{open} Back in Business Baby

[Prussia of the Teutonic Knight]

Paperwork had to be the one thing that Gilbert didn't miss about being a non-nation, along with dealing with bosses and all the politics that seemed to roll around with it. It wasn't that it didn't feel good to be alive, it just felt odd after almost a century of not having to worry about such things and then suddenly being thrust back in time and having a people again. He did make sure to look over the documents carefully, for right now, as the consequences of his actions weighed heavily on his mind still, the possible future much too fresh in his already aged mind.

With a long-suffering sigh, he wished that he could talk to the nations that he was used to talking to, that meetings weren't as sparse and the world didn't meet up quite as often, and even then when it did it was only the big players that did it, as he wasn't able to see how everyone else was doing. How they were coping with the sudden age differences and loss of allies while gaining back the hurt relationships of the younger days. He would kill to play some video games right now, even though the mortals had no way discovered how to harness electricity nor were even near the microchip; both essential to the pastime that had grown on him.

Gilbert himself had been locked up in Konigsberg, going over documents and such, trying to prevent the split that happened to him the first time because of the Knight's ways of torture. He didn't need half the drama that the first round of this part of history went, and hopefully it would be able to allow him to perhaps become the representation of the German States, which would allow Ludwig to stay in his shadow like a younger brother should and Austria to do whatever prissy things that he needed to do. Like make music or something even more weak and pathetic. He could become stronger and protect them all, especially when he failed to do so in World War II.

Getting tired of his mind running in circles, of doing this meaningless drivel of work, Gilbert stretched and decided to walk the countryside, enjoy the cleaner air not yet tainted by the industrial revolution, and see if any other nations were in the neighborhood.

[Vatican City: Catholic Church]

Vatican sighed mentally as he listened to the bishop drone on and on over how he had absolutely no idea that several of his priests were skimming off the collections and were sleeping with more men and women then Vatican could believe. The papal authorities took the man in custody, heedless of his pleas. Finally. Now all they needed to do was arrest the priests in question and this whole affair could end. Here, at least. Vatican smirked at the snake as he was marched past. Served him right. No one stole from the Lord or led the flocks astray on his watch. Well, anymore at least. The bishop bowed his head as he passed Paolo, guilt beginning to show on his reddened face. Good to see he could be cowed in the face of his nation even when he didn't know it was his nation he was looking upon. It wouldn't save the man from hell but he might be let out early for good behavior if he kept this up.

"Sir," Cardinal Wallace addressed him, breaking the Vatican of his musings, "there are some nobles outside who wish to take the Eucharist. Should we..."

Vatican straightened and shook his head, his hair flying loose. "Arrest the criminals, Cardinal. I will administer to these people and this region until we can bring in a replacement."

Cardinal Wallace nodded. "I shall inform them, then, sir."

He bowed to Paolo and headed off. Paolo had always liked that man. Respectful, passionate, and efficient. A good man to have on his side and Paolo was thankful for his allegiance. Paolo quickly navigated the chapel and found the ready room. The mass would be a short one, a presentation of the Eucharist and maybe a reading if he had time. If Paolo was to be here for the next couple of weeks, he needed to familiarize himself with the land and layout so as create the best route between the lost congregations. They shouldn't have to suffer because their spiritual leaders lost their ways.

Paolo quickly dressed and performed the ceremony. He swore off the invitations to dinner (lunch, his 'modern' mind corrected them) and decided to head into the town for a while. He hung the too short vestements and exited the church in his typical priestly robes, his rosary on his belt and his hair in a neat ponytail. He would need to shave soon though, he noted as he stepped onto the dirt and stone road. His beard was getting too long from neglect. The road quickly turned more provincial and Vatican was struck by the beauty of the day. For all the problems of the era, this simple kind of beauty had been lost over the years. He harrumphed, shoving the nostalgia out of his head.

Not a moment too soon either as his blue eyes caught the lithe form of the elder German brothers. He smirked and sped just a bit to catch the boy.

"Gilbert," he said, nodding at the boy, "Good to see you around. Seems like time's been good to you then."

[Prussia of the Teutonic Knight]

The feel of his people around him never felt better than it did at that moment, not when he remembered them becoming German so easily and with so little influence that it hurt his pride to even consider trying to think about it. No, instead he would focus on how much of an awesome day he was going to have, and was already having! His dairies would be more descriptive too, of the days events, so maybe he would be able to truly see how awesome he was instead of just putting it down on paper like everyone didn't know already! Plus, he would be able to watch the politics closer this way, and watch out for anything that might dissolve him again.

Out for his walk, one nation he didn't expect to see was The Vatican running around still, something in his brain triggering about how much he used to rely on the other for his religious counseling when he needed it. Even though that was even sparse the first time, or from what Gilbert had remembered. He wasn't going to be anyone's pawn this time, he was going to build his empire faster, going to live longer and be a key player for centuries to come instead of burning quick, bold, and fast like a shooting star. No, this time was going to be different.

"Ah, Vati, look a lot younger than the last time I saw you," Prussia responded, wondering exactly why the Vatican was out here in his country, not that it was anything unusual. Everyone wanted a piece of him after all. "What are you doing so far away from the Pope? Finally decide that the awesome Prussia is better than Italy? Or are you trying to convert everyone again?"

[Vatican City: Catholic Church]

If there was one thing Paolo hadn't missed about Gilbert's demotion, it was not dealing with the boy's attitude. Of course, many nations were cocky or arrogant, himself included, but this boy took things to a whole different level. Still, he was a loyal one, when given the proper incentive.

Paolo snorted at the boy's first statement and crossed his arms. "Glad you noticed," he said dryly, "and it's Papal States to you, lad. The Vatican doesn't exist yet."

Nowhere in his thought processes did Paolo consider letting the boy just use his name. No one used Paolo's name, not any more. Any who dared to try would regret it quickly.

Vatican scowled after mentioning the Papal States. This...the politics, the desperate influencing, the neglect of an entire area merely for the pursuit of his dream.....Needless to say he rather hated that little reminder of his failures. But he couldn't be anything else for the time being, not until (and that was a big if) the Italy brothers held their territory and he carved out his little sector of Rome. He'd just have to live it. It was part of his punishment, he supposed.

No matter the troubles he'd had in the area, though, Italy was his home. The entire Mediterranean was his shelter. He'd grown up there, after all, and so much of his history tied to the one time Empire who'd dominated the region that he couldn't leave it. Not for anything. He'd tried once.

"The Pope works for me, lad," he grumbled, "Not the other way around. As for why I'm here-" Paolo smirked darkly. "Let's just say I've allowed too many weeds in my garden. I'm here to...prune."

Now, before it was too late.

Paolo shook his head. "I'm gathering the available nations together to decide what to do about things. Any date and location you'd prefer?"

[Prussia of the Teutonic Knight]

"Oh Vati, don't be like that. I though that we were better friends than all that political correctness," Prussia replied, grinning the whole way through the statement. It felt good to be able to say something and piss someone off because he wasn't one to be dismissed again. Especially to the Catholic Church's nation.

Just because he was Catholic right now, he hoped that one part of history would go the way that it had before, and he become a Protestant state. He didn't like having to answer to this old man, that sure as hell sounded like he didn't like him back. Prussia was going to survive longer as a country if he had to take half of Europe with him to do it, starting with Poland and getting his other half back. yes, that would be nice and desirable.

"Weeds?" Prussia's eyes narrowed at the wording. Who was more at risk here? West? Him? West was very young right now, centuries from unification if everything went right, and he couldn't have his brother ripped out from under him. No, he refused that possibility. "I swear to you if you're talking about the German States, I will fight for control of them again. I will not have West's future endangered."

He needed to get the old man out of here as fast as possible. Had to. And if a meeting was what it was going to take, he would bring his cards to the table. Prussia wasn't one known for being serious, or taking things seriously, but this could mean a much too premature end for him, and he refused to admit that.

"Anytime you're ready to do this, Vati," Prussia said after a moment, the sunny day suddenly becoming something darker to him. "We'll settle this...issue."

[Vatican City: Catholic Church]

Paolo blinked rapidly at Prussia's confusion on the 'weeds' term. If he thought about it, he supposed he couldn't blame the boy for jumping to conclusions. But he didn't, not really, and so scowled at Gilbert, arms crossed. Good to see the boy still hada sense of loyalty though.

Vatican laughed harshly once and shook his head. "I don't care about that brother of yours." Yet. Time would tell if either of these boys would be a thorn in his side as they once were. "Nor you for the moment. I'm freeing my order of corruption and thievery. Reforming the Church, if you want to use that language."

The final sentence was said with something akin to poison. Though he now understood its necessity, the Prostestant Reformation still left a bitter taste in his mouth. Especially now, when it seemed even his actions wouldn't be enough to stop the children from leaving the flock. Not much he could do about it, unless he wanted to go back to terrorizing them and quite frankly, he didn't have either the time nor the energy required for such tactics. Vatican couldn't go back to the way things were. He just couldn't.

Vatican smirked at Prussia's response. The reason didn't matter; a cooperative nation was a rare and valuable asset. "Fine, then," Paolo said, "I'll inform you of the location and time then."

Vatican moved to step away, he still had a layout to learn, but said to Prussia, "You aren't the only one trying to protect a vulnerable nation." Paolo was trying to deal with dozens of them. "Perhaps at the meeting we can discuss ways of assisting each other."

Vatican half-bowed to the other nation, it was his territory Vatican was treading upon and sometimes it paid to use the manners Rome drilled into his skull, and headed off, fingering his rosary beads absently.

[feel free to follow him if you want!!]