Berwald had been standing in front of the mirror for several minutes this morning. He looked at himself in it, his stern and stoic face returning his own gaze. But the mirror didn’t reflect the Berwald he knew, or at least he didn’t think it did. He adjusted his tie and his hat to make sure they were straight. Being sent the uniform was painful enough for him to accept. At the same time he knew he was doing the right thing, however wrong it felt. The black attire coated him from head to toe with the red badge adorning the Nazi symbol on his arm. He tugged at it and made sure it was straight and the pin was in place. If he was going to see his cousin, he wanted to make sure everything was right..
But there was no more time to reflect on what he could have done to stop it, or what path he could have taken otherwise. There was no more time to try and work things out with Finland or try another way to part with what he had done. Time had come for him and now his cousin was more than at his doorstep. He’d known that the last time he showed up at his door with a friendly invitation, was the last one he’d ever receive.
He was brought to the large hand crafted and heavy doors of Germany’s office. Of course he was personally escorted there by several other soldiers in uniform. Before the doors were opened he made sure to adjust the badge on his arm one last time. He didn’t have much to say to his cousin, except he hoped this was enough to convince him that they were now on the same side. When His cousin appeared in the doorway he took a deep breath and put out his hand for Germany to shake.
As far as he was concerned, joining the Reich had made him his equal and not put him underneath him. If there was going to be any of that then they were going to have to renegotiate what exactly was going on. But that’s why they were here….to Negotiate what happens next. “Halla, cousin…I have come to accept your offer. Sweden stands with the Reich.”
Sweden didn't have to tell Germany why he wanted to come see him - he already knew without a word having to be said. Given the new situation of the world, there was really only one good choice. Of course, just because it was the only good choice doesn't mean that it was a given, though if he'd made the other then he wouldn't have come. There's a certain stubbornness that runs in the family after all, so there was always the chance that his cousin would decide to suffer on principle. Then again, also within the family and counterbalancing that trait is a strong sense of practicality - a trait that often causes someone to make decisions that they don't really like because they're honestly the best ones whether they're liked or not.
And of course it pleases Germany that Sweden has decided to side with the latter trait. ...Well, 'pleasure' is the wrong word. A better one would be 'relief'. Not that he was fearful for himself should his final invitation remain unheeded, but he's not completely sure what his Boss's orders would have been if so. And that kind of uncertainty is a big frightening when his Boss is concerned. Especially because he's pretty sure that the orders would be anything besides leaving Sweden alone, and if he got into a fight with his cousin then England would probably have a problem with that. And he has more direct experience than one nation needs already surrounding the idea that wars can start from much smaller things, and while he is confident that he'd either manage to avoid that with diplomacy or win whatever war got started, he's certainly not eager to find himself in another mess while he's still so far from finished with cleaning up after the last one. So this was the best possible outcome on all sides.
When the door opens he stands and can't help but look over his cousin wearing the same uniform he wears himself. It certainly suits him - but then again it's simply a well-designed uniform that looks good on pretty much anyone. Then again, this isn't just anyone but his own kin. He gives a faint, approving nod before he takes Sweden's hand into his firm grasp and gives him a strong shake. "Hallo," he greets in turn, nodding quickly as his cousin unnecessarily explains his presence as if to hurry it along, "Then come, ve have much to discuss!" He isn't quite conscious of the way that his handshake becomes a slight pull, bringing Sweden the rest of the way into the room, though he lets go to close the door behind him. Then he puts a hand on his cousin's shoulder and - gently this time - encourages him toward the chair in front of his desk. "Come, sit," he says, moving himself around the desk and seating himself in his own chair, "Let's get the formalities over quickly so that ve can celebrate! I have been needing something to make the day brighter."
