Forget Yesterday, What About Tomorrow? (Countryhumans)

Chapter 1: Finally

1st of May 2004

The papers in her hands were shaking along with the appendages, all of the words EU was putting out there to segue into her own speech just going completely over her head at this point. It'll be over soon. I'll feel better. Estonia repeated in her head. A gentle pressure on her shoulder broke her train of thought.

It was Lithuania, wearing a comforting smile, obviously to calm her down. He was used to her having these silent moments of panic at this point. When it was happening she was always too quiet, her breath laboured and mind quite obviously racing at a thousand kilometres per hour. Even though the communication between them still wasn't the best, due to their limited knowledge of English and her worsening Russian, a gentle smile could often make her calm down.

So she returned the favour, the ends of her lips curling into an uncertain smile, and in response he removed his hand, nodding silently.

''-And so, miss Estonia, would you like to take it over?'' the looming organization spoke from behind the podium, his piercing yellow eyes cutting right through her very being. 

''Yes, t-thank you,'' her voice was less shaky than she thought, but she almost cringed at the sound of her own accent. Okay, this is it. I just have to make a good impression. Her feet carried her over to where Mr. EU had previously been standing, which was in front of all the tables and up a few steps. It felt like all eyes were on her, which they probably were. Everyone was interested in the newbies now joining them, which there were quite a lot of today. Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Cyprus and of course Estonia along with her brothers Latvia and Lithuania were all standing there in line, ready to give their speech and sign the papers which would finally regard them as official members of the European Union and for some, NATO. 

Walking past the man himself, NATO, was the worst of all. His gaze was so harsh that it made even her shake, and she was an ally. No doubts this would hold their eastern neighbour back.

Taking a deep breath she placed the papers neatly on the podium. Written on them was everything that she could ever need for her speech to go well, a full script, some words even had how they were supposed to be pronounced in brackets after them. Thanking Britannia again in her head, she opened her eyes and exhaled.

''Hello every-one... my name is Esto-niya.. though some of you might remem..ber me as ESSR. But I and my brothers have been indepen-dent for a long time now.. we have worked hard over the past thirteen years to rebuild our econom...i and be able to join something big like the EU-'' her eyes kept fixated on her brothers standing next to the farthest table, who were giving her thumbs up and smiling. Even though she knew she should be looking at the audience, oh god, how could she forget after the tens of English lessons with Mr. UK that eventually turned into etiquette lessons. It felt bad, being treated like you were some sort of animal. But they're joining the first world countries now. The educated, the healthy, the happy. Things will be better.  They have to be.

Her speech seemed to keep getting better, the pauses and stutters lessening as she realized that everyone was listening quite intently. Until she messed up a word, she guessed quite badly from the way the famous America let out a snort. Her mouth shut immediately, a small blush dusting her cheeks as she looked at the aforementioned country, in the process of being smacked on the head by his father, Mr. UK. 

''We are so sorry!'' Canada apologized frantically. 

It might not have seemed like a positive thing, but the incident made her loosen up a bit, someone was there to protect her now. People knew of her now. Finishing up the rest of the speech quite quickly she stepped back, letting Latvia have his try on the microphone. 

Finally, she could look at everyone in the large crowd. Now that nobody was looking at her it didn't feel weird anymore. Every single country in the EU, and more, was sitting at what she guessed to be their usual seats at the table, seeing as each chair, along with the EU flags at both sides also had a country-specific flag on the back. Right at the front were, of course, the founders, the most influential and important countries. There sat UK in his chair, next to him his wife France and along with that, America and Canada sandwiched awkwardly between them on normal-looking chairs with makeshift NATO logos on the back of them, which she could see because America was sitting on his chair backwards, his arms resting on the top of the backing and legs on either side of it, looking confident as ever, sunglasses and all. He was in a simple T-shirt that read NATO on it, not a suit or dress shirt like everyone else.

There hadn't been much interaction between Estonia and America before, this was probably as direct as it had ever been. A long time ago she had sometimes stood next to her captor when he had meetings with America and some others, but all she was allowed to do back then was smile and nod, agree with everything her leader said. But it would be different now. 

Sitting next to France was Germany, he looked to be listening the most intently out of everyone, but there was this sad glint in his eyes. Then one more of the NATO-only people, she couldn't quite recognize the flag. It had had a completely red base, with a white moon and star on it, looked a bit threatening. 

Facing them on the other side of the table were the Nordics, from the front, Sweden, Denmark, a few NATO members, Iceland and Norway, and then... a pair of eyes, that were already on her. She redirected her attention back to Latvia who was now finishing his speech. It was Finland. Trying to calm her quickening heartbeat she spaced out. Finland. After Russia that was probably the person she was least ready to meet. There had been so much time since the end of the war to make amends but he never tried. And she hadn't either. The sound of people clapping snapped her out of it. Mr. EU walked back over to the podium, the Baltics stepping out of the way and taking that as their cue to leave. 

Walking back felt a little easier, even NATO had a slight smile on his face. There was so much positivity, she felt herself begin to instinctively smile as well.

When they had reached their previous location in the corner of the room Latvia took Estonia's hands into his, putting them between both of his.

'' молодец! (Well done!)'' he exclaimed excitedly, shaking her hands up and down. Her own face was already stretched into a wide smile as she giggled slightly along with her brother. It went well.

''Shh...Shhh!'' Lithuania tried to discipline them, but he was obviously trying to keep his smile at bay as well. They quieted down in time for the next person's speech though, the smiles never leaving their faces, wider and more real than they had been in years. The hard part was done, now to reap the benefits, right?