[ 5 ] a thorn defends the rose, harming only those who would steal the blossom

[mostpopulous]

[China is not at home right now. He's off in Netherlands' house, paying back a favor to the Dutchman, and using that particular phone to communicate. The first thing he does - besides triple checking that his pistol is in perfect working order - is phone his house. Really, it's a shame that he's entirely unaware of his new not!daughter.]

Comments

[armywithcountry]

[Knocking? What is knocking? Prussia barges in through the back door like a boss, kicking it open and heading towards the fridge.]

Hey, Netherlands! You got anything in here not laced with drugs? I swear my fake wife is trying to poison me or some shit, entire house smells like fucking smoke. Least you do that shit outside.

By the way, is Taiwan feeling any better? She was acting weird as hell yesterday.

[mostpopulous]

[Congratulations on giving China a mild heart attack, Prussia. He typically hasn't been keeping up with shenanigans outside of his own family, so your voice is anything but familiar to him. Proceeding to stay defensively in front of drone!Taiwan and draw his pistol, as well as reamin in the living room because dragging his sister's droned self toward a possibly dangerous stranger? Fuck that shit.]

Whoever you are, is not welcome in this house! Leave!

[armywithcountry]

[Guess who also isn't exactly up to date on anything outside of early 19th century Europe? Prussia whirls at the unfamiliar voice, drawing his own gun out as well. He storms into the living room, narrowing his eyes when he spots a strange man nearby Taiwan.]

Who the fuck are you? Are you trying to invade Netherland's house? Bring it on! I'll crush you!

[mostpopulous]

I was invited, did not have to kick down door. Is you who are dirty invader.

[China lets go of Taiwan's wrist in favor of wrapping an arm around her shoulder. He aims his gun squarely at Prussia.]

Am People's Republic of China, and am here to protect my sister.

[cannotbow]

Who.

[the voice is imposing and hard. No. This time, no. He is so out of balance, not on home territory, not fighting against any threat he knows. The last thing he wants is to let another of the ones he knows become...droned. Robbed of their personality. The one thing that he knows is that nobody can take their individuality away - the reason why he and his country survived for as long as they did was because of their will to succeed and to never bow, not in the face of those who would have them do so.

He reaches for a sword that isn't there. So he was right. So this is the most dangerous opponent he has run across.]

Champa? Silla? Who. [it's an order. And he is already racing through the preparations -- needs to find his bow and quiver, needs to find suitable information, needs to learn how to use gun.]

[mostpopulous]

[And now China lets his voice become sad- not angry, which would be better, for the enraged will act -as he replies, submitting to his emperor's order partially because it is an order. China has been under no command but his own since he arrived in Mayfield and he misses the comfort of a disciplined regiment, of hearing what he must do and obeying. For the sake of such a thing does he tune out the yammering of his modern side, that part of him which would refuse the leader whose era is past and done.]

Is Taiwan, one of the younger nations that I once- am with what left of her.

[a pause; he threads his hand unhappily through his hair.]

Nothing can be done.

[cannotbow]

[but he does not know that, and he is angry -- angry in a way that he is beginning to feel is becoming far too much of a constant. He feels a headache coming on and he shakes his head, hard. He's survived far too much then to let himself come under such a weakness. He will survive, he will conquer and then he will take this interesting place and use it as a prison. And so he grits his teeth and waits, before cooly continuing on.]

I have seen her. She is...part of Japan, is she not?

[lips tighten and his face, for a brief moment, becomes even sterner.]

Why do you say so, China?

[mostpopulous]

[a snarl erupts from between his teeth, then, shattering the sadness with such a quickness and intensity that it surprises even him:]

Is not part of Japan! Not foul, lying Japan and all he did-!

[ragged breathing, and an awkward pause. That was a foolish- no, worse, that was an inappropriate display of temper. His next words are quiet and apologetic and unhappy: he didn't mean to snap like that, it was weak and embarrassing and so much more.]

.....because is the magic of the town, lord.