estoria | ( OPEN )

[ They already are! Sort of. Ever see a tiny fox fall asleep on a plush tofu-fox cube? It's pretty cute. ]

I'm glad. [ An armful of fox pillows are placed around the blanket pile. It looks like a weird sundae. ]

Ishikirimaru and I did find something interesting. A shrine with random objects around it. Some of them were very familiar and we tried to gather as many as we could to bring back home.

[ He nervously looks down at the ground, at his feet. ]

[She must see this happen. SHE MUST.

Also it's weird, but it looks cute.]

Ah...you saw those too. Things that belonged to people we know?

Yes. [ Kogitsune is getting a little fidgety. It's hard for him to bring up a sensitive topic like this! He's not even sure if it's his right to do so, but... ]

I couldn't help but think of you regarding one of the things we found. That is, if you didn't already have something like it.

[ He scratches his own hairears. ]

I believe Ishikirimaru has already purified the items. They should be near the shrine in the living room. Let me straighten these things out, and I'll join you in a moment.

[ A few scraps of a light blue Shinsengumi outfit, a long red ribbon, and of course--- an eyepatch, in relatively good condition sit on the shrine. ]

[She looks at him curiously, hearing his explanation. It did make sense, since she was similar to them. An entirely different kind of spirit, but they understand each other and their situations.]

Alright, I will go see...

[And she heads off just before Kogitsunemaru as encouraged, waiting for him in the living room. But that also means she has some time to look at the items that Ishikirimaru has purified. It saddens her, seeing her friends' items right here like this, knowing where they came from. Especially when she sees Mitsutada's eyepatch.]

[ Quietly making his way back into the main living area, he leans against the wall and sighs. As fortunate as they were to find the remnants of their comrades, it only added more questions and couldn't diminish the worries of the spirits. Wherever they are, it couldn't possibly be as safe as their temporary homes. Those thoughts weighed heavily on Kogitsune, who only felt some relief at knowing he could offer Vietnam something to her. ]

... if you'd like, you can have it. You're family, you know? I doubt anyone would mind if you wanted a keepsake of sorts. And if he comes home, you can give it to him. It would make him happy, right?

[ Hope. ]

[Vietnam understands this perfectly. They come back, hopefully, like Horikawa did, only to disappear again. Sometimes they don't remember at all, but just know they were safe now is enough. If only they could find out where the others are!

She grips and rubs her hands slowly, just to give herself something to do. Kogitsunemaru is too generous, and while her emotions are down, just hearing his words and offer soothes her.]

You are too kind, Kogitsunemaru. I consider you all family. It's...[Her hands loosen up and her fingers just brush over the eyepatch.] Are you sure? I mean, it would be nice. But he is still your family too.

True. However, I've also been thinking about what may happen after all of... this. [ And he gestures to everything, obviously motioning to more than just the apartment but the entirety of the colony, the planet, heck--- even the universe??? ]

You see, we may be fortunate enough to find his sword again. You, though, will not. I figure that you could take this back with you to your world, as well. Something physical that you can keep along with your memories, show your comrades...

[ And then he grins. ]

Of course, you should also tell them about how great foxes are, seeing as you've met a few around here.

[She looks around while he gestures towards the room, and understands.

She manages a smile, and takes the eyepatch into her hand.] He will find another eyepatch, but I will have a small memento. I think I can agree with that. I would definitely like to tell Japan about meeting his swords, and how wonderful they are.

[She turns towards Kogitsunemaru.]

My photographs managed to come with me from my own world. I am not photogenic, but I think I would endure it just to take a photograph with you. Then I can tell them about one of the best foxes I have met. He is a small fox, but he's also very big.

[ NICE. Nice. He understands! She's talking about him, the smallest-biggest fox in Cerealia?! Possibly the only one of his contradictory self-given descriptions, really. ]

Whenever you see him, please tell him that we were working hard to keep him safe. Even if he isn't aware of our actions... we do it for him. Weird to think about our task in that way, but it is true.

[ A photograph... well, it couldn't hurt. Vietnam is definitely more photogenic than she probably thinks, at least this is what Kogi muses. ]

Shall we take one here? Or is there a more suitable location?

[ He's no artist. ]

[HE'S FIGURED IT ALL OUT. But that's probably because she's quoting him. THANKS, KOGITSUNEMARU.]

I will tell him, of course! I am sure once he finds out, he will do his best to find you all too. Even his main weapon is a sword! And you've done so much for him, he would want to help you. [Japan's only been nice to her.

And if only she thought the same as Kogi, really. Taking out her CereVice...]

Hmm, would you rather here or outside where it's nice? Near the safer parts of the park?

Mm. Outside would be good. A breath of fresh air would also be nice! [ After spending most of the day inside and in his room, it'd make sense if they got something that showed more than just an apartment in the background. Not to mention, the park outside definitely doesn't look like any normal park. ]

Okay. How about...

[ And he'll lead the way, out of the apartment and the building, to the park not far. It's a nice day though it's quiet outside. Finding a place with a few trees isn't too difficult with a bit of the city behind them. ]

Is this okay?

[A road trip! This is exciting! And so she follows, let it all be his idea. After all, this is a photo to show off Kogitsunemaru, so she has to make sure it's a place he likes.

It's actually a very cute spot that he picked.]

It's lovely!

[ The safest and most exciting of trips! No trips to under the colony, outside into the forest, on top of a mountain, inside Fishy... nothing bad. ]

Just make sure to get my good side.

[ Note: all sides are good. ]

[If only they brought picnic food with them!!]

O-oh of course! It is very easy when it comes to you. [He's handsome, Japan is going to be so proud!

First she needs a solo picture. Good thing a digital camera means she can take many shots.]

Pose however you like!

[ Any pose? Well then! He puts one hand over the other in front of him, standing nice and tall. He wants to look as kind and polite as possible. Nothing insane, like flashing a sign or sticking out his tongue.

Kogi's gotta look nice for Japan, right? ]

Okay, this will do. Go ahead!

[ But of course, he'll grin like so. ]

[He looks so handsome like this! So regal, like a King of Foxes!

She has to take a few shots, there's no way she's going to let this one be ruined. So she's being more than careful. When she pauses to check them--]

These look very nice!

Good, good! [ He claps his hands, bouncing on his toes. Anything to make Japan proud! They've been fighting for so long, after all. ]

You wouldn't happen to have pictures of... them, would you? I mean, I assume there are more countries than just you and Japan?

[ Like other countries matter, psh. ]

[She's moving over to show him now, he looks so excited!! Japan really would be so proud of how his swords are fighting for him. Protecting the world, even.]

Oh! I also have pictures of them too...wait a minute. [She took some a while back to show others, like Doutanuki, because Japan looks a bit like Ishikirimaru. However the pictures were not just of Japan, but rather, her entirely family along with some of the other Asian countries, or at least those available for a picture: China, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Korea, Thailand, India and of course, Taiwan.

[ He gets a look in his eye, of amazement and wonder? Maybe he shouldn't look so child-like (or grandpa-like), but seeing all of these different countries... ]

So they are also your family? I'm amazed! I bet their personalities are just like ours, shaped by our histories and origins... I'd very much like to meet them all one day.

[ And more than just visit them, like as a vacation, but as they are in the photos! Is that even possible?! Where is the crossover they desperately need! ]

[How he manages both is impressive! This look of wonder is so nice though, she's so proud. Even if she talks shit about her family now and then.]

Yes! It is just like how you said it. We live and grow through history, so it shapes us. Japan is a gentle, calm man. But he has lots of interesting hobbies with how his people are so eccentric. You end up picking up whatever your people do because you spend so much time with them.

[YEAH WHY CAN'T WE HAVE TKRB X HETALIA ALREADY.]

Hm? Really? So then... what makes you you, Vietnam? How would you describe the people that live in your country?

[ Kogi scrunches his face up, mostly because it would have been real awkward to phrase it any other way. 'People living on you' sounds weird, and any other iteration... nope!

Weapons from other countries would be so neat. ]

[That's...a good question. How would she describe her own people?]

Hmm...they're still emerging into the world. A little rough around the edges, but are doing their best. [If anything, they're chill with each other, stuff she learns from.

Excalibur...we need.]

Do you think they're okay? I mean, I suppose as okay as anyone else is.

[ Of course, he's referring to the worlds that are being 'restored' by CERES. Kogi can only imagine that Vietnam's people are also in that state. ]

... are there any people from Vietnam here?

[ Wow it's weird referring to her as the country! ]

Hmm...I think they're alright. They're strong, and I learn much from them. Perhaps things here tell us that it's all hopeless, but if there's a fighting chance, they won't go down. [And it's happened before, and it'll happen again. You lose when you give up!

She smiles gently.] There is someone from Vietnam here. Her name is Ai.

Ai? You must be proud of her! Lucky for you that you get to see the ones you've basically for, in a way?

[ He gently shakes his head, letting his hair settle against his back. ]

That would be like if I met the one who forged me, or someone who actually wielded me. However, history would not allow those things to happen.

[ At least Kogi is pretty sure that it'd be one of those Extremely Selfish and Bad Things if it did happen, even coincidentally. ]

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