It was morning. Weather was as bright and warm as ever on the already advanced lonely black Volkswagen would reflect the light of rays until it reached the edge of the blond man driving inside was thoughtful, not leaving one second the road from his gaze but at the same time not fixing it entirely. He knew the road by heart anyway, so his mind could wander a little, feel the trees and explosions of green that humans had tamed through he was asked, he would barely remember what it looked like a hundred years ago and for someone of his kind, a hundred years was nothing! It was humans that were advancing too fast, mastering the elements that were initially unknown, making things appear while others were disposed of...and even he sometimes couldn't keep up with everything.

But back to the present, the road was more gravel and sand as he was plunging deep into Kuhfort Park, his car leaving trails of rising dirt behind everybody could access this secret part of the immense garden, but he had the authorization to do so, of weren't many things that could resist his accreditations, even if less and less people were to know who...or what he specially, he couldn't care less about being recognized, as he wanted to take some time alone. Well, not that alone since he was in canine company. 3 of them, all from different species, all trained enough to stay still on the seats, looking at the scenery with their hung tongues and curious gazes.

Hidden in the fur of the fluffiest one, a yellow dot was dozing off comfortably, but not for long, as the car stopped on his track and all three dogs shot their head toward their master.

The man gave them a comforting smile, or tried as his expression immediately hardened in a military trained way. He couldn't trick them, but at least, he could maintain composure.

While letting his four legs passengers free themself out, he grabbed the flower bouquet France had arranged for him with passion. It was so him to put so much effort into unproductive activities, but for the special occasion that represented this day, he could only be grateful, as he knew the long-haired man had put all his heart to the task. It was his way to be here even if he couldn't be present, having his duties to fulfill.

Now abandoning the car, the strange procession followed a narrow passage emerging from the main road that was ending near. The dogs were all calm, surrounding their master, sometimes whining in his direction and bobbing their head on the side.

But the buffed man was facing stray forward now, in an undisturbed pace, not even as dirt was licking his black costume. He didn't care, and that was not normal for a perfectionist like him. But he didn't, all this was too important for him to let such futile details get onto him.

So he proceeded, until they reached a glade he recognized immediately.

The dogs looked more agitated, and two of them ran straight to the gate, both barking at the same time in a demanding tone.

Not that the gate was closed, the fence was old and nobody was maintaining it except for him. But even now he had difficulty to just approach the garden.

His usually blue icy eyes were trying their best to hide the sadness, but his clenched jaw was betraying him. The final destination was near, and the three dogs, all silent, had now left him to surround the stone plate on the ground, at the back of the seemingly abandoned garden. Only their tails were moving slowly, their head and ears down.

It's at this moment the yellow dot, that had awakened during their trip, began to flap his little wings, emitting a heartbroken chirp as he recognized the plate.

Like thunder, the bird flew directly on the epitaph and cried his soul out, causing the nation to tear up a bit as well. How was he gonna talk now? Berlitz whined in his direction, and came to comfort him, making him feel again a pang in his heart. He crouched down to caress him, feeling the warm touch of his compassionate dog.

Now, he had regained enough courage to place solemnly the bouquet of cornflowers and to greet his brother properly.

"Hi Gilbert..."

It had been 25 years now. It had been this long since Prussia had disappeared, not even letting a body behind to bury, right after the Collapse of the Berlin wall. But even now, despite all this time, Germany just couldn't stand his absence.

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'I' was waiting in his white room with growing excitement. Today was a special day, and the little brunette couldn't help but feel impatient.

Father had told him yesterday he was going to get a surprise, but the small 6 year-old boy didn't know what yet. So many mysteries….but the boy was patient, playing with his dark collar instead, rolling onto his bed while trying to guess what it would be, or picking up his elastic ball toy that would bump repeatedly on the wall.

Mm...Maybe it would be a new book with beautiful photos of italian landscapes, he thought as he glanced at his own collection stacked around the corner and on his shelf.

He loved photos, because all he had seen so far was white walls of marbles and for the older corridors, lazily painted white bricks on gray tiles. He knew by heart for example each corner of his room, the sink, the toilet, his bed, the few toys, the cameras, etc..

With such a grayish environment, 'I' could be attracted by anything colorful like an insect attracted to light, and the only colors came from his books, his foods and the screen used for his check ups. It made him easy to please, really, and anything would make the humble child happy.

But when the door opened, he wasn't expecting what he saw : Father in his usual white coat was standing at the door near a tiny boy with messy white hair and red eyes, as one of a kind the little brunette had never seen before. Aside from the white t-shirt and shorts, that were identical to his own, he was wearing a similar collar around the neck, except that on his was written near the barcode " P-KXY11DPL006". It seemed all the children in the facility had a different collar and 'I' had always asked himself what it meant. But hey, what so unusual about having different names? It was easier than if they had the same!

The brown spiky haired physician looked with his usual indecipherable gaze hidden behind round glazes his oldest "son"'s reaction, then pushed gently the back of the stumbling 3 year-old boy at his feet before making introduction with a smirk :

"Now 'I', I present you 'P', your new little brother. He will be living with you in this room for now. He is smaller than you, so you have to be nice with him, ok? "

After a second to process the news, the brunette's smile went wide, his copper curl waving in joy as he dropped from his bed to launch himself on his new brother. He would almost cry. He had always been jealous when 'R' got a brother and now, he was having one too ! It was beyond his expectations!

The albinos was a little destabilized at first, looking with round eyes the other bo , but he eventually laughed as he was slightly tickled and hugged back, responding with a cute "Noice to meet you, bwother I!", still fumbling onto his words.

'P' had never seen another child before, and the experience was pleasant, feeling immediately comforted and adopted by his 'step' brother.

Soon, 'I' laughed as well, and instinctively went to show him the room, sharing his toys and books while the staff was installing a new bed in his room.

All this time, Father was looking at them, thoughtful, before slowly turning on his heel, leaving the room.

The weekly meeting of the facility's researchers was about to begin.