Chapter 4
Austria
The spectacled nation wasn't happy. But at the same time, he wasn't unhappy. Being dragged around by Prussia to a restaurant in the middle of New York City wasn't how he planned his afternoon, not to mention they almost got busted by China during the meeting. The fact that Liechtenstein was standing there the whole time while they hung back after everyone left added the icing on the cake. Now he had a suspicious Asian after their asses, a poor confused yet knowledgable little girl, and a crowded street where you can't go two feet without bumping into someone. Oh yea, it was great.
But as much as the situation sucked, it also was peaceful and nice. He was with the people he trusted most, one of which he loved more than anything. He was in one of the best cities in the world, the bright lights and commotion proving to be appealing and creating a symphony of noise representing the bustle of life. And better yet, he was enjoying himself. the streets may be crowded, but in a city like this one, there was just too much too see.
You could spend your entire life here and still have more to explore.
His train of thought shattered however, when Prussia yanked him into a simple crowded restaurant after Spain, Russia, and America.
America headed to the hostess to get a table and gave their name leaving the rest to crowd by the doorway.
"Hey Specs! Loosen up will ya? WE GOT A LONG DAY AHEAD OF US!"
At the Prussian's shout, a few heads turned their way in the crowded restaurant, along with a few glares. Hell, the noise even dropped to dead silence. From the yell, or from the group of drastically different and odd newcomers, he didn't know.
"No worries here amigos!", Spain said. "Just an over-enthusiastic couple going to dinner!"
He made a gesture to Austria and Prussia on the word 'couple'.
Russia was currently hiding his smile behind his lips in an attempts to appear innocent, but who was he kidding, Spain had hit pretty close to the mark.
Austria was spluttering indignantly, glasses slightly askew, but even Prussia could see the light blush dancing across his cheeks. Hell, he probably had one too, albeit less notable. But the fact that he was doubled over laughing helped hide the pale shade of pink marring his cheeks.
"We are no such thing!", the musician yelled.
"Comrade, I think it's time to 'let the cat out of the bag', as the Americans would say it"
"Of all people, even you? I thought you would have the decency to-"
"Kind of hard to scold someone with that blush dude"
America added fuel to the fire, now standing behind Russia with a few menus in his hand.
Austria just settled for shaking his head hopelessly.
"Why do I even bother? I'm surrounded by heathens"
By now, the restaurant's chatter started to pick up. The clamoring noise rising over their conversation. A few looks were sent their way, but the attention was now on the people they were dining with, not the ragtag team.
"C'mon dudes, this joint sells food from all around the world! Each chef is actually from your countries, if you want I can even take you 'round back to meet them"
America talked on about each dish as they seated themselves outside at a secluded table behind some plants and looked at their menus. The blonde was right about one think, they really did have food from all around the world.
Each country fawned over the display of dishes in their hands. And they could feel the chefs in the the back too.
Every nation can feel their people, whether it a child, a man, a women, or an elderly citizen. If a person belongs to their respective country, than a nation's personification knows them. They recognize their own citizen, can feel where they are, wherever in the world, no matter how close or far they are. They can also tell when they are lying, and know every single detail, of that person's life, from when they crawled out of the crib at age two, to their final moments.
This gift however, is a curse, Austria thought.
They can feel the birth of their people, yet they can also feel their death.
They can feel them get their legs blown off by a land mine.
Can feel them bang a knee, or an elbow.
Can feel their terror as they fall off a cliff.
Can feel them choke on water, desperately flailing as they drowned.
Can hear their screams, their pleas for help, their tears.
And none of them want to feel this.
Other countries deal with it, take it in stride, and ignore it. Having grown so used to it, they incorporate it into their daily way of life.
But the secret allies are different, he assured himself.
And different they were. They tired from war, the pain, and the anguish. Each member wished to be released from their duty as a personification.
"Hello my name is Tobias and I will be serving you today"
An enthusiastic cheery voice cut through his mind and snapped him form his stupor. His slight jolt was met with surprise when he looked at the teen in front his him. He was dressed in a white button down shirt, black khakis, and a waiters apron. His hair slightly messy, but a sleek brown that matched his own, eyes chocolate and shining. A pen and pad were poised in his hand, ready to take down an order. But what really shocked him was the boy's heritage. This child was one of his own.
Before he could stop it, the flood of information crammed into his mind nearly causing him to drop his menu.
Eighteen years old. Employed as a waiter. Living in New York City with his mother. Father, deceased. Grandparents, deceased. Sister...Deceased.
"You're Austrian?"
The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. The question carried a hint of surprise. The rest of the table let out a collective sound of astonishment, all but America raising their eyebrows. The said nation gave a small smile, a proud glint in his sky blue eyes.
Tobias's smile melted to a look of confusion.
"Uh, yes sir, I am. If I may ask, how did you know?"
"Oh um", Austria faltered in his response, mentally cursing himself for his mistake. Quickly he righted himself, coughing into his hand and gaining a flustered look. "It's an extremely common name in Austria. Besides, your voice had a German accent. A fellow Austrian and Prussian should recognize one of their culture", Austria continued, gesturing high his head to Prussia sitting next to him.
The young waiter's face brightened instantly.
"Is that so? It's good to see more on my kind! Heheh. it's great here, my friends form school also all speak German, man am I lucky. Where do you live, if you mind me asking?"
Austria gave a warm smile and pushed up his glasses.
"Vienna", he said.
"And I live in Berlin with my awesome German brother Ludwig!", Prussia interjected.
Out of the blue, the elegant being grew flustered and shook his head.
"Oh where are my manners"
Austria extended an open palm to the happy waiter, who gladly shook it, than retracted his hand.
"My name is Roderich, Roderich Edelstein"
The eyes of Russia, Spain, Prussia and America widened.
The invader of vital regions gave Austria's shoulder a slight shake and hissed in his ear.
"Specs, what're you doing giving away your name so easil-"
Austria silenced him with a disregarding shake of his head. He didn't care. For a nation, if one knew their true name, their human name, that person could bend the nation to their will. Every nation guarded it with care, and told only their leaders, and those they trusted with their life. The leaders often used it in a form of enslavement.
"I'm sorry about your father. Your sister, and grandparents was well"
Tobias jerked back as if he'd been stabbed. A sad look crossed his features and his right hand clutched his pen tighter than necessary.
"Sir...How would you know something like that?"
Austria gave the man a sad look.
"The holocaust has affected many. Your parents and grandparents were no exception. You're not suffering alone. I'm happy that you could find a new life in America. My own name, Edelstein, means gemstone. It's is Austrian, however, the name had Jewish decent. I am proud to have it"
By now, Tobias's pad and pen had slipped from his hand and clunked duly onto the table. A closer look revealed that his eyes were tearing up. The hands floating in front of his chest were shaking, and his pupils had widened to show his shock.
Austria almost fell off his seat when the boy suddenly jumped on him started crying. The youth's arms latched around his shoulders and the brown hair nestled itself in the crook of his neck. Austria simply sat there rubbing circles into his back and letting the exploding dam calm down to a somewhat tumbling stream. A quick survey of the table showed each nation with an understanding look on his face, Russia's and America's being the saddest.
A pang shot through his heart. His citizen was in pain, they were sad, therefore, he was sad too. With sheepish grin unbefitting of his crying face, Tobias pulled up a chair that was seated at a nearby table. Austria silently thanked America for getting them a table that was away from the rest of the crowd.
Sitting himself down at the empty end of their group, Tobias gathered himself.
"I'm so sorry, didn't mean to...uh..you know"
Surprisingly, Prussia was the one who comforted the boy.
"Eh, don't sweat it", the awesome nation said. "If it's about something like that, everyone at this table is your friend. We've gotten the brunt of the whiplash from 1939 to 45"
A sympathetic look marred Tobias's face. Taking a beep breath he began,
"My grandparents were Jews in Vienna. When the Nazi's annexed Austria, they were among the first to be killed. My mother ad father were kids at the time, childhood sweethearts. They were forced into a concentration camp for years and were almost killed. My father was nearly gassed once. He was in the chamber about to die when he was dragged out and saved. Turns out, the camp was liberated by British forces. The soldiers got him out just in time. They later fled to the U.S. In hopes to start a new life. However, the gas had lasting effects"
The teen's voice dropped to a near whisper, and Austria could see tears about to fall again. Austria didn't need to hear the story. He already knew everything about his own previous citizen. Yet he also wanted to hear it from Tobias's own mouth. The kid needed to let this pass.
"After my mother and father gave birth to me and my sister in 1998, my father died in 2002. The gas had done to much damage, his lungs could no longer hold out. They collapsed at work and he was gone before I got the news from mom. My sister, Alese, died three years later in 2005. The damage had been passed down from dad to her. She suffered a heart attack at age 7 and faded in my arms when we were walking back from school. I've lived with mom ever since and earned a living here. Mom works as a doctor in the joint down 42'nd street"
Spain dropped the menu onto the table when Tobias finished and put a hand over his mouth.
"Oh dios I'm so sorry"
The boy blinked at the sudden change of language and accent.
"Are you from Spain?"
The personification hid a chuckle at how close the boy was. Deciding to give the young man a thrill he leaned forward on his hands and offered a bright million kilowatt grin, letting loose some of his essence. Austria and the other nations gave a small start of surprise at the feeling of the sun, joy, and passion. Internally he thanked the man for cheering up the teen. His internal jubilation grew when he saw Tobias's shoulders and face relax to something that bordered serene.
A nation's essence is what the country feels like. It can change from soothing, to a weapon in an instant, and can make men faint in milliseconds.
Seems like Spain's is the best for that cheerfulness.
"Sí, Madrid", Spain said, answering the human Austrian's earlier question. "Everyone here at this table came from around the world"
At this, Russia spoke up.
"Здравствуйте, I'm from Moscow, Moscow Russia"
When the expectant head turned to America, the blonde grinned.
"Land of the free and home of the brave!"
Tobias sparked a bit at the newly learned news.
"Seems like the olympics rather than a dinner party", he joked.
Russia chucked behind his hand at the irony and grinned behind his scarf.
"Indeed it does. Oh, and does this place have Beef Stroganoff?"
Tobias grinned and picked up his pad and pen.
"Sure! And for the rest of you?"
At the confirmation, the Ruski nearly clapped his hands.
"Dude, I'll totally take the Skirt Steak!"
"A Seafood Paella for me señor!"
"The awesome Collibiac! East Prussian style!"
"I will have some Rindsuppe"
With a nod and a skip, Tobias fetched their orders with vigor, and disappeared in the kitchen.
When the food arrived they dug in with gusto, their table filled with moans of pleasure from the taste, and idle chatter. Austria nearly dropped his fork when Prussia flicked him in the arm.
"Hey specs. I know you told him your name because you felt guilty"
Austria frowned.
"So?"
Prussia gave a exasperated sigh and dabbed his mouth with the white napkin, staining the colorless fabric with the sauce from his meal.
"You shouldn't feel guilty", he said. "You didn't kill his family, I didn't see you once kill your own without remorse. If you really feel guilty, you would have shot me and West. It was our Nazi's that committed those crimes. I know you don't blame us. No one blames you. Neither Germany, Hungary, Finland, the Italy twins, or I were murdering willingly"
"It doesn't matter", Austria answered. "It was on my land", he continued, the fork in his hand shaking from his grip. "It was in my country. My people. My Jews. My citizens. And in my concentration camps, they died. That's all there is too it"
The rest of the meal was filled with conversations of upcoming events and pleasant discussion, the initial sadness giving way to the enjoyment of a good meal and eager communication.
A/N: Thank you for reading so far. Please, I'm really asking, please comment on my story. This is my first time actually posting a FanFiction and I would like to know how to improve. The Historical Information and Facts section at the bottom of the page are historical true references that I used in my chapter. If you have any suggestions that I can make work in the story, I may add it to a character. One example would be if you want a bit of info about their past, or any additional information. In the comments section, I would ask that you give me feedback on whether I should continue this story or not, I am unaware of how successful it is at the moment. If it is not doing well and I do not get feedback I may slow down the updates because no one is reading it. Thank you
-AlfredFreedomJones
Historical Information and Facts:
The dishes listed by each country are popular cuisine that I researched pertaining to each nation.
WW2 lasted from 1939 to 1945
In WW2, Nazi Germany annexed Austria and added many concentration camps in the area.
The capitals of Spain, Russia, Germany, and Austria are Madrid, Moscow, Berlin, and Vienna respectively
Tobias is a common Austrian name
