*This chapter includes the cross Germany wears in the manga. I called it the Iron Cross, but just in case I'm wrong, please correct me so I can fix the error.*
"Whatcha doin', kiddo?" Scout asked, bounding in and finally wearing that outfit I got her. "Is that there a dress?"
I held up the shimmering gold and purple fabric and frowned. "Well, it's going to be. It's for Carnevale. I'm still trying to decide what kind of mask to wear."
"Why do you have to wear a mask?" Scout pouted. "You've got such a pretty face."
"The point is that it happens forty days before Lent, so everyone is seen as equal before a time of giving something up that you like," I explained. "So the rich weren't rich and the poor weren't poor."
"How far away is it?" Scout asked.
"A few days," I sighed. "I hope I get it done before then."
"I think you should wear a mask that only covers the top part of your face," Scout suggested. "It would cover those eyes of yours, but it'd make you look nice."
"Yeah, I guess I'll go with that…" I sighed. "I wonder what Italy's doing right now…"
"Mourning because you cheated on him with his brother?"
I slapped Scout upside the head and stormed out, leaving my dress behind. I marched to Germany's and knocked on the door.
"My brother's not here you know," Prussia groaned when I opened the door.
"I know," I snapped. "Look, Scout was just irritating me. I was going to come by later, but I just had to calm down."
"And you want to come…why?" Prussia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You know that cross thingy that Germany wears?" I asked.
"You mean the Iron Cross?" Prussia chuckled.
"Yeah, whatever," I grunted, waving a hand. "I was wondering if I could borrow it."
"Um, why?"
"Does he have more than one?"
Prussia narrowed his gaze at me. "He's got a few, but not that many."
"Oh," I groaned. "I was going to use things from each country to make up my outfit for Carnevale and I was going to use the Cross as a ponytail holder. Just modify it a little."
"I don't think the Awesome Me is the one to ask," Prussia shrugged, leaning against the door frame. "You can call him if you want."
"Alright. Do you mind if I use your phone?"
"No problem."
"Oh, and, uh…" I let out a nervous laugh. "Can you please take Scout back?"
"Why?" Prussia pressed. "Is she being annoying?"
"She Scout," I said.
"Point taken." He stepped aside and let me enter the house. I strode to the phone, asked Prussia for the number, and dialed it. I waited impatiently as the dial tone played.
Click.
"Germany?!" I gasped.
"Hello?"
"It's Bella! Hi! So, how're things going?"
"Oh, hi. They're going fine. Now why'd you really call?"
I huffed immaturely. When Germany wasn't being oblivious, he was being smart. Sometimes I wished I was Italy so I could manipulate him easier.
"I just was wondering if I could use your Iron Cross penda-"
"No."
"Why?!" I whined. "You've got more than one!"
"That's a symbol of the German army," Germany scolded. "You can't go using it-"
"But I was going to use it for my Carnevale costume," I sniffed, fake crying. "I was gonna use something from every country…"
"…" I could feel him breaking down. I could feel it! Just a little more! "What are you going to use it for?"
"Something to hold my hair back."
"…Fine," Germany gave in. "But as long as you don't alter it."
"Thank you~!" I chirped. "Oh, and have you seen Italy yet? How's he doing?"
"He's doing fine," Germany answered. "He misses you though. But I've only seen him once in a meeting. We only got to talk for a minute and we had to leave."
"Oh," I muttered. "If you see him again, give him my best."
"I will."
We said good-bye to each other and hung up. I stared at the phone for a moment, feeling a pang of guilt. I thought about what would say to him when he came back. I couldn't outright tell him "I don't love you." Because I did. A lot.
"So what'd he say?"
I turned to see Prussia standing over me. "He said I could use it."
"Good. Here ya go." He tossed me a necklace with an Iron Cross pendant. "What else are you getting?"
"I'm not sure," I sighed. "I think I can get Italy and Japan in one shot with a sun broach or something. Like the song 'O Sole Mio' and 'The Land of the Rising Sun.'"
"Good luck, then," Prussia smiled. "You should probably include a cat or Greece will get upset."
"I barely even know Greece," I protested. "I could do one for Canada. How about a bear? Or maybe just the colors red and white? Or a maple leaf?"
"I don't have time to help you," Prussia moaned.
I stuck out my tongue and twirled the string of the necklace around on my finger. "Suit yourself. I'll ask Romano for help."
"Sure," he chuckled. He gently pushed me to the door and I nudged him back playfully. "See ya."
"Bye," I said, waving as he closed the door. I glanced down at the pendant. It was actually really nice. I hoped I would be able to pull it off. I tied the strong around my hair, pulling it into a loose ponytail. The Cross laid nicely in my hair. I smiled, fingering it. It wasn't my key charm, but it would do. I walked home, a bounce in my step.
I like this, I thought, despite the angry looks some South Italians shot me. It makes me look pretty. I'm definitely including this in my costume.
"Hi, Romano~!" I sang, twirling as I came into the house.
He smiled like he was about to greet me but quickly frowned. "What's that?"
"This?" I pointed to the Iron Cross. "I'm doing something for every country in my costume, so this is Germany's and Prussia's. Doesn't it make me look pretty? I wanted to do it in a barrette on the side of my head, but Germany said I wasn't allowed to change it, so I had to settle for this."
Romano raised an eyebrow. "Is it necessary? Can't it be something a little more…discreet?"
"Nope, and you can't change it," I snapped with a smile. "I for one think it makes me look good."
Scout bounded in. "I second that!" She twirled my hair with her fingers. "I'm so jealous. My hair's all kinky and stuff. Yours is all silky."
"That's nice, Scout." I gingerly moved her hand away. I turned back to Romano. "So, what should I do for your country?"
Romano gazed up at the ceiling as he thought. "Do you want something simple?"
"Yeah, sounds good. I don't want my dress to look too loud or anything."
"Then do the Stella d'Italia," he suggested. "It's the national emblem. Nothing fancy, just a star."
I beamed at him. "Sounds good! I can tie a red and white sash around my waist and then put a star on the side so it makes up the American flag too!"
He grimaced and rolled his eyes. "Do what you want."
"Thank you~!" I gave him a quick kiss and skipped off to finish my dress.
*I have something to get off my back!
Romano: Here we go…
People always say Chibitalia's handkerchief or whatever ties in the back of his head.
Nonna: WRONG! I used to wear one and you simply place it on your head after folding it. You don't tie it.
Romano: That so? Well, aren't you smart.
THAT'S RIGHT!
Holy Rome: k bye.
No! Wait! I'm supposed to do that! D':
Holy Rome: Too bad. K bye.*