NS Hetalia - Chapter 1: Welcome to the Academy (IC)

[Arcanstotska]

Just outside the academy...

Arcanstotska was busy, reading old books that his father had wrote. His father had died when Arc was just a baby, but he liked to preserve his father's memory through certain activity. Old books about strategy, architecture, culture, cooking, etc. It made him feel at home.

Then, he realized he had school the next day, and he suddenly hated everything again...

[Flowrisa]

Chapter Uno: School, the Death of Nations

I was playing my pair of aulos, or in layman's terms, two recorders stuck together. Anywho, my bliss and joy was cut short, when suddenly, there was a ding! that came from my phone. There was an e-mail from one of the school officials, probably Mr. Jones or Honda. It simply read that school was coming tommorow and that I should prepare. The notification that school was coming made practically all the smiles die, and everyone who wasn't already an adult scream in terror, as a crazy monster bringing death to the children and teens as it persued them. At least it could be worse...I thought, imagining Athena as my teacher. I didn't expect to conjure her, and she didn't appear, thankfully. She would have probably pulled an Apollo as she must have heard the instrument of her apparent embarrassment. Literally. Though I could probably snap my aulos on her neck. What am I thinking?!

I was snapped back from my fantasies of killing some goddesses by Leon, my tabby cat. He scratched a little on my leg, but that didn't matter so much. He was visibly hungry, so I poured in some cat food into the cat food....thing? I'll have to search that up on the internet soon. Leon dug into his food, and in almost no time-well actually, it was some time, which was 6 or seven minutes, give or take a few seconds. I ran around the house, trying to gather all of my school supplies and shove them into my luggage thing. I found all of my pencils, which totally wasn't hard, since I barely keep myself organized. I somehow managed to cook paella, baklava, and some pasta for my lunch in 2 hours. I'm a master at cooking.

I continued packing my supplies in my already packed luggage/backpack, as if I needed any more weight to drag. When I had felt that enough supplies were crammed in there, I collapsed on my sofa, probably too tired to make it back to my bedroom. I immediately started to sleep, and soon thereafter, would be a long string of screaming, kicking and groaning because tommorow was school.

[Saxony-Brandenburg]

The scene: the palace of Dresden: My room
In all my years on this planet I have never been so thoroughly appalled and grieved by my dear and late father's attempt to shape me into a ruler. It happened in my room just three days before I was booted out into the wilderness of a school in the public eye. My father, god grace him for he never comes to talk to me, knocked on my door three times, before slowly opening my door. Just from his kind tone I knew something was up, and I, the wise detective, deduced it was no good. "You're going to school" he said, "I'm a big meanie who never talks to you unless I want you to do something I think will make you better!" He then replied. "You're going to learn to be sociable and talk to people, bla bla bla diplomacy, bla bla bla the functions of a monarch." Honestly his voice, muffled through his beard nearly put me to sleep. I started to lay back down, my father looking triumphantly into the air by his new victory. "You will leave tomorrow because I am a meanie pants."
"What?!" I explained, a comically shocked expression on my face. That's not fair! What will I ever do! I'll just perish!" (Which I will!)
"No need for that missy I'm a jerk who wants you to wee yourself in a crowd of loud and rowdy teen countries!"
And with that the sanctimonious jerk slammed the door and called for his servants to help me pack!

The girl looked down at the crow standing nary a foot away from her feet, a concerned expression on her face.
"What do you think Mr. Crowey, you think my old man was a touch unfair? Yeah, he was. I don't know what I'm gonna do. I didn't know what I was gonna do... so I just... sneaked off the tour to join you here in the garden!"
The crow tilts it's head at her, silent.
"You're right Mr. Crow! I don't need them! I have you!"
And with that the girl jumped to her feet, throwing a fist into the air. This, subsequently, scares the crow into flying away. She watches it go, with a mixture of about to cry and slight shock or betrayal on her face. All she can stammer out is, "Oh.", before sitting back down and wiping the small tears from under her eyes. Moments later she looks back up and around, saying to herself, "maybe... it's time for me to find where my room is... I want to go inside and away now."

And with that she silently gets up and walks out of the garden to find where her new home will be, a somber look on her face. Dreading the fact she'll probably have to talk to someone to find her way there to sweet sweet isolation.

[Estacia]

Estacia lay on his bed, hands tucked between his head and his pillow. A pleasant, familiar melody floated through his mind as he idly stared at the ceiling. He glanced over the edge of his bed and saw the bags he had packed earlier. It would be good, he thought, to get out and truly learn. Estacia had no experience as a real nation. Always just a puppet of some other power or a short-lived, poorly managed joke that would only last until the next coup. Yes, he thought again, this would be good. A content breath of air left his nose as he was satisfied with how prepared he was.

Estacia rolled back over and checked the timepiece on his wrist. He had completely lost track of time. It was getting late, school started the next day, but he had too much on his mind to get a full night's sleep. Memories of the countless battles he had constantly fought- the triumphant boom of marching songs, the thundering roar of exploding shells, the screams of the wounded and innocent- haunted him even after all the chaos had ended. This didn't bother him too much though. He was used to this kind of sleep deprivation. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he slept...

[AHSCA]

"Marching to my own beat, be my self, do my thing, WHAT WAS I THINKING?!" I kept uttering to myself, I was quaking in my boots right now from nerves about this new school. My sisters all were thinking me traveling so far to a school away from them and the family was not a good idea but I just had to prove them wrong, oh boy what am I gonna do now? For starters, I am Corona Petro, youngest of four other sisters, at 14 years old and tomorrow is the first day at my new school but today I'm here to give myself a bit of a quick look over for tomorrow. We all had to pick our schools we'd go to and I just chose this one to get away from my big sisters for a while, Aurora, Honoka, Tea and Aiko. Funny how our names are so odd from each other, but that's another story in of itself. Now here I stand just outside the new building, a building new and strange to me. I'm overwhelmed with my own internal thoughts as a handful of people pass around me. Usually I'm pretty easy going, I like to just move at a slow steady pace but today my mind and heart are racing at a million miles a second! Doesn't help compared to my sisters I'm smaller, timider and shyer. My lovely white dress that I picked out for school flutters in a gentle breeze.

"I can't change my mind about this now, just more reason for them to all pick on me more and say how they told me so. Especially Aurora, she's so confident and full of herself. I mean I love her but gee, she's always nagging after me!" Before too long my internal thoughts slowly began to creep out of my mouth out loud, another one of my habits, I tend to talk aloud. "Krono, kroĉu vin mem!" I ended up shouting in my native Esperanto. "uuh did I just say that aloud..." I again out loud but now I'm hot and embarrassed as eyes fall on me. I try to give a casual whistle like it wasn't me and I hightail it out.

As night sets in I relax in a hot bath trying not to stress too much over school. After all, that's not who I am. "Huuuuh" I sighed out loud kicking back in the hot water "Come on Corona we all have to grow to work together. Then why did we all go to other schools? Rory, Honoka, Tea, Aiko. I just hope I can get past my shyness and speak to someone. Otherwise I'm just gonna have to talk to my imaginary characters." I also should mention I like to write. Don't know if I'll really go pro or not but something about writing the cheesiest love stories imaginable turns me on. Wait, did I just say that?! My face goes red, maybe I've been in the hot water too long. With that I get out, dry off dress in something easy and chill out. I put on a track of looped thunder claps and write a little story about a couple of girls 'bonding.' "Yaaaaaawn. Oh it's already that late? Guess I should get to bed now." Setting aside my pad of paper and pen I turn off my light and rest, even in sleep my imagination doesn't stop I dream up more little fantasies in my head until I fall asleep. They're not all erotic some are mundane as pretending my sisters or any characters I can imagine and I are in different settings, on a farm, at sea, even at our new school together. Before long I'm out and whatever I dream is purely up to my own mind now.

[Saxony-Brandenburg]

The young girl nearly collapsed on the front desk of the admin building, breathing heavily as if she had ran ten miles. When she finally looked up she saw some old lady with a Bavarian accent, (One might assume one of Germany's goons, the tricky bastard.), with a blissfully pleasent look on her face.
"Well hello deary, welcome to country school! What seems to be your problem?"
"I-..." The poor princess is out of breath already. "I need to know where I'm living while I'm here."
Oh, that shouldn't be too difficult, Saxony's kid, right? You know, we have a Germans club after-"
"No! No clubs, no thanks! Just bed. Where is it?"
"You sure? An economic union might help you!~"
Our poor heroine was livid at this point, but kept an, at least, cordial expression.
"I'm sure ma'am. Just tell me where I am staying. Please."
"Oh well alright, let's see here."
Furious clicking of keys is heard behind the counter.
"Oh, well lucky you! You're staying in the girls dormitory!"
Quite the exhasperated look came across her face.
"I-I'm sorry, I must of misheard you, what did you say?"
Her eye twitched
"Oh you'll have so much fun! You'll make so many friends! And you'll never get any sleep! Talking about the hot boy you met in one of your classes or braiding each other's hair! All the cute stuff young girls do and all!"
"I'm sorry, just a moment please."
On the verge of breaking character and exploding into emotion, she storms out of the lobby and into a bathroom sufficiently down the hall. Locking the door closed, she learns over the sink counter.
"What. The. Hell! I get one refuge from all these people, and I have to spend it with what? A bunch of makeup-caked, boy-crazed, pmsing, crabassed young countries like myself! What. The. Heck!!!" Throughly exhausted from the yelling, she slumps down onto the counter. "I hope you choke on your whiskers, dad" She says, staggering up. She storms out of the room, marching as quickly as she can out of the building. "Thank you." She calls to the lady behind her through gritted teeth.
The next ten minutes she spends brooding on the way to her hell, all the way up the wooden stairs and to the door, before taking a deep breath. She puts on a fake smile, smoothing out her dress, and opens the door, dreading every second of it. About to call out a greeting, she stops herself. The room is completely devoid of people, just five one-person beds with different colored wollen blankets inside. Her fake smile turns into a genuine one of glee. "Oh well lookie here! What do we have? Could it be I got the room with nobody else in it? Now I think I could enjoy this!" She closes the door behind her and skips over to the bed with a yellow blanket over it, her trunk already delivered there and set right at the beds feet. "Let's hope to God it stays like this, maybe then I won't strangle my father when I get home for Christmas!" She flops down ontop of the bed, smiling ear to ear. She takes a deep breath, before letting out a long yawn. "It's been a long day... An emotional rollercoaster... After all of this a princess deserves her rest..." And with that, sleep falls asleep, sprawled out ontop of her bed, dreaming of the sweet sweet isolation she might have.

[Zjaum]

Zjaum sat back in the back middle seat of the carriage. She knew that most people didn't appreciate being that uncomfortable, but it felt to her like a throne: front and center. Uncomfortableness was trivial. She wasn't particular, though, to the low ceiling of the carriage. She was two meters tall already, and the elevated middle seat didn't help at all.

Her two parents were driving her to the Academy. By "driving," they were mushing the pack of zjoizjies* towards the school. They were tough but slow from Earth's gravity, meaning that there was more than enough time for conversation, and... well...

"So, Zjaum, always provide full funding to industry and the military first."
"Okay, Mom. We went over this."
"But don't spend more than you can afford! National debt isn't a virtue, you know."
"Yes, Dad..."
"But remember, low taxes! You don't want to upset everyone. That's how you get rebellions and revolutions, you know."
"I'm not going to get a revolution, Mom! Sheesh, I should've gotten my own house; I'm old enough."
"We're not going to talk about secession here, young lady!"
"We're here!", exclaimed Xlidowania (the mother). "Now, remember everything we've said!"
It will be difficult to retain everything, she thought. The throne seemed like more of an inquisition chair, so she was glad to stretch her legs, even if the gravity here was a little heavier than she had thought. It's so difficult to keep everything together; I don't want to disappoint them. "Keep your radio signal recievers up; I'll be sure to call!"
"Remember to make lots of alliances! I want grand-colonies!"
"MOM!"
"Don't worry, Zjaum; you'll do well. Only make alliances if they're trustworthy. See you soon!"
"I will! I'm gonna miss you guys!"
"Don't worry; we'll just be expanding your empire!" the father cried back. "Takaka Tan' Tupaqi, Zjaezjael K'shim-poia! HYAH!"

And with that cry, the two parents mushed their zjoizjies off into the distance, much faster now with a lighter load. Zjaum sighed. Who would have supposed that such legends on her planet, such free-spirited conquerors, would be so worried about their daughter. Well, they needed someone to maintain all the lands they took, regardless. She'll have to muster up all her strength not to let them down, but she'd succeeded in the past. She stood up straight, fixing her countenance to a formal smile and walking in a straight line to the administration building. It's big shoes she has to fill; despite her size, she has yet to fill them.

She approached the help desk and began inquiries as to her quarters. The clerk looked over Zjaum's file and cocked her eyebrow. "Um, Miss..."
"J-OW-HM," Zjaum replied. It wasn't a natural language of Earth, so she figured she'd have to get used to pronouncing her name a lot. "I believe I'm registered for residency here."
"Yes, you are, Miss Zjaum. And you seem to be from... Venus?"
"I am."
"I'm terribly sorry; we don't seem to have any appropriate clubs for you..."
"Not to worry! Do you have a chess club, or perhaps an a capella club?"
"Why, yes! We have both!"
"Great! Those will suffice; please sign me up for those. Do you have my room number?"
"Yes. You'll be sharing a room down in Federation Hall, the girls' dormitory. I actually just talked to Saxony-Brandenburg; she checked in a few minutes ago for the same room! She seemed a little annoyed, but I'm sure you'll become good friends! Here's the key!"
Zjaum thanked the concierge, took her luggage, and headed for Federation Hall. She probably couldn't make a good first impression while the Earthling country was annoyed, but she'd have to try.

Zjaum rapped boldly on the door, to no response. Saxony-Brandenburg must surely be inside; she just checked in! Perhaps she was sleeping. She opened the door quietly, her suspicions and fears confirmed. She was so small; Zjaum must have been at least twice her height! It would make for rather awkward conversations; at least. After bumping her head against the top of the doorway, she moved her luggage in and began to unpack the present that her parents had given her. It was a beautiful chess set, each piece made of molybdenum from her father and adorned with amethysts and tourmalines from her mother. Zjaum smiled. Her parents had surely the finest taste in gifts.

She turned back to the sleeping girl. Zjaum was averse to the idea of sharing territory with another country, even an ally. Apparently, Saxony-Brandenburg didn't share her concerns. Perhaps she was a nomadic country? Further, she didn't know how to introduce herself. How would a giantess introduce herself to a half-ling, anyway? She claimed the lower bunk of the bed across from Saxony-Brandenburg and sat down patiently. She waited patiently for the girl to awake and instead practiced her introductory words: "Hello... no, warmest salutations. Yes. Warmest salutations! I am the great Venusian nation of Zjaum, and I look forward to sharing territory with you. Feel free to use any and all resources I brought with me, so long as you wash your hands."

At that moment, her luggage fell over, spilling its contents with a loud noise. Zjaum blushed; if her loud knocking didn't wake up her newfound acquaintance, the clatter surely would...

Zjaum stuttered and recited her introductory statement. "Uh... um... Hello... No! Warm salutations, I am Zjaum, from Venus. I look forward to share territory with you. Please use my resources, but wash your hands... are you a nomadic nation?" She grimaced. That went rather poorly. Hopefully Saxony-Brandenburg's brief rest was enough to ease her temper...


*National animal, genetically engineered mammoth bugs with antennae and thick, valuable shells

[Saxony-Brandenburg]

The loud noise nary a foot away from her violently shook poor Saxony-Brandenburg awake. The girl was startled, and, in a moment of panic, screamed at the top of her lungs as she ripped the wool blanket out from under her, clutching it close to her chest for some sort of protection against an assumed murder. She then paused for a second, and looked around, taking in the fact of where she was. She was about to respond and rose a finger, but then stopped herself and looked at the ground. She could feel herself still breathing heavily from such a rude awakening, and didn't know what to say. "Oh yeah... I'm not in my room at home. You derp, what an idiot!" She thinks, mentally clubbing herself over the head with a baseball bat. Her face beet red with embarrassment. After careful consideration, she concludes to simply not. Just, not respond. That will solve everything! She'll just, disappear! Carefully placing the wool blanket back on the bed, she folds it so that it now only covers half the bed. She then smooths it, then her dress, and takes a deep breath. A faint frown begins to creep across her face.

"Lucky me." She thought, her mind, now not in terror mode, able to go back to her distaste of others. "Looks like dreams cannot come true..."

It is in this moment that she realizes the now glaringly obvious fact that she is sitting across from a giant. She looks up at the girl with wide eyes of almost terror. In approximately three seconds she goes from annoyed brat to a brat shaking in her boots! "She could snap me in half!..." She mentally says in a woeful tone, before looking down at her bed in vain to try and not be killed, skinned, and eaten alive by the monster girl across the room from her. "What do I do? Dad told me to be diplomatic but hell if I know what the heck that means! Oh, I'm dead, she's probably gonna kill me for that frown! I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm gonna be eaten in some weird giant cannibal soup for daring to question this chick's mojo!...(One deep breath and prolonged sigh later) No, take it easy girl, it'll be alright. Just... just play it cool, smile! Appease the beast and work into her favor. Then when the moment is right use your power as a noble and your connections to chop the dirty idiot of a Queen's head off! Metaphorically... of course. You'd never wanna even touch her, she's bound to snap your wrist! Wait a second, take in the social feel of this situation from her perspective miss politique... Oh shit, how long has it been that I haven't said a word?"

(In truth, it had been almost four, excruciating minutes of dead silence.)

With a fake, slightly embarrassed smile, she looks up at the girl across from her, her nerves only slightly getting through her voice. "Oh hi! I didn't see you there! Oh I thought I'd have this room all to myself! And lookie here! I get to share it... with you. How splendid! (Her veil of pleasantness almost failing at this moment, but then she goes on.) I'm Saxony-Brandenburg, it's nice to meet you! My friends call me Sax, but you can call me whatever you want!"

"What are you talking about?" She thought to herself as she leans off the edge of the bed, her arm stretched out to offer a handshake. "You have no friends... you bullshitted that completely!"

She closes her eyes and tilts her head in a meager attempt to be perceived as a stereotypical nice/cute girl. "But I digress, what are you called? I didn't even ask I was talking about myself too much!" She chuckles nervously, arm still outstretched. Her palms were probably sweater than a fat noble on a fitness trip to the valley of death, but she didn't even notice. She simply wanted to get through this cordial greeting, and then go run away. She even already had a rock-solid plan in the works of locking herself in the bathroom with a book until giant monster girl went to sleep! Foolproof!

[Flowrisa]

Chapter Two: I Sign Up For Clubs (and Possibly Get Some Ice Cream)

It was only 4:00 PM when I woke up from my nap. Knowing that one way or another, I was going to have to join some clubs if I had any way of surviving in this academy. Well, I could just go back home to Flowrisa and study at the university of Sarajevo or something...but traveling across universes and going to this place seemed like a better option. I sauntered over to the main building of the academy, and found the front desk. A woman was sitting there, checking files, probably making sure that all the students that enrolled had their files and such. She must have felt a presence behind her, because she looked behind and saw me.

"Ah, you startled me!" She exclaimed. "Flowrisa, I believe?"
I felt weirded out, or at the very least, confused. But I swept all of those feelings aside as I formulated an answer, which wasn't hard to do.
"Yes. I'm here to sign up for some clubs..." I trailed off. The front desk woman (that's what I'm calling her now) nodded, as she took out a clipboard.
"This is the list for all the clubs. I suggest you take your time in picking them, and if you pick one, just put a check mark next to it." She instructed.
I sat down at the nearest chair and tried to find some clubs that I would most likely go to. Chess club, Instrumental, Cooking, A Cappella, Germans Club, Soccer, etc. It listed. I checked off at least three or four clubs before giving it to the front desk woman.
"Thank you. Would you like to know where you're planned to stay?" The woman asked.
"No thank you, I already have an apartment near here." I replied, as the front desk woman nodded.
-----------------------
I prepared myself a meal, which consisted of pasta and some bread. It was minuscule by Byzantine standards. That wasn't saying much, though, since Byzantine cuisine practically served by the tons. I finished up my meal and looked at the time. 4:32...I could probably go out and buy some ice cream and maybe take Leon to the vet to check on his health. I went out to my car, not bringing Leon with me, and drove out to find some ice cream. I went to the supermarket and bought a lot of mochi and normal conventional ice cream. After completing my mission, I went back home, shoved all the ice cream in the freezer, and then went on my iPad. I put on some music from my playlist, but there was this lingering feeling. A feeling of dread, or something bad was going to happen. Then I remembered. I had school tomorrow, and that was totally going to go fine. Totally.... going to be fine. I collapsed on my bed and closed my eyes as sleep lulled me into the land of dreams.

[Inter-Universal Republic of Earth]

Tick tock

A rather old clock went on. Tick tock. It was a sound that Isaac was used to. It was a gift given to him by his father, who passed away when he was young. Strangely though his grandfather still lives despite this fact.

Isaac sighed and looked over a screen with some sort of emptiness. The computer screen read:

"Log 2022

I have been in this world for some time now. It has been strange getting used to my environments, especially considering I was moved to the woman's dorm because of overcrowding at the men's dorms. My experiments here and research has lead me to some fascinating discoveries. Although, because of some of my work, I must have scared one of the girls next door half to death. A new one joined recently, Frieda is her name. An adorable soul like the rest, but she reminds me of an older time in the world, quite historic. Wouldn't mind knowing more about her, though she is really shy. And of course knowing me, it's very difficult to actually keep a one on one relationship. That plus many of the girls here think I am a bit of a creep due to the amount of time I seal myself away, but I do not want to hurt anyone with my... personalities...

He tapped a pencil to his chin and thought to himself. Perhaps I can try one time. I really hate sitting here on my personal devices researching anything while I have a world to explore right in front of me.

"Master? Is something bothering you?" A familiar robotic voice spoke.

"It's nothing, Marvis. Nothing at all..."

"It seems like something is bothering you."

He gave a slight laugh. "Don't worry about it."

The robot looked down and back up. "Well I'm sure you're lying to me. Is it about your personality disorder again?"

Isaac gave no reply.

The robot sighed despite not having lungs. "I really do think getting outside is a better way of calming those things instead of staying inside tinkering and inventing all the time. You really need the break."

Isaac shook his head. "I don't want to hurt anyone."

The robot flew around somewhat jittery. "So what? At least you can say you tried it and saw what it is like to take on the world head on. And there is always apologies you can use to make up for hurting someone."

Isaac looked up. "Wait a minute, was the tube you were watching still being heated?"

The robot stopped for a moment and had an "Uh oh" moment.

30 seconds later...

After a bit of an explosive time, Isaac looked at the black encrusted room. "God why... everything is... God..."

The robot slyly responded with, "Well at least this can make for some dark humor."

"Ha ha, very funny. Let's clean this place up. I have another round of apologies for the loud band already in my head."

[Zjaum]

Zjaum waited patiently as Saxony-Brandenburg awoke, partly taken aback by all of her screaming. She paused as the girl passed through a number of emotions: from sorrow to annoyance, but mostly just fear and anxiety. Huh. Zjaum was perplexed by this, and pondered for a few minutes. I mean, Saxony couldn't possibly be afraid of her; Earth's gravity made her much weaker than she would otherwise have been on Venus or Mars. Perhaps calling her a nomadic nation is offensive to her? Ah, that must be it! Zjaum snapped her fingers. She's self-aware about being a nomadic nation! She'd best not bring it up in the future.

After an awkward but tense moment of silence for both parties, Saxony-Brandenburg finally spoke up:

With a fake, slightly embarrassed smile, she looks up at the girl across from her, her nerves only slightly getting through her voice. "Oh hi! I didn't see you there! Oh I thought I'd have this room all to myself! And lookie here! I get to share it... with you. How splendid! (Her veil of pleasantness almost failing at this moment, but then she goes on.) I'm Saxony-Brandenburg, it's nice to meet you! My friends call me Sax, but you can call me whatever you want!"

"What are you talking about?" She thought to herself as she leans off the edge of the bed, her arm stretched out to offer a handshake. "You have no friends... you bullshitted that completely!"

She closes her eyes and tilts her head in a meager attempt to be perceived as a stereotypical nice/cute girl. "But I digress, what are you called? I didn't even ask I was talking about myself too much!" She chuckles nervously, arm still outstretched. Her palms were probably sweater than a fat noble on a fitness trip to the valley of death, but she didn't even notice. She simply wanted to get through this cordial greeting, and then go run away. She even already had a rock-solid plan in the works of locking herself in the bathroom with a book until giant monster girl went to sleep! Foolproof!

Well, it was nice to know that she wouldn't be holding it against her! Who says that first impressions aren't terrible? Zjaum's face lightened, and she smiled. Despite her new attitude, she still managed to screw up the introduction. "Hello... Ah, curses! Warmest salutations; that's right! People address me as the Righteous Sovereign Empire of Zjaum, Unterritory, and the Zjadian Province, but you can address me as the Righteous Sovereign Empire of Zjaum if you want!" It probably would be best not to puff herself up too much; that's how one gets invasions, after all. "I look forward to sharing territory with you, as apparently you are with me!" She paused. "My native language doesn't have that last sound in your name, though... Can I address you as Sazj?"

She figured that now would be as good a time as ever to find out what ground rules they wanted to impose. She didn't know which ones were necessary, only that they were important. Let's see... Ah! "Oh, also, we should discuss lights-out policies. See, a day on Venus is about 116 and three quarters of your Earth days. While I'll probably be awake for the next month or so, I'm sure you'll want to sleep a lot more often!" Zjaum chuckled at the thought of going to bed so rapidly and so often. "So, I was wondering when we should have the lights turn off, even though you seem comfortable with sleeping at any time!"

Her grin was massive at this point. Apparently she could make a good first impression after all. She stopped smiling, however, when she heard a massive explosion down the hall. Her curiosity got the better of her, and with a, "One second; I'll be right back!" she left to go see what had happened. Upon seeing dust and/or smoke come out of one of the rooms, she rapped boldly on the respective door. "Hello... Sorry, warmest salutations in there! I was wondering what happened, and if you need any help!"

[Inter-Universal Republic of Earth]

Her grin was massive at this point. Apparently she could make a good first impression after all. She stopped smiling, however, when she heard a massive explosion down the hall. Her curiosity got the better of her, and with a, "One second; I'll be right back!" she left to go see what had happened. Upon seeing dust and/or smoke come out of one of the rooms, she rapped boldly on the respective door. "Hello... Sorry, warmest salutations in there! I was wondering what happened, and if you need any help!"

A blackened Isaac opened the door slightly.

"Apologies. I have had a slight malfunction with some of my... tools. I really don't need he-"

Just then his robot zoomed out of the room, also blackened by some soot. "We would love the help!"

Isaac mumbled something to himself and turned to the girl. "I'm Isaac by the way. Thank you for your concern. Come on in if you want to help."

He looked back into his room and back out.

"If there is anyone bothered by the loud sounds please let met know as well. I would really want to make it up to them somehow if I have bothered them in any way."

[Saxony-Brandenburg]

Compared to her reaction of thinking she was getting murdered, our dear Sax's reaction to almost dying of an explosion was considerably less... Overt. The explosion in the other room causes her to jump a little, her chest heaved as she closed her eyes tight and flinched, biting her inner lip to where she could taste a small amount of blood inside. She was a little more accustomed to this now, she knew how to properly deal with the situation. (At least in her mind.) As she looked up to see the girl had left the room, (she had hardly listened to her speak), and took this as the best chance to maybe... Get away from the commotion for now. Her chest hurt, she felt sweaty, and her head felt light, she wanted to pass out and quit this, but hell if she was getting that option. She forces herself up with a weakend push of her arms, and slides off the bed to the old trunk. Quickly turning soon into desperately, she flings open her trunk to grab something to make her getaway with. She randomly picks a book from the many piled ontop of the clothes in her trunk, along with her precious stuffed white seal lodged into the corner of the oaken chest. Her head now slightly disy, she closes the door to her trunk, and, with her best sneaking ability available, walks out of the room and down the stairs, her brow furled the whole time. She makes her way eventually to the front doors, and off into the cool late-afternoon, twilight to come soon. Taking in a breath a fresh air, her breathing starts to become regular once again, but her headache remains. Now feeling almost sick to her stomach. She stumbles around the building and against it's backside's wall, collapsing against the brick, and slumping down to the ground. She wanted to throw up. This stress was killing her, she could hardly take it. All these gross emotions were too much for her, and she proceeded to start to sob quietly, her hands covering her face, and her tears dripping into the grass below. She drops the book she had been holding and pulls her little stuffed friend up close to her, holding onto it as tight as she can. After a great long cry and self pity party, she looks down to see what book she actually brought with her, praying for something a bit enjoyable. Wiping the tears from her eyes and snot from her upper lip, she is thuroughly unpleased with the irony to discover none only but a text on epicurism, which causes her to start weeping again due to how cruel the universe is.
"Oh gosh, what ever am I gonna do buddy?"
She says through choking sobs, holding the plush up in front of her.
"I don't like this place, I wanna go home. But... I can't, and I don't know what to do! This- this isn't like me! I'm happier! Lost in a whole other world of philosophy and history! This? I don't know what this is buddy. I just know I want out, as soon as I can."
And with that she starts sobbing, once again, wiping her tears on the old stuffie, the one thing she has to comfort her at a time like this.

[Inter-Universal Republic of Earth]

/snip

As he spoke with the tall woman, his eyes caught a glimpse of a young girl stumbling outside in the hallway trying to make her way out as quickly as she could without making a sound. With a small glimpse of her eyes, he could only see what was described as some sort of fear.

Oh please don't let that be connected to me.

He quickly got a wet towel and wiped most of the ash off of him and turned once again to the tall woman.

"Hold on, I have to check something. If you want to wait for me to get back you can, otherwise the robot will help guide you through the cleaning process."

With that he quickly made his way down the hall and the stairs. He was quick on his feet due to the years of experience between wartime, and made his way outside. It was the late after noon, the sky a rich assortment of colors. He admired them, but he shook off the urge to just stand awkwardly, and tried to search for the girl.

A crying noise, faint but there, picked up in his ears. Isaac took more quieter steps to look for where the source was coming from. Until finally he began to hear what sounded like a... conversation as he got closer.

"I don't like this place, I wanna go home. But... I can't, and I don't know what to do! This- this isn't happier! Lost in a whole other world of philosophy and history!This? I don't know what this is buddy. I just know I want out, as soon as I can."

He found the girl he was looking for. Sobbing and clutching a stuffed animal close to her. It almost broke his heart seeing someone like this. He assumed it was his explosion that caused the distress, but again considered all options.

He let the girl take her time before, carefully walking up to her in between some broken sobs.

With the most calm and gentle voice he could muster he spoke, "Ms.? Are you alright?"

[Arcanstotska]

"Ugh, I'd give anything to just get out of this classroom!" Arc thought to himself as he tried not to scream into his notebook during military tactics class.

Boom! An explosion of some sorts. Arc payed no attention to it, as he thought that it was probably just something unimportant. Lunch was in a few minutes, so that brought hope for him, because as soon as that bell would ring, he wanted to grab his things and sprint out the door.

The bell rang, and like he planned, Arc dashed out the door, put his things in his locker, and made his way to the cafeteria. He just wanted lunch to be over with so he could get the rest of the day over with so her could go back to his room in the Imperial Hall reserved for empires.

[Flowrisa]

Chapter Τρία*: SCHOOL HAS COME! I REPEAT, SCHOOL HAS COME!

*Τρία means three in Greek

I threw my phone into some corner of my room, as it sounded another alarm for the umpteenth time. Then I realized something. School had started. SCHOOL HAD STARTED! I raced out of my apartment as my hair went bonkers in the wind. Then I suddenly stopped and put my fingers to my chin. Lunch was about now, and the classes that I actually would make an attempt to pay attention to aren't after lunch. Knowing that, I continued racing to the main building, almost crashing into the front desk when I sprinted inside. Thankfully, I managed to stop myself before I would've hurt myself on the counter and scream in pain. I, being Flowrisa, am mostly used to walking, so I was breathing like crazy, and barely could form a sentence without having to take time to breath.
"Can...I...get...my...locker...number?" I asked pathetically.
"Why of course. Your locker number is 326, and the combination is 3-5-9."
"Thank...you..."
She simply nodded, and I went in the direction of the cafeteria, guided by a map posted on the wall. The map showed that the cafeteria wasn’t too far from the Imperial Hall, where I was probably supposed to go, since I have an emperor as head of state. I found my locker, where I opened it and placed my backpack in there. I grabbed my lunch and went to the cafeteria. I entered the cafeteria, where tables of nations were chatting with each other as they ate. I sat down on a random table, where some guy was sitting, and there didn’t seem to be anyone else. Naturally, I decided to sit down there, since it was one of the only places where I could be comfortable. I took a seat next to the guy and opened my lunch pail. I took out my paella and opened the container.
It smelled wonderful. I started to dig into the rice, and shoveled it in my mouth, and before I knew it, it was gone. I moved on to the pasta. Mmmmm...pasta… I took a fork packed in my pail and opened the container. I took a good look at the pasta. There was plenty of white. The noodles were practically covered in sauce, what I could see of the noodles looked white. There were some shrimp added in there, and they looked very out of place, with their orangish color. Not to mention, there was a pile of cheese on top which made it all the more appetizing. I dug into the pasta, twisting my fork as I had done before so many times while doing so. I ate much more slowly this time, since pasta should be savored, not eaten in 2 seconds. While doing so, I felt some eyes on me, but I ignored it. Food is a public/private matter. Public because you can see the food, and private because like hell you’re going to spill the beans when it comes to a recipe. The pasta was incredibly cheesy and creamy, which meant I had done well. Eventually, though, all good things must come to an end. I finished my pasta and closed the container, as well as the one holding the paella, before pulling out my favorite dessert, Baklava. The dessert to end all desserts. I offered a slice to the person next to me.
“Would you like some baklava?” I asked, holding the slice in my hand.

[Saxony-Brandenburg]

With the most calm and gentle voice he could muster he spoke, "Ms.? Are you alright?"

The gentle voice from somewhere near me caught me by surprise for a moment, but didn't scare me at all. Strangely, I didn't feel like running away... It was kind. Like this stranger actually cared about me, even for this instance. It was staunchly different to any of my north German parents, they never seemed to have time to take such tones. Such an uncommon kindness made me feel a bit better. I looked up, wiping the goo of both snot and tears off my lower face, giving off a faint smile. I look up at the boy, before quickly looking back down at my feet. I didn't want him to think I was staring at him or anything, that's weird. Super weird.

"Yeah... I'm fine." I say, wiping the snot dripping from my nose again. "Sorry for bothering you... I didn't mean to attract your attention."

Oh gosh... He must have seen my crying! Oh gosh that's so weird! He probably thinks I'm some weirdo crazy girl who cries all the time. Oh gosh now I wish he wasn't here! Umm... what to do, what to do, what do I do!? Ah, the book! Perfect!

I quickly pick up the book next to me and attempt to casually begin reading from a random page in the middle of the book. He'll be like a lost little sheep! As soon as I disappear, he'll forget about me and go back to wandering! Yeah! Oh gosh... I hope this isn't weirder. Am I blushing? Goodness grace I hope I'm not. I just casually push my face closer into the book, maybe if I get close enough I'll just melt into the words! Yeah... If only. Maybe I should ignore him and walk away! Is that more weird? No.. better to just stay put. He'll leave soon right? And then I can run and find a new spot, yeah, and then hide there until everyone's asleep and then sneak in while nobody else notices and get some sleep, wake up early, and leave too before they notice! It's perfect! And nobody around me will have to know that I do this! I mean, this guy saw me, but I won't ever see him again besides maybe once or twice at lunch, right? I mean, it's not like we live in the same building or anything! That would be absurd! Heh... he heh... That's a funny notion, this guy in my dorm building. Thank goodness that's not real or I'd have to remember my reality I have to walk past the same guy every day who knows I have the mental fortitude of a newborn pup! That would just be awful!

(What our protagonist didn't realize was that he lived just down the hall... Something to be quite the embarrassing awakening soon enough.)

[Zjaum]

Zjaum heard the bell ring for midday lunch. Ah, yes, she forgot! School classes started on Move-In Day! That would provide no confusion, chaos, or disorganization whatsoever! Ah, what a wonderful school. Of course, Venusian schools normally wait until the day after all the students have moved in, but this must be a more... efficient school, to be sure. Zjaum sighed. There were undoubtedly a number of silly Earthling customs that she needed to learn before her time here was up.

Regrettably, there was the matter of Isaac's room. Zjaum offered to help out, and she never went back on her word, for good or ill. "Um, Good sir Robot..."
"Please, call me Marvis."
"Oh, a courteous robot! Why, yes, Marvis, what do you need me to do?"
"Well, first and foremost, Isaac needs you to dust. Every nook and cranny. Then the carpets must be properly vacuumed and steam-cleaned to a professional degree. Then record the explosion into the logs and take inventory of the chemicals. Among the chemicals are zinc oxide, potassium fluoride..."
"Um, is there anything I can do quickly?"
"and the zinc-cobalt alloy. Next, you must apply a new veneer to the countertop, and restart the experiment from the beginning. First, acquire the appropriate equipment..."
Zjaum took a pad of paper on Isaac's desk and wrote in English: "Late for lunch. Will assist in cleanup tomorrow morning. Deepest apologies. Sincerely, Zjaum."
With that, she rushed off to the cafeteria. She was too clumsy, disorganized, and slow for most of that work anyways; hopefully she could get more appropriate work tomorrow. Heck, she'd probably forget the note the next day.

Zjaum passed by Imperial Hall and went up the stairs to the cafeteria, wondering to herself why she wasn't assigned there. After all, she was one of the largest empires on Venus! Perhaps the administration couldn't make heads or tails of the four-branch government and sent her to Federation Hall: the "Miscellaneous" hall for countries. Hm, a bit of her parents were showing through. It was quite a hassle of a morning, full of embarrassments, confusions, and disappointments; she'd best remain careful if she was to maintain her decent composure.
She reached the large cafeteria and approached the lunch lady, but not before bumping her head on multiple doorways. "Good lady, do you serve Volcano's Kisses?"
"No."
"Well, how about Patterned Bread?"
"Nope."
"Crag Splitter Cakes?"
"No."
Zjaum was getting mildly annoyed. "Well, what do you serve?"
"Ma'am, we serve slop. Right now, we're serving meaty slop. Don't worry, though; it's kosher, and gluten-free."
"Well, I was going to say 'no' when you offered me what looks like garbage, but then you said it was kosher and gluten-free! Sure!" Zjaum was showing a little bit of her father in her response, but the man was just a lowly commoner. Zjaum needn't ally with the rabble.

Once she received her slop, she perused the area for reasonable seating. She needed to make her first alliances carefully; an interplanetary war was manageable but not ladylike. Of course, that never stopped her mother, but that was another story entirely. Zjaum took five whole minutes looking for the right candidate.
One of the nations, a girl, was savoring her Earth-food with a passion. Zjaum noticed the empty seat next to her and decided to camp next to her. At best, perhaps she would gain a new appreciation of cuisine together. At worst, they would suffer through the act of eating together.
Zjaum's first bite of her meal was massive, as was custom back home. Of course, back home had good, safe-for-your-mouth products, whereas this...
Zjaum spit out her bite immediately following entry. Zjaumit tradition was to never, under any circumstances (possibly to the point of death), open one's mouth while eating. This "slop," however, tasted worse than dishonor itself; what a depressing excuse of a meal!
Zjaum looked around at all the staring nations. She didn't know if it was because of her spitting out her food or because of her neighboring country almost sexually indulging in her meal. If she looked forward to this every day, she must be a pitiable nation indeed!

At this point, the odd, food-loving nation offered a large piece of Earth-poison to her.

“Would you like some baklava?” I asked, holding the slice in my hand.

"Get that disgusting filth of the peasantry out of my face!" Zjaum exclaimed, batting the pastry off her neighbor's hand and onto the floor. "I'm surprised you could even make it here, this fond of low-standard trash!" Now her no-nonsense mother was showing through, and Zjaum realized it. Her parents were warriors and conquerors, and, despite her heritage, she knew that a change of tactics was necessary. She looked around at all the faces staring at the two of them. The ones who had tried to avoid the scene no longer could. She straightened herself out and returned to formality, as if she could save face from this debacle. She addressed the now-livid lady but forgot to apologize. Not that she would; Zjaumit people apologized for the silliest things, but surprisingly not for slights of honor. Then again, Zjaumit custom was never to talk at any meal, but she would soon break that rule as well. "Salutations. My name is Zjaum. I come from Venus, which has considerably better dishes. What is your name?"

[Estacia]

...Baklava. The dessert to end all desserts. I offered a slice to the person next to me.
“Would you like some baklava?” I asked, holding the slice in my hand.

Estacia snapped his head toward Flowrisa and looked at the plate in her hand. He had never seen this dessert before, but he was already done eating his simple meal and it looked very appetizing.

"Yes, please," he replied, taking the plate from his fellow nation.

He took a small, cautious bite, then a bigger, more enthusiastic one.

"Thank you, this is great," he managed to get out in between mouthfuls. "Mm, what do you call this?"

"It's baklava, it's my favorite!" Flowrisa happily replied.

"It's very good," Estacia reiterated as he finished the baklava and wiped off the corners of his mouth. "Hey, would you be interested in getting to know each other later? It's the first day, and I think it might be a good time to find some other nations and build connections."

In a new, unfamiliar place, Estacia thought (and more importantly, hoped) that he had found a friend.

[Flowrisa]

...Baklava. The dessert to end all desserts. I offered a slice to the person next to me.
“Would you like some baklava?” I asked, holding the slice in my hand.

"It's very good," Estacia reiterated as he finished the baklava and wiped off the corners of his mouth. "Hey, would you be interested in getting to know each other later? It's the first day, and I think it might be a good time to find some other nations and build connections."

"Why not? I don't really know anyone else here. Just let me deal with something real quick." I replied to the nation, turning back to Z...jaum? Zjuaem? I really didn't know. Regardless, I was very, very displeased, since she so gracefully decided to slap my baklava slice to the ground. I didn't want this to spiral out of control and this become a girl drama to end all girl dramas.

“Would you like some baklava?” I asked, holding the slice in my hand.

"Get that disgusting filth of the peasantry out of my face!" Zjaum exclaimed, batting the pastry off her neighbor's hand and onto the floor. "I'm surprised you could even make it here, this fond of low-standard trash!" Now her no-nonsense mother was showing through, and Zjaum realized it. Her parents were warriors and conquerors, and, despite her heritage, she knew that a change of tactics was necessary. She looked around at all the faces staring at the two of them. The ones who had tried to avoid the scene no longer could. She straightened herself out and returned to formality, as if she could save face from this debacle. She addressed the now-livid lady but forgot to apologize. Not that she would; Zjaumit people apologized for the silliest things, but surprisingly not for slights of honor. Then again, Zjaumit custom was never to talk at any meal, but she would soon break that rule as well. "Salutations. My name is Zjaum. I come from Venus, which has considerably better dishes. What is your name?"

I sighed. I probably couldn't get angry and start screaming in Byzantine Greek and suddenly pull out my falx and kill random people here. My falx was at the apartment. I would probably get expelled and mom would beat the devil out of me because I had failed her legacy at the goddamn first day of school. Besides, no one except me actually understood Byzantine Greek. So I attempted to keep a straight face.
"My name is Flowrisa. But you can call me Theodora." I still managed to keep a straight face, even though it was starting to fail me. "You come from Venus? Well, that explains why you slappped my baklava from my hand. I don't think Greek dishes are served there...." I surmised, putting together a logical explaination for why this happened. "But we can kick this event down the flames of Hell and forget about this, right?" I sweatdropped as the Venusian nation loomed over me, as if she could kill me in one snap. Which she probably could.....

[Inter-Universal Republic of Earth]

/snip

He could tell the girl was extremely distressed. Especially considering she tried to cover her face with a nearby book to avoid the possible shame of showing she had been crying.

Two voices in his head tried to lead him to either, bravely announce his presence to help the little girl in need, while the other made a sneering suggestion of stomping out in some sort of offense. His true personality overcame those in the movement as he waved them off.

He sat down on the bench next to her and she buried her head into the book further. He put a finger on top of the book and spoke, with the same warm voice he gave before.

"Ms., I am sure you are not fooling me. You seem quite distressed... and laughing and sneering is the last thing I would want to do to you."

He lifted his finger back off of the book. Then with the same voice, trying to become as warm as he could spoke again, "Tell me what is the matter. You can confide in me if you wish."

[Zjaum]

"My name is Flowrisa. But you can call me Theodora." I still managed to keep a straight face, even though it was starting to fail me. "You come from Venus? Well, that explains why you slappped my baklava from my hand. I don't think Greek dishes are served there...." I surmised, putting together a logical explaination for why this happened. "But we can kick this event down the flames of Hell and forget about this, right?" I sweatdropped as the Venusian nation loomed over me, as if she could kill me in one snap. Which she probably could.....

Huh. Apparently, just like Saxony-Brandenburg, she became very nice once she started talking! Earthlings seem so quirky that way. She couldn't help from one last "Greek food must be terrible," before adjusting her seat and preparing for consumption of what was for her the "flames of Hell."
She had noticed Estacia and his apparent enjoyment of "baklava," though his less-than-fanatic admiration was more tolerable this time. Zjaum had blown off a little steam, and that was all she needed to release for the day. The Venusian day, that was, which would probably be the next few months. Zjaum made a silent prayer hoping that that was the case, before apologizing to God for forgetting not to pray before the meal, and then requesting that Earth-food would be more palatable in the future.
She then got up, circumnavigated Flowrisa's space, and politely bowed before Estacia. "Warmest salutations, sir. My name is Zjaum, and I hail from Venus. Please excuse the height... difference..."
Something in her head clicked. Saxony-Brandenburg's screaming. Everyone's hesitant politeness. The doors. Maybe everyone was nervously friendly around her because of her height! Well, it could also be because she called Saxony-Brandenburg a nomadic nation, but still... Zjaum made a small "Peep!" and turned a little sheepish. She apologized profusely to Estacia (for no reason whatsoever) and quietly sat back down on her seat. Zjaum was always a little slow, but how did she not remember this? Her parents talked about this when she was young!

"Now remember, Zjaum, Our good nutrition and low gravity are going to make you a lot taller than the Earthlings. And they're going to probably make fun of you."
"So that's exactly why you fight back! A strong punch to the capital, followed by a kick to their industrial resources!"
"Now, Quejjz'mit, don't encourage her to pick fights. She's there to learn and make alliances, not to warmonger."
"Ah, fine... but don't let them make a fool out of you. You're unique and special, even if you're an outcast."
["But I don't want to be an outcast, Mommy and Daddy!"]
"Well, that's life. But hey, look at us! We were social outcasts when we were your age, and look how well that turned out!... In retrospect, it might have been due to the many war crimes your mother and I did..."
"Look, the point is, we love you just the way you are! I'm sure if you act cordial, the Earthlings will look at you the same way too!"
"But if they don't, just remember-"
"Quejjz'mit!"
"Fine, fine!"

She tried to eat her slop as quietly and passively as possible, the disgust from having to eat it nowhere near as large as the embarrassment she now felt. After a few minutes of awkward silence, she addressed her two neighbors at the table: "Are you afraid of me because I'm tall? I'm not very tall, am I? You know that I'm weaker because of the Earth's gravity, right? I'm sorry if I scared you at all..." She continued to mumble sheepishly, only stopping to consume her slop. Hopefully the afternoon would fare a little better.

[Flowrisa]

"Greek food must be terrible.”

I heard Zjaum or something mumble “Greek food must be terrible, then.” I had to claw myself Leon-style in order to not snap and start burning people with whatever wood I could find. So I ground my teeth, and swallowed my displeasure.

“Are you afraid of me because I'm tall? I'm not very tall, am I? You know that I'm weaker because of the Earth's gravity, right? I'm sorry if I scared you at all..." She continued to mumble sheepishly, only stopping to consume her slop.

Zjaum or however in all 8 million hells you pronounce it, asked if she wasn’t tall. Wasn’t tall? Maybe by her standards, but here, she was tall as a tower. I pity the girl when she walks through doors. Then she said something which almost made me want to start smiling, though I managed to keep it under wraps. She said that she was weaker in Earth’s gravity, which means if we ever get in a fight, I’ll have the advantage if it has to come down to that. But I hoped not. She does have the element of fear beside her, because of her height. And let’s be real here, fear is the true ruler of all nations, whether we like it or not. Every time we do something, it’s out of fear for something else.

So anyway, I took the remaining baklava from my plate and started to finish it all. While there were, like, around 12 pieces left, they were small, and rather light, so they didn’t fill my stomach as much as paella or pasta could. When I finished my baklava, I packed everything up in my lunch pail and just sat there, looking like an idiot, since I didn’t know what do do next. Do I go out of here, do I just sit there, do I talk to other nations? What the hell do I do?

[Saxony-Brandenburg]

Snip snip

The girl next to him seemed to stiffen, the blushed embarrassment in her face shifting from embarrassment to intence discomfort. Her breathing became heavier, and good heavens did she wish to scoot away from this boy. Never had a stranger came this close to her before, she wanted it gone. He was almost pleasent to have close before, but this was too much. She swallowed hard, unsure how to handle the situation. Her mind was racing.

"This was actually kinda scary! I mean, he probably means well but he's too close! No! I have to move! What if he tries to make a move on me? I don't know how boys work! Especially hormone-infused teen boys! Oh dear God, I need to get him away! No, no I need to get away. How to..."

She quickly, (and most likely weakly), closes the book and slams the it up into the boys face, before grabbing her stuffed animal and booking it away. She sprinted as fast as she could, not turning back. She'd have found a rather dark and less noticeable place to hide, before hearing the bell ring for lunch. Would she leave her safe spot under the staircase? The shadow was comfy, and there was a ray of light to allow her to read... Her stomach growled, she had forgotten to eat breakfast this morning with all the rush to get to school. she chewed the unsore side of her cheek, mulling it over, before sighing and concluding to herself in a hushed voice.

"I-I'll skip lunch today... I think that's for the best... A little quiet, eh? Yeah, I'll do that. Nobody will bother me here... What was I doing earlier? Goodness me, I probably broke his face! (In all actuality, she didn't have the kind of strength to do much more than give him a bloody nose.) But he was so close! And he didn't even ask! You don't do that! That's creepy! But... Maybe I'm just being weird. Yeah... Maybe. I'll just keep the freakshow hidden for now. Better to not hurt anyone else in the process."

And with that she silently opens the book to where her little green ribbon actually marked the page she left off on months ago, and begins reading. Her finger trailing under the words as she goes along. After a short while, she concludes she has absolutely no recollection of the earlier referenced trails of logic, and, with an exhasperated sigh, she turns back to the beginning and returns to silent reading.

[Inter-Universal Republic of Earth]

/snip

He looked off to where the girl ran, blood dripping from his nose. Damn it.

He looked down to the bench where some of the blood had pooled.

Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT.

Cupped his hands in his face.

Every time, EVERY TIME I try to help someone it backfires and hurts the person worse. Why? WHY?

Frustrated with himself he went limp in his arms.

"No... I must make it up to her. One way or another. I never meant to..."

He sighed and stood, the bleeding stopped.

"I must find her again, but how do I do so without looking like a creep..."

He thought for a moment and looked back at where the girl ran.

Maybe...

*5 minutes later and also a perspective change to first person.*

At the time I hardly noticed that lunch had almost completely gone by. I found myself at my soot colored room back at my desk.

"What took so long? What happened to your nose? We need to clean-" the robot said before I cut off the robot. "No time, just need to work for a little bit."

I took out a pad of lined paper and using my best handwriting I could muster I wrote:

"Dear Ms.,

What happened today at lunch is something I cannot forgive myself for doing. What I did was utterly inappropriate and I obviously took my bid to help too far. I am deeply sorry for any pain that I have caused you. I only made whatever the situation was worse..."

I thought to myself before continuing.

"If your discomfort had anything to do with the situation caused by the explosion to begin with, it was me. In my room I was conducting an experiment that ended up in a small explosion of sorts. When I looked at someone running off scared I thought I could help mediate the situation, but I only made it worse (yes I live in the woman's dorms due to an overcrowding of the men's dorms and I myself find it very strange). I do not know if you can take my apology as true, but I would like to make it up somehow. If you simply just do not want contact with me I can do that if you wish. I hate seeing another soul in pain and I am so sorry that I subjected you to this. I understand if you do not accept my apology. I will promise never to disturb you again.

- with regards,
Isaac Marn"

Quickly I put it into the form of a letter and put it on my desk in the hopes that I could find someone who knew her to give it to. I had meant every word of it.

"Sir, you really should let me attend to your nose. I can fix it in around 5 minutes."

I sighed and accepted. "Alright Marvis."

The robot scanned the letter as he helped fix my blood strewn nose. "It happened again didn't it?"

I shook my head. "Men, women, anyone I try to talk to one on one, it just makes the situation worse..."

The robot gave a more optimistic comment. "Don't worry, I'm sure everything can be cleared up."

"I wish I could me as optimistic as you."