caughtinanetwork | Video ●

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... Finished.

*You can see Japan putting down a brush as he sits back to admire his work. It has been a while since he did real artwork, but he thinks it turned out rather well. After observing it for a minute, he sighs wistfully.*

I guess I'll have to be satisfied with this this year.

*Really, he shouldn't have expected to find cherry blossoms on the topical island ...

...
...
...

And he totally doesn't realize the SFC is on. Oopse.*

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.... I think it's quite natural. When you're away from home, you begin to miss things you normally wouldn't.

I know all about that, trust me. [Annnd moment of introspection over. His momentary nostalgia is replaced by Zuko's normal unintentional abrasiveness.]

Are you going to do anything else for it, or just paint?

*... Teenagers are bizarre creatures.*

I normally go find some cherry blossom trees and have picnic, but since there is no cherry blossoms to begin with, I think it'd be bit pointless.

And I really doubt Vatheon will appreciate my singing.

I definitely haven't the missed singing, that's for sure.

... But it's so peaceful around here. Have a picnic anyway if there's someone you want to go with.

Wouldn't it be bit strange to invite friends to picnic for no reason ...?

Who cares? I thought part of being friends was annoying each other.

'Annoying' isn't the word I'd use, but ... maybe you have a point.

Once in a while, it shouldn't be too bad.

All you're doing is asking! If they don't want to go then they won't show up.

Be more assertive.

*Japan looks rather embarrassed here.*

I'm sorry. It's just that I have never been very good at being assertive.

Here's your chance to practice, then. You're never going to get anywhere if you just let people walk all over you.

*Japan sighs. Zuko, he has been passive aggressive for ... for a long time.*

From my experience, it's easier said than done ... But thank you. I'll keep it in mind.

[What is thinking about other people? Teenager here.]

Whatever. Do things your own way if you want. But you should be picnicking with people you like.

*...UNCLE. WHERE ARE YOU.*

True ... It would be nice though, to have a picnic with everyone. Since the Tanabata festival I held last time turned out rather well.

[NOT HERE TO PUT SOME SENSE INTO ZUKO, SADLY.]

Then do it. Just because we can't do everything-- or most things-- that we'd be doing at home while we're here, doesn't mean we can't do some. I'll go crazy if I try to leave everything behind.

*Japan is thinking through this silently and after a moment of silence, nods.*

... You're right. It would be too bad if a long tradition has to come to end like this. I'll just have to muster up some courage.

I don't get how this takes courage; it's just a picnic.

But... I was wondering, what kind of country are you from? I'm Zuko, from the Fire Nation. [He's curious about this because some of the names here are almost unrecognizable to him, much less the cultural traditions. It's nice to run across something that seems familiar.]

The Fire Nation ... *Like Origin of Sun, kind of?*

It's a pleasure of meeting Zuko-san. My name is Honda Kiku, from Japan. Although usually people just call me Japan, feel free to call me whichever you would like.

Yeah, I know you've never heard of it.

And this is probably an obvious question, but... why do they call you the name of the country? Are you the ruler?

Ah, no ... It would be more accurate to say I am the country.

*He probably should explain this before he gets weird looks.*

In my world, each nation is represented by a person, like myself. I suppose you can say we are an embodiment of the people and the land.

You-- huh?! [He's getting a weird look anyway. Zuko always has overly dramatic reactions, and now's no exception.]

Like a spirit... A human spirit? That's, uh... [Not too dissimilar from what'd happened to Yue. If he thinks of it that way, it almost makes sense. But he invariably ends up wondering what the Fire Nation's opinion of him would be if it existed like Japan does, and is afraid that it would be negative.] Do other worlds have that, or just yours?

*Human spirit ... Well, it's not too far off. Even if they weren't anybody holy in nature.*

I only know of the people from my world, but I wouldn't completely rule out the possibility. There is also a chance that they are hiding their identity in other worlds after all.

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