一 (audio)

[fuzei]

[ There's a very quiet 'uwah' followed by a moment of silence. This is followed by another sound of admiration, but since this is audio, it's hard to say who the voice might belong to, much less what it is that is so intriguing. Thankfully, the person responsible is about to provide some commentary. ]

How curious… [ Here she starts to fade in and out a little. ] Such a thing… it makes one feel like a princess. [ When she gets closer, the sound of fabric rustling can be heard. ] Is this being spirited away? I have never experienced such a thing! [ Now she sounds like she's getting more excited. ] Is it that I am the heroine now? [ Now she seems to be moving away, because the sound is getting more muffled again. She can still be heard talking to herself every so often though, and further 'uwah!'s and 'aaa's can be heard intermittently. ] ... so beautiful...

Aa! Am I addressing someone? Please excuse my rudeness. My name is Japan. [ More rustling can be heard, because it's just like her to bow even when she can't be seen. ] May I ask... to whom I am speaking...?

Comments

[cleaningstop]

O-Oh, yes! The honor is all mine.

[fuzei]

[ She smiles — politely, but happily. ] What a warm welcome I have received.

[cleaningstop]

Oh, absolutely! It's the least I could do, after all.

[fuzei]

[ She holds her hands up now, a little flustered, it seems. ] I am no different to anyone else here though— if there is anything I can do to assist, I would like to know!

[cleaningstop]

Now that you mention it...

What exactly did you mean when you called yourself "Japan"?

[fuzei]

That is my name. [ She raises her hands, as if staving off another question. ] It is rather difficult to explain, but I am the same as the country that is called 'Japan.'

[cleaningstop]

You're the same as a... country?

[fuzei]

Indeed.

[cleaningstop]

But... how can that be?!

[fuzei]

I believe the best way to explain it is to say that my existence is tied to the existence of Japan. For so long as she exists, I do as well.

[cleaningstop]

And it's like that for every other country?

[fuzei]

Aa, I believe it is true of most nations, yes. And some others who are not nations, or not yet nations. Also some who are formerly nations.

[cleaningstop]

[suddenly, she really wants to ask a certain question]

Oh, oh! What about my homeland! Are they, um, like you?

Please, you have tell me!

[fuzei]

[ She pauses for a moment, then does a sort of 'aha!' gesture, fist to palm. ] Hong-san is from China?

[cleaningstop]

Yes, it's as you say!

What is China like? Can I know?

[fuzei]

[ The most challenging thing she's done since arriving. Her brow furrows and she crosses her arms, as if thinking very deeply. ]

China-san is... China-san is quite interesting.... She is quite old, of course! And yet never seems to age....

[cleaningstop]

Of course, it's only to be expected from a country with thousands of years worth of history!

[fuzei]

It is quite long. [ She seems to be shifting her weight very slightly. ] And much has changed, over time, of course.

[cleaningstop]

For the better, I'm certain of it!

[fuzei]

Truly? Aa, China-san and I have had some [ what's a good word for this ] disagreements, but I believe she is truly making an effort....

[cleaningstop]

Disagreements? Over what?

[fuzei]

One thing or another— it is not truly so important to discuss each incident.... [ There are... so many.... ]

[cleaningstop]

Alright, if that's how you feel...

Still, I really do want to be able to meet China someday! To have the opportunity to see the personification of my beloved homeland... It's more than I could ever wish for!

[fuzei]

Perhaps Hong-san will have the opportunity to do so. Since there are several other nations present, it does not seem as though such a thing would be impossible!

[cleaningstop]

Ah, but what would I say... There's so much I'd want to talk about about.

Where could I even begin?!