arcanarum | Zwei. [Video]

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Zwei. [Video]

[Some of you may remember Germany. Yes, that's that unfriendly, disbelieving nation that was on the network a mere week ago, displaying a sour mood and willingness to yell at everyone and their pet rabbit. Considering he's been stuck on this island for a week now, still fails to understand the time difference between the present nations and for some odd reason is wearing this when appreaing on the screen... His mood is not one bit better than before. In fact, he looks ready to strangle someone. Just that that's difficult with plush hooves covering his hands. Tough luck.]

Halloween?

[Note the remotely dangerous intonation.]

What... Is the meaning of this? Who was that woman and where is she now? Also, who is responsible for this ridiculous costume and how do I take it OFF!?! [And he's only getting louder.] I didn't give permission to this infamy so I demand that my person gets freed from this-...this...THIS!

[His voice becomes more of a growl.] Unless whoever did this wants me to hunt them down personally. [And this is where a plush-hoof comes into view, shaking angrily. Yes, this would have been a fist. Only that a fist would be far more intimidating.] But once I get my hands on you, I sewar I will-- [But... Germany cuts himself off, glancing down at his ~~hoof~~ hand. His right eyebrow twitches. Luckily, his face is pretty red already due to simply being angry, so the rising embarrassment isn't too obvious. Oh, the humiliation.]

[He ends up quickly pulling his hand down again and clears his throat, continuing in a somewhat calmer, yet still upset voice.] What I meant to say is... I'm not going to tolerate this! Regardless who is responsible for it. I will find them. And they shall be rightfully punished! Unless they want to surrender willingly. If that is the case, this is your chance!

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[Hajime returns that nod, tenses, and then leaps up in the air for a flying kick. Good thing it's nowhere near as likely to make things explode as this might under more normal circumstances for him.]

[Under normal circumstances Germany also wouldn't have minded an explosion. But just as his opponent, Germany is just human right now.

He adjusts his stance and brings up his arms to block the kick rather than dodging to the side, curious to learn the strength behind it but also to see how well he is able to hold an attack of such force.

He somehow manages to remain standing, yet doesn't counter right away.]

[Hajime uses the force of the kick to spring away from Germany, and unlike the other man, he's not interested in waiting to attack. As soon as his feet hit the ground again, he's once more rushing at the other, this time trying to see if he can land a punch to the face.]

[Germany remains standing, but brings his fist up and around to aim a punch on his own, aiming for his attacker's sternum and not bothering to block or dodge this time but letting the hit connect in order to get his own punch through.

He clenches his jaws tightly when the other's fist connects and he would swear he saw little stars flashing in front of his inner eyes in response.]

[Hajime was so focused on landing his own punch, that shot to his sternum hits hard, knocking the wind out of him for a moment and sending him reeling back, focusing on breathing again before he can do much else.]

[It takes Germany a few moments to regain his bearing, but once he does, he sets eyes on the other man before quickly shaking his own head against the remains of the slight daze. Oddly enough the nation feels much more relaxed now. He steps up to Hajime's side and crouches down next to him.

The last punch was pretty decent and he is sure he'll have a nice bruise from that later.]

Let's stop for now.

[Hajime's not quite sure how a fully-human body would handle continued damage, so he nods in agreement as he sits up.]

That wasn't a bad match.

[Germany nods in agreement and muses aloud.]

Seems my brother was right. We're human here. So for human standards I'm inclined to agree. That was a decent workout.

[He glances up with a slight inclination of his head.]

You don't happen to know if they sell beer here, by chance?

[Because after a fight: Beer. Period.]

[He nods, like this is the most natural conversation ever.]

It would appear that way. They're not terribly durable...

[Hajime nods.]

There's a tavern in town. I believe they sell it there.

Indeed. I take it you're not used to work with a human body either, then.

[He gets up and offers a casual ~~hoof~~ hand up.]

The tavern it is, then. Though I'm afraid, I didn't catch your name yet.

No, I'm not. They're slow. Weaker than what I'm used to.

[He regards the offered hand for a moment, takes it, and stands up, brushing off his goofy costume once he's on his feet.]

Hajime Aikawa. And you are...?

[Now that sounds pretty Japanese to him.]

I'm currently known as Greater German Reich, Germany, to simplify matters. That makes me a country under normal circumstances, ja.

[He waits for the other to be done and standing before finally setting off in the general direction of the shopping district.]

I was under the impression a country was just a human political construct.

[Forcing something like that into a human form seemed...awkward. And confusing. Granted, perhaps the apocalyptic roach-monster turned man probably couldn't talk...

He's walking alongside the other as they head back into the shopping district, keeping an eye out for that bar.]

That's true. Everything we are, do and feel is, in the end, the product of our people. Being disconnected from them is... Strange.

[Awkward it may be in a way, but it's the only way Germany knows.

It doesn't take them long to arrive there. And Germany's more than willing to entirely forget about those ridiculous costumes upon stepping inside.]

[Hajime considers this.]

Being connected to so many others seems like it would be strange to begin with...

[Upon entering the tavern, Hajime's body language becomes slightly tense. He's just not happy when there are a lot of people around.]

I assume it may appear that way to someone that hasn't always existed that way. But I don't know it any differently. It's like missing an important part of yourself.

[Germany doesn't really notice the change in the other man's posture but rather finds them an empty table to sit at.]

I've always existed alone. It's worked well enough.

[Hajime follows Germany to the table. He's glad to be seated at one; it makes it easier for him to glare warily at everyone else in the room...not that the action's evident with that helmet he's wearing.]

But being on your own all the time must get lonely at some point.

[The nation doesn't notice himself, but he motions for the waitress to take their order.]

If it weren't for my people, I always used to have my brother around at least.

It's the way of my kind. We don't coexist well. Attachments are a weakness, anyway. Just one more thing for your enemies to strike.

[Of course, he's been forming attachments in this human form...not that he would admit it. The little girl he adopted as a sister back home keeps getting targeted because of it, after all.

He'll also let Germany order first, because this is not something he does often and he doesn't really know what to order. Such is what happens when you've only been a human for a short time.]

A brother? How does that work with the whole being a nation thing?

Your kind?

[To no one's surprise, Germany orders a beer for himself. Really. As if there ever is a different option.]

Though I see your point. Having a weak ally quickly gets your enemies to launch their attacks on him rather than yourself.

[He knows that quite well, indeed.]

We aren't related by blood like humans are, but we are both Germanic countries and share several ties. In fact, my brother founded, then raised and trained me. A few years ago we also got united, so in a way we're both the same country now.

I'm an Undead. Not that I'm a reanimated corpse...we just don't die.

[He shrugs. Beer? Okay, sure, that works. Hajime orders the same.]

Exactly. In eliminating attachments, you've eliminated that weak spot and they're forced to confront you directly. I've always hated others getting in my line of fire...

[He listens, curious.]

So it's possible to have a family outside the way humans do, then...? That sounds...somewhat complicated.

Hm. Undead... [He ponders that for a moment, then frowns.] Wouldn't immortal be a more fitting term to use in this case?

[But he nods, still.]

I know. I've had a particularly weak ally for quite some time myself. But nowadays I'm almost entirely on my own. [Because most of his allies have already declared war on him as well.]

Though, ja. Maybe it's complicated for others. But you always need to consider, that we are strongly linked to political developments and decisions. I, for example, am the result of all my older brothers unifying into one nation. Most of them I never met myself. [And there may even be a couple of sisters he's not even aware of.]

It's just what we've always been called. There's a little more to it than just that, but it's what the humans seem to be obsessed with...

[He shrugs again, ~~indifferent to his Engrish-laden canon~~.]

It's better that way, I think. Fewer distractions. Easier to get things taken care of directly.

[Hajime nods.]

It's very...different from the way I've seen most species do things. But it makes sense, I suppose...you've taken in the strongest traits of the others, yes?

Have you ever considered your immortality as bothersome, if I may ask?

[Because it somehow interests him. With merely about 70 years he's still young for a nation after all.]

In a way, ja. I inherited their knowledge and skills. But that doesn't mean I didn't have to learn how to use those...

Most of the time, it's not a problem unless I were to get sealed. I've long since taken precautions against that.

[Because spending 10,000 years sealed inside a playing card is kind of not fun. He would rather not repeat the experience.]

Did learning those skills take long with that pre-existing knowledge?

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