it hits the floor. Fuck…
Now I want to double check my searching. Leaving my bag I get up and search everything. The room's gotten darker, making every crevasse on the walls defined. I refuse to open the loud wardrobe since noise makes the things outside go wild. With a sigh I walk over the rug and step on something.
What did I step on? It's thick, small, and smooth. Lifting my leg, it's a rectangle of paper that's half red. It could be an envelope of some sort. I pick it up and check for some address. All I see is a wax seal with a shield, surrounded by a crown on it. I pick the seal until I can open it. From it I get a ticket and a note. I have no clue what the ticket is for. Hopefully this can give me some clues.
"Cider Brim Conference, one week notice. Please prepare diplomats and personal news. Remember, wear something neat and without symbols. Talk of war will be prohibited. Please bring an offering of food. Signed by Rick Concave, Three Kings Head Diplomat of Wing C," I read to myself. The writing was painful to read, at least I got something from it. So this place is big. The note isn't in Russian, which means that it's unlikely that I'm in Russia. If only it's penmanship was better. I put the contents back into the envelope and put it in my bag. Well that was fun-ish while it lasted.
Back to the bed with me. Looking all over the room again didn't help me. Hopping onto the bed my mind begins to wander. Mostly about Italy. Is he here too? Hopefully he's back at his house, sleeping peacefully. If not than I'm likely going to miss my next stalking session. Maybe he's making pasta right now? Maybe he's trying to get into Germany's house? At least I double locked the house for Germany's sake. Looking at the door, I begin to wonder how the hell I got here.