I do not own Hetalia, the characters, places, events, people, anything. Hidekaz Himaryuu does. I don't own anything I might've stolen- and please review! Thanks to those who inspire me!
7. Russia's "Secret" Plan
In the hours that Canada had first spent as captive/refuge/hostage/friend in Russia house (he didn't know what to call himself, because apparently he'd made the mistake in saying he wanted to be there in the first place, but he didn't want to be there at all, so he was very scared and confused on what he was supposed to be in Russia's house) Canada had spent two hours under the careful watch of Russia himself, who probably left once he was comfortable with the knowledge wasn't going to book it out the door on his first chance. He would've liked to- but night was coming around, and with darkness comes cold, not unlike his own homeland which might be very like Russia, he would not know what to expect from the weather and didn't take a fancy to the thought of freezing to death. He'd have to wait until he could negotiate with Russia on the terms of their…agreement…when he was in a more compatible mood.
Russia hadn't been so lenient when Canada tried to address the whole situation as a mistake. Sitting in a house with approximately a dozen rooms and two fireplaces wasn't the way he'd hope to spend his night- he had been looking forward to seeing his older brother, France, and even England, who had always favored himself over his brother, America (or at least tried to make it appear that way. Everyone knew England cared about America and was just too stubborn to admit to so). He had struggled with the choice to come in the first place since, technically, he'd been with the Allies, but he hadn't had much action in the Second World War because everyone kept forgetting he was there. Now, full of dread, he wished he had skipped the idea entirely. No one would've cared, he admitted to himself sadly, and now no one cared or remembered (probably) that he was alone in the house of the most gigantic nation in the entire world, and was at his mercy.
Canada was entirely aware that Russia had no room to boast in the size category- he may be the largest by a good measure, however, Canada was second largest, and that he didn't often make clear diligently, however, it should at least be known. But Russia was considerably taller, in human measurements, which was extremely unfair. If personal body size was based on the largeness of country, then Canada should've been at least a bit shorter than Russia, not a full head. It just added to his general scariness, the way he could look down on you with a smile and still make you feel like he was about to string you up. Canada shivered.
"Canada?" A soft voice came from the entrance to the room. Canada looked up- it was Lithuania. He stood in the doorway, lacking body space to fill up enough to make him so noticeable, in a constant state of awareness, which was probably some sort of Russia-radar that all members who stepped into his house quickly developed. Canada figured that Lithuania's was spot-on. "Latvia and Estonia had some food prepared for everybody, and, well, seeing how they left, I figured you might be hungry. Would you like to come into the kitchen and have some dinner? Or would you rather stay here?"
"No- No I'll come to the kitchen," Canada said, and grabbed Mr. Kumajirou from the corner of the tiny bedroom in which he had fled. He didn't want to be a hassle to any of the Baltic States; obviously they had enough to worry about.
Lithuania and Canada tiptoed around the hallway outside Russia's doorway, and then down the stairs again. He lead him past a dark hallway with scary paintings, then into a swinging doorway across the hall to a yellow-tiled kitchen. It was a nice little place- counters on one side of the room, a stove, and cabinets all around over a sink, on the other was a dining table with about five chairs. There was a dining room upstairs, so Canada could only figure that Russia used that one, and never this one. Canada was surprised the kitchen area was so cheerful looking, since everything else was so cold and dark. It was even a cozy temperature in there, he figured it was because of the oven, so he slipped off his coat and carried it on his arm.
"This is Estonia and Latvia," Lithuania said quietly. He pointed to a be speckled dirty-blonde in the corner with a mug of something steamy, and a eleven or ten year old boy licking off a decorated cake on the counter.
"H-hello," Canada said. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Canada."
"Really?" Mr. Kumajirou butt in. Canada ignored him.
"Canada?" Latvia turned away from the cake, one finger with white icing still lifted to his mouth. "Where is that?"
"Silly goose," Estonia said, smiling. "It's the country right above America. He's America's brother?"
"That's right," Canada confirmed. He was used to it. But at least Estonia remembered him- that made him a bit happy.
"Really, feel free to dig in. We've already eaten, so help yourself," Lithuania assured him, handing him a plate. Canada tried not to wonder what was with the sunflower boarder around the rim of a porcelain plate, but he soon filled it was the only thing he could recognize-potatoes, the world-wide starch that everyone was familiar.
He didn't feel out of place, thankfully, which had been one of his key worries. All the States either stood around at the counter and didn't really converse, each of them did their own thing as Canada sat at the table and stirred potatoes around his plate. Really, what he wanted to ask for was that cup of warmth Estonia had been holding. Something to drink would definitely calm him down. He was so scared about what this would mean- but he had no doubts that it would be resolved soon. He could possible be "one" with Russia-right? There was nothing significant about him, nothing anyone would really want, right? It was America that everyone wanted, with his massive oil reserves and national parks. Not Canada. Never Canada.
He started to feel a bit homesick and worried, that he couldn't eat. He stared at the plate of potatoes that he'd hardly touched, and sat while listening to a small banter between Estonia and Latvia. He figured that the argumentative behavior was normal, since Lithuania stood in the corner of the room without so much as to try to change views. This house, so cold, was so quiet that his skin started to crawl. He hadn't been there a day, and already he was starting to panic. He couldn't stay here. He'd need to think up a plan, or something. Canada didn't like how no one wanted to talk to each other because they couldn't afford to be distracted in case Russia suddenly came in. It was impossible to be friendly on that whim- but he, too, was listening for footsteps outside the door in case Russia decided to come down.
"Canada, are you finished? You can put what you didn't eat in the refrigerator for later, in case you might want it," Estonia said. Canada jumped.
"Oh," he gathered the plate and his whit as quickly as possible. "Sure, thank you."
Lithuania noticed the full-plate of potatoes, and pitied him. It was obvious Canada didn't want to be there, much like all of them, however, it was too late for Lithuania to leave Russia's house, and Canada wasn't used to the constant fear they lived in. Canada didn't know what foods tasted like what, didn't know where the places in the house Russia never visited anymore were, and didn't know the best ways to get out of a situation with Russia. He watched Canada timidly sit back down at the kitchen table, unaware what else there was to do, and started to walk toward him to try and make some friendly conversation.
The door swung open. The shadow that passed over the doorway clearly showed that it was Russia, however, he didn't step any farther inside than the doorway.
"I have a new idea for world domination," Russia said cheerfully, sticking his head in the room. His ears and forehead was covered with a fluffy cap, and his hands fit into wool mittens. Canada almost choked, but the idea wasn't surprising to the States as they steadily caught their breath as they shook in fear.
"T-that's wonderful, Russia," Estonia said with a fabricated smile, putting down his cup of tea. "What is it?"
Russia paused, "hmmm-ing". He was buttoning up a coat. "I don't think I will tell you. It is a brilliant plan, though. Goodbye!"
And, like he brought up the subject on a whim every day, he turned around and left as the door swung back and forth behind him.
The second the front door slammed down the hall, the room bust into chaos.
Lithuania shot to the phone like he'd been pulled by a magnet. "I've got to warn Poland!" He cried, frantically dialing the phone. "What if he attacks Poland? He'd never stand a chance, him and his ponies, oh no- what will we do, this is awful!" He gripped the phone to his ear, his eyes huge. "Pick up, please pick up," he chanted, the cheap plastic of the phone sliding under his tight grip.
"I don't think Russia could stand being one with Poland, Lithuania," Estonia pointed out.
Lithuania was beyond the point of consolation. The phone rang and rang as he gnawed on his fingers. Latvia, in the corner, started to panic as well; "What if he gets into a nuclear war with the whole world, Estonia, I couldn't stand living in a place like Chernobyl all the time, that would be horrible!" He jumped down from the counter and grabbed Estonia's coat. "And what if he blows up Sealand, then I'd have no friends, not even you!"
"I'm going to call Switzerland and make sure he and his little sister will be alright," Estonia said, walking out of the kitchen after pealing Latvia from his shirt and . He paused in the doorway with the swinging latch still open. He looked back at Canada. "You might want to call your brother, seeing how he did make Russia mad today. Lithuania, don't take too long, let Canada use the phone after you."
Lithuania furiously dialed what must've been Poland's number a second time, and when he got the voicemail again, the message he left went something like this: "Poland! Poland, you need to take your ponies and get somewhere safe, I'm not kidding you, Mr. Russia is really angry right now, we had guests, and I don't think threats is going to get you out this time, so please, if he comes to your house, don't try to smooth talk your way out of it, or else he might clobber you with that awful cane!"
"It's a faucet," Estonia corrected him, but Lithuania was out the double doors before anything could be said. Canada could hear him screaming, "I HAVE TO GO HELP HIM! THIS IS AWFUL!" as he leapt out the door. Canada hoped he didn't go without a coat, but he wouldn't have been surprised.
The phone swung from it's corkscrew cord, and Canada stood from his chair and went over to it. The operator on the other end was saying something about calling again, and Canada pushed the little knob, and the dial tone hummed through the receiver. He dialed America's phone number carefully, and it rang. Once. Twice. Three times- then voicemail. Canada didn't bother leaving a message, knowing fully well that America didn't care enough to actually listen to them. He hung up the phone, alone in the kitchen, then picked it back up and dialed his cell phone number. It rang, and rang, and on the third ring, there was a muffled, "Hello?"
"America?" Canada gasped into the phone. He clutched the green device with both his hands. "Are you there?" There was an awful lot of static coming through the earpiece, and Canada shoved his finger into his open ear. America was saying something, but Latvia's thumping footsteps were getting in the way of him making it out.
"Huh? …it's me…who is this?" America said. The phone made a loud static-filled screach, which made Canada shiver.
"It's me, Canada," he said, speaking low enough not to be heard above, but loud enough that America might.
"Canada? Oh, seriously?" America's voice was surprisingly enthusiastic. Canada couldn't remember a time America had really wanted to see him, but he was alright with it.
"Yeah, it's me, but I've got some bad news-"
"Dude, England, it's Canada, Russia didn't rape him!" America's voice said- and there was a muffled snore on the other end that was undoubtedly England. He, for one, didn't sound enthused. "Canada, I'm so glad you're okay! Listen, I'll come and get you soon, I just don't know when-"
"No, America," Canada desperately interjected. "Listen, Russia just came by saying something-"
"- 'Cuz I'm the hero, and that's what I do! Don't worry, and don't freeze to death in the time that I-"
"America! Shut that device this instant, there are people trying to catch beauty sleep, no?" France's strangely annoyed voice waxed it's way to the peak of a scream through the phone. "Hey, now," America appeared to be saying, and there was a fumbling noise. "Let go! Hey!" A few more shouts and curses Canada interpreted as French, and the line went dead. Canada stood there with a dead phone, his eyes wide.
He was in Russia, he didn't have any friends, and Russia was out trying to dominate the world.
Meanwhile…
"I hope this room will be alright for your stay," Austria said. He watched as Switzerland peered into the room quizzically. Of course it would do, he thought, looking at the stately mattress and elegant chairs. "I know you are used to more simple surroundings, so I had Hungary fix it up for you."
Switzerland bit back a nasty remark at that as Austria turned his back on him and exited the hallway. He wasn't about to pick a fight with his host, no matter how snooty he was being. Of course Austria would try and show himself up, but unfortunately, it didn't take much effort. He walked over to the bed and threw his small suitcase on the bed, packed with limited clothing in case he needed an excuse to return home. The windows were open in the corner, towering above his head and filtering the light in from a garden outside. It looked lovely, having it just rained, so he sat down.
He tried not to worry about Liechtenstein too much- she could take care of herself, no matter how sad she was that he was leaving. Though, as family, he did fret just a little. She could cook, she knew not to let in strangers, she knew to be polite over the phone, and she knew that, if anything would happen, Germany wasn't too much of a douche bag to not let her into his house. He trusted Germany only that much- but mainly because she had once lived with him and didn't expect him to do anything suspicious. And there were no threats, the weather was supposed to be nice. Switzerland let himself relax just a little before breakfast came along.
Although, in their home about a hundred miles away, the phone rang.
Liechtenstein picked herself from where she lay on her stomach in her room and walked down the hallway to pick up the phone hanging on the wall. It stopped ringing, and she said "Hello?" into it.
"Liechtenstein?" It was Estonia- she only remembered him from the very few times she'd ever conversed with him. "Liechtenstein, is your big brother at home?"
Liechtenstein pondered for a moment, and supposed it was safe to tell him the truth. "No, he isn't," she said. "Is it important?"
There was a pause. Then he said, "Ah…no, not really. But do you know where I might reach him?"
"Sure," Liechtenstein confirmed. "He's spending a couple nights at Mr. Austria's house. I'm sure if you call him you could talk to him."
"Oh, thank you," Estonia said. "I hope you're doing well."
"I am," she assured him.
"Good. Well, have a nice day, alright?"
"Thank you." She hung up the phone feeling a little strange. She walked into the kitchen, a little hungry for breakfast. I wonder what that was all about, she thought to herself as she flipped toast into the little machine and got out the jam. It browned, and flipped outward: she picked it up with the tips of her fingernails so not to burn herself and set it on a plate. As she spread the jam over her toast, a rain cloud passed over the window. Switzerland didn't use a lot of electricity in her house, so she ate her breakfast in the dark.
Later that afternoon, against Switzerland's judgment, it rained.
In Austria's house, Switzerland took himself from the security of his makeshift room, and walked down the hall toward the dining room. He made it about halfway before Austria's rich looking home started to really bug him- he knew he was being jealous, really, but…but he and Liechtenstein were cozy in their cottage, and it was meaningless, he told himself, and picked up his pace.
In the dining room, Austria was already seated. The table was about as long as Switzerland's home, so he sat at the very end of it. Austria looked like a doll. In a matter of seconds, a maid was beside him, and set before him a dish: eggs, toast, sausage, hashed potatoes… Switzerland blinked at the meal, recalling that he usually went with something small but filling. He didn't know if he could finish it all, really, but he picked up his fork and cut the sausage.
"I don't know where Hungary is, really," Austria said. He had to speak loudly for it to properly reach Switzerland. "She went out for some groceries, but she hasn't come back yet."
That was the only upside of his visit, Switzerland realized, and tried not to scowl openly. He had wanted to ask Hungary if she had any hand-me-downs for Liechtenstein, so she could at least sport something that wasn't hand-made or from a thrift store. Also, Hungary was sweet and nice, so maybe she could keep Austria off his back for the next couple days. He stuffed egg into his mouth. "That's too bad," he mumbled.
"What?" Austria called.
A maid then walked beside him, and bent down to Austria's ear. The spoke for a second, and then she disappeared. Austria went back to his eating, and Switzerland tried to shake off how suspicious that was, but Austria then informed him; "I just was told you got a call from Estonia. You can eat your meal, and then call him back."
Switzerland was caught by surprise. Estonia? A Baltic State- one of those poor enslaved countries beside Russia? What would he want? "Was it urgent?" Switzerland asked, raising his voice so that Austria could hear.
"I don't know," Austria said. He patted his mouth with a napkin. "But he already called your house, and when you weren't there, he got your number from Liechtenstein. It might've been."
Switzerland stood up, leaving two-thirds of his meal. "I'm going to call him now," he said, blocking out Austria's mumbles of "rude" as he exited the room. Silly Liechtenstein, he thought. She was sweet and innocent, but didn't she know better than to tell people that she was home alone? He'd have to run through that when he got back. He walked into a lavish hall with white paneled walls and golden trim, where an old fashioned telephone sat on a little table with some flowers next to it. Forgetting how to use it momentarily, he fumbled around with the dials and switches since he'd used a house phone and a cell phone for almost thirty years now, but he got the hang of it, and the phone rang to the beat of a dial. There was a pause between three, and near to the forth, a clatter picked up the phone, and a whispery voice answered.
"Hello? This is…um, Russia's house…"
Switzerland was familiar with all the household members of Russia's crew, however, he couldn't remember even hearing someone over the phone that sounded like this person. Maybe he got a servant- it wouldn't surprise Switzerland- or maybe it was Lithuania or Latvia and the reception was bad. It was definitely an option, especially with how old the phone was. "Um, hello," he couldn't address whoever it was since he didn't know them by sound, but he knew it was clearly not Estonia. "This is Switzerland, I got a call I couldn't make a second ago. Can you put him on the line, please?"
"Oh," the voice said, tittering. "He just went outside to get Lithuania back. Do you know what he needed?"
Switzerland was starting to get annoyed with not knowing who was talking to him. "Listen, I don't mean to be rude," he said into the phone, his voice a little hard. "But who is this?"
"I'm…I'm Canada…" The voice said sadly.
Now that was definitely a surprise. He knew he, too, fell victim to completely forgetting who Canada was, and that wasn't something he had to be ashamed about since everyone did it, but at least he had the excuse that it was over the phone. The real question was, however, what was he doing at Russia's house? "I'm sorry," Switzerland amended quickly. "I didn't recognize you over the phone… but Estonia called my little sister and she gave him this number, saying it was something important." he didn't like the idea of playing phone-tag with someone a thousand kilometers away just to get a bit of info that probably meant nothing at all, but it would be impolite to ignore Estonia.
"Oh, right," Canada said. "I know what it is."
"Can you tell me?" Switzerland said. "And then you can tell Estonia he doesn't have to call me back."
"Yeah. He said he was going to call you to make sure you and your sister were alright."
Despite the sentimental intentions, Switzerland was a little confused. "Why wouldn't we be?"
"Russia just left about an hour ago saying he had a new plan to conquer the world…Estonia wanted to make sure you guys knew just in case he wandered by your house or something. Apparently this is sort of a normal thing, so I wouldn't be worried, nobody here is…well, most everybody."
"Take over the world?" Well, that sounded typical Russia. Switzerland scowled. But, it was an excuse to get home to Liechtenstein sooner than he had expected, but he shook his head. She'd be fine, he assured himself, and then he switched the topic. "Does your brother know?" He asked Canada, meaning America. If anyone was going to take the news wrong and do something stupid, it would be him. "If it's a false alarm, maybe you should wait to tell him."
"That's good advice," Canada said. "I did try to tell him, but I guess he was doing something and the phone cut off before I could."
"Maybe it's for the best," Switzerland said.
"What's for the best?" Austria was suddenly behind him. Switzerland looked over his shoulder and shook his head, telling him to be quiet because Canada's whispery voice was extremely hard to hear with background noise.
"…you're probably right, though," Switzerland had missed something Canada was saying. "Well, I think that was all he wanted. Is there anything you want me to relate to Estonia?"
"Um…no, I don't think so," Switzerland said. "But I just have a question, if it's not to much."
"What is it?"
"Why are you at Russia's house? Not to be nosy, but isn't that…a little strange?"
There was a pause with a really long sigh from Canada. Behind him, Austria was leaning forward to hear the best he could. "It's…a really long story. I don't think I'll be hear much longer, though."
"Oh, alright," Switzerland said. Still, he was curious to what it was. "Well, um, have a good day, then. Thanks for giving me the heads up, anyway."
"Sure. Bye…"
The phone went dead, and Switzerland set it on the receiver. Austria swamped him before he could fully turn around to look him in the face. "What was that? Why was Canada on the phone, you said you were calling Estonia."
"Canada's at Russia's house for some reason," Switzerland sighed, running a hand through his hair as he jumbled out the confusing mess that was set in front of him now. "But he wanted to make sure that my sister and I were okay…apparently Russia's got some new plan to take over the world, or something."
Austria scoffed, blowing the only curly piece of hair out of his face. "Pathetic," he said. "He and America are so immature these days."
"Right," Switzerland agreed. "But I think I should go home and make sure things are okay with her. If it's urgent enough to make a call-"
"Oh, no," Austria said as Switzerland made an attempt to walk around him. "Russia is just going to end up drunk in some snow mound. You and I had this scheduled, and I'm not letting some giant with mental problems mess it up just to be a false alarm." He sighed. "And if you're that worried about your sister, I can send Hungary over to your house in case anything happens."
Switzerland's mouth mashed together; he didn't like Austria butting in over some financial problems when Russia was on some rampage, babbling about taking over the world. The last 'false alarm' ending with some accident over in Cuba had almost resulted in a nuclear war. He didn't quite want Liechtenstein around something like that. But he did make plans, Switzerland thought, and Liechtenstein wasn't a threat to anybody since she didn't even have an army. Anything Switzerland could do for her in a time like this, Hungary could as well, he guess, and who knew- perhaps Lilly would get something out of being around Hungary and act a little more ladylike. It might be good for her. The worried look on his face burned his cheeks when he realized it, and he turned his head away. "Okay, call Hungary for me," he said. "If it's any trouble, she can just bring her here with her."
"That's more like it," Austria said, and he walked around Switzerland to the phone. "They'll get along, have some gossip for the next few days, and then it'll be solved," He summed up as he twisted the dials around. The ringer picked up, and Austria started talking into the phone.
"I hope so," Switzerland grumbled, walking away from all this. He went back to the table and sat before his now cold meal, unable to touch it. It was a stupid thing to think about, Russia trying to take over the world and merely announcing it to everybody. The way it was spreading around like wildfire was just going to make it able to be solved in days. All he had to do was stick out a few days with Austria.
After probably two months, chapter seven is up. Sorry for such the…er…wait. Please review!