Author's Notes: And now for something completely different, as far as the subjects of chapters go.
Chapter was beta-ed by Capt. Hasting.
Disclaimer: I don't own Axis Powers: Hetalia.
Lithuania glanced around nervously as Russia paced around the small room. He wasn't sure why he had been called to Ivan's study but, from the looks of things, it couldn't be good. The tall country wore a troubled expression as he wore a path in the carpet. His eyebrows were furrowed as if he was in deep thought.
"Mr…Mr. Russia? Is everything alright?"
Ivan stopped pacing and glimpsed over at Lithuania as if he was just noticing the Baltic nation's presence. The serious expression on his face faltered momentarily before he began to continue walking around the room.
"Amerika keeps missing our meetings...which isn't very good."
Now this was something Lithuania wasn't expecting. As far as he could tell, Ivan and Alfred weren't on particularly good terms. It was odd that Russia was even remotely worried about the "idiot hero".
"Really? That's odd."
" да, It is troublesome."
"I'm sure he'll show up at the next one." Lithuania was on familiar terms with Alfred since he had lived with him in the early 1900's and knew that the proud man was never one to purposely miss a meeting, even if he disliked the country he was meeting with.
"I do not think so. I have rescheduled our meeting three times already. His capital tells me Alfred will be there this time but he never shows."
"Maybe he's sick. The economy isn't doing to well over there."
"Possibly. The economy isn't good anywhere," He paused, then shook his head.
"нет, Amerika should not avoid meetings because he is feeling the same economic pressure we all are." Ivan's frown deepened at this statement and he finally sat down at his desk.
"I'm sorry Mr. Russia. I-I didn't m-mean to—"
"It is fine." Although the easy going nature of Ivan's voice agreed with this statement, the hollow look in his eyes did not.
Toris began to fiddle with the buttons on his shirt sleeve. He had momentarily forgotten about the dire state of Russia's economy. It was proving to be a tough year for everyone; however, Ivan seemed to be getting the worst of it. He had been dealing with raging wildfires for quite some time and the, last Lithuania had heard, America had sent a specialist team from the U.S. Forest Disaster Assistance Support Program to help him cope. Alfred had a habit of helping in any situation, regardless of who it was he needed to help. Many countries thought Alfred was just being nosy but Toris was sure that the self-proclaimed hero legitimately wanted to help, more out of the goodness of his heart than anything else.
"I need to meet him. We have important issues to discuss." Ivan pulled out a bottle of vodka and two glasses from his liquor cabinet and placed them on the desk.
"Well, the UN meeting is in a couple of weeks. Perhaps you'd be able to speak with him there?"
"We shall see," said Russia filling the two glasses to the rim. He then handed one to Toris and took the other into his own hand. "But for now let's drink to Alfred's safe return from wherever he may have gone."
Little did they realize, two countries to the west were having a similar conversation.
"I'm telling you Francis, the git hasn't contacted me in over two months."
Francis studied the angry man who sat next to him on the couch. England had come to his house for a discussion of some foreign policy or other, it didn't really matter to the Frenchman, who would much rather ignore England and day dream about beautiful women. He took a sip from his wine glass and wrapped an arm around the shorter country's waste.
"Do not worry, mon cher. You can always talk to me." He smiled innocently as the man next to him went rigid.
"Hands off frog."
"You wound me, Angleterre," France said in mock distress, "I am only trying to help. And what better way is there to help than by showing les merveilles de l'amour?"
Arthur glowered at Francis, pulled back his arm, and proceeded in allowing his fist to make contact with the smiling face that was all too close to his own for his liking. The wine glass fell from its precarious position in France's hand and onto the floor. A large stain began to bloom on the plush rug as the contents of the glass seeped into the fabric. Next to Arthur, Francis had both his hands over his injured nose.
"Angleterre! My nose! Je pense que c'est cassé!"
Arthur turned away from Francis and tilted his head upward with a snort. That would teach the Frenchy a thing or two about getting touchy-feely with him again.
Francis lowered his hands and stared at Arthur. Although he looked composed, it was obvious that he was concerned about America. Even though there was no reason for him to be, as far as France knew everything was fine. At least that's how it seemed when he talked to the states he used to own before the Louisiana to them, everything was just how it had always been; the northeastern states were still leading fast paced lives, those that hailed from the south were enjoying the lazy days of summer while the western states took the warm weather as an opportunity to boost their adrenaline levels. Yes, everything did appear to be normal.
Yet, if there was one thing Francis understood it was this: when it came to the states, nothing was ever as it appeared. They were astounding actors, all of them seemed to possess the ability to mask their feelings and hide their doubts when around the countries. It surely came from the pressure of representing one of the most powerful nations in the world, weakness was not an option. Of course, there was also their past. All countries suffered from the horrors of battle and many had experienced the cruelty of war at a young age, much like the sates had.
During the American Revolution Francis had been ecstatic when Alfred declared his independence from Arthur's empire, he had willingly assisted the young nation in any way he could. While He never declared war on England (however much he had wanted to) seeing and assisting the young "New World" take on the famous British Empire had been more then enough. Although the one thing he regretted most was seeing the states, some looking no older than ten or eleven, fighting against an enemy so much larger than themselves. To France there was something terribly wrong about children fighting a war.
When he really thought about it, Francis supposed they were all actors in some way. No country had a past unmarred by the terrors of war.
"I do not see what you are so concerned about. You do not like Amérique."
"I…well…I am merely concerned for the well being of everyone. We can not afford to have America acting irresponsible in times like these."
Francis could only nod, things had not been easy as of late. The economic situation was something out a nightmare and the relationships between countries were becoming strained once again. It was not something he was unaccustomed to, many times in the past France had tested his alliances with fellow countries, almost to the point of breaking them completely. There was never any one explanation as to why things went sour between countries but one could always feel it coming.
"Say, France? Have you felt it?"
"I do not understand what you mean by 'it'."
"There is no use pretending you haven't noticed. The world is on the brink of something and I don't know if it is a good thing or a bad thing."
Hearing that made Francis really feel his age. He and England had been around for many centuries but he rarely felt that old. With age, came wisdom and knowledge. Both of them were aware of what could only be described as a "shift" in the ambiance of the world. It was the feeling that made them feel uneasy but they tried to ignore it. Well, rather, France tried to ignore it, he couldn't speak for Arthur.
"You are imaging things again." He decided that if he just pretended he felt nothing then perhaps nothing would happen. The world had been relatively peaceful for the past years and that was something he was not willing to give up in a rush. There were still wars going on but they weren't like the conflicts of centuries past.
"Fine. Believe what you want but this isn't a good sign. Whether you agree with me or not, Alfred has still been out of contact with me for over two months."
"As I said earlier, I do not see this as a problem."
"No, I suppose you wouldn't but I do. Alfred always bothers me, via telephone, email, letter, etc. and I find it hard to believe he would just stop out of the blue like this. Something must be wrong."
"He is probably just too preoccupied."
"Some of the countries have mentioned Alfred missing meetings with them. Does that seem normal to you?"
At this, France had to frown. It was true that Alfred was less than dependable but he seemed to break that trend when it came to meetings. He did not treat them like a joke or a chance to socialize like many of the countries did. He would use every opportunity to share his "awesome ideas" that, if based on the American's enthusiasm alone, would have solved all of the world's problems decades ago.
"He is a busy man. You know what they say, he is the last superpower."
"You're really eager to drop this, aren't you?"
"What makes you say that?"
"I have known you for many years and I never thought I'd hear the day you suggested America might actually be the last superpower. Times have truly changed." Arthur smirked.
"You have nothing to worry about. Amérique will be at the UN meeting, non?"
"He will be if he knows what's good for him."
"Then you can speak to him then. Since that is resolved, we should do something fun, mon cher!"
"Our definitions of what consists of "fun" differ greatly, frog."
"Fine, fine. We'll have lunch in the city. My treat." France was glad the conversation's direction had changed, he was not in the mood to discuss the depressing condition of the world right now nor was he interested in discussing why America had suddenly decided to stop making contact with the outside world.
"I am not interested in eating your food. You people have no idea how to cook."
Francis snorted as he grabbed Arthur's hand and dragged him out the door.
"You are one to talk. Now, onto the la beauté de Paris!"
Arthur let out a sigh as he realized he could not win in this situation. He followed behind Francis and let his mind wander. There would be time to worry about Alfred later.
AN: So…anyone figured out who the bad guy is yet (not that this chapter is a good indication)? Russia seems to be a popular guess. Unfortunately for all y'all I'm not gonna tell you if you're right or wrong. Your guesses keep me entertained though. ;)
Also, I have (good?) news for those of you who know who Mr. Kyle Jones is. I'm currently writing out a chapter that has been graced with his…interesting…personality. If you don't really know who I'm talking about, you will soon. ;)
Translations:
да : Yes
нет : No
merveilles de l'amour : wonders/marvels of love
Je pense que c'est cassé : I think it's broken.
la beauté de Paris : the beauty of Paris.