It was pretty cold and pretty quiet up north, and perhaps his brother was worried that he'd become like some certain other country that was cold, big and northerly, but whatever the reason, he received an invitation to go visit his brother in LA.
When he got there, he was slightly surprised to see that America had a rather sullen China in tow, but America promised that it was supposed to be an uber special surprise.
"He's going to buy you a pet," said China flatly before getting jumped by a flailing America who was whining about how he spoiled the surprise.
"But, America, you know they don't last long." Compared to the lifespan of a nation (barring major disasters, of course), most living things just died too quickly and he didn't like the idea of keeping something just to watch it die. Watching them go about their own lives was fine, and sometimes even heartwarming, but mortal things weren't meant to live in close proximity with the anthropomorphic personifications of their nations. It would be too depressing.
"Ahah! But you see, this is a special petshop! It's in Chinatown."
Canada shook his head and opened his mouth to tell him that he had Chinatowns too, but then he caught the look on China's face. The Asian was staring off into space, preoccupied by what appeared to be distinctly unhappy thoughts. Was it because he was being dragged along into one of America's harebrained schemes? Or was it because he was annoyed that America couldn't even navigate Chinatown without his help? But no, the irritation didn't seem to be directed at his exhuberent brother. For the moment, anyway, because America seemed to be trying his best to change that.
"Go on, tell him! The petshop fellow came from China, right? So you can tell him!"
China merely pressed his mouth a little more firmly shut and walked on more quickly.
It was intriguing, if a little worrying, but he didn't have time to pursue that thought before America turned his attentions to him again.
"So, what kind of pet do you want?"
Seeing the bright and brilliant smile on his brother's face, Canada gave in. After all, just because they were going to look at pets, it didn't mean he had to pick one out in the end, no matter how insistent America was no doubt going to be. And having a companion would be nice, especially during winter, when he was snowed in. Something that would recognise him as 'Canada' instead of being mistaken for America or worse, completely forgotten.
"A dog, maybe," he mused aloud. "A big dog."
"Better to raise for emergency rations," agreed China over his shoulder.
"AHAHAHAHAHA, that's a good one, China!"
But from the coldness in his voice, Canada wasn't so sure China was making a joke. The Asian's behaviour was really beginning to worry him, but once again, he wasn't given the chance to ponder this before America was demanding attention again.
"Here! We're here!"
The sign outside said 'Count D', yet the decor was very Chinese. There was a flight of stairs leading down into relative darkness and he could hardly believe that this was meant to be a pet shop. Beside him, he heard China sigh.
Dislocations (1/?)
When he got there, he was slightly surprised to see that America had a rather sullen China in tow, but America promised that it was supposed to be an uber special surprise.
"He's going to buy you a pet," said China flatly before getting jumped by a flailing America who was whining about how he spoiled the surprise.
"But, America, you know they don't last long." Compared to the lifespan of a nation (barring major disasters, of course), most living things just died too quickly and he didn't like the idea of keeping something just to watch it die. Watching them go about their own lives was fine, and sometimes even heartwarming, but mortal things weren't meant to live in close proximity with the anthropomorphic personifications of their nations. It would be too depressing.
"Ahah! But you see, this is a special petshop! It's in Chinatown."
Canada shook his head and opened his mouth to tell him that he had Chinatowns too, but then he caught the look on China's face. The Asian was staring off into space, preoccupied by what appeared to be distinctly unhappy thoughts. Was it because he was being dragged along into one of America's harebrained schemes? Or was it because he was annoyed that America couldn't even navigate Chinatown without his help? But no, the irritation didn't seem to be directed at his exhuberent brother. For the moment, anyway, because America seemed to be trying his best to change that.
"Go on, tell him! The petshop fellow came from China, right? So you can tell him!"
China merely pressed his mouth a little more firmly shut and walked on more quickly.
It was intriguing, if a little worrying, but he didn't have time to pursue that thought before America turned his attentions to him again.
"So, what kind of pet do you want?"
Seeing the bright and brilliant smile on his brother's face, Canada gave in. After all, just because they were going to look at pets, it didn't mean he had to pick one out in the end, no matter how insistent America was no doubt going to be. And having a companion would be nice, especially during winter, when he was snowed in. Something that would recognise him as 'Canada' instead of being mistaken for America or worse, completely forgotten.
"A dog, maybe," he mused aloud. "A big dog."
"Better to raise for emergency rations," agreed China over his shoulder.
"AHAHAHAHAHA, that's a good one, China!"
But from the coldness in his voice, Canada wasn't so sure China was making a joke. The Asian's behaviour was really beginning to worry him, but once again, he wasn't given the chance to ponder this before America was demanding attention again.
"Here! We're here!"
The sign outside said 'Count D', yet the decor was very Chinese. There was a flight of stairs leading down into relative darkness and he could hardly believe that this was meant to be a pet shop. Beside him, he heard China sigh.
"Let's go in then."