Chapter Seven: Blood & tears
"Uh, Hello." Holy Rome said reluctantly. "Oh you heard me! Sorry to laugh, you sounded quite like me for a second." He walked over and stood next to where Holy Rome was. "You're the country Austria told us about." His airy voice made Holy Rome wonder if it was a question or if he was just stating a fact.
"Yes, my name is the Holy Roman Empire." He mused over what he said. Part of him wished it wasn't true.
"I'm Canada. I've heard stories about you before from my Papa. I never thought I'd meet you. I don't meet other countries much." Canada sat down on floor and patted the seat next to him. Holy Rome sat next him. I hope this gets my mind off of him.
"Why? You seem friendly." Canada smiled at him. He knew the truth about him. No one had to tell him. His Papa told him the stories like it was some great victory but he didn't know how he could kill someone as nice as him. Most people just said hi and walked off and never remembered him after it but he it would be different this time. "That's kind of you to say but no one notices me or remembers who I am most of the time. You surprised me when you heard me laugh…" He trailed off and Holy Rome felt bad for him. "Well I'll make sure I remember you Canada." He gave his hand to Canada and Canada shook it. That sentence meant to world to him. He finally made a friend he would keep. He wouldn't be mad if he forgot him either. He was just happy to have a friend.
He held to his polar bear Kumajiro even tighter than usual in his excitement who wiggled in his arms. Holy Rome looked back up to the sky, the stars were coming out. "Beautiful, eh?" Canada said. "I used to star gaze with my brother like this all the time. He's starting to forget me too."
"When it counts you'll be the first person he thinks of. Trust me." Holy Rome's eyes scanned the crowd behind the archway. He saw Prussia's silver hair stick out like a sore thumb from the rest of the countries.
Prussia was boasting to Germany about how he was a much better drinker than Scotland, who at the moment was really far off. Germany rested his elbow on the bar stand not really listening to him. He sipped on the foam of his beer doubting that soundtrack would ever go the music from his place. The back of his mind was calculating what Italy had said after Prussia had awoken him. He was right, Germany never tried to stop him.
A voice next to him ordered an Almdudler. The bartender put the drink on the counter without a comment. "Hello, Germany." Germany looked up. Austria wasn't looking at him but rather glaring at Prussia. Austria's appearance had deteriorated since he left Germany's house. His hair was even messier, his glasses were dirty, and part of his jacket had a stain on it that was dark brownish color.
"Austria?" Germany turned toward him fully his thoughts pushed aside momentarily. Prussia's and Austria's glare battle had ended. "Yes?" When Austria spoke Germany noticed he was missing a tooth. "…Nothing." It could be his blood. Better not mention it. A moment passed then Austria spoke again. "Where is Holy Rome? Italy said he was with him earlier. I need to tell him something."
"Haven't seen him. I've been here the whole time."
Austria's stern façade wavered, he was getting anxious now. He bade Germany farewell and stalked off towards the dance floor taking his drink with him. There was no floating cape or tall hat to be found. What he did find was Italy's brother furiously walking away from the direction of one of the main speakers. Right next to which was Italy, Austria's only source left. Italy wasn't dancing. On the contrary, he looked quite miserable. Austria went over to him, he indicated for the both of them to get away from the speakers. Austria lead him over to the bar back to where Germany was.
When Austria and Italy had reached the German who had just finished his first beer, Italy was on the verge of tears. He took the seat next to Germany who now stood up. "Italy, what's wrong?"
"Did you have a fight with Romano?" Austria asked him, he was curious of this peculiar situation as well.
Italy hesitated to speak. Though it was important to tell them the information he had failed to tell Austria when he had seen him after he had gotten away from Russia, he feared the other countries would be mad at him. At last he gave in. "Romano might've offended Holy Rome. I found out where he was and I tried to get over to him but Romano blocked me and told me to ignore him because he must hate me to run away from me like that and not even explain."
"Explain? Where is he?"
Italy was not able to answer the first question nor did he want to answer it. "Balcony." The word was barely a whisper. The condition of the country was very strange. Austria and Germany exchanged troubled glances. Italy never acted like this.
Prussia who had been observing the scene spoke up. "Big brother does not hate you." He stated the fact with complete certainty.
"What did Romano say that made him leave?"
Germany's words finally did it. Italy broke. He started to sob into his folded arms on the counter of the bar. Germany patted his back lightly, guilt raining over him. I just had to ask him that…
Austria stood there mute and very confused. He expected Prussia to make a snide remark, but when he looked over to where he was standing Prussia unexpectedly was fuming. He muttered to himself about finding Spain and Romano before he left the bar.
"I'm going to go find Holy Rome." Austria wanted to say more but he couldn't think of anything else to say to mend what had transpired just now. Germany gave him a thumbs up along with a strained smile. Austria looked back at him weirdly as he walked away. Germany never smiled.
Austria went in the direction of the balcony, as he drew nearer he saw that he wasn't alone. Another country was with him but the name of which escaped him. He rested next to the archway out of sight and listened.
"…gladly trade lives with you right now, Canada." Holy Rome said. Canada! That's his name. "You don't hurt many people when no one can see you."
"No, but you don't get anyone to like you either." Canada's soft voice rang out. Silence reigned it was a comfortable silence.
"If you abandoned someone you… like and you broke their heart, how would you handle it?"
Who is he talking about? Is it possible there's a connection? I'm missing something here. Austria tried to make sense of the puzzle placed before him.
"Let them know that I cared about their feelings and I'd help fix it if they'd take me back after I was gone." After Canada said this the sound of moving clothes was heard.
"Thanks, Canada." Austria heard footsteps nearing where he was standing. He considered revealing himself but decided to wait.
"When you become a country again can I visit your place?" Canada asked.
The footsteps stopped."…Sure, but how'd you know I wasn't a country anymore?" Holy Rome's voice sounded like he was creeped out.
Austria heard a faint laugh. "You notice things when no one notices you."
Holy Rome stepped through the archway he was waving goodbye to his new found friend.
