Chapter 2: The Audacity

Sleep doesn't really like to come to me. I've tried chasing her down, trapping her, tricking her. Even waiting patiently for her to trust me and come to me. Yet, it never happens, and I usually end up just laying in bed for a couple of hours getting nowhere. Last night was no exception really; and to add icing to this already disgusting cake, I didn't bring any makeup with me. So, these dark purple bags I'm sporting under my eyes will be seen and most likely commented on by others. . . behind my back of course, like the other nations would have the gall to actually approach me.

It's still rather dark outside, so I turn my head to look at the digital clock on the nightstand. 3am.

I groan and sit up. Maybe I should go out for a while instead of tossing and turning in bed.

Grabbing a light jacket and slipping it on, I look for the pack of cigarettes I left laying around somewhere. After they are found I make my way down the stairs and out through the hotel lobby. There is a little sidewalk trail that wraps around the hotel, leading to the pool area which has seats and a large plain of grass.

Much like the park goers I saw yesterday, I sit down in the grass and look up at the sky. There is too much light pollution to really see the stars but it's calming nonetheless. My lighter takes a while to light my first cigarette and I roll my eyes. I'm going to have to buy a new one soon.

As I take the first drag I lay back in the grass.

"Yeah no, it's okay really. It doesn't bother me, I was up anyway."

I sit up abruptly at the sound of someone else's voice. If I'm not mistaken, it kind of sounded like America. . . oh boy.

I quickly stand up and rush over to the side of the building, leaning against the wall. Maybe he won't notice me. Maybe he'll walk the other way.

"Sure, I would be down for that. . . Though where I'm livin' now has about a high of 38 (100) degrees, so if you want I could meet you somewhere else. . . Only a five hour drive. Ha, well to me that's a short drive. . . . It's okay really, I was up anyway." His voice is getting closer and closer and I can hear his footsteps coming down the sidewalk.

I panic as I try to figure out what I should do. Do I have enough time to run?

"Well, alright. Have a good morning, Sakura." He is just about to turn the corner as he hangs up the phone. He'll be able to see me even if I turn and run.

I decide that if I'm going to have to confront him, I might as well have fun with it. He turns the corner and I step out in front of him quickly in a way to scare him.

"Boo."

"Ahh! What the hell, Red? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" He freaks out, hand clutching his chest like he just might drop dead. I laugh and lean back on the wall.

"You make it too easy. You scare like a horse."

"What are you even doing creeping around out here?" He asks.

"For this." I say while lighting another cigarette.

"Smoking at three in the morning?"

"I can ask you the same, little one. Why are you still up at this time of the night? Don't you have a bedtime?" I tease.

"I'm not a child, don't speak to me like one."

I roll my eyes at his poor humor. It would be easier if he just walked away, but he continues to stand there like he's waiting for something.

"Well, when compared to me you are a child. I have you beat in age, experience, land," I pat the top of his head, "and height."

He swats my hand away and scowls a bit. I laugh at the expression. He doesn't even try to bother with the fake goofy exterior he gives to the others. I know what he's truly like.

"So, you're really just out here smoking?" He pushes.

"Oh darn, you caught me. I was just facilitating a secret underground meeting in which I instructed my faithful followers to start the Bolshevik Revolution on the full moon." We both look up at the moon and I smirk as I note tonight is the full moon. "Well, would you look at that."

"Ugh, I'm going to bed," he rolls his eyes and is that a smile he's fighting? "Don't stay up too late." He says before walking away.

"No promises." I say under my breath, lighting another cigarette.

00000

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Why do I even bother setting an alarm if I'm always already awake to hear it? I groan as I leave the bed to start getting dressed. I look through the clothes that I packed and settle on a grey skirt that hugs my waist and flows out down to my knees, and a soft, yellow sweater shirt that is tucked in. I never wear heels, I'm much too tall for that, so grey flats it is. And of course, I would never go out in public without my nice, old, pretty-much-pink-now scarf.

The meeting starts at eight, but I'm always incredibly early. I'm already sitting in the meeting room by seven.

I open up my copy of Matryona's House and start reading the story I've read hundreds of times before. I'm not sure why but I relate to the narrator. Maybe it's because of his unending suffering and his ability to just keep going because what else is there to do?

The door to the room opens and I glance up to meet red eyes.

"I always forget that you show up to these things so damn early." Prussia comments before walking over to my side of the table and taking a seat next to me. I give him a peculiar look and his eyes widen slightly. "What?"

"Nothing. Just wondering why you and not your brother is here." I comment.

"Geez, just tell me you don't want me here," he laughs and I smile a bit, "Germany has left this to me. He's busy with other things, but he will be here for tomorrow's meeting."

"Is Italy coming to this meeting?" I ask.

"No, she ha-"

"Yeah, he's busy with other things." I interrupt, causing Prussia to roll his eyes and shake his head.

"You're funny, you know that? I wish you'd be as nice to others as you are to me." He says with a cute little smile.

"You think I'm nice to you?"

"Well, I know what you're like at your worst so yes, the way you're treating me now is very nice and polite."

I feel a little put off by that even if he meant it well. And I know he did, I just don't like being reminded of how I was in the forties and fifties. I hardly remember that time, my body was all Winter's for so long I kind of lost myself. I'm not proud of the things I did, even if I felt Gilbert and his Axis posey deserved it.

"Anyway, cheer up Anya. This meeting should be easy."

"Count the little blessings." I muse.

However, the meeting would turn out to be an intervention on my behavior and involvement in worldly affairs. Feeling cornered and too sober to deal with it adequately I simply stood and left.

My thoughts run a million miles per hour as I walk down the corridor toward the staircase. I should have been better prepared, I should have assumed the worst for this meeting, I didn't even look over the itenary. I should have done so much. . .

"Very professional Russia to just walk out of a meeting like that." I hear America's voice call after me. Did he follow me?

"We are in public, Alfred, I have a proper name, use it."

"Anya." He says sternly as I begin to walk up the first flight of stairs. "Where are you going? We still have a meeting to finish."

"I do not appreciate being ganged up on by the morality police of the world, thank you very much."

He runs up to me and grabs my wrist, stopping me from ascending the second flight of stairs. The audacity he has makes me so angry I feel Winter stir in my chest.

"Maybe if you wouldn't meddle in the affairs of others we would try and have better relations with you." He says.

"Alfred," I practically growl, "you better let go of me."

Winter stay down, I'm fine, I can handle him.

He lets go of my wrist and I continue my escape up the stairs. I stop at the third floor and look down at him. "I don't meddle in your affairs." I feel the need to add.

"You're lying."

I close my eyes and clench my fist.

[Oh, he's dead!]

Winter, please, not now. Stop, I don't care if I'm upset, I'm not in danger go back to sleep. Please.

[I will be the judge of that, Snowflake.]

By the time I open my eyes again he's ascended the final flight and is standing next to me.

"Leave me alone."

"Leave us alone then."

"That's very funny coming from you."

"Come back to the meeting with me."

"Fat chance, asshole." Winter says for me.

I turn and walk through the door and into the third floor corridor. I hear him follow me and I have to bite my lip to control my anger. I really wish people would leave me alone when I say, do they really not fear what may happen?

"Russia," he sighs out, making me turn around, "are you really not going to go back?"

"Why would I? You Western idiots have pissed me off and I'm much too sober to look at your face right now." He smiles a bit and my eyebrows furrow in confusion. "What are you smiling about?"

"I told you not to get too upset and here I am being the cause for it. . . I hope you liked the flowers." He nods to me before turning and walking away.

Excuse me, what?

Winter snorts and laughs.