I just wanted to say, I love this whole series. I actually read it a few months ago before I got an account, so I'm reviewing/ favoriting it now.

I actually cried. That is almost impossible for anyone to do. You're amazing! *sobs*

Oh, Lithuania...he's so sad, which makes me feel sad...And poor Estonia, saying he wants to be himself again...The worst part of insanity (and depression) is realizing that the way you act has changed, in a way that seems irreversible...

I like how the end of this chapter kind of circles back to the very first Soviet Insanity story; it's a nice commemoration of the anniversary of this awesome series!

First of all, happy birthday to Soviet Insanity! It's been a long, eventful year for you and it, and can I just say how proud of you I am for everything you've done this year :) Love you, sweetheart.

On to the actual chapter - as usual, the opening and closing lines are perfect. Especially the opening line, oh goodness, it's BEAUTIFUL. You just have a way of laying things out so vividly. And Estonia - going a bit meta at the end, huh? ;) This year has been so short and yet so much has happened, not just to you but to the characters!

One thing that really struck me was Estonia's observation that there are bloodstains on everything in Lithuania's house these days. Especially how he locates the bandages because of the stains. It's not really something I've thought about too much, but with Toris cutting so often, of course there are practical things that are going to be affected.

Latvia kept so calm, took charge - as if he's used to this, that surely just makes Lithuania feel worse - and Eduard is the one breaking down... And the parallels Liet draws between Latvia and Ukraine. Again, I never thought about it, but that's true, isn't it...

What I think hurt the worst was... "Failure". He's carving it on his body the way it's already been carved into his psyche and it hurts so, so much, that Lithuania of all people has been brought this low, and Russia it seems is not the only person who has noticed that the sunshine eyes are gone... That line, that Lithuania used to be "green and gold sunshine" and now he is redness and pain- and I don't know why, but for some reason the idea of his hair being bloodied really jumped at out me...Latvia's firmness, having to talk Estonia through how to help, and then Eduard can't even smile anymore...
Excuse me while I go cry again.

Oh, poor, poor Russia! It seems as if he has not yet recovered from his insanity, although his violent thoughts are now directed towards himself instead of others. Depressed-Russia makes me sad...this chapter really shows a more vulnerable side of him; the trapped child inside his mind... I really like the idea of Russia feeling bad after the Soviets left him; it explores a whole different side of his character that unfortunately isn't written that often on this site. *has flashbacks to "Forgive me, Litva"* :) Anyways, I can't wait for the next chapter of this; the whole idea of this After Insanity series is awesome because it's like a sequel to "Soviet Insanity" and a prequel to "WiB". It really adds another dimension to what happens in those stories, and I think it's really cool that you can write the Soviets' feelings in so many different time zones.

Yay! Another chapter!

Ivan sounds like he has schizophrenia. Poor little snowflake! He's so depressed, and guilt-ridden. I got chills when he thought about bringing Toris back.

I think that the hatred from everyone must have been part of his hallucination. Deep breaths, Ivan. Now repeat after me: Forgiveness.

Thank you for Updating! It was awesome and sad as always!

ASDFG IVAAAAAAAAAAAN!

Technically, your style here flows VERY nicely. Your tendency to repeat or overstate things has been steadily improving these last few months, and it shows in this chapter. I also love the way that you shift from narration to thought in your Russia-centric pieces. It's always bit jarring, yet completely seamless. (If that makes any sense.)

I can also see, quite clearly, how each of the characters is a reflection of a different aspect of your own depression, because it's mirrored so neatly here in Russia's hallucination. (The image of) Estonia, stern and accusing -(The image of) Lithuania, tormented and distant - (The image of) Latvia, a child, uncomprehending - he's even lost Belarus's love - all the facets of Ivan's insanity and self-loathing. He really does understand now exactly what he did to all of them. (I also thought it interesting when Ukraine disappeared, and Ivan asked if Estonia had killed her. He seems to recognize that Estonia's insanity is closest to Ivan's own.)

It was absolutely agonizing when the Belarus-vision stabbed the Lithuania-vision, and all Russia can do is plead with him that "I'm trying to make it better". That just... ouch. Also, how he reflexively STILL waits for Lithuania to save him, and how he contemplates breaking into Tolys' home to take him back. I just can never get over how dependent he is on Lithuania - which, of course, as he's now realizing, is exactly what broke the boy.
The constant repetition of the word "murder" really adds to the mood.
And that last line? PERFECT. The whole chapter is like a punch to the gut, poignant and heartwrenchingly desperate.

Wow, the emotion...the angst...you captured Russia's feelings perfectly, I think. His hallucinations, his self-reproach...it all made so much sense, as he finally realized the extent of what he did. And I like the historical symbolism in it too, like when those people made him move to a different, smaller house; that symbolized the true finality of the breakup of the USSR. Some of your sentences were simply beautiful, like Russia being "a personification of a painful memory". And his reaction when he finally went to the world meeting and saw how all the nations reacted to him was heartbreaking. I know that he did horrible things and truly deserves to feel like this, but I cant help but to feel sorry for poor, lonely, forgotten Russia, a remnant of what he once was, but now the largest and most alone country in the world. Wonderful, wonderful chapter. I have no more words to describe this. xD

Owwwwww

Russia is hurting my feelings just as much as everyone else is. DX

...Speaking of which, I'm sorry if you're not interested, but there's this Hetagame called Escape from Siberia, and it has Russia, and...well...I dunno. I thought of it while reading this. If you're at all interested, then maybe you could look up Kyokoon's playthrough of it on YT...

I like this chapter. Is this the last one?

Aww, Ivan...

I liked seeing everyone else from his perspective. He knows it's his fault, and in the end they might forgive him before he forgives himself. I think acknowledging fault is a good thing for anyone to do, but you have to forgive yourself if you're sorry about it (and he definitely is).

Thank you for Updating!

First of all, I LOVE THIS STYLE. It's so rambling and pained and PERFECT that it's practically a work of art.

The beginning makes me feel like Russia's insanity is not gone, but converted. Not only is he not healed, but his guilt is turning into a different kind of madness. I also think it's interesting that he refuses to blame his insanity for what he did. He won't separate crazy-Russia from Ivan, and so Ivan is taking all the blame for what crazy-Russia did.

"He had turned his friend into his plaything". That line gave me chills.
Also, RUSLIET! I love you for this.

'They' drag him out of his house, and he doesn't want to go. Shouting at America will make him feel better, but he knows he can't risk shouting at anyone. His reasoning for staying in the mansion makes so much sense - and such a twisted sense - that it's frightening.
I hope you know that every time you call Lithuania a "boy", I want to cry. I'm constantly forgetting how young his body is.
In general, that entire section cannot possibly be improved on.

America's reaction to him - seeing Lithuania - Estonia shying away and Russia realizing how mature Latvia is because of him - AGH LITHUANIA - and how often he mentions Tolys' "sunshine eyes".
Wait, so he knows Belarus is faking it? There's also a bit of the Old insanity resurfacing, when he lets her pretend because, well, she did come back, whatever the reason.

Okay. There are no words to describe how perfect the last couple of paragraphs are.
The last SENTENCE oh my GOODNESS.
"I am just Lithuania now. And I forgive you."

Toris is too brave... I wouldn't be able to forgive in his situation. Forgiveness is hard!
I feel mostly just sympathy for Ivan now... And yet, I can empathise with every character. It's because your writing is awesome :D

Oh, Lithuania...it's heartbreaking how no one really knows how much he's hurting inside; no one knows the full extent of his pain... and Belarus, how could you? How could she still treat Lithuania that way now that knows that she's one of the reasons he's hurting himself! *cries* I'm glad Belarus told America to help Lithuania; even though that was rather cowardly and she should've helped him herself, but at least someone came to help him...and America doesn't know how much Lithuania's hurting either. This chapter had so much emotion in it; it was extremely well-written, and I'd love to read a oneshot about Russia!