A picture of restraint.

[alliance_yao]

[Somewhere in HQ is a garden. A Chan Buddhist rock garden, to be specific. The room is shaped like a sinuous curve, with a waterfall trickling down the far stone wall into a small, blue-tiled pool. The sand is white and fine, and the worn, carven stones look like pieces of old ruins, placed at elegant intervals. A few of them are even floating,

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[iamnotadamnelf]

[This was a strange place... it had an ancient sort of feel to it... perhaps that's what drew the blonde to it. However he was a little hesitant to wander too far into the garden. It didn't take long to spot the meditating man in the center, and Germania did not wish to disturb him.

He simply padded barefoot along the edge, taking in the sight. He'd noticed the slippers by the doorway too and took it upon himself to leave his boots there as well. Tromping around a place like this in them would disturb the quiet place too much.]

[alliance_yao]

[His eyes flick open, despite the minimal nature of the disturbance, another sign of how little his inward state matched his outward calm. But the sight of someone from so long ago, even someone he'd never known well, strikes him as faintly comforting. He meets Germania's eyes and gestures smoothly, inviting him to sit if he wishes.]

[iamnotadamnelf]

[He raised an eyebrow slightly, he thought he'd been almost perfectly silent... but ah old age must be making him loose his touch. Or maybe something else? There was something about the other ancient nation's eyes that looked... disturbed. Maybe there was a reason his meditation had not been as deep as it appeared.

But he nodded his head in acknowledgment of the invitation, wordlessly walking over to sit by him. Enjoying the company of another ancient was something rare but appreciated. Especially when they were not of the overly loud sort.]

[alliance_yao]

[After a lull of silence, he murmurs,]

Your movements disturbed the air. It lessens the smell of the incense.

[He's been doing this for so very long, even that little change became noticeable.]

[alliance_jones]

[He's frozen in the doorway.]

[The fact that he can see that tension, that he notices it and registers all the the ways that his posture differs from the norm, strikes him harder than he thought it could. He is suddenly very aware that he is the cause of this-- pain, and no words come because no words are anything approaching adequate.]

[In the stillness, though, his heavy swallow is clearly audible.]

[alliance_yao]

[The lines around his eyes deepen slightly as he holds them closed more tightly. It's not actually a flinch, or that's what he'd say if anyone asked. He doesn't open them. He doesn't particularly want to see Alfred, even though he knows he's there.]

[alliance_jones]

[He draws in a breath, then lets it out. Begins to step forward, then stops.]

[Eventually he just drops to his knees in the doorway with a soft, resigned thump.]

[alliance_yao]

[The muscles in his arms and hands are drawn even more taut that before, and something in his face twitches for the briefest moment, but other than that, he doesn't react.]

[missteramerica]

[Sie slips in as quietly as sie can-- which isn't very, but sie's trying, at least-- and is now peering in fascination at a floating stone.]

Woah, that is so coo-- Shit, am I interrupting tranquil yoga-time? Sorry.

[alliance_yao]

[His eyes snap open, regarding her coolly.]

...quite.

[missteramerica]

Woah, somebody's in a bad mood. I can... go, if you want.

[alliance_yao]

Do not patronize me, child.

[suum_cuique]

So guess who gets washed up at your tranquil shore like a stray piece of flotsam. HQ finally gave him free access to the library. With footage.
He sort of crumbles near the entrance, boots and all and bleeds on your sand from his knuckles.

[alliance_yao]

[His eyes snap open and he surveys Prussia with exasperation. Oh tian ah, he is so not in the mood for this.]

[suum_cuique]

[Ignores Yao. This is quiet and peaceful and you're supposed to be a nice compromise between feeling alone and not being able to stand human company right now, especially compassionate company.]

[alliance_yao]

[Oh boy. If he wants a total lack of compassion, has he ever come to the right place.]

Boots off. And wash those hands before you drip blood all over my garden.

[warchangedme]

How long can you sit like that?

[He just doesn't like silence, okay? SILENCE MEANS DEATH!]

[alliance_yao]

[He sighs and opens his eyes.]

Several days, when I'm in the proper state.

[He's not even close right now.]

[warchangedme]

You do this all the time? [He plops down next to Yao, not really sure why, but it feels like the other man is upset about something.]

[alliance_yao]

Usually only half an hour or so a day. I'm a busy person.

But sometimes, I, it. It's calming.

[Wow, China. You suck at opening up to people. Also it is totally not working much today.]