Returning Memories Part (3/?)

[lotus-genie.livejournal.com]

Title: Returning Memories Part III: Brothers
Author/Artist: lotus-genie
Character(s) or Pairing(s):  Germany/Italy, HRE/Italy. Mentions of Prussia/Austria/Hungary
Rating: R for gore.
Summary: Germany finally gets back his memories of being HRE, but too bad it comes shortly before Italy's surrender to the Allies.
Warnings: Gore and later violence
Author's note: I wanted to write a darker Ger/Ita fanfic about the German occupation of Italy after Italy made a separate peace with the Allies. The part about Germany getting his memories back and having them make everything worse was inspired by the irony that it was Italy who proposed to Germany that they become the new Roman Empire during WW2. This will start fluffy and get dark later. Apologies for any potential out of character moments.

Part I        Part II       Part IV      Part V       Part VI

Someone was helping him up. In his half-conscious state, Germany was not sure who it was, but their thin shoulders now seemed very strong. He felt the other person buckle slightly under his weight, but he was still more or less dragged into bed and tucked in. As he alternated between feeling burning heat and chilling cold, he felt someone's hand on his forehead.

Bruder…

---

The German Confederation wheezed as he lay back in his bed. He had gotten sick again. He had never been very strong on his own: Austria and Prussia were always supporting him. Now, once again, he had gotten sick due to the quarrels between the nobles and the king.

"Hey, how's my awesome new Empire doing?" The door was kicked open by a white haired man holding a bowl and a silver spoon. "How will you ever be as awesome as your awesome big brother if you let the sniffles get you down again?"

The German Confederation pouted and sat up in bed. However, he found that he had sat up too quickly and collapsed back onto his pillow to stop the woozy, lightheaded feeling that he was getting.

"Not like I wanted to be sick." He muttered.

Prussia shrugged as he sat down next to his younger brother. "You'll be fine once you gulp down my awesome kartoffelsuppe!" He scooped up some of the soup from his bowl with the spoon. "Now, open wide."

The German Confederation's nose twitched as the spoon got closer and closer to his face. "Big brother put garlic in it again."

"Hey, Empires can't afford to be picky. You're lucky you have the awesome me cooking you this awesomely delicious soup. When you're out there fighting, you have to be ready to eat anything, even your own horses." Prussia pushed the spoon into the German Confederation's mouth. "Eat up and get well, because you're going to have to make up for all the training you missed."


Ludwig sneezed loudly after he swallowed the soup. "Why do you always put garlic in your cooking?"

"Because it makes you grow strong and awesome. Just look at the awesome me. I'm the most awesome of all awesome countries in the world. Don't you want to be awesome too, Bruderchen?"

Ludwig gulped down the spoonfuls of soup being stuffed into his mouth. "Of course. I feel better already, so can we put down the soup and go train?"

"Sure."Prussia grabbed his brother's hand and pulled him up, only to have the German Confederation start gagging due to the nausea. "Well, it looks like you aren't feeling as good as you say you are. You're gonna need to finish the rest of your awesome soup."

Ludwig pouted as his brother kept on shoving soup into his mouth. Although the training was harsh, it was still better than being force fed several bowls of his brother's garlic-saturated soup in a row. The smell made him sneeze and he was always covered in sweat after finishing the soup.

"I wish I didn't have to be sick all the time…"

"You'll stop getting sick once you grow awesome and strong. However, with the great and awesome me as your big brother, how can you grow up to be anything but that?"

Ludwig gave a little nod and frowned as Gilbert continued to feed him the soup.
The scene shifted. Ludwig found himself no longer curled up in his bed with his big brother beside him; instead, he was standing above the defeated Prussia, staring his brother in the eye.

"I want to become my own country. I'm strong enough now, big brother." Germany stated calmly.

"Don't call me that, traitor!" Prussia jumped up and grabbed his brother's collar. "It's your fault we lost the war! Why didn't you fight as hard as you should have? I hear you even tried to let a captive go. You stabbed me in the back, you little abschaum!"

A punch to the face sent Germany reeling. However, he continued to stare straight at his brother. A part of him was inclined to agree with Prussia—he was also sure he could have won the war, but at the same time, he was also tired of the death and destruction, "I'm just as upset about the loss as you are."

"Then why didn't you do as I said?" Prussia growled. "I gave you awesome commands, and you still couldn't win because you wouldn't listen to me!"

"This has nothing to do with the war."

"Then what is this about?"

"I'm old enough to make decisions for myself now. I want to be my own country and not just Big Brother's subordinate." Ludwig was silent for a second. "Thank you for everything you've taught me."

"Don't fuck with me. You're just saying things to throw me off guard. Do you think you can just come over and overthrow the awesome me? I haven't lost yet!"

As Prussia threw another punch at Germany, Germany caught it in his hand. He grabbed Prussia's wrists and looked down at his brother. At this point, both of them realized that Germany was now taller and stronger than his older brother.

"Fuck, when did you get taller than the awesome me?" Prussia muttered.

Germany slowly shook his head. He did not know when he had started surpassing his brother in height either. As long as he could remember, he was always the younger brother running at his older brother's heels. Yet, now he was the one wrestling down his brother with his greater strength.

Prussia sighed. "Fine."

"What?"

"I said fine. You want to become a country, go ahead. I raised you to be strong and awesome, and now, what can I say? You're strong now, though you're still nowhere as awesome as the awesome me."

"You really mean it?"

"I'm tired." Prussia muttered. "I'm tired of all the useless fighting. Fighting battles is awesome and all, but we started losing, and my people started dying. Besides, I fought the entire damn war in a shithole called a trench. I barely got to see the opponent's faces. It's fucking boring that way, not like the way we used to fight." He shook his head and laughed a mirthless laugh. "Fuck it; I'm losing my awesome touch."

At this point, Germany noticed how old his brother looked. He knew Prussia had been around ever since the Crusades, but Gilbert had always been so energetic until now.

"I've never lost like this before. Sure, there were times when I almost died, but I've never been beaten in a war and then had my little brother of all people kicking me when I was down."

"T-that's not it! I just…"

Prussia scoffed. "Too late to dwell that bit. Anyway, if you're going to be ruling over this awesome house, you should know what you're getting into."

"I do."

"Do you? If you become your own country, you're going to be managing everything here—economics, military, politics—everything. It's a shitload of responsibility and this'll be your first time even trying it out."

"I believe I will be ready."

"Then go out there and be great and awesome the way I taught you to be. Have fun getting all your shit in order, and don't come crawling back to the awesome me if you fall flat on your face because you're your own country now."

Germany smiled at his brother. He was overjoyed that he was finally in control of his own affairs, but he would also miss the days when he was in his brother's care.

"Anyway, if you don't have anything more to say, the great and awesome me is going to leave." Prussia began walking away.

"Where are you going?"

"Hell if I know. Because of the terms you forced on my boss, I'm not a nation any longer." Despite his attempt to sound casual, some bitterness still slipped into Prussia's voice. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine with travelling around all over the place. I was the Teutonic Knights, remember?"

"Wait!" Germany reached out to his brother. "Just because I'm not the German Empire anymore doesn't mean you aren't my big brother anymore. You have plenty of experience with being a nation, so…if you don't mind, could you help me with keeping my house in order?"

Prussia turned back to his brother and took his outstretched hand. "Sure. Glad you see that I'm too awesome to be kicked out. But you better not regret it."

Germany nodded. "Thank you…"

Another memory emerged in his mind. This time, he and Prussia were arguing again, with Prussia at a distinct disadvantage.

"Fuck! First my nation and now my government? When are you going to be fucking satisfied?" Prussia's fist slammed down on the table that they were sitting at.

"I am sorry. It is the government's orders. From now on, you will be in the direct control of my government."

"You ungrateful—"

"I am authorized to use force if necessary. I suggest that you do not do anything rash."

"Look who's talking. I don't see any problems with my awesome, fairly elected government."

"They were unable to control violent riots in your territory. In addition, your large police force could potentially threaten government stability. This will be good for both of us."

"Don't give me those stupid excuses. You think that in all my awesomeness, I wouldn't know you were lying?" Prussia gave a humorless chuckle. "I already know why you're doing this. It's because your government doesn't like the awesome me. Isn't that ironic? I used to be too controlling, and now I'm too democratic."

"Once again, brother, I suggest you cooperate."

"Do you know why people are rioting? It's because you walked us into this shit. Don't forget, the Revolution was your idea."

"I have not forgotten. It was all the fault of the Communists. They tricked me and now I have finally realized their deceit." Germany looked toward the window and the landscape outside. "They promised me a new, wonderful beginning. Look at what they actually gave me: a starving country, worthless money, a massive debt, and utter humiliation before undisciplined fops like France and England. They turned us into weakened shells of our former selves. It is our duty to return to the glory that we once had. I am taking measures to rectify my mistakes even as we speak."

"No, you're not." Prussia leaned forward to the point that the brothers' noses almost touched. "I finally get used to this democracy thing, and now you're telling the awesome me to not just go back to taking orders without question, but to do it as your lackey? And for the record, I did a little research and found that my boss was feeding me bull about how we only lost because Communists and Jews attacked up from behind. Your boss is putting words in my awesome mouth—words that are too un-awesome for the awesome me to ever say. You're just using the awesome me to further your own ends. Your boss wants us to go back to being an Empire? Fine. Just don't conveniently forget that I fought all your fucking battles for you back then. Now, you want me to be your slave and still call yourself—"

Prussia was cut off by a sudden punch to his jaw. Germany walked over to his brother and picked him up by the collar.

"I told you, I will use force if necessary."

"B-bruderchen…"

Ludwig felt uneasy as he saw not just the anger and shock, but also the despair in his brother's eyes; it was hard to even imagine anything to cause his brother to despair, and yet, his brother's eyes seemed so hollow....

---

Warm quilts were wrapped over his shivering body.  Germany felt someone gently applying ice to the burning bruise on his abdomen.

Prussia. If this pain is from the Ruhr again, then what's happening to Prussia? Where is he? Is he alright?

"What have you been doing now, Herr Trottel? This is the third time already."

---

His memories have now moved back, back to a time that he should not be remembering. He was lying in bed sick again, but this time, he was just a little boy.

"Herr Trottel,. You should learn to exercise greater control over your house." Austria sighs as he places a cool towel on the boy's forehead. "I will send for the physicians now. Then, I will go and chastise the feuding territories responsible for your condition."

As the older nation turned to leave, the young empire grabbed his arm. "Austria…"
Austria sat back down and let his hand glide gently over the boy's hair. "I will be back soon. I am just calling for a physician, Young Master."

"I know, but could you stay a bit longer?"

"Your health is of the utmost importance, Young Master, but I suppose I will stay to monitor your signs." Austria waved a maid over.

"Thanks." The Holy Roman Empire smiled as he watched Austria wave a maid over and order her to get a physician. He pulled up his quilts, shivering because of his fever.

"Are you satisfied now?"

"Roderich is always so busy these days…"

"I am helping you manage the affairs of your house. If I shirk my duties for even one second, then something like this happens."

"I'll help Roderich then."

"You are too young, Young Master. Trust me when I say that I have greater experience in these matters." Austria helped tuck a pillow that was slipping away back under the Holy Roman Empire's head.

"Don't you get tired, Roderich?"

"Only sometimes, but this is my duty to the Empire."

The boy sensed that the older nation was not quite telling the truth, but decided not to push the matter. "Can I have a story?"

Austria shook his head and chuckled, slightly amused but also annoyed. "You truly are still a child, Young Master. Very well, I shall read to you one of my fairy tales."

"Which one?"

"It is a story about a boy and his quest to become strong to rescue his sister from a giant. I believe I have not told you this one before."

"I want to be strong too." The young empire comments as he curls up with his blankets. "I want to be the new Roman Empire and become the strongest nation in the world."

"You will be one day. It is only a matter of time."

"I wish it could happen now."

"All strong empires require patience, Young Master."

The Holy Roman Empire noticed Austria tapping his fingers on the bed. "What are you doing now?"

"I am thinking of the fairy tale, and how I could tell it on the piano." Austria continued tapping his fingers, sometimes pausing and starting over.

"You can do that?"

"Yes. Young master, every piece of music tells a different story. It can be as simple as the emotions that the composer feels to be as complex as the Aeneaid. Next time when I play the piano, listen well and try to hear the story in the music."

"Wow. Do you think I could learn to tell stories like you do?"

"Perhaps, but right now, you need to devote your time to fulfilling your dreams of becoming strong. When you have become the new Rome, I promise that I will write for you a story in music greater than any other. Then, I will teach you to tell your own story with whichever instrument that you desire."

  The arrival of the physician interrupted their conversation. Austria stood up to converse a while with the physician before returning to the young empire. As Austria watched, the surgeon examined the patient. After all the tests were done, the surgeon and Austria whispered to each other about the disease and the treatment. The Holy Roman Empire watched them impatiently, waiting for Austria to return to tell him the promised story.

"Young Master." Austria spoke in a serious tone as he sat back down on the bed next to the empire. "The surgeon has prescribed another bleeding. It will hurt, but it will alleviate your symptoms."

The Holy Roman Empire barely held back a whimper as he heard this. He hated getting bled. Not only did it hurt him, but it also gave him a feeling that somewhere in his territories, his people were dying.

"You must be strong, Young Master. Remember, you are an empire and the successor of Rome himself. You cannot fear such a little thing like a bleeding."

The Holy Roman Empire bit his lip and nodded. "I will be strong, Roderich. Now, can I have the story?"

"Yes. I will tell it to you soon, but then I will need to go take care of important matters after this."

The Holy Roman Empire smiled and leaned back as Austria began telling him the fairy tale. However, he was hit by a wave of nausea and leaned over the side of his bed to gag. As he emptied his bowels, Austria gently stroked his back, trying to comfort him.

"Young Master, it is not proper behavior to vomit on the floors." Austria placed a bowl next to the Holy Roman Empire's pillow. "You have a bowl now; use that. I would also suggest that you sleep now, Young Master. You will recover faster that way."

"Do I still get that story."

"Yes, but after I get the maids to clean up this mess." Austria wrinkled his nose in disgust at the pile of vomit on the ground. "Next time, do use that bowl. It will save all of us much effort that way."

---

"Stay still." Austria's voice was soft and calm. "Now, drink this water, and try not to throw up."

Germany slowly sipped the cool water. He did not feel like drinking or eating anything, but the water felt good sliding down his throat that had been parched with coughing.

"G-Gil…"

"If you are speaking of Prussia…" Here, Austria looked as if he was disgusted by the mention of the other nation. "…I am sure that he will be fine. He has survived other things that should have killed him before, to my deepest regrets."

"Where…?"

"Have you forgotten? He is away on the Eastern Front, fighting against Russia." Austria noticed the weak, worried look that Germany gave him. "Once again, I believe he will be alright, so please do not worry about him. Right now, you should be more concerned about your own condition."

"Is Germany sick?" Hungary called, emerging from the kitchen. She smiled as she saw Austria tending to Germany. "Mister Austria is taking care of him again, just like when he was H—"

"Hungary, could you get us some more water?" Austria cut her off before she could finish.

"Oh, yes." Realizing her slip of the tongue, Hungary rushed back into the kitchen.

What did she just call me?

Before he could finish his line of thought, Germany coughed again, sending waves of pain through his body. The burning sensation from the Ruhr was getting worse. Blood was pooling in his throat, causing him to cough and splutter. Austria helped him sit up and slapped his back.

"The Allies are using strategic bombing again, aren't they?" Hungary came back with another bowl of water that Austria poured down Germany's throat when the injured nation finally stopped coughing.

"They're hitting his most industrialized areas. Herr Tottel, you should have torn down those old wooden houses if they were going to be in the same area as your factories."

"Aren't most of his factories in…."

"Prussia's territory? Yes. Are you worried about that boor, perhaps?"

"N-no!" Hungary was blushing beet red. "I was just…uh…noting a fact?"

"There is no need to fret. You do remember who we are talking about here."

Hungary nodded. "No matter how many times I've tried to kill him, he pops up just fine the next day, ready to bother us again." Her voice shook a bit, like she was trying to persuade herself of something. "It's even worse now that we live, or at least meet, in the same house. I can't count the number of times I've had to throw him out of my room."

"There was also this incident just before he left, when he attempted to seize my vital regions." Austria frowned. "Thankfully, Germany stopped the assault from getting any further than an attempt."

"What?" Hungary shot to her feet, fry pan in hand. "I'm going to kill him! I'll track him down in Russia and kill him for doing this to Austria-san!"

The two nations were interrupted by Germany struggling to his feet. The two rushed to try to restrain him.

"What are you doing, Herr Trottel? You are injured and require rest!"

"Austria-san is right! Please remain in your bed until your injuries heal!"

"Thank you for your care, but I still have matters to attend to." Germany buttoned his uniform and tried to remain standing. The pain was still getting worse, but he could not afford to remain bedridden.

"What do you think you can do with that ailing body? You would just make matters worse, Obaka-san."

"Austria, as the master of my house, I cannot afford to shirk my duties." Germany continued stumbling toward the door. "I am due in Tunis, so I must go now."

Austria moved to block the door. It frustrated him to know how powerless he was to cure Germany's injuries or even keep the other nation restrained. "As your caretaker, I must insist that you take care of your own body. I will take care of matters in Tunis on your behalf if necessary. Now, go back to bed."

"If I stay, it will only be to ask a question." Germany decided this was as good of a time as any to get answers for the questions that had plagued him. "What happened to the Holy Roman Empire?"

The room became deadly silent except for the sound of Hungary dropping and breaking the bowl she held. Everyone stayed still, almost frozen into place.

"H-he was dissolved. I-I thought your brother would have t-told you already." Austria was shivering slightly as he stuttered out the words. His face was as pale as his white collar.

"What happened to him after that? And what is his relationship to me?" Germany pressed on with his questions. From Austria's reaction, he could see that Austria was probably hiding something. "Please, tell me the truth—all of it."

Austria was silent as he walked toward his piano room. A couple minutes later, the sound of Beethoven, with the notes slightly off due to being played by shaking fingers, resounded throughout the house.

"What is Beethoven to him?" Germany asked, sitting back down on his bed before his legs would finally give out.

"His anxiety…"

---

"I'm home, Romano." Italy called as he returned to his house.

"Goddamn that potato bastard!" Romano snapped from his position on the couch. "He made you spend the entire day with him again, didn't he?"

"Germany was just trying to give me some extra training. He said I'd need it now that the war is escalating." Italy winced as he moved his shoulder the wrong way. He had dislocated it during a skirmish in North Africa three days ago; it was still healing.

"Dammit, I just know it's all his fault you even have these wounds to begin with." Romano growled and poked his brother in his side, causing Italy to wince again. "You can't even bump into someone without making one of your stitches bursting open now. If it wasn't for him dragging you into all this fighting…"

"It's not Germany's fault, big brother. In fact, he's trying really hard to protect me." Italy frowned. "But he's getting hurt even worse than I am, and…"

Romano scowled. "If you're so worried about him, just tell him to leave you alone and drop out of the damn war. Then neither of you would have to worry about each other. Dammit, first it was taking up all your time, then it was making you eat nothing but his shitty German food, and now it's forcing you to fight this damn unending war…"

"I can't do that, Romano." Italy smiled wistfully at his brother. "After all, I did promise him we would become the new Roman Empire together."

"That was never your idea. Unless I remember incorrectly, it's all because of your goddamn boss. He's the one making all those empty promises. Dammit, I always did say he was bad news. Did you know he got on my case the other day for saying Grace at a meal?"

"I like my boss's idea, though. I want us to be strong and make Grandpa Rome proud."

And there's someone else I want to make proud. I want to be strong for you, Holy Roman…

"Strong? Proud?" Romano seized his brother's arm and rolled up the sleeve, revealing the patchwork of stitches covering the younger Italian's arm. "Do you call this making Grandpa proud? If you can be bothered to remember, he always babied you and told you not to fight because he didn't want you to become like this! What do you think he would do if he saw you now? You're doing the opposite of everything he wanted, Veneziano!"

"I think…Grandpa would understand." Italy pulled his arm out of Romano's grasp. "I need to go now. Germany and I have to go fight in Tunis."

Romano threw his arms into the air with a frustrated growl. "Fine, go get yourself killed by that potato bastard. See if I care. I'm just telling you now—don't expect me to come to your funeral or even say any prayers for your soul."

"Bye, brother, I'll come back soon." Italy waved goodbye to his brother as he stepped out of the door. "When we finally become the Roman Empire, we can show off our new subordinates to Spain and France and Germany. Wouldn't thmy bossat be nice?"

I wonder where you are now, Holy Roman? Can you see me now? When you come back, you can become the new Roman Empire with me and Germany. I'm sure you'd be very happy now that I finally want to become the Roman Empire again.

---

"Germany, hey, Germany. You know, my boss says I should be the new Roman Empire. He says that as a descendant of the official Rome, I should get back all the vital regions I lost when Grandpa passed on. I'll be really strong then." Italy munched on his wurst. They tasted delicious; much better than Germany's attempts to cook Italian sausage. He decided that he should ask Germany for the recipe later so he could make more of them. "When that happens, I promise I won't forget Germany. We'll be the best of friends and you'll be able to brag to everybody that the New Roman Empire is your friend. I'll also be able to help Germany out more so Germany won't need to help me with everything."

"Really? My boss says a similar thing."

"Eh? Germany wants to become the Roman Empire too?"

"I am the Third Reich. The Roman Empire was the First Reich and I am just following in his footsteps." Germany slowly ate his wurst, looking on proudly as Italy gobbled down the food.

"That's great!" Italy tackled Germany in a big hug. While he still had some doubts about his boss' "If Germany wants to be the Roman Empire too and we're allies, that means we'll become the New Roman Empire together."

"I'm not sure if it works like that…" Germany pushed Italy off of him.

"We'll be even stronger and bigger than Grandpa Rome. We can help each other out and rule over the New Roman Empire together." Italy paused for a moment. While he still had some doubts about his boss's plan, he decided to put them aside for the sake of his and Germany's friendship. "That is, if Germany wants to become the New Roman Empire with me."

"I suppose we can do it that way. I will have to ask my boss about the details, though…"

"Yahoo!" Italy grabbed Germany in another hug, making the other nation drop his wurst. "Let's make another promise: we'll do our very best to become the New Roman Empire together, and when that happens, we'll have a large pasta party and invite all our other friends."

"I promise." Germany picked up another wurst for himself and one more wurst for Italy.

"Say, Germany?"

"Hm?"

"These are really good. Could you show me how to make these?"

"Of course. I'll show you everything after I meet with Russia." Germany wiped some wurst specks off of Italy's face. "These taste really good with potatoes and beer. I should bring some next time."

"And I'll bring the pasta."

"Why is it always pasta?" A sweat drop slid down Germany's forehead.

"Everything tastes better with pasta." Italy smiled innocently. "Ve~ doesn't Germany think so?"

"I can't say…"

Notes:

The German Confederation: Again, the reorganization of the Confederation of the Rhine under Prussia and Austria. At the time of its formation, the Confederation experienced a lot of disagreements between its component states as well as the various nobles under the King. Therefore, Germany is still constantly sick for one reason or another.

WWI: During the first episodes of Hetalia, set in WWI, Germany was still the German Empire and technically still under Prussia's control. Therefore, Prussia makes mentions to how Germany released a prisoner (Italy) without his consent. WWI was pretty much hell on Earth for the soldiers, forced to fight in trenches. War become more impersonal and deadly as the war was fought in trenches with all the area in between turned into No-man's-land with buried mines and machineguns. Any soldiers who tried to go over the top had a high chance of being gunned down and killed the second he poked out his head. This led to long, deadly stalemates on the battlefield. By the end of the war, everyone was sick and tired of it, especially since it had started out with flimsy reasons and a whole bunch of countries were dragged into it thanks to the alliance system. Given Prussia's personality, I wanted to make him tired of the war for different reasons than Germany.

German Revolution: Shortly after the end of WWI, socialist forces overthrew the Kaiser and later, thanks to a whole bunch of complex political conflicts and such, established the democratic government called the Weimar Republic. In the treaty signed by the Kaiser, he abdicated not only his role of Emperor of the Germany, but also King of Prussia. Prussia proceeded to become the Free State of Prussia. Disgruntled monarchists proceeded to proliferate the "stabbed in the back legend," a rumor that Germany had only lost the war because revolutionaries like Communists and Jews had attacked the soldiers from the back. Since Prussia was the seat of German power at the time, I decided to make him reference the rumor.

The Weimar Republic: The new government formed signed the Treaty of Versailles with the Allies. The treaty imposed heavy debts on Germany, which led to a depression and heavy inflation that was exacerbated by the Great Depression. In the end, the dissatisfied German people fell back onto the far right philosophies and allowed the Nazi party to gain power.

Preussenschlag: Again, Prussia's government was dismissed in the Prussian Coup for being too big of a threat to Franz von Papen's power and the power the rest of the Nazi part's control over Germany. The violent uprisings in question was a clash between the Nazis and Communists that killed 18. Prussia's government was also somewhat unstable, since the liberal parties had lost the majority vote, but stayed in office because no other majority could be formed. No one was killed in the coup, but I still made Germany punch Prussia in the face to drive in the point that Germany has changed a lot from the little brother that he used to be.

Bleeding: During the Middle Ages, many diseases were treated by bleeding, which was thought to balance out the humors. I thought it would be a good metaphor for how all the conflicts in the HRE would be supressed with military force.

Tunis: Tunis was part of the North African campaign and recaptured by the Allies on May 7th, 1943.

Medieval Centers: Many of Germany's cities during the time of WWII had medieval centers, which contained wooden houses that easily caught fire and spread when the cities were bombed.

italics = thoughts/memories
bold italics = commentary

Comments: "Bruderchen" means "little brother" in German. Austria adresses HRE as "Young Master" because at the time, while Austria controlled the house, HRE was still technically the ruler there.

Comments

[masterfranny.livejournal.com]

hmmm.

it seems i always have to start with a comment instead of a compliment... why are you using japanese words? they wouldn't use that in their own languages, so it would make sense of them not to use japanese...

also, i don't quite agree with your headcanon of prussia and germany fighting like this, but of course that's just personal opinion. ^^

now, for the good part of the comment here... this was a good chapter. i liked germany's worry towards prussia, and austria taking care for hurt germany. ^^ also romano's anger towards germany doesn't allow him to see italy's pov, though also italy isn't quite up to see romano's own vision of what's happening.

we'll see how it's going to continue ^.^

[lotus-genie.livejournal.com]

I used the Japanese ones because at the time, I couldn't find an appropriate translation. "Master Austria" sounded too stiff, and I was afraid of messing up the translation if I used an internet translator for Austria or Hungary. Do you think you could help a bit with the next chapter's foreign language?

Historically, Germany did get tired of Prussian absolutism, so I had them fighting. It was really hard to write because I couldn't wrap my head around them fighting either.

I'm really glad I was at least able to get Austria's part down. In my headcanon, Austria's attitude toward Germany is 20% condescending aristocrat, 40% housewife/big brother, and 40% manipulative bastard. He was in charge of HRE's household for a long time, and might have been responsible for HRE's great ambition. The wars that he got in certainly contributed to the HRE's collapse. My view of him is that while he is ambitious and manipulative, he also cares for the people around him, however little he shows it. Therefore, when his manipulations backfire (HRE being dissolved, Hungary and Prussia being taken away by Russia instead of him post WWII), he would be left with a lot of regrets.

[masterfranny.livejournal.com]

well, for instance, 'obaka-san' could be put as a simple 'stupid', as for the '-san', you have to remember that in japan they always give more importance to courteous and polite words. the relationships between nations are put with a japanese suffix pov, so a simple 'mister austria' or just 'austria' would suffice with an occidental mental process.

if you need help with the language, i promise i'll do my best to help you ^^

20% condescending aristocrat, 40% housewife/big brother, and 40% manipulative bastard this line was just... perfect. XD yeah, austria would surely care for people around him.

[lotus-genie.livejournal.com]

Hm...any idea how Hungary would refer to Austria in a polite yet affectionate way? (so far "Mister and "Master" seem too formal for me). I was also thinking of rendering Obaka-san (most literal English translation would be "Honored Mr. Idiot") as "Herr Trottel," which is "Mr. Nincompoop" in German.

Austria does have a history of manipulativeness, like marrying his way into becoming the greatest power in Europe or claiming he was Germany's first victim of Axis agression post-war.

[kiramaru7.livejournal.com]

This is pretty good so far, but you need to watch your tenses, which I've noticed you have a habit of switching back & forth between present & past. ^^: And why is Hungary using Japanese honorifics? That was a bit jarring. ^^; Try using Google translate, it's pretty good. Little brother in Germna is "kliene bruder" with the 2 dots over the U in Bruder. ;p That's according to google translate & a friend who knows some German.

Anyway... off to read the next chappie. :D

[lotus-genie.livejournal.com]

Well, there's the fact that I speak Japanese and not Hungarian, and some of the Japanese honorifics don't translate very well. Prussia isn't actually calling Germany "Little brother" as he is calling him "bro" in an East Prussian accent. My computer cannot do umlauts either, so I'm sort of stuck. I do have a problem with tenses, which I'm trying to mend.

I'm glad you like the story aspect, though.

[kiramaru7.livejournal.com]

You're writing in English, so stick with English. Mister is perfectly fine and while it doesn't have the same weight as san would, it's less jarring when reading the dialogue of someone who's not Japanese. Seriously, it makes no sense having her do that and there are other ways of conveying that level of respect.

Okay, that works. I can only get them if I find them & copy & paste, which is also a pain.

With tenses, just remember that stories are generally told in the past tense. Reading it out loud before you post, can help you spot things like that. You may not catch them all, but you'll get more than you think you would. ;p

I really do, I can't wait for you to update. :D