ataraxion | [ Video ]

[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.]

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[He leans forward and peers around Japan, flicking his gaze between the two of them and - ]

Y'want us to continue?

[Continue doing what, the video thing? He leans to the side enough to shuffle his phone out of his pocket.]

O-O-O-ONLY IF I AM ALLOWED TO LEAVE!

[Stopping. But. ...Nosebleed. Just clasping her hand to her nose here, such things surely can't be controlled by a mere person!! The body is always the worst betrayer sob]

[No Holland stop that... Japan hesitates for a long moment. If he keeps on this conversation, won't it be worse?!

Okay he's thinking back, she was asking if he was alright...So was it for him leaving her earlier? Okay maybe both of these topics are bad... He coughs to try and cover his own flustered expression.]

We were simply addressing a few questions to the network.

...yeah. Ya don't have to be on the video or anythin'.

[So uh he'll put his phone back, goddamn he looks so lost.]

That is... an impressive way to do it.

[Let's go with that. But anyways...]

I-is there a tissue..

[GOD NO IS SHE THINKING WHAT HE THINKS SHE'S THINKING, THAT'S WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE--]

Why do such assumptions persist?! T-this was--! We are not--!

[Oh god he's getting too worked up his blood pressure..........

He sits down. Or rather falls onto the far side of the couch looking exhausted]

Forgive me... I do not have any tissues...

What assumption.

[He mumbles it as he paws around in his pockets, looks over curiously at Japan for a moment before continuing, but all he comes up with is a few cigarette wrapping papers.]

I have these.

I will just...

[Continue to pinch her nose. Yes. She sniffs a bit before turning back around. What an unfortunate situation...]

But thank you, it's appreciated.

[There is an awkward head bob as she tries to bow, and yet not bleed all over the place.]

A-anyway as it is... Kiku-kun you didn't wait. What if something had happened!! Surely we don't see eye-to-eye, but please don't be so reckless.

[WAS SHE THE ONLY ONE WORRIED... apparently.]

[Attempting to ignore the fact that this ever happened and she just ... just yes he will.

Think about what she's saying now.]

...If something had happened, I am quite prepared, and Holland-san was with me as well. [He gives Holland a glance.]

I had not been quite sure that something did not happen to you, as well. [It would have been more of an idle thought, but it would have passed his mind if we ever played things out in order.]

[He crosses his arms and looks more and more annoyed the longer they talk. No one's explaining shit to him, and while he doesn't mind feeling ignored, he does hate feeling confused.

But he's not annoyed enough to snap anything, yet, and instead he leans forward to start rolling a new smoke.]

[So worried he let her go alone to protect him. And then. Walked off. Ayup......................................

Obviously she's been made quite the fool of. So she's just. Going to give a more proper bow, towards Holland at least. Herp screw the blood dripping onto the floor.]

Thank you for the acquaintance.

[Aaaaaand gonna leave now. AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL NEVER CROSS PATHS AGAIN B( except that doesn't pan out lmao]

[SADLY.... But he watches her go with a frown of sorts and then finally looks over to Holland.

...Oh right, sorry buddy.]

...My apologies. [He's still...not explaining...]

[Well damn, he'd bow back but he's already hunched over the table, so all she gets is a confused-sounding "See ya," before she's just - gone. Uh.

Okay.

He waves off the apology as he sits back and lights his cigarette.]
[Yes he waved it off on purpose.]
She really wanted t'leave, huh.

...I believe I insulted her.

[He sort of leans back on the couch with a sigh.]

Ah, and there were some misunderstandings... That I do not believe are so important. [Pause.]

I am still not sure what to think of this.

[He tries not to snort at that and chokes on his cigarette instead, slapping a hand over his mouth to muffle his coughs, eyes watering.]

I - [Cough cough cough.] - I'm guessin' she did, then.

[He takes a moment to settle down, nodding to say that he heard.]

I hope there's not one-a everyone.

[He sort of stares at Holland all while he's choking... Y-you okay there buddy?

And then once he recovers, Japan relaxes a bit.]

...

She is calling herself the Empire of Japan. [He's staring at his lap now. He doesn't answer Holland's comment because... he's already facing his own. So he's not thinking about others. Selfish, maybe, but... Empire. Why was his past haunting him in this way? Was she serious? Was he...

Blugh. Yes.]

[He gets a big kick out of Japan insulting people, so he was doing his damnedest not to laugh - but he pauses and takes a moment to smoke over that.]

It doesn't matter, here.

[Not to him, it doesn't.]

Is that so...?

[He just stares at his hands now folded neatly in his lap. That bothers him, but he's not about to say it. (Not yet, at least.) Maybe there's a bit of truth to it, after all...

But he's too weak to let it go. It matters to him...

Still, he looks up.]

Perhaps that is the truth.

Yeah. The country's not here, so why should it...

[Just gonna be obnoxiously practical, over here. He's not looking over, so he misses every single one of those signals that he should lay off.]

...

[He stays like that for a moment longer, silent and holding back thoughts, before he finally stands up, being sure not to give Holland a glance.]

Ah, well... If that is settled, I suppose we should keep looking. [And I will assume this somehow fit into their earlier action thread and it can end with yours?]

[He raises an eyebrow - that's odd, what - but nods and stands too, brushing himself off a bit.]

[It's the closest thing to continuity we have!]

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[Action!] what is continuity

[Action!] an unnecessary thing akin to other Japan's existence surely! /shot

[Action!] B( LMAO but yes continuity PSH

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