There I was, sitting in this cold, dark room with no coat. I could feel my already dirty dress becoming even dirtier, and tears stained my face. My apron was wet from Italy's hair, so I had taken it off and had it bunched up in my lap. My body was leaned against the porthole, my eyes closed.
The door opened, and I feel backward slightly. I had been in there at least a few hours. It was difficult to keep track of time with no clocks. Maybe it was even the next day…
The person who has opened the door wasn't Austria, but another maid. "…Hungary…You poor thing…I heard the entire story."
"…I know…" I stood up and brushed away the excess dirt. "…It's odd who that man calls his friends. The slave driver…"
"Well…he wants to see you. I think you should go before he tells me to lock you back up again…"
"Right…Thanks…"
I already knew where he was. That filthy man was sitting in his room, playing his piano until his fingers fell off…that's what he always did when he was being difficult. As if we were the ones pouring into his great sea of troubles…
I arrived, hearing no music as I expected to. I didn't bother with knocking, only opened the door to see a darkened room and Austria sitting at his piano, fingers deep in his hair. It was as if someone had sculpted him with a headache, since he didn't move. I walked closer, looking at him. He still didn't move in the least.
"You wanted to talk to me. What did you want to say? I honestly don't ever want to look at you again, so if we could make this quick, I would appreciate it highly. That way I could go back to cleaning your ridiculously large home. I'll be trying not to break every sculpture and scribble in ink on all of your boring paintings…" I didn't even concern myself with being locked away again. I would rather have my dignity, what little was left.
"…I'm sorry." He said. Austria actually looked at me, his eyes not so very harsh. His pretty little lips were formed into a frown, but he didn't seem to be angry anymore.
"…What?" I said. It was shocking he wasn't demanding an apology, but giving one.
"…I'm sorry…You're right. I shouldn't be so cruel to you…" His hands went back to being implanted into his thick locks. He looked so lovely, even if I was still thoroughly angered.
I didn't even talk. Instead, I placed myself on the bench next to him, looking down at the keys. "…I'll forgive you if you buy Italy some new clothes…he needs a decent coat and shoes…I'll make him gloves…but you can't let him work in the snow like that…"
"…Consider it done…" He said. Austria turned to me, our eyes exchanging glances. "...I…I know it seems strange to hear me say things like this…but…I couldn't stand myself if you hated me…so…" he looked away, and back to the piano. "Please don't…"
"…I won't…but Austria, we're people too…I know we're just servants…but we're alive…we suffer just as much, if not even more than you do." I said. "We don't have the same problems, I know…but dammit…" I couldn't even continue. I just looked at the black and white stripes lining his instrument.
I looked to him a moment, my mouth tightly shut. We stared at each other, and all in a few seconds, he took me into his arms. I was still filthy and even somewhat wet, but he didn't stop…I hugged him back.
"…I'm sorry…" He said. One of his gloved hands traced through my hair a bit. "…My anger got the better of me…"
"I know…"
He let go and went back to staring at the keys. "…You can get clean, if you like…and you can replace your clothes too. I'll have those washed."
"…Thank you…" His fingers were sitting next to me, and I put my hand on top of his, gently. I was still mildly upset, but I was happy with him in the regards he apologized…and Italy would finally have something decent to wear...
That night, I cleaned myself roughly, getting all the dirt off, and I changed into one of my few pairs of pajamas. I then sat in front of my vanity, my face reflected in the mirror. Damp hair hung from my head in long stands that weren't as wavy as they normally were…I sighed and went to bed shortly after that.
The next morning, the first place I went (without even changing from my pajamas) was Italy's room. He was sleeping peacefully. The coat was still in the same place it was yesterday, and it seemed like he hadn't gotten up. The boy sat up, wiping his eyes and yawning. His eyes opened.
"…Oh…hello…" He proceeded picking the sleep from his eyes.
I sat on my knees next to his little bed and wrapped my arms around him. "It's so good to now you're okay...I thought you would be sick…" My palm pressed to Italy's forehead and everything felt normal. I kissed his cheek and cleared some hair from his face. "…Austria's going to get you a new coat…" I told him. "…And new boots even…Aren't you excited?"
"He is?" There was a smile on his face. "…Do I even get to choose it myself?"
"…I don't know about that, but you're getting a new coat for sure…" I placed another kiss upon his forehead. "…Come on…let's get some breakfast…"
We walked to the kitchen in our sleeping clothes. When we arrived the place was busy making breakfast for Austria. Usually, I would be involve din this tangled mess, but I had already decided I would give myself a sort break today.
"Hungary! There you are! He came in here looking for you…" the woman speaking stopped what she was doing; only looking at me. "…I don't think he was angry, but he wanted to see you immediately. I think you should go..."
"In my pajamas?"
"Better than not at all…"
So, we made our way to his dining room, which was probably the most over done room in the entirety of the mansion. There was a chandelier hanging above the table, and the ceiling itself was so high up, it was like looking up at the sky…There were paintings on the ceiling. They were commissioned before the place was built. The walls were lined with windows, all of them showing off soft light, as they always did in the morning. The table itself was ridiculous…it filled the entire room, which in itself was gigantic, and most times, (almost all times…) there was only one person who sat there, who was there now, at the other end.
"…Why are you dressed in your pajamas?" I think he asked.
"What?!" I called. He simply waved me over.
Once I was facing him, he pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down, then he asked again, "Why are you in your pajamas?"
"…I'm sorry, sir…I've just woken up…I went to go get Italy, and then we were told you wanted to see me."
The little Italian boy was in my lap, looking around the room. "…Wow…It's so big in here…"
"…Well, it's better you brought him anyway…" Austria said. "…Italy…" He was actually speaking gently. "…You're coming with me into town today. I'm buying you some clothes." He turned his attention to me. "Oh, yes, you're coming." He put simply. "You need some new clothing too…"
"Really?" I asked. "…Thank you…"
Before he could respond, the door opened wide and maids came in, carrying all sorts of food. I wondered if he planned on eating it all himself, but before I could ask, there were two plates placed before me, one for Italy and myself.
"Oh look! Food!" The boy in my lap was bouncing up and down on top of legs…I don't think he even realized he was doing it. I laughed. He was so cute…
"Italy, please calm down…" Austria said.
"Oh…I'm sorry…" He stopped, and looked up at me. "Sorry…"
"It's alright…"
We began eating. In my opinion, there was too much for even three people. There was enough to feed about eight, maybe more if everyone took small portions. I still took quite a bit. I hadn't eaten dinner yesterday, and I normally didn't get all too much nourishment.
Once we had finished, I wiped my mouth with the cloth napkin set before me. "Thank you, sir…That was wonderful."
"It's fine. I'm tired of eating alone anyway…Go get dressed. We'll go when you're both ready."
I nodded and stood, taking Italy with me, who had syrup and crumbs scattered around his mouth. He was dirty, but he certainly looked adorable. I took a napkin with me and began rubbing the stay food from his face.
I dressed Italy first, and then myself. We were both wearing our newer clothes. I knew Austria would be disappointed if I went out in near rags, even if my coat did cover it. But I found myself somewhat lost. Italy didn't have any coat to wear, and even if we were going to get him one, he would still have to suffer through the cold before we got to our destination…was there any one Italy sized around?
"Shinsei Roma…" He was inside his room, doing something or other. I'm really unsure what that child does all day, but he doesn't seem to have such a bad time of it.
Italy was standing next to me, and before he came to the door, the reddish haired boy opened it for him. "Shinsei Roma!"
"Oh…Italy…" His little face turned pink. "…What is it?" He was only nice to the Italian boy…
"Hungary said…that…umm…What did you say again?"
"Do you mind if I borrow a coat? Italy doesn't have one, and we're going out…"
He considered it a moment. "…I want to come…"
"That's not really up to me…You'll have to ask Austria, but I'm sure you'll be allowed to go along with us…"
At that, the blond child had nothing more to say to me. Instead, he went into his closet and took out a coat from an old looking box, and handed it to Italy. It was somewhat covered in dust, but it would do. There were no obvious holes, and it looked rather warm. It was even a pleasant color, even though it was plain. The fabric was light blue…
"Oh…Thank you, Shinsei Roma!" Italy slipped on the coat and forced the black buttons through their holes. It was a little big for him, because Shinsei Roma was a little bigger, but it fit well enough, and a little extra room wouldn't be such a problem.
"…It's…nothing…"
After the two children were ready, we met Austria near the front door. Hew looked down to the boy dressed in black. "…You don't need anything, do you?"
"I want to go with Italy…" He told him, his voice near defiant.
"There's no need to be defensive. I was just wondering why you were coming…"
I had to admire Austria. He was dressed in a thick black overcoat, and the entire thing was fur…It looked so wonderful, I just wanted to wrap myself in it. His gloves were of new slick leather and it seemed that he even had new boots on. He looked so attractive; I had to focus hard on keeping my eyes to myself.
"…Is everyone ready to go?" His eyes glanced at all of us. "…Hungary, your face is bright red…you're not sick are you?"
"No, no…not at all…It's just warm in here with this on..." I lifted up my arms, my coat shifting.
He nodded and opened the door.
