Same Boat- SpaAus

Arrangements: Part 1

                  1504, Vienna, Austria

                  Austria was young, that's true, but he also had a good understanding of diplomacy. He knew how to give the people what they wanted. They wanted cake. Let them eat cake. He also knew how to talk to adults and make decisions regarding other countries, or so he thought. He was in his first meeting with an official country, and he was making an utter fool of himself. Fidgeting with his hands, stuttering, sweating, and acting completely unprofessional. 

                   Beside him stood a country, a strong one. She was currently wearing a men's military uniform; you could tell she was prepared to swing into action at any chance she could. Almost like a cat about to pounce on its pray. But she didn't appear particularly menacing. She had a sweet voice and a genuine smile. Hungary is what she introduced herself as. She did not offer up her human name. Austria watched her with bewilderment. A woman in men's clothes? Of course, she is a country after all so it shouldn't matter, but it was still baffling. 

                           The two were currently making their way through a long, lavishly decorated hallway to a neat corridor where they were to meet two other countries. "Their names are Bohemia and Slovakia. Slovakia is a nice man but can be a bit whiny. And Bohemia means well but she can be a bit hotheaded, so let me talk to her." Hungary gave Austria the grace of explaining who their acquaintances were so that he wasn't going in blind. That made him feel a little more confident, though he was still terribly anxious. Austria nodded his head stiffly. After what seemed to be an eternity of walking, the pair reached the corridor. 

                         "After you" Hungary said politely as she gestured towards the doors. Austria gulped as he wrapped his wrapped his trembling hands around the cold, metal handles. He yanked the doors open. Inside was a beautifully decorated room with lavish marble floors and magnificent pillars reaching as high as they could to the tall ceiling. Extravagant windows the size of elephants lined the walls, silk curtains draped languidly to the side. A long red carpet lay in beneath a large, oval shaped oak table that had glass candelabras across the table. Gold, yellow and magenta floral patterns engraved the walls all around the elegant room. Side-by-side sat two figures. Austria walked in, Hungary trailing behind. He crossed the room to the table where the two sat, took a seat across from them and cleared his throat. Hungary sat beside him and fixed him with the same expectant stare that the other two nations had,

                          He looked from Ms. Hungary to the two guests and back. The girl (who he assumed was Bohemia) has short reddish-brown hair barely reaching her soldiers, with a little braid drawing back some of her hair into a bun in the back of her head. She wore a nice dress, but not overly fancy. The man next to her, who must've been Slovakia, has spiky tan hair swept to one side. He wore a nice button up with a frock coat reaching down to his mid-thigh. The four sat in awkward silence for at least two minutes before Austria realized, Oh. I'm supposed to start the meeting. He cleared his throat again before beginning. "Herr Slovakia, Frau Bohemia. I'm glad you made it. As you know I'm a new coun-" "We know why we're here, so please get to the part where you explain to us why we should follow up on your plan." Bohemia interrupted. Austria gulped and began again. "I believe an alliance under one kingdom will benefit not just me, but all of us. Both you and Ms. Hungary have enemies on all sides, powerful enemies such as the Ottoman Turks and Russia. If we unite, we'll have more military force to fortify Central and Eastern Europe; not to mention the financial benefits." Austria suddenly felt a burst of confidence. He managed to choke out a complete sentence that made sense without stuttering and making a complete ass out of himself. Austria sighed with relief as he felt himself straighten up in his chair. Though he felt as if he could preach an entire sermon to the entirety of Europe on a podium, he was smart enough to let the more experienced nations work over what he said. He was very careful not to ruin his newly established reputation as a capable leader.

                          The one called Slovakia began nodding slowly before looking brightly. "Well I don't see anything wrong with this, I agre-OW!" He began, but quickly broke out into a yelp of pain as Bohemia slammed her foot down on his. "STOP TRYING TO MAKE MY DECISIONS!" The two suddenly broke off into strings of arguments and offended noises.

                            Hungary picked up on Austria's silent discomfort and leaned into mutter "Don't worry, they do this all the time. They don't mean the harshness, but I certainly agree with your idea. Things in the Baltic area and the East has been getting very... hectic to say the least and having you and the House of Habsburgs to back us up will certainly help us out." Austria dared a slight smile, for there were no words to express his gratitude. 

                              Bohemia and Slovakia both suddenly stopped their irksome bickering and straightened their clothes. "Me and Slovakia have decided we'll join." Bohemia said indignantly as she sat up right again. Austria nodded and reached for the treaty concealed by the vase of flowers in the middle of the table. He felt his heart race with a mix of excitement and nervousness. What if everything went wrong within a matter of months? What if the entire empire fell apart because of his incompetence? These questions could only be answered with time. But for now, Austria needed to focus on the present. He took a deep breath as he watched Bohemia sign the paper for her and Slovakia, then exhaled when Hungary reached over to sign it herself. Everything worked out in the end. 

                               The beginning was over, the kingdom was formed. There was no turning back now. Austria proved himself to be compatible and fit to talk to rulers, but could he run an entire empire? Was he fit? Only time had answers.

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Herr- German equivalent to "Sir/Mr."

Frau- German equivalent to "Ms./Mrs."