The halls of the firm gave no comfort to her as they usually did. The paintings and certificates

adorn the walls as one laid missing, and it was that little notion that made her fuming. She was on a mission, and God help anyone that got in her way. She could hear the secretary's shrill voice, giggling and flirting with others in the firm, until she came around the corner.

"Miss Rybak?" she said, looking at the papers, "You don't have an appointment-Hey wait, you can't go in there!"

Like hell she wasn't. She threw open the doors to see all of those stuck up bastards within the room, shocked that she was there. They gawked at her, jaws hanging open as not a word was spoken. Tatyana glared at them all, her anger boiling over as the papers in her hand trembled under her grasp.

"Rastlumačcie mnie heta?!" she shouted, "Explain this!"

All eyes were on her, unmoving and silent until the high judge stood up, "Look, Tatyana, we decided long and hard about this-"

"To relieve me?!"

"It was for the best intentions-"

"For who?! I am the best there is in this place and yet you tossed me aside like trash in the wind. And for what?"

"Your mind isn't in the right place for this." was the final reply from the head chairmen, "You have the medical proofing for your release."

"All this over a small incident from childhood?"

"Yet it still plagues you today?" he snapped at her, "The decision was made. Gather your things, Ms. Rybak. It was-"

"Don't fucking finish that!" she pointed at him, "Know this, you will never find someone as good as me."

Turning on her heels, she left the offices, darting down to her own area as the burn in her eyes threatened to spill. She was better than all of that, better than they ever viewed her. She just had to be better than they all said.

The familiar pull came to her, the call to feel the pain, to dive into it and feel real. She could almost feel the drag across her skin, that stinging, burning ache as she would watch it all fall. No, not there. At home where she could cover up and hide it all.

Her office door came to her as it suddenly came open, "Tatyana?"

"Ilya?"

He nodded to her as Zorina gave a mournful look, the box sitting in her desk as they tried to crack a smile for her, yet within them, something seemed off.

"Wasn't expecting you both to help me."

"We know, but word got around." Ilya said to her as she entered, "I'm really sorry. We tried to defend you."

Tatyana chuckled, "I'm amazed you have your jobs then."

"There's no one else to do their bitch work." Zorina stated.

"Well, that's true." she looked over her friend once more, seeing her avoid her eyes, "Then what else is going on? I know you both well enough that this awkwardness is more than just my firing. What's going on?"

Silence loomed in the room as they finally looked to the corner of the room. There, sitting in the large chair, was a woman. Her long platinum hair cascaded way past her shoulders, her dress screamed political business and dealings as her blue eyes seemed to just stare at the floor.

"And you are?" she asked.

"You two may leave, thank you for what you gave me."

With a simple nod, both Ilya and Zorina hugged her and left the room, just for Ilya to turn and look at her, "Please, do this for us and yourself. We'll call you later."

Then it was the two of them. The tension growing in the room as the woman just sat there, making Tatyana more on edge as time passed by. What the hell was all this about?

"You're not insane. Not by a long shot." she finally spoke up.

"Wow, first words to me and its that. Anything else up that sleeve of yours?"

She snickered, "Oh, you and him will be an interesting pair."

"Excuse me, who's him?"

The woman stood up, making her way towards her as she held out her hand, "Natalia Arlovskaya, well soon to be Hofmeister."

Tatyana gave a weak nod as she shook her hand, "Congrats to you and Tatyana Rybak. Still doesn't explain why you're here."

"It's simple. You are just like my Tavin and nearly two hundred more. Some found, others awaiting their time."

"Ok...still not...wait. Hofmeister? Your Tavin? You mean as in Tavin Hofmeister? The concert pianist and conductor? Someone becoming the next Mozart or Beethoven?"

"The very one."

"Well, shit, now I'm a little honored. So what brings you to me? Some sort of legal action for you two?"

"No." Natalia said, "This pertains solely to you."

"Alright, you said two hundred people like me. How is that?"

She smiled, "My Tavin dreamed. Dreamed of this land and the men that shaped this country to what it is. And yet you do as well, but not of Belarus."

Now she started to figure it out, "How much did those two tell you?"

"Enough to know you dream of Switzerland."

Tatyana nodded, "Right, well then. I'll take my leave and start looking at another job while I'm at home drowning my anger in cheap booze and sad songs like we all are supposed to do."

Tatyana pushed her aside, grabbing the box as she placed a few more things in it. This was insane, they said she was but they didn't meet this woman. People like her, yea right. But the more it rang in her head, the more the dreams called out to her with the land.

A hand came to her shoulder, "What if I told you, I can get you into a new firm for the politicians of a certain nation?"

"Then I'd say your batshit crazy."

"Then considerate done." Natalia smile, "Now choose, Geneva or Bern?"

"Are you serious?"

"Very."

Tatyana wasn't sure what to think, it all seemed out of the blue, "I haven't the closest idea of where or how I'm paying for it or even if this isn't some sort of ruse to fuck with me. So why should I trust you?"

Natalia cocked her head at her just for her eyes to give a strange glitter and a sly smile cross her, "Follow me."

No more than a few minutes later, she was in the parliament building, hearing government discussions of Genesis and more as she ventured the halls behind Natalia. Yet as they turned the last corner, she heard something new. The rich tones and delicate cords caressed the air as it grew louder to their destination.

"God that's beautiful."

"Good," Natalia stated, "Now you can tell him that."

She pushed open the door before them and within the room was a large grand piano and at the center of the piece was a man. Lithe fingers graced the ebony and ivories, producing the melody that moved her towards it. It was vibrant and alluring. Telling a story to all yet each story was different from the other. With a few more scales, he finished with a gentle bravado, turning to the two of them.

If it wasn't the fact she had watched him perform at the plaza that day, she would've never believed that the red-headed man before her was Tavin Hofmeister, but it was.

"That was absolutely beautiful."

"Dankeschön."

She watched in awe as he stood before them only to be shocked as he brought out two crutches. Small twitches came to him as he made his way over to them. Shocked wasn't the word anymore for her, she was dumbfounded as he walked to her. Some muscles tight while others were loose yet moving. He smiled at her, warm and bright as his music, yet it didn't match his appearance.

"Sorry, I wasn't like this earlier." he grinned, "Must've been her Draniki."

She saw Natalia give a small pout, smacking his arm as he chuckled at her, "You're an ass."

"Hey, I had to pick. Got to find lightness in this mess of myself. You know I love you."

"I do." Natalia kissed his head only to back away and leave the room, "I'll let you two talk while I make phone calls."

Tatyana was beyond shocked as the ever-growing popular pianist and composer was before her. He raised his crutch slightly as he gestured to the couch. He sat down upon the leather upholstery and nodded to her. Finally, she moved, still in awe over what was going on with him and standing in the very room with him.

"No worries." he said, "I don't bite."

"I didn't say you would. But again, you played beautifully."

Tavin chuckled, "Natalia gave me the same look when she saw me. Shocked her just as much. I know, it's hard to believe that people like us can do extraordinary things. But I can assure you, we can."

"I think anyone can do anything when pushed and believed to do so."

He laughed, "I like you already."

Tatyana joined him, "Well, that's a good thing."

"It is. There are a number of those that would find you quite comical with sarcasm. You don't flinch when pushed nor hit with something, you smile and egg it on. That's what makes you fun."

Tatyana laugh, "Never heard myself as fun."

"You are." he smiled, "Now business."

"Yes, she said you and I are alike, how is that?"

"You dream of a nation and people that changed its foundation. Not always large in stature but enough to make a dent in history. While mine were strictly Belarus, yours are Switzerland as I heard."

"You heard." she shot, not wanting to pull too much up.

"Yes, by Natalia but others as well have heard. The Baltic's keep tight records as well. Well, ever since Lily, Melvina, and myself came along, they really amped that world up."

"And they are?"

"Others that dreamed, and my sister-in-laws."

"Sister-in-laws?"

"Ja, just that. Though I do hope soon there will be more. If notions seem correct, we may have a Riga soon."

"I'm a bit confused."

"I have no doubt there."

Tatyana chuckled, "You said Riga, like as in Riga Latvia correct?"

"The very one."

"How do you mean by that, that have Riga soon bit."

He gave a gentle smile, "That's because its true. In our case at least. You see, the dreams you possess are guiding you to a better life. One you were meant to have."

"How so?" she felt her blood boil slightly.

"Because, like my sister-in-laws and myself, we are capitals. And you are too."

"Wait...what?" she didn't hear that correctly.

"You are what is seen as a personification of a nation's capital, dreaming of history and how it was shaped. Each piece within you is just a marker for who you're really meant to be. The capital Bern."

Ok, she did hear him correctly and the rest he added in, "Ok then. That's out there. Sure your wife didn't slip Krokodil or maybe stopped at Holland for a few smokes there?"

"Figured you'd say that." he said getting up, "No worries, I have an idea of how to prove this."

"Prove what? That you're taking some really good drugs and please do share them. After today, a whacked trip would do me wonders probably."

"No, none of that but I do have these." he replied as he fished out an envelope full of pictures, "Now, when you see the picture, say exactly what it is and I'll correct you if there's mistakes."

Tatyana shook her head, "A little childish but I'll play. Go ahead."

He flipped the first one over, "Easy that's Mir Castle."

And again, "St. Sophia."

And again, "Augustow Canal."

And once again, "Matterhorn."

He did it again, "Glarus."

And once more, "The Lion of Lucerne."

And finally one more, "Eiger, Jungfrau, and Mönch. And the point to all this?"

He held up the last picture, "How did you know the names of the goats?"

"What are you..." she paused as she looked at the picture, realizing she had seen them within her dreams.

"You see, these goats are pets to a personification, and not just any personification, the one you dream of. Granted he's a bit aloof and keeps to himself but push him where he needs to and he'll be the best ally you could ever have. Plus he's got a thing for guns."

Tatyana took the picture from him, stunned by what she was looking at. She could see the bows around their necks as they danced around the women in her dreams, "It can't be."

"It is, Tatyana, very much so." Tavin explained, "You are not insane for what you have dreamed, it's all very real. You are like us and for you, your nation of Switzerland calls for you."

She wanted to wake up from the strange dream she was having, to just open her eyes and find herself in that room again yet it wasn't as she stared at the goats once more. Her mind whirled on the notions of truth and fear that riled up in her gut, but her heart seemed to sing from a different way. Begging her to listen to him and make her way to the lands of her dreams.

"This isn't a joke in any way shape or form? This is legit?"

"Very much so."

Tatyana looked over the pictures, her mind screaming for its release and her heart to move on from the past, "Will I come back to Belarus at any point?"

"Not unless you want to for business of the nations." Tavin replied.

Tatyana looked up at him, giving the best smile she could while her mind felt like breaking as memories flooded in, "When can I start this journey?"

Peace. That's what he saw as the lands rolled over one another. He knew all was ok, that government was content and his people happy. He couldn't complain. Yet his mind wouldn't settle no matter how hard he tried.

"Big brother?" her lithe voice called to him, "Your tea is getting cold."

Looking back and Lili, he saw her hold her cup as worry crossed her eyes, "Apologies, my mind is wandering."

"Is all ok?"

Was it? "Yes, all is. Just extra things I need to care for."

He watched her give a small nod, "I hope Delilah feels well soon. I miss our talks."

Vash smiled lightly, "She'll be fine. Another week or so according to the doctors and then the sensors will be activated."

Lili smiled, "I cannot wait for her to have her hearing back. It will be the best of gifts for her."

"That it will be."

He looked back over the yard, seeing the water run by as his pets played happily in the sun. He wanted it all to last, the calm that was before him yet he knew it wasn't. With Genesis slowly growing and gaining more and more, it was becoming harder for him to protect all that he could. And after the phone call with Natalia, he had a new thing to worry over.

"Vash!" Vash sat straight up, looking around as he heard her call his name again, yet with it, the chime of his phone, "Natalia is calling you."

Shaking his head and excusing himself from Lili, he answered, "Hallo?"

"Wow, not as punctual as usual. Got something on your mind?" he heard the woman say, "Your soon Capital?"

"Not like you to joke around and be lighthearted, your capital doing that to you?"

Natalia chuckled, "A little, Tavin tries his best to get me to laugh. Any word on Vienna?"

Bash sighed, "She's good, just healing. Rodrich is trying to keep his sanity with her at the moment. He said that her headaches are blinding and drop her for hours."

"I can't even imagine."

"Nor I." he cleared his throat, "So, you're calling for what?"

"Ah yes, Bern. I have Tavin and her speaking, she didn't really believe me when I was speaking with her. She's on a bit of a rollercoaster at the moment."

"Why's that?"

Natalia gave a small pause, only to sigh, "The law firm she was in fully terminated her. They spoke of it before and threatened but today she was relieved due to her dreams and past issues."

"Ouch, that had to sting. You tell her she could come-"

"And be a lawyer there, yes. Also made a note for her and Tavin to discuss the possibility of being the personal UN lawyer if possible."

"Maybe that was a good notion that Ludwig put in, for capitals to work in government with the nations."

"It's safer as of late." she noted, "The movements of Genesis is getting out of hand. Larger by the day, it seems."

"I'm aware." he glanced over to Lili, watching her as she sipped her tea, "I'm protecting as much as I can here."

"I understand that, but now you have another to worry over."

"I don't need reminded."

Natalia chuckled softly, "You and Rodrich are quite the same, stubborn as ever."

Bash rolled his eyes, "I'm not like him."

"Whatever you say. Just be ready, she may be over to you sooner than expected."

Vash looked over the land once more, wondering if he was doing all the right things, "I figured when you called."

"Good, just take it easy with her and don't let your stubborn ass get in the way of things."

"I may be stubborn but I'm not an asshole to people."

"That's not how I mean."

There was something in her voice, something off that made his stomach twist in worry, "How so?"

"Just know this, her family is high in public and image was everything. And due to it, it harmed her in more ways than one."

"They hurt her and buried it?"

"So to say. Just keep Marie and Marissa on speed dial, that's all I can tell you from what I've learned from her coworkers." she explained, "Just keep an eye on her. She's pretty good at hiding."

Vash rubbed his hand over his face, "Note taken."

"Good. I have to get going, seems like they're finished. I'll call if I hear anything else."

"Thank you, Natalia."

Then the line was silent. The conversation rolled through his head in wonder, what was hiding with his capital? He knew it was more mental with the need of the two women but why? His phone chimed quietly as a message popped up on the screen from Natalia.

"Oh, forgot to mention, her name is Tatyana Rybak."

"Tatyana." he whispered, "What fun this will be."