08 | The Way

[nirvananation]

[Thailand is coming back from the store with (2) bags. One of them has some relatively nice looking dress clothes. The other...has a poodle skirt. A very cute, pink  poodle skirt. He looks very pleased.
As he makes his way home, Thailand--Who isn't paying attention--runs into a pole, dropping the bags and their contents all over the sidewalk.]

Ana...

Comments

[peonymarket]

[Guess who is strolling by right about now, more interested in your face than what you're carrying.]

...Thailand?

[nirvananation]

[He sees China and beams. Man, he should really start paying attention to the phones.]

Khun China! You have returned!

[peonymarket]

I was never here to begin with.

[Okay, that came out more curt than he intended. After a moment of hesitation, he reaches down to pick up the fallen items, and his voice is much gentler when he next speaks:]

I didn't know you were in this place as well.

[nirvananation]

[Thailand knew people often forgot their time in Mayfield, so he doesn't push it. Instead he just smiles lightly and moves to help pick up his mess.]

My apologies, I must have been mistaken.

[peonymarket]

[Noncommittal hum. Scoop scoop scoop, scoopin' up stuff with Thailand]

Have you been here long?

[nirvananation]

[He pauses, thinking back.]

It has been four months, I believe.

[peonymarket]

[A tsk tsk noise, but at the situation, not Thailand.]

[nirvananation]

[The sound makes him smile a little more. He was happy to see China again, even if something seemed a bit off.]

...Most of the family is here.

[And he thought it was good that they were. Not because he wanted them trapped, but because he thought they should stay together. They were family, after all, and they should be together through the good and bad.]

[peonymarket]

[China nods and manages a smile.]

Yes, I've already met Vietnam, Japan and...[a slight pause; this next part is still difficult for him] Taiwan and Hong Kong. Are there any others I've missed?

[nirvananation]

Korea is here as well. Ah...unless he left while I was not looking, ana.

[peonymarket]

....Oh.

[KOREA WHY.....asdfghjkl. S-Subject change go; China holds up the skirt.]

Thailand, why do you have this?

[nirvananation]

[BECAUSE KOREA RUVS YOU.]

Ah...because I thought it was very cute.

[peonymarket]

[NO!!! China admires the skirt....]

Ah, I agree....where did you purchase it?

[nirvananation]

A place called Bodine Fashion. It is downtown. They have very good clothing, ana.

[peonymarket]

Affordable?

[nirvananation]

It cost me five dollars! [So happy.]