"Egypt?" The name seemed awkward coming from Katyuhsa.
Ivan kept his eyes on the slender woman, grinning. "So you are a nation…Does she have a human name?" Ivan asked Gilbert.
"If she's coming from England, she must know English," Natalya interjected, glaring at how close Egypt was to her brother.
Ivan forcefully cupped her chin, making her look up at him. "That means you were ignoring me before, da?"
She merely smirked and cocked a brow setting the Russian further on edge.
Katyusha was beginning to get nervous. She didn't like when her brother hurt anyone and she really didn't want to see the new girl beaten already. She knew what her brother was capable of and didn't want any harm to befall the captivating woman.
"Brother, I think dinner is done! W-We should eat now before it gets cold. We can ask her questions later."
Much to her relief, he agreed. Ivan dragged the new nation after him into the dining room. He took his seat at the head of the table with Natalya rushing to his side and Egypt forced onto the other. Gilbert sat next to her, earning a glare from Ivan, and the others filed in. Toris and Eduard brought the food out and served everyone.
Egypt sat, with her back straight and head high, and stole glances at the nations surrounding her. There was palpable fear that hung oppressively in the air. She shot a glance at her new captor but was quickly distracted by what was behind him.
Her golden eyes widened in shock. Snow fell endlessly. Chills ran up her spine as the feeling of imprisonment sank in.
Ivan gave her a questioning look. Gilbert followed her gaze out onto the freshly falling snow.
"Don't act like that," the Prussian smirked, trying to lighten her mood. "I know it snows where you're from."
Egypt glared out the window as her fists clenched in her lap. She now fully understood what England was doing to her.
"Hey-" Gilbert was interrupted by her pushing away from the table and turning to exit the room.
"Where do you think you're going, little one?" Ivan was smiling at her, with interest.
She glanced back at him briefly. Looking him over once she turned back and continued out of the room. The Soviet nations were shocked that she had blatantly disrespected Ivan. Toris stared down at his hands in despair. 'Not good, not good, not good...'
:~:
After they all finished eating, the Baltics cleared off the table and dragged Gilbert with them before he could go and find Egypt.
"Prussia, what do you think you're doing? You're going to get Lithuania killed!" Eduard chastised him.
Gilbert wasn't paying attention to him. "She's different...that's not the same kid I-"
"Prussia! Focus! Please!"
His pleas fell on deaf ears. "Why is she even in this hell hole?" Gilbert demanded.
"Russia did say something about England," Raivis supplied.
Gilbert stared off, trying in vain to remember. 'What happened when we left?'
:~:
Katyusha left her siblings alone in the dining room and went to go find the new nation. She found her sitting, hugging her knees to her chest, directly in front of the fire.
"Excuse me," she called out softly.
She got no response.
Katyusha moved closer and knelt next to her.
"Hello there," she spoke as cheerfully as she could. "My name is Ukraine."
She got no response.
Katyusha felt herself burning up sitting so close to the fire. As she stood to move back a little she noticed that Egypt was shivering.
"Egypt, are you cold?"
Still no answer.
"I can get you a blanket-"
The woman turned to her, glaring slightly. The flames reflected across her golden orbs momentarily stunning Katyusha. Her glare then settled on Ivan, who had been watching them from the doorway.
"Come, little one," he beckoned to her. "I have a promise to keep."
Katyusha began to panic. "B-but brother, shouldn't you at least let her rest for one day?"
Egypt stood as Ivan approached her, keeping her eyes on his.
"Nyet, as we learned with Prussia it is better to start early," he reminded Katyusha as he grabbed Egypt and dragged her behind him. Katyusha attempted to stand in his path, but he easily pushed past her.
"Russia!" Katyusha called after him.
Ivan ignored his sister as he led the new nation down to his basement. He threw her down on the cold, stone floor before him.
"Now, why won't you speak to me?"
Egypt just stared into his violet eyes, moving to sit back on her knees.
"It is not wise to ignore me," he warned her, voice lowering dangerously as he crouched down in front of her. "I can see through your little game." His eyes shone with uncertain excitement as his lips curved into a malevolent smile.
He cocked his head to the side when she just smirked up at him.
"Is fear what you desire from me, Russian?" Her voice flowed easily with a faint accent, but chilled him to the core. Ivan was at a loss for words.
"Or do you desire that which you cannot have?" Her eyes narrowed slightly, alluringly. "Like warmth," she placed her hand against his icy cheek, making the heat rush to his face. "Or friendship...or maybe love."
The swift backhand that followed told her she struck a nerve.
"You will be no different than the others," he spoke quietly as he stood up and tightened his grip on his pipe.
"Do your worse," she dared him. "You do not scare me, Russian."
His breath hitched as her words caused his heart to flutter. 'She's…not afraid?' Egypt caught his hesitation, but it flitted away just as quickly as it had come. The confused man was replaced by an enraged, merciless nation. Instinctively, the slender nation brought her arms up to defend her head as the metal made contact with her skin.
:~:
Ivan returned upstairs a few hours later. His sisters sat in front of the fire while his servants were nowhere to be seen. There was no doubt in his mind that they all heard what was going on below and were hiding to avoid the same fate.
Katyusha tried not to look at her brother. She loved him dearly, but was horrified at what he was capable of. Natalya on the other hand clung to him as soon as he was within reach. Once Gilbert was sure Ivan was distracted by his sisters, he made his way downstairs. He knew his way around that basement very well, considering he took pride in aggravating the Russian. He found the woman lying on the floor, curled up, coughing, and breathing heavily. Gilbert picked her up carefully.
"I'm going take you upstairs," he told her solemnly.
She nodded in reply.
:~:
Natalya chattered endlessly, but Ivan's attention was elsewhere. He had seen the albino rush downstairs to aid the woman, and now he watched as he resurfaced with her in his arms. He smiled sweetly at the glaring albino before the pair disappeared upstairs.
:~:
Gilbert kicked his door open and entered his room. It was a medium sized bedroom with two twin beds and two small dressers with an attached bathroom. He pulled back the covers of the second bed and placed Egypt down gingerly.
Finally looking her over, he examined the cuts, bruises, and overall damage done. It wasn't as bad as Toris usually got, but still made him shudder. He rushed into the bathroom, grabbing towels and a pail of water and began to clean and dress her wounds. After he finished, he tucked her into her bed and sat next to her, looking down at his hands.
He jumped slightly when he felt a warm hand take his. Egypt smiled at her old friend.
"I cannot believe you thought I would forget the Awesome," she sniggered breathlessly.
Gilbert hugged her gingerly, careful not to hurt her. "What happened, kid? You used to be so different..."
She smiled somberly. "Simple corruption."