Reading Nation's Diaries

So Far So Good

Everyone slowly trickled into the room as they woke up. There was food laid out on the table for anyone to eat when they came in.

Most nations sat in small groups around the common room after eating, waiting for someone to announce that it was time to start reading, however, there were also several nations who were sitting alone.

England sat in a corner with the book he had been reading the day before. He was tired but refused to show it. When he had woken up he felt a if he had been hit by a truck. The only people that he had talked to were Russia, who had briefly bid him good morning, and France who had come to tease him, again. He was tempted to get up to talk to someone but he also knew that no one would talk to him.

The bad touch trio were laughing loudly and Spain was trying to convince Romano to join in with what they were doing. England saw his brothers getting along well and it made him even more depressed, why couldn't he have any friends?

Another glance revealed Switzerland acting as a guard dog for Lichtenstein; America and Canada talking quietly to each other; the Nordics and Sealand being a loud but happy family. Almost all other nations were socialising with each other. England didn't mind being alone but being surrounded by so many other people made him feel lonely, so he slipped out of the common room into the main meeting room to wait until everyone else decided that it was time to start reading the book, which took a rather long while.

Finally, when it was time for everyone to start reading the book there was tension in the air, no one actually wanted to read the book. Eventually, China snatched the book up off the table, complaining about the immaturity of the younger nations. The book was thick and heavy, China noted, as he opened the book. The first page held a single quote.

"The first one is about America. Aru. 'America employs the brofist as often as possible. Even if it's a huge political figure, he insists they're bros and must do as bros do.'"

This caused everyone to laugh at America for his childishness and America to smile due to the light-hearted start to the book. 

"Bros must do as do as bros do," America confirmed with a grin. 

"You're such a child," England said drily.

"What's wrong with that?" America retorted.

England frowned but said nothing in response, China decided to move on. 

"Here is the next one. Aru. 'Both of the German brothers can play any string instrument you put in front of them. (It's left over from when Germans were known for their military and their military bands)'"

"That's, like, totally cool!" Poland exclaimed.

"Kesesesesese! It's true! The awesome Prussia can do it all!" Prussia had jumped on the table and was about to begin his speech about his and Germany's awesomeness when he was dragged off the table by Germany.

"Calm down, bruder.," the younger nation scolded before letting the albino go.

"You will have to preform for us later," Austria demanded politely.

"Sure!" Prussia exclaimed, "You'll join me, west?"

"Ja," Germany reluctantly agreed.

"I will now continue! This one is a statement, too, aru 'Lithuania picked up a taste for jazz music while working for America. America also taught him to swing dance.'"

There was a general murmur of support throughout the room. Lithuania and America shared a smile but Russia looked at the ground, feeling guilty for everything that he had done to Lithuania and the other nations under his control during the Cold War. He knew exactly why he had no friends.

"This one is about Norway, aru. 'This guy drinks at least 10 cups of coffee each day. No sugar, no milk. Just plain black.'"

Norway looked down, embarrassed. Denmark was laughing at the statement because he had witnessed his fellow Nordic's coffee addiction. Iceland and Sweden appeared impassive and Finland smiled encouragingly at Norway. Norway hid his face in his hands but requested that China continue reading.

"I will read one more, aru!" China exclaimed, before glancing down at the page. His face burned red when he read the entry.

"What's wrong, dude?"

"Nothing, America, I will read now. 'All nations have an erogenous-zone but most of them choose to hide it.'"

There was silence for several minutes before some of the less mature nations started snickering. The giggling spread throughout the room and soon most of the younger nations were laughing, however, some of the more reserved nations managed to keep a straight face despite the rather straight forward entry and a few mutters about the immaturity of some people were thrown around. It took quite a long while for everyone to calm down enough to continue and, by that time, almost all nations agreed that it was time for something to eat. A break was called and some people wandered off in small groups with the agreement that the reading would continue after lunch.

When most people had left the only nations who remained were England, Germany, China and Japan. They were all sat in a comfortable silence, despite the unsaid question hanging in the air between them. Reluctantly, Germany broke the silence.

"The next entries won't be so harmless, will they?" Germany asked uncertainly.

"Probably not, the ancients probably wanted to ease us into the diary. I would expect that at least one of the next few entries will be at least a little bit depressing," England explained sadly, he didn't particularly want anyone to start a fight or be hurt by something someone else thinks.

"England is right. This was a nice start but the letter said that this will hurt some of us," Japan agreed.

"The start was bad enough! I can't believe that the other ancients would include that! Aru!" China complained, "But you are probably right, Opium. It won't be as funny next time."

The four nations sat in an uncomfortable silence until lunch was called. Everyone else was rather carefree about the diary issue and were using the lack of responsibilities to spend time with their friends without having to worry about politics.