rukhgate | 01 ★

[One hundred and sixty six. One hundred and sixty seven. One hundred and sixty eight. The rhythmic tip-tap of shoes against the cobbled floor barely echoed among the noise of the courtyard of birds--sometimes students, too--overhead, and those calling to one another. Germany's rope slapped against the floor occasionally as she skipped for the past hour. Her uniform was abandoned not far, discarded after-hours for ease of practice.

Her back was starting to ache, however. She'd never felt the strain of her figure before arriving her. Now her back ached liberally with exerted effort. If anything was an incentive to get out of here and where she belonged, getting rid of back ache was a good one as any.]

One hundred and seventy. One hundred and seventy one. [She muttered to herself, resisting the urge to wipe her damp fringe off her forehead. Perhaps she could get two hours out of this before figuring out what to do about food for the evening.

The thought was just about distracting her from those who stared as she exercised.]

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[Germany, if you want someone who has spent years being used to giving orders, you're looking at her. England raised an eyebrow and didn't move from her spot.] For what, may I ask?

I am not going to hurt you. If we're going to be in each other's presence then you'll have to start trusting me.

[She can't resist letting out a brief laugh out at that.] Oh, dear, I'm not afraid of you hurting me. [She doesn't mean to be unkind but, well, she's never been good at that.] But it isn't ladylike to be so short with people, you know. [Does step forward, closer to Germany, however. She has her broom in her hands still.]

[A slight frown mars Germany's brow. She hadn't been bred to be lady-like (note of the lack of Austria's earnest and whole-hearted efforts), so the jibe was of little consequences to her. Instead, she trained her eyes on the approaching nation. Once she had taken that step, Germany took one herself, reaching forward to carry the petite England in one swoop, broom at all.]

Good to know not all of my strength is gone.

Eep! [Quickly tries to regain her composure but she wasn't expecting that at all.] Yes, yes, I am quite impressed, dear, now put me down!

[She does, with a little bit more care than she would have done with Italy--she trusted the cannoli head to handle herself.] I don't have any adequate dumbbells here to test my strength with, so you had to do.

[... Can't decide if that's a jab at her weight or not.] How much do you usually lift?

Classified information. [She fires back, out of habit than anything else.]

Hmpf. Yes, I can just feel the trust brewing between us. [Thinks it can't be much, Germany was a wreck the last time she saw her.] Never mind that now, I'm hardly your training utensil. Just go through the training with Myers and you'll be fit enough for tapping into your magic.

Are you saying you're already sufficiently strong now?

Well, I have been here a month already, dear. [She's not quite what Myers would deem "sufficient", but she's made progress since she got here and has the advantage of being already magically inclined.] And think of who you're talking to, really.

Unfortunately, I know. [She's still smarting from the latest attack, but it would be mortal stupidity to make an enemy of someone in a strange land.]
Could you procure dumbbells, then?

I suppose I could ask around for you, dear, if you really must have them, but... [Her tone and expression do soften here] Should you really be pushing yourself so much on top of the rest? Especially right off the bat.

[At a loss for words, and unable to explain how much security Germany would find in the familiar routine, her shoulders slumped in resignation] Do you know what happens to muscles when you stop exercising?

They turn into fat.

Oh, you won't be able to stop, dear, not here. Don't worry about that. [But Germany should not be this healthy and strong even in Magnoshutatt. Sure, England had been in a bit of a state herself, but...]

By the by, dear, what year is it?

[Considering England had arrived before she had, it seemed like a reasonable question.] 1941, at least a few days ago for me.

I see. [That explains it, Germany's had time to recover. Well, it's good to see she's healthy, France will be annoyed by that.] Well, that's all right then.

We're in the middle of-- [Germany bit her lip just in time to stop herself from blurting out that little fact. Perhaps she could use it to her advantage later.

Not that it wise to bring up in this place to begin with.]

[England doesn't intend on giving away how far behind she is, not being keen on admitting a disadvantage. She knows it's probably inevitable but she has to try.] Nothing that's relevant here, dear. You'll just focus on your studies and stay out of trouble, agreed?

I'm capable of keeping myself out of trouble, but I do hope you'll do the same.

Who else of those I should know [never really friends] is here?

... Well, that depends how you define "know".

I might need them to cooperate in the future, never mind gain their friendship.

[She sighs. Beating around the bush was never her forte.]

Any familiar faces, I mean?

... Familiar, yes. [England just get to it]

[If the crossed arms and the tapping foot any indication, Germany is starting to lose her patience.]

Don't you start getting impertinent with me, young lady! [It's complicated okay!!] There are people here that resemble our associates back home, and claim to be them, but they're- ... Well, rather more male than when I last saw them.

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