When I first saw you

I knew that you had a flame in your heart

Arthur left the meeting that night unable to forget Annie's strange entrance, or her even stranger appearance. When he returned the next day, he sat down in his usual seat, glancing at the door every few minutes.

The clock began to chime. It was 9 AM, time for the meeting to begin. Annie was nowhere to be seen. Arthur began to wonder if he'd only dreamed her. No one else seemed to notice her absence. Everyone chatted idly.

Suddenly, she slipped in, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. Her stealth, however, was ruined when Feliciano noticed her. "Good morning, New Hampshire!" he cried loudly.

Annie sighed. "Good morning, Italy." She moved around the table and went to sit next to Arthur. She smoothed out her black skirt before sitting down.

Arthur smiled. "Good morning."

She smiled back. "Morning." She shot a glance at Feliciano. "Is he always like that?"

"Yes. You'll get used to it."

She laughed. "I'm sure I will."

"Alright, everyone, silence! The meeting will now begin!" Ludwig stood, looking at the gathered nations. "Since America refuses to speak, I will conduct today's meeting."

Annie leaned over and whispered to Arthur. "Why won't he talk?"

"He's sulking. He's angry at you, I think."

"Oh."

Ludwig continued. "Germany would like to formally recognize the newest nation in this conference. Good morning, New Hampshire. Do you have an opening statement?"

"Yes, sir." Annie stood up. "New Hampshire would like to, once again, thank her fellow nations for allowing her membership. She would also like to recognize her neighbor, America."

Alfred looked up.

"She would like to tell him that it's his own fault that she's here, and that he should just grow up and get over himself."

He made a face at her before going back into his sulk.

Annie sat down, smiling triumphantly.

"Very good." Ludwig rose again. "Germany would also like to recommend that New Hampshire solely observes the proceedings today, in order to understand how this conference will operate."

Arthur nodded. "This conference is intended to be peaceful. Not everyone likes everyone else, but for the sake of the rest of us, at least be civil. No violence. Everyone gets a say. Disagreements and counterarguments are welcome, but focus should be placed on the idea. Try to refrain from attacks on the nation who presented the idea." He looked at Annie. "Got it?"

She nodded solemnly, looking just as nervous as she had yesterday.

"Remember. These rules apply to everyone, not just New Hampshire. Apparently some of us needed a reminder." Ludwig glared at Alfred, who pretended not to notice.

"Excuse me?" Annie asked softly.

"Germany recognizes New Hampshire."

"Does that recommendation of observation bar me from speaking?"

"No. It is only a recommendation. If you have a strong opinion on something, you are allowed to speak."

She nodded, sitting down again.

Annie spent most of the morning in a terrified silence.

When the meeting broke for lunch, Arthur watched her leave. She'd seemed so confident when the morning started, he thought.

He stepped outside, to get his own lunch. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Annie sitting at a café table all alone. She looked up and saw him, and waved him over.

He sat down next to her. "'Ello, Annie."

She ignored his greeting. "I blew it, didn't I?"

"What?"

"I didn't talk. At all. My nation should be ashamed of me."

"You're a better representative than Alfred. He never shuts up."

Annie laughed. "I guess. And I was told to observe, anyway."

"Right."

There was a long silence. Annie looked around nervously. "Where is the waiter? I just want my coffee!" She smiled at Arthur. "Are you ordering too?"

"I suppose." He hadn't planned on ordering, but he was sitting in a café with someone who was. It would be impolite if he didn't order anything.

After another pause, Annie looked up at him. "Being a nation is a lot harder than I expected it to be. The other nations are kind of terrifying."

"Are they?"

"A little. Well, some of them. I'm afraid of Germany. And Russia's a little scary too."

"They have names."

"I know. I don't know them yet."

"Germany's name is Ludwig. Russia's name is Ivan."

She nodded, a small smile appearing. "No guarantee I'll remember that. Wait." She dug into her bag, removing a small pad of pink paper, and a purple pen. "Okay. Russia is Ivan, Germany is Ludwig, you're Arthur."

"You're taking notes?"

She looked up. "Yeah. I learn that way."

"Oh."

She scribbled on the pad for a few moments, then looked up at Arthur. "I think you're going to end up being an invaluable resource for me. You're kind, thoughtful, helpful, not terrifying..." She smiled, looking into his eyes. "And you have a good heart."

I found a home in your eyes

We'll never be apart