A small boy of about seven was in his music class with his teacher, the famed musician Mozart.
He was learning how to play the violin and his name is Engel.
Smiling, Mozart said, "You've improved quite a bit Engel. Keep practicing and you'll get it in no time."
Engel looked at him with eager blue eyes.
"I will Herr Mozart!" He said eagerly.
"In time, you'll see! I'm going to be one of the greatest violinists of all time!"
That made Mozart chuckle.
"I'm sure you will be; I have faith in you. And remember, the show is scheduled for next Friday. I'm counting on you to be there."
Nodding furiously, Engel said, "I'll be there Herr Mozart!"
"Good," Mozart said to himself as Engel walked away.
He knew that the seven-year-old was from Austria's capital.
The fact that Engel had made the distance from Vienna to Salzburg for violin lessons from him all on his own in not even a day had surprised him.
When Engel was safely back in Vienna, he set up his music stand in the room he shared with another boy in the orphanage.
The other boy was younger than him and was also an orphan.
Engel shifted through the music book that Mozart had given him and when he found the song he wanted to play, he put the book on the stand, open facing him.
Picking up the violin and bow, he rested the instrument on his shoulder and put the bow on the strings.
His chin rested on the end closest to him.
Looking at the book, Engel started playing the song chosen.
The day was fine, the good years.
The Austrian personification was taking a walk like he normally did.
Work was overwhelming and he never got peace.
As he walked, he heard music.
It was faint and could be easily missed yet he didn't miss it.
He turned and followed the faint noise to the building.
An orphanage...?
He entered, looking around.
Engel's brows creased as he continued playing the song.
He wanted to be ready for the show next Friday.
One of the orphanage workers noticed Roderich and went up to him.
"Hi," she said.
"What are you here for?"
Roderich turned.
"Oh hallo. Uh I heard a violin, I couldn't help but to follow the sound. Someone here plays, I presume?" He asked, walking over.
The worker nodded.
"That would be one of our oldest children. His name is Engel and everyday he takes lessons from Mozart in Salzburg," she informed.
"If you like, I could take you to him."
Roderich couldn't help but to smile.
"Ja, please that would be quite nice." He said, hands behind his back.
Another nod from the female.
"If you would please follow me."
She then walked in the direction of Engel's room.
Roderich followed behind her and looked around a bit. How could he have never known of this place?
The music got louder the closer they got to the boy's room.
"He's in here," said the female and pointed inside the room the music was coming from.
Roderich nodded and smiled.
"Danke, madam," He said kindly enough and looked at the door a moment.
She nodded and left Roderich to his own.
Engel sighed softly.
He wanted to be able to impress people, but in such a short time, how could he?
Roderich knocked then, polite yes, he was.
He just had a feeling in his stomach that he couldn't explain.
Pausing what he was doing, Engel looked up.
"Come in," he said.
Roderich entered and looked.
"Ah hallo."
Engel blinked and looked up at Roderich.
"Hallo," he said and pushed reddish-brown hair out of his face.
The elder Austrian smiled.
"You play very well by the way," he said.
He knew the feeling of being complemented.
It was a great feeling.
The boy blinked and said nothing at first.
"Really?" Engel asked.
First time he's been complimented by a total stranger.
Roderich nodded and smiled.
"You are very talented," He said.
"Danke schön Herr," Engel said.
After all, he had been learning from one of the best.
Roderich smiled.
"You're very welcome."
Engel noticed something off about the elder Austrian, though he didn't know what exactly.
Roderich tried to find the words to say something.
Shit he couldn't.
"You're different than most, aren't you?" Engel asked out of nowhere.
Roderich blinked.
"Ja," He said after a moment.
"Some say I am, but I don't know," Engel shrugged.
Roderich chuckled.
"I think you are. But it's not bad," He said.
"What makes you say that?" Engel asked.
Roderich shrugged.
"Unexplainable feeling, I guess." He sighed.
That sounded stupid.
"I get that feeling around certain people," Engel admitted.
"Which is how I know you're different."
Roderich nodded.
"Ja. The different is. Not human I guess," He said.
That made Engel tilt his head in confusion.
"But... You look like a human."
Roderich nodded.
"Indeed. That's true. But I am not human."
Now Engel was even more confused.
"How?"
Roderich sighed.
"It's not easy to explain. You see. Every country... City... Has a... Personification. A human version."
"Is that how you're different?" Engel asked.
Roderich nodded.
"I personify Austria," He said calmly.
"Do you think I could be a personification as well?"
It would explain things.
Roderich smiled.
"I have a feeling you just might be."
Engel nodded.
"I see."
Roderich nodded a bit and smiles softly.
The Austrian child looked back at the sheet music.
Roderich silently sighed.
"Um... Would you be willing to come to my show next Friday?" Engel asked.
"I'll be performing mit Herr Mozart." Roderich smiled. "I'd love to come," He said. Engel smiled at that.
"We'll be playing at Hofburg." As soon as he said where, something in his chest lit up. Roderich smiled.
"Very good."
He just knew this child personified something here...
To be specific, it was his heart that lit up and it was visible from outside his body, but barely.
Wherever it is Engel personifies, it's a major city.
"Ja."
Roderich noticed as he stood straight.
"I'll see you there, then."
"OK. I'll see you Herr Österrich," Engel said.
Roderich nodded.
"Ja."
He stepped out.
Engel then got back to practicing the violin.
Roderich thought as he walked away.
That child...
Yeah, something was off about Engel, though the boy didn't quite know it yet.
He practiced every day until the Friday of the show he and Mozart were performing.
Like Austria said, he showed up to the show.
Engel took a deep breath to calm himself down.
He looked up at a familiar face when a hand was placed on his shoulder.
It was Mozart.
"Are you ready?" He asked.
The boy nodded.
Both took the stage and got into position.
Roderich leaned back and smiled, waiting.
When everyone was silent, the teacher/student duo launched into song.
Normally, one would be looking at a music sheet, but Engel wasn't however.
Roderich smiled.
Wow.
Amazing.
Looking at the crowd, Engel searched the people until he saw a familiar face and smiled.
He made it!
Roderich smiled to himself.
Just simply amazing.
More towards the end, Mozart let Engel do a solo.
The reddish-brown haired male then started playing some of Mozart's Sonatas.
Roderich leaned forward slowly and smiled just more.
When Engel was finished, his arms dropped to his sides, the violin and bow still in his hands.
Roderich smiled just so much more.
He looked.
The crowd clapped for both Mozart and Engel.
Again, Engel looked up when Mozart put a hand on his shoulder.
Roderich clapped yes.
Omg amazing.
Both Engel and Mozart bowed and left the stage.
Roderich smiled and stretched, very good.
Engel went in search of Roderich after getting his things together.
Roderich was looking for him too.
He carefully weaves through a crowd.
"Herr Österrich! Herr Österrich!" Engel called out a couple times, so the older male could find him.
Roderich turned.
Ah!
He followed the voice until he found him.
Engel smiled when he saw the older male.
"You made it!"
Roderich smiled.
"I always keep my promises," he said. "You did amazing."
Engel smiled more at that.
"Danke!"
Roderich smiled brightly.
"Well, I better get going. I told the director I'd be back when the show was over," Engel said.
Roderich nodded.
"Right..."
"You can come visit me whenever you like," the boy offered.
Roderich nodded.
"Always."
Smiling, Engel nodded.
"See you later then Herr Österrich."
Austria nodded.
"See you later."
With that, Engel turned and started to walk away.
Roderich had a thought, but he wasn't sure of it yet.
For whatever reason, Engel felt like there was some connection between Roderich and himself.
Roderich would make up his mind soon.
He just...
This child had to be his son.
Soon enough, Engel made it back to the orphanage, where he was greeted with happy faces from both adults and children.
Roderich made it home, thinking hard on that.
Engel put his violin away before going to play with some of the other orphans.
Roderich looked at his piano and sighed.
A smile crossed Engel's face.
Roderich went ahead to attempt to sleep he made up his mind.
When it was time for the children to go to bed, Engel and the orphan boy he was sharing a room with went to their room to sleep.
Roderich for once slept peacefully. Something good came out of today and hopefully tomorrow.
Even Engel slept peacefully, though he didn't know of what was to come the following day.
The following day, Roderich was up and busy getting things together and such.
Engel had gone into the kitchen in the morning and asked if he could help out, to which he was allowed to.
Roderich made sure he himself ate of course.
Engel did his best to help out wherever needed.
After breakfast Roderich made his way over.
Engel had no idea that Roderich was coming over.
Roderich hummed to himself.
Engel found himself humming also.
Roderich smiled softly as he came up to the orphanage.
The person Engel was helping let him finish the plating.
Roderich stepped in after a few moments of standing there.
Another worker noticed Roderich and smiled.
"Hallo," she said.
Roderich smiled.
"Ah hallo there."
"What brings you here?" The female asked.
He looked.
"Adopting?" He asked.
He bit his lip.
She nodded.
"Ja, sure. I'll get the paperwork while you find a kid."
He nodded.
"Ah but I.. Already know of one. Engel?"
He stepped up.
The female blinked.
"Oh, ok. I'll get him now."
She went to where Engel is.
"Hey Engel. Someone's here to adopt you."
At that, Engel looked at her with wide eyes.
Without saying anything, he went to see who.
Upon seeing Roderich, he smiled brightly.
"You," he said softly.
Roderich looked and smiled.
"Ja." He said softly.
"So, you really want to adopt me?" Engel asked.
Roderich nodded.
"Of course," he said with a smile.
That made Engel excited.
The person who had told Engel about this came back with the paper work.
"If you could please sign these," she said and handed what was in her hands to Roderich.
"Engel, go get your things."
The boy scampered off to do so.
Roderich nodded and did so, signing them.
Moments later, Engel came back with his things that consisted of: his violin, music stand, music book, and a trunk that contained his clothes.
Roderich looked and smiled.
Yes, this was the right feeling.
Engel has a huge smile on his face.
He had been waiting for a day like this for seven years.
Roderich smiled.
"Ready?"
He offered to take something.
"Ja, I am," Engel said and went to stand next to Roderich.
Roderich smiled.
"Right. Let's go then."
He led the way.
Engel followed closely behind. Roderich lead him to him home.
Blue eyes widened when he saw the house and roamed over the building.
Roderich opened the door for him.
First thing was the piano.
Engel walked in and noticed the piano first.
"You play?" He asked.
Roderich nodded.
"Ja. I do."
"Interesting," Engel said.
Roderich chuckled.
"Oh." He showed him to his room.
Engel went with him and smiled, looking around a bit.
Roderich opened the door.
"Here."
Engel looked and blinked.
"Wow."
Roderich smiled.
Yes, a very nice room.
Rather large so he fit lots in.
Engel went and put the clothing trunk by his bed before putting his instrument, stand, and book away in the correct places.
Yes, Roderich would show him around more too.
The boy then turned to Roderich.
"So, would I call you papa then instead of Herr Österrich?" He asked.
Roderich nodded.
"Ja, of course."
A soft sound escaped Engel and he smiled brightly.
"Ok papa." Roderich returned the bright smile.
Engel went up to Roderich and hugged him.
He already liked having a father, and one he'd gotten to know a bit beforehand.
Roderich hugged back and smiled softly.
Engel sighed happily.
Roderich smiles sweetly.
So happy.
"Ich hab dich lieb papa," Engel said.
Roderich smiled softly and looked.
"I love you too," he indeed said in German.
That made Engel smile more.
Roderich was glad he did this. Just perfect. And Engel was happy Roderich did so.
As was he very happy.
Yes, both be happy with this arrangement.
Yes!
Happy!
Anyway...
"Papa, could I have something to eat?"
In the hype of everything, Engel realized that he hadn't eaten anything yet.
Roderich blinked.
Oh, right it was breakfast time when he came over.
"Of course!" To the kitchen! Engel followed him to the kitchen.
The kitchen it is.
Time to make food.
Time for Engel to look around as he waited.
He be a curious child.
Engel stared at his reflection in the window.
It had been a year since he was adopted by Roderich and the boy just now figured out the truth about himself.
At the moment, he was supposed to be practicing his violin, but something stopped him.
What was it?
Roderich was in the middle of work, sadly, he sighed and looked up when he heard the violin stop.
He glanced back towards his door and wonders if he should go check it out.
Okay so he did, it gives him reason to stop working for the moment.
He walked down the hall to find Engel.
Engel hadn't realized Roderich was there.
The reddish-brown haired male just stared at the window.
A sigh escaped him.
Roderich wondered and looked.
He didn't want to startle him but little too late he found himself asking four words: "What's on your mind?"
Engel blinked and looked at the elder.
"You know how we couldn't figure out if I was a personification or not?" He asked.
Roderich blinked and nodded.
"Ja."
He stood up straight for a moment.
"I finally figured it out," Engel said.
"I am one and as it turns out," he smiled and chuckled.
"Vienna."
Roderich blinked and looked.
"Really?"
He smiled.
"That's great!"
Engel nodded.
"Ja, I know." Roderich smiled.
At least they knew now.
Engel smiled brightly.
Yeah, and at least they know he's not that different from the rest.
