/Hello again! Just wanted to say happy new year to everyone! Also, I'd like to apologize for the possible mistakes in this chapter. I used Google translate for the Italian dialogue, and also, I'm sorry if I incorrectly identified the Head of Congregation. I don't even know what that person is, I just know that it sounds official and Italian ^^ Enjoy the story and Happy New Year!
"E 'sicuro?" Romano asked the Italian General "Is it secure?" In Italian. He was impatient as usual, but this time he also felt something else. Was it anxiety? No…It was almost a sense of fear. Romano scoffed at himself. He was being paranoid. Ever since his brother had sent him the message, he hadn't been thinking straight. He had raced home to the comfort of his home in Italy; a grand church with tall steeples and many rooms and corridors. Romano and Italy's grandfather Roman Empire had built it as a base, and used it as a home, so this is where his grandsons had grown up. Looking back now, however, Romano scolded himself for being so hasty. He could have read the message wrong. His brother's hand writing had always been a little messy, but it was almost scribbled this time. Romano considered this as he packed his belongings from Spain's house. Was the writing messy because Italy had been trembling in fear as he wrote it? Or was he just over-reacting? To be honest, Romano himself didn't want to take any chances this time, especially when it concerned his family and home. Leaving a note for Spain to read when he got home, Romano rushed back to his home in his country's capital to carry out his duties and actions there in person. When he had arrived, his brother had been lighting the candles for mass, and looked completely exhausted as well. And of course, he was talking frantically out of fear. "Stop! Stai parlando troppo veloce!" He yelled at him in his native tongue which meant, "Stop! You're speaking too fast!" After his brother had slowed down his rapid breathing, he had explained everything to Romano and excused himself to go for a walk, apparently to clear his head. Romano hadn't questioned this. So while Italy was gone he busied himself with preparations.
The Italian General and other security personnel had acted quickly with little questions, and he hadn't had as much media attention as he had expected. Only another few hours before the final step of his plan would commence. First had been securing the basement treasury. This had probably been the grandest step, and required Romano himself to go down 3 flights of stairs and through several dark hallways to get to the ancient sealed room. Thankfully, the chains his grandfather had put on the room were still in place, but a little extra security wouldn't hurt. Second, Romano made a huge move that caught the attention of the citizens and media. Of course, no one argued and no one asked many questions. In fact, Romano had to admit that the Italian citizens were the most cooperative, as the elders knew what all this meant. Within 8 hours, all of the tourists and visitors, no matter where they were from or why they were here, were expelled from the country. It had been a drastic move, and was guaranteed to spark the curiosity of other countries, but that had truly been the least of Romano's worries.
Now, all he had to do was confirm that step one and two were complete, and begin step three. "Si. The room and its contents are secured." The Italian General replied. Romano sighed. "Great. Tell the advisers the media, and the head of the congregation to meet me in the East Mass Room." He said quickly. It was such a pain to do all of this alone. As Romano and the general made their way to the East Mass Room, the Head of the Congregation met up with them in the hallway. "I'm sorry to disturb you right now…" The Head of Congregation said to Romano as they walked. "What is it?" He responded irritably. "Well…" The old man hesitated. "By your grandfather's laws, I legally have to tell you the requirements, conditions and everything else about what you are about to do. I understand that you've done this before in the past, but that was a long time ago, and as the Head of Congregation I need to remind you." The elderly man pushed up his glasses on his nose. Romano sighed and looked sideways at the old man. "Go ahead, then…" He responded. The old man nodded. "As the personified co-country of South Italy, you are required to place your right hand over your heart and raise your left hand as you recite these words." The old man handed Romano a document with Italian words printed neatly on it. "After you recite this, you can explain and make your conditions to this action clear, and also further explain anything else you might feel the need to." The old man paused to take a breath, when Romano spoke. "Is that all?" He said with a roll of his eyes. They were almost to the East Mass Room where they were guaranteed not to get a moment of peace with the media and press buzzing around. "Not quite." The old man stopped.
They were now in front of the grand wooden double doors that led to the East Mass Room. "You do understand that your brother…I mean you're only in charge of half of the country…" Romano put a hand on each of the huge golden door handles. "I have already talked with my brother and we have both made our decisions." The elder man nodded to show he understood. "Sir? Sei pronto?" The Italian woman in charge of telecommunications asked as she came up behind the two while carrying a clipboard and a wireless ear phone. "Yes. I'm ready." Romano answered and allowed the woman to attach the ear phone to his ear without protest. "Siamo pronti." She said into her own ear piece "We're ready." Romano took a deep breath and pushed open the grand double doors, where he was immediately greeted by a large crowd of media and press reporters and security personnel who were making a path for him to the old podium were Romano and Italy had read bible passages for Mass. But today, it was being used for an important announcement. All he could hear was the buzz of the many voices yelling above each other, begging for his attention. A quote, a statement, a reason. The media always wanted something.
As he stepped on the stage he glanced up. Carved in wood, positioned between stained glass windows was a cross fastened high on the wall. Romano glanced up to it, and then lowered his eyes. Dear God, he silently prayed. Whatever happens, please don't let this country fall. Please don't let me let grandfather down. He mentally begged as he stood on the stage and waited for the adviser to introduce him to the now quiet crowd. And, please, whatever you do, please make sure my brother goes along with our plan. Please give him the strength to keep going. Romano shook the advisers hand and then took his place at the podium. Amen.
Wordlessly, Romano placed his right hand over his heart and raised his left hand, as he began to read the words on the document into the many microphones on the podium. "I, Italy Romano Lovino Vargas, the personification of South Italy do solemnly swear that I fully understand my rights, and legal power over my portion of the country of Italy, and I do solemnly swear that my legal and national actions are purely for the benefit of this country, so help me god." He said stiffly in Italian as he addressed the crowd of people in front of him, even though this step, this final step in the plan, would affect the entire country. The telecommunications adviser's voice came on in his ear. "Sir, you may now officially complete the action." She said briskly. Romano took a deep breath and stared out at the tons of reporters and media personnel in front of him. It wasn't stage fright that was making him uncomfortable. It was the feeling that he was addressing his country without the other half of it standing next to him. "As the personification of South Italy, I would like to announce and inform everyone that under Italy Veneziano's and my own command, the country of Italy will be secured in lock down until further notice."
This sentence caused uproar of astonishment, surprise, and a lot of questions. Romano held up his hand for silence. "To further explain, all travel, imports and exports in and out of Italy will no longer be allowed, as well as any tourists. Military personnel from other countries coming in to discuss military actions will be denied entry as well." This caused uproar, this time of reporters wanting to ask questions. "Yes?" Romano gestured to a young reporter near the front. "Does this mean that we will no longer be participating in war internationally?" Romano sighed at this. "Yes it does. Anyone else? You over there." He moved on. A female reporter with a stern look stood up. "Sir, with all due respect, you do realize that without Italy Veneziano's input and confirmation, you cannot close the doors of North Italy because you are only the personification of South Italy?" She pressed. Romano was whole-heartedly dreading this question. He was about to tell the woman that he had written consent from his brother saying that he agreed with this action as well, when someone tapped him on the shoulder. Oh god. He thought. This could only mean one thing.
It was one of the council members. The woman handed him a letter. Please god, no. He opened the letter, took the document out and unfolded it on the podium. Please don't let this be it. Romano's heart sank to his stomach as he scanned the document in front of him. He took another steadying breath and addressed the reporter again. "Actually, my next announcement will answer your question." He said weakly. Oh god. Don't let this happen. "As of today, December 1st, 2012, I would officially like to announce a change in governmental standing." He said.
God, why have you failed me? He held up the document, with Italian printing, and his brother's signature clearly visible underneath. "Due to my brother's resignation... I am now the official personification of the entire country of Italy."
God, you bastard!
