[first fragrance] audio/video

[fragrancy]

[ Instead of the normal amount of fumbling around that one might expect from someone who has been handed a new piece of machinery or gadget to decipher, there's relative quiet and a calm, almost bored sounding voice comes over the air, speaking in English. ] Who has jurisdiction here? Doesn't look like there are any government offices around. If

Comments

[asideglance]

Hong Kong-kun! You-- ...Ah... Is this place not remembered?

[fragrancy]

Hey, Japan. Was I here before or something? Someone's really not gonna like that.

[asideglance]

...You were, in fact. Ah, has someone explained the situation?

[fragrancy]

I've heard a little. I kinda think it's gonna take a little while to sink in.

[asideglance]

Understandably... ...Ah, so you truly do not remember...

[fragrancy]

Nothing's jogging my memory, no. I was really here before?

[asideglance]

Ah, yes... It has been quite some time, however. That is fine, so please do not strain yourself.

[fragrancy]

[ Slightest head cocking motion. ] You're telling me not to worry?

[asideglance]

Ah... Yes... Is that odd?

[fragrancy]

No, I guess not. Let me ask you, what year was it? When you came here, I mean.

[asideglance]

...

Is that sort of information necessary? I have been here for quite some time, so I understand that Hong Kong-kun must be from a future date...

[fragrancy]

I guess it's not. I was just curious. And since you haven't transformed this place into a scene out of a sci-fi movie, I'll assume what you said is right and I'm from the future.

[asideglance]

[A pause... Well. Actually, hiding this makes it seem worse, doesn't it? It's well known anyway.]

If you are truly curious, it is 1940. But please think nothing of it.

[fragrancy]

[ He nods, then finds something fascinating to stare at just beyond the view of the camera for a second. ] Thanks for telling me. I don't wanna make things difficult for you, so I'll try to take your advice.

[asideglance]

...

China-san is from an even more difficult point in time... So perhaps Hong Kong-kun can help him where I cannot. [He's still defensive, and he's still... in the same mindset as home. But. He can understand differences. And he wants to help China, but he's not the one to do it.]

[fragrancy]

[ ... ] I heard. You don't know what happens?

[ He's just checking. He's going to have to hold his tongue a lot, isn't he? ]