[ 4] better to light a candle than to curse the darkness

[mostpopulous]

So, town is seeing fit to give back one thing has wrongfully taken from me. At least am properly dressed, now. What of you others in Mayfield, hmmm?

[Later, China picks up the phone again- this time to make a few private calls. He waits patiently until he has the entire house to himself before doing so.]

Comments

[when_in_me]

[POPPING OUT OF THE BUSHES RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU]

Hey, what's in the box?

[mostpopulous]

[AIYAAAAH BY THE HEAVENS! screams and jumps and hides the box behind his back]

...Rome? Are looking rather-

[not dead, he thinks but doesn't say.]

-well. Ah, is nothing important in box.

[when_in_me]

Hey, I know you! Asia, right? C'mon, you can tell me. What's in the box?

[mostpopulous]

China, now.

[o for those days when he could pretty much be considered the only eastern nation of importance.]

...Well, as long as do not laugh.

[SLOWLY HOLDS OUT BOX

LIFTS LID

adorable kittyface says hello]

[when_in_me]

Whatever! Nice cat. Is it yours?

[mostpopulous]

Yes, got from shop of beasts in town cheap cheap, aru.

[when_in_me]

[petting the cat] I didn't know they sold pets here. I wonder if they have lions for sale. Anyway! How's it goin', China~? It's been a while, huh!

[mostpopulous]

Aiyaaah, what long time to me? Suppose so anyhow nevermind. Haven't seen you since days of the trade road, aru.

[when_in_me]

Yeah, well, you know how it is, kinda busy bein' dead and all. I hear you're doing very well for yourself these days, eh? Taking care of all those siblings of yours?

[mostpopulous]

Had heard you crumble sometime way back. Was surprising.

Ah, you knowing how is- so much work put into raising and teaching, and for what you say? Yelling and disrespect and many tears, aiyaaah! Yet still do anyhow nevermind.

[when_in_me]

Ah, well. It was bound to happen sooner or later, eh?

Hoho, so I do. But they need you, right? Especially in a place like this.

[mostpopulous]

All have time when we go, aru. [except me] Time most cruel enemy.

One would be thinking so, but most want to go own way or such nonsense. As if they knowing what world really like! And town just smaller, less natural world.

[dramatic sigh]

[when_in_me]

Hmhm, you'd think that, but I'm not so sure. We can die here, after all, even if we do come back. Why, it's as though we aren't nations at all here, hmm?

[mostpopulous]

True enough. Is strange place, this town, to be able to reduce us so low. Never seen anything like it in all my years- is as if under control of childish gods.

[when_in_me]

I think it's kinda fun! I've never been this weak before. And I never spent so much time in one place, either.

[mostpopulous]

Never thought being weak cause for joy, aru.