estoria | [ tell me, who's that funky dude ★ closed ]

[ america is off from work today, thus the need to be adventurous with his stomach. he has a plan for today's lunch and everything!! it's going to be, drum roll please...

INDIAN FOOD.

which means it's a great thing that america has off today because it usually makes him shit a lot. oh well! WORTH IT. he's of course not going to overshare that part to sousei (they're not those kind of friends. yet.) but he is excited to get sousei to try something new! he's going to make them friends if it kills him (or his stomach. seriously, so much poop.)

america gets to the food shop area pretty quickly and will just wait for sousei in the main square, pretty eager and rocking back and forth on his feet as he waits. you know, you gotta appreciate ceres for giving them such a variety of foodstuffs, right? right. probably.

ugh, ceres. ]

[please never share that sort of tmi with sousei, america, he doesn't want to know.

Regardless, eventually Sousei makes it there--sword at his side as always, but otherwise as comfortable as he's going to get in modern western clothing... or, well, his attempt at it, which is slacks and a long-sleeved shirt. At least Yang coaxed him away from only button-up shirts.

But she hasn't convinced him of the merits of jeans yet.

Ah well.]

America.

[yo.]

[ you will know one day and appreciate it the way he appreciates you! still, nice outfit. the funny thing is america is probably wearing something comparable too, slacks and a button up over here... except way more fashionable because it's america. incredible.

he grins widely at sousei and waves as he approaches. ]

Hey, dude! I was thinking we'd do Indian food and I saw a really good place the other day I wanted to check out for it. You've never had Indian food, have you?

[ he's going to turn to walk in that direction now, assuming sousei will follow. ]

I haven't, no.

[He's so excitable, as ever... but Sousei does increase his stride to at least walk side-by-side. Following has never suited him well at all.

But with his arms crossed behind his back, posture military straight, they're certainly a funny duo.]

I am willing to try it. [...once. It gets...one try.]

[ america's just assuming under all that deadpan is BOUNDLESS ENTHUSIASM because of course, that's always how it works. always. he'll look over at sousei with a grin as he falls in step and head in the direction of the place -- more towards the restaurant area than the food cart area. ]

I mean, it really just depends on if you like spicy food. What kind of stuff do you usually eat?

I do not tend to vary my diet much.

[Sousei does not know what BOUNDLESS ENTHUSIASM is, America.......... but nonetheless, he tilts his head slightly.]

There is Japanese food at the market. That is easy enough to obtain.

[...]

Occasionally, Tenka brings home foods that are hardly worth eating. [dino nuggets]

There's no point to life if you don't try everything though, dude. I'm a big supporter of different foods! I mean, not crickets but like... anything else! Awesome!

[ he nods decisively, punching a hand to his fist. ]

Otherwise, what's the point? Can't be alive as long as I had and just eat the same thing all the time! Then I'm just taking up space.

[awe...some........

like the opposite of awesome tbh. that is how he's feeling right now.

But nonetheless, he supposes if he was alive forever, he would also want to experience other foods.]

... Well. I won't deny that experiencing a wider range of things is important.

[ no, you're feeling plenty awesome! FEEL AWESOME. DON'T BE A BABY.

but good, he nods along at sousei's words, cheery as can be. ]

Exactamundo, brah. Never stick to old habits, develop new ones! Experience all the stuff! They don't call me a melting pot for nothing, you know. Got a bit of everything in me.

[ slapping his hand to his chest fairly proud. hell yeah, stuff! ]

[the hell is a melting pot.

.... right anyway.]

I do not intend to stagnate in any way. [honestly... honestly.] This is an important period of Japan's development. To be left behind would do nobody any good.

[He wants to remain on top of the changes, to be able to keep up and protect his country, even though it's changing as well.]

[ it's... it's a melting pot, sousei! A MELTING POT. LIKE FONDUE.

DO YOU FONDUE, SOUSEI??? ]

If it helps, you guys do really make great strides. [ a beat as he considers, before grinning. ] Japan's actually the most technologically advanced country in the world.

[ he gestures to cereal as a whole with a hand ]

Y'all pretty much got CERES beat when it comes to cool stuff.

[no he definitely doesn't fondue

in a way, though, it does help. Sousei doesn't think there's anything wrong with traditional Japan the way it was, but...they have to be able to compete on a global scale as well. Isolation isn't a viable option anymore.

He knows this well-enough; he's educated on the topic.

But he's pleased, too. Japan will be fine. Not that he was concerned.]

...It is difficult to imagine at the moment. [wait, with how mismatched Japan is.] But I do believe you. Japan is a great country, with a great deal of potential.

[ you should learn to fondue. probably with milla.

if america knew what sousei was thinking, he'd be happy that he was able to provide. for now though, he can only guess and hope he's aiming in the right direction.

he tucks his hands in his pockets, continuing to walk with sousei. they're coming up on the restaurant in another two blocks or so, so he's content! ]

You still have a lot of your old tradition, if it helps. It's kind of weird, you can go to Japan and either step right into bright modern day, lots of flashing lights and advanced tech ... or you can get right back to traditional Japan. There's a part of the culture for everyone!

[ it's another moment where he wishes japan were here to talk for himself instead but you know, america's gonna support his bro for now no problem. ]

[Wow America keep your shipping out of your brackets!!

But that's...also a relief. Sousei had been ready and prepared to accept industrialization and westernization as it came, but...there was definitely something a little sad about losing the traditional as well.

But if Japan manages to retain that...]

... You speak of Japan rather familiarly, I've noticed. [that's his way of asking if you know each other well]

[ nope, sorry!!

at sousei's question, because it's definitely a question, he looks surprised. he thought it was obvious but then he reminds himself of the time discrepancy and nods. ]

Yeah, he's one of the Nations I'm actually on the best terms with! From when you're from, it's actually sort of the beginning of our relationship but then you know, time passes. Wars and stuff. [ don't mention wwii don't mention wwii don't mention wwii ] We were actually enemies for a bit! But then the war ended and I helped patch Japan all up. We've been on really good terms since!

[... Wars and stuff.

Yeah, Sousei knows when he's better off not asking. There's hundreds of years of history between them, and...it's not history he'll see. It'll just make things complicated to ask about it.

So he nods slowly.]

...I see. [he was just curious, but that gives him plenty to mull over, don't mind him and his awkward silence.]

[ he is really really relieved when sousei doesn't ask for clarification because he's not ready to give it. he even lets the silence sit while they approach the restaurant, gesturing towards it when they're close. ]

Here's the place, dude.

[ holding open the door for sousei to go inside first!! he'll follow him in quickly after and request a table for two from the maitre d'. it's a pretty casual place and they're seated fairly quickly, given menus and glasses of water too. ]

Take a look at the menu, they've got descriptions of the stuff if you need a bit more info.

[It is pretty casual, which is something he appreciates; he's never been comfortable at classy, high-end places, though he does better than Tenka.

He's used to it, at least.

But this... he's more comfortable, even if it's still pretty foreign. So, quietly, he picks up the menu, glancing it over. It's...different, but there are some things that appear to be the same.]

...What do you eat here?

[ it's the lack of expression, that's what makes it easier for you, sousei.

but yeah, america wouldn't feel right grabbing food with sousei anywhere very fancy. he just wants to hang out, gosh darnit!

at sousei's question he looks up and considers. ]

I think you should try a samosa first. They're like a meat pastry kind of thing, very tasty. Kind of a staple. As for a whole meal, uh...

[ he looks at the menu again, brow furrowing. ]

What kind of stuff do you usually go for?

That is not...

[... he lives in a dorm, America, he doesn't have room to be picky, he's a soldier and nobody in the entire Yamainu can cook--]

... I am not picky.

[aka he eats whatever he can, he just puts sauce on top and hopes for the best.

What a sad life.]

[ he's gonna shake his head because nope, he's not accepting that as an answer. he gets what sousei means by it, or at least he has a feeling, but he knows that everyone has something they like. even if they don't usually have it. ]

No, no, that's not an answer. There's got to be something you like. If you could pick anything to eat, no limits, no one else to think about -- what would you go for? What kind of tastes do you like?

[ a very cheery grin here. ]

Think about it. There's gotta be something.

[... why is everyone so concerned with him legitimately enjoying life........... there's a pause, and he considers that for a long moment.

And then.

Well.]

...As far as any food items are concerned, I enjoy karashi renkon.

[have you ever had that, america

because it's probably god-awful for someone who isn't ready for it]

[ because it's a nice thing to do, sousei. enjoy your life.

his face goes a little blank at that answer because he did not expect it at all. karashi... renkon... really now. he's had it before with japan but only once and never again because no?? please god no.

but it's sousei's favorite, okay. weird but okay. ]

Karashi... renkon... You are full of surprises, dude.

[ giving a shake of his head as he looks through the menu ]

Okay then, let's see. How about we hook you up with some... oh, oh. Chicken tikka masala. It's under the chicken section, how do you think that sounds?

[ he looks up pretty hopeful at sousei. he will get you the right meal, yep. ]

Can get some naan on the side, it'll be great!

[Why is that a surprise...admittedly it's a weird food to pick and even Tenka acts surprised sometimes, but nonetheless he doesn't get it at all. But for now he'll focus on the menu.

Chicken tikka masala... that sure sounds foreign to him.

But it doesn't sound terrible.]

...That sounds acceptable.

[Fine, America. He won't argue with that.]

[ tell me, who's that funky dude ★ closed ]

if there was another back to the future movie these two would star probably

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