audio/action Sad China is Sad

[gochuugoku]

[There's sounds of China playing his bamboo flute. No specific song, just a couple of notes. However, some of the notes begin to fail. There's a tremble in them until they come out as nothing more than a raspy sound. Unseen by others, China takes his flute away from his lips.]

I never got to tell her what I wanted I say.

[If anyone wants to run into him, he's sitting on a tree branch within Discedo's Horizon Park.]

Comments

[paprikaholic]

[She approaches, able to sense the melancholy mood.]

China? Is...is everything alright?

[gochuugoku]

[He looks down at her from her perch.]

Nihao, Xiōngyálì.

Oh, Stocking seems to have been sent back home, aru.

[paprikaholic]

...Oh no. I...I'm sorry to hear that, China.

Do you want some company? Or would you rather be left alone?

[gochuugoku]

I don't mind if you keep me company.

[He offers her a sad smile.]

[paprikaholic]

I'll stay then. Are you holding up okay?

[gochuugoku]

I believe so, after all this is not the first time I've suffered like this. Though, this was the first time I found someone who could outlive me, maybe even all the other Nations too, aru.

[paprikaholic]

Oh? You mean Stocking wasn't human?

[Action]

[meilihua]

[She is walking outside in the park when she hears something strange. She looks all around for a few minutes, completely confused, until she glances up] E-eh?! Teacher, what are you doing up there?

[Action]

[gochuugoku]

[He looks down at her, but doesn't budge from where he is.]

Nihao, Taiwan...

[Action]

[meilihua]

Do I need to call the fire department, Teacher?

[Action]

[gochuugoku]

[He shakes his head.]

No, I can get down, I just don't wish to get down at the moment. I've been thinking.

[Action]

[meilihua]

Oh, no that's not- [She halts the automatic teasing and peers up at him a little more closely, shading her eyes against the sun, squinting to see him more clearly] Okay, what happened?

[Action]

[gochuugoku]

[He looks down at his legs.]

Stocking has been sent home...

[Video]

[crackpotcrocker]

... I'm sorry. But that's the whole trouble with getting attached to people.

[Video]

[gochuugoku]

I know, but it's just that I finally found someone who could outlive me, aru. [He's dangling this pendant in front of his face.]

Re: [Video]

[crackpotcrocker]

.... I'm not very good with 'lifting spirits' but at least you have something to remember her by?

[Video]

[gochuugoku]

Yes, and who knows, perhaps she might come back in the future. In the mean time, I will keep this safe for her. [He closes his hand over the pendant.]

Re: [Video]

[crackpotcrocker]

^{That's being a tad optimistic} but maybe she will. Take care.

[Video]

[gochuugoku]

Xie xie. And there is nothing wrong with being optimistic. [Yep, he caught that part.] It doesn't do any good sitting around and taking no action, aru.

[Action]

[fierybluebird]

[Goes out to find him in person and sits nearby to whistle along with the flute up in the tree.]

Maybe she'll return, eh?

[Action]

[gochuugoku]

Maybe, but what if she doesn't remember? And never does, like I am now?

This must be how the others feel in my situation, aru.

[He looks down at the black pendant in his hands, which were resting on his lap.]

The scientists are cruel. [He closes his hands over the piece of jewelry as he makes fists.]

[Action]

[fierybluebird]

Yeah they are. [Swings his feet looking down.] At least you know she's still alive somewhere, eh?

[Slightly twisted gut, but he's focusing on China right now.] Still, she might. And if not... I guess that's just the price that's paid.

What song were you playing before?

[Action]

[gochuugoku]

Yes, that is one thing that gives me comfort.

Just when I was starting to remember things... I also told her about the Qīxī Jié and she was already planning on what we should do for that day. [He chuckles on that last bit, but then he returns to his melancholy air.]

Oh, nothing specific, just a couple of notes. I was trying to distract my mind from her, but of course it didn't work.

[Action]

[fierybluebird]

Ah. Sorry, eh? Maybe it'd help to remember the good things and help get it out of your system?

[Action]

[gochuugoku]

In the mean time, I will keep this safe. [He dangles the pendant.] Should she come back so I can give it back to her. If not, then I will continue keeping it safe, aru.