Hetalia – Of Magic and Might
What's funnier than twenty four? Twenty fiivvee :D A massive thank you to my faithful reviewers, you guys are amazing and are ones that continue to inspire me to keep writing.
Special note: To one of my most recent reviewers, little Miss punk rocker. Your review actually amazed me by how accurate you were in predicting Roderick's relationship! While I hasn't intentionally intending to make Elizabeth a rebel, however I am now considering including it into the story. Thank you for your review!
Without further ado, there is the next chapter!
Enjoy :)
Whale-Tail Island, Two miles outside the town known as 'Tinkers Town', The makeshift Rebel Camp.
Matthew Williams awoke to the distant, musical sound of chirping birds and the scuffling noises of men waking up preparing to move. Matthew groaned and rubbed the sleep in his eyes, letting out a large yawn. Sitting up he looked over to the sleeping Alfred and Arthur, except Arthur was no where to be found. Panicking Matthew scrambled to his feet, nearly tripping over the covers as he did.
"Arthur! Arthur, where are you?!" Matthew yelled in distress, desperately searching for the Brit. Ludwig and Alfred would be furious if Arthur got lost, in fact Matthew remembered Ludwig specifically telling him not to let Arthur out of his sight.
"What's wrong Matthew?" Arthur's voice called from above. Matthew's head snapped up to the tree above him, to see Arthur perched like a hawk on a high branch acting as look out. Matthew sighed in relief and leaned against the tree. Thank god, Arthur hadn't wandered off.
"Nothing, nothing. Nothing's wrong" Matthew hurriedly rushed, swiping the beads of sweat that had formed under his sandy bangs. "Say why are you in this tree anyway?" Matthew continued looking up at Arthur, who stood up out of his crouch and began walking along the thin branch causally like he were a type rope walker professional.
"I don't know. I used to do this a lot as a child, so it just feels natural" Arthur answered as he leaped from branch to branch, slowly descending before diving off the branch. Rolling as he hit the ground to divert the impact. Matthew letting out a low impressed whistle as Arthur stood up, swiping the pine needles and dirt off and gave him a smile. "So when are we heading out?"
"Now if you like, Alfred is still hibernating so we might as well go ahead" Matthew shrugged and motioned for Arthur to follow him over the carriage. A Couple of the men who had stayed for Arthur's story were milling in front of the carriage preparing to leave. The black muscular man from the night named Jonny was joking with a friend when Matthew and Arthur approached.
"Going into town ladies?" Jonny laughed as he pulled a two large duffle bags off the carriage and tossed them to Matthew and Arthur, Arthur nearly dropping it in surprise at the unexpected weight. Jonny let out a booming laugh at Arthur's awkwardness as Matthew easily slung the bag over his shoulder. "Mind if we come along? I fancy some pie" Jonny slipped in, grabbing his own duffle bag and another for his friend.
Matthew smirked and nodded, calling to a man to tell him to let Alfred know where they went. Arthur, Matthew, Jonny and his friend together walked out of the camp towards the town under the bright morning sun.
The Capital, The Shopping District, Outside the quaint café known as The Tea Room.
Roderick Edelstein stood glaring at the peppy 'Sorry, We're closed!' hung of the duck blue door of 'The Tea Room'. Honestly! The one time he wanted a decent croissant, the best place to get one was closed. What was this world coming to? Roderick grumbled to himself as he folded his arms across his chest and peered around the busy plaza. So far his investigation had spouted no results, though to his satisfaction, Natasha's own investigation faired similarly. Roderick was about to turn away when all of a sudden he felt someone run into him, hearing them give out a small squeak.
"Oh! I am so sorry sir! Please forgive me!" The petite thing cried as she bowed her head, her long silky chestnut hair swaying as though in slow motion. Roderick opened his mouth in shock and then closed it, not sure what to make of the bizarre scenario.
"Oh uh… It's quite alright my dear, please. Raise your head" Roderick replied straightening his coat with as much dignity as he could. As the woman raised her head, Roderick's mind went blank. All he could see and all he could think was, was just how beautiful this woman was. Her thin waist and gentle curves perfectly matched her soft slightly flushed face that seemed to glow. Her light olive green eyes, framed with long black lashes were wide with regret and her small rosebud lips trembled. She was carrying a woven basket containing two loaves of fresh bread and wore a simple folk dress complete with a cotton apron. Roderick had to remind himself to close his mouth, which had fallen open again.
"Ma-may I ask your name miss?" Roderick stuttered, performing a low etiquette bow. The lady blushed and tucked away a sway piece of hair behind her ear.
"My name is Elizabeth, Elizabeth Héderváry" Elizabeth smiled meeting Roderick's admiring graze. "Is there anyway I could repay you, you know for rudely running into you I mean"
Roderick coughed and pressed his glasses up for a second before answering, nearly unable to keep the delight from his voice. "Well…if you aren't to busy right now. I could…Take you to lunch?" Roderick nervously laughed, he wanted to appear cool and collected but Elizabeth was sending his head spinning. Elizabeth looked down at the pavement in embarrassment and tenderly bit her bottom lip as she looked up to met Roderick's eyes, eagerly nodding. Roderick awkwardly laughed out his nervousness and held out his arm as any gentleman would. Elizabeth giggling and playing along, curtseyed and elegantly took his arm.
Roderick and Elizabeth spent the whole day together visiting the cities most beautiful sights, all the while sharing sweet excited glances to one another. To them it felt incredible that they never knew each other, they seamlessly conversed on their favourite intriguing topics, the conversation mainly revolving around music. Elizabeth had giggled in delight when she learnt that Roderick enjoyed composing his own stuff and had insisted that Roderick play some of his pieces for her. To which Roderick happily agreed as he closed his hand over hers. It was slow and graceful, like the falling crisp auburn leaves of autumn.
Some say they are bitten, some say shot by the arrow. But for Roderick and Elizabeth, it was the beginning of an emotion neither of them had expected or been prepared for.
The Capital, The Winter Palace, Emperor Ivan's private liquor bar.
Emperor Ivan pressed open the thick heavy wooden door to his own private bar. A bar could only be described as rich and sophisticated. The actual bar counter was long and made of darkened polished wood, manned by a polite (hand picked by Ivan) bartender. The bartender had been chosen for his quiet and collective behaviour, always knowing the appropriate time when to engage in conversation with Ivan or not. The whole room was lit by red tabletop candles, casting a atmospheric air in the room. Gentle smooth jazz was being played from a copper gramophone and on the walls, paintings of vast wintry landscapes that reminded Ivan of his homeland hung. Ivan softly closed the door behind him and silently walked over to the bar, sitting himself down beside the already occupied stool. Ivan turned his attention to the tender whom had kept his eyes respectfully downcast since Ivan had came in, like he should. The bartender though he did not show it, noticed Ivan's aggrieved mood.
"Perhaps something stronger this time, Your Majesty?" The bartender asked in a monotone voice as he reached below the counter for Ivan's favourite chilled concoction. The bartender had recently taken to preparing it in advance and chilling it ready for when Ivan came in. Ivan nodded once and turned his attention to his guest.
"I don't remember inviting you into this room" Ivan cooly said aloud to the man beside him, who had already ordered a beverage. The man grinned and set down his drink.
"The invitation didn't contain specific instructions on where to wait. This was the most comfortable room to wait in" Ivan's guest replied, a mock politeness colouring his voice. Ivan felt a glimmer of annoyance but easily repressed it. He had always possessed a strong sense of will and self control.
"I will not argue with you there. Do you have any news on my…personal request" Ivan asked as the bartender placed his drink down in front of him, a clear cocktail glass with a single ice cube and olive. The man glanced at Ivan's drink and made a sort of agreeable noise.
"I have no news of either. I do however have news regarding your good friend, Ludwig" The man answered, slowly swirling his drink leisurely. "My sources say that he has been sending agents in small numbers into the city. Though I am not sure as to what they are doing"
Ivan frowned and took a slow sip from his drink, savouring it's sharp, bitter flavour. "Interesting, so it seems Ludwig is making his move as well" Ivan remarked, watching how the light filtered through his clear drink. The man expectantly paused, waiting for Ivan to continue. "I am pleased your informers has clearer information then mine. Disturbingly they say that what I wished would not happen, has already passed"
"And what did that be?" The man asked
"Ludwig has found the person who will change everything" Ivan grimly said before downing the last of his drink. The man looking at Ivan with new interest, wanting to ask more questions but deciding to stay himself and ask a different one. He had already stored the information for later examination.
"What will you do?" The man inquired, turning the empty drink in his hand. Ivan briefly ignoring the question,stood up. He walked back to the door and placed a hand on the golden doorknob. Ivan opened the door before looking over his broad shoulder, wearing his most eerie and chilling smile that made grown men cry.
"Why, I will rip him from Ludwig's pathetic, desperate clutches. No one takes what is mine without suffering consequences " Ivan happily smiled as he walked away, leaving his guest alone to his thoughts. The man smiled in satisfaction and stood up as well, nearly walking through the door when he was stopped by the bartender's voice.
"Excuse me sir, but who's tab should I bill for your purchase?" The bartender asked to the man as he stood in the doorway. The man casually waved his hand in the air in a dismissive gesture.
"Put it on the Emperor's tab. Tell him Yao Wang thanks him for the drink-aru"
Oh Yao, you cheeky two faced gun of son ;) So this chapter was a change of pace. Instead of a full focused chapter, we have three different points of views. I must say though I'm not to keen of this method of story telling, I probably will include the odd chapter like this.
So, Roderick and Elizabeth. All I can say is...awwwwww :3 As we already have a 'slowly falling in love' relationship, I decided that Roderick and Elizabeth could skip to the good bit. I suppose what I'm saying is, not all relationships have to be complicated and drawn out. They don't have to have horrible obstacles they must overcome before they realise that they love each other. They can happily and sweetly fall in love with each other. Love can be as simple or as complicated as you like (look at me getting mushy).
So I apologise to whose hoping to see the courting process between Roderick and Elizabeth. However I reassure you. That while they may of fell in love smoothly, that does not mean that they will have an easy time staying in love. There will be trials and tribulations for our lovebirds (Mwhahaha).
Moving on! Ivan's and Yao's conversation, hmmmmm. The point I would like to explain about Yao, he is on no ones side. I would compare him to the character of Captain Jack Sparrow. He is ultimately looking out for himself and his business. Ever since Ivan invaded, Yao has profited and thrived. The reason he's playing both sides? He's bored. He's bored with being comfortable, of being safe. And so Yao believes the best way to relieve his boredom and make greater profit, is war. War practically churns out gold for businesses, well... Successful businesses at least. Yao is an interesting manipulative character, one which I will enjoy to weave into this story.
And now, a peek into the mindscape of: Elizabeth Héderváry!
Upon a tranquil grassy plain, a lone stable structure stands. The building is actually a horse stable built of pine beams and rough cut rock bricks. The cobblestone floor was covered in soft hay and expensive riding equipment. There were two wooden stalls inside the quaint stable, each pen containing one grown horse each. The horse on the left had a gorgeous caramel coloured silky coat and its blonde mare was kept long and free. Its neighbour, the horse on the right was strikeningly different. The right horse was taller and had a greater amount of muscle, it's strong legs capable of denting a man's skull. The horse had black, short rough fur that felt bristly to the touch. It's mare also black, was kept short and practical. The horses were so different in appearance and nature, yet they both somehow coexisted inside the same structure, the same mind. Two horses representing two sides of Elizabeth. Though she did not know. Or rather chose not to know which side was the facade. Which side was an fabrication conjured by her own mind.
This was been a glimpse into the mindscape of: Elizabeth Héderváry
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I'll be embarking onto my holiday tomorrow. Though having limited internet access, I will most likely continue to write around the poolside and post whenever I locate an internet access. So no fear dear readers! As an author, I will dutifully continue to post chapters while I am away :) Once again thank you for reading! If you are enjoying this story and would like to see more, please leave a review to tell me what you think of this story and your opinions of it.
Untill next time folks!