My return caused a great commotion. When my president came to pick me up in Iceland the first thing he did was to embrace me tight. 'You want to kill me, right?', he whispered into my ear. We were so happy to see each other we soon forgot our quarrel. He took me home and there I found a real greeting. People ran after my car yelling. Yelling out of happiness. An orchestra played my anthem at my arrival, I saw no balcony without my flag hanging, I also saw many people waving a little one in their hands. An elder woman avoided the security measures to kiss my cheeks. There was a party which lasted for days...It was something so unexpected and excessive, but it didn't absolutely bother me. All the contrary. They invited me to numerous television programs, to talk at the Parliament...
...But I have a commitment which was even more important.
"They're so good, Mr. Austria" Liechtenstein smiled at me as she took one more coconut biscuit.
"Have all you want."
I smiled her back. My gaze turned to Switzerland and saw he was smiling too. Not forcefully, but sincerely. It was evident in his eyes that he had taken a titanic weight off him and was in a placid state, those moments when one is so relaxed the world seems unreal. I saw him look at his little sister and fix his eyes on her for long, as if he didn't believe she was really back and she was alright. I couldn't believe it, actually.
"I will never get used to see you like that. With that haircut."
He kept smiling as he ran a hand though the shaven part.
"I fixed it so it looked better until it returns to it previous state. Actually, it is not that bad. It's...different. After four hundred years with the same look maybe it was time to try something different. More according to these times."
I heard Liechtenstein try to repress a giggle in vain. Switzerland looked at her and his smile widened as he took his coffee cup.
"Is it true you and Hungary...?" he asked after licking his lips.
"That is between us" I replied.
"So, yes."
"We are happy to see each other safe and sound" I remarked. I really didn't want the conversation to go to such personal matters.
"I'm not saying anything. I just want to know if the rumors were true."
"I didn't know you were such a gossiper. You're changing, and I don't think it's for good."
"I am not gossiping. I just like to be informed, that's all."
It was a peaceful afternoon, after all we went through, and I am not only talking about the threat of the movement, but all these years not talking to each other for the most absurd reasons, some of them I don't even remember. Even just for once, it was like going back to those times when we were friends, we spent a lot of time together and cared about each other.
Even just for once, and that's enough for me.
