The Fall of Power

Ice cold roots

(Russia's point of view)

I had an unpleasant dream last night, meaning I had my ability activated for quite some time. So when I woke up, the room had an icy chill to it. While I was built to handle it, my new roommate might not.

Point proven. Germany was culled in a ball wrapped up in blankets, not even his head was visible.

Last night was interesting, to say the least. I had been in a 'bad mood' as Glacier likes to say, and combined with the news of a new partner and that I was exhausted, I was a bit pissed. Germany had taken it well. He seemed to be on edge too, so at least it was mutual.

My last partner couldn't stand me. I found him annoying and weak. Couldn't fight for shit and thought everyone would just bend to his will. He died in combat a few weeks after we first were introduced. Someone he took on wasn't affected by his ability and killed him.

He followed the cleansers like he was one of them. The higher-ups like that. They assigned him to me to try and 'convince' me. If anything, it made my opinion of them worse.

When Glacier first told me about a new partner I was so close to yelling at him, but I knew it wasn't his fault. He said that Germany was a quiet and hardworking man that would be helping me from the sidelines. So when he walked in and insulted me, I thought he would be a repeat. A weakling that thought he had everything.

But our last interaction left me conflicted. I saw how he wished for something else. I saw how he didn't fight back. And I saw how he seemed pained even if he was confident. He didn't want to argue with me.

A horrible creak from the bed in front of me broke me out of my thoughts. The blankets had moved a bit revealing one of Germany's eyes staring right back at me. I watched as his pupils shrunk from the bright light of the sun shining through the blinds. 

"Do I have to get up?" he grumbled. It was almost impossible to hear him with the blankets muffling his words.

"Not yet, but if you want time to get up properly, then yes."

"What?" he murmured, the blankets falling away from his head as he lifted it to face me.

His hair stuck out every which way and he yawned. His canine teeth were dangerously sharp, and his tongue had a slight point to the end.

"If you want to have enough time to look less like an ape, then get up now." I explained as he tried to comb his fingers through his hair.

The door opened behind us. The sight Glacier walked into must have been amusing. Germany balled up in blankets looking like he was dragged through the forest backward and me standing over him with my own hair tangled and puffy, both of us wearing our outfits from yesterday.

"Russia, today you are going to be showing Germany around the mission campus. I want him to know his way around. And try to get to know each other." he ordered.

He then shivered, "Russia, do you need more of your medication?"

"No sir. It happened last night while I was asleep, I have it shut off currently." I opened my mouth wide so Glacier could see.

My ability came from a spot on the roof of my mouth. It looked like little cuts, and when I had it activated, the cuts would flair and glow a slight blue.

"Good. Now as long as the two of you complete what you need to, you are free to do as you please until curfew." 'free to do as you please' my ass. There are too many rules here for that.

The second the door closed, Germany's face in the blankets and he let out a sigh.

"Don't like mornings?"