Arthur watched the bird fly off before turning away and walking back down the hall. He let his mind travel to distant memories about the fallen nation. France. He was a good man, Arthur thought. But as he thought, a certain memory caused him to stop in his tracks.
It was the last world meeting before the major breakout. It was a sunny day, and was held in the Frenchman's land. Paris. Once so great and beautiful. Arthur could see it all, the clouds were scarce, and the sky a brilliant blue, much like Francis' eyes.
The nations all walked into the room and sat in their places, Arthur sat by Francis, and had a bit of a stubborn look on his face like usual. Arthur usually never enjoyed the meetings held in this land, always felt like the Frenchman was trying to show off or prove himself better.
The meeting rolled on like usual, though the talk was mainly focused on the small disease beginning to spread. Only a few outbreaks had come out, not only in the large continent of Africa, but starting to spread to the U.S. and other nations. Francis, being worried as he was, was trying to plan ways that they all could help and prevent this. Arthur, of course, was in favour of the help.
It was a few hours before they finished the meeting, and Francis, with a sigh, stopped the Brit. "L'angletere? Mind if we have a little chat before you leave?" His voice was a little weary with worry, and he was tired as well from the long speeches.
"Yes fine. I don't see a problem with it." The Englishman replied stubbornly as he packed his papers and stood.
Francis gestured him to follow and began to walk down the hall outside the room. "It's about this disease.."
"Yes? What of it? We are already planning prevention and cures for it." Arthur followed him.
"Oui, I know. It's not about that though.." He looked over to him, his eyes more serious than before. "I want you to promise me something.."
"Oh? May I ask what you want me promise?" He looked over to him curiously.
"I want you to promise, that if anything happens to me, take care of Mathieu et Alfred." He stopped by a window, his eyes deadset on the other, full of serious concern. Arthur too stopped in his place, a little confused on what was asked.
"Don't be ridiculous.. Nothing will happen to you. This thing won't have a chance against our combined sciences an-"
"Promise me." He repeated sternly. It took Arthur a moment as he looked to him a little surprised. But slowly, he relaxed, and with a hard swallow, he nodded. "You're strong Arthur.. And I know you'll keep them safe.
"I promise I'll do my best.." He said softly, still worried and doubtful that anything would happen.
The Brit scolded himself in his mind, he should have taken him more seriously. Francis obviously knew something, and seemed very worried over it. But with a quick shake of the head, he cleared his mind of negative thoughts, and continued back to join the others. He'd need a clear, strong mind to continue through their next mission. But still, the Frenchman's words echoed in his mind. What did he know?
Arthur walked down the hall back to the room where everyone was gathered, and hesitating outside the door, he took a deep breath before entering. His emerald eyes, so tired by now with worry and stress, looked around the room to the small groups around the room.
First, his eyes fell onto Francis' dearest and closest friends. Gilbert and Antonio. Antonio was still trying to apologize to Romano, though the smaller nation seemed too flustered and upset with him to forgive him at that moment, and Gilbert stood by to encourage the Spaniard to continue. The sight made Arthur's lip twitch into a small and quick smile, though he was unable to hold it long. At least the nations seemed to remain friends.
"Romano, I'm so sorry." Antonio's lisp was quite noticeable. "I know you'd be worried, but I didn't want you hurt by those things."
"Well you... You could have..." He groaned, unable to think of a better plan. "You're just an idiot, okay!"
"Romano, I did my best, please forgive me."
"Forgive you for leaving me with my idiot brother and the potato bastard and his brother? No." He huffed as he crossed his arms.
Gilbert sighed. "Come on Antonio, he was safe with the awesome me. He'll forgive you, and should be thanking me."
Then, his eyes fell to the Baltics. Estonia had been hanging out more with the Nordics, but now he was reunited with his small trio. Lithuania was juggling some first aid materials while trying to help and instruct the other two with wiser plans of action on how to carry it all. The two were very cooperative, and as Latvia trotted off to gather bags to carry things, Estonia helped with Lithuania's load. They had always been so helpful.
"Can you take these?" Taurys handed over a few rolls of gauze as he tried to hold the other supplies.
"Yeah, I can also take this." Eduard reached over and took a couple bottles of rubbing alcohol, hoping that Taurys wouldn't drop anything then.
"Will these do?" The short Ravis jogged back with a couple bags he'd found in the staff room.
"Perfect, thank you." Lithuania smiled softly to him as they began to sort and put the supplies into each bag, dividing the weight evenly.
Then finally, Ludwig and Feliciano. The German was cleaning his leg and trying to bandage it once more, while the small North Italian clung to his arm, apologizing while trying his best not to look and panic over the blood. When Ludwig was finished, he washed his hands off then pulled the Italian's chin up to look at him, trying to get it past his worrying mind that it was truly fine.
"It is okay Feliciano." He gave a soft smile, though he too looked worn from the stress.
"Are you sure? It looked like it hurt a lot! I'm really sorry, I never wanted to-" The Italian was cut off by the German's finger to his lips. Ludwig gave a slight chuckle.
"Ja, it is fine. I am strong, this is nothing. I promise." He understood the nations worry. He had looked so much like the little Holy Roman Empire that had traumatized Feliciano when he was younger. And Ludwig, not wanting him to be in that pain again, promised he'd never give him cause to worry.
With a soft sigh, Arthur continued on, pausing at the Ukranian's door. She wasn't looking too well. The usually so kind nation was laying in the bed, her paler than usual skin was dirtied with dirt, grass stains, blood, and the dead, black blood of the corpses she'd either had to crawl over or kill. Arthur could only have guessed what the siblings had gone through.
Ivan, usually so scary, seemed too full of worry and sorrow to have even scared the Baltics. "It will be okay Sestra..." He tried to encourage his sister to stay strong and keep fighting.
The Belorussian looked up to her brother, she still had harsh features in her expression, but they were as soft as they'd ever get. "Big brother... It wouldn't be good to keep her like this... We need to let her go so she does not suffer anymore."
The words had caused Ivan to do something The Brit had never seen before. A few tears rolled down the large nations' cheeks, causing clean streaks through the layer of dirt and blood on his face. "N.. Nyet... She is strong..." He tried to insist, not wanting to let his sister go.
"Ivan..." The course voice said softly, the bedridden woman's hand reached out to take his. "It's okay... I know I'll slow you down... I'll wait for you and look over you like always." She tried to give a weak smile.
"I-I will carry you. You will not slow u-"
"Ivan." Belarus interrupted gently.
Ivan looked to her hand in his and closed his eyes tightly as he took a breath. "Leave..." He said quietly to his younger sister.
Natalya gave a soft nod, and leaned down to hug her sister and wish her good bye. Though Katyusha held her close as she whispered something to her before they kissed cheeks, and Natalya left. Her eyes were harsh as she glared at Arthur. "What are you looking at?" Arthur was a bit shocked still, seeing tears in Natalya's eyes as well.
"I um.. I'm sorry.." He finally said before hurrying off, unsure of what else to say. Once in Matthew's room, he could hear the soft sound of a silenced weapon being fired.
"What was that?" Alfred looked up from Matthew, making sure he hadn't tried to pull the fresh bandage off of his eyes.
"Ukraine won't be joining us.." He said quietly. "How are things here?"
Alfred gave a bit of a look to Mattie before standing. "Fine, though I think we should leave soon, if we leave now, we can get to the edge of the city before it's too late."
Arthur gave a soft nod, not wanting to stress himself with trying to better his plan but focus his energy on his promise. "Then we should tell everyone.." He paused a moment as Al began to walk out, but before he could get too far, he gripped his shoulder. "Tell Ivan last... The lad needs some time." Alfred gave a nod and head out.
Arthur went over to Matthew, gently taking his hand and guiding him out as he explained what was to happen, and grabbed his and Matthew's gun. He wrapped the strap of his gun over his shoulder, and held onto the other gun before passing it to Alfred-knowing he'd do much of the shooting.
"Okay guys, we need to stick in a tight group, if you see a zombie-it's best to knife it rather than shoot. Then it won't alert the other's and won't give away our position. Our goal, edge of town for today at least, I know a hotel near there that we can easily get to. Questions?" Alfred looked around at the group.
"Da... Why do you think leaving at this time is good? We could have left in early morning." Ivan had stepped from his sister's room, gently closing the door, he had dried his tears, though it was clear that he had cried. But Ivan only glared at Alfred, if the had stayed one last night, he could have waited a little longer than to have put his sister down like some dog. There was still an aching pain in his chest from the light leaving her eyes. She hadn't even cried though.
"Uh, cause if we leave now, then we can leave in the morning, which would be a lot sooner, and can get closer to the base by then!" Alfred stated matter-of-factly.
"Suka... You're going to get us all killed." The Russian muttered before grabbing his gun. "Let's just leave then, no more reason's to stay here." And with that, he walked past the American, making sure to bump into him.
Alfred only grit his teeth before looking to the others, let's head out. He began to hurry to catch up to Ivan, wanting to assure himself that he was still in charge.