Phoenix: Hello, readers. Not much to say here, except hope the story is to your liking.
Celty: [Disclaimer: Phoenixlight13 does not own any franchise used, referenced or mentioned. Please enjoy the story.]
Shinra entered his house, Celty following. The two looked elated.
"That was fun~!" Shinra declared.
"[You should have seen your face when we nearly crashed.]" Celty typed, slightly amused.
Shinra pouted, "It's not my fault you nearly crashed into a truck!" as he walked over to the couch.
Much to his surprise, he saw Gilbert on the couch, asleep.
"Huh...he must have stayed here while Izaya went out," Shinra guessed.
Celty shook her head.
"[No. They went out for a wile. I guess Gilbert got tired at one point.]" she assumed.
Gilbert opened one ruby red eye.
"What now?" he asked.
"Ah, you're awake. Any pain?" Shinra asked.
"No. I've been relatively okay," Gilbert responded.
Izaya entered the room, looking slightly annoyed.
"Hey, Izaya," Shinra greeted.
Izaya greeted Shinra with a nod.
"Gilbert, that was no fair getting Shizou's attention all to yourself," the informant pouted.
"He mistook me for you," Gilbert informed.
Izaya sighed.
"Shinra, Celty, I'd appreciate it if you two would go away for a moment. I need to talk to Gilbert in private," he asked.
Shinra and Celty nodded, stunned by Izaya's seriousness, and they left the room.
The moment Izaya was sure they were out of hearing range, he glared at Gilbert.
"What?" Gilbert asked.
"Who was that you were speaking to?" Izaya questioned, angrily.
"Why does it matter?" Gilbert muttered.
"There are dangerous people in Ikebukuro and Shibuya, Gilbert. Who was it you talked to?" Izaya repeated.
"An old pal of mine," Gilbert simply responded.
"Oh, really? Why was he calling you Prussia?" Izaya challenged.
Gilbert stiffened.
"I knew it. Something's up. What's going on?" Izaya questioned.
Gilbert sighed wearily.
"You're probably not going to believe me, but..." he began.
"What? What is it?" Izaya pestered.
"I'm not exactly human. I once represented the nation of Prussia. The man I was talking to was the personification of Japan," Gilbert admitted.
Izaya only blinked.
"I was once part of a group of people that represented the nations, be they America or France, South Korea or Belarus, even micro-nations like Sealand and Seborga. We weren't truly human, in a sense. Once my land was made part of Germany, I lost my rank as a nation, but I fought America and lost," Gilbert explained, memories haunting his gaze.
"So you personified Prussia...?" Izaya clarified.
"Yes. Happy now? I spilled the secrets I wanted to keep," Gilbert spat.
"No, actually. I had no idea..." Izaya broke off.
Gilbert sighed.
"When I was declared part of East Germany, I was upset beyond words. I wanted land for my people, but...now I'm just Gilbert, the man who's durable beyond words," he admitted.
"Can't you go back to the other nations and ask that Prussia be restored?" Izaya asked.
Gilbert snorted.
"You sound like one of those people who thinks the world is so simple. Here's how it works: Prussia was dissolved years ago. Unless some miracle happens and I'm restored to my rank as a nation, I'm basically some sort of super human," he hissed.
Izaya was speechless.
"Then stay here, in Ikebukuro. There are plenty of weird people," he urged.
Gilbert closed his eyes.
"I'll think about it. Just...leave me be right now," he ordered.
Izaya nodded and headed outside.
Gilbert stared at the ceiling.
"What am I going to do..." he murmured.
Meanwhile, with the nations, every nation that was personified was there.
America and Japan stood at the front of the room, serious as ever.
"Thank you all for coming. Japan has revealed to me that he found Prussia," America explained, simply.
Germany stood up.
"This had better not be a trick, America, Japan," he snapped.
"It isn't. It's the truth. I found him wandering in Ikebukuro just today," Japan confirmed.
America frowned gravely.
"We have to go find him. We can't let him waste his life," he decided.
"Who will go?" China asked.
"China, England and France will scout for any signs Prussia's homesick. Germany, Austria, Hungary and I will go confront him if I feel he wants to come back," America decided.
"And if he doesn't want to go back?" England questioned.
America sighed.
"I don't know, England. I don't know," he admitted.
Phoenix: Again, nothing much to say, except enjoy the story.