Is it too Late to Apologize? (Austria)

[Czech Republic]

It had seemed as though it had been an eternity since Czech Republic had time to play her violin. The violin was very old, haven been given to her when she was but a child still yet still was well kept and polished, the strings always replaced when needed and every grain of dust that attempted to rest on its wooden surface was instantly cleaned away. It was very precious to her in a sense that she refused to leave it when she left her home in Europe to join the other nations who had made their way to Canada to fight off the zombies. 

However, because she was a Scout, and one of the only four scouts that remained, her work was piled up and found herself always busy. She admitted that she at times wished that she didn't have to work so much, that she could have more time to herself. But when she thought about her poor friend, England and his burden as the home base leader, she found herself unable to refuse any task she was given with little to complaining.Yet today there was actually time to herself; she had finished her duties, taken care of her little apprentice San Marino and did a quick patrol of the area...it seemed as though this was the perfect time to bring out her beautiful violin. 

Taking out her bow from the case, she set it beside her on her bunk, she touched the smooth surface of the finely polished wood finding herself smiling. She remembered receiving this from someone when she was a child, though her memory seemed to have been hazy on the subject of her childhood. It seemed that all the horrible, terriying memories had taken over most of her memories based back when she was happy. Shaking her head at the notion, she raised her bow up and began to play.

It started off as a soft, slightly melancholy tune, nice, flowing and soft, then slowly transitioned into a nice upbeat tempo reminding her very much of the 'Virginian Wheel'. This practice was only to get her rhythm back, having not played in a very long time. Before long, her song transitioned to an existing piece of music by the great Beethoven, known as the Moonlight Sonata which happened to be one of her favorites. She continued to play with her eyes closed in sweet harmony with her music, the faintest smile present on her lips showing that she was enjoying this moment of peace more than anything.   

[Austria]

The day was passing in a fairly calm fashion. Although some nations had gone out, they had all either returned safely, or were not expected back yet. As antidotes did not keep, and there was nothing left to experiment on, Austria was short of duties to perform. This did not really phase him, as he took the time to clean the lab area instead. He wiped down all of the surfaces, before taking each piece of equiptment apart and washing it. Next, he reassembled the equiptment for which being wet would not damage it, and put them away. Whilst waiting for the rest of the equiptment to dry, he set about sorting through the cupboards, finding a bottle of unwrapped silver nitrate solution. Unfortunately, it was no longer usable - the light had caused the solution to react - and there was no way to save it. He placed the bottle on the table, and looked around for something else to clean. Austria saw nothing.

He was about to give the work surfaces another wipe whe he heard the sound of the violin. It had been a long while since he had played any music himself, or listened to any for that matter. He made his way over to the edge of the lab, listening to the notes which, although they flowed well, appeared to be in no paticular tune.

It was evident that the remaining equiptment was going to take a while to dry, so Austria slipped off his lab coat, and replaced his safety glasses into the tray. The coat he draped neatly over some boxes, and took his own up. He slipped his arms into the sleeves, and took his own pair of glasses from the pocket. He opened them with one hand, before putting them on.

A sign written in neat curviture was quickly made and left by the entrance to the lab, requesting people to call if they needed something - it was always possible, and, if he could hear the violin, then he would be able to hear a call. Once it was complete and in place, he started following the music. As he did so, it changed into the Moonlight Sonata. He could remember playing the piece himself, and he frowned as he heard a slightly off note. Nothing majorly so, but just enough for his ears to notice.

The music led him to the rest area, and he continued following it to Czech Republic's bunk. He watched her play for a few moments, confusion passing through his mind but not over his face. The violin was evidently old and well cared for, although he had no recollection of her playing whilst under the ownership of Hungary and himself. His eyes narrowed as he watched her, trying to find what the exact issue was with her attempt.

Finally, he spotted it. He cleared his throat before speaking, but did not wait for a response, "You left elbow is jutted too far out."
The mispositioning of the arm was causing the violin to sit at a slightly different angle to usual, which in turn meant that the bow was not quite at the angle to achieve a perfect note.

[Czech Republic]

Czech was 'lost in her music' so to speak, so much so that she didn't hear Austria make his way into the area. Usually Czech's sharp hearing would be able to hear everything many others couldn't, from the soft sound of a fly's beating wings from two rooms over, to the low and eerie moan of one of their undead neighbors carried by the wind nearly five miles away. However, because of the music that was being played directly into her ears, she hadn't heard his footsteps approach her. 

The sudden introduction of his voice surprised her, so much so that her flowing hand suddenly ceased upruptly to create the most unpleasant sound of a violin's screech. She pulled back suddenly, having it been directly in her ear feeling sudden pain ring through out her head as she rubbed her ear in an attempt to make her feel better of such an assault. 

"Hajzle! Kdo sakra ..." She cursed in her thick, heavily accented native tongue glancing up to see who the culprit was only to find herself pausing upon seeing who it was. Czech knew Austria very well; well before she herself was a nation, rather part of her mother, Bohemia. She knew him well for he (along with that old witch Hungary) was the one who claimed ownership of her after her mother had been destroyed during the 30 years War. As soon as the shocked expression appeared it no sooner dissapeared to show a glare now. 

She was not on good terms with the nation. Centuries ago Czech Republic might have been tempted to partake in her younger twin brother, Slovakia's habit to prank the nation they disliked so much and cause him much annoyance and disruption in his 'orderly life' but chose not to. She was not the rebellious tomboy anymore, she was now a well behaved, civilized young lady who would treat other nations with respect even if she felt that they didn't deserve it. On the rare occasions they'd bump into each other Czech always treated him with respect but never smiled at him. She never smiled at him since the day she met him. 

Keeping her frown, she scowled turning her eyes back onto her violin. There was his criticism, she knew it so well when she was young, Never once had he complimented her on her needlework when she was told to mend his old clothing, never once was she told how her food that she made was at least decent. Not that she wanted compliments being as modest as she was, but when a child, you wanted some recognition, some kind of gestured that shoed you had done something right and that your caretaker approved. 

Deciding finally it was rude to ignore him (though heaven knows she wanted to) she turned to Austria and decided to acknowledge him. 

"Was there something that you needed Mr. Austria?"

[Austria]

Austria winced at the shrieking tone of the violin, being very quickly reminded of that one, and only, time he had attempted to teach another nation to play. It did not go well for either of them. It did end quickly, however, and he decided to be thankful for small mercies. Heaven knew they need to be.

He could tell that Czech was glaring at him, although he was not sure why exactly. He had only been attempting to improve her technique... Now that he thought about it, the girl had never done anything but glare at him. he was tempted to pinch his nose, a bad habit of his, but refrained. He should have just left when he had the chance. Oh, she was polite enough, but insults and shouting was far more simple than sugared words with bitter glares. Not only was it hard work, but a dreadful clash of flavour.

Her playing was suprisingly good, especially considering the fact practice was nigh on impossible at the moment. That it had taken him as long as it did to find the issue was testiment to her ability. However, Austria was raised in a manner that only took note of accident and failiure - never sucess. It was only natural that he, in turn, rarely gave praise; even if it were due.

A quick glance showed a lack of music, so evidently Czech Republic had memorised, conciously or otherwise, the piece. He was impressed, although there was no change of expression or comment that would reveal so.

Did he actually need something? The answer was no, although he had a feeling that it would be the wrong answer.

"I was waiting for the equiptment to dry, and the music was more interesting than watching it."

He shifted his weight from one leg to another; he had not realised that he had been leaning on his left one, and it was starting to protest.

[Czech Republic]

Her ears were still ringing slightly while she glanced to her precious musical instrument to make sure that it wasn't in anyway harmed. A sigh of relief touched her, she had no idea what she would do if her beautiful keepsake was ruined and could never be used again. To be sure the strings weren't ruined she raised her bow and played a few cords finding that each sounded melodious. Once she was sure she allowed a warm smile touch her, lowering the violin to the bed spread, running a hand lovingly over it before turning her attention to her senior nation before her.

She stood up, smoothed out her scarlet skirt as well as the pretty blue scarf wrapped securely around her neck. She didn't smile but she didn't glare either, keeping a rather calm look about her. Her youthful face was always deceiving to others. When glancing at her, others instantly thought that she was a cute little girl. This was due to her lack of growth, each time she grew some nation or something stunted the growth. To be honest she thought that she'd stay looking this young always. Most wouldn't mind of such youthful appearance being as old as she was (being over a thousand years old) but found that her appearance took away from her true character. That she was a nation that was meant to be taken as seriously as any other and not to be treated like a child. Really the only thing that wasn't childish about her were her eyes. The blue green pools showed the old and wise woman that she had become. When she was serious that is. When she was not acting serious, she was always giggling like a happy little girl only adding more to others suspicions that she was actually a child when really she was only one in body and mind.

Coughing in her hand and fiddling with her scarf she tried to think of something to say something to Austria, not sure if there was anything that could of been said between the two. But to be honest she felt obligated to do so seeing how he was her senior and needed to not ignore him. Realizing she hadn't dispensed a proper welcome to him when he arrived, she thought it best to make up for it now.

"I'm very glad to see that you're adapting to life here Mr. Austria...I'm sure you'll be very useful here." She nodded in respect turning her eyes to the side to chew on her bottom lip. Then her eyes fell on the violin and smiled once more as she took it up once more, still smiling while doing so. She positioned herself to play but then looked up to Austria. And smiled mentally to herself.

"Any requests?"

[Austria]

((I know nothing about violin music! Help? Mechanics of violins I can do, actual music? Nope. Wikipedia it is..))

Czech had grown since the last time Austria had seen her, although he did not comment. She was also much more respectable than she had been when much younger, although that was probably as much his fault as anything. Even if he prefered to blame the others, there must have been some reason why none of the nations under him behaved well. It was easy to see the fact that she had gained knowledge.

The lack of a glare did suprise him slightly, causing him to hope that possibly relations were starting to look up. Austria had never known the Czech Republic well, always prefering to keep distance from anything that could potentially harm him. Afterall, he held by his learning that nothing ever lasted - love, hate, war, peace... It was all meaningless when you had lived as long as nations did.

He simply nodded in respnse to her first statement, not quite able to thank her verbally, but wishing to none the less. The nation did not really see how he could be useful, or why he was sent over here. A morbid thought passed through his mind that his boss was probably hoping he would die, and a new Austria would be born. It would not be the first boss to make that mistake... He could not walk for long periods of time, let alone run, and although he could shoot with reasonable accuracey, he was not overly fast at it. At close quarters his reflexes were slower than most nations, although fast enough for a zombie (he hoped that at least). As a man he avoided conflict, as a nation he was forced to participate in it. Yes, he could think quickly and on his feet, so to speak, but what good was that in killing zombies? More use than musical talent, certainly, but he could not see how it would be of much help. The vaccine was already perfected, afterall.

He was not expecting to be asked for a request; more likely to be dismissed. He peered at her over his glasses for a few moments, thinking. Was their anything in paticular he wanted to hear?

"Telemann's Fantasia in E minor, if you know the piece," it was not the most common piece of music, but Austria was curious to know how she would play it. His face still held a look of detatched calculation, as he switched legs again.

[Czech Republic]

It took Czech a moment to think of that piece, it sounded familiar and the sound of it was starting to taunt her, bits and pieces of it playing in her head as she tried to piece together what the melody was. Closing her eyes in concentration she thought back on the distant memory when she heard it last. It seemed that it was a very long time ago seeing how she was painting a picture when she was very little, barely coming up to her waist, her hair cut very short at the time. It had been centuries since her hair had been cropped so short. In her memory she seemed to be staring with deep fascination at the walkway into a room, taking great care not to be seen by whomever was playing.

A pause came over her when she thought of whom she was watching, it just so happened to be Austria that was playing the violin. Her child self was watching in pure fascination, her big blue eyes wider as she watched the man move with great grace and poise to his figure while hsi fingers moved expertly. Czech Republic now focused on the memory of Austria's finger's movements and gave a small smile to herself giving only a little hesitance before putting her bow to work on the strings. Her eyes remained closed, rememebering those fingers movements copying them exactly as she saw them in her head.

This was how Czech learned to play, just by observing others she was able to remember the hand movements and thus mimic them to her own when replaying them in her head. It was part of her gift of good memorization. Her fingers copied exactly what she remembered, every movement that she saw that one time centuries ago. She had a pleased smile on her face as she placed the soft, harmonious melody and then transitioned it into a far more upbeat and fast tune that made her smile broaden, liking the sound of it very much, but kept her eyes closed to keep her focus. She didn't want to give Austria a chance to criticize her by making a mistake.

She continued playing, the fingers still in her mind, every swipe of the bow, every masterful switch to the tune, making it into a soft and calm waltz then turning it into a symphony of cheerfulness. Something happened that made her stop short and mess up suddenly. Her eyes reopened looking down at her hands in confusion. Why did she mess up? She took care to follow every move Austria made years ago! However when she thought back on the memory it seemed that she didn't make a mistake for Austria had abruptly stopped what he was doing in the memory when interrupted by someone. The only thing left to that memory was her running off to attend the task she was suppose to be doing at the time.

She glanced up at Austria, blushed then looked away looking very embarrassed. "I--I'm sorry..." She apologized quietly going to set her violin back in the case, not wanting to play not feeling enough heart for it now.

[Austria]

He listened closely to the notes that she played. He could remember playing the piece a long time ago, before he had allowed his instruments to break. Austria had replaced them, of course, but he had not touched anything other than the piano since; the others had been what he had played for his wives, and husbands, and at their insistance. The piano was the instrument he played for himself.

She was incredibly good. The only fault he could find this time was that she was playing as if her arms were longer than they actually were, but that was more technique than anything else. He had quickly realised that she must have been self taught, which would explain the matter. If the music worked, though, technique was not really an issue.

When she cut off at that point, he simply nodded to himself. Austria had been playing through the memory of playing it in his own head. It had been Hungary who had cut him off, bringing him coffee. He missed those times, but it was neither the time nor place for such indulgences... Even if he did know where to find them.
That was besides the point. The point being she must have taught herself to play the song from his own actions.

He waved a hand when she apologised, before realising that she had her back to him and the actual words registered.

"Pardon?"

He blinked at her; why on earth was she apologising for cutting off during a song which she obviously did not know?

[Czech Republic]

She looked up slightly, looking rather bashful. She didn't like making mistakes, she was a very orderly, and was always about perfection in what she did. In her needlework she never allowed one stitch to be misplaced, when she was organizing a book shelf, every book was to be categorized, alphabetized, and none were to be slouched but standing perfectly straight. She hadn't a clue of why she was so organized seeing how she was once a messy, disorderly child. She figured it must of been the German influences passed onto her over the years of development. Sighing she looked at Austria then to her feet as she gave a small bashful smile to her feet.

"I'm--i'm sorry I made that mistake..." She was always apologizing for messing anything up even if it wasn't her fault. Czech had become accustomed to it after living for years in Russia's home once upon a time. Every time she made one he'd make light of it and she'd always ask for forgiveness out of the fear and the respect that he commanded of her. She remembered Hungary being the same way; if she talked back she was punished for it, if something broke she was punished, if she did anything remotely wrong she was punished for it. And other nations wondered why they were not so close of allies.

"I--I'm afraid I don't the song that well...I...only watched you play it once, thats how I know it."

She admitted like a little girl who was confessing to the teacher after cheating on a test. Looking to her violin in silence, her eyes suddenly brightened as an idea hit her. Taking it our gentle she brought it over to Austria offering it to him while holding it gently in her hands. Usually she'd never let anyone hold it, not even her little sister, Silesia was allowed to touch it. Yet with Austria she felt a sense of security, having a good gut feeling that he would treat her instrument with the care it needed. Still blush her eyes fell to her feet once before looking up at Austria.

"Would you...could you show how to finish it?" She asked very sincerely. "I do hate to not now how to finish a piece once I've started it!" Without even knowing it, her eyes began big and she began to show signs of a pout. This was a secret weapon of her's known as the 'Czech Pout', one of her most effective and peaceful tools of manipulation to get what she wanted. She had done it so many times that even now she hadn't a clue that she was doing it naturally. Her face turned so sweet and so adorable all at once as her eyelashes batted at him.

"Pretty please?"

[Austria]

He thought for a moment about how best to say what he meant. It was the longest conversation he could ever remember having with the female nation without scolding, and he was not inclined to break it too quickly, "I would not call not knowing the entire piece a mistake, and it is far less likely to become habit. I had gathered that that was how you were learning - your arm if held like it is too big for you; a child mirroring an adult when you learnt, and so it has stayed unto adulthood." It did not really need saying that he was the only person she could have watched - at the time, Czech would not have been allowed in the presence of any others long enough to gain the skill.

He could not really work out why she, and everyone else whom had lived under him, was always so afraid. Although he had scolded, hit and locked people under the stairs to contemplate their mistakes, at the time the nation considered it normal. Austria could possibly comprehend that it was no longer a method suited to the old-modern society (how peculiar to think of it as such), but at the time it was not unheared of to lock disobediant children out of the house and let them starve, freeze or apologise. He believed himself to have higher morals than that, even if Italy did think he was starving sometimes.

Austria looked from Czech to the violin, eyes narrowing as if he expected it to come to life and eat him. However, it looked more like he was scrutinising it, like he was checking it was adequate. The pout was not necessary; it had been quite a long time since he had both the time and the means to play an instrument - even if it was only a violin.
"If I may borrow your instrument," he gave it another quick glance, "it would be my honour."

[Czech Republic]

Czech none the less blushed even when he excused her mistake. Even today she hated messing up in front of older nations such as Austria for it made her feel so small compared to them. Her once plentiful and rather arrogant self esteem had seemed to have diminished over the centuries. Her eyes looking into his and a look of disappointment touched her. She mistook the look to think that he had little to no intentions of playing her violin. She gave a heavy sigh ready to apologize for thinking of the idea in the first place and go put it back in her case but found herself surprised by what he said.

"If I may borrow your instrument, it would be my honour."

Her big blue eyes suddenly gave a look that was similar to his in the sense of the violin about to come to life and devour him. He would play it for her? Her eyes suddenly brightened and the smallest hint of a smile touched her in delight like a little girl who was being given a new doll from their father.

"You will?! Thank you Mr. Austria I..."

Her voice died down and her smile, faint as it was, disappeared while her face flushed a brilliant shade of red. She realized that her voice was a little too loud and excited. Really she couldn't help herself, listening to Austria play was truly a treat to those who were lovers of music. She was more than willing to give praise that his skills deserve...when he was from earshot that was...there was just something about complimenting him when he was there that seemed to not settle right. Coughing into her hand once more she offered the violin to him more earnestly while avoiding his eyes.

"Um...if you would please Mr. Austria..." Letting him take hold of instrument she bit her lip as a natural nervousness touched her. "P--Please be careful with it...its very old and very special to me..." Her hands gripped to her scarf but calmed herself down quickly, knowing that she was overreacting; Austria was very careful with anything musical. She supposed she jsut found it hard not to be paranoid over it.

Giving a sigh she took a step back to give him room. Deep down she was giggling happily to herself. She remebered in her youth how she'd stand off to the side and or hide (afraid she'd be punished for listening instead of working) while she listened to him playing his instruments and loving it more each time she heard his music. And now that she had permission to watch, she was going to take full advantage of it! Eyeing his fingers with great focus she nodded to him.

"Begin."

[Austria]

He nodded when she asked him to be careful with the instrument. It was obviously very special - for what other reason would she have bought it all the way from Europe, and looked after it so carefully. It depressed him to think to his own collection left to his government's hadns, who would most likely destroy or sell them,bt there was no way he could hav bought them all with him. When he had returned, a chello and a very early flute had been missing.

He placed the violin in position, and bought the bow up close. Austria stood for a few seconds, remembering and feeling the piece again. Once he had bought it to the front of his thinking, he cleared his head of all thoughts - including those and began.

He played again from the begining, keeping his mind perfectly empty. He did not think about the notes or the movements, purely allowing the last few notes to guide his instinct as to the next few. The nation did not realise that his face twisted into a more serene expression than usual as he allowed the notes to dance out.

Too soon, the piece came to an end. He held the position for a short while, before lowering the violin. Carefully, he held it out for Czech to take. He nodded to her; he had not even played his piano for a good few years, much to his despair.

When was the last time he had played a violin? Certainly before Archduke Ferdinand was assasinaed, possibly longer.

[Czech Republic]

A sense of pure serenity filled Czech while observing Austria play. She had to admit that he was truly magnificent when his music. Every piece that he played always struck a cord with her (so to speak) finding herself completely lost in the music. Slowly her eyes closed as images began to take shape in her mind created by the sounds of the music. It was ften that she heard music that she would take the time to let her vivid imagination take shape and form whatever it wanted to in order for her to appreciate it better and give it a definent feel. 

While listening to the upbeat tune, her mind painted a pretty picture of two little girls, both bearing red flowing hair, pulled into perfect braids. The two wore dresses, one being a pastel pink while the other wore pastel blue. Then there was a third one who stood out from the rest, that being the short haired little girl with a pastel green dress that had been stained with mud and grass stains from romping about. She realized that this was her and her two sisters, Moravia and Silesia with her when they were still children dancing about the field of their homelands of Ancient Bohemia. She smiled at the thought but it slowly faded as another image crossed her mind, a beautiful, tall woman with the same red hair, her dark eyes gazing out at the children. usually those dark eyes would hold a sense of seriousness and toughness brought on by centuries of war. Yet Bohemia always set aside the warrior in her to give all her love and affection to her children.

"Maminka..." She gazed up with a start, realizing that Austria had finished. Her heart started aching, wishing that she could of held onto that image of her mother's sweet face. Giving a rather dejected sigh, she took her violin from Austria, giving silent thanks, while her face still bore the bitterness from that memory lost once more. The two now stood there in silence, a great awkward air coming over the atmosphere while Czech tried to think of something to say to him, something to break the ice once more then thought of it.

"Uh---Um...Did you know that little Silesia is learning how to play the piano?"

The little state once known as the Silesian Empire, was one of Czech's sisters, the littlest to be exact. When the Bohemian Empire fell, so did the Moravian and the Silesian empires that soon was taken by Austria during the time of the Hapsburg Dynasty. The reason why Czech mentioned Silesia, was because Austria was very fond of her when under his ownership. Anyone could tell that he was, and she in turn was very fond of him, almost like a child looking up to a father. Things changed however, when Prussia took Silesia as his own and no matter how hard Austria battled (even with the help of Hungary), Silesia was never returned to him. Now the little state lived with her, along with Moravia after the wars had come to pass, and Silesia rarely ever saw Austria as it were.

Czech sighed when thinking back on history but returned her attention to Austria. "Moravia is attempting to teach her...but I think we both know that she had two left hands..." She giggled to herself at the thought of her big sister's clumsy hands on a piano. "Silesia has actually requested if you'd come to teach her...if you ever have the time after this war is over that is!" She was still very optimistic that things would turn out right, that everything would return to normal over time and they'd all build each other back up. She was nothing if she wasn't optimistic! 

[Austria]

Austria did not asked why Czech said what she did; the chances were that she had not even realised she had spoken. However, the word did sound very like 'mother'. The male nation was not sure that the female would even remember her mother, though.
If she did remember her mother... Regardless, Austria placed the face she was making on the situation they were in. Nobody should be even remotely happy during the apocolypse, afterall.

At the news, one eyebrow raised ever so slightly. He wondered why Silesia was bought up, although he did appreciate the end to the silence. Austria remembered the little girl who would often follow him like some sort of puppy, until she was given attention. She was a sweet little thing who could do no wrong in his eyes - even if she sometimes did so. To an outsider it was obvious who was his favourite, although he himself had not noticed. There was a reason he could forgive some nations, but not Prussia, afterall. Silesia had even been allowed to make pastries with him before she was forcibly taken away.

"I have not had contact with her for a long time," not since Prussia took her. His voice was bordering on wishful. He had little to no reason to be in the Czech Republic, where the girl now lived, except for buisness. And, buisness was always conducted far from territories and dependancies who could get the wrong idea.

"You can play a piano with two left hands. I think playing like she is missing three fingers is more accurate," Moravia was not anywhere near satisfactory as a teacher or as a pianist, although desperate times made for desperate measures. "If my country is ever stable enough, and these monsters are ever gone, I would be quite willing," very willing, although he did not say that. There was an element of excitement in his thinking, although his tone was empty. "If her sister would allow me entry."

That was the other sticking point. Entry to Czech's house. He did not put it past the female nation to tease with such information, and so refused to think that he would be allowed to see Silesia again.

[Czech Republic]

A snicker escaped from Czech’s mouth as her hands flew up to keep it contained doing her best which ultimately made her cheeks start to burn red. Then a burst of sudden laughter exploded from Czech’s mouth Austria was so right…so had little to no skills when it came to the piano, or any musical instrument to be honest. Her hands were so big and had such long fingers that moved rather clumsily. Finally able to calm herself down from her childish laughter, her eyes gazed up to Austria using the back of her hand to wipe her eyes of the tears her laughter produced. Taking a deep breath she grinned.

“You are very right there! Moravia has the worst hand coordination in all of Central Europe!”

Laughing a little more, she finally took another breath and relaxed before shaking her head at the notion. It felt good to laugh; she hadn’t had a really good one in a very long while. Her eyes turned onto him now as she gave a large, happy grin at his agreement to her proposal.

“Oh that’s wonderful Mr. Austria! Little Silesia will really love it!” She gave a pause as though thinking over something carefully but no sooner nodded her head as though coming to some agreement. “I will invite you immediately! The sooner the better…I don’t know what’s worse, listening to Silesia’s mediocre off key music, or my sister’s attempts to break the poor thing!” She gave a giggle again but it died off when he spoke again.

“If her sister would allow me entry.” Looking at him, she thought that he must of meant herself for Moravia literally had no power, having to work under her little sister (that seemed to get on her nerves sometimes). A rather cheerful look touched her eyes.

“But of course! I—I mean I wouldn’t mind…” Though Moravia wouldn’t be so pleased, but then again she was never pleased with anyone who came over to their home in Prague. “I mean if it’ll make Silesia happy then I would be more than willing to let you come over to our home!” She gave him an earnest nod and a very sincere look to show him that she meant every single word, on her word as a lady. Thinking on more subject matter for conversation she looked up to him.

“How have you and…Hungary been?” She grimaced when she mentioned Hungary, still holding a very powerful and very hateful relationship with her. It wasn’t one of those one sided hate relationships where one persecuted the other while the other stood off to the side as the peaceful one, wondering why they were being persecuted. Both side’s hatred was equal to one another.

Deciding to put that aside she tried to seem pleasant.

“Have you two kept in touch?”