Awkward Questions

[ourparadise]

Who: Koharu Izaki; the whole world
What: Asking you who is hot. Life.
When: June 15-16. She's only doing this before the festival okay.
Where: Every district, even Nickelhollow
Rating: PG unless otherwise noted

[Koharu had a pen, a large pad of paper divided into three columns with names scribbled at the top. A small bag was slung over her shoulder to keep all the necessary things in and she sets out to wander through Dyspros. Deep breathes. She could go talk to the entire town about some guys she's never met. Right.

Firuze de Roche, Prince Lapiz and Liangyu Shi. She repeated the names under her breath over and over until she encountered her first townspeople. And then she freezes and looks down at her paper. Then back up. The townswoman looks expectant and Koharu spins around to walk the other way.

Another few minutes and a lot of internal pep talks, she just gently taps the next person on the shoulder and smiles before they even turn around]

Hello, could I ask you a question?

Comments

[motheringnation]

[Ukraine is startled at first but then smiles as well.]

Ah....yes of course.

[ourparadise]

[ Koharu is quick to precede her question with as much babbling and stammers as it takes to get past her embarrassment] I just have to ask for a mission--and I know it's silly. I don't really know who they are but um--

[Rattled off as fast as she can] Out of Firuze de Roche, Prince Lapiz and Liangyu Shi, who would you find most attractive?

[motheringnation]

.....

Is there a picture?

[ourparadise]

I'm afraid I don't...I was just told to ask?

[motheringnation]

Oh.... um ...I'll say the third one then?

[Because sure why not.]

[ourparadise]

Well...I'll put down the third one then. [

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Well...I'll put down the third one then. [<small><She smiles</small>] I know it's silly. I haven't met any of them myself.

[motheringnation]

[She offers a small smile in return.]

Who gave you the mission?

[ourparadise]

Wilma. I think she runs some sort of newspaper or magazine... And she didn't want to poll herself.

[motheringnation]

[She nods.]

Good luck with it. ..I hope you find some people who actually know what they look like.

[Because that might help.]

[ourparadise]

Me too. I think I should have done this once the prince got here at least. [Little smile] Thank you um...miss...

[motheringnation]

You're welcome, I was glad to help.

And I'm Ukraine.

[ourparadise]

Oh--another? I'm Koharu Izaki. [Little bow]

[motheringnation]

It's good to meet you!

[Slight pause.]

Oh, have you met some of the others here then? I know there's a few of us around.

[ourparadise]

I met quite a few nations yes. I didn't believe it at first...but it's hard to not believe with so many.

[motheringnation]

Which ones? You haven't talked to a blond woman who seems a little scary and probably asked about her brother or a tall blonde man in a scarf ...who might have also seemed a little scary, have you?

[ourparadise]

...No? Just um, Latvia and Lithuania--Spain...[At this point she hadn't met any others. America and Belarus herself came later]...Who are the ones you described?

[motheringnation]

[Future Ukraine will be happy to locate her sister. Until then, ask all the people.]

Belarus and Russia, they're my younger siblings. I know a few of us are showing up so I was hoping they might too...

[ourparadise]

I--[Hasn't found a single person from home yet but she won't mention that] I'm sure it'll work out. I'll keep a look out for them.

[motheringnation]

[You get more smiles for that.]

Thank you very much. I know they're all grown up, but I still worry about them now and again.

[Read, all the time.]

[ourparadise]

[Little smile] Oh I do know how it is to worry after someone long after they really need me to. It's simply how things are--or how some people are. Inspiring worry.

[motheringnation]

[Small laugh.]

That is very true.

Well I'll let you get back to your survey. It was very nice meeting you, and good luck again.

[ourparadise]

Thank you--and thank you again for your help. It was very nice to meet you as well.

[vytis]

[Lithuania turns toward the voice, which sounds familiar--and once he sees a face, he recognizes her properly.]

Oh, Miss Izaki, good afternoon. [Lithuania smiles.] Do you need help with something?

[ourparadise]

[ Somehow it's harder with someone she actually knows. She smiles nervously and nods, then flushes] Oh well um...

I'm supposed to ask a question for a mission...

[dogtag]

[ he feels the tap, barely stifles his usual reflex to take a huge step back, and manages to look not extremely paranoid while she asks her question.

nic has no idea who she is, or what she wants to ask him, which makes him suspicious, naturally. but he nods all the same, though he does it slowly. ]

[ourparadise]

[She tries to keep smiling even with someone a bit...out of her comfort zone. Namely she still doesn't like talking to guys quite as rough looking as him]

W-Well um...I--um...

[dogtag]

[ at least he hasn't drawn his sword or anything yet. he waits, arms at his side, awkwardly silent. she had a question, didn't she? ]

[ourparadise]

[She fiddles with her paper and mumbles] It's a silly question I have for a mission. I can ask someone else.

[dogtag]

[ when she mumbles, it's hard for him understand what she's saying, so — ]

Talk more slowly. Can't understand.

[ which also brings up the problem that she probably doesn't know sign language, but he can deal with that. ]

[ourparadise]

[She freezes, uncertain of why, but tries to speak more slowly. And clearly.]

It's nothing important. Just a question for a magazine.

[dogtag]

[ that's better, nic thinks. he nods to show that he understands, and then gestures for her to continue. even if it isn't important, it's not as if he has that much to do. he'll answer a question. ]

[ourparadise]

...Well it's silly. Do you know of Firuze de Roche, the Prince Lapiz and Liangyu Shi? ...And who would you find most attractive?

[dogtag]

[ the names are familiar, at least to some extent, but nic doesn't really understand the question. he agrees that it's silly, but... he did ask for it.

he considers, and then simply names them in random order. ]

Prince. Firuze. Liangyu.

[ his enunciation and intonation are terrible, but he tries. at least he answered the question? ]

[ourparadise]

[She listens, moving to mark down before she realizes something. That really changes his answer. Does it matter? He's probably humoring her but she is doing a mission.]

Best to worst? Or worst to best?

[dogtag]

[ ...hm. does he really have to say?

he holds up two fingers to signify the second option. ]

[ourparadise]

[She makes a little tick in Liangyu's column and bobs a little bow]

Thank you. I know it was a silly question. But it's just a mission.

[dogtag]

[ right. that makes more sense. nic nods, too uncomfortable with the motion of bowing to respond in kind. at least he answered the question without outright hostility! look on the bright side... ]

[ourparadise]

Thank you very much sir--for your time. [Then she hesitates] Is there anything I could help you with in exchange?

[dogtag]

[ he shakes his head, silent. ]

Maybe later. [ it's always good to collect favors, no matter how small. but for now, nic just goes to take his leave. ]

[ourparadise]

Well then, have a nice day. [She bows, then heads on her way]

[derpiest]

[hey, another person who doesn't say anything! though he just sort of looks at her questioningly, as if to say 'yes? what is it?']

[ourparadise]

[Koharu pauses uncertainly at the lack of reply but tries to charge forward] I just need to ask a question--for a newspaper? Magazine... I don't suppose you know the prince Lapiz, Firuze de Roche or Liangyu Shi?

[derpiest]

[there's a long pause while he thinks about it -- and then brings out his bracelet.

enjoy the text message in reply, koharu!]

Liangyu? The one who invited everyone over to talk about his homeland?

[ourparadise]

[She blinks at him and reads the message that pops up]

Oh I'm sorry--Liangyu? Thank you...[She's a little awkward, poking at her paper before making a note]

[derpiest]

Why're you asking, though?

[he's just curious now. why randomly survey people? ... what are the odds of getting two people who can't talk in a row?]

[ourparadise]

It's just some silly mission question. Sort of...a popularity contest? It's just gossip.

[derpiest]

Oh.

[he looks... confused. did she just stop him, ask him if he knew some random dudes, and -- that's all? was that the whole thing?]

...is that it?