Cognizance (Hetalia)

Chapter Three

The twenty-one personifications waited backstage. Some were pacing around the room, others were busy turning regular chairs into rocking chairs*. Their bosses and the odd representatives were onstage; the G-20 Nations were about to be revealed.

They had decided on a press conference, revealing together in America. They could answer the public's (or at least America's public's) most pressing questions first, and other important information later. Many nations were also planning to schedule their own press conferences or personal interviews soon after, so they can actually have a conversation with their own people. As for just after the reveal, the nations had agreed they would answer questions one-on-one as they left the building they were revealing in, in an almost impromptu-style interview, just to give a bit more authenticity and really give the public a chance to get to know them for who they really are. Every precaution had been taken, and every compromise made to make this reveal as smooth as possible.

How the public actually took that reveal had yet to be determined.

Time slowed to an agonizing pace for the nations. Seconds felt like minutes. Sentences from their bosses became paragraphs. Every mention of the rumor was a painful reminder of what they were about to do.

Something about revealing the biggest secret in the world doesn't sit well in the mind.

"We do have something we want to unveil today," Matthew's boss said.

Cameras flashed and the crowd murmured.

"That's our cue, y'all," Alfred said in a deep southern accent, something he typically only does when he's nervous. Everyone walked towards the wing of the stage, though stood far enough away that none of the audience could see them.

None of them breathed.

"Now time for the reason we're all here..."

More cameras flashed, and the crowd grew quiet.

"Just do it," one of the nations muttered in agony.

"I am pleased to present..."

Everyone simultaneously sucked in a breath.

"To all you wonderful people..."

"Oh my god," America whined.

"The personifications of the G-20 countries!"

The nations all put on their bravest smiles and walked onto the stage.

There were loud cheers.

There were gasps of shock.

There were questions being shouted at them.

There were cameras flashing everywhere.

Half of the personifications expected to be blind by the time this entire thing was over.

Step by agonizing step, the nations walked to their respective bosses or stand-in, behind podiums with their own flags in front of it. Some of the nations waved to the audience as they walked across the stage, but based on the nervous glances everyone gave once they got there, even they were anxious about this.

Alfred's podium stood in the dead center of the group. Under normal circumstances, his buff build being just visible under his suit would stick out massively; however, among the line of 21 G-20 nations, this seemed normal. Alfred ran a hand through his blond hair as he waited for the audience to calm down a little bit. He wore a bright smile, but his quick glancing around the audience and the anxiety behind his blue eyes betrayed his nervousness. "Hello, everyone!" Alfred finally cheered into his boss's microphone, his southern drawl persisting. His boss took a reluctant step back. "My name is Alfred F. Jones, and, as you can probably guess, I am the personification of the United States of America!"