Hetalia x Nyotalia: Spins and Roundabouts

by TeslaWisteria

Have you ever experienced déjà vu? How about dreams about someone you knew at one point or another? This is where things started for the countries. The question is how will they end?

Authors Notes: Welcome to my insane in the membrane! -- When you realize that you haven't written a fan fiction this passionate in a while, if at all... *sheepishly stares off into the void* Anyway! Please enjoy this crazy tale, and know that I put a lot of Love into this! I have sooo many unfinished works in other places, and I do plan to finish this one, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated! *Just please be nice!* I will try to post a quick key for the Nyotalia names I picked at the end of the story! Please note any misspellings of words with in dialogues will be used to portray accents, that said I will expect actual help. Don't be too blunt, or overly rude if you can help it. Finally as I do not speak alternate languages so any dialogue in other languages will be courtesy of google translate! Finally I will take story questions, and I may make a habit of trying to answer a few of them at the end of chapters going forward! It should be obvious that I do not own Hetalia or its characters, that I only own the story itself and any original characters I put in! Without further ado, please enjoy the first installment of this story!

Prologue Pt. 1: A Day in the Life of a Lost Country

"It's been almost a month since zhe Chancellor told him he vould need to stay home," Ludwig thought annoyedly,"und if he hadn't left in a huff, he vould know zhe reason!"

He had finally had enough, Gilbert pouting this entire time had been keeping him distracted from doing his work. Ludwig had been worried about him since the meeting with their leader, and Gilbert had been so pissed about not being able to go to this specific world meeting. He speedwalked upstairs to talk with Gilbert, needing to explain the weird reason for him not being able to go. Ludwig was running out of time to complete the work for the meeting coming up. Ludwig sighed as he knocked on the door, and said,"Gilbert open zhe door! Ve need to talk!"

Silence initially follows his words, earning a fair bit of annoyance from Germany. "Look! I know you've been pissed since zhat conversation, but ve really need to talk! Und, I von't hesitate to grab zhe key to your room from mine if you don't open zhat door!"

"No vay!" Gilbert answered,"Zhere's nothing to talk about Vest!"

Although Ludwig couldn't see what his brother was doing, he could kinda tell based on the muffled tone of his voice. He could only guess of course, but he figured he had been pouting in his room while wrapped in blankets like a child. Ludwig's eye twitched in annoyance,"Still no damned common sense..."

Despite grumbling about this, Ludwig was still worried about him, as for the past month all Gilbert had been doing was coming down for meals, or doing things when he wasn't awake to talk with him."Fine," Ludwig called a bit more calmly through the door, beginning to walk to his own room for the key to Gilbert's room.

As he took a couple steps down the hall, he could hear Gilbert suddenly scrambling to his door, and slamming open behind him. Ludwig looked over his shoulder, seeing Gilbert with his hair a mess, and in a black t-shirt, and a pair pj pants Alfred had sent him a Christmas or two ago. His eyes looked like they were glowing in frustration, his pet bird seeming to mimic his expression. "Fine!" Gilbert half whined,"Vhat Vest?!"

Ludwig returned the annoyed expression, his teeth grit, but he remained composed, just barely. "I vanted to talk to you about the meeting with our Chancellor, und mainly because if you hadn't left, you vould know zhe reason zhat zhey didn't vant you to go!"

Gilbert glared hard, before replying,"Vhat's zhere to understand?! Zhey obviously view me as just as useless as zhey should have!"

"Zhat's enough!" Ludwig boomed, marching up to his older brother,"Zhat's enough bruder. I fought for you to be allowed to go, und I'll be damned if I hear zhat out of you again."

An icey stare passed between the 2 briefly, Gilbert had been struggling since his nation dissolved, and he came back from death, and; he still had a habit of commenting on it despite Ludwig and the other nations trying to remind him that he still had a place among them. Gilbert sighed, breaking eye contact with Ludwig, before Ludwig spoke up again, his heart rate decreasing. "Zheir reasoning vas to have someone protecting things vhile zhe other vas at zhe meeting," Ludwig finally added, with an agitated sigh,"Und no, I don't zhink it makes any sense! Zhey let Lovino go vith Feliciano, und I fought for you to come too, but zhey vouldn't budge."

Gilbert found himself looking over as Ludwig spoke, a soft but annoyed smile crossed his lips,"Ja zhat really doesn't make any sense. Zhough zhat being said, it could be zhat your the main personification und I am not..."

Ludwig shrugged, noting his brothers gaze,"Either vay, it doesn't really make any sense seeing as you've gone vith me multiple times. Not only zhat but, you've been experiencing zhese veird things that caused the world leaders to move up our world meeting."

Gilbert chuckled at his younger brother, noticing him begin to shake with rage,"Calm down Vest, I'm sure things vill vork out."

Ludwig closed his eyes, taking a breath to calm down, though he was definitely glad that Gilbert seemed to be acting like his old self finally. That being said, before he could thank Gilbert, and apologize to him again for him not being able to go. The clocks went off in their house, both of them pausing. "Vouldn't zhis be zhe time you vould normally start dinner," Gilbert teased, causing Ludwig to glare softly.

"Oh Ja," Ludwig retorted sarcastically,"Especially vhen you haven't been cooking at all, und I still have papervork to do for zhe meeting."

Gilbert grinned even brighter, deciding to continue to run with the joke,"I'm still tired, und zhat sounds like a you problem Vest."

Ludwig smirked, annoyed but, getting that he was joking all at the same time. Ludwig sighed, and he looked over at his dogs who were at the end of the hall. Despite the joke, he was more than willing to cook dinner, and then bury himself in a month's worth of notes he'd have to finish by the end of the week. Before he could head off to get started, Gilbert piped up,"Look, if you have zhat much to do Vest, I can make dinner, just feed Aster, Blackie, und Berlitz, Ja?"

"I don't vant to throw zhat all on you after," Ludwig started to argue, only for Gilbert to cut him off.

"I know Chancellor vould be breathing down both of our necks if it vas any other meeting, don't get yourself cornered it's fine," He said, patting Ludwig on the shoulder, as he walked passed him to head downstairs to the kitchen,"Besides, you're right, I haven't done any of my awesome cooking in a vhile."

"Like vhen you almost burned down zhe house,"Ludwig called after him with a joking grin.

Gilbert looked back a Ludwig with a playfully hurt expression,"Zhat vas one time! Und has never happened again! I zhought zhe fire vas fun to you!"

"Just don't repeat those events Ja?!" Ludwig called back jokingly, a laugh filling the space between comments.

Ludwig headed downstairs, as Gilbert replied to the earlier joke question by saying,"Burn down zhe house, got it."

"Nein!" Ludwig yelled back, before heading into the library to start and finish his work for the world meeting.

Gilbert laughed, half wanting to continue the joke as he pulled things from the fridge to make dinner, but ultimately he decided not to. He really didn't know how behind Ludwig was, and thought it would be best to just let him work until dinner was finished. He didn't even tease him when he came back into the kitchen a few minutes later to feed the dogs. Though that being said, he did note his brother's stern gaze as he left again shortly after."Ja I know," Gilbert muttered under his breath, combing his fingers through his hair,"Don't feed zhe dogs table scraps, not like you don't do zhat yourself."

Then when the dogs had finished eating, they came over to beg for food while he was cooking. Gilbert slipped them small pieces of sausage, or a little bit of cheese, with the Doberman, Aster, and the German shepherd, Blackie, stopping begging after Gilbert initially told them no more. That just left the Hovawart, Berlitz, he continued to follow Gilbert around, begging, but not intensely. "You're not getting anymore if zhey aren't," Gilbert replied when Berlitz whined, trying a cute puppy face.

Berlitz huffed a little, but seemed to back off after Gilbert said no again, though he did lick his hand, the one that he bit. Gilbert then watched him go over to play with the other 2. A soft smile crossed his face, he half wondered if Berlitz did that because he felt bad, though he didn't think about it that long as he refocused on cooking. He didn't want to make his earlier joke a repeat offense. Soon after he'd finished cooking, he looked in the doorway to the kitchen, half expecting for Ludwig to already be there. When the dogs looked at him to let them outside, he could kind of figure out that his brother might be super focused. "But, so focused zhat he hasn't let you guys outside after dinner?" Gilbert muttered, letting them out, and secretly telling Gilbird to watch them for a moment.

Gilbird cheered, heading out for excitedly before Gilbert headed back in. "Ludwig dinner's ready!" He called out into the house, his call was met with silence.

Gilbert sighed, walking back towards their bedrooms,"Vest! Dinner! You vouldn't let me avoid eating!"

Again silence followed, "How much vork did you fall behind on?" Gilbert muttered before continuing to call out for Ludwig.

It was when he got into the library that he saw stacks of paperwork, journals, and Ludwig sitting in the middle. "Ludwig?" Gilbert spoke, to his brother, again met with silence,"Vest!"

Ludwig suddenly jolted, looking up at Gilbert, much to Gilbert's relief. "Oh, is dinner ready?" He asked, suddenly seeming to realize the time.

"Ja I've been calling you for a vhile," Gilbert replied, looking at Ludwig with a look most rarely saw him pull,"How far behind are you exactly, Vest?"

Ludwig became slightly flustered, his cheeks tinging pink as he answered,"You vere hauled in you room for a month...I vas vorried...so I'm pretty far behind."

Gilbert began to chuckle, earning a glare from his younger brother. His glare was enough to halt his laughter, but not before swiping away a tear at the situation,"Sorry, sorry! I just did expect you to get so soft on my account."

"Ve all lost you once," Ludwig surprisingly admitted, running his hand through his partially slicked back blonde locks,"I didn't vant to lose you again due to you being hurt, und not telling me because you vere pissed."

Gilbert noticed the change in mood, as the day Berlitz bit him, they didn't realize that would do him in, let alone that he would come back by some crazy miracle. The second chance would have felt like a fluke to most, but to them, and their friends, it was a blessing. His ability to regenerate was much slower now, and for all he knew, tomorrow he could breathe his last. Gilbert knew that might still be ages down the line at this point, but he was still grappling with how this had affected others, and not just him. He smirked, returning to his typical expression,"Stop being so sappy Vest, I vould have gotten over it. Moreover, it seems like ve have a lot of vork for tonight, und over the next veek."

Ludwig looked a little bit surprised, not only for Gilbert's response, but also with the fact that he didn't have to encourage him to help for once. "Ja," Ludwig smiled, looking back at the work briefly, only for Gilbert to sigh, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Zhat stuff von't go anywhere," Gilbert said, a smirk on his face,"ve von't be able to focus if ve're hungry zhough."

"You need to stop sounding like zhat stupid American," Ludwig joked, standing up and walking past Gilbert.

Gilbert turned to catch up, laughing a little bit as he retorted,"Oh like you back in vorld var 2?!"

"Oh Ja! Only because someone vas 'too awesome' und 'vould have been figured out right away' !" Ludwig answered, slightly annoyed, but still able to laugh at the situation at this point.

"Ja! See you get it!" Gilbert replied, catching up.

Ludwig rolled his eyes, a small smile on his face,"You have absolutely no common sense burder."

"Says zhe guy who got so sappy, zhat he fell a month behind on paperwork," Gilbert said with a vibrant teasing grin.

Ludwig retaliated by half playfully punching him in the head, to which Gilbert laughed out,"Ow!"

"Did you let zhe dogs out?" Ludwig asked as they finally made their way to the kitchen to grab dinner.

"Ja," Gilbert answered,"Gilbird's vith them. Vant me to call zhem in?"

"Ja, und danke," Ludwig answered, with Gilbert replying,"Bitte."

The 2 of them ate dinner, Ludwig took Aster, Blackie, and Berlitz for a walk, and then the 2 brothers fully focused on the paperwork for the next world meeting. Not only was this the first meeting in a long time that Gilbert was told to stay home, but; it was also about more than geopolitical matters. Things had been strange, from events seeming to be tied to one group that every country hadn't interacted with until now, to dreams that seemed to feature people from each nation's past. And said dreams weren't around long since dead, but important historical figures, but rather people who weren't noted, but had held close bonds with them. Said dreams would often fall into one of 3 categories, relaxed and positive conversation, an event leading to death (themselves, the other person, or both), or an argument that seemed to crop up from nowhere with that person. Stranger still, all dreams seemed to take place in the current time period, and they couldn't quite see the face of their old friend. With the group that suddenly cropped up, seeming to claim that their deaths would be a blessing, improvement, or noble sacrifice. The world's leaders had bumped the world meeting up in a hurry. So having all notes of their dreams was critical, and any information on the group from each country was valued. This on top of having to discuss typical geopolitical issues, made this meeting massively important. So throughout the remaining week, Gilbert and Ludwig came up with a routine, one in which both got very little rest, but were able to complete the work and organize it all.

On the day that Ludwig was set to leave, he seemed to continually check everything. From where his notes were, to whether or not his bag was packed for the meeting that would last for a month, if not more. It was when he began to check again that Gilbert spoke up,"Vest! You've got everything, und you've got zhis."

Ludwig sighed, smiling tensely as he responded,"Sorry, just vant to make sure I've got everything. I vant to get zhis right, considering everything."

Gilbert smiled, understanding where he was coming from. "Ve vere on a bit of a time crunch," Gilbert admitted, swinging his arm around his brothers shoulders,"But, ve did everything ve could. So all you can do, is vhat you can. Vith zhat being said, pretty sure ve nailed it!"

Ludwig laughed, glad that at least one of them was optimistic about the situation. Then something crossed his mind, that he'd only just thought of, he turned to Gilbert and said,"I vant you to promise me something zhough."

Gilbert looked over, his smile barely wavering as he replied,"hm, vhat?"

"Please get out of zhe house for yourself, und not just to valk zhe dogs," Ludwig answered,"und I mean it."

"Aw vhat!?" Gilbert balked, only half joking,"I vas looking forward to reading und staying inside all day!"

"Gilbert I mean it, for my sake please just go outside and do something for yourself," Ludwig replied, annoyedly shaking his head at Gilbert's answer.

Before Gilbert could retort, the car picking up Ludwig began to beep outside. Gilbert knew if he didn't promise to at least try, Ludwig would run late. A soft sigh escaped his lips, just knowing that this stubbornness came from him. "Alright," Gilbert said, calmly,"I vill try."

"Und zhat's all I can ask for," Ludwig said before picking up his bags.

"I'll keep you up to date on zhe meeting, after all you've been experiencing zhe same things zhat ve have," Ludwig said, pausing at the door.

"You'd better Vest," Gilbert teased,"Now get going, you don't need to get in trouble."

Germany smirked, heading out the door, leaving silence behind him as the door closed. Gilbert's smile briefly dropped, still annoyed with their leader for making him stay home. He was about to mindlessly pick a book to read when he heard the whining from Aster, Berlitz, and Blackie. He was about to laugh, and ask the 3 dogs if they had already been fed, when he realized that they hadn't. The 2 of them had been so focused on getting things packed for the meeting, that even Germany had forgotten to feed them. Gilbert began to laugh hard, neither of them had been this distracted in ages, and it was hard to believe that Ludwig had lost track of the dogs before leaving. Berlitz barked, seeming to be a bit miffed at the situation, while Aster and Blackie growled a little out of annoyance. "Sorry," Gilbert replied a midst his own laughter,"I'll feed you und valk you alright."

He made his way to the kitchen, making sure to feed Gilbird along the way, and fed all 3 dogs. When he set down food for Berlitz, he noticed him looking at his hand again, before giving it a gentle lick. The other 2 were happily eating away, but Berlitz looked nervous. "Hey, vhat's vrong?" Gilbert asked, noticing Berlitz looking up at him intently.

What made it more odd, is that he looked as though he was in major trouble. After a brief staring match, Berlitz seemed to lick the hand he bit so long ago before whining again. Gilbert smiled softly, his question from a week ago seeming to get answered. He knelt down to be closer to Berlitz's level, and lifted the hand he had been licking on and off since he'd come back. Berlitz sniffed it just before Gilbert began to pet him, causing the black and orange hovawart to lean into his touch. "It's ok," Gilbert said gently,"You vere vorked up, und I should have know better. You're a good boy Berlitz, and I'm not mad at you."

Berlitz looked at Gilbert excitedly, he barked a little, and began to lick him to death. Gilbert laughed, not noticing Gilbird trying to get him to stop, or the fact that the other 2 had joined in as a thank you. "Ok! Ok! Goofballs, stop! Please go eat!" Gilbert begged through laughter.

The 3 dogs finally stopped, and went back to their bowls, while Gilbert giggled while picking himself backup to get their leashes. Gilbird landed on his shoulder, seeming to huff a little bit causing Gilbert to smirk,"You're not being replaced by zhose three, you know zhat right?"

Gilbird chirped, seeming to relax a little as Gilbert went back to the kitchen to leash up the 3 dogs. With that, they left the house, and it seemed to go off without a hitch. Gilbird would occasionally hide out on Gilbert's shoulder when larger birds were trying to seek him out, but everyone seemed satisfied. It was as the days went by that Gilbert adjusted to the new schedule, seeming to be on time for everything. He would even find time to train in the house, and read a book or two. By the time a couple of weeks had passed like this, Gilbert hadn't heard anything from his brother, and; he tended to chalk that up to the fact that he was busy.

He was right of course, as it was when that last night of the week rolled around that Gilbert finally got a call from his brother. His phone began to ring off the hook. Gilbert was really tired, and had only just started to pass out when it started. "Verdammt," he groaned, finally picking up the phone when Gilbird began to get mad,"Jaaaaaaaa..."

"So enthusiastic," Ludwig joked on the other side of the phone,"So sorry, is it late?"

"Oh, Vest!" Gilbert exclaimed in a hushed tone,"Do you vant to talk on zhe computer? Gilbird is asleep."

"Ja sure, did I vake him first zhen?" Ludwig asked, all the while Gilbert was tripping over his clothes that he hadn't put in his hamper yet; plus the fact the Berlitz, Blackie, and Aster were sleeping on his floor to keep him company while his brother wasn't at home.

"Ja, thankfully you didn't vake the dogs" he admitted grabbing the laptop he had on his desk before stalking out of the room and, downstairs into the living room.

"Vait, they've been sleeping in your room?" Ludwig asked, kinda surprised as they usually didn't sleep in his room, but rather outside of his door.

"Ja, ironically enough," Gilbert said while biting his lip and starting up his computer,"I think zhat zhey are vrorried about me. To be fair zhere have been new developments-"

Just as he said this, the computer turned on, and almost instantly was booted up,"I'll call you back Vest."

Gilbert heard his brother half way, knowing he understood as he switched over to video call. As soon as Ludwig picked up on the computer, he asked,"Vhat's zhis about new developments?"

Gilbert nervously laughed,"Ah, Ja! Zhe dreams have been getting more vivid...und I had a pretty violent one recently. Zhat und I feel like I've been followed home during zhe dog valks."

Ludwig wrote down notes, a concerned look crossing his face as he did. "Zhat's not good," he muttered,"Und I'm sorry to ask, but do you feel comfortable telling me zhe details of zhe violent dream?"

Gilbert could feel his body go rigid, and began to feel incredibly cold. "J-Ja," he spoke hesitantly,"it's just a lot."

"You don't have too," his brother answered,"Some of zhe others haven't been able to either."

Prussia shook off his hesitation,"Concidering it's zhe first really violent one I've had, it feels vrong not to say anything."

Germany gave him a little bit of a concerned look, but he nodded. Prussia closed his eyes, not really wanting to remember, but hoping that it would clear his mind. He recounted the fact that he and his childhood friend were running from shadowy beasts that seemed to have bones sticking out from under their skin. The 2 of them fighting about how the other was supposed to run, it was when she was about to argue again that one of the creatures grabbed her first, then him. The pain seemed to be 2 fold, as if injuries dealt to her affected him just as bad as his own. He watched her scream and writhe in pain he screamed out her name, and begged for these things to stop. "...zhe things zhat stuck out most," he finished in a cold sweat, gripping his shoulders,"vere the vay if felt like ve shared pain, und zhe fact zhat ve seemed to know vhat vas going on. Zhe creatures too zhough, so damn violent, und blood everyvhere."

The darkness of the living room made him feel increasingly alone."Gilbert,"Ludwig said in a dead serious tone, snapping him from his fear,"You von't and aren't facing zhis alone."

Gilbert smiled wryly, seemingly trying to hide the remaining fear. "Felt too real, right?" Ludwig asked, earning a nod from Gilbert.

"Ja, zhat sounds about right," Ludwig added, earning a slight laugh from Gilbert.

"Und being followed?" Ludwig followed up the prior line of questions.

Gilbert smiled, nodding,"Very obvious tail, zhey veren't trying to hide it."

"Scare tactics?" Ludwig asked,"Und appearances?"

Gilbert thought for a moment before answering,"Average looking, zhough zhey did appear to be rather cold. Pale skinned, almost looked sickly, und zhey had red eyes and black hair."

Ludwig wrote down notes, his face looked a bit pale, and worried. "Zhat all?" He asked, causing Gilbert to nod.

The 2 of them discussed the experiences of the other countries, and even what had been happening as far as this strange group had shown up. "So you and I are in agreement," Ludwig asked,"Zhis plan, of this group, is a massive long game to accomplish something. Zhey may have even been around long before zhey made zhemselves known to us. It's connected to our dreams, but how is uncertain."

Gilbert nodded,"From zhe sounds of it, ja."

"Vell," Ludwig said,"Zhat should be helpful moving forward as far as meetings go."

Gilbert smiled, swiping under his nose with pride,"Ja, vell at least I could be of help! Kesesese, zhat said, what have zhe meetings been running like?"

"Mein Gott!" Ludwig whined, earning fairly loud laughter from Gilbert despite the house's overall silence,"Und it's not funny!"

Gilbert tried to catch his breath, not having noticed that Gilbird, Berlitz, Blackie, and Aster went over to sleep near him on the floor and on his shoulder. They all briefly watched him having woken up when he had been terrified earlier, only to fall asleep once Ludwig had pulled him away from those thoughts again earlier. Gilbird annoyedly chirped at him from the coffee table. "I thought you moved out of your bedroom," Ludwig said, as he and Gilbert both heard Gilbird.

Gilbert looked around him, seeing the dogs watching him briefly, and Gilbird on the coffee table. "I did, zhey followed me downstairs I guess," he said while wiping away tears of laughter.

"Zhey're looking out for you," Ludwig replied with a small smile.

"Ja," Gilbert answered,"You trained zhem well, und Gilbird has been with me forever now."

He seemed to smile too, then shook off the conversation quickly, but feeling touched that his brother's pets were being protective. "Sorry, but zhe meetings?" He asked with a soft giggle.

Ludwig sighed running his fingers through his hair, seeming to mess it up a bit. "You zhink zhe world meetings are bad, zhis is arguably vorse," he said through grit teeth.

Gilbert laughed slightly, but allowed for his brother to continue. "Between zhe typical arguments about geopolitics, und stupid theories on all sides vhen it comes to zhe strange events in our nations, no one is getting along! Und on top of zhat, ve all are stressed!"

"So in other vords I might actually get mad in zhese meetings," Gilbert replied, half laughing.

Ludwig nodded, a subtle and annoyed smile crossing his face,"Ja, it's zhat bad."

Gilbert flinched at the thought, but he was glad that Ludwig was still able to bear it. "On zhe note of being annoying," Ludwig said, clearly wanting to change topics,"Have you been leaving zhe house? I mean for yourself, not just zhe dogs."

Gilbert smirked, deciding to tease as opposed to directly answering,"I don't remember being told to do zhat."

Ludwig glared at his brother, causing Gilbert to start to laugh. "You promised," Ludwig scolded as England, Arthur Kirkland, entered the room behind him.

"Germany, we have to get back," Arthur spoke up,"You can call Prussia again later."

Before his brother could start a fight with England, Gilbert spoke up, cutting the joke short,"Vest, I promise to do zhat tomorrow. Ok. You really need to get back."

Ludwig fixed his hair, and sighed,"You'd better, talk to you soon."

As the laptop's screen zapped back to its home screen, Gilbert sighed. He really didn't want to get out of the house more than he had too, but he knew that once he promised stuff to Ludwig he couldn't really back out. "Damn it Vest," he muttered,"Zhat said, I could visit zhat one bar, I haven't been zhere in a while. Und I could valk around for a bit before taking zhe dogs out again. I'll have zhe time, und it might be a nice change in pace."

Gilbert yawned, deciding to plan that out more in the morning. "No need to stay up all night," he whispered tiredly,"I need to get some sleep."

The moment Gilbert had stood up and had his laptop under his arm, Gilbird tiredly fluttered onto his shoulder, and Ludwig's dogs followed him closely. He smiled again at the thought that it wasn't just Gilbird. "Ja, vest trained you vell...or is it just zhat you've noticed zhe strange people following us? Either vay, danke."

Gilbert put his laptop back, and as he went to lay down, he fell asleep almost instantly. As he did, he was pulled into another dream, this one was more gentle, and seemed to put him at ease...

He was down the street from his childhood friend, he hardly recognized her this time now though. She had a small scar on her right cheek going down from just below her eye. Her hair was much longer, and although she still had her tomboyish personality, she looked to be about his age physically. "Good to see ve live on zhe same street," she laughed, 3 leashes in her hand, and a small chick on her shoulder.

Gilbert wanted to ask her what happened, even remembering her name this time, and how she had changed so much. Though just like the other dreams, there seemed to be a set script for how he'd reply to her. "Ja," he laughed,"surprised ve never noticed zhat before."

"Vell, during zhis valk ve have a lot of ground to cover, so vhere do ve even start?" She asked, leading the way as he laughed.

"For starters, zhey do seem to get just as excited as my little bruders dogs," Gilbert laughed,"Should ve valk zhe path behind our houses, or along zhe forest edge?"

"Let's valk zhe path, haven't done zhat in a vhile," she answered grinning.

Gilbert laughed, following as their siblings dogs sniffed and interacted with each other, getting along. "You haven't changed a bit Maria!" He teased, causing her to look back at him in a mocking offended way.

"Except for zhe years zhat have been passing all zhis time!" She then looked forward before adding,"und you still haven't told me vhy ve have zhe same last name Gilbert Beilschmidt!"

"Great minds zhink alike I suppose, kesesese!" Gilbert answered, though while he watched this, he still desperately wanted to break the script.

"Should ve start vith vhat happened, und maybe how ve missed each other after zhe death of Fritz?" Gilbert asked, noting the sadness on her face.

She sighed, nodding before speaking,"Ve had zhat huge fight didn't ve? Like I had jumped into the fray to help, und zhen you got pretty pissed."

Gilbert felt his smile drop, as he answered sheepishly,"Ja... I vas just vorried. Zhat arschloch almost killed you- I ... didn't vant to lose another leiber freund zhat shortly after, I'm sorry."

A long silence passed between them, as if the meeting they had tried to make happen all that time ago was finally happening now. Maria smiled, the sadness fading as she said the next thing in reply,"I'm glad I vas vrong, I zhought zhat you hated me...ack sorry!"

Gilbert felt the script about to continue when he seemed to break it for the first time. "Vhat is going on?" He asked, Maria didn't seem to look at him weirdly either.

Before she could answer, the dream ended with a loud beeping sound...

Gilbert's hand slapped the alarm button turning the alarm off. He couldn't believe how his dream had changed. "Ok," he grumbled, trying to sit up while the dogs were surrounding him in bed.

Berlitz whined as he moved,"Vould you 3 like to eat?"

The dogs began to lick him causing him to laugh, once he got them to move, and fed them and Gilbird, he quickly ran upstairs to try to write down his most recent dream in his diary. Once he got the page open though, it was like the dream was completely cleared from his mind. "Damn," he muttered frustrated,"Vell, I guess I von't be trying to find answers yet. Hopefully I can remember it later."

He walked the dogs and then prepared to go to Schwarzwald Pub, a place that was founded well over a decade ago, and had been saved by him and one other patron back then. Though life is funny, as Maria Beilschmidt was already there...

She had been demanded to get out of the house by her sister yesterday, and was wanting to meet up with her friend Myne Märchen. She was the current owner of the pub, and had been incredibly sweet for as long as she'd known her. After walking Monika's dogs, Berlitza, Luna, and Onyx, it felt like it'd be a nice treat. "Alright, I'm leaving! Vatch zhe house you 3!" She called to her sisters dogs,"Mariebird, do you vant to come vith?"

It was almost as soon as she had asked that the little yellow chick appeared, and landed on her shoulder. The purple bow she had gifted her, sat neatly on her head. "I guess zhat answers my question," Maria laughed, the little bit of memory of her dream still lingered.

"Oh Ja!" She exclaimed, grabbing a book off the table before leaving.

She briefly stared at the cover, wondering why she thought that book might help, before she started on her way. All the while she could feel Mariebird nestling into her long hair. She giggled knowing that this was in part her pet showing love, and in part her hiding from predators. As she walked, she tended to make more mental notes about those who were tailing her, before they seemed to disappear. "How veird," she said before she was approached by those who she hadn't seen in a while.

Every interaction she had with a person who'd she hadn't seen in a while felt refreshing. "Ok, vest vas right," she thought smiling,"I should have done zhis before."

It was when she got to the bar that it felt like today was going to be a bit different. "Hallo!" She called kindly, hoping that she wasn't ruining anyone's day.

"One second!" Called the ginger behind the bar, her eyes and face holding a soft and welcoming expression.

Maria smiled in recognition, knowing that Myne was working hard, she just sat down at the bar and waited patiently. As Myne and the staff knew her, and her sister, they didn't make her wait. As soon as she sat down, Myne put the phone down and whipped around to see who called out to her. When she looked Maria in the eye, her face brightened and she cheered,"Maria! Wie ghets es dir?!"

Maria smiled brightly,"Good! Good! How about you? You look a bit stressed."

Myne's smile dropped a little, when asked that question, causing Maria to worry a little. "I vish I could say fine, but Zhat's not really true," Myne admitted,"I've had some issues as of late."

Maria could tell this conversation was going to be important, so she slid a euro note across the bar counter,"Zhe usual, und zhen fill me in."

Myne nodded, smiling kindly before taking the note and beginning to get her drink. Shortly after the exchange began with Myne turning back to talk to Maria, Gilbert walked in the door. "Zhe usual Gilbert?" Myne asked kindly,"und also wie ghets, I haven't seen you in a vhile?"

"Ja!" Gilbert seemed to laugh,"Und gut, fill you in later?"

Myne nodded, smiling and giving Maria a subtle expression to let her know it would take a few extra seconds. Maria nodded, studying the man who chose to sit in a back corner of the bar. He had intense purple red eyes, and short white hair, Maria had a flicker of a memory that made him seem familiar, but was snapped out of it when Myne came back. "Sorry," she apologized quickly,"He's another really good customer."

"Nein! Nein!" Maria spoke up,"You still have a job to do, it's fine! Besides, I don't vant to cause you trouble!"

Myne smiled, still looking a bit worn out as she added,"Damn, zhat one customer must be getting to me."

"Ok, back up a little bit, vhat customer?" Maria asked, a concerned look crossed her face as she took a sip of her drink.

"Zhis one arschloch keeps coming to zhe bar lately," Myne started, neither her nor Maria noticed that Gilbert had begun to listen,"He'll come to drink, zhen claim zhat zhe drinks und food are crap. Und zhen he'll start harassing me or other customers to try to get a free meal."

"Have you called the polizei?" Maria asked,"Or had him trespassed?"

"Zhat's zhe thing..." Myne trailed off looking more than a bit terrified,"He does all these things, including sexually harass me, und; vhen I've called him out for it, or tried to call for help, he'll show up later. Whether zhat be outside my house, vhen I'm out vith friends, or even before I open. Und every time I try, zhey can't ever find him again to catch him."

Both Maria and Gilbert's expressions seemed to darken at this, neither of them could stand watching this girl they've known for years be tormented. Before Maria could state that she would kick this guys ass, someone entered the bar. Myne seemed to shrink as they did. Gilbert watched the door, and saw the guy first. He had blue green eyes, his hair was a sandy blonde color, and he was built strong. He looked like he was constantly a mess, and wore some grungy looking clothes. Gilbert was about to stand up to get between Myne and him, but the man had quickly sat at the rustic looking bar. "You talking to zhis useless nobody over here," the man snarled at Myne, before glaring at Maria.

"For a nobody," Maria said coldly, not allowing Myne to answer him,"I'm certainly something. Sheißesack."

As she took a sip of her beer, the man and Myne both stared at her. The man seemed to be more dumbfounded than Myne, who began to act busy. "Vhat did you say?" The man asked.

"Oh hell no!" Maria argued, putting down her cup,"If you can ask zhat, you can definitely hear me!"

The man smiled, though most could tell it was an angry smile,"Is zhat zhe best a walking corpse could come up vith?"

"Is zhat zhe best zhat you could come up vith, huh?" Maria asked with a sharp tone, and wide smirk,"Calling me a valking corpse?"

The man glared, before looking back at Myne with venom,"I can do vith her und others vhatever zhe hell I please. It's not like a useless pathetic excuse for a dead nation could stop me from killing zhem."

Maria could feel her veins turn to ice as she wondered how he knew who she was, but she shook it off quickly. "What's zhat supposed to mean?" She asked, playing dumb,"Und if you're talking about trying to kill me, I von't go down easy, I do know how to fight."

As the guy got ready to hit Maria, Myne got between them, causing the man to hit her. Maria and Gilbert caught her, and turned towards the man with fire in their eyes. The man then began to laugh as he said,"2 birds vith one stone huh? Zhis is just rich!"

It was as he took a swing at Maria that Gilbert slammed his fist into the guy's face. Maria watched the guy get back to his feet quickly, and he faked Gilbert out, trying again to hit her. Gilbert's eyes went wide as his fist flew towards her, however Maria was quick enough to not only avoid the hit; but also, grab her cane to hit the man twice in quick succession. The man looked stunned by her movements as she had also gotten Myne behind her. Gilbert grit his teeth at the idea that any man would try to hit a woman like this. Sure the woman protecting Myne could clearly handle herself but, she shouldn't have to fight someone like this. When the guy charged her to knock her over, Gilbert gripped his hands together and slammed them into the man's head. The man fell to the ground and Maria smiled,"Danke, for zhe save."

"Bitte fraulein," Gilbert said, giving a dramatic bow,"I am here to serve."

Maria snorted, laughing at the overly exaggerated response. "You're something else," she giggled,"Wie heißt du?"

Gilbert smirked, but happily responded,"Ich heiße Gilbert, it's nice to meet you."

Myne smiled watching the 2 of them interact, as it was them combined with their siblings that had saved her grandfather's old pub. The very pub she now ran herself, when they had finished introductions, Gilbert and Maria had turned back towards Myne, their eyes collectively widened. "Mein Gott! Myne I'm so sorry!" Maria apologized just before Gilbert.

The 2 of them helped Myne, all while she laughed a little,"Nein, Nein! I vas just happy to see you two getting along. You two did save zhis place back in zhe day."

The 2 of them seemed a bit confused, but shook it off as the man tried to get back up. Gilbert placed his foot on the guy's back and he looked towards Maria and Myne. "Maria, could you help Myne vith her injuries und call the polizei?" Gilbert asked, all while glaring at the man.

Maria nodded, speaking up to add,"Call me back up here if you need anything as far as...zhat, is concerned."

Gilbert nodded, putting more weight onto the man when he tried to move. Once Maria got Myne to sit down in the back room, she started to treat her injuries. The man had given Myne a black eye, and a small scratch nearly over her left eye. "How long has he been doing zhis?" She asked as she treated her injuries.

Myne stared at the floor, while holding the ice pack. She seemed nervous about divulging that information, but Maria's kind smile seemed to give her confidence. She opened her mouth to speak when the man yelled from the bar,"You zhink zhese morons can protect you little-!"

A cracking sound could be heard followed by silence, and after a few more seconds Gilbert called back to them,"Sorry for zhe interruption, he'll be quiet again for a vhile!"

Maria smiled a bit brighter, but only for a moment as when her attention returned to Myne, she was shaking. "Hey! Hey!" Maria exclaimed in an oddly calming voice,"You don't have to hide. Gilbert und I vill protect you, I promise Myne."

Myne smiled nervously, knowing that Maria was being as honest as she could be,"About half a year now..."

Maria's eyes widened, not only because this was when the first dreams she and her sisters had; but also, it was around the time that they had started seeing this strange group and their activities; as far as she knew or remembered. She shook herself from the thought, and said,"Zhat isn't recently, it's been going on for months! Vhy didn't you say something sooner?"

Myne gave a sheepish expression, and as she tried to figure out how to articulate what her thoughts had been, the 2 girls could overhear Gilbert asking a regular to call the cops. The 2 of them had completely forgotten to do that, and then both of them called up to the front," Danke Herr Gilbert!"

Gilbert could nearly contain his laughter at their gesture, as he replied,"Sure thing!"

The man tried to take advantage of this as he tried to force Gilbert off of his back, saying,"Corpses should never help zhe living! You zwei could have been zhe start of something great und bloody! Zhat girl may have been zhe perfect bait for you, but she had to get in the way! Die verdammte Schlampe! Zhough she would have been fun to f-."

Gilbert had managed to keep the man pinned, but it was the regular, Isaac Gregor, that knocked him out again. His steel toed boot slamming into the man's face. "Isaac, mach es ruhig! Wir brauchen ihn lebend!" Gilbert yelled, getting Isaac to stop before he could swing again.

Isaac stared daggers into Gilbert, his green eyes seeming to pierce through him as he asked Gilbert why. "He's already down, und it's zhe job of zhe polizei to handle him now," Gilbert muttered with a serious look towards him,"I know you love her, but killing zhis bastard isn't vorth it. She doesn't need more to vorry about."

Isaac seemed to nod, seeing hesitant to let it go, but he ultimately did when the operator was asking what happened. He returned to talking to the operator, explaining the recent events, and even the current state of the man on the floor. He ran his fingers through his ebony hair as he got chewed out for what he just did. Ultimately he only got a warning for his actions, and the Schwarzwald pub was closed for the rest of the day. Police questions were a blur to all involved, and Isaac took it upon himself to walk Myne home. After they had left, Maria and Gilbert were left outside alone. They walked down the path that police didn't have blocked off, when Maria spoke up,"So Gil, zhat vas something else."

Gilbert laughed in agreement, as this hadn't been what he expected from his time out. "Ja, definitely vasn't expecting a friend of mine to be attacked, or to be dealing vith zhe attacker either," Gilbert admitted, running his fingers through his hair.

"Same," Maria laughed,"I just vanted to sit in zhe pub during a quiet time, und read."

Gilbert got a devilish smirk on his face, as he turned towards Maria,"You're a bookworm und a nerd."

Maria laughed, playfully hitting as she held the book in her left hand. "Speak for yourself mann!" She yelled jokingly,"You had a book vith you too!"

Gilbert laughed, a small blush crossing his face as he realized she'd noticed that in all the chaos. Maria's smile dropped, noticing his embarrassment, as she couldn't stand the idea that he thought that it was a poor trait. "Jeez Gilbert," she sighed,"You remind me of an old freund, so let me be blunt Ja?"

Gilbert braced himself for mockery, but he nodded, expecting a laughing fest when he felt a subtle tap on his head. He looked up only to see Maria's book against his head, leaving him confused until she spoke,"I don't zhink reading is stupid, und I von't make fun of you for it. Zhose who do zhat are stupid, und you haven't changed in mein eyes just because you read for fun. So stop zhat Ja?"

Gilbert could see her genuine smile after she lowered the book. This time though, the smile felt like it sparked his memories. It reminded him of days when he, his friend Maria, and old Fitz would practice swordplay and fight together. He smiled, breaking from his daze to reply to Maria, who had begun to get worried that she said something, or did something wrong. "You got it!" He cheered brightly.

Maria grinned back, almost seeming to remember her own old friend a little bit more. The 2 of them were going to talk more, and were even going to talk about memories they had with those friends when both of them heard their phones alarms sound off. When they both stared at their phones, their eyes collectively went wide. "Scheiße! I've got to go!" Both of them cried, only earning laughter amongst the 2 of them.

"Trade numbers?" Maria asked, earning a strange look from Gilbert.

"Vhy?" Gilbert asked pointedly.

Maria blushed a little, feeling embarrassed at even suggesting trading numbers. "Vhat?" She said looking away uncomfortably,"I figured ve still had stuff ve vanted to say..."

For Gilbert this brought up a memory from that old friend again, and it made him feel bad due to how Myne treated her, as well as how she treated Myne. Deep down he could trust her, and outside of the earlier events, he couldn't pinpoint why. Gilbert sighed, before a teasing smirk crossed his face. As Maria faced him about to add something else in agitation, Gilbert held his phone out and said,"Just don't make me regret it ja?"

Maria looked at his expression, her embarrassment and frustration subsided with it. Shortly after swapping numbers they went their separate ways, both of them getting home in time to take their siblings dogs for their midday walk. Over the next couple of weeks, the 2 of them would meet up on and off. They would share stories, and even began helping each other with their daily chores. It was after making dinner one night that Gilbert caught Maria reading something. He'd seen the book with her on the day that Myne got attack at the bar, and so his interest had been peeked since he'd entered her house. "Vhat are you reading Frau?" Gilbert asked, a goofy smile crossing his face as he set a plate of food in front of her.

Maria shot him a fake glare,"Don't you Frau me, Mann!"

"Ew, I take it back," Gilbert laughed, sitting on the chair opposite of her,"If you never call me Mann again! Kesesese!"

Maria laughed, nodding, neither of them taking note of the fact of their two birds playing together, nor the fact that their siblings dogs were getting along so well so quickly. "It's veird," Maria answered his previous question,"zhis book is something I'm reading for answers."

"Oh?" Gilbert asked, taking a bite of the meal he'd made for them.

Maria nodded, setting the book down, and following Gilbert's lead. "Ja," she replied, swallowing the bite of food in her mouth,"Zhere have been veird things my schwester und I have been going zhrough, und; it's had a semi unrelated impact on vork, so zhat's vhy her vork meeting got moved up."

Gilbert looked at her for a moment, he seemed to be a bit concerned as she often spoke pretty highly of her sister. "Care to elaborate?" He asked, taking another bite of his food.

Maria smiled softly, half wondering if he'd even believe her. "Zhis might sound insane, you sure you vant to hear zhis?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Gilbert wondered what she meant, having gone through a few things with his own brother lately he couldn't help but think he'd believe anything Maria would say. "Look, I've been going through my own insanity vith my bruder, so I don't zhink zhere's too much I vouldn't believe," he admitted, which seemed to put Maria at ease.

"Ok," Maria said, feeling a bit more confident,"So it started vith small zhings..."

As she began to explain this stuff, Gilbert's eyes widen and shift in expression as she explained each thing. When she brought up the strange dreams, the people attacking and showing up randomly, and even how it related to her work meetings. Which then lead her to explain the book. "- so all zhis is leads to zhis book. One of schwester's covorkers left a book behind. Vhen looking at it, it seemed kind of nuts, but it talks about counterparts. More specifically how zhe separation of zhem can affect zhe vorld zhat both counterparts come from; und, vhat can happen should said counterparts be forced apart via magical disturbance. Zhe covorker does know I'm borrowing zhe book, und zhis is vhere it gets a little insane. I don't zhink zhat vhat is in said book is too different from vhat ve've been experiencing."

Gilbert looked a bit dazed, not because she thought she was insane, but he seemed to be uncertain on whether or not her current conclusion made sense. "Verdammt! I knew this vould sound insane!" Maria muttered, taking an annoyed bite of her food.

"Nein!" Gilbert exclaimed, surprising Maria,"I don't zhink your crazy! Mein bruder, und I vere having zhe exact same problems. Dreams zhat seemed too real, und hearing about strange attacks like zhat. I'm not sure I agree on zhe answer, but I'm surprised it's not just us und, our covorkers, und immediate friends."

"Really?" Maria asked, shocked by this turn of events.

Gilbert nodded, and the 2 of them resumed eating in silence. Neither of them were quite sure how to next approach the revelation that they were experiencing the exact same problems. Once they were done eating, they both had a thought cross their minds. "So I have a-!" Both said in unison.

"Go ahead!" Maria said pleasantly.

"Nein, Nein!" Gilbert replied, raising his hands defensively,"You brought zhis up first!"

"Nein, I brought zhis stupid topic up, you go on ahead Gil," Maria chuckled a bit at their current argument.

Gilbert raised an eyebrow, seeming to ask if she was really ok with this, to which Maria nodded. "So," Gilbert said, nearly laughing at the previous argument,"This might be a bit invasive so I apologize; but, do you write a journal every day? Like a diary."

Gilbert blushed, realizing he was admitting to a woman his age that he had a diary. Maria smiled softly, blushing slightly herself, but nodding all the same,"Ja I do. But vhy? I mean, I might know vhy, but clarity vould be nice."

Gilbert nodded, clearing the awkwardness from his mind. "Ve both have been dealing vith zhe same problems, und so my zhought is to look through zhose journal entries, und zhe book. Maybe I can understand vhat your conclusion is und ve can find some answers together. Ja?"

Maria smiled brightly, nodding,"Ja! Zhat makes sense."

Gilbert grinned, and told Maria that he would be right back. He ran home, not taking note of the fact that the trip had been quick, or that he had carried so many of his diary's, as the dreams often filled several pages of a book. Maria waited for him, her stack of journals being about the same height as his. They both chuckled a bit before reviewing the book Maria had borrowed from the coworker. "Division of Responsibility:," Gilbert muttered,"A Guide to Balance Through Counterparts, holy run on sentence title."

"Keseseseees, Gilbert come on," Maria laughed at his joke,"ve need to focus!"

Gilbert smiled, wanting so badly to tease more, but nodding as they reviewed the book. As they did, they took note of several important bits and pieces of information. "Ok," Gilbert muttered,"Memory dreams are common, but future events seem to only happen due to magical disturbances. Und, magical disturbances can only happen if a strong enough caster casts zhem. I can see vhere zhe assumption about counterparts might come into play."

"Zhat's vhy I thought zhis might be zhe case," Maria admitted,"Vith zhe information, ve should be able to confirm vith our journals."

Gilbert nodded, looking over at the large stacks of their combined diaries before sighing. Before he could complain about the stacks of journals, both their phones rang. "Probably your bruder/schwester?" They asked each other followed by a chuckle.

They both silently agreed to talk to their siblings, going into other rooms with their phones. After entering the other room, they each answered the phone. As soon as Maria did, she spoke,"Hallo vest! How are things?"

"Mein Gott, danke for picking up!" Monika exclaimed, sounding relieved.

"Did I do something wrong?," Maria asked worried.

"Nein!" Monika exclaimed,"Nein! I vas just vorried. You usually pick up a little quicker."

Monika ran her fingers through her short blonde hair, her eyes more relaxed than when the call had started. When Maria's laughter went through the phone, she blushed. "Who's zhe younger schwester again?" Maria asked jokingly.

Monika got mildly annoyed, but remembered that she hadn't been at the meetings. When Maria noticed the silence on Monika's end, she began to get concerned. "Ok, vhat's been going on? Vhat did you find out?" She asked, feeling tension build deep inside.

"Vhen you didn't answer right away, I vondered if something had happened," Monika started, taking a breath before deciding how to explain the new information she had.

Maria smiled softly, worry still deep down and hidden through the phone,"Look, vhat ever you have to tell me, I can handle it. Vest you don't have to handle zhis stuff alone, you know zhat right?"

Monika hummed, Maria could already imagine her nodding like she would at other times. "Zhere have been members of zhat group getting more bold," Monika started again,"Zhey seem to have insider information on us, und zhey are villing to hurt anyone to get to us. I just didn't vant to hear someone answer zhat vas vith them, und find out you vere dead, or- nein, forget it."

Maria sighed, semi relieved, but also a bit terrified,"Vell at least I know it vas one of zhem now..."

"Vhat do you mean?" Monika asked, her tone sounding cold as she spoke.

"Calm down it vas 2 veeks ago..." Maria started, explaining the events that took place at the Schwarwald pub, and the help she had received from Gilbert.

Monika remained quiet as Maria spoke, only waiting for a few seconds to make sure she was done before speaking,"Vhat Myne said about zhis Gilbert character vas... odd"

"Ja," Maria admitted, not having thought about her comments about him since that day,"und before you ask, no serious trauma or concussion based on vhat Isaac said."

"You may vant to follow zhat up," Monika added,"Und he's over right now?"

"Ja, he reminded me of my old childhood friend of zhe same name," Maria laughed sheepishly,"Who knows, he could be my counterpart."

"Don't let zhat book get too far into your head!" Monika warned,"Even Elizabeth said zhat idea vas far fetched!"

"Relax," Maria said bluntly,"Vithout having proper evidence, I'm not going all in on zhat. Gilbert und I vere just about to test it against old diaries of ours. He and his bruder have apparently been going through something similar."

"Interesting," Monika said thoughtfully,"So zhis might be affecting our citizens too... unless your earlier joke vas right."

Maria hummed in thought,"Maybe... either vay."

Monika started to laugh,"Ja, ja! Go back und talk vith your boyfriend! Und fill me in once, or if you get anything from it. I've got to go."

Maria could feel her cheeks begin to burn with heat. "Hey!" She exclaimed,"Er ist-!"

The dial tone cut her off as she blushed deeply,"I'm going to kill her!" She muttered angrily.

As she walked back out into the living room, Gilbert looked like he was in the same mental space as she was. "Dein bruder war eine schlampe?" She asked, her voice shaking as she tried to regain her composure.

"Ja," Gilbert replied, chuckling in annoyance,"du auch?"

Maria nodded, as she picked up their dishes to put them in the sink to clean up later, she continued to shake with rage. When she re-entered the room, Gilbert stood up and placed a hand on her shoulder,"I know siblings can suck Vhen zhey tease Mari, but it's ok. Let's just focus on figuring stuff out ja?"

Maria nodded, a soft smile crossing her face as she felt her shoulders relax,"Ja Gil, you're right. Let's get started."

Gilbert smiled as they went to sit back down near the piles of their journals, the book sitting in the middle. "Alright," Maria took a breath,"How do ve vant to handle this?"

"Do ve vant to take turns reading, und go over vhat zhat might connect too?" Gilbert asked, quickly raising his hands afterwards,"Only if you vant too zhough!"

Maria chuckled, kinda understanding the awkwardness of it all, plus the idea of a guy requesting this of a girl. "Sounds like a plan," she replied,"vant me to go first?"

Gilbert was a bit dumbfounded by her response, laughing a bit at her boldness before nodding. "Go for it," he said, watching her cross her arms in mock annoyance.

Maria smiled, grabbing the first diary she'd written in when this all started. She quickly skimmed through to find the passage in her diary, when she found it she was surprised to find that her dreams at least, had been going on for a little over a year. "Huh," she said, still surprised by this information,"Kinda surprised it's been going for zhis long."

"Vait, vhat do you mean?" Gilbert asked, an eyebrow raised at the comment.

"Zhis scheiße started on August 17, 20XX," Maria answered, a deadpan expression on her face.

"So," Gilbert answered, kinda surprised,"zhis all started about a year ago...hold on!"

Maria nodded, watching Gilbert skim through his own diary, to check something. He seemed to stare blankly for a second before saying,"Same here, kinda hard to believe zhis has really been going on for zhat long...zhough you did just say zhat."

Maria smirked and nodded at the humor of it all,"Nothing vrong vith sharing an opinion."

Gilbert nodded, and added,"Go ahead Mari."

Maria nodded, and then began to read,"Zh- Maria's Diary. Zhings have been veird lately. It's zhe anniversary of Old Fritz death, but zhis time it's not just his death zhat has me at a low point. It's zhe fact zhat I had a strange dream. I don't know how to describe it, but it vas clearer zhat day. More specifically it vas Vhen he introduced me to Gilbert Beilschmidt. It vas on July 15th of 1763, und Gilbert teased me relentlessly. I thought zhat I vas honestly going to hate his guts, but after a few sparring matches, und; zhe fact zhat Fritz convinced us to vork together, ve became fast friends. It makes zhe fact zhat ve never resolved zhings after we fought zhat much more bitter sweet. I vish Gilbert und I never fought 2 months after his death, und I vant to go back in time to fix things. Zhat's not how zhe vorld vorks zhough, so for now I hope zhat Old Fritz and Gilbert can forgive me. Vell zhis is getting long, so I vrite again later."

Gilbert stared, briefly looking at his own diary to see almost the exact same passage in his. "Mine is almost identical Mari," Gilbert said, not sure if he could believe his own sight.

Maria blinked, almost wondering if Gilbert was ok, until Gilbert sighed, and showed her his diary. When she read it to herself her eyes widened, she began to look at Gilbert oddly as she asked,"But how? No one should be able to live zhat long, unless you personify a country!"

Gilbert shook his head, unsure of what to make of it himself as he didn't know, nor did he understand how Maria knew about personified nations. Maria sighed, comparing the journal entries to the book. "Ok, you next...?" Maria asked hesitantly, as Gilbert nodded thoughtfully.

Gilbert grabbed his journal back carefully and skipped ahead. As he did, he found a passage in his diary that was from December 25th. His skimmed it briefly to see what was in it, before he began to read it. "Ok zhen," Gilbert cleared his throat,"Zh- Gilbert's Diary. Today my bruder und I vent to a Christmas party vith covorkers und friends. It vas really fun, especially vhen Arthur tried to beat François in a drinking game. Both of zhem ended up drunk off of zheir asses. Either vay, shortly after zhe party. My burder und I took a nap, zhen ve helped clean up. Zhat vas boring but, I had a dream again und I'm glad I've been keeping note of zhem since earlier zhis year. At any rate, it vas about Maria Beilschmidt, und it vas about our first hunt together. It vas zhe very beginning of August, und Maria und I had been fight over everything. So Fritz had convinced us both to go vith him hunting, und vhen ve stopped paying attention he'd hidden away somewhere. We fought over who had chased him away vhen ve had been able to find a deer. Zhe 2 of us chased it for hours, und vere able to kill it together. Zhough Maria vas sad about it, she did seem to relax vhen ve valked away. Zhat had to have been one of zhe best times I'd had vith anybody. I really vish I had found her one zhe day she'd vanted to meet. I'm surprised I never wrote about zhis stuff before. Oh Vell, off to bed vith me."

Gilbert felt oddly sad, and happy all at once. So did Maria, as her journal was nearly identical. When she showed him her diary, and he read the same words his mouth sat open for a moment. "If zhis is zhe same..." Gilbert stated, feeling a bit odd.

"Zhen there might be something to zhe book..." Maria continued thoughtfully.

The 2 of them spent hours upon hours going through each and every journal, and with each one, they realized more and more that they were staring back at their old friend. And that they had seen each other multiple times in passing. "So you vent through all of zhis too," Gilbert said, stretching in exhaustion.

Maria could see the mixed expression behind it all, and to say she felt it too was an understatement. "Ja..." Maria answered,"So, it seems ve have a lot to unpack... right?"

Gilbert nodded, rubbing his eyes, before saying,"I hate to say it Mari, but ve need to get some rest first."

Maria nodded, the 2 of them cleaning up, and saying their goodbyes for the night in awkward silence. The night, or what remained of it, seemed restless until they both had one singular thought cross their minds. "It's still him/her, deep down I know it is. We just have a lot to catch up on, and more in common than either of us ever thought. Maybe we'll see each other when we walk or siblings dogs."

They both were able to get decent sleep due to that thought alone, and; both managed to still wake up on time to eat breakfast and feed the dogs before heading out the door. When they both left the house with the dogs, they saw each other down the street. This time though, it felt a little bit familiar, Gilbert smiled and waved, and the 2 of them met halfway between their 2 places. "Good to see ve live on zhe same street," she laughed awkwardly, 3 leashes in her hand, and Mariebird was perched on her shoulder.

"Ja," Gilbert laughed,"surprised ve never noticed zhat before."

"Vell, during zhis valk ve have a lot of ground to cover, so vhere do ve even start?" She asked, not sure of where to start as she took the lead.

Gilbert laughed, following her lead calmly, before he decided to break the awkwardness with a joke,"For starters, zhey do seem to get just as excited as my little bruders dogs?! Kesesesees! Should ve valk zhe path behind our houses, or along zhe forest edge?"

"Let's valk zhe path, haven't done zhat in a vhile," she answered grinning.

Gilbert laughed, following as their siblings' dogs sniffed and interacted with each other, getting along as usual. "You haven't changed a bit Maria!" He teased, causing her to look back at him in a mocking offended way.

"Except for zhe years zhat have been passing all zhis time!" She then looked forward before adding,"und you still haven't told me vhy ve have zhe same last name Gilbert Beilschmidt!"

"Great minds zhink alike I suppose, kesesese!" Gilbert answered back jokingly.

"Should ve start vith vhat happened, und maybe how ve missed each other after zhe death of Fritz?" Gilbert asked, noting the sadness on her face.

She sighed, nodding before speaking,"Ve had zhat huge fight didn't ve? Like I had jumped into the fray to help in a fight, und zhen you got pretty pissed."

Gilbert felt his smile drop, as he answered sheepishly,"Ja... I vas just vorried. Zhat arschloch almost killed you- I ... didn't vant to lose another leiber freund zhat shortly after, I'm sorry."

A long silence passed between them, as if the meeting they had tried to make happen all that time ago was finally happening now. Maria smiled, the sadness fading as she said the next thing in reply,"I'm glad I vas vrong, I zhought zhat you hated me...ack sorry!"

Gilbert and Maria remembered where this conversation came from, but both shook it off almost immediately. Gilbert watched Maria shuffle a little a small tinge of pink on her face. "I vouldn't hate you for zhat," Gilbert admitted, walking closer to her, so he could be at her side,"I guess I didn't need to be as vorried as I vas at zhe time. It vas just not vanting to loose someone else I vas close too."

Maria nodded smiling, feeling a bit more comfortable after what he said. "It feels so stupid to be zhis sappy," she laughed out,"Zhat said, vhy do you zhink our leaders kept zhis stuff from us?"

Gilbert shook his head, not entirely sure himself, but one thing came to mind, as they began to walk again. "Maybe if vas to avoid conflict or protect us both, zhough I think Fritz vanted to tell us at one point."

"Ja, zhat sounds like him," Maria admitted,"Zhat said, Ja ve could have fought vith each other over rules und stuff like zhat at zhe time. So zhat definitely tracks."

"Vhere did you go zhat day Mari?" Gilbert asked, changing topics to hopefully lessen the anger that conversation might cause.

Maria laughed, knowing what he was doing, though she didn't think the conversation was going to get that heated over past events and gender roles. "I vas zhere," she answered,"I mean I showed up. I could ask you zhe same thing Gil. It felt like you vere zhere, but it vas like I couldn't find you."

Gilbert smiled, nodding and looking ahead as they walked. "I vas zhere too," Gilbert admitted,"zhough I felt zhe same thing so..."

"Magical disturbance?" Maria asked,"now I vouldn't normally jump to zhat but..."

"All of zhis seems like more zhan coincidence doesn't it?" Gilbert asked, as they were about to cross a small stream.

Before Maria could answer, a bright light, followed by a loud roaring noise cut between them. Gilbert reached out for Maria trying to pull her close to protect her, but he blacked out. As did Maria before the world went silent and still, not long after that Maria had woken up. She freaked out for a moment when she noticed that they were in a wide open space that looked to be a gloomy gray color. There were no landmarks, no distinct ground or sky, and seemingly no life. The dogs and their leashes were gone, as were Mariebird and Gilbird. Maria looked around for a moment, and saw Gilbert still lying there asleep. She felt her body turn to ice with worry, as she ran over too him and knelt down. "Gil?" She asked, feeling frantic,"Gilbert!?"

She began to shake him, earning her groans, and begs for 5 more minutes. She started to laugh as he was obviously fine, and she asked,"Am I your mother?"

Gilbert's eyes snapped open at her comment, his face turning bright red as he said,"Nein! Verdammt Maria!"

Maria laughed even harder, letting go of Gilbert carefully, before she stood up to give him room to stand. Gilbert shot to his feet upon realizing what his surroundings looked like. "Vhere are ve?" He asked, clearly trying to stay calm.

Maria's laughter halted as she sighed, her nerves returning. "I don't know," she admitted, rubbing her arm a little,"Zhat's vhy I got so freaked out vhen you veren't awake too."

Gilbert nodded, looking around the empty void for a bit, with Maria helping. They were both unsure of what they were looking for, but they hoped it would be that they would find a way out. It was then when Maria spotted 2 people in the distance,"Maybe ve ask zhem?"

"Are you crazy Mari?!" Gilbert asked, clearly not trusting anything in this strange void.

Maria glared at him briefly, but took a moment to collect her thoughts before she answered,"Look I don't like it either! But do ve have any other choice?"

Gilbert sighed, it comforted him at least to know that she felt off about all of this too. And although he didn't like the idea of trying to talk to random strangers in an otherwise empty void, he shook his head. "Alright zhen, but ve leave if ve sense any trouble, ja?"

"Ja," Maria said with a decisive nod.

With that the 2 of them approached the 2 people in the distance hesitantly...

Author's Note Pt. 2: Glad to see you've made it to the end first part of this stories prologue --! The above notes still stand on feedback, and wishing to finish this story. On the note of above notes, I believe I do owe you readers a names key for the Nyotalia girls! So here goes nothing: Maria Beilschmidt = Female Prussia, Monika Beilschmidt = Female Germany, Chiara (Key-ARE-ah) Vargas = Female Romano/South Italy, Alice (Ah-LEE-che) Vargas = Female Italy, Mameko Honda = Female Japan, Elizabeth Kirkland = Female England, Amelia F. Jones = Female America/USA, Margurite (Meg) Williams = Female Canada, Francine Bonnefoy = Female France, Anya Braginskaya =Female Russia, and Chun-Yan Wang = Female China. Let us be very clear, I'm not certain I will be writing China, Japan, or Russia into this story as I'm unsure of how to write them, but I will attempt! This story will not be covering any, real life politics of the current day! Any attempts to force me to will cause me to stop writing, and will place this story on a running hiatus until that behavior has blown over. That said, if I don't update this for a while, it's because I have work and other life things to keep me busy, and this section took me a while to write as it was! Finally, I have 2 fun facts about this chapter I would like to share! 1.) Outside of these 2 Authors notes, you've read 12,207 words! I thought that was kinda crazy as I don't usually write things that are that long strictly on a computer/tablet! 2.) My high school German class came in handy for the introduction term Wie heißt du, and was the one of 2 phrases I remembered or knew from class! Thanks for coming, remember to keep on keeping on, and I'll see you in the next part, if you're going to stick around!