part 370 fresh flowers on a side table in the morning

[aphanon_meme]

Um, 2020 was a year that happened. 2021 is a new year that will happen! With flowers! And side tables! And mornings! And I didn't want to make some sort of 20s-themed name because look what happened in 2020, look what happened.

Enjoy part 370!

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Comments

2/2 :D

[lux_n_burg]

[To be fair, it wasn't a planned or announced visit.
So there's nothing to worry about in that regard.]


[And did he hear a voice just now? But was it a person or not? Again he hesitates to take another step for a moment,
but then continues slowly, probably in danger of tripping over everything, since he doesn't pay attention to the floor at all.]

H-
...He-hello?

[Why is he whispering? He should turn his phone back on, but instead he tries to wait for an answer again. This probably wont end well.]


[It's okay, he's not really paying enough attention to question why he's going along with it.
And thankfully(?), he was a mere footnote during HetaOni's heyday, so he wasn't included there either.]

1/? \o/ \o/ \o/~

[jipanghost]

[ H-Haven't Kiku's citizens moved on from (consistently dropping things in) those tags by now?!???! ] ( Kiku does visit and gets along well with own citizens at times, but...!! )
( You would think but yet Kiku actually might be rather strangely genre-savvy still, these days.... the 'series' title may like seem a blur though )
( and if this was a doujinshi, or a shoujo manga or one in which Luxembourg was the heroine or wait, who in this scenario is the heroine actually??? what would happen next -- possibly Luxembourg-san would ~trip~ at the entryway, and fall straight in Kiku's direction -- or maybe he'd knock over the pile of random "things" nearby and suddenly Kiku would be in a predicament!!!, catch Kiku if that happens, Luxembourg-san!!!, or mAYBE Kiku will simply ~turn the corner~ and come face-to-face rather closely with --
ok but wHY do so many other Nations have ""naturally good looks"" --- )

[ Fortunately for Kiku, Kiku is not taken in (or by surprise) by such things at all, nope, not at all ]

( ...Which is why, the second the flashlight from Luxembourg's phone shines )


[ Kiku freezes in place, nearly jumping completely out of own skin ]
( ....And keeps position, at that! K-Kiku can't afford to lose bearings here!!! )

{ ... Was that a murmur Kiku heard just now??? }

2/?

[jipanghost]

[ Kiku wasn't exactly wanting to make it blatant about wanting "attracting visitors" either bUT.... ]

( W-Well, just before this, it had been a rather slow day.... )

[ Kiku only came to this side building to look for some extra spices and the like!! ]
( And, Kiku doesn't actually believe in ghosts, s-so.... )

[ A-And Kiku is only wearing tabi socks (with shoes by the door), how embarrassing, if there's a new visitor...!! ]


( ... Should Kiku welcome this visitor in? )

-> _N
-> _Y

[ B-But what if Kiku's wrong, and it's someone truly unexpected...?!? ] ----

3/?

[jipanghost]

[ And then, nearby ] ( O-Oh!!! There's a bamboo stick nearby, huh... in that dark corner )

{ So Kiku does at least have something to protect self with, just in case!.... }

( ... It's a no-brainer ) [ _Y ]
[ Will move slightly closer to the side of the wall, by the corner, that the bamboo stick was leaning in....
if needed, Kiku can snatch it into hands from behind the back, and swing!!! ]


U-Um.... { Kiku, pls speak louder than this } ---

[ Visitor-san, do you care to truly see who in here may need some help??? ]

-> _N ( Actually, thinking about it, food could be stored in this kind of place??? )
-> _Y [ T-Try to not trip!!! ] ( Kiku cannot guarantee what may happen!!! )

4/4~ Lux, don't make Kiku accidentally hit you with a stick~ (Unless you want to....)

[jipangu]

( .... one hand is half-twisted/twitching in the direction of the bamboo stick )
[ ... but if it's a kind visitor Kiku doesn't exactly want to hurt them either.... ]


H-hahh.... [ Makes a grunting sound kind of like "Y-yosh{i}!" ] { How familiar is the Visitor with this sound...
Lux won't hear the "i" at the end but }
( as if Kiku just picked something up )

[ ...M-Maybe Kiku can lure the visitor in to see them more fully?!?? ]


( More than a little worried about those stacked crates of extra food and spices stored nearby.... )

1/3

[lux_n_burg]

[It's okay~ He'll probably call Japan "Schwoer"(= brother in law) and invite him to family dinners.
Considering Japans citizen (and others) otherwise prefer Netherlands being together with either of his siblings or Spain,
this sounds pretty harmless in comparison.]

[And obviously Japan has to be the heroine, meanwhile he has the shojo-random-prince-from-faraway-hairstyle or maybe he's the exchange student?
But it's questionable, if either that or his "natural good looks" keep him safe from harm.]

[But indeed, what will happen next... maybe someone needs to throw a dice or two?
Two worried nations trying to decide what to do in a stressful situation, that can end in many ways.]

2/3

[lux_n_burg]

[Maybe if either of their dogs were here, they would have noticed and greeted
(one would most be likely a bit louder than the other)
the other nation, which in turn would have made this encounter less of a mess.
Nations normally can't see in the dark or have other heightened senses.]


[Alright, he's pretty sure he didn't imagine it this time,
there is someone else nearby.]

...Hello? Wh-who's there?

[He doesn't even consider that HE might be seen as a threat and instead worries for a moment,
that he might has come across an actual burglar.
Can he even run away in this situation? But he also has to be sure first.
He takes another step closer (walking on socks dampens the sound of his steps),
while fumbling for his phone and trying to turn the light on again and-]

[Suddenly some rustling and a THUD can be heard.]

3/3

[lux_n_burg]

[While he didn't trip, he walked almost straight into those stacked crates of whatever,
as he was too distracted and nervous to properly pay attention.
Thankfully none of those did fall down, as he steadied them just in time, but he dropped his phone instead while doing so.]


Verdammt et!
Darn it!
[He curses again as he bends down to pick his phone up,
which takes a moment and of course he wont see it, if someone comes closer now.]

...Esou en Dreck ...domm Handy.
(such a) Crap... stupid cell phone.
[Famous last words?]

[Of course "accidentally" knocking him out would be an easy way to get Netherlands show up at Japan's place quickly,
that would almost be some 4D-chess move.
But - or if he does - Japan shouldn't hit him too hard, he might be taller, than for example Liechtenstein or Monaco,
but in terms of a Nation's strength...]



[ooc: I actually meant that he was at most just a footnote in Hetalia canon, back when the original HetaOni was a thing.
And I don't know how many other characters later versions included.]

1/?~ (Hehe~)

[jipanghost]

[ I-It's not like that!! It's really not like that, Luxembourg-san!!!
I-It's true Kiku, to this very day regardless, gets along quite well with Netherlands-san
(and Kiku's citizens have apparently, definitely noticed whenever they spot the two in public together---) b-bUT!!...
(Kiku, don't find yourself in a certain other type of scenario....) ]

( S-Speaking of that Despite those "naturally good looks" Kiku is NOT necessarily the shoujo heroine in this scenario!!!
which is why Kiku will now mentally ready self and---!!! )

[ Also unfortunately for Kiku, but Pochi-kun has also been hanging out in the gardens a lot more recently, and Kiku cannot blame him,
~the weather~ has been incredibly nice almost TOO 'nice' ] ---

{ THUD }

2/?~

[jipanghost]

[ and Kiku was just about ready to grab that bamboo stick cleanly in hand bUT THEN.... ]

( w-wAIT ) [ D-Did Kiku hear them say something just now?.... ]

{ It looks like they nearly ran into the nearby crates.... }


[ ....The thing is, Kiku's first thought hadn't been that the visitor could be someone not kind, because thus far, most visitors who had arrived had been clearly acknowledging of Kiku's presence and respectful towards this location, even the most random of Anonymous and Eyes.gif visitors!
So Kiku never had a reason to worry before but ]

( To be fair to Kiku, but this is also a sign of Kiku's ever-high guard of having dropped, too )

{ ... Like now } ( as Kiku assesses the situation and.... )

3/?~

[jipanghost]

( aND the words Kiku heard just now.... )

[ Kiku couldn't quite make everything out fully clearly but.... ]

G-German....?? { OK Kiku it's not fully German, and that is important but Kiku can tell it's definitely another language } It's not Germany....

... ... ... { OK. Ok, Kiku will leave the bamboo stick there temporarily, but }
[ Kiku keeps one hand behind the back just in case, definitely ]


[ Basically, Kiku was close to one of the back walls, the stack of crates-and-etc were nearby, and Kiku was
partially obscured by them when one (Luxembourg) looked in through the entrance. So ... it's NOW or never.... ]

( Kiku takes a deep breath and ) [ Carefully begins to step out into the tiniest patch of light, before them ]

{ ready to jump backwards and grab that bamboo stick with a moment's notice if Kiku has to }

4/?

[jipanghost]

{ Why is Kiku wearing only tabi socks on feet right now....!! }

[ They may also be . Um... the first thing the "Visitor" notices as Kiku's stepping out ] ----

{ Continue to approach the mysterious Visitor? }

-> _N?
-> _Y?

---- ( and notices blue, cute-patterned socks with FOXES on right where Kiku's looking )

F-Foxes.....?? { Kiku's not quite looking upwards/more carefully yet }

5/5~? \o/

[jipangu]

( ...And, the visitor's back is still turned for the moment that Kiku approached )

[ I-It's truly now or never...!! ]


Hello. Ah, I apologize for leaving the door wide-open, but,
I did not expect a visitor to show up without announcing themself. { HINT: Announce yourself and you'll be spared!!! }

Fortunately, I was only in here to find some spices....


{ ....Kiku pLS }
[ O-Ok, but it was either this or complimenting the Visitor on their 'cute' socks?!?? ]
( Actually, Kiku can still do that momentarily, too---- ) { Good way to throw them off if this takes a wrong turn!! }

[ .... Kiku pls you don't even know if they'll answer you properly ]

1/2

[lux_n_burg]

[It's okay, Schwoer, he's actually not that clingy or obsessed with his brother, that he wants to have him all to himself.
Take good care of his brother, Schwoer~]

[Despite him not knowing all the terms and genres, he surely doesn't want to get isekai'd by being hit with a stick for example...
or by being hit by anything, especially not truck-kun!]


[That's true, his voice is really not deep enough to be mistaken for Germany's.
And it doesn't help either that Japan might have never heard him cursing before,
especially not in Lux native tongue.]


[Just as he managed to pick up his phone, he hears Japan talk and freezes in place;
not only is there really someone, but they're actually talking to him now
and that voice does sound somewhat familiar though?]

[Should he get up or not?]

->_Y
->_N
->_M

...

[Maybe he should have just ordered pizza!
Instead of searching for the meme-kitchen and getting lost.]


Wha-what?! [He slowly gets up and lifts his arms up as well, to show that he's unarmed (aside from his phone).]

But I did call out for whoever lives here several times? Didn't you hear me?
And I'm Lux-


[Of course foxes, they are also a bit popular at his house.]

2/2

[lux_n_burg]

Wait, are you-

[And now he realises where he knew that voice from
and he turns around in an instant, perhaps a little too fast for this situation.]

Ja-Japan?! [immediately takes a step towards him]

[And he really wants to ask the important question
"Why were you searching for spices in the dark?"...]

[Are there condolence cards for accidentally killing whacking someone's brother with a bamboo stick,
because they were a dummy? Just asking for a friend~]



[And he'll probably send Japan some recommendations later, not only for doorbells and cameras
and doorbells with cameras and other security measures, but also for motion-activated lights
...and cute fox socks for men ("They were only 13,99€!" \(W▽')/ (But that's not even cheap!)]

1/?~ \o/ also omg that statue is so cuuuuute

[jipanghost]

( Ok, and Kiku is now just blinking rapidly, a few times )

[ Was in such tense positioning just a moment before but!.... ]

Y-You do know who I --- { They DO know him }

( and then Luxembourg's form becomes JUST slightly more clear,
but why is the other turning around so FAST, and acting so startled??
But he called out Japan's name )

..I heard only mutterings before --- [ I-It was a little hard to hear!!
A-And it's normal that sometimes things sound rather echo-y in such a wide-open space with not much else activity going on, r-right? It's normal
that sometimes your ears will do funny things and block out all nearby "soft" (or even "loud")
noises regardless of it being so quiet you could drop a pin into the room and hear it, r-rIGHT... it's normal that your mind
just blocks out everything else it deems ""unnecessary"" when you're just a little nervous rIGHT... ]

{ Fortunately, Kiku did go through many years of "training" and does still have many (often perceived as) "heightened" senses elsewhere,
b-but as said, the things above are normal in that they can still happen sometimes r-right }

2/?

[jipanghost]

( and as Luxembourg's form begins to register and Kiku slowly begins to recognize who he is... )

"Lux-"-- [ Kiku may still sound like mumbling a bit ] Lux-
{ ... it's been a while since Kiku said this name }

L-Luxembourg-san??.... { W-What is Luxembourg-san doing at Kiku's place?!?? }


( Kiku, you via subconscious to subconscious, may have actually lured Luxembourg here, didn't you know )

[ It's true, Kiku could tell they probably weren't Germany, and hadn't been familiar with (Luxembourgish) cursing,
but suddenly everything is falling into place and ]


{ A-Ahh, how unsightly for Kiku this situation is!!.... }

3/?

[jipangu]

( Continue to approach the new Visitor that may have been a former friendly acquaintance? )
{ But is now oddly tensed up at the sight of you, as if he's seen a ghost??? }

-> _N ( Well, the bamboo stick is still nearby enough to reach, s-so... )
-> _Y ( T-They were friendly before, it should turn out ok, but!!... )

W-Why are you here? I apologize for my sudden appearance, and for speaking in such a manner.
Typically, guests tend to politely greet me at the doors when they first appear in my 'retreat' home.
( Many Anonymous and Eyes.gifs can tend to more suddenly appear but they typically directly approach Kiku to ask something, so!.... )

But it appears Luxembourg-san dropped by rather suddenly....

[ Kiku pls you'll make him nervous ] { B-But maybe they can clear up any misunderstanding!? }

4/?

[jipangu]

I-If coming by to enjoy a meal from the kitchen, Luxembourg-san is, of course, allowed,
as the premises are open to everyone, including any Nations passing through,
However, perhaps, Luxembourg-san should announce himself by name, next time---

I-If Luxembourg-san had remained in the kitchen, I would have returned on my own -- [ Eventually!!.... ]

This building is not exactly "off-limits", but,
Typically, I prefer to be assisting whoever needs to use it... { It's Kiku's spare stock so.... }

There are preferable limitations as to how much can be taken at once from this room.

( I-It's also, just. ..That they haven't seen each other in a rather long time,
so Kiku took a moment to place his face!....
a-and, well, Kiku hasn't exactly been reaching out to him over the last however-many years )

[ Kiku might feel a bit guilty about that and ... everything that just happened, now ]

... ( Bring up the topic of what Kiku was preparing for the nights' meal?? )

-> _N(?) ( But Kiku just went through all the trouble to obtain the spices )
-> _Y(?) ( ...If Kiku delays this any longer, the schedule will get thrown off, so!.... )

5/?

[jipangu]

-> Y [ And so Kiku attempts to explain!.... ]

I came out here to search for the spices because I ran out of stock in the kitchen.

Since I wasn't expecting anyone in particular, I left the door open for some remaining light,
but it appears it wasn't quite enough.... [ The sun may be starting to set by now! ]


A-Ah, the menu was, of course, Japanese-style steak, with a side of rice and miso soup,
mixed vegetables, yakisoba noodles, and, Shoyu -- er, "Soy sauce"....

[ and now that Kiku just rambled off the list of important foods ]

( Approach Kiku further to ask about the 'menu'? )

-> _N(?) ( If Luxembourg refused, Kiku would be eating on own, no one else dropped by tonight... )
-> _Y(?) ( ...Didn't Kiku just say steaaaaak )

6/6~ \o/ (Hahaaaa wELP)

[jipanghost]

[ Luxembourg may have to wait a bit to send those things to Kiku!.... ]
{ B-But this is a traditional-style home!! } { ...ok Kiku might want those socks }
{ T-That isn't cheap though?!?? } { Kiku. pls. Pls }

( But Kiku hasn't even seen Netherlands-san in years, either!!!
M-Maybe Luxembourg can bring up 'that person' to Kiku in conversation... over dinner.... )

{ There may not be obvious "condolence cards". But there is dinner. And steak }


( And so Kiku will just kind of stand in place there only slightly awkwardly while awaiting response )

1/2

[lux_n_burg]

Ye-yes, Luxembourg...

[He (almost) wants to add "You do remember me, right?"
- despite the Olympic Games happening only fairly recently and some of the world meetings in the recent past,
he's not sure if Japan wasn't too busy to remember some background character someone he rarely interacts
or is close friends with.
A typical nation with tiny homes problem.]

...Oh? [Gets killed by an anon.] [But Japan isn't wrong, he tends to mumble... or talk a little too much in other instances.]

[He breathes a sigh of relief and slowly sits down on the floor, since his knees are starting to feel a little weak,
at least his feeling of "totally not scared" is leaving.
He didn't notice how tensed up he was before, but now all of that slowly fades and he almost wants to cry
(again that's because of him feeling at ease now), but tries his best to keep his composure.]

I- I... got lost!
...Honestly, I don't really know how I even ended up here. [Despite it being an embarrassing situation, he can't explain it any better either.]
I called and waited and looked and wasn't sure if there even was anyone at home.
But at least I finally have found someone. [offers a small smile]

[And thankfully he doesn't know, that he was pretty much one step away of getting an unwanted demonstration
of Japan's skill with not-quite-sword-like-objects (unfortunately(?) there was no poster roll nearby),
it could haven ended with either a bump on his head or an instant knockout.]

2/2 (Sorry, that took longer than intended. (;3;)/)

[lux_n_burg]

[And after calming his breath and getting his act together, he slowly gets up again.
He's fortunately almost back to his usual self.]

Well, apologies for that misunderstanding...

[Maybe it's better to leave it at that?]


A meal? [that earns Japan a happy smile]
Ah, of course, I disturbed you, while you where in the middle of making cooking preparations... I am very sorry about that.
I didn't even notice before, that it was food storage here, because it was a bit too dark for me to see.

[He looks around again - maybe "having" two eyes helps?
Also his stomach reminds him, that the promised steak is surely better than no steak,
so he should stop asking unnecessary questions.]


[Listens and nods.]
That sounds [swallows] actually really good.
I-I hope it's not to much of a bother for you to have a spontaneous guest over?


Um... by the way, did you advertise this place somewhere before? [meaning the public parts of this house and area]
My brother hasn't mention to me that you have something like that on the meme, so apologies again, I wasn't aware of it.
Maybe a sign outside would be nice? ...And a doorbell.

[He probably would (or already has) put doorbells on his old castles
(maybe not on the old fortress ruins, that would be kind of pointless).
He could ask his brother, to help him convince Japan to make these purchases.
And Lux should get Japan at least a pair of cute socks as an apology-gift!]

[But yes, Japan should definitively explain kitsune to him!]


[OOC: Fun fact time, the fox statue is part of a well to honour a Luxembourgish writer,
who adapted and localised stories of a fox into the Luxembourgish language.
I also saw an reoccurring misnomer, describing the fox statue as a dog and have been wondering,
if that's part of the reason why Himaryua had this "most stories about dogs" idea.]