062

[pinkplumblossom]

[The past several weeks have been a rather trying ordeal for Taiwan.  It seems like one thing after another has been going wrong, starting with Netherlands' permanent droning and spiraling down from there.  Mindy had run off in the middle of the attacks while they were staying with Prussia, and locked herself in her room afterward.  Saki had

Comments

[a_gentle_boy]

[Lucas smiles faintly from a short distance, half-wondering if she had just lost a few hundred citizens or something like that. He isn't quite sure if he ought to approach, so he'll move to turn away after a few moments if she doesn't see him.]

[pinkplumblossom]

[Haha, wow, that's a horrifying thought. Happily, I'm pretty sure Taiwan's hair didn't represent any portion of her populace. Perhaps it represented disputed territory with Russia that she's finally given up on, IDK. But the point is, she feels better! Anyway, she smiles over at Lucas as she spots him from across the yard.]

"Hello, Lucas."

[a_gentle_boy]

. . . Hi.

[He approaches, now, a bit slowly. And if it were any other adult he knew, he would hesitate to ask the question, but . . . ]

Is it OK if I ask why you did that?

[pinkplumblossom]

"Of course."

[Taiwan smiles, patting the space next to her.]

"Where I come from, cutting one's hair is symbolic of cutting off past ties, or leaving behind weakness. After this past week, I decided that I'm going to try to be stronger, and to stop just cowering at home and hiding behind other people when things get bad. There are people in this town that I care about, and I want to be able to be strong for them and help defend them when they need it."

[a_gentle_boy]

[That is somewhat surprising to hear. Lucas only nods for a few moments before he speaks again.]

. . . I think you're strong already, Miss Taiwan. But . . . I understand. You . . . That's a good promise to make for yourself.

[He had made the exact same vow before. Perhaps it was time for another.]

[pinkplumblossom]

[Taiwan closes her eyes and smiles gratefully, shaking her head and giving a half-laugh.]

"You're not the first person I've heard that from today. I must not be giving myself enough credit."

[a_gentle_boy]

Most people are probably stronger than they think. But something like this . . . it still helps.

[pinkplumblossom]

"Yeah. It'll help remind me of my decision, every day when I wake up and look at myself in the mirror."

[She nods seriously for a moment before flipping some of what's left of her hair back.]

"Do you think it looks all right? I haven't had hair this short for... hundreds of years now."

[a_gentle_boy]

[In truth, he preferred it long. But Lucas smiles and says]

I think you look beautiful, Miss Taiwan.

[pinkplumblossom]

[That earns a blush and a wide smile.]

"Thanks, Lucas... you're so sweet."

[a_gentle_boy]

. . . N-No, it's just what I think.

[pinkplumblossom]

How have you been holding up since the town went back to normal?

[a_gentle_boy]

Good enough, I guess. It's a little weird. It seems like so long ago before all of . . . this.

[pinkplumblossom]

I know. A lot has happened over the past few weeks... I'm only realizing now how exhausted I am from it all.

[a_gentle_boy]

. . . Do you think anything will come out of his threat, Miss Taiwan?

[pinkplumblossom]

I don't know. All we can do is try to be ready for whatever comes next. If something happens and you don't feel safe staying at your own house, you can come over here if you want.