[ ADVENT CALENDAR / event / PG / prompts, fanfiction, fanart ]

[hikarikame]

I thought of this idea while talking to dreams, and decided we're going to do an Advent Calendar event! [So that we have a good motivator to push us to write.] So from now till January 1, we're going to all try to do as many little prizes for each other as possible. Each day will have a different word prompt, and hopefully more than one person does

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Re: DAY 8: December 21

[hikarikame]

Whenever Japan felt lonely, he would receive a letter from “Turtle.” It was a strange correspondence between Japan and this “Turtle.” Any time of hour, any day of the year, rain or shine, night or day; none of it mattered. Whenever Japan felt lonely, he would get a letter from the Turtle.

Sometimes it would be when Japan was in the middle of drawing, or about to drown his sorrows in music of sake. Sometimes it would be in the middle of the night, or even right before a meeting. The mailman would intercept him at just the right moment, and hand him that white envelope with a turtle stamp.

And the same eyes would watch him from the letter.

Now, it wasn’t watching in the literal sense, and nor was there literally eyes on the pages. But the letters always knew. When Japan wanted to talk, and had time to compose a reply, the letter would be filled with soothing questions, helpful questions, questions that would allow him to unravel his mind and reach understanding.

When Japan needed a distraction, the Turtle would write about amusing things, daily things; like a stray cat that had chanced to spend a day with Japan’s mysterious pen pal, or a new neighbor moving in, or even what fruits were in-season at the time, and Japan should definitely go grocery shopping now.

And even when Japan needed someone to give him a good scolding, the little Turtle was there, handing him a slap of reality on a carefully composed and flawless letter. And always, the day after, another letter would arrive just as dawn would break. That letter would be encouraging, inspiring, motivating.

It was hard sometimes, getting through the day. As he grew older, it was easier and easier to be bitter and pessimistic, and harder and harder to have faith in the future. He used to find great comfort and pride in his Zen gardens and other peaceful elements of his culture, but now they were dated. Just like he was.

Sometimes the letters would not come for months, a year even, and once Japan got three in one day. But always the letters would come when he needed it.

Japan often wondered, who was this person? Was it some kindred spirit, a Good Samaritan who he didn’t know but still trusted with his life? Was it a magical being, or one of his children? Was it someone he knew? Was it the postman? Didn’t this person have a life of his or her own?

Didn’t this person realize how dangerous it was to write about so casually the exchanges of each nation? Didn’t this person realize how upsetting it could be, to have someone know all about your world, and yet you know nothing of theirs?

Didn’t this person realize Japan knew? Knew about how the letters were a comfort to this turtle person too? Knew that these letters called back fond memories of days long gone? Didn’t this person realize that Japan also saw how easy it was to write back and forth, since these lines have been said before, since these parts have been played before…so very, very long ago?

Japan only wished that “Turtle” would stop hiding…but then again, so was Japan.

And it was always so much easier to pretend to not know in this blissful ignorance.

But still…sometimes, it was so very hard not to put in his replies,

Hello, China, how are you?

It’s nice to see that you care.

Did you know that I care too?

Re: DAY 8: December 21

[gisette]

Nyah, so adorable! I think Turtle and Japan have some pretty good chemistry! XD