Chapter Text
“Acht! These new televisions are simply too complicated.” Austria said with a huff as he sat back down. He glared at the offending television, a Samsung 56 cm TV that he’d only bought because his old one was ruined by a thunderstorm. He didn’t usually care for television; it was full of nothing but mind-numbing programming and news that reminded him the world was full of idiots. But tonight, was different. A concert was being held in Saint Petersburg, and it was featuring some of Austria’s favorite compositions. He wanted to attend live, but unfortunately; he had been told that the concert was sold out. Even Russia couldn’t help him, as there simply was no space left in the concert hall. However, Russia happily told Austria the concert was being televised, and Austria would not dream of missing this performance.
However, this was all assuming that Austria could get his TV to work. He couldn’t seem to get anything to happen with the tv. None of the remotes worked and the buttons didn't help, the TV remained off. He could see the red light that was telling him it was on, yet nothing would happen. As he struggled, he would glance at the clock and note how it was getting closer to the concert. He’d tried changing batteries, tapping the TV firmly with his hand, even swearing at it in the many languages Austria spoke.
He’d normally call Hungary for help with this…but she was off with Liechtenstein and Belgium on a shopping trip. He didn’t want to deal with Germany calling him an old man and offering to send him to a nursing home…again. Czechia and Slovakia weren’t answering their phones, and it would be a cold, cold day in Hell before he’d call Prussia to help him.
For a fleeting moment, he thought about calling Switzerland, and maybe asking if he’d stay to watch the concert…
…then he remembered Liechtenstein telling him how Switzerland couldn’t run a new antivirus software on his computer, and she ended up doing it for him. He was even worse with technology that was not military related than Austria was.
A firm knock at the door shook Austria’s mind, and he turned towards the door. He wasn’t expecting anyone. He walked over and pulled the door open.
“Ah, I’m glad you’re here Mister Austria!” Slovenia said happily, wearing his International Courier Service uniform. He had a few envelopes and a small package in his hands. “I have some diplomatic mail and that violin rosin and strings you ordered.”
Austria took the items and set them aside, but as he was signing the form, an idea hit him square in the head.
“Erm...Slovenia...are you doing anything important immediately?” Austria asked cautiously.
“Well, I have a few more deliveries…but honestly Romano can bite it if I’m a little late.” The Balkan nation said, “Why do you ask?”
“Well, um…how do I put this...My television isn’t working, and I need to see a concert that’s happening tonight. I was hoping you could help me?” Austria finished and stared at the nation, who immediately beamed.
“Absolutely, I can help you with that.” Slovenia said as he set the clipboard down on a chair. “I used to install TVs during the SFR years, you should’ve seen Serbia trying to make a TV work.”
.....
“So, do you think you can fix it?” Austria asked, glancing impatiently at his watch. The concert would be starting in about ten minutes, and he was getting really worried he would miss the opening.
Slovenia pulled himself out from behind the television stand and frowned. “Actually, I’ve already fixed it Mister Austria…it wasn’t plugged in.”
Austria stood completely dumbfounded as Slovenia clicked the power button and the TV came on. A man in a suit was standing outside the concert hall in Saint Petersburg, reporting on the program. At the bottom, German subtitles told them the musical program was about to begin. “I think the red light was catching enough light from the window that it looked like it was on. I’ve seen that happen before, even on my own TV.”
Without much of a word, Austria took out his wallet and handed the Slovene nation a few Euro. “Do not say a word about this. Especially to Prussia.”
Neither of them could hear suppressed snickering from outside the open window.
....
The next day was a meeting, another day of long-winded speakers and presentations that made no sense.
Happy from his night of musical enjoyment, Austria strode into the conference room, beaming quite happily for a change. Austria frowned as he found some folded papers on his seat.
He sat down and unfolded it. It was a flyer from a community center, apparently in the United States judging by the number of American flags printed on it.
Wainwright Community Center Offering Elder Technology Classes Every Wednesday and Friday 9am-1pm
With a glare, he glanced over at the American and South Korean nations. Upon seeing him staring them down, they fell backwards in hysterical laughter. He dropped the first paper and picked up the second one, it was in Korean, but he guessed it had a similar meaning to the first one. He picked up another one and unfolded it to see very elegant handwriting.
Mister Austria,
I understand you are having some problems with newer technology, and I would like to help you learn them.. Just call me and we can work out the details.
Sincerely,
Erika Vogel, The Principality of Liechtenstein
Once he laid the paper down gently (as he did not want to hurt the alpine nation's feelings...or attract the wrath of her overprotective guardian) Austria’s initial reaction was a harsh glare towards his former Slovene charge who was seated across from him. Slovenia raised his hands in confusion, but Hungary spoke up quickly before Austria could bring his fury onto the Adriatic nation.
“Slovenia wasn’t the one that told them…it was Prussia.” She held up her phone, showing a post from Prussia on Facebook. Austria took the phone and started reading the post.
How about that? The great Austrian Pianist can’t even figure out how to work a TV. He’s also got quite a potty mouth for such a stuck-up aristocrat. He had to call one of his former charges to come and fix it for him! Get a class for that old man! You’ll be at least out of the Stone Age! But you’ll still not be as awesome as me!
This was accompanied by a photo of Austria staring impatiently at the TV while Slovenia was down behind the television stand. The picture clearly was from the window in the sitting room, meaning Prussia had been there the whole time. He tapped on a video clip and watched himself shout angrily at the TV with a string of German and Czech curse words. Austria heard a muted laugh and looked to see Slovakia laughing, while Czechia gave him a glare, presumably for using her language to curse. Hungary caught his muted shock and giggled a little. As much as she disliked Prussia, Austria really did have a potty mouth when he got angry. With a groan, Austria glanced down at the reaction button, seeing Hungary had reacted with the angry face, but the only other reactions were laughing reactions. With a sudden premonition, Austria vaguely guessed that Hungary was only angry about the fact Prussia was spying on Austria, as she snickered for a moment.
“You know, as much as I hate that douche Prussia…he has a point. Maybe you should take Liechtenstein’s offer.” Hungary offered, trying to not laugh herself. “Then you won’t have to call for help so much when your internet stops working.”
Austria simply placed his head down on the table as another note landed beside him, this time clearly being from Germany.