Petals & Flower Buds (Mei Sun~Open)

[ARAZIA VARGAS]

I may never get accustomed to this lifestyle... A mournful cloud hovered thick over Arazia's thoughts. Only a few days ago she had been a beautiful autonomous island of Italy, full of rich culture, delicious food, and the arts. She had lounged about, not a care in the world, with a small glass of aged red wine and a view of the ocean and olive groves that would make an angel stop in awe. It had been the life one could only dream to experience. Of course, every now and then she had her problems, whether it be the mafia or weather damage on her agriculture industry, but she always handled it with grace and ease. She had been at peace. She had been Sicily. And now? Now, she was a mere mortal, a teenager trapped in a strange high school in Japan. Arazia no longer held her power, her breathtaking scenery, her music and theatre. These loses pained her, but nothing compared to the concern she felt for her people. She was no longer Sicily as far as she could tell. How did that affect her people, her family? What could have happened to them?! I hope they are alright...

Arazia was, in short, miserable and worried sick. She had tried everything to determine what had happened. She had spent hours upon hours in her room for the first few days, hiding and hoping to wake from this nightmare. After that failed to work and the initial shock had worn off, Arazia spent her days in the library, researching everything from science to mythology, fact to fiction, but to no avail. She found nothing that could aid her in her troubles. Finally, hitting a dead end, Arazia decided to at least attempt to make herself at home. And what better way to do that than head to the local mall's flower shop? She knew her green thumb was still with her even as a human and figured some greenery on her dorm windowsill might brighten her mood and clear her thoughts.

A short trip on the bus, and Arazia arrived at her destination. even though she had seen a mall before, she was still rather surprised by its size. As Sicily, she had never had a chance to go in one herself, so this would be new for her...

I hate this. Arazia fumed as she fought her way through the crowds. She was pressed shoulder-to-shoulder with people, crushing her personal bubble. Never again, she vowed, never again will I go to a mall. All she wanted was to buy some flowers or a vegetable, was that too much to ask? It was barely worth wrestling her way through the crowds, but Arazia wanted a little piece to remind her of who she truly was. A simple plant would be more than enough to keep her hopes and determination to solve this mystery sky-high. Even if it took her hours to reach the flower shop, she would...and so it did. In fact, it took an hour and thirty minutes to break through the throng and reach the door to the store. Upon laying eyes on the quaint little place, Arazia's spirits rose significantly. All sorts of vegetables, fruits, and flowers, pots, soil, and gardening tools were displayed before her. For a moment, she stared, tears clinging to her thick eyelashes with happiness.

"Come magnifico...!"

Breathless, Arazia nearly danced passed the shelves, her fingers gently caressing flower petals or cradling little buds. Even the strange looks from the other customers and staff members could not quell the bliss bubbling inside her. After thoroughly relishing in the vibrant life thriving around her, Arazia paused to sort through the plant she would like to purchase. She was lucky that amongst the belongings she found with her upon becoming a mortal there was a small bag of yen to spend with as she chose. Now it was just a matter of deciding which greenery to pick from. As much as she would have loved to buy a small potted olive tree, the idea was illogical to store such a plant in her tiny dorm.

"Perhaps a little tomato vine...? Maybe grapes...? Oh, but these agapanthus are exquisite as well!"

Arazia drawled on in her thick Italian accent, her eyes glazed over. She stared dreamily at shelf after shelf of plants of all shapes, sizes, and colors! Their thick aromas lulling her into a pleasant daydream of her home, her old life. It was as if she was Sicily once again...

~~~

Translations:
"Come magnifico...!" - "How magnificent...!"

[Mei Sun]

"It Started Out As A Feeling"

Mei had always loved to explore, it was probably one of the reason she had found herself at the large and expansive Tokyo mall. Her chocolate brown eyes widened as she took in its grandeur, the mall was huge! Stepping lightly she entered the building, a smile breaking across her face as the young Taiwanese girl began to explore. It was nice to get out of the academy, after all those lessons she seriously welcomed a break from all the hard work she’d been doing. That wasn’t suggesting she didn’t like it though Mei thought it was nice having everyone together kind of sweet and hopefully it would maybe improve the relationships of countries that didn’t really get along. It was a nice thought but deep inside she knew that somehow wouldn’t be the case, Mei was smart like that because really she wasn’t a complete dunce when it came to reading a situation.

She’d been at the Academy for at least a week now and still she hadn’t seen any of her family anywhere, she bit her light pink lips nibbling on it gently as her expression fell into a glum frown, she hoped they were okay, Mei would have been beside herself if something bad had happened to them, especially in such a foreign place, it was true she did speak some Japanese due to Japans control of her country but her fluent language was mandarin much like the rest of her families. She sighed softly her brown lashes brushing against her creamy pale skin as she blinked her chocolate brown eyes. Perhaps they’d turn up eventually, after all optimism was the key to success and if they weren’t at the academy it obviously meant they were home safe.

Her eyes brightened as she came to the store she’d been searching for. It was a flower shop, during her small amount of time at the academy Mei had found a tiny plot of land right at the bottom of the schools expansive grounds. After a lot of thinking she’d eventually drawn up plans to turn it into a tiny garden, Mei was really excited, she hadn’t gardened in ages! And she loved gardening especially when it came to planting plum blossoms or peach trees, they were her favourite. A smile broke across her features as she pushed the door open and entered the colourful store. Plants and flowers decorated the shop, there were so many it was almost hard to choose which to buy. A foreign female voice distracted her from her thoughts she turned to see a girl probably a year older than her looking through the plants.
“I like grapes.” She said before she could stop herself. “S-sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude, are you shopping for plants too?” she asked her soft tone masking her embarrassment.
“I am, though I like plum blossoms the best, there just so pretty.” She smiled, before realising how rude she was for not introducing herself to the girl.
“S-sorry,” she said again “My names Mei it’s nice to meet you” she said bowing respectfully to the upperclassman.
“By any chance do you attend the Academy?” she asked hoping the answer was yes, it would have been nice to make more friends considering she currently had none.

"Which Then Grew Into A Hope"

[ARAZIA VARGAS]

So many flowers...vegetables- Arazia jumped out of her mellow thoughts when a voice piped in from behind her. She turned around and smiled brightly. Her eyes met those of a slightly younger Asian girl. At first, Arazia cocked her head slightly, taking in the appearance of the girl, a smile continued to play across her lips. She was around the same height, though maybe slightly shorter, petite and fair like a small doll. Her voice was gentle and sweet, though maybe a bit shy. Arazia herself was often rather timid, though for some reason this girl did not bother her at all.

"Sì! I love grapes as well! Especially when they are fermented and aged to a fine Marsala..."

Arazia replied to the girls comment. She sighed and lightly licked her lips. The thought of swirling such a delicious wine over her pallet had her mouth watering. Of course, her appearance being that of a sixteen-year-old, would make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for her to get any sort of wine legally. Yet another unfortunate part of being mortal. As Sicily, she did not have to worry herself with trivial matters such as drinking ages, now, however, was another story. A frown flashed briefly across her face and she bit her lip with yearning. Life isn't fair...

Arazia shook herself out of her daze and smiled again at the girl, "Oh, don't worry, I don't mind! In fact, it was probably for the better. I think I was starting to worry some of the other customers in my daze..." Arazia laughed, a tad bit embarrassed by her gauche behavior. Indeed, the woman at the register was giving her an odd sort of glare that she simply ignored. Arazia blinked a few times, minor curiosity and surprise coloring her face,

"Plum blossoms? I've never seen those before. Where I'm from we have mostly olive and citrus trees, though they bloom lovely flowers in the spring as well!"

Arazia's thoughts drifted off yet again to her homeland of Sicily. She vividly remembered sitting on her home's patio that was placed so precisely on a rocky bluff so that it overlooked the vast sea, south Italy in the distance, and groves of olive trees on either side. The memory was so distinct and alive in her mind it was as if she could smell the ocean and hear the crashing waves, feel the gentle warm breeze tickle her face. How simple times had been.... She would have been content continuing the daydream, but when the girl spoke her name Arazia drifted back to reality.

"Ah, my name is Arazia! It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mei!"

She replied, cheerily with a small, awkward bow of her own. If this had been only a few days ago, as Sicily she would have greeted her with a hug and a kiss on either cheek. However, the last thing Arazia wanted to do was frighten or offend Mei with such a forward greeting. Even her bow worried her so she covered it with an quiet giggle. For now, it was best to act as normal and human as possible to strangers. At Mei's last inquiry, though, Arazia's eyes widened and her face grew serious.

"By Academy, do you mean that Academy?" At mention of the boarding school she furrowed her brow and her face twisted with annoyance. That wretched school had tossed her into a world of confusion and fear. Damn to hell whoever did this to me... Thought the slightly more southern Italian in her. After a moment of fuming, Arazia recalled that she was making such frightening faces in front of a girl she barely knew, probably tarnishing any sort of first impression she had made. Arazia bit her lip and frowned in shame,

”Ehhh~! Mi dispiace. Yes, I do attend it…And you do, I assume? Which would mean that you used to be a...you know...”

Arazia smiled. This was the first girl she met in the same situation as she was. She could not help but feel a small bubble of joy in knowing she was not alone.


~~~
Translations:
"Sì," - Italian - "Yes,"
"Mi dispiace." - Italian - "I'm sorry."

[Mei Sun]

"It Started Out As A Feeling"

“Oh I’ve never tried that before,” said Mei wondering what marsala would taste like, though she suspected living at the academy would give her reason to try it, though she truly had no idea what it was the reaction the Italian girl gave sure made the Taiwanese nation think it was tasty. She’d have to google it later.
If someone could read her mind she must have sounded like a besotted child, the idea of being somewhere so free it was almost incomprehensible for the young nation. She grinned brightly as bent down next to the Italian girl to examine some of the flowers they had on display.
“These are so pretty.” She said happily as she examined the lotuses on display, big sister Vietnam always liked lotuses almost as much as Taiwan liked plum blossoms. She’d grown quite fond of the plant to as it was a reminder of one of her siblings she was fonder of.
“Oh, I have never seen plants like those,” she answered honestly “but it’d be nice to plant some.” She answered sincerely “I think I prefer flowers though, does that make me shallow?” she wondered curiously the smile not leaving her lips “ah, I suppose some fruit would look nice though.” She said as she thought of her garden area.

“Arazia, it is very nice to meet you.” Said Mei testing the name on her lips. It sounded very foreign and since her accent sounded a lot like one those Italy brothers Mei guessed she was Italian or she was from somewhere of that region. When Arazia hinted at the academy for nations Mei’s eyes lit up, so she’d find another one. That made two already!
“Shi, Shi!” yes, yes She said hushing her voice into a low whisper.
“I am Taiwan, I mean I was Taiwan.” She said bowing her head respectfully again, “it is very nice to meet another Nation.” She said quietly. So far she’d only met Belgium, and she did miss the others.
“I have missed everyone.” She said honestly “and I’m just so worried about my siblings.” Mei admitted sadly “I miss my country so much to...” she let her voice trail off sadly not noticing her tone, she felt homesick now the excitement was slowly beginning to wear off, she bit her lip gently as her chocolate brown eyes scanned the shelves lighting up happily as she spotted another plant native to her nation.
“But I suppose I will always have the flowers.”

“Magnolia’s!” she exclaimed “Now here’s a pretty plant.” She smiled as she examined the pretty petals and leaves.
“I’m glad you like plants to.” Said Mei “I love gardening, don’t you think being able to care for something so delicate is rewarding.” She asked the Italian girl not taking her eyes off of the petals. It was a well known fact Mei loved gardening, back home in China’s house she had the whole garden to decorate how she wished and in whatever way she wished to. In fact when she wasn’t decorating the garden she was often found relaxing in it. There was something about being at one with nature that greatly appealed to the young Taiwanese girl.

"Which Then Grew Into A Hope"

[Antonio Fernandez]

It was fact that Antonio liked to be out and about so it wasn't difficult, coming up with reasons as to why he was wandering around a shopping mall. It was just a little weird since he was doing this all on his own --not that he'd seen anybody familiar yet except for Lovino and that thought made him smile. Still, it didn't change the fact that right now he was all alone and though he never really sought out company explicitly he hoped it was high time he came across another familiar face.

He'd already visited small coffee cafes serving churros that didn't taste anywhere near as good as the ones back home but they did the job and he had smiled and thank the waitress who gave him a polite bow and a cute smile before he stood up to leave. Now he found himself amongst another throng of people heading for whatever direction his legs felt like going. Not paying much attention to the shops he passed, he nearly missed a small little place that sold good plantation and vegetation. The small tomato plants caught his interest more than anything else and he just had to enter to see. To his dismay however, just as he was about to happily take it back with him and present it to his Italian roommate with a big smile and a hug, he found that he was short on cash at the moment and frowned at this.

"I should take more money with me next time then," he muttered to himself with a sigh.

About to leave the store and actually try to find somebody he knew, Antonio glanced around the shop once more. Unexpectedly, his green eyes met a familiar figure, same hair after all these years, same face, same body type. He felt a bubble of excitement creep into his system as he walked over.

"Ara!" He called out, unsure if she would respond to such an old nickname. He didn't know the conditions of this place yet but if Lovi recognized him and if Lovi was real and this Arazia must be the same one he'd cared for all those years.

"Oh wow, you're here too! This is great~ aah, it's been so long~"

note/s: ;___; sorry for just busting in like this |D and probably ruining posting order or something. I'm not intentionally ignoring Taiwan though 8( perhaps her post later on could contemplate his sudden appearance? >.< /apologies

[ARAZIA VARGAS]

Arazia listened quietly to Mei, steadily meeting her gaze with her own golden-brown eyes. A spark of amusement flashed in her eyes as she watched the young girl move from shelf to shelf, naming various flowers. She seemed so very carefree and at home here in this flower shop, no, in Japan in general. Meanwhile, Arazia was having trouble communicating with anyone at all. Everything here was so very peculiar to her, nothing was like what she knew back home. The changes discouraged her so much so that she feared she would never grow accustomed to this strange land. She had yet to meet one thing, anything, remotely familiar to her. Arazia had absolutely no one who knew her well at all, who could understand her, that she could comfortably vent her thoughts to in this predicament. It was as if she was all alone in the universe, a terrifying idea indeed.

But perhaps, She thought smiling at Mei, I could make some new friends in the meantime... Yes, not only could this help out with future world unity (if this problem was ever sorted out and everyone was back to being their respective region), but she could do with more people to talk with and spend time with. Arazia already began to feel comfortable around the Asian girl, realizing they had something so very important to both of them in common: gardening.

"Of course not! Loving flowers does not make you shallow, in fact I think it shows one is very understanding. Most people see flowers and they don't think twice about them, but some, like you, notice such small and delicate things which tells me you can understand the underlying emotions of others as well... Or maybe I'm just babbling!"

Arazia smiled and giggled. She had always been very thoughtful, analyzing the ideas of others. She found interpreting her own emotions as well as others' was quite helpful in the area of the arts as well as socially. Meeting someone with observation skills like her own was quite a treat and yet another thing she shared in common with Mei.

"I'm glad to have met you, too! It was quite lonesome, being thrown into such a strange place and knowing no one, understanding nothing."

A very broad smile stretched her child-like features. It had been a while since Arazia had looked on the bright side of this whole Academy business. Meeting new people would be good for breaking out of her sheltered side as well as making new friends! She could tell that Mei would be one of those friends. Still grinning, Arazia bent down to look at the flowers with her.

"You were Taiwan?! Impressionante! I was Sicily. Did you have many siblings? I heard the Asian region is very close, but I don't know much else. I only have Feliciano and Lovino, but I care deeply for both of them and miss them very much... Oh, you simply must tell me all about your homeland and family! I'd love to hear!"

Arazia pleaded out of curiosity and in attempts to cheer up her slightly downcast friend. She had always wondered what other countries were like. She had never been one to travel, preferring to stay on her island and watch the countries come to her, usually in attempts to invade. Even though invasion was never a pleasant thing, it did provide glimpses into the world beyond the ocean surrounding her. At every chance she wanted to learn more, but found books to be far safer than long voyages to foreign lands.

"What's life like? I can only imagine how beautiful it must be, I've seen so many pictures! I feel so incompetent, knowing so little, for I have only had the privilege to meet a few countries and they are often only there to take up residence. Some were better than others..."

Arazia shivered at the thought of a certain Frenchman. His short reign was more than long enough for her to get to know him. He had treated her so poorly, she was very fortunate Spain came when he did. Yes, the churros-loving carefree man was definitely one of her fonder encounters. He had saved her from France and remained close and in good friendship with her ever since. Thinking of him sent a pang of sadness through her, just like when she thought of her brothers. Arazia could only pray to find them soon.

She stood up and absentmindedly wandered nearer to the tomato plants in the store window. "I must admit, I love tomatoes! Perhaps one of these...?" She said caressing the smooth, vibrant skin of the fruit. Antonio had introduced them to Lovino a while back and they spread like wildfire through all of Italy, including her own land. Arazia adored the small fruit, for not only was it delicious, but it reminded her of some of the people she cared about most in the world. It was comical how tomatoes could bind several countries together in such a close manner. Arazia continued to admire the plant as she once again floated off in her thoughts. It wasn't until she heard a very familiar voice call to her that she snapped back to reality. At first she thought it was all just her memories fooling with her head, but Arazia soon realized the voice seemed to be coming from beside her, rather than in her head. She looked up and to her left near the other row of potted tomato plants. Her eyes widened and at first she could only stare. Such a familiar face, could it really be...?

"A....ANTONIO?!"

In all her excitement and shock, the name came out more as a scream which made a few customers jump or gasp themselves. But Arazia was to preoccupied with how she had not noticed Antonio sooner to care. She quickly ran over to the Spaniard and jumped into a hug. Her arms clung tightly to his neck as if to affirm that he was really there, her best friend. Tears of utter happiness brimmed her lashes and her words came out in a jumble of joy and Italian.

"Antonio! Il mio amico! It has been far too long! Come sei stata? Have you seen Lovino and Feliciano yet? Oh, quanto mi sei mancato tanto!"

Arazia reached up and cupped his face with her hands, smiling into those familiar green eyes. She quickly kissed his cheeks then hugged him again. To her, Antonio was like family, so very important to her. She could hardly believe that after what seemed like ages of depression and loneliness, she finally made a new friend and was reunited with her best one. After containing her happiness a bit, she took Antonio by the hand and brought him over to Mei by the magnolias. Arazia took Mei's hand as well and placed it in Antonio's, then shook them gently up and down,

"Antonio, this is my new amica, Mei! Mei, meet il mio migliore amico, Antonio! I don't believe you two have been acquainted yet..."

All Arazia could do was smile. Happiness was bubbling out of her. She was so very fortunate. Today she not only was going to buy some plants for her room, but she found a new friend in Mei and saw her best friend Antonio once again.

How truly lucky I am~!

~~~

Italian Translations:
Awesome! - Impressionante!
My friend - Il mio amico
How have you been? - Come sei stata?
Oh, how I have missed you so! - Oh, quanto mi sei mancato tanto!
My best friend - Il mio migliore amico

~~~

OOC: YAY! Alrighty so we can go on with the thread with this post and then Mei, followed by Antonio, alrighty? Grazie! ^_^

[Mei Sun]

"It Started Out As A Feeling"

Mei giggled softy, she was certainly glad to have made a new friend, especially one who was as nice as Arazia. She’d been so worried about not knowing anyone here that it was a relief for the tiny girl to have found a friend. Her grin broadened as her deep brown eyes sparkled with happiness. Perhaps life at the academy wouldn’t be so bad after all with friends around it couldn’t be bad! Or maybe she was being too optimistic after all they still didn’t know why they were here.

“Thank you.” Said Mei smiling and she agreed, she wasn’t superficial (maybe that itself was superficial thing to say but Mei didn’t care). Maybe she was when it concerned pretty things like clothes and fine jewellery but that didn’t make her a bad person. “You seem to really like fruit, I guess that means you’re a caring person, you know? Because you have to care for the plant to help them grow.” She rambled brightly.

“Shi!” yes exclaimed the Taiwanese girl happily “I have many brothers and a few sisters. There’s so many of us that sometimes I lose count. But sadly were not as tightly knitted as we used to be, but I understand, as families do grow apart.” She said staring slightly into the distance, sometimes Mei longed for the days when everybody got along. The conflict was never great to witness especially when it involved the people she really cared for.

“Taiwan...” Began Mei dreamily “Well it’s beautiful, especially in spring when every things in full bloom. It’s just wonderful I love my country and I really miss it.” She said sadly.
“What is Sicily like? It seems so cool, shi? Maybe when we finally get back to our nations we could visit each other sometime?” she offered. Mei didn’t want to lose a friend she’d just made.

“The tomato’s look interesting-” she said curiously staring at the bright round fruits shiny exterior.

Another presence stopped her from finishing her sentence. She stood back politely as Sicily became reacquainted with what seemed to be another nation. Mei smiled; it was nice that everyone was meeting up again perhaps the more that people did meet up the more they could shed some light on what was happening. She bowed respectfully as she was introduced to the older male nation shaking his hand in a friendly manner a smile graced her lips as introduced herself.

“Ni Hao Antonio it is very nice to meet you.” she introduced. “I guess you have found yourself stuck here to, shi?”.

"Which Then Grew Into A Hope"

Ah sorry for the incredibly
rubbish post. >.> my taiwan muse offcially hates me today : (

[Antonio Fernandez]

The shriek of excitement took him by surprise but he didn't step back when the young girl circled her arms around his neck. He smiled sheepishly, witnessing her tears of joy and tried to keep himself from ruffling her hair like he always used to to. Antonio was pretty sure she wouldn't enjoy that (not that she ever had --it always messed up her hair). He let her do as she so pleased with him and embraced her in return afterward, relishing in the presence of somebody so important to him. All this was very refreshing although it did make him wonder more than he had initially planned to. If he put two and two together then he could say for sure that most of the nations (...former? --but they had still retained their memories!) were here and he just hadn't seen most of them. It was in his favor that Arazia would be one of the first few people he came across.

She lead him toward brighter flowers and an unfamiliar face.

"Antonio, this is my new amica, Mei! Mei, meet il mio migliore amico, Antonio! I don't believe you two have been acquainted yet..."

He blinked and watched the girl carefully with curious green eyes before breaking into a grin.

"Ara, you've made a new friend, I see! You can call me Tonio or Toni, whichever ever is more convenient for you." He held a hand out to her. "Pleasure to meet somebody muy bonita, very pretty~"

He considered her question and paused for a moment to think, frowned a little until he recovered and looked back at her with a smile once again.

"Si, si. Perhaps the only thing that has happened was waking up here of all places --but it has proved to be very relaxing, not here of course. The shopping center is bustling with people but the hot springs are celestiales, absolute heaven."

His eyes wandered around the quaint shop, the smell of all its contents making him a little dizzy.

"Sowhat brought you two here, if you don't mind me asking?"