They didn't wake me up in the next day. Maybe they thought I wouldn't get interested in the actually political part of the meeting, but I don't know... Even if that was the reason, they were wrong - how to like Hetalia and not to appreaciate Geopolitics?
I not even searched for a breakfast; I grabbed the permit to enter in the conference room and run to it. I had to take a cab, because the event would take place in a building next to the House of Lords. Luckily, they were still in the moment of the homages and that kind of stuff. The countries were sat around the table, in the middle of the room, and all the advisors, as well as other important people, were in the galleries that you could reach by some stairs covered with velvet.
I climbed there and sat behind the Russians, silent. Some of them arched the eyebrows when they saw me. I greeted them with a wave of my hand, and then I turned forth, determined to stay quiet and not to disturb the meeting. Anyway, just the fact I was there was already a story to tell to the grandchildren, if I happen to have some.
My intention of staying unnoticed didn't worked just as I thought, in spite of the discretion of that Alfred (not America) or James that approached me, with that soft stepping of the butlers in detective's stories, delivering me a correspondence of official appearance. Yellowish paper, with a seal, it even looked like a Hogwarts letter. I almost ripped the paper, fumbling with the fingers to open it.
"Dear Miss Batista (read the letter, typed in Courier New)Considering the pleasant colloquy that we kept by the occasion of the post-dinner, yesterday, and your admirable knowledge in what concerns to the bizarre creatures that inhabit the literature of the English nation (I mean the writers, too), I come, by means of this letter, officially invite you to the Regional Convention of Fantasy, which is preview for the World Convention of Fantasy that will take place here in the next October (2013).
The entertainment of the event includes: simulated medieval battle; crossing of a forest (at night), Celtic party, and a visit to a haunted castle.
I look forward to count with your presence, in order for us to continue the topic on the battle of the good against evil. In case this come out impossible during the event, you may remain hosted in my house for
one (01) weekend else, and we will discuss the matter at the tea time.In the occasion, we may analyze the possibility of future visits.
Att,
Arthur Kirkland (aka England)."
I goggled, trembling. Well, that invitation was the nearest a muggle could come from a Hogwarts letter. Even with that offensive highlight in the "one (01) weekend" that had surely been added because of my nationality – geez, what habdabs about poor immigrants! I looked at England with sort of an ironical grimace; he was staring at me, measuring my reaction, and his lips outlined an imperceptible smile. I glanced at Russia, not sure if he had seen that; he seemed as impassible as always.
Well, well, such an invitation was not something you can simply throw away, in spite of the roughness. "Definitely, I'll think about it". I put the letter in the first pocket I found and, as Canada had just read the meeting's agenda, I started, as everyone around, to pay real attention. I thought America would be the first to speak, but not; Germany cleared the throat and stood up.
– There is something that we must solve. This economic crisis in Europe has to finish. I don't know how to say it in a kind manner, but… – he crossed his arms – I'm no longer paying for your sprees.
– What do you mean with that? – France said, aggrieved.
– I mean you do not work – Doitsu hissed. – The people in your country make a strike every time someone breaks the nail.
France pointed his finger at him, but stayed there biting the air, not able to say anything.
– He even ran a strike protesting against the strikes – England mocked.
– I wouldn't laugh so much if I were you – Germany retorted coldly. – You really don't help a lot, isolated there with your pound.
– We should block him until he accepts the Euro – France gave his opinion, always glad if he could be against England.
– No way – mumbled the eyebrow-man. – I'm not a daft; I will not grab a corpse.
– I don't cause you problems, right, Doitsu? – asked Hetalia, seemingly very afflicted. It was Germany's turn of babbling, not knowing how to answer to that without a swear-word. And a swear-word in German…could really cause a WWIII.
– Oh, it's nothing but your obligation to bear our debts – said South Italy, crossing his arms in the back of his head. – You caused many problems to Europe, in the last century, with the wars and that stupid wall – and he totally ignored the fact of being Germany's ally in both the wars he referred to. The German man went red.
– You two... – he growled, stretching his finger towards the Italian brothers. He took a breath. – The only reason I will not say you are the worst ones is because we have Greece that only sleeps – Doitsu sighed and pressed his forehead with the tips of his fingers. – And those East European… things.
The smile in Russia's face could be seen light-years away.
I believe that was the reason – to help from them hearing a possible suggestion of Russia that, maybe, desperate as they were, the Europeans could accept – why America took the floor.
– Gentlemen – he said, raising both his hands to wrestling, which looked like a palpable possibility. – I have a solution. You know that when the plate gets hot between you… the humanity loses. Do not destroy your historical buildings and masterpieces with useless battles. My children need these places to visit in their graduation trips. Turn your eyes to the Future!... – he exclaimed, making a gesture inwards, with his hands. Epic moment. Only the flag waving behind him was missing. The other countries stared at him, totally poker face, no idea of what he was talking about. America got angry. – Don't ya see?! – he exclaimed, still pointing at himself.
– What exactly, Mr. America? – asked Veneziano, shyly.
– Exactly, America! And Oceania! The New World – America was impassioned. – You see, in spite of my name, I'm not the only country in America – "Seriously?!", mumbled Canada, bored, but no one cared. They were paying attention to the "Hero". – There is a whole Central America and, yes, a South America too!...
It was my turn to think "Seriously?!". But that was getting weird. I sharpened my ears.
–...Until now, I had not highlighted this fact under your eyes because, well, it is my continente. Only I should rule over those countries. It just happens that they're a bit rebel... Some years ago, they even dared to overthrow my dictators. And I that always wanted the best for those fool little nations… – he said, with a martyr face, gathering his hands in the chest. – I just wanted to rid them from commun…
– America-san, can you get to the point? – Nihon asked, almost implored. He had been watching Russia by the corner of his eye.
– Ok, ok. What I'm talking is: there are things left to explore there. And, if you need, I allow you to – he shrugged.
The countries got silent for a moment. I tried to reckon what they were thinking, and gave up. I was not finding it not even close from funny.
– What are... the conditions? – the severe, cautious voice of Germany came.
– Middle East is mine – point-blank, this America! – I've seen it for first, and no on – this was said staring at Russia – will take it away.
– Haha, this is good; you take all the petroleum, and we, how do we get by? – hissed France, arms crossed.
– You're wrong, France-san – said Japan, in a low voice. – At least in South America there is petroleum enough. It's just a matter of finding the right instruments to extract it. Some of my engineers were among the charged of studying the possibilities.
– And there is much more than it there! – exclaimed America, punching the table, excited. – Grab this opportunity, my friends, and you can take Amazon in the bargain… No one knows how many kinds of plants are there, which are their properties, if you doubt we can even find magical herbs. And how many species of animals, not to mention the water, the noble wood, and the minerals. Yes, gold, silver, and many others. You just need to find the places where something was left, for Spain and Portugal plundered a lot in those regions, and dig.
As everybody knows, gold is a word that is far more magical than "please" or even "Expelliarmus". The eyes of the nations flickered ambition.
– And how do you suppose we could… come into possession of those things? – England said, cautiously. – Because it is the house of other countries, isn't it?
– Well, manage it – America shrugged. – I gave you the clue and promised not to interfere; I can't chew the hamburguer for you too. But… – he smiled in a sort of evil manner – there is someone there who's lately wanting to show off.
– If you refer to Argentina, he's pretentious by nature – England said. He had had some troubles with this country do to some so-called Malvinas Islands, or Falklands, but that is other story.
– Yeah, America, you expressed yourself poorly – France laughed. – All of Spain's descendants like to show off. And if you talk about Venezuela, although she's really a gorgeous cutie, I don't think she likes us Europeans so much. And we don't like her.
– America talks about Burajiru – infered Nihon, which had been staring attentively at USA.
– Brazil? – everybody exclaimed. France's and England's looks turned quickly up, towards me, for a split second; I hope I succeeded in controlling the paleness.
– We don't have any reason to attack him… – England said, slowly, seeming as if he was sorry for it.
– Oh, I have – snarled Romano. But it is also another story.
– Well, not out of an action – considered Germany, subtly. – But what if he continues the omission… in taking care of the forest, I mean…
–...we will have to take care of the situation – France completed. And it was dreading to see them agreeing, even completing each other's thoughts. Silence.
– Well, these are things to think in the future – England roused everybody. – Belgium has a debt and we need to know what to do with it.
The convention prolonged all the afternoon on, and into the night, deciding topics of the whole world, but mainly the economical deficits of the other European countries – Spain, Portugal, Romania… Everybody. I could no longer pay attention. I went out of the room some times to breath, came back, but never got calmer. As funny the previous day had been, today was freaking me out. I was biting my nails, and I don't really have this habit. In my head was empty except for the word "War, war, war, war…", and I had forgotten England's invitation, I had even forgotten Russia, I was only thinking about a way of coming back home and warn the government, or the population, even if I had to appear in the Globo for it. Only that it was not so simple, because I didn't know how I had gotten there, and obviously that was not my world, with anthropomorphic countries. Would there exist a Brazil, and someone had his phone number, so that I could warn him?
When the conference was ended, I came back to the hotel without noticing it, along with Russia's advisors. I didn't talk much with them. I was worried, and they didn't seem to be very happy with me either. I soon dived in my bed, but a long time passed until I finally slept, out of pure weariness…
In the next morning, for a change, they again didn't awake me. And the unpleasant surprises hadn't ended: I was getting dressed, sleepy, when I looked out of the window, to the hotel's courtyard down there, and I saw Russia and his advisors directing the stowing of the luggage in the trunks of two official cars.
They were going home without me!
Notes:
"Globo" is the most famous Brazilian news channel, I believe it would be like Fox or CNN in USA. BTW, I hate this channel.
All you can see in this chapter are some current conspiracy theories in Brazil. Tell me what you think about it.
And sorry for the bad translation, if you have some suggestion to make the text better...
