[open] now i eat humble pie

[tomate]

⌛ Who: Spain and you!
⌛ What: intro + catch all
⌛ When: July
⌛ Where: Tokyo
⌛ Warnings: N/A; will update as needed



introduction;

[ you could be just minding your own business, walking through a nice and sunny park in the middle of tokyo when a sound catches your attention. it's starts off brief, the sound of someone plucking at the strings of some sort of instrument as they tune it. that goes on for a moment before it stops.

then the sound of music starts to play.

if you follow it, you'll find a man sitting on a bench, guitar on his lap as his fingers pull at the strings, playing almost from memory. in front of him is a guitar case, opened.

toss a coin to your... uh, musician? ]

Comments

[amant]

[ France still owes Spain lunch from an undetermined amount of years ago, so the likelihood of him actually throwing yen into the case is next to nil. It only solidifies his status as the worst best friend but he is a captive audience.

Blame the fact he didn't do well staying inside when the first bit of good weather cropped up that the Frenchman even was taking a stroll through the area at all. He parks himself on a nearby bench, not wanting to interrupt the Spaniard's performance before it was over. It eventually has to end though.

Right? Right. ]

That was lovely, as always. [ He pays in COMPLIMENTS. It's like 'exposure'. At least, for Spain. <3 ] I'm not even shocked to see more of us here anymore, but it seems like you're already making yourself cozy.

[tomate]

[ how many decades is it france? spain's not exactly made of money and every little bit helps him. but at least the attention helps soothe him and help him forget this little fact. ]

Thank you, France! [ throws him a grin ] Japan's house really has changed, hasn't it?

[amant]

[ The funny thing is; he can't recall. Could be decades. Could be centuries. Probably a handful of either. Maybe he can make amends here, as he has a job. France. ]

He's one of the few I'd have expected to see but haven't. How strange, don't you think?

[ Shrugging, he motions to the guitar. ]

Do you need help settling in, my friend? Your music is lovely, but I would hate for the passion to be lessened having to do it for work.

[tomate]

[ the bad thing about being quasi-immortal: the years just start to blur together. ]

Oh, he's not here? I wonder why?

[ hums as he thinks about it ]

Oh, I never play to make money! If I get tips, I usually buy snacks for me or any kids who stop by. [ a beat ] Do we have to work here?

[amant]

It seems that people slip in and out at random, but time is weird like that. Perhaps we will be graced with his presence. Maybe not.

[ okay so he just laughs at the question. ]

Are you shocked that I would be the one that is suggesting a job on the side? Oh, the locals are kind in that they make sure we have housing and food, but if you want to have spending money you need to get that yourself. [ a beat passes and he motions to Spain's guitar ] But please, don't let me stop your beautiful playing. What else do you remember?

[protectorofsmiles]

[Have a big large giant man with broken horns sitting in front of you a few yalms away eating a sandwich.

It's jarring at first, but perhaps the way Genbu gazes at the man with genuine appreciation and wonder will allow him to sit there and keep listening?

It...feels rather nostalgic.]

[tomate]

[ he sees the man and does nothing more than throw him a smile as he keeps playing.

as oblivious as spain is at times, he's also not as much about to miss the large horned man eating food. but he keeps on playing, getting more into the music. ]

That was an unfortunate typo

[protectorofsmiles]

[Genbu sits and listens. Homesickness forms. Genbu thinks back to the days of waiting for friends around the Limsan plaza, sitting around as traveling bards fill the place with their music.

Genbu patiently waits until the man finishes the song, and throws a few coins into the guitar case.]

So, you a bard I take it?

asfasf it really was

[tomate]

Hm?

[ he smiles and tilts his head as he thinks about the answer ]

I guess you could call me one, but just for fun!

Sobs Im still alive

[protectorofsmiles]

Heh, well ain't that the bard way in general?

[Genbu laughs as he looks around.]

I take it bards where ya come from don't practice archery? I don't see yer bow on ya anywhere.

[Pretty sure bards everywhere don't necessarily do so. Eorzean bards are just extra like that.]

[hoasen]

[Now that there, something about that music, is just so familiar. It wasn't just that it was beautiful Spanish guitar. It was the way it was played, like she has heard it many times before.

So she follows it, and her eyes widen in surprise as she rushes over.]

...!

[She doesn't say anything first, other than giving him a smile because she was happy to see him, and chooses to quietly sit herself down so that he can continue playing in peace.]

[tomate]

[ Spain smiles brightly at her, recognizing her. He gives her a nod in greeting but won't say anything until he finally gets to a stopping point.

At which point he's going to wave widely at her ]

Oh! Hello there Vietnam!

[hoasen]

[She nods back in response before listening intently, taking in the lush sounds of his guitar playing. And as he stops, immediately claps.]

Hello, Spain! My, I wanted to greet you properly but your talent distracted me.

[tomate]

Ah, thank you, thank you! [ smiles even brighter at her and gives her a small bow ]

But I wouldn't have minded stopping for you!

[hoasen]

[She claps more eagerly when he bows!]

Stopping for me? I am not worth such attention. Although, what if I asked you for an encore instead?

[pomodorato]

[ Of course Romano knows that guitar playing. He'd recognise it anywhere.

Those innocent bystanders enjoying the lovely music will now be treated to the sight of a seemingly very angry Italian man stomping in the guitar player's direction. As if the two know each other and the guitar playing man has done something to personally offend the other approaching man.

Except it's kind of impossible to tell just what that is. Apparently it's enough to have the Italian man start yelling over the top of the music. ]

So you just decide to show up now, you bastard!





[ He missed you. ]

[tomate]

[ Sorry innocent bystanders, but this public performance is going on pause as your musician now has to deal with a cute underling. Spain doesn't seem too turned off by what's going on, in fact he seems entirely used to it. He's going to let out a bright laugh as he gets up and walks over to the loud and angry Italian man.

He's smart enough to leave his guitar at his bench, at least. ]

Ah, Romano! I didn't know you'd be here too.

[ He's happy to see him ]

[pomodorato]

[ Ugh. The reaction is... the same as always. Spain is smart to leave his guitar here, Romano might throw it or something. ]

Of course I'm here! I've been here more than a whole damn month already and you didn't even notice I was gone??

[ Yeah, he's still not fully accepting of the whole "time works differently here" deal.

Also, however he phrases that he sounds butthurt. Like he actually wants Spain to notice his absence... Which is not true obviously!!... cough ]

I've been stuck living with my stupid brother!

[tomate]

[ we don't mention how many guitars romano has broken, whether through anger or carelessness. ]

Eh? I just talked to you the other day, Romano? I think I would have noticed if you were gone for an entire month.

[ spain, concerned for romano, places a hand on his forehead, checking to see if he's feeling well??? because clearly that's what's going on here!! ]

... Don't you normally live with him though?

[pomodorato]

[ It's probably not a number that can even be remembered at this point.

At Spain's comment about speaking to him just the other day, Romano's temper flare gives way just a little to looking confused and miffed for a moment. ]

So there's another me still back home like that shitty scientist said. [ Yeah, he still doesn't entirely get it but dissecting it hardly seems important. ] Listen, time works fucking weirdly here and that's all you need to know. To me, I've been here over a month and you haven't. Just your brother and a bunch of other assholes.

[ As for that last question. ]

Not like this.

[ It's a tiny apartment and he's got nowhere else to go or retreat to and- ]

I have to share a bed with his stupid ass again.

walks in late with starbucks

[navegador]

[ At first, Portugal walks past the man on the bench without so much as a thought to spare for him.

But the music the man begins to play prompts Portugal to stop. It's flamenco — a genre of music that originated from his brother's house. That being said, flamenco's origins don't mean that the man is his brother. Flamenco has become popular all over the world because of his brother's empire, after all.

Still, Portugal's curiosity gets the better of him, and he glances over his shoulder anyways.

Oh, no.

For a moment, Portugal considers diving into a bush, or running. But that's the coward's way, and he's the big brother here. What's the worst that could happen, really? (Aside from Spain actively trying to sabotage his domestic life with England, of course).

Portugal turns his whole body around and tries to look Cool. ]

Espanha?! Is that really...?

[tomate]

[ the voice alone gets him to stop as he looks up and stares.

for the casual observer, these two men look almost entirely alike, the only difference being that obviously the man playing the guitar is just a smidge more handsome. it's just facts, that's all.

but he stops and gets up and runs towards the less handsome man and throws his arms around him in a big hug ]

Hermano! I'm glad I found you!

[ was he even looking? ]

[navegador]

[ Wow, Spain.

That aside, Portugal accepts Spain's embrace, even though it nearly knocks him off his feet. Then, he puts some distance between them again. (Granted, "some" is relative in the context of any of the Mediterranean nations. He and Spain are still awfully close by the time Portugal's found a good place to stand.) ]

Actually, I think it was more like I found you...

Say, how long have you been here, irmão?

[ Spain can't possibly have been here as long as Portugal has. There's no way Spain would have left him in peace for that long. ]

[tomate]

[ Musicians are always more attractive. Maybe try playing a kazoo. ]

Ahh, not too long! I was walking around, and then I found this spot and thought it would be a good place to do some playing.

[navegador]

[ Next time, he'll bring his Portuguese guitar and they can have an Iberian guitar battle. >:( ]

I see. In other words, you just got here.

Bem-vindo, then! So am I the first of us you've met, or have you met the others already, too?