naicha | 二十二 ❀

✿ action 1
_{[ When the cherry blossoms disappear, Taiwan holds her breath. Japan always adored things that come and go so easily. Now he was one, too. She should've known better than to expect this the least. Watching his figure put on his coat and walk out the door, Taiwan knows it's not him. And stay out! Taiwan thinks as she slams the door shut. She feels like flicking his drone on the forehead for his remarks. "Be a good wife and make him dinner?" Ooh, the nerve! ... This makes her miss the real Japan already. Hm? What? She's not going to cry, that's silly. Even so, no matter how many times she's learned how to stand on her own, she can't help but feel abandoned. It's okay, though. Not that it hasn't happened before.

At the cafe, it's business as usual. Employees will find that there are no costumes for them to wear, though, if they don't already bring their own. Behind the counter isn't Japan typing away on his computer, but Taiwan, accounting everything by hand. She lifts her head up whenever a customer passes by. ]}

Welcome!

_{[ With no makeup masking her troubled state, Taiwan quickly ducks back into her work again. She isn't even eating anything. She does try her best to put a smile on her face, though. Look! It's as if nothing happened at all. ]}

✿ action 2
_{[ Two siblings are walking around town together, but there's something odd about their dynamic today. ]}

And he was like, "Ah, is that so." And then I was like, "Yes! Yes, it is so!" Ooh, but I tried and tried and he still wouldn't let me and I was so mad that I could... _{[ p-punches her palm ]} hit him...! But I didn't 'cause I'd feel a little bad, you know. Oh! I was gonna say sorry for calling him a stupidhead today, but when I woke up and checked on him, all his stuff was gone! Just like that. It's not fair, you know, I mean- _{[ She waits for a witty, candid response, but nothing. Her voice is full of anger. ]} Hey! _{[ Then worry. ]} Hey, say something...

_{[ It goes on like this until Hong Kong's drone arrives at work. Very upset with this turn of events, Taiwan starts her walk home looking a little glum. She's not exactly looking where she's going, so she might bump into you, a drone or a pole. A detour she makes to the elementary school's playground is where others may find her hanging upside down on the monkey bars. ]}

✿ phone/action for 1245 williams road

Hello... Um, _{[ There's the sound of Taiwan wiping her face with her sleeve. ]} um! _{[ She takes in a deep breath. ]} Japan's... gone and stuff. If anyone wants to hit him, you don't have to, 'cause I already did. If anyone's worried about the cafe, I'm taking over, you know! I mean, until he comes back...

Ahaha, I feel a little dizzy! I think I'll go lie down now.

_{[ But she can't stay still! After the call, she'll be around the house, arranging all the clothes they have by color and sorting the records and books alphabetically. ]}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hello. Umm. I'm not very good at any of your dishes, but I made you some food that cheers me up when I'm not feeling my best.

[Perhaps a bit more talking would have gone over well, but oh well. Canada just holds the basket out, looking hopeful.]

I'm doing fine! _{[ hides behind the door ]} And I can't just accept something that! I couldn't... _{[ peeks ]}

_{[ Taiwan warily reaches out for the basket and takes it, because honestly, who in their right mind would ever say no to food? ]}

Is it really for me?

[She just nods, clasping her hands loosely behind her back.]

Of course it is. We're friends, aren't we? And this is what friends do.

Yes! Friends... _{[ Sometimes, it slips her mind that this girl really is Canada, so this is strange to her. Taiwan gets so shy at first that she takes the basket and closes the door right away! She opens the door almost immediately after that. ]}

Canada can come in, you know!

[When Taiwan shuts the door, Canada just stares at it, confused and wondering what she did wrong. She's still staring when Taiwan opens the door again.]

Ahh... It wouldn't be an imposition?

_{[ Well, yes, but... she holds the basket up. ]}

There's no one else at home. Food always tastes better with company!

Well, I suppose that's true... [Canada smiles and politely, if a bit awkwardly, comes inside. She's not particularly close to the Taiwan from her world, but she figures if the male Canada from the future (and her head hurts if she thinks about that too much, by the way) is friends with Japan, he probably gets on well with Taiwan, too.]

Yay. I'm glad Canada came over today, you know. It's kind of boring here, hehe...

_{[ Yay, friends. They are friends. Friends are allowed to check up on each other with or without invitation! Friends are also allowed to hang out in the kitchen as Taiwan prepares some drinks for them. ]}

What do you think goes well with these? _{[as she scours the pantry and fridge for something to serve]}

Umm... I've lived in a house where wine goes with anything and another where tea goes with anything, so I'm firmly of the belief that everything goes with everything and Europeans are just peculiar. So, uh... you should choose?

I like tea! _{[ quickly gets to making some for both of them ]}

Waaah, to be honest, it's been a while since we've had anyone over. I was starting to get lonely.

That's no good, then. I know it's no fun feeling lonely. You're welcome to come over whenever you want, you know, and just ignore any dirty looks Netherlands gives you. I think he's just fussy.

He's always upset about something. It's not very nice. Isn't there anything we can do to cheer him up?

I don't know. Sometimes hugs work, but not always. [Canada sighs, like the worst thing in the world is to not let yourself be cheered up by hugs.]

Sometimes it takes more than hugs to do that!

Sometimes it takes kisses.

[Wrinkling her nose a little bit.] Well, you're more than welcome to try, if you think it'll work. Anything to make him less grumpy.

Aiyo, I could never do that! It has to be from someone he doesn't mind! Or else he'll be even grumpier.

Oh, I didn't realize he didn't... Right. Umm... I'm sure he'll find someone. Or I suppose we could always spy on him and see if there was someone we could talk into kissing him to cheer him up. That could work!

Yeah! Spying's fun! ... Who would want to kiss him? _{[ No, really. ]}

I don't know, but I'm sure it's more a matter of finding someone he'll enjoy being kissed by, rather than someone who will enjoy kissing him. That part is probably easy.

I know a lot of cute girls! I promised I'd keep safe, though... _{[ Because letting them near Holland is dangerous, apparently... ]}

It's not like he's dangerous or anything like that. A bit intimidating maybe, but a sweetheart once you get to know him. I doubt your friends would do around stomping in the garden, so he'd be nice.

_{[ Let's just say the tea is ready, because I honestly have no idea how to make tea. Yes. She's finished steeping it or something. Now she's pouring cups for the two of them. ]}

Hehehe, you called him a sweetheart. _{[ So mature... ]}

If I find anyone, I'll let you know! What about you? Do you have anyone else in mind?

Well, he is...

[Clearing her throat.]

Umm. Not really, but I'll keep my eyes open for some options. I'm sure between the two of us, we'll find someone to kiss him.