|
Post by England on Oct 19, 2010 21:04:19 GMT -5
Why was he here again?
Oh, yeah. Because he needed an ally. For him. That's all.
He could still remember coming here under semi-similar pretenses, back in... 1902, was it? Of course, then he was looking for an ally in a more true sense: now, not so much. Unless you counted ally as "colony" or "territory under a growing empire". The whole idea had enraptured England, though. After all, years ago it had been he who had had reign over so much of the world. It appeared quite recently that the world was going back to those days, and honestly, he felt a little giddy. He'd managed to best the competition before, who was to say he couldn't do it again? Time would tell, certainly, and England was quite confident in himself.
So there he found himself, standing within sight of the peaceful little setting that Japan had always comfortably lived in, despite the butting-ins of the wester world. But he had definitely been influenced, and by now the little island country -- identifiable with himself, really -- was quite the innovative little bugger. No doubt other countries would be going after this spot of land, but it wouldn't matter in the end. Because it looked like England had gotten here first. Ha!
Although the bushy-browed blond hadn't come to visit in awhile, he still remembered his manners and knocked on the door in a patient kind of way, not wanting his demeanor to slip. No doubt Japan had already caught wind of the rising tensions in Europe, and by now he was smart enough to know when to be wary. Not that it really daunted him much. He'd always found the Asian country easy to get along with, and he was quite certain that nothing much had changed in the way of relations since they'd last spoken.
|
|
|
Post by Japan on Oct 19, 2010 22:12:15 GMT -5
There was something amazing about sleeping in on a Sunday, and Japan did just that, sleeping until he heard the knock at his door. Pochi ran from his position near the bed and ran to the door to bark. He grumbled his way out of bed and to the door, straightening himself as he got closer.
Bed-Hair patted down? Check.
Bed clothes in place? Check.
He reached the door and looked behind him for another check. Was the rest of the house clean? Double Check. With a deep breath, he opened the door. He paused when he recognized the eyebrows first and bowed in greeting. "Hello England-san! Wh-What brings you here?" he bit his lip, flustered. England hadn't been to his house in years, why would he be here?
"P-Please come in!" he motioned to the inside of his house, bowing again. He was suddenly aware that he was in less then decent public attire and blushed.
(... I have a feeling I've made him more... moe. orz)
|
|
|
Post by England on Oct 19, 2010 22:36:30 GMT -5
When Japan answered the door, it was clear that he hadn't been expecting company. He'd taken his time getting up, too, it seemed, as he also looked like he'd been asleep just a moment ago. Well... Not everybody was an early riser, he chided himself vaguely. Ah, well. He'd have to keep it in mind in the future, particularly if this little endeavor of his was successful.
The Asian appeared quite shocked to see him there, though, and England was rather surprised. Maybe he's not aware of what's going on out west? But no, he had to be; Japan was much more perceptive than that. Perhaps it was him specifically that had caught him off-guard. But it hadn't been that long since he'd last visited... Had it? Huh. Well, either way, he was going to make the best of his visit now. There was something about him though, the way he grew so easily flustered, how he bit his lip while he bowed in greeting. It was cute, really -- wait, what? Blimey, maybe he needed to sleep in sometime, too.
"Thank you," He replied politely with a slight bow of his own [after all, he thought it only proper], and smiled slightly and stepped inside Japan's house. He made a point to take off his boots in remembrance of rule regarding it. Oh, now Japan was blushing? Obviously he hadn't been expecting company, so England decided not to be the one to point it out. He stood back up and gave himself a moment to mull over his words before he spoke them. After all, he needed to do his best to come across the right way.
"You probably know by now what state the western nations are in," More of an assumption, really. "A lot of tension back and forth, nobody's sure what's going to happen." Huh, now that he thought about it, he wasn't usually this careful with topics like this -- or at least, he didn't used to be. "It's obvious that something's going to happen. So, I've come with a proposal for you. Obviously you'll be quick to become a target to other nations who won't hesitate to use force. I could offer you protection, if you were to become my ally." No, ally still wasn't the right word for it. But England could feel his mighty old demeanor returning to him, and now he could really appreciate how much he'd missed the exhilaration of it.
[ fail post = time for bed. xD; ]
|
|
|
Post by Japan on Oct 19, 2010 23:54:42 GMT -5
Japan expected to go to another room to talk with his new guest, but bit his lip as he felt just a little bit weird from talking in the entrance hall. He made sure to quiet Pochi first before speaking as well.
"You are the second person to come to this house asking for my help." He paused, clearing his throat. "I appreciate your asking for my help, I really do, but..." he gave another pause to look away, already embarrassed by his answer. "I don't want a repeat of the last war I entered..." he gave a quick poke to his hips, where the black scar was. "I'm sorry, England-san."
|
|
|
Post by England on Oct 20, 2010 16:55:10 GMT -5
At first, once he'd spoken he noticed that Japan was perhaps a little caught off-guard by his straightforwardness, forgetting to really get comfortable before stating his request. But before he could really take the time to process that, to perhaps say oops, my bad, the verdict came.
"I appreciate your asking for my help, but..."
Already, the gears were turning in England's mind. So he hadn't been the first one here, after all! There were a few choice countries that were already starting to put up a fight, he knew, and who would prioritize Japan? Germany, perhaps not first on his list, England had heard some snippet saying he'd been focusing elsewhere. Besides that, he hadn't heard much -- something pointed to the Netherlands, though, because hadn't he tried for relations before? Bloody opportunist, he'd fallen before in this trade and he soon would again, no doubt--
He forced himself to clear his mind to make his reply, but then he realized exactly what Japan had said next. Somehow it made a small lump form in his throat. Sure, wars could leave lasting impressions, but... Countries didn't usually let such things daunt them or their international relations for long. Bosses changed, after all, and years would pass. As the smaller man spoke, he emphasized his point by tapping his hips, where presumably some souvenir remained. Even if the damage had been dealt that far back, obviously it still lingered strongly upon his conscience. England sighed to himself.
"Look, Japan..." He began, and moved his arms as if to place one on Japan's shoulder -- before, of course, remembering the Asian's general dislike of touch and withdrawing the movement [it wasn't really his kind of thing, either, except for the occasional special circumstance]. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. I'm giving you my protection against... lasting injuries. It's easier to do now with modern technology, anyway." He didn't have to force the sincerity in as he thought he would, it came naturally. Made himself sound much more persuasive, too... Or so he hoped. "bad things happen, but you won't be able to stay neutral in this. Eventually some shirty git is going to force their way in, and you'll be much worse off than you could be."
[ yay for british phrase inserts~ x3 ] [/blockquote]
|
|
|
Post by Japan on Oct 20, 2010 21:29:18 GMT -5
He flinched a little when England attempted to grab his shoulder and relaxed when he stopped. He still wasn't used to people touching him all that well, but he thought he held himself up pretty good nowadays. Obviously though, he still had work to do.
Japan bit his lip as England started talking, not sure what to think anymore. England was offering to protect him. If there was anyone who could do this, it'd be England (but America could too, if he thought about it...). "Bombs will always fall, even if you promise to 'protect' me. It would only be right if I helped you protect your home as well." He glanced up before continuing. "My people wish to fight. Many do not remember the last time we've done so. But... my answer is still the same, England-san. My boss says 'No'." he refilled his cup to avoid looking at the man near him.
(fail fail fail fail *slaps self*)
|
|
|
Post by England on Oct 21, 2010 17:32:55 GMT -5
As England spoke, and once he finished, something inside him held a fair amount of confidence. Perhaps he was just become more and more arrogant with the passing moment, but really, Japan's expression looked like a thoughtful one, as if he might change his mind. Hopefully he would. Something told the European that he wouldn't be able to convince himself to use force [not yet, at least], but he still preferred that the other man make the preferable decision on his own terms. It would make things quite a lot easier, after all.
And at first, Japan sounded willing to, even better, have some sort of mutual agreement between them. Especially if he was bringing it up himself. For a moment he dared to think he'd changed the nation's mind. Codswallop, it seemed.
Ahh, of course. It didn't matter what a country themselves might think; although they did not necessarily have to follow an order of their boss, as a general rule they would have to succumb to their alleged wisdom. It wasn't quite fair that said boss would choose neutrality when his people preferred to fight. But really, there was little Japan could do about the situation. England felt himself sigh again. Blast, he'd have to try this from another position.
"Don't look so embarrassed about it, at least," He said, rather resignedly before making an effort to steel his tone of such a sound like the surrender to failure here. It wasn't time for that, not yet. "Would there be no persuading him? Surely he has to understand that if you don't willingly take a side, someone will tear you to shambles until you do. That shouldn't be a necessary alternative." Was he sounding repetitive yet, or perhaps desperate? He wouldn't say so, but he would have to make sure that didn't happen. "I do understand your dilemma -- hard to go against a boss. They don't always know what's the best for you." Take Germany's old boss, for instance. He wasn't implying that the two compared, but Hitler didn't get his country far at all in the end. Humans could be highly irritating at times. [/blockquote]
|
|
|
Post by Japan on Oct 25, 2010 20:12:49 GMT -5
There was silence as Japan swallowed nervously. Like he said, his people were ready to fight, ignoring the past and thinking of nothing but the glory that was the future. He frowned, letting the silence drag on for a bit before talking
"I could persuade him. But he's stubborn. I was thinking of waiting for my elections to finish before talking to my new boss." He bit his lip now, anxious at how his next words could sound. "But... my people might not want to join you. Holland-san was just here, and they could decide that they wish to join him... B-but I would like to join you if I-I could..." he mumbled near the end, already too embarrassed to speak.
|
|
|
Post by England on Oct 25, 2010 20:56:52 GMT -5
England shifted slightly in the ensuing silence, feeling a little apprehensive as he watched Japan and pulled off keeping his formal stature, not wanting to slip up any. But he had to swallow down the part of him that wanted to slam a fist and demand compliance to his wishes. Indeed, the old colony days were coming back, when onc he was a fierce competitor who owned so very much of the world. Which he could exercise patience, that didn't mean it always came easily to him. It seemed that quite a few countries were growing more greedy tendencies, though. He could surely hold them off, especially if it was Japan who was in question here. The Asian had never dealt well with the foreign European behaviors.
Finally, though, the silence was broken. He was respectfully still as Japan spoke, carefully mulling over what he was saying. And really, it made sense; it hadn't crossed his mind that the election process could factor into his plans. Hopefully, it'd be a lucky coincidence. When the smaller nation paused so nervously, though, England felt the sides of his features draw into a small frown. And it deepened slightly more at what he said next. Blast that damn pipe-smoker, getting in my way, He thought sourly to himself, the emotion probably flitting across his features as well. Yes, he'd certainly been more hostile lately to all of his potential threats. Surely he could do better than any barking Dutchman could. So encompassed by his thoughts was he that he almost missed the last part of Japan's sentence.
... And to say the least, it was a relief to hear. England could feel his shoulders loosen a tad. At least the Asian wanted to join him, as insignificant as that could be compared to the demands of his people and his boss. The trick would be to convince the humans to think the same way. Still, he'd won half the battle. "I'm glad to hear that, at least," He replied, even going so far as to flash a small smile at the other nation. He looked so very embarrassed, the European couldn't help but think of him [yet again] as cute. You couldn't find countries anymore that could seem so downright innocent. In a sense, England wanted to protect that, too. "Wait until the election's over, then. Hopefully you'll end up with a boss who can listen to reason." of course he was going to throw in a little more arrogance; he was England, after all. "As long as I have your support personally, I can keep a bit of confidence." He paused, glancing around. "In the meantime.. It was a bit hasty of me to engage you so quickly. I didn't mean to come across as rude." Referring, of course, to the fact that they were still standing in close proximity to the door. [/blockquote]
|
|
|
Post by Japan on Oct 25, 2010 21:12:53 GMT -5
Japan had to blink several times before he realized what England meant and then stilled. "P-Please come inside then! Just take your shoes off and I'll go run and get you tea!" he said. What would his boss say when he found out that he had kept a dignitary in the front hall?
He moved around England to close the door behind him and then half-ran to the kitchen to prepare a quick pot of tea. He came back to the hall and bowed again. "I'm sorry for leaving you out there. Please follow me to the meeting room." There was another bow before he wandered his way through the house and came a stop to a large tatami room. It overlooked what small backyard he had and (hopefully) blocked the sounds of the train tracks several blocks away.
"Sit anywhere England-san."
|
|
|
Post by England on Oct 26, 2010 15:18:25 GMT -5
It was almost amusing to watch Japan's reaction to the last comment. Perhaps the European was a better conversationalist than he thought he was; the smaller of the two must have completely forgotten where they still stood. Once he'd remembered, though, he immediately sprang into action. His boots... Well, they'd already been taking off, but there was no reason to go out of his way to point it out. He merely gave a slight nod as Japan hustled away to retrieve the promised tea.
While he was gone, England took a moment to really look around. Not much had changed since they'd had Anglo-Japanese alliance in terms of decor, but it made the house seem more pleasant somehow. Certainly not cluttered either, thanks to Japan's habit of keeping things clean and orderly. He couldn't help but compare it to America's house -- bloody git, the guy just couldn't seem to clean up after himself. Ah, well.
And then Japan was back just as quickly has he had left, tea in hand. "Don't worry about it." He replied; it didn't faze him nearly as much as it did the other, and he'd had countless worse welcomes that this besides. Upon request he followed the Asian through the house and into a room that, much like the rest of the house, held that refreshing oriental feel to it. "Thanks," He nodded again once and sat down, his emerald eyes following Japan as he did so. Really, he couldn't fathom why the smaller nation thought he wasn't being quite adequate; as far as England was concerned, he was hosting far better than most western countries could even begin to do. [/blockquote]
|
|
|
Post by Japan on Oct 26, 2010 22:09:04 GMT -5
Japan sat uncomfortably, tea in one hand and the other on Pochi. He didn't know what to talk about with England and even if they did talk about something, it'd probably be something stupid like the weather. Which meant that they both had to say something that would only lengthen the silence more until it became so awkward that both of them would never be able to speak to each other again and - Oh, his head now hurt with those thoughts.
"A-Ano... How is Europe nowadays? Besides the war feelings of course..." Oh great. NOW he was talking about the last thing he wanted to think about, war. He pinched himself on the thigh before returning his attention to his guest.
|
|
|
Post by England on Oct 27, 2010 16:21:17 GMT -5
As England sat there, watching rather idly as Japan sit down, he could already feel a rather uncomfortable silence settle in as well. By the look on his face, Japan seemed to have noticed as well, and he seemed to be trying to figure out something to say. Of course, he himself wasn't sure how he wanted to start conversation, either, without making it end up awkward in one way or another. Well... What did Japan like? Shared interests or hobbies were always a good way to go. But they lived so far apart, he couldn't for sure tell what would be an appropriate thing to bring up specifically. Especially since he was a guy who liked to complain, and was even good at it to boot. Japan, on the other hand... He probably wouldn't be so appreciative.
But it turned out that England wouldn't have to worry about it, anyway, because it was somewhere around then that the other had done the work for him. The look on his face, however, betrayed his interest. Obviously Japan wasn't thrilled to be talking about war or the like. Not to mention that he now looked a little like he'd developed a headache. Sighing softly, he took a sip of his tea -- nothing the delicious taste of it before speaking himself.
"Don't think so hard if it's going to give you a headache," He replied, his tsundere-toned voice getting the better of him. But he was used to that, so he let it slide by him. Emerald eyes met umber ones, eying them rather skeptically. "It doesn't really look like you want to talk about that. But if you're really wondering... Stressful, I suppose. It's like playing chess against multiple players -- one large chaotic strategy game and you can't bloody tell what anybody else is doing until it's already done, and it's too late to do anything about it anyway." Frustration had crept into his voice, and he did little to keep it out. Somehow it felt good saying it all aloud. Perhaps it was because of the particular audience he had, but it was... Relieving. Hopefully Japan wouldn't mind it. [/blockquote]
|
|
|
Post by Japan on Oct 27, 2010 22:52:19 GMT -5
Japan gave a soft sigh before rubbing of his forehead at his oncoming head ache.. "I'm sorry that Europe is so stressful for you know. It's only a matter of time before I experience that as well." he sipped his tea, blinking.
"Should we talk about other news that isn't about war then? Are you tired from your trip over?"
|
|
|
Post by England on Nov 1, 2010 11:38:44 GMT -5
England blinked once, studying Japan as he took a sip of his tea -- he really had missed the taste of it, there was a different tang between this tea and the tea back home that was a refreshing change of pace. Japan looked as if his headache was still on the offense, as he tried to massage it away. Perhaps his little rant previously had worsened it? After all, anything stressing out Europe would indeed be soon arriving here in Asia, so to the smaller man it would be like a sneak preview of his own soon-to-come troubles. Good going, git. He grumbled to himself. He didn't want, or need, Japan to be getting as stressed as he himself already was.
And there it was, Japan directly voicing what England had just mulled over. Except there was an apology tacked onto the front, which of course didn't need to be there. The Asian hardly needed to apologize -- on the contrary, he was the one there who could make it a little better by teaming up with him. But the other had always been so very polite. "Don't worry about it," He replied with as airy a shrug as he could feign, "It's far from anything of your doing. Besides... It feels rather nice to get it out." That was an understatement. That little rant of his had felt quite a bit more than "rather nice".
England had brought up his cup for another sip, but paused as Japan spoke again. Of course, Japan was ever the gentleman, trying to switch over to an easier topic to discuss. But as good as it had been to let loose, it would be nice to get off the discussion of war. There's be more than enough of that later on when there would be no choice but to be near constantly brooding over it. The blond might as well take advantage of the diversity while it still remained an option. "Not particularly tired, no," He replied, bringing up his cup the rest of the way for another sip, "But perhaps a little jet lagged. Although I've never found myself to be affected by it much." Maybe it was from his old days of constant sailing or something, but jet lag had never had much of an impact on him. Longer travels like this, though, always did leave him at least a little uncoordinated. Nothing to really worry about, though, as far as he was concerned. [/blockquote]
|
|