50 States: Chapter 11
The remainder of dinner was... awkward, to put it lightly. The capitals only gave vague answers to why they chose to live with America. Some didn't say why at all. A few clearly didn't want to be anywhere near their countries and gave them the cold shoulder. Madrid, London, Tokyo, and Beijing eventually went to sit at either America's table or with the states. Unlike the others, Kiev and Ukraine enjoyed each other's company. Rome, Canberra and Wellington also liked their countries. As did Seoul. After Tokyo and Beijing left the table, she invited her country to sit with the states, who gladly welcomed South Korea, knowing that he was a good friend of their father.
"America, your house is amazing!" South Korea exclaimed. "Your kids are awesome too!"
"Thanks Yong Soo." Alfred chuckled. "We really try to make living here manageable."
"It's can be very busy but also fun." Soo Jin added. "You never run out of things to do around here."
"Whatever you can think of, we probably do it." Alfred said. He then checked his watch before taking out a bell and ringing it. Romano and most of the states started clearing the tables while the capitals excused themselves and headed out of the dining hall.
They came back a few minutes later carrying all sorts of desserts as well as tea and coffee. Lithuania, Vilnius, Delaware, and DC offered to pour coffee while London, Moscow, and Georgia served tea.
"Coffee Monsieur France?" Delaware offered.
"S'il vous plait, ma cherie."
As the eldest state served France, Moscow offered England tea, much to his disappointment but accepted anyway. He had been hoping to try to talk to London again but the latter was avoiding him like the plague.
"This chokkie's fantastic." Australia said after tasting a chocolate truffle.
"Too right, Mate." Canberra agreed. "After all, Heidi made them."
"Heidi?" Australia questioned.
"Bern, Switzerland's capital." She replied.
"Oh."
"Don't ever ask for the recipe." Wellington added. "She won't even tell us."
"We'll keep that in mind." Said New Zealand.
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After dessert, America dismissed the states and capitals but the nations were to remain behind for he was going to escort them to their assigned rooms. Delaware and DC stayed behind to observe.
"Alright nations, follow me. Your rooms are in the West Wing." America announced, leading the countries out of the dining hall. Once they were at their destination, America, DC, and Delaware gave each nation a key with a letter and number on it.
"The numbers on your keys are your rooms. A's are on the left and B's are on the right. Also, your luggage has been moved to your rooms so don't worry about that." Alfred told them before bearing a serious expression. "My rules still stand though. Do not go in the East Wing. If there is a problem, you have my number. Any questions?"
A few raised their hands.
"Yes England?" He pointed out.
"Where are the other nations?" Arthur asked. "Don't they sleep in this hallway too?"
"No, their rooms are in the East Wing." America answered. "They are trusted to be in that area of the house. As I've said before, only residents and my kids godparents are allowed to go in the East Wing."
"Why is zhe East Wing forbidden to guests?" Germany asked.
"Because most of our offices are located in that section of the house and we'd rather people didn't dwell in places where we work." Delaware answered this time.
"Anything else?"
No one spoke up.
"In that case, have a good night everybody!" Alfred smiled and parted with his capital and daughter. The nations then walked down the hallway to their rooms.
However, a few nations weren't planning on going to sleep right away.
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"Is it all set?" Massachusetts asked California.
"Yep." The younger teen replied.
"Mass, do you copy?"
"What's up, Minnie?" Massachusetts answered his walkie talkie.
"The nations are meeting in the hallway. Looks like the limey wants to do some spying." Minnesota's voice came from the other line.
"Copy that. Thanks." Sam turned to Nathan. "C'mon bro, we gotta bail now!"
The two smirked. The plan was going smoothly.
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"England-San, I really don't think this is a good idea." Japan insisted, nervously. "We are betraying America-San's trust-"
"We won't get caught." England said, firmly. "When it comes to spying nothing surpasses British Intelligence."
"Vhat makes you think zhat it's even a good idea to go against America's rules." Germany asked, irritably.
"America is hiding something." The Brit said. "And I intend to find out what it is. Whatever is in the East Wing, I highly doubt it's just work offices. For all we know, it could be a threat to us nations."
"Even our capitals. They won't tell us anything!" China exclaimed. "They are way too loyal to America."
The countries couldn't object to that. They all noticed it. Their capitals were closer to the North American family than their own countries and who would be okay with that?
"Ve, I want to know more about Rome and Naples too." Italy piped up.
"My capital is totally acting weird!" Poland spoke up.
"Yes, so is mine. They are clearly hiding something." Hungary added.
"B-but what if we get caught?" Latvia asked, worriedly.
"We won't." England repeated. "Just follow my lead and we should stay out of trouble."
With that, the countries walked down the hall towards the East Wing. The letters on the left side of the hall were C's and D's were on the right of each door along with a number. After a thirty minutes of walking down the seemingly endless hall the nations came across two grand wooden doors. Above the doorway was a sign that said 'CLASSIFIED LIBRARY'. Finally they found what they were looking for.
"Zhis better not take long, England." Germany warned as the Brit opened the doors.
"We'll just take a peek and be on our way." He reassured.
The library was massive with various books and documents on the shelves. There were even a few tape recorders on a table in the center of the room.
"Bloody hell." England breathed while France released a 'Mon Dieu'. The other nations stood wide eyed, stunned at the vastness of the library.
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"Felka?"
Budapest gently knocked on their bathroom door. Warsaw had been in there since dinner and refused to come out. Dániel hoped that she wasn't having a meltdown in there. Felka had hurt herself many times since after World War II and while she had gotten better with treatment it was very easy to slip back into her past.
Dániel was relieved when Felka finally opened the door. Her green eyes were rimmed with red and her hair was a mess. She had discarded her white sweater, leaving her arms exposed. On her left arm was a tattoo that had been there for over 70 years.
A-1587
Felka had scrubbed her arm until it bled but the black numbers still stood out on her skin, visible to the eye. Dániel held onto what little strength he had at the moment not to cry at the dead look in his love's eyes.
"Let's clean that up." He said, trying to keep his voice from cracking. He grabbed the bandages from the cupboard and started to wrap Felka's arm. A teardrop suddenly fell onto Dániel's hand. He wiped his face only to feel that it was dry and gazed at his wife. Felka's face was now wet with tears but she refused to look at him. She was too ashamed.
Dániel finished wrapping Felka's arm and cupped her face in his hands. Their eyes met.
No words needed to be spoken.
Felka had returned to Poland during the war to spy on the Nazis for America but she had been caught rescuing a Jewish family and was sent to Auschwitz. She hadn't talked about it until 1952 when Alfred had privately talked to her about her experience with DC and a few of his eldest states. Dániel had been there and what was said had never left that room. None of them will forget the horrors Felka had told them about her imprisonment at Auschwitz. After returning to their shared bedroom, Dániel had embraced his wife and wept bitterly.
Since that day, he rarely left her side.
AN: Chokkie is Australian slang for 'chocolate'.