So technically Mari is one of the last main 1p OCs I'm revealing in this story (There is going to be about five more), but there are several more 2ps that'll be revealed in the future as we move closer to the main plot if you get what I mean.
Also, I'm changing the story's summary in the future so keep your eye on it.
Okay, enough talk. I don't own Hetalia, only my OC.
Oh, and whenever Mari is communicating through paper and pencil, it'll be in italics, like this: "speaking"
Chapter 21 Iron-clad Princess
"Wait, so you had a city personification all along? Why didn't you tell us?"
Mari seemed to flush with embarassment as she buried her head in Toris' jacket. The group quickly discovered that the girl was selectively mute, and would only talk to those she wasn't shy of. Those included Toris, her brother and Leonas, who had found her earlier this morning. No matter the circumstances though, Mari had caught the attention of most of the nations.
"Well... Mari is rather a special case. Most of the time we are so close to each other, but she's extremely shy of others." Toris explained, "No matter what though she was always at my side."
"But how did she become a sword? I've never heard of a capital that could change it's form like that," Lizzie pointed out.
It was then that Arthur stood up. "Well Lizzie, that is where I come in. Toris called me up about 25 years ago and asked for my help. I knew the whole situation with Mari, so in a way I act as a bit of a guardian to her, right Mari?" The personification of England watched as Mari nodded, a small smile on her face.
"So you used your magic to give her another form. That way, she could always be by Toris' side, without having to face the other nations." Lizzie concluded.
"Exactly. She could use this form to be by Toris at meetings, and when they got home she could return to her normal form."
Lizzie watched as Mari whispered into her older brother's ear, before Toris nodded. "Mari got a little worried about the time during Luciano's attack, when I had left her in my room, to around last night. That explains her unexpected appearence." the Lithuanian explained.
"Unexpected or not, it's always a good thing she's here. She won't be in much danger as she would be in her city. But I'm rather worried now," Melody admitted, earning a raised eyebrow from Gilbert.
"What's got you worried, my little muse?" the prussian asked, earning a glare from the young woman's brother and a furious blush from the Vienna woman.
"W-Well Gilbert, no offense to all the young children in this room, but I'm worried they'll be hurt by Luciano and Kuro if they decide to attack."
Leonas nodded. "I agree with you on this case Melody. But we also know that some will want to help no matter how dangerous it is. That's why I propose that we allow them to help if they want."
A wave of muttered approvals swept the room. "Leonas is right on this matter. I hate to say this, but it should be up to the micronations and cities if they want to join in," Gilbert stated, looking a little nervous at the trained glare Mari was giving him and Feliks, the latter shrinking in his seat.
That was another thing they found out. Mari held stong hatred for a few nations for what they did in Toris' past, and would give them a death glare if they looked at her. Those including Gilbert, Roderich, Ludwig, and a small hatred from Ivan because of the mixed past her city had with him. But the one who she seemed to hate the most was none other than Feliks, who seemed to shrink with every look at the ten year old.
"You don't have to get upset Mari. Here, have a peanut butter cup to cheer you up," Alfred suggested, placing several pieces of the candy in front of the little city.
Mari seemed to be hesistant, but after being convinced by her brother, she picked one up and ate it, before smiling and finishing the other pieces at a quicker pace. Toris looked amused as the prussian across from him relaxed, but still took it upon himself to move away from the brother and sister duo in case one of them got upset with him.
"T-Thank you Mr. Alfred. They're very yummy." Mari whispered, and blushed as Toris ruffled her hair and adjusted the little girl's glasses.
"Thank you Alfred. I think you lightened the tension a bit," Lizzie joked before continuing, "Anyways, There hasn't been any new information Luciano's group, but fortunately, there's some news. Kiku's group has managed to arrive in the 2p world and are safe for the time being. Lindsey's looking watching over them incase they're attacked."
"Well, that's a good sign. Is there anything else we should know Lizzie?" Arthur asked, taking a sip of his tea.
"Well there is, but I don't think you'll like it. They met Ollie."
Tea was sent flying into the air as Arthur spat out his drink and looked at his younger sister. "He didn't feed them cupcakes and they got poisoned did they?"
"Nope. Lindsey warned them not to."
A sigh of relief escaped Arthur's lips. "Thank goodness. I was rather," The nation cleared his throat, "Worried that Oliver was gonna do something to them."
Leonas shook his head. "Nope. Oliver is on the neutral side of this war, and unless something pushes him off edge, I don't think he'll be joining any time soon. As for allies though, I just got a message this morning saying Allen, Gilen, and Natalie will be joining us, as well as a few of the magic city six from our side."
"Well that's certainly better than no allies at all."
"Exactly."
Lizzie nodded. "If that's everything, I think this meetings done with and can be concluded. The next one will be tomorrow, if that's alright."
A wave of nods swept through the room as everyone began standing up and going about their business for the day. Lizzie noticed how Mari was just sitting there on Toris' lap, and she seemed to be just happy being with her brother.
Family ties were always a big issue, especially with her family. Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland often pestered her brother, while Wales seemed to ignore it. That didn't mean that they didn't like each other though. It was just a big sibling rivalry.
One that she tried to stay out of for her sake.
"I'm sorry you had to appear in front of everyone so sudden Mari. I don't think any of us were expecting you to appear when you did." Toris admited, the little capital snuggling closer.
"It's alright Tori. I got you to comfort me," Mari stated, and Lizzie could help but compare the two to Vash and Lilli, "I still don't know what's going on though. Mr. Alfred seemed a little nervous to talk after what happened last night."
"I think he's just a little embarassed after his outburst last night. He's rather nice after you get to know him."
"Y-Yeah..."
Lizzie smiled as Toris ruffled his sister's hair before setting her on the ground. "Why don't you introduce yourself to some of the other nations and cities while I finish up here. There's a notepad and pencil for writing if you're shy in my room."
"O-Okay. You'll be done soon though, right?"
"Within an hour or two. Don't worry, I won't be gone all day."
Mari smiled as she gave Toris a hug and walked out of the room, a skip in her step as she hopped away. "You two seem to have a strong bond." Lizzie pointed out.
Toris nodded. "She's was the first person that fully connected with me after Vilnius was formed, and she is the one who tries to act as a stable connection between me and Russia. I feel a bit more safe with her around."
"A personification is friends with Russia and not insane like Belarus?!" Lizzie questioned.
Leonas nodded. "To be honest, I was surprised as well. But then Toris explained the Poland-Lithuania war took Vilnius from him, and Russia returned her to him. I found out that out when I met Mari, and I found out it takes a lot for her to fully trust someone. It took six months for me."
"Now I see. And her relationship after that trust has been built is different for each nation. In Russia's case, it's a sense of respect and gratitude."
"Exactly."
(With Mari)
This place is so big. How does Tori find his way through this building?" Was the question running though Mari's head as she walked down the hallways, clutching a notepad in one hand and a pencil in the other. Granted, the little Lithuanian was extremely shy, but at the same time rather curious about the world.
As Mari made her way past a door, the sound of music made her pause. A quick glance into the room made her smile as she heard the sound of piano music play, the pianist quickly revealed to be the one who was worried about her wellbeing, and the little girl slipped into the room. She plays pretty music. It makes me think of Tori when he played the piano.
"You do a really good job Melody. Your piano skills are legendary."
Mari felt her cheeks burn up as she noticed the Prussian sitting on the couch in front of the piano. If it wasn't for her condition, she would be insulting Gilbert with any swears or curse words she knew, with the exception of polish. She always reserved those for when she went near a certain crossdressing nation when her brother wasn't around.
"Well, thank you Gilbert. I learned from the best." Mari watched as Melody looked up from the piano and noticed her, "Why hello little one. I'm guessing you heard the piano playing and was wondering who was playing?"
Mari nodded as she scribbled down what she wanted to say and showed it to the woman. "Yes. It was very pretty, Miss Melody."
"Oh, you don't have to be formal Mari. Most of the nations here are used to being called by their first name, right Gilbert?"
"Y-Yeah. I call Melody by her first name all the time."
The little girl understood and nodded before scribbling her words down. "I apologize for it taking a bit to write down words. As Tori said I am selectively mute, but I trust my instincts first before I speak. And after the Poland-Lithuania war, I'm a little wary about who I trust."
"It's alright Mari. We understand the circumstances of the situation. Gilbert told me you and him aren't exactly friends."
"We fought each other in his times during the teutonic knights. He spark a huge rivalry against me and my brother for the battle of Gurnwuld"
"Ah, that explains why you won't talk to him."
"Yep." A drawn out pause made the tension in the room grow awkward, and it was then Mari figured that Melody was trustable enough to talk to, just not when Gilbert was in the same room as her.
And Gilbert seemed to get the message. "Well then, if that's all, I suppose I should be going. I'll see you later, alright Melody?"
The Austrian woman nodded giving the prussian a gentle smile as he left, before returning her gaze to Mari. "He makes you uncomfortable, being near him?" Melody asked.
Mari nodded, taking a deep breath before speaking. "I trust few nations after wars and battles that hurt me and my brother. Gilbert, Ivan, and Roderich divided the commonwealth in 1795, but Ivan took care of my brother somewhat while I was stuck at home. The reason I trust him is because he reunited me with my brother after Feliks took me from him in the Poland-Lithuania war in 1919, but I am still mad at him a bit for the scars he placed on Toris.." The little girl explained, "But I do not mind you. You play pretty music and weren't involved in any attacks on us."
Melody nodded. "Why thank you Mari. Most of the time I stayed out of the fights, or rather, my brother was a little overprotective of me. So when my magic touch developed, it took a lot of convincing to let me go with the personification of Norway to control it. A person's magic touch can cause chaos if it's not under control."
"So you have magic like Mr. Arthur?"
"A little bit. I have the ability to soothe a nation with my music into a trance, as well as combine my magic with sound to form sonicbooms attacks. It varies from person to person."
"Oh, I see. May I ask you a question?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"Well, earlier today you said you were worried about us, that is, younger city personifications and micronations getting hurt. Is there something going on in the world that could hurt us?"
Melody sighed, dreading the question. "I'm afraid there is. I'm sure by now you know of the mirror world?"
"Of course. Leonas is my big brother's opposite, but he's very nice to us. he took care of big brother during his time with Ivan. Leonas is a very nice 2p and doesn't like seeing our world in pain."
"I'm sure he does. But there's 2ps of other nations that do agree with Leonas' logic of thinking. The personifications of the axis there declared war on our world a few days ago. So we're all here to protect one another."
Mari's eyes widened. "So that's why Toris has been stuck here."
"That's right. I'm a little worried about you and other younger personifications getting hurt."
"I see. You don't have to worry about me. I've got fighting experience from before the polish-swedish battles. Even Sweden and Finland saw me in battles." Mari stated, before frowning, "But it's a little dangerous to be in one big group and in the same spot, don't you think? As Toris once told me, it's like being sitting ducks."
Melody brought her arms into a thinking position. "You know, you may have a point. well then, what do you propose we ask Lizzie?"
Mari thought for a minute. "Well, I think it's best that we split into groups, but not too many. I'd say split up into four groups, five at most. Since the Axis has already been taken over, it might be easier to have the allies as the leader of each group."
"I think that is a good plan, da?"
A smile broke onto Mari's face as she turned around and latched onto Russia as the nation lifted her onto his shoulders. "Mr. Ivan! How have you been?"
"I have been well, Mari. And you have been well too, da?"
"Tiap. I'm worried about the war. This is my first one in a few centuries. I might be a little rusty."
"Don't worry Mari, it will be alright. I'm sure your strength is still there, even after centuries."
Melody watched as Mari was lifted down from Ivan's shoulders. "Well, I should go find Tori. Would you like to come with me, Mr. Ivan?"
"Nyet. I thank you for offering Mari, but Toris seems a little stress when around me. An attack a from Luciano set him on edge and it makes him nervous to be anywhere near me. And I don't think Leonas would want me near him."
"Alright, I understand." Melody watched as Mari waved and Ivan left the room, before turning to the musician, "He is a nice person once you get to know him. A little unstable, but he's kind to children. He won't hurt us."
"But you do bring up a point, little one. It's not entirely safe in one big group."
Both cities jumped as the doors open, and immediately Mari hid behind her as Lukas, Emil, and Valerie entered. "Oh, hello Lukas, Emil. Were you looking for anyone?"
"As a matter of fact, I was looking for Mari. Valerie wanted to meet her, if that's alright with you, little iron knight." Lukas stated, watching as Mari picked up a few pieces of paper and a pencil.
"I'm sorry if it takes a bit to answer. I'm not very good speaking to a lot of people."
Mari watched as Valerie smiled. "it's alright. I'm not very good with crowds as well. I spend a lot of time just with my big brother and fatherly figure." The pink haired city stated, and both watched as Lukas blushed.
A smile spreaded across Mari's face as she wrote down her sentences. Tori is kinda the same. But Arthur's kinda my godfather. He was the one who recognized me as a city personification.
"Really, that's really cool! Emil says that he knows your brother a bit."
Mari's smile grew as she turned towards the icelandic nation. "I've been meaning to meet you, but I was so shy. I wanted to thank you for all your support when big brother was trying to become a nation. He may be nervous to say it, but we're very grateful."
Emil nodded. "It was nothing. Just one nation to another nation I suppose."
A silent giggle escaped Mari as Valerie laughed. "So, do you wanna join me and Lukas for lunch. I wanted to ask you in case you were hungry."
Mari nodded, cleared her throat, and smiled. "S-Sure. I apologize if it takes time for me to speak up though. Trust is hard to build since Feliks pulled that stunt years ago." The lithuanian child stated.
"I understand."
Melody smiled as Lukas, Mari, and Valerie left the room, the two girls giggling all the way. "That Mari kid and Valerie are certainly unique in their own way." Emil pointed out.
A nod escaped Melody. "Yeah, they certainly are."
No one noticed the mirror to the side reflecting something different as the two left the room.