"Beep... Beep... Beep... Hello?"
"Hi Peru! Guess which North American it is!"
"Drop dead America."
"Huh?... No, Peru, wait!..."
"Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep..."
"Try again..." America said to himself, redialling the number.
"Beep... Beep... Beep... Hello?"
"Peru! Will you just- Hello? Hello? ... Maybe I should try another country..."
"Beep... Beep... Hello?"
"Hiya Brazil! Guess which- Oh come on! The least you coulda done is at least said something before hanging up..." America muttered, hanging up too. OK, so none of the South Americas or Africas would listen to him.
Well, maybe someone in Oceania?
"Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... G'day?"
"New Zealand! How's my favourite-"
"America, I don't have time for your stupidities. G'day."
"Oh come on..." America moaned frustrated. Were his personal relationships with other countries that bad?
Yes. Yes they were.*
"Maybe China..."
"Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Hello aru?"
"China! It's me, America!"
"... America, I don't have time right-"
"Wait! Don't hang up! It's not stupid! I swear, I'm not going to say anything stupid!"
"... Go on."
" I... Was wondering if you could come round to my place? As soon as possible."
"Why, aru?"
"Well... It's like this... I... I have a lead-"
"America, I thought you gave up a long time ago, with the rest of us aru."
"But this time it's a solid lead! I mean, it doesn't get more solid than this!-"
"America, if I'm honest, I'm old and tired. I no longer want to find the other nations. They're gone America, you have to accept that fact, aru."
"But China-!"
"I no longer want to be lead on a wild goose chase, aru. Face it, how many times did we think we had a trail which never failed to turn out to be a red herring? Hm? Let go of the past, aru. They're gone and there's nothing we can do about it aru."
"But..."
"Don't try and stir up false hope again America. Goodbye, aru."
"Wait, China!- Darn, he hung up. Great, won't any country listen to me? ... I haven't tried the Europeans yet."
He dialled the number on his phone quickly, waiting for a certain blonde to pick up.
"Hello?"
"Germany!"
"Amerika? Why are you calling?"
"I wanted to know if you could come round to my place asap!"
"... Why?"
"Do I need a reason?" America responded, whining playfully.
"Ja." America's face fell.
"Why?" He demanded irritated.
"In the last few decades, you never bothered to make a phone call to any of us and usually avoided us. Now you're trying to be friendly and social? Ich meine, the Blind Sense thing, that's understandable, but I mean actual proper 'hanging out'?"
"Fine, I admit it. I have new information on the Nation-nap-"
"Meine Güte Amerika! You still haven't moved on?"
"Germany! No one has! We're still mourning our loss, everyone but me, because I have a freakingly obvious lead!"
"That's what you said last time, remember? It looked so right, we thought we'd finally found them. But it was just another deadend."
"But this time it's different!"
"Nein. Amerika, you have entered your denial phase again. I suggest you go to a therapist. Aufwiedersehen."
"Just hear me ou- Does every country have a vendetta against me or something?" He wondered out loud. Which other European nation was around? Spain, South Italy, Ireland...
"Beep...Beep...Beep... Hello?"
"Spain!"
"America! This is a pleasant surprise, si?"
"It's great to hear you too Spain." America replied, glad to finally receive a warm welcome from another nation. "How have you been doing?"
"Si, I've been doing well. The tomatoes I'm growing are delicious for something growing out of season!"
"That's cool. Hey, do you want to hangout?"
"... What's the catch?"
"Catch? Why does everyone assume I want something from them if I call?"
"Well, you haven't been making phone calls to- Wait a second. Romano, stop cursing like that, it isn't cute... Aw, now you're so angry, you've turned redder than a tomato, so cu~ute! OK, I'll stop 'annoying' you if you stop being so loud. Yes, I'm talking to America. Aw, you're so easy to upset! Yes, yes, I'll stop... But it's so difficult, you look so cu~ute-"
"Ahem." America cleared his throat, realising how easily he'd been forgotten by the Spaniard.
"Oh, sorry America! I forgot I was still talking to you!" He said happily.
"Yeah, so anyway... Can you come over?"
"Seriously, what do you want?" Spain asked, although he still sounded cheerful.
"... It's a surprise. Now, could you gather some other countries to come here? I tried, but they refused. Don't tell them they're going to my place, otherwise they won't go-"
"... Si, it sounds like fun anyway! I'll try be over before weekend starts! Adios Amigo!"
"Bye-... Spain... Well, that's one thing off the list... I just wish I knew when he was coming over..." America sighed in relief. He had spent a majority of his morning making phone calls.
He was sure glad the Spain was such a cheery nation, otherwise he'd be stuck. Sighing, he went through his list. Four countries from South America. Three from Africa. Four from the Middle-East*. One from Asia. One from Australia. Four from Europe. Oh, and himself, not to forget.
The Seventeen countries left, indeed. He still had to call Ireland. He could assume that Spain would bring Romano with him. He stretched, then startled to dial Ireland's line.
After this, he'd need a burger and possibly a coffee. Then he'd call England and see if the guy wanted to meet up to discuss things with him. Oh, and also see how he's been doing with Liechtenstein.
If only I could talk to someone about this! Lilli thought in her head. Currently she was sitting in the cafeteria, having lunch. Her friends were eating and chatting, full of excitement for the upcoming winter prom.
She, however, couldn't share their excitement. What Arthur told her last night still hung in her head.
"Lilli, you're a nation. You're name isn't Lilli, it's Liechtenstein. Please, you have to believe me." Sighing, she took another bite from her home-made sandwich.
Her friends were luckily too consumed with themselves to notice her deep trouble. She didn't feel she could share what Arthur had told her to anyone. If she did, then they'd probably lock him up in an Asylum or something.
She couldn't afford that. Liechtenstein... She had promised to think things over to Arthur. And she was still processing it. It really sounded crazy, but it would explain several things. She sighed, deciding that she couldn't eat any more.
She was about to get up to throw it away, when she suddenly froze.
"Liechtenstein, finish your food. It's a waste to leave it half-eaten." A firm voice said, with care, gentleness and worry underlining his words.
"But Bruder, I'm not hungry any more. I can't eat it." Lilli replied nervously, yet secure. The man with shaggy blond hair sighed.
"... Fine, put it in the fridge for later instead. You can have it for Z'vieri** or something..." He muttered, his piercing green eyes looking over to her depthless, yet large and beautiful ones.
"I'm sorry Bruder." She said meekly, breaking eye contact to look at her food. He sighed, although what he said next made her smile. It wasn't what he said, it was how he said it. So caring, so loving.
"It's fine. Just don't make so much food for yourself if you can't finish it."
She cringed, holding her forehead, feeling like she had just had a brainfreeze.
"Lilli? Are you OK?" One of her friends asked her. She looked up, feeling pale. She nodded meekly, althought she was starting to feel horrible. What in the world was that?
The feeling of lightheadedness and sickness started taking over her body, as she blinked rapidly to stop the world from spinning.
Suddenly, the answer to her question floated past her mind unannounced.
That was Switzerland... My big brother...
Suddenly, Lilli got up and dashed out of the lunch hall. She wasn't sure why, but... She had an urge to runaway. To runaway as fast as she could, as if the devil himself were on her heels.
No... No... This can't be happening... She thoughts as other memories slowly started coming into focus in her mind.
I... I don't want to remember! I... I DON'T WANT TO REMEMBER! She screamed in her mind suddenly, as if she'd always known she was Liechtenstein.
The door to her memories, that had been locked... A key had been put in and was now turning slowly, as several memories of happier times leaked in.
I DON'T WANT TO REMEMBER! She screamed out louder, her voice whispering the same thing out horsely.
And then, the whole world changed into that of a porch she'd never been to before...
America frowned at his empty desk. He used to complain about the work he'd be given on a daily basis, it always covering nearly all of his office in the form of stacks and stacks of paperwork.
However, when his bosses took over all his work... Well, he barely had anything to do. Now and then he'd receive some paper work to do, but for the most part, normal, boring work no longer existed to the poor American.
He didn't even know why he bothered entering his office that morning. He was just glad he didn't go to the one in the White House. Then he'd be even more bored.
Turning on his chair, he considered calling the nations again. Those that ignored him. Was there any point? They never talked, why would they start again now?
He leant back, letting the chair balance itself on it's hind legs, as he looked at the ceiling fan. So bored... Maybe he should call England now?
"Ding dong!"
"Wha-aahouch!" America yelled and yelped, as he lost his balance on the chair and fell over and crashed onto the floor. The ringing sound continued. It was the doorbell.
America quickly picked himself up off the ground, trying to more or less walk to the front door and open it. Who could it be? Spain? That would have been a miracl-
"Liechtenstein?" He asked surprised when he saw a shaggy blonde that looked mistakebly similar to Switzerland and yet completely different.
The girl had tears in her eyes, her hands were cuddling a half-eaten sandwich close to her chest as if it were the most precious thing on the planet. She was panting and looked dizzy and exhausted.
Without warning, the girl suddenly collapsed into America's arms, surprising him greatly. How in the world did you find me? He asked worried. Not sure on what to do or how to react (or think clearly), America picked her up and brought her to the guest bedroom.
He laid her down on the bed gently and pulled out a chair, taking out a phone, as he decided to wait for her to wake up.
He dialled a number that he already knew inside out (some how he found it really, really easy to remember phone numbers), sitting down on the chair.
"... Blind Sense, how may I help you?" The usual receptionist answered, her voice surrounded by false cheeriness.
"This is Alfred F. Jones. I'd like to talk to Arthur Kirkland please."
"I'm sorry Mr. Jones, but private chats aren't meant to be done on our service line. If you would please hangup so that other customers can reach us..."
"No. I need to talk to Arthur Kirkland now. This is a family matter."
" I'm sorry, but the last time I checked, Mr. Kirkland didn't have a brot- Oohoh!" The woman stopped speaking directly into the phone. "Arthur! Don't you have a table- I, wait, you can't-" There was some shuffling and a loud crash on the other side of the phone. What was going on?
"Alfred?"
"Iggy!"
"What is it? When I said you could call me whenever-"
"Are you aware Lilli's skipping school?"
"She's WHAT?"
"Yeah, I dunno much. See, I heard my doorbell, opened my door and there she was! I think it'd be best if you came over-"
"Is she there? Can I talk to her?"
"Well... You see, she kinda fell unconcious-"
"She did what? Is she OK?" England asked worried.
"She's fine, I think. She was crying when she came here, how the heck she knew where I lived I don't know-"
"I'm coming over right away- Beatrice, keep yourself out of this. I couldn't care less about my damn job right now-"
"Iggy, you don't know where I live."
"... I'll find out!"
"No, I'll send someone over to pick you up, OK? He or She will be over in a couple minutes. She or He will adress you by England Kirkland, so you'll know he's or she's come to pick you up."
"... Fine... But make sure this person hurries up! This is my Charge we're talking about!"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll hang up now."
"H-hey, wait, I'm not finished-"
"Bye Iggy!" America then hung up, quickly dialling another number. "Hello, this is America speaking! I need someone to pick up an England Kirkland, looks just like England..."
"Arthur is about to ditch work!" Mattie whispered to Kiku and Feliciano, after he entered the kitchens.
"What? Mattie-san, were you eavesdropping? Do you know how disrespectful, rude and dishonourable that is?" Kiku asked, sounding shocked.
"Shush! Not so loud, someone might here us! Look, Kiku, since Sunday, he's been acting weird and he refuses to explain himself. And now he's ditching work?"
"Ve, Mattie has a point Kiku." Feliciano agreed.
"... I admit that Arthur-san has been acting 'weird' as you say, but it doesn't give you the right to eavesdrop." Kiku responded. Mattie shrugged in reply.
"'M sorry, but I'm worried about him."
"Maybe we should follow him and see what he's up to." Feliciano suggested.
"Great idea!" Mattie said. "He's going to be picked up by someone soon with a car-"
"Mattie-san! Are you suggesting we spy on Arthur-san? That'd be misusing his trust!"
"But Kiku, he obviously doesn't trust us already if he refuses to talk to us at all." Feli pointed out, sadness constricting his words. The Italian hated having problems or fights with friends. He hated it more than British food.
"... I refuse in participating in such dishonourable and disrespectful behaviour." Kiku announced.
"I hate you. I hate you so much." Kiku muttered out uncharacteristically, as Feliciano followed the limousine that had picked Arthur up quietly.
"We didn't do anything. As soon as we snuck out of the restaurant, you followed behind." Kiku didn't respond, still frustrated. He couldn't be bothered to hide his annoyance.
Usually he only got angry over matters of food (Seriously, three dollars for ten eggs?*), but dishonourable acts made him nearly as furious. Only nearly.
"I'm just here to make sure you two don't do anything stupid." Kiku muttered again. He sighed, rubbing his temples.
"I am sorry that I said I hate you Mattie-san and Feliciano-san." He said, having recomposed himself a bit. "But I still don't agree with your actions."
"Look, it'll be fine. We're just looking out for Arthur like we always do, that's what friends are for." Mattie responded calmly, patting the man on the back softly.
The man didn't respond.
"Ve~ This is a nice place." Feliciano suddenly announced, parking the car. The two blind men didn't respond, unable to see the sight.
They all sat there, as they waited for a good moment to sneak onto the grounds.
* alexdemyx pointed out that America's relationships with South America and the Oceanic Countries were actually quite good, much to my surprise (I was like totally le gasp). So I'll explain why they're on rough terms... After also noting, that for a long time, I thought the Oceanic Continent is called the Australian Continent (I know, I'm a real thickie, right?). So sorry if you thought that Australia was still around. He is gone, gone, gone forevah~ Maybeh. Anyway, explanation on rough terms: See chapter 11.
*Middle-East always kinda seemed like it's own continent. I mean, there's Europe, there's Asia, but countries in the Middle-East are so much more different from European and Asian cultures (if I remember correctly. I could also be completely off and uttering out rubbish, but yeah... Remember folks, always get your facts straight! (Also, I should practice what I preach))
** Ha, ha,ha... Um... Z'vieri is Swiss German for "For four" or better said "At four". This is when the Swiss have their afternoon snack, although they also eat it at three. This Swiss 'tradition' is taken about as seriously as English Tea time (which I think is also at four... Not sure).
* I dunno. Made up something, you know? I don't know how ridicolous the price is, but still.
Yeah, I'll (disclaim) explain what Lilli did in the next chappie. I probably surprised you all by updating so soon, huh? Well, I loved the reviews so much and noted also how short the last chapter was compared with previous updates, I decided to do a double update! Go me!
A lot of this chapter is just people phoning people and rushing around. Originally, the nations were all going to agree to come to America's, but I don't really know the characters from Africa, South America or Australia and, well... Countries have a habit of being unpredictable, hahaha...
ha...
ha...
Ahem... So currently, I'm avoiding using OC Nations, since I'd mess them up.
A lot of things are now open and the mystery deepens (in my mind it does anyway). Still, the latest I'll update will be on a Tuesday.
Review?