[002] Action

[alt_for_norge]

A. [Location: Tailor Shop (inside)]

[Norway rather quickly found that this is where he's supposed to be working. Tailoring has never been something he's tried, but at his age he can turn his hand to most things. He enjoys the relative quiet, and the way that he can pick up gossip as people seem to forget that he's there as he's silently taking their measurements. Already he has seen several examples of the 'drones' that he has been told about, and has forced himself to behave normally with each of them. It's enough to give him a headache.

Anyone coming into the shop during the day would find him sitting at a table, turning up the sleeves on a dinner jacket]


B. [Location: John Doe Park]

[At half past five, Norway can be found in the park, sitting on one of the benches. He would appear to be alone, but quietly humming to himself, occasionally murmuring a few words, made half-tuneless by the volume.

He seems content, but will anyone speak with him?]

Comments

[balzams]

I didn't know Finland was here...

Uh... well, maybe it's just temporary. I mean, it happened to my neighbor here once but she was fine in a few days.

[alt_for_norge]

Finland has not seemed the type to make trouble.

... Not in recent years.

[balzams]

[Latvia just nods in agreement, not sure what else to say]

I guess these thing just happen here...

[alt_for_norge]

[Norway has never been the easiest person to make conversation with - sorry, Latvia - and he sits in a silence which is for him quite comfortable for a few minutes before he decides to speak again]

I assume that you have been placed within one of these 'family units'.

[balzams]

Sort of... I live with a family but they're all those weird people. Like Finland is. What did you call it? Droning?

[alt_for_norge]

Estland called them drones. I have seen several today. The name is.. fitting.

[balzams]

Yeah, they're like robots.

At least that's what I keep telling myself. It doesn't make them any less creepy but it's better than people that have been brainwashed that badly...

[alt_for_norge]

The English term, I think, would be 'going native'.

[He doesn't know if he got that right. His grip on English slang is shaky at best]

I cannot see how anyone could become settled here. There is a strange air about it.

[balzams]

[Latvia isn't too sure what he's trying to say so he just nods along anyway]

I know it's weird...

I mean Lithuania's been here over a year, maybe Estonia too. I don't know how they've managed to stand it so long.

[alt_for_norge]

Perhaps that is a question to be put to them.

[He's certainly not sure if he could stand this for that length of time]

[balzams]

Seems like they've been through a lot here. I don't want to bring up bad memories...

[alt_for_norge]

... Sometimes, such things are necessary.

[His voice had quieted at that]

[balzams]

Well it's not like they really have a choice. None of us do.

So we just have to live through it.

[alt_for_norge]

[He nods slightly]

I have been conflicted, Latvia, over whether or not to tell Danmark the full details of the time that separates us. I do not think that he would believe me, but...

[The man not knowing makes him so.. angry]

[balzams]

[Latvia thinks for a moment. Luckily for him the people he's been close to have been from around the same time as him. There's Russia, but he doesn't want to spend the time around him to explain]

You could try... whether he believes you or not I suppose it doesn't really matter.

He's from a long time ago, right? So... the time we're from, he's already returned from Mayfield. So whether you tell him or not it won't change the course of history because for us, whatever you've told him has already had its effect.

... Or something like that.

I don't think people remember when they come back. People told me that I was here before but I don't remember a thing either.

[alt_for_norge]

[He shakes his head]

I would not tell him in order to change the future.

[balzams]

[He scratches the back of his head sheepishly, not really knowing what else he could be on about. He had an idea, but he never really liked to meddle in the affairs of others]

Well... like I said, whatever you tell him he won't remember when he gets home.

[alt_for_norge]

Mm.

[He seems to think for a few moments, then nods]

Takk, Latvia. You have been very helpful.

[balzams]

[Latvia doesn't think he's been very helpful at all but he returns the smile none the less]

It's okay. I hope things go well, whatever you decide to do.