Homeless (a Hetalia Fanfic, Book Three)

Settling Into A New Life

Your youth and energy will never dwindle
The magic you held in your hands was vast
Sorrow cannot touch your heart of gold
Rest peacefully, Alice Carlea Williams

There wasn't a headstone, just the monument to stand in for a gravemarker. However, after looking at it for a moment, Willow nodded because she knew Alice would be happy with the arrangement. The testament was beautifully decorated with her in mind and enchanted to withstand the tests of time, just as all the other monuments were. 

"What's that big rock for?" Alice whispered to her big sister, who bit her lower lip before answering carefully.

"It's for that lady you talked to. The one who gave you advice?" Alice's mouth formed a little "O" and she nodded rapidly, making her braids flap and flutter. Revo had yet to leave her side, and the way he was looking at everyone betrayed his inner thoughts on these strangers that had intruded on their home. 

"Hiya, Alice." Alfred strolled over with a smile on his face and crouched down to be more or less at the same height as the little girl. "Sorry about dumping those ashes into your river."

"Willow said it was for a good reason, so I'm not gonna shoot you," Alice replied shyly, toeing at the ground with a bare foot. "Sorry 'bout that..."

He let out a peal of bright, genuine laughter. "Nah, nah, it's cool! Hey, you're a pretty good shot, ain'tcha?"

"I've been practicing!" Oregon announced excitedly. "For a bunch'a days! Revo helps me make the arrows 'cause he finds straight sticks while I'm doin' other stuff." Her face suddenly fell. "Oh... But I forgot my bow on the other side of the river..."

"That's okay," Wisp stepped in. "You won't need a bow anymore, but you can always make another one, right?"

"I guess so," she answered, hugging Revo to her chest. The pine marten curled into her and closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the embrace. Alice plopped herself down on the grass and started to mess around with the bits of detritus around her while Revo lay sprawled out across her legs. 

"Tired?" Willow inquired knowingly.

"Gettin' sleepy..." Alice agreed.

"Little bit," Revo added without opening his eyes. 

Willow held her arms out to the drowsy child and beckoned. With a nod, Alice consented to being lifted into the air after she gathered Revo up into her arms and held him close. She leaned her head against her big sister's shoulder and closed her eyes, too tired to do any more socializing. She just knew that she would have a horrible time with remembering all of her siblings' names.

'At least I know those guys over there so far' Oregon thought when she peeked out and saw Idaho, Hawaii, Nevada, and California all talking amongst each other and looking over at the new state. A quick glance to her left revealed that other guy she knew the name of-- Alaka? No... Alaska, that sounds right. 

"Not only is that, like, frikkin' adorable on way too many levels," America commented in a hushed voice to Willow, meaning Alice asleep in her arms, "but she's really sweet. I don't think you're gonna have your hands really all that full with takin' care of her, Wisp."

Washington fought the urge to stare at her older brother. "Uh... I'm taking care of her?"

"Sure y'are!" he chortled. "Who else is better suited for the job, am I right? I mean sure, I'll do my part and take her sometimes 'cause I'm the nation and I wanna help raise her, too. But man, it's not gonna be the same since I've got so much to take care of on the East Coast. I've got more influence from that side of the continent, yknow? Which means it makes the most sense for a Westerner like you to be her main guardian."