【 十八 】 ｚｏｍｂｉｅｓ， ｚｏｍｂｉｅｓ ｅ ｖ ｅ ｒ ｙ ｗ ｈ ｅ ｒ ｅ

[politerudeness]

[ Japan was planning to sit there and stay out of trouble initially, and whatever is it that caused him to change his mind, it mattered little now- so much of staying out of battle in general and not getting involved in fights anymore... but, he figures- this does not count as a war, and there's nothing political about this. And it's not like this

Comments

:'|

[gezellighe]

[He was making his way home; one could only hunt down zombies for so long and he needed to see how Canada and Hilda were holding out. Holland was confident that they were fine; there was no reason to expect the worse now that they'd been through a few things before.

But that didn't mean he should leave them alone.

He's just setting foot onto Mitchell Rd when Japan steps out in front of him; at first, Holland is too taken aback to speak, the expression on his face somewhere between perturbed and concerned.]

awww yesss let's do this

[politerudeness]

[ Japan does not waver, does not hesitate, not even in the face of his close friend, one of his best friends. For a moment, he is silent, waiting for a response while looking Holland directly in the eye, almost as though trying to pressure him into it. Then, he sighs. ]

Well?

woot

[gezellighe]

[Holland gives a slight sigh, a bit of a huff.]

Well what?

yay

[politerudeness]

I require an answer before I can proceed.

[gezellighe]

[This wasn't fair. He shouldn't have to deal with this . . . and Japan, of all nations. He probably wouldn't even shoot Spain or England if he saw them ill this way, but Japan. . .

Maybe he could convince Japan to come with him. He could take Japan home and maybe keep him in the basement . . . he's sure Canada would love that. Holland sighs, then takes out the handgun he's been in the habit of keeping with him. Just a few bullets; once he'd managed to make it out of the pharmacy this morning he'd had to use it a few times. ]

Come home with me.

[politerudeness]

[ There's a moment, a second or two, of silence, during which Japan's expression turns unreadable- not the cold and ruthless face he's been wearing earlier, but one that shows to feeling nor emotion at all. Something closer to the usual sort of expression he wears. Then he looks at the handgun, makes brief eye contact with Holland again, and slowly he unsheathes his sword. Not a fair fight, perhaps, and not a proper duel, but he does not have a gun with him, and he's not planning on fighting without a weapon, even if he's stronger than usual. ]

I cannot do that, unfortunately.

[gezellighe]

Nothing stopping you.

[He'll raise the gun just a little; can't be unprepared.]

[politerudeness]

Indeed, but that is not an option regardless. [ He takes out the sword and lets it show in its entirety, but holds it up in a defensive position instead of attacking. ] Is Holland-san going to use that to force me to?

[gezellighe]

If I need to.

So come on.

[politerudeness]

[ And for once-- he hesitates. For a second, and doesn't show it, except for a sudden silence on his part, and his eyes go to the ground in thought. ]

Not until I know your intentions.

[gezellighe]

We can wait until this i over.

[politerudeness]

[ ...

He looks like he's considering it. And yet... ]

...That would be nice, wouldn't it, if it were possible... But I do not think I will be able to hold my hunger until then. If one does not eat for some time, then one dies. It is natural. So it is also natural to feed off prey and to sacrifice other lives for one's own survival. All living creatures to it. I am not human nor a living creature, but this situation is no different from that.

[gezellighe]

Except tomorrow, things could go back to normal.

[politerudeness]

That's a very optimistic way to see it.

[gezellighe]

It isn't; it's just the truth.

[politerudeness]

[ ... ] Really... why are you so certain? I do not understand...