Fine china teacups clicked loudly in the great hall, luxurious red flags did nothing to silence the deafening echo. Ludwig took the drink his new Boss offered, and he honestly couldn't tell if it was tea or coffee that burned his mouth. Germany wished it was alcohol instead.

The dark haired man across from him spoke first "They told me what you are, and I could not believe it but…" The man smiled as bright and warm as a sunrise, his words full of a hope and happiness that had long disappeared after the Great War. "…Seeing you here…Up close, is quite amazing really."

Ludwig let go of the breath he didn't know he had been holding in, maybe this wasn't going to be as awkward a ceremony as he feared.

"When they told me, I was like a little child… wondering and guessing what you would be like, and you are more beautiful than I could have ever dreamed."

The blonde nation stiffened in astonishment at his words.

Beautiful?

Maybe once when Germany was younger, but now?

Ludwig's fingers pawed at the fraying sleeve of his already faded uniform. He tried so hard to stay presentable to the other nations but, in truth he was suffering. He felt himself grow thinner the longer his people went hungry. Stacks of German Marks are used as children's blocks and to paper walls as they were useless for anything else. No money for food, no money for heat, no money for a sleeve-button.

Ludwig gnashed his teeth at the very idea of it. Every drop of blood in his body went to pay war reparations. "More money! More Money! More restrictions!" The greedy nations cried, and had the nerve to treat his people like criminals. All because of that ridiculous treaty!

The edge of the varnished table he was gripping splintered in his fury. Realizing his mistake he quickly apologized to the dark haired man. Ludwig had expected anger or fear from the chancellor and was surprised when he heard pleased laughter.

"You see?" The man said with excitement "This is what I am talking about, you are neither weak nor dead. You are Germany, the greatest nation in the world!" The dark haired man went to the window and threw back the curtains revealing a capital grayed with rain. "I have not lost hope in this country, and I will not allow you to lose hope either! I will rebuild this country brick by brick, alone if I must, but I will see Germany rise again as strong as -no, greater- than before!" Seemingly out of breath he ended speech with a huff. His heroic enthusiasm made the blonde nation smile with pride.

Hours of laughing and discussing plans of a brighter tomorrow flew by when the two men parted ways. A ride home was offered and Ludwig politely declined but a hand on his shoulder stopped him before he could leave. "I will do everything in my power to help you no matter what, this is my promise." Germany answered by saluting with his right arm straight to the man he quickly grew to respect like a father "Heil mein Führer, Adolf Hitler!"