( video )

[nihonkoku]

[ 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?

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[hoasen]

[No matter the look she has when she sees him, all starry-eyed and relieved, she's still going to do. Talk like it's not affecting her. Because EMOTIONS.]

Brother! Where are you now?

[nihonkoku]

[ his eyes widen, straightening like a shot. ] Oh, thank goodness. I wasn't certain how I was going to find you! [ wandering the city, he supposes.. if she was even here with this dragon group. asking around on the network? ]

I'm in the quarters I was assigned. [ a beat. ] In the, ah, dragon city. Are you also here?

[hoasen]

[She's not relieved (SHE'S TOTALLY RELIEVED LOOK AT HER) but she's going to play it cool. No big deal. Just wait until they're face to face, first.]

I am there too! I will come over. Which is your room?

[nihonkoku]

[ he names.. a room.. bc idek..

and then waits anxiously in the doorway looking for her. ]

[hoasen]

[Because legit what are numbers.

Either way, she rushes immediately and he'll soon see her quiet easily as she moves to the door.]

[nihonkoku]

[ he looks like he wants to grab her in a hug-- but well, that wouldn't really be japan. or vietnam. so instead, he reaches for her hands when she comes close, gathering them up and squeezing them with relief. ]

When I heard that you were here, I was worried. I'm glad to see that you're well. [ that's an understatement, of course, but his siblings are probably accustomed to japan's habit of not expressing himself as strongly as he actually feels. ]

[hoasen]

[Cute...even though she, like him, wanted to throw her arms around him, just the gesture of him taking her hands and holding them so warmly has her cheeks flush at how much she has missed him. It's only been a few months.]

I heard, but I couldn't find you. I didn't know how to contact you, the device perhaps but... [They didn't really have time.

Still...she looks around, left, right, and since no one is around? She decides to pull him close and slowly, attempt to hug him. Slowly.]

[nihonkoku]

[ his eyes widen a bit, but he's quick to return the hug; he never wants her to think that it's unwelcome. they're just.. both.. kind of repressed at times..

he squeezes her tightly for a moment, pushing their cheeks together and simply letting himself breathe. she's okay, and the rest of their family is at home, safe and sound.

finally, he pulls back just enough to gently urge her inside. he might be happy to return her hug, but he doesn't want strangers staring, either. ] I suppose I should have just asked America-san to help, but well.. [ america is america. ]

[hoasen]

[They really are. Starved for affection but never acts on it. What a bunch of losers? Honestly now!

Still, it's nice. It's nice to feel his warmth around her, cheek to cheek, that it almost feels like home. Or at least a home away from home.

And just like that, they have to part, only so they can finally go into his room.]

I think America might be afraid of me right now too.

[nihonkoku]

[ he shuts the door lightly behind them, then offers her a seat. there's a tray on the bedside table with tea on it, and he goes to find a second cup for her. ]

.. Is he..? [ a pause, then he glances back as he takes the cup down, brows lifting. ] .. Oh. [ he brings it back, pouring tea for them both. ] Because of what he said about you on that network post?

[hoasen]

[She follows him in, eagerly looking at the set up as she sits herself down.]

Yes.

[But slumps after.]

He knew he was in trouble, after. He was sickeningly nice to me.