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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[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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