[accidental video]

[anothersoul]

[The video camera shows Mami's apartment--richly furnished but empty. Nothing but a few dishes on a glass table and the light coming from a sliding glass door are seen. Nobody's home. That is, until the noise of an opening door. Lights flicker on as someone flips a light switch.]

Mother, Father... I'm sorry I was out later than usual.

[Mami walks into the view of the camera. She doesn't look around and instead just puts her schoolbag near the table with a heavy sigh, looking a bit more ragged than usual.] I understand that I could probably have returned sooner but not tonight. It was busy.

[As Mami talks, she picks up the dirty dishes and moves out of sight of the camera. There's noises of someone putting water into a pot.] I believe I've made a couple of new friends. I'm sure you would have gotten along well with them.

I hope you weren't too mad at having a strange man in the apartment. He was very cordial, as you remember. I used your recipe, Mother. [Mami re-appears as she sets the table again: for one person.] Don't worry about me, I promise I've been taking care of myself.

[Mami sits down at the glass table, pouring herself a cup of tea. She continues talking to herself but the video cuts out.]

Comments

[bettertoburnout]

Oh, shit, are you gonna cry?

[anothersoul]

No, no.

[bettertoburnout]

You sure you're okay?

[it's not like he empathizes with you or anything.]

[anothersoul]

I'm just sorry I wasted your time.

[What? She's supposed to admit she's feeling lonely? Nope.]

[bettertoburnout]

Don't apologize just because this community's an asshole!

[Great! Because he's not lonely either!!]

[anothersoul]

That's one way to put it.

[bettertoburnout]

It's the only way to put it!

[anothersoul]

I meant the wording.

[bettertoburnout]

The spirit's what counts.

[anothersoul]

That's true.

[bettertoburnout]

Of course it's true. I said it!

So, what's your name? Someone up there said Tomoe.

[anothersoul]

Mami Tomoe in the western order.

[bettertoburnout]

[He could give his human name. Keep the conversation moving in the direction of finding out. Or tell the truth and derail. And he knows if it were him, he'd be praying for a derail.]

I'm Prussia! The one, the only, the awesome!

[anothersoul]

A country?

[bettertoburnout]

Yeah, the country.

[anothersoul]

How amazing...

[bettertoburnout]

Go ahead, Tomoe! Ask me anything!

[anothersoul]

Do you like cake?

[bettertoburnout]

What. That's it?

I mean! Of course I like cake!

[anothersoul]

I was simply wondering if countries eat.

[bettertoburnout]

We do! And drink and sleep and fight!

[anothersoul]

...Now I'm hoping that countries don't get drunk too often.

[bettertoburnout]

Let me guess. It explains a lot if we do.

[anothersoul]

It does.

[bettertoburnout]

You should see England when he gets too drunk. My god.