[March 28th] Hidden library village

[Honda Kiku]

It was Sunday and rather than spend the day exploring the campus, Japan ended up wandering into the school library instead. He had set out with the goal of familiarizing himself with the rest of his new school today, but it was too hard to resist stepping in for a tiny peek. It was quiet and empty, for the most part, and he was grateful for that.

He found himself walking to the Japanese section almost instantly, feeling more at ease surrounded by books detailing the fashion trends of the Heian era and samurais and their duels. The smell of the old books was almost comforting in a way.

Japan settled into a chair and set up his laptop and tablet, almost certain no one would bother him, especially here of all places. It was perfect and now he could finally get back to work on his latest doujinshi. He would not allow himself to work on such things in his own room with France breathing down his neck. Nobody could know about this hobby of his. It would just too shameful.

Perhaps I should add a little more drool in this panel...

[ooc; one or two others at most, please!]

[Alfred F. Jones]

America entered the library for quite a different reason. He was toting his iPod touch and his laptop, having planned to come here and write a stupid paper. He would definitely be trying to outlaw papers once he was student council president. Every once in a while, America would stick a campaign poster on the library walls or on books or on unsuspecting students' heads, just because. He hadn't peppered the library with them at all yet, and what a shame that was!

America was just about to tape a poster onto Japan's head when he looked over the boy's shoulder at what he seemed to be... drawing?

"Hey, what's that?" he asked, speaking a little too loud since his iPod was set to the SUPER LOUD setting.

[Honda Kiku]

Japan almost jumped out of his seat at the sound of the question. He immediately slammed the laptop closed and leaned away from America hovering over his shoulder as he tried not to look too displeased at his peace being ruined. Where did this man even come from? Thin air? Had he been so into his work that he didn't notice someone so loud approaching?

"N-Nothing! It was nothing."

[Alfred F. Jones]

"You were drawing on the computer," America said matter-of-factly. "I thought I saw spit. It looked interesting!"

Little did America know that he probably didn't want to know. He removed his headphones anyway, anticipating an interesting conversation. Or at least, a conversation that didn't involve him starting that paper.

[Honda Kiku]

".....ah." Sorry, America, but an interesting conversation you will probably not be getting. Japan looked a little uncomfortable and shuffled his chair away, wondering exactly how much he saw. He had been zoomed in rather close, so he hoped America had not seen too much... it would be too embarrassing.

[Alfred F. Jones]

Whatever, as long as it meant he could procrastinate.

But what did "ah" mean?

"What does that mean?" he asked, invading Japan's personal space a little by leaning on his chair. "Was it spit? Why was that guy spitting? Did an alien burst out of his chest like in Alien? Did he see a burger? Did he..."

America trailed off. He was having trouble thinking of other reasons someone in a comic might be experiencing extra salivation.

[Honda Kiku]

He shifted and leaned away again, wondering what exactly this stranger was talking about. Japan thought back to what panel he had been working on before he had closed his laptop-- oh, that, right.

"Ano... he was sleeping."

That sounded reasonable, right?

[Alfred F. Jones]

Sleeping? Oh. America never drooled in his sleep, obviously. But other people did, sure. Israel sometimes drooled in his sleep, not that America made a habit of watching or examining his pillows. Israel might punch him if he did.

But sleeping... that was sort of boring, actually. "Are you sure? You should maybe put in more aliens to burst out of people. Or at least some burgers. That would make more sense and it would be more exciting. Do you draw these things often?"

[Honda Kiku]

Japan shook his head. "Er... no, I am afraid not very often at all."

That was a lie. The amount of doujinshi he churned out was impressive really. He nearly got a new book out for every event back in Japan, minor or major made no difference. But it's not like he had to know that and perhaps he would lose interest that way.

[Alfred F. Jones]

"Really? Because it looks like you're pretty good and nobody gets like that without practice!" Really, this guy was too modest. Where was there room for modesty in life? If you have something you're good at, America believed, it was best to flaunt it in everyone's face so they could respect you for it.

America extended his hand out from behind Japan for an awkwardly-angled handshake. "I'm Alfred, a.k.a. America. Call me Al! Or America. I don't answer to 'hey you!' or 'Canada', but those are pretty much my only rules," he laughed. "And let me guess, you're somewhere in Asia?"

He didn't mean that to be offensive but that didn't mean that it wasn't going to be taken as such. The idea that it could be hardly occurred to him, though.

[Honda Kiku]

There is the slightest hint of a blush on his face when he hears the compliment, not used to hearing such things about his work.

"Ah, yes. I am Honda Kiku, otherwise known as the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan. It is a pleasure to meet you, America-san." He gives a quick bow of his head, choosing to ignore his hand. Heck if he was going to do that again.

[Alfred F. Jones]

"Oh, Japan! Like... anime and Pokemon and stuff, right?" he grinned. "I used to watch Pokemon all the time when I was a kid. Team Rocket are jerks, aren't they?"

America took a second or two more to realize Japan hadn't shaken his hand. Was that a cultural thing? Was he supposed to bow? But this was America... shouldn't Japan be using American customs? Well, whatever! He took his hand back and patted Japan on the shoulder in a friendly but completely random way.

[Honda Kiku]

Japan looks vaguely uncomfortable at the pat, leaning away from his hand before he nods. Were all foreigners this hands-on about meeting people? How... unappealing.

"I am glad to hear that some of my things are popular."

[Alfred F. Jones]

"I guess they are," America agreed. Though his things were even MORE popular. "Sooo..."

This guy didn't talk too much, did he? What could he converse about in order to avoid his paper at all costs? Small talk? Small talk!

"How do you like it here in America?" he asked eagerly. Any answer other than "I LOVE IT SO MUCH, I PLAN TO BECOME A CITIZEN, LET ME SING YOU THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER!" would seriously disappoint him.

[Honda Kiku]

Then prepare to be disappointed, America.

Needless to say, he was turned off by the amount of talking this man seemed to do. Though, perhaps it fit well with the image of America he had in his head. He wondered what else was in store for him if he was going to meet these other countries...

"Ah... it is nice." Did he have anything else to say about this place yet? "It is very big, for one thing. I am unused to all this space." It made him miss his own countryside, really.