[ Video ]

[fourseasons]

[The video comes on to show... well. It’s hard to see just yet with how Japan keeps shifting. But he eventually straightens himself and angles the communicator towards himself and Netherlands, who are squashed together awkwardly on a couch, Netherlands obviously attempting to stay perfectly still as he smokes. Japan gives Netherlands a certain sort of look (probably meaning to express “It’s on!”) before addressing the camera again.]

Ah, hello to those who are seeing this. I am Japan. [He even gives a little bow of his head to the camera before looking to Holland with clear expectation.]

[Netherlands, for his part, barely inclines his head - that’s all he’s willing to do at the moment.]

...Hm. [Japan seems to realize this with a sort of troubled face and just faces the camera again.] And this is Holland-san.

[Netherlands abruptly straightens up at that, throwing over a flustered glance as he huffs.]

Introductions are only polite... [Another look from Japan, this one almost scolding.]

[A low mumble that’s lost to anyone other than Japan, and he relents.] Yeah. I’m the Netherlands. [That’s really all he wants to say.]

Ah, so, forgive me if this message is rather unorganized, as we are still doing our best to find a way to deal with such a thing, but it seems that this sort of situation is--

We wanna know what the hell is goin’ on, here.

[Japan visibly stiffens at that, whirling his head to stare at Holland. How blunt... He’s obviously a bit... offended.]

[Netherlands shoots him a small look out of the corner of his eye - what?]

I suppose if it must be put in such a way... [He glances away from Holland with an exaggerated sigh.] Yes, we would like to know such a thing.

An’ if there are ashtrays here.

...Thank you in advance. [Japan’s looking just plain flustered by now, but he shuts off the feed to end that.]

Comments

[fourseasons]

We are countries like him, yes.
Please do not judge our ways of thinking based on his, however.

[sermonize]

I would not judge, I assure you. Though what I mean is that he never fully explained what a country is.

[fourseasons]

Ah, is that so? That seems like him.
It is a region, essentially. A section of the earth, a group of people, a government, a culture... All of those things. That the idea of a 'country' is foreign to someone is a bit strange, but...

As a country, I represent many people and... ideas, I suppose. Among other things that are a bit harder to translate...

[How would he explain that he is the land itself too, how is it that he has to explain this, it's all weird.]

[sermonize]

Earth has more than one of these? I apologize, but my home is not so diverse.

[fourseasons]

It's quite alright.
Yes, there are far too many to list. It is a rather large planet with a rather large population... Though I admit I do not know the population of worlds in other universes.

Ah, the point is that with so many different people, lines are bound to be drawn.

[sermonize]

Then how is it someone of sentience represents these abstract ideas?

[fourseasons]

Is it so strange?

I am not sure how to answer that. As for what a "country" is... That is me. I am Japan, and to explain why I exist seems...

Forgive me, it's simply that I am not often asked such things.

[sermonize]

One can be a symbol of such things, yes. That much is common. Yet it is not too often that you hear of someone being a personification in the living husk.

[fourseasons]

Is this a difference between universes, I wonder...?

[sermonize]

One can only make that assumption. Still, I do not mind learning these differences.

[fourseasons]

Indeed, I am quite curious myself.
Your planet does not have countries...?

[sermonize]

Not in the sense that you speak of. There are those that live on the land and others that dwell within the ocean. While the higher castes do have power over the lower ones, the Condescension rules all.

[fourseasons]

I see...
Living in the ocean? Such a thing is possible?

[sermonize]

Sea dwellers do have fins and are capable of breathing underwater. So I would say so.

[fourseasons]

Oh.

[He needs to, not think humans by default.]

I understand. My apologies.

[sermonize]

Why the apology?

[fourseasons]

I am unused to considering those from other worlds... So naturally I had humans in mind.

[sermonize]

That would be only natural. I am not offended in the least.

[fourseasons]

That is truly a relief.

Ah, but we have been speaking for a bit of time now. Forgive me if it is too forward, but may I ask your name?

[sermonize]

At this rate, I will be forced to recall the name from my wiggler days. As it stands, the title given to me by the majority of my kind is the Signless.

[fourseasons]

Signless-san, then?
Ah, and 'wriggler days'?

[sermonize]

San?

A wiggler is a term for a young troll. Since our young start as grubs before pupating, they wiggle.

[fourseasons]

It is a suffix that depicts respect. Like "mister."

But I see, I suppose that does make sense. Do names change, or is it that Signless-san is simply too old to recall?

[sermonize]

I will thank you for the respect you have given me, then. Does this mean that I should refer to you as Japan-san as well?

Names can change, yes. I know quite a few trolls that have abandoned their names for titles. Truthfully, though I am fully grown, I am young in comparison to many. Those in the higher castes can live for several thousands of sweeps.

[fourseasons]

That is entirely up to Signless-san. It is a Japanese suffix, so I do not mind if it is not used.

I see... That sort of lifespan can cause such a thing, truly.