[ 5 ] a thorn defends the rose, harming only those who would steal the blossom

[mostpopulous]

[China is not at home right now. He's off in Netherlands' house, paying back a favor to the Dutchman, and using that particular phone to communicate. The first thing he does - besides triple checking that his pistol is in perfect working order - is phone his house. Really, it's a shame that he's entirely unaware of his new not!daughter.]

Comments

[lotuslife]

[What is using a front door? Vietnam just lets herself in through the back. She has no idea China's around, and she's looking for the drone Taiwan, though she's not sure why. There's no point in talking to a Taiwan that isn't Taiwan. Maybe a part of her wants to try to literally smack some sense into her. There's a reluctance in her, a hesitance to face a version of her sister who isn't her sister, but she's here anyway. She owes this to both Taiwan and herself.

She steps into the kitchen and closes the door behind herself. She doesn't think she can hear anything and hovers by the sink for a while as if hardening her resolve in this. She still doesn't know what she's going to do, but... this can't continue. The blatant denial is really all that goes through her head- that, and guilt. And Japan? To her knowledge, he has no idea what's happened to Taiwan, and she's not about to tell him.

So she'll snap Taiwan out of this before Japan ever even finds out. She doesn't know how, but she will. Vietnam moves quietly through the house,

[mostpopulous]

[When he hears Vietnam's voice ring through the house, China is instantly irritated: this would be so much easier without visitors, and especially without her. And perhaps that name would usually summon the drone that was once Taiwan, but not now, not with China's hand gripping her wrist firmly. He gently nudges her to stand behind him, mumbling whatever silly explanation that it takes to get her to obey. But China doesn't then leave her to confront Vietnam- he remains where he stands, in the dining room, and calls out to bring his other sister to him.]

What you doing here, Vietnam?

[lotuslife]

[She hears his voice and freezes, and feels a huge rush of annoyance. Of course he'd be here, interfering. She moves away from the sink and wanders towards the dining room, almost instinctually, to find him and Taiwan there.]

What are you doing here?

[mostpopulous]

[To his credit, China doesn't go for his gun and aim it at Vietnam's head, even though the act would make him feel better regardless of the fact that he would not intend to shoot.]

Did not know town had made you into parrot.

[scentofbauhinia]

You forgot Maofish.

Where are you going?

[mostpopulous]

[distractedly, which in itself is some indication of how he's feeling]

Yes, yes, Maofish too. Going to Taiwan's house.

[and normally he would end it there, but he knows that Taiwan's apparently-senseless droning hasn't had the best effect on his bro-son either, so-]

Netherlands asked to watch her. He probably planning to anger town.

[scentofbauhinia]

I give it an hour or two before he's brainwashed.

[He'd usually ask China if he could accompany him, but he can't look at Taiwan in that state. Not again.]

[mostpopulous]

I give it less. Twenty minutes, heya.

[a short, unamused laugh: he'd like to have it be genuine and thus put himself at ease but he can't quite seem to muster it]

[couldbeeeepthem]

[Hey, it's Taiwan's daughter! Staring at you intently.]

[mostpopulous]

[Stares intently back.]

You...how you say, the fake daughter, yes?

[couldbeeeepthem]

Yes.

And you are... a relative of hers.

[mostpopulous]

Older brother.

[nod of acknowledgment]

Am China.

[puffinparadise]

[brb, wondering why HK was made the head of the house.]

Understood. How come you're leaving?

[mostpopulous]

[because he's famiry and ur not]

Am going to make sure no one bother my helpless drone sister.

[puffinparadise]

[S-so cruel.]

Drone sister?

[mostpopulous]

[TOO FOREIGN]

Taiwan, aru. Was normal hardly any time ago, yet town see fit to make her....

[trails off deliberately]

[tartswithtea]

Take your time. ((Double meaning.))

[mostpopulous]

[WHOREEEEE]

Is knowing that this not permanent arrangement, yes?

[tartswithtea]

Take your time.

[mostpopulous]

Kitchen is still mine!