prismatica | ( video )

[ when the feed flicks on, it's to japan seated neatly in a chair, hand withdrawing from the phone to curl in his lap. he offers a bow, straightening with a slightly uncertain expression. ]

Good afternoon. My name is Japan-- [ a slight waver there; it still feels a little strange to introduce himself this way to strangers. ] --and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I've chosen to address the network largely for the purpose of asking advice, which I suppose is a time-honored tradition among internet users. As there's no Twitter here to turn to, well.. [ he trails off, then spreads his hands in a small shrug.

anyway. ] As a nation, my government has generally provided for me for quite some time. I do a fair amount of volunteer work, but well.. it's not the same thing as holding employment. Particularly not on another planet. [ a beat. right, get to the point. ] I would like to work for [ er. ] one of the moonblessed? If possible, that is. I've heard that there are some few that may be opening businesses of their own. If not.. it would be nice to hear about where you're working. If you are, that is. Perhaps it will give me some ideas.

[ he sighs, shoulders dropping slightly. ] Though.. I'm not eager to begin just yet. It's been quite a long week, hasn't it? With the dragons, that is. [ a beat, then he perks up slightly. ] As the little ones have been returned to their parents now, though, if you have photos that you'd like to share, I'd like to see them. The dragonlings that I saw over the last few days were all very unique. It's interesting, how they took on traits of us. Don't you think?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I am, yes. And thank you very much, I'm very proud of how creative my citizens are known to be.

Wow, really? I always have so many questions about it, but after America was so stereotypical for how my nation can be, I can almost buy it. Weirder things have happened!

I didn't take any pics of my dragons. I had two, twins, with my partner, and they nearly killed us from drain, so I just didn't really get attached. I feel bad, but it was hard on us.

To be truthful, there are many things about our existence that even we don't know. And though America-san is quite loud and not always sensitive, he's a good boy that means well. I believe some of it comes of his "cowboy" culture, though you would perhaps know that better than I.

There's nothing that you should feel badly about. It was not explained to us how badly we would be drained, after all, and though it's not the dragonlings' fault, we knew from the beginning that it would be a temporary arrangement anyway.

(In my experience, dragons can be difficult at the best of times.)

I think I've talked to another one. He had princesses and such? I mean, a lot of countries do, and it was a while back. That's not a helpful description, sorry.

What is it like, being here, away from the place you originate? Are you tied together somehow? I'm just so curious, the most supernatural and "out there" thing I've ever encountered was a telekinetic guy.

Edited 2019-05-31 13:31 (UTC)

Ah yes, unfortunately, I'm not certain who that might be. I apologize.

Very disturbing, if you'll not mind my saying so. While being on another planet is exciting in its way, I would much rather explore such things from the comfort of my own home. [ with like.. video games. ] I think 'incomplete' is the best way to describe the way it feels to be separated from the other parts of myself. [ though he's not sure how much he really wants to share about it. he tends to be pretty private. ]

It's an experience, I guess. Makes me appreciate just being a guy, rather than having a complicated... existence? I dunno.

It's an honor though, getting to talk to you folks. Really cool.

Perhaps so! I find that even human existence is quite complicated, though. Just look at any nation's history, really.

Thank you, I'm very flattered. It's been enjoyable thus far, not being required to hide what I am. A little overwhelming at times, though, given some of my citizens that are also here.

How do you feel when you meet one that might not be the most... hmm, exemplary example?

I suppose it would depend on many factors. People are people, after all. I've been embarrassed by my citizens' conduct at times, though, and horrified, and saddened. We don't get to choose our path, but we still have opinions.

Hmmm... people can make choices. There's genetic destiny, and your situation in life can guide you, but there's always choices. And those are what matter - what choices we make and what we do.

Ah, no, my apologies - I meant nations. We live our daily lives as we wish, more or less, but we don't get to choose what happens to us as a nation. Still, we often have very strong opinions about the choices our leaders make for us.

Oh! Sorry, I had a little chat on the network about that sorta topic with someone recently. It's a big thing for me.

You're at the will of your people, as they make you. Right?

That's very understandable. I too believe that we are all able to make personal choices for ourselves. Even my fellow nations and I can do such things, as it doesn't affect our overall destiny as a countries.

Yes, you're correct. Whether we have or break ties with other nations, when we go to war, that sort of thing.

I think... life is so complicated. That every nation has things to be proud of, and ashamed of.

So... you're just people, really.

In most ways, yes, I like to think so. I have a dog and rabbit back home, and I frequently help my elderly neighbor with her chores. On the other hand, I move every few decades because I haven't aged in centuries, and I become quite ill for months after natural disasters. Such things are simply facts of our existence.

Wow. So, for example... the Fukushima nuclear incident in 2011 -- are you still... sick? Sort of like Chernobyl?

[ ah.. hm. how to address this.. ] You might say that I still feel its effects to some degree.

As do the people.

I understand better now. Thank you.

Yes, very much so.

You're welcome. I'm glad that I was able to help.

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