Chapter Text
Many countries see Russia as quite creepy, sadistic, and childish without seeing through his exterior, but they do not know his idiosyncrasies. He is a bit unstable, but he has more self-possesion than assumed. Though, it is hilarious and naive to expect, that after so many years of living as a nation, he could be a perfect picture of mental health. Besides, it is not as if the other personifications are quite right in the head.
At the end of the day, they are nations — beings made from ideas, belief, culture, land, and people.
Neither human, nor fully logical beings.
How many people he represents? Millions. How can he look like all of them? Simple. He doesn’t.
How many times he changed his name? Kievan Rus, Principality of Moscow, Russian Empire, Russian Federation, and many more.
Their existence is vague at best.
Russia’s hobby is people watching.
Yes, some know he likes watching the chaos of the routine meetings, and how he would rather observe in his general creepy manner. Catching his eye is not a good thing, they would say, thinking about the Baltic trio. The thing is he does not hide his watching when dealing with most of them. Whether it be glaring, staring or simple observation. For what reason would he do that?
Well, of course he does it when he doesn't want to be seen doing that.
Presuming by his build and character, he should not be able to hide his presence so well. Nonetheless, whenever he wants he can be quiet and less overbearing in his guise. Be it sneaking, stalking, observing, watching or hiding, he can do it.
He can do it very well.
Russia noticed someone.
The thing is this time, it's a bit different. His motives are not free from his usual manner obviously. Still similar with his typical Everyone will become one with Russia, да? way.
Except there is some other emotion…
What is unusual is in whom he got interested.
Of course, it is a nation.
The problem is he does not know their name.
It is a man. He is fairly similar to America, which was the thing that made him question his identity.
Although firstly he became his observer, because of the fact that he made the "the hero" cry. He rarely saw the tears of younger nation, and they were mostly caused by insignificant issues. This time however they were probably because of something else.
Other personifications often say that Russia is a cruel man, if not child-like. While that is true, the problem lies in the fact that he has issues with decoding emotions. He does not really need the skill. It is more of an advantage actually with how much he suffered and seen in his immortal life.
Now, though, it is an obstacle. Why was America crying? Despair? Sadness? Rejection? No, it can't be, he's a simpleton. No way, he has such complicated feelings.
That's something to think about later. How the America’s lookalike made him cry? That is the question in Russia's mind. He only catched the end of the curious interaction and before he could listen more closely, England interrupted the other nation from bashing the American further.
So, he made a list of what he knows.
1. Physically similar to America, so possibly related somehow.
2. Relatively close to England with the way he was scolded (and how much that will help with his previous empire status with colonies and contacts with other countries?)
3. While apologizing, he was quite stressed and used some French words.
Now that is interesting.
Even if France had his time in the seas his list of previously owned lands is shorter.
4. Looking at how pale he is, it’s a country rather further from the equator.
Now, with point 3 and 4 his search shouldn't be that hard? Probably colder climate and previous contact with French people.
Easy, right?
Wrong.
He cannot for some reason pinpoint and research this person.
What’s worse, every time he sees the unknown nation and tries to follow them, they disappear into thin air. He is Russia, for heavens' sake, why can't he catch him!?
It's weird. It's very weird.
He's been hunted by Belarus and Winter General many times, and stalked others very skillfully, so how such seemingly weak nation evade him so well!?
It's frustrating. But it's also really fun.
He won't ask France, England or America. Where's the fun in that?
He will catch that peculiar nation.
Well, what he plans after that? After all, the blond caught his interest, but why does he try to catch the nation? Obviously, if he is close to such powerful countries (although everyone is weaker than Mother Russia), he can be useful.
And he made America cry? How wonderful.
Now, there are plans to be made.
What will come of Russia's interest?