[Archived] An event week dedicated to the APH Asians
2021 Prompts List | FAQ
Transparents in the header are from @transparentalia, with some edits by mystic. Run by @mysticalmusicwhispers and @luyous.
APH Asia Week will be hosted from Aug. 11-20, 2021!
Three prompts per day:
1) nations from Asia
2) a general theme
3) a quote
You can choose which prompt or prompts you want to create content for; you can stick with one country (canon or OC) throughout the whole week or switch between multiple; it’s all up to you!
Any form of content is accepted, including but not limited to: fanfiction, fanart, AUs, headcanons, aesthetics, etc.
Prompts
Day 1 (8/11): China + Persia // Art // “The artist is the creator of beautiful things.”
Day 2 (8/12): India + Tibet // Language // “O my language / I return to you, / when my tongue feels / stiff from / remaining silent, / hurting my soul.”
Day 3 (8/13): Mongolia + Turkey // History // “Each page a victory / At whose expense the victory ball? / Every ten years a great man, / Who paid the piper?”
Day 4 (8/14): Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines // Food // “And that orange, it made me so happy, / As ordinary things often do / Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park. / This is peace and contentment. It’s new.”
Day 5 (8/15): Free space!
Day 6 (8/16): Hong Kong + Singapore // Memes // “Simp.”
Day 7 (8/17): South Korea + Taiwan // Friendship // “I want you always to remember me. Will you remember that I existed, and that I stood next to you here like this?”
Day 8 (8/18): Thailand + Vietnam // Sports // “The sun will rise and we will try again.”
Day 9 (8/19): Japan + Macau // Games // “These young guys are playing checkers. I’m out there playing chess.”
Day 10 (8/20): OCs // Culture // Free quote space
Rules
Follow this account
No NS//FW
Tag your content with #aphasiaweek and @ this account please!
Ships and content with other non-Asian nations allowed, but please try to give equal weight to the Asian character in the ship, since this is an event celebrating the Hetalia Asians.
Gore/blood/dark topics allowed; they will be tagged with “tw ____”
Don’t be a clown and make racist content
Use common sense and nuance when touching upon sensitive political subjects.
FAQ
Have fun!
@hetalia-happenings @heta-on-the-books
(Vietnam transparent in the banner by @transparentalia)
I just wanted to ask you real quick, I want to see if I can hold Asia week next year (2023 and same time as this blog) and I’m stumped on trying to decorate the blog theme/profile picture so it doesn’t have too much of one culture in it. Should I just use a vague aesthetic? Sorry if this is a bit out of the blue 😅
I mean we did put aph china as our profile pic so idk if it's that big of an issue and you can just do whatever ... but if you need help for anything specific you can message us individually on our personal blogs (@luyous @mysticalmusicwhispers)
I’m just wondering, are you planning on doing it again this year?
I realized that we never answered this ask; sorry for the late response! We have decided not to continue hosting asia week going forward; I'm currently focusing on irl and getting through my first year of college, and I think both me and the other mod have been stepping back from the hetalia fandom for a while. Most likely, we'll be archiving this blog so people can still look through it, but for the time being I don't think we'll continue hosting this. If anyone wants to organize their own asia-centric week, go for it! We'd love to see what you create <3
Thank you so much for participating in the second run of Asia Week! It was wonderful to see so many amazing submissions and we hope you enjoyed this as well!
We’ll be reblogging late works for 2 weeks, so if you still want to make stuff for the event you still have time! Again, just make sure to tag it with #aphasiaweek/#aph asia week and mention this account!
A while ago an anon pointed out that I’ve been out here shipping this for 10 years so…happy 10 year anniversary to AmeNK as of April 2? I wanted to draw them with their national flowers, so late entry for @aphasiaweek day 10 too, I guess. NK’s national flower is Siebold’s magnolia and for the US it’s the rose.
I swear I didn’t mean to make this look like they were getting married but if you wanna send them a “wedding present”, please consider making a donation to Liberty in North Korea, an organization that helps refugees from North Korea find safety and resettle (I will put the link in the notes so tumblr doesn’t shadow ban this post from tags)!
Day Ten: OCs // Culture // Free quote space "You're a monster" / "Better a monster than an arrogant god"
@aphasiaweek
Wahhh!! Thank you for the opportunity of letting me join the event!! It was really fun!! and I think I learned a lot while writing :> Also, I managed to expand a lot on this AU that I'm more than happy enough to talk with people > /// <
Lien = Vietnam
Pravat = Thailand
Felipe = Philippines
Vikal = Indonesia
Usama = Malaysia
Eldwin = Singapore
AO3 Link -> Tadaaaa
It all happened so fast. Not even Lien expected this. Their front door shattered to pieces while a loud laughter echoes in the room (familiar, haunting that Felipe paused, hand against his chest as he tries to cover Eldwin from the debris) and Pravat’s groan as he tries to stand up. His eyes glowing and speaking of a power beyond a human’s capability (the power of the one who rules the sky).
The figures of two people (each glowing with power that felt oh so familiar to them that Usama couldn’t help but hiss in anger. Fur growing out longer now as he crouches on the floor, fangs lengthening while he growls at the doorway) entered one by one, looking at them with different expressions that Lien couldn’t help but wonder how different they look now.
(But those faces- she will never forget those faces.)
“Look look, we’re not here for trouble!” One of them announces (his voice still grating to hear) as he rubs the back of his neck, pushing the small figure in front of him. “Tell them keeks!”
“Bullshit.” Vikal interrupts, pulling Pravat up to his feet. “Nothing comes good with any of your presence.” His own eyes glowing and lightning crackles at the surface of his skin. His frown twisting itself to a snarl when he looks down, seeing blood on his hand (gold, never red. Always gold for the inhumanity that they all have) that seems from Pravat’s wounds.
“Please, let us just talk...” The smaller one says (darkness curling around his feet and his unsheathed katana) with a pleading voice. His words were ignored as Vikal stood up to his full height, hands at his side as he pushed Pravat to Lien who was waiting.
Her own eyes glowing a bright gold (in anger, in fear, in hate that one might think that the God of Voyage is capable of). “Talk after you harmed one of ours?” She spits, holding Pravat by the elbow and keeping him steady. Her hand twitches (calling forth an old friend) before tightening around a paddle (an ancient wooden paddle that has followed her for lifetimes) that she brandishes in front of her.
“Do you think you will be welcomed among us after what you have done?”
(After you have killed what we considered ours?)
“Told you they can’t be reasoned with,” the blonde pouts, tilting his head in what should have been cute if not for the anger that everyone feels towards him.
"Alfred-san…"
Vikal and Lien stood in front of them with Pravat brushing away the blood with his shirt as he prepares himself once more. (This reminded all of them of the war. Every god for themselves but this time- they're no longer alone. No longer separated by fear and longing and grief.)
(This time- everyone will be safe.)
"Look. We're not here to cause any trouble. The thing with sunny over there happened only because he attacked first." Alfred explains, taking a step forward.
His action only made them take another step backward. Felipe tightening his hold on Eldwin just in case both of them need to run. (Eldwin's field has always been his intelligence. Battle not so much. Not when his body refuses to even let him rest.)
"Ah… You all don't really trust us huh? Why?" He asks as if it wasn't obvious.
As if it wasn't them that ruined them in their past lives.
(War brought them to their knees. The greed of their fellow gods taking them away one by one. The stability of the world crumbled as soon as darkness and war came.)
"Why? You're seriously going to ask us that?” Eldwin scoffs, pushing Felipe away as he stands on his own. “After what you have done to our clan- after you have our own blood on your hands. Do you really think we will welcome you with open arms? You came into our house, blasting our door with weapons that have KILLED US IN OUR PAST LIFE!”
(It was the first time that they talked about it- no. They never really talked about it. But it was the first time they heard it said out loud when it's the thing that has haunted them for years. Ever since they have woken up in the bodies of infants, screaming at the world in pain as if to tell themselves that this time, they're still alive.)
The two outsiders flinched, scuttling closer to one another as if trying to make them seem smaller (the blonde tucking the smaller man behind him like he was trying to protect the other from the harsh words that spill from Eldwin’s lips unrestrained.) The blonde opened his mouth, trying to find the words but none came. Not when Eldwin continues screaming, tears in his eyes.
“Do you really think that we will be the same after what happened-”
“In our past life.” The black-haired teen whispers. “That was in the past. We can no longer-”
“Tell that to us when you apologize for what you have done.” Lien coldly glares, refusing to step down when those hardened neon blue eyes turn to hers. “Do you think it was just because we were reborn that we can ignore what has happened in that time? After you have ripped us apart without hesitation for what-”
(Greed. Love. Power. For the world to bow down.)
“For something that has destroyed the very reason that we were created in the first place!”
(Lien’s heart shattered every day when she had to ferry humans back and forth. From living to dead and to die and to living. The world around her is so tainted with darkness and bloodshed that when she looks up to the sky, all she sees is the very shattering of the fabric of their world getting ripped apart with every god that has fallen on another’s blade.)
Her words caused the other to cower back, holding up his hands as he glanced down for help. “Look look. I know you’re angry and you very much have the right to do so! But-”
He wasn’t given the time to explain when Usama charged, fangs aimed right at his neck, and given barely time, he managed to dodge it. (Instincts are still integrated into their very being of how to fight against one of their own. Of each other’s weakness.)
(Of how to bring a god to their knees and their inevitable death.)
“Woah! What the fuck man!” With bare hands, he managed to hold Usama at arm’s bay. Worried eyes flickering back and forth from the teen (lost in rage, lost in a wave of emotions. Of grief and pain that has existed long before the current civilization has) and to their little group (to a clan of Gods that watches coldly. Alarmed and waiting for something to happen. Something that has always been waiting to happen no matter how much they try to run away from it.)
He saw nothing but anger (pain) and disgust (fear) and knew that they would not call back. The American lad gritted his thing, tossing the other to the side while he snarled, pushing his partner behind him. “I told them that you wouldn’t listen. Too wrapped up in what happened to even give us the benefit of the doubt to explain-”
“Explain why you killed us?”
“Explain why all of us are searching for you. Please, give us time!” The man that was pushed to the back pleaded and if not for his voice garnering attention, he would have been forgotten (a big mistake) and Usama changed directions.
Eyes trailed towards him as the teen sneaked underneath the arm that was supposed to catch him, nails lengthening to do harm (to shed blood like how he had done to their family). The quiet teen pressed his lips in a grimace, bringing up his katana, and with a clank that resounded the whole room; everything went to chaos.
“Hey!” The blue-eyed teen jumps to the side when Lien swipes at him. Her paddle hitting the floor, creating an indent (if it was his head, blood would have splattered on the polished wooden floor and on her green dress.) to which she only gave a sound of disgruntlement. “I thought the files said that they’re supposed to be peaceful gods!”
...Peaceful?
(Peaceful? After the cruel way that they have fallen?)
(Maybe in their other lives they were peaceful. Gods that refused to take a side and have offered shelter to those that have wished only for peace and none of the war that has followed them. Gods that have protected them, sheltered them, and healed them till the very last of their own power and resources.)
(Weak gods that did not manage to protect their own after all this time.)
That word only brought their rage to something uncontrollable (something that has been trying to keep to itself this whole time unleashed, baring its fangs with venom dripping down that was so filled with…) that Usama and Lien began to hit faster, harder with the intent of harm (with so much hate). Their eyes glowing in resonance (of red and gold in one mesmerizing dance) while they bought some time for the others to get out of the way and out of their house through the backdoor.
“Please! Calm yourselves! This is not like you!” (How would they know- what do they know-)
Lien scoffs, twirling the paddle to aim at the young one’s neck (at the God of Strenght’s neck with a viciousness unseen from one of her clan) before snarling when the man caught it between his hands. “You’re like a monster!” He screams (a monster had the gall to call them one?)
“Better a monster than an arrogant god.”
Then she jumped backward, summoning another that she pointed at him. “You arrogant child who thinks that he can come into my domain and harm those that has fallen under my wing,” her voice no longer sounding like her own (sounding like the God of Voyage, the one that has braved the anger of the Ocean and has stared at Death and Life without fear straight into their eyes, never once bowing down nor running away at the stars that fall from the sky when the day of souls comes) but something more… ancient (old and alive that has never once died unlike the others for people have forgotten. Death is nothing but a long journey to the next.)
“And you still never learned.”
Lien pauses at the voice. (Hauntingly familiar, familiar enough that her whole body froze in terror)
Her head snaps to the side, eyes widening (in fear, her heart refusing to stop the rapid beating it has now at the sight) when she meets cool purple eyes (the same eyes that stare at her while she sings her final song to the world) and to the terrified violet eyes of Felipe who was in his arms.
Eldwin was knocked out (nonono please- please be alive please be alive please-) and was being carried by the nervous-looking tan-skinned man. His green eyes flickering back and forth from the chaos that has covered the whole room to Lien’s paddle then back to his companion, his look-a-like whose smile (bright and terrifying) didn’t ditter while he carried Pravat (his blood staining the white polo of the one carrying him) on his shoulder. Vikal was bound on the floor, covered in glowing white ribbons that emitted light. Struggling still (alive, still alive-) while he tries to say something
“Lien!” Felipe cries. “Usama!” (The tears on his eyes, pure panic making his voice echo in the room while he tries to fight back against the tight grip on his wrists.)
“Drop the weapons.” The man says (even with a smile, he looks menacing.) “We only want to talk.”
“Listen to him!” Felipe met her eyes, trying to convey something just with a single panicked look (listen to him or he’ll kill me) and she looked to the side, to see Usama gritting his teeth and dropping his transformation.
Then to her paddle (she can still fight. Take them all at once- but she can’t guarantee their safety.) before dropping it. The sound it creates by hitting the floor makes her flinch before she smoothes out her bangs and looks at the man (at her killer).
BEHOLD..... THE LONG AWAITED KURDISTAN INTRO POST (wow tumblr preview looks like ass pls click on it)
He is very charming and affable, and can make anyone feel welcome. Even around people he dislikes, he remains friendly; however, his amicability gains an edge of passive-aggressiveness and hostile snark. He's also incredibly tough and proud, and isn't afraid to show it.
Fun Facts:
Married to the mountains
Brags about Saladin whenever he gets the chance
Can be extremely stubborn
Had a pet fox in the past; it attacked Iran on multiple occasions
Pals with Afghanistan! (Kurdistan🤜dealing with Iran🤛Afghanistan)
Deeply distrustful of others
Ive been planning this post for a while and what better time to post it than Day 10 of @aphasiaweek for OCs!
Notes and References:
The left half is mostly Kurdistan's interactions with the four main countries (Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Syria) his ppl are spread across- as you can imagine, he doesn't get on particularly well with any of them.
Foxes are a widely recurring element in Kurdish folklore as trickster figures who defeat much more powerful opponents; the fox furry thing is an inside joke between me and my friend LOL
Kurdistanball is holding a dolma! Dolmas are stuffed dishes, commonly made by wrapping leaves around the filling. They're commonly found in the cuisines of the Balkans, South Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Levant.
Bijî bijî means "Long live ...!" and it would make more sense if Kurdistanball said "bijî bijî Kurdistan" (cuz bijî bijî by itself doesnt really make any sense) but I ran out of room 😔
Roasted sunflower seeds are a popular treat in the region, especially in the Levant!
The lady in white is a tentative design for Miss Yazidi/Miletê Tawûsê Melek! Yazidi clothes are just so beautiful.... She'll prbly pop up with Miss Assyria later ^^
I share this Kurdistan OC, Iraq OC, Syria OC (mentioned), and Yazidi OC with @hammyletto!!
Day 8 - Thailand + Vietnam / Sports / “The sun will rise and we will try again.”
@aphasiaweek
Lien - Vietnam / Dirga - Indonesia
This is more like a platonic thing. I only wanted them to interact since I like both characters. And I apologize for the grammar mistakes, English isn’t my first language. I also liked the idea of them being athletes.
——————————
After the last lap, Lien stopped. She was breathless, but she wanted to continue. She was one of the fastest runners of the Track team, but she wanted to be the number one. She felt frustrated as she realised her time was the same. Lien was usually a very serious and patient girl, but when it was about running, she became competitive.
Hello, I got a question that might peak your interest. Do you have Headcanons about the Ainu people of Japan?
not many, but here's some! (@aphasiaweek for Day 9 Japan bashing)
bffs with Miss Ryukyu Islands and friends with Miss Sápmi
had a (series of) pet bear(s) back in the day
used to have a beard
Manages to even out "old-man" Japan
Very tired
Doesn't really like Russia
Used to not like Mongolia but it's been 500 years so they're like ok now
and have Miss Ryukyu/Okinawa and Ainu banging out some tunes! Ryukyu is playing a sanshin, and Ainu is playing a tonkori, both instruments played among their respective culture~
Historical Footnotes:
// discussions of genocide and culture suppression
The Ryukyuan Kingdom, existing from 1429 to 1879, was a tributary state of China and played an important role in maritime trade between East Asia and Southeast Asia. It became a vassal of Japan in 1609, but remained technically independent until 1872, when it became the Okinawa prefecture. Ryukyuan culture was suppressed under Japanese rule, and to this day, the people of Okinawa fight against the concentration of US military bases in their lands and for the preservation of their native culture and language.
The Ryukyuan equivalent to the kimono is the ryusou, which Miss Ryukyu/Okinawa is wearing here. It's not nearly as complicated in components, and its fit is much looser. In a Japanese kimono, the obi is always tied in the back, while it can be tied with a bow in the front for ryusou. It's commonly dyed using the bingata technique!
Bingata is an dyeing technique unique to the Ryukyuan islands. It's well known for its vibrant colors and elaborate designs, and is applied to the cloth through a pattern stencil.
The Ainu are the indigenous people of Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and Kuril Islands. Following the Sengoku period, the Ainu slowly became more and more dependent on Japan and Japanese goods, despite many rebellions against this Japanese domination. In 1806, fearing that Russia would attempt to spread its influence to its northern lands, Japan took direct control of Hokkaido and began to assimilate the Ainu into mainstream Japanese society. Ainu men were forced into servitude and only fed and clothed if they gave up their language and culture, and Ainu women were forcibly married to Japanese men; many Ainu cultural practices were also banned under Imperial Japan. This greatly reduced the Ainu's numbers, and unlike the Ryukyuans, the Ainu today are a minority in Hokkaido, and many Japanese remain unaware of their Ainu heritage. Ainu continue to suffer from lower economic prosperity compared to their Yamato Japanese counterparts, even to this day.
Toward the end of the 20th century, Ainu activism and revitalization movements began to rise in prominence, and a number of legal reforms protecting Ainu culture have been passed in the following years. In 2008, the Japanese government officially recognized them as a minority, and in 2019, a bill was passed recognizing them officially as the indigenous people of Japan.
Mister Ainu is wearing an attus, which is a coat-like garment. It's made from the fibers of an elm tree native to Hokkaido. The process of extracting fibers and processing them for fabric use is quite time consuming! Typically, ceremonial attus were decorated with elaborate geometric patterns and applique. It was thought that the embroidered patterns could protect from evil.
In the first picture, Mister Ainu is wearing a sapanupe, a traditional crown made from grape vines, wood shavings, and carvings of sacred animals. They were worn for important occasions but also helped keep men's hair tidy.
On the Mongolia note: In the 1200s, the Ainu expanded into the island of Sakhalin, putting them into conflict with the Nivk people, who had submitted to the Yuan dynasty. The Sakhalin Ainu fought the combined forces of the Yuan Dynasty for 40 years, but eventually surrendered and became tributaries of the Khan.
On the Sápmi note: Since 2011, the Ainu have done cultural exchange and cooperation with the Sámi. Both the Sami and Ainu participate in the organization for Arctic Indigenous people.
Tonkori: A plucked string instrument played by the Ainu and generally has five strings.
Sanshin: An instrument unique to the Okinawan and Amami islands; it has three strings and has a snakeskin covered body. It's believed that it was influenced by the Chinese sanxian, as the Ryukyuan kingdom held very close ties to Imperial China. When the sanshin reached mainland Japan, it evolved into the larger shamisen.
YES I KNOW JAPAN'S KIMONO FOLD IS ON THE WRONG SIDE the reference i was using for him had the kimono fold on the wrong side but i figured since the left over right fold was only used for corpses it was appropriate since clearly this is japan 5 seconds before disaster strikes
Day Nine: Japan + Macau // Games // “These young guys are playing checkers. I’m out there playing chess.”
@aphasiaweek
Almost at the very last yayayayay!!
Lien = Vietnam
Pravat = Thailand
Felipe = Philippines
Vikal = Indonesia
Usama = Malaysia
Eldwin = Singapore
Kiku = Japan
AO3 Link -> Tadaaaa
“OI! CHEATER!” Felipe screams, tossing his cards into the air while he throws himself towards Usama who squeaks, scrambling backward to avoid the hands that are so intent on hitting him. “I saw you! You cheater!” He shrills on the top of his lungs, accusing the innocent (not really considering that he did cheat) of swapping cards with Vikal underneath the table.
“Felipe please sit down,” Lien asks, tapping the table with her cards. “No need to be a sore loser.” She hides her smile by reshuffling her cards in front of her.
She’s the dealer of the match and she is very much certain that she saw the exchange happen but… no need to ruin anyone’s fun? All of them saw it but only Felipe voiced out his objection, the other’s cheeks already red in rage while he sulked in his corner with Vikal patting his back.
“Cheaters get their pants on fire,” he mutters to which Eldwin quickly quips back.
“It’s liar liar pants on fire.” The youngest slaps down a card on the deck, smiling as he continues. “Uno.”
Pravat immediately slaps down a card, a bit angrily. “Now now, let’s try not to get angry at the game too much alright?” He tells everyone but almost every one of them thought that maybe it’s him who needs to calm down, judging from how strained his smile has become.
All of them were right in the kitchen, sitting around the table as they played cards. This time without the gambling aspect because the last time they did that… it became rather too competitive to the point they have forgotten how much and what they were betting on. It’s just a rather simple game night where they can ignore the world for now and just continue on doing what a normal teenager should do. (As normal as they can be.)
Scream at each other as they strive for the prize which is the last piece of Toblerone in the fridge.
“Not so fast!” Usama grins, putting down a reverse card just in time for Pravat to do a +4 card. “Teamwork makes the dream work!”
“Please, I like Disney more.” Eldwin’s nose wrinkle, the other pulling four new cards on the deck. “Now I know why you’re a cheater. You know everyone’s cards.”
Felipe wanted to say something but he was distracted by something, head-turning forward towards the window while everyone stayed quiet at his sudden silence. His smile slowly fading when his eyes squint towards the window, trying to see through the darkness.
"Felipe? What's wrong?" Pravat asks, worriedly. One of his legs was already propped up to stand and see what the other was looking at.
Vikal holds Felipe's shoulder, rubbing small circles behind his back while trying to look over the top of his head and see what he was looking at. "You okay?"
Lien didn't like it. The sudden silence or the blankness in his eyes but before she can ask about it- the other whipped his head back front, smiling at them like nothing matters. A bright (true) smile that would have put Pravat's smile to shame if not for the way it came to them was rather… off-putting.
(Odd. Wrong. Terrifying. Like something in the air that smelled of ozone and gasoline and one just needs to light a match to set the fragility ablaze.)
"Uno." He says, putting down his card and left one card left in his hand. "Really now? Watch me win against all of you!"
(Wrong. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong like everything was screaming at them to do something because- why is he smiling like nothing happened-)
"Are you okay?" Pravat repeats slowly, not acknowledging the fact that Felipe continued life as usual.
The other stopped, the tune he was humming trailing off while he raised an eyebrow. "Yea? I would be if we just hurry up and let me win!"
(Odd. Fake. Just now he was screaming about Usama being a cheater.)
Liena and Pravat shared a look before Pravat stood up, putting down his cards to join the deck. "I'm hungry. Anyone else hungry? I'm craving chips." A lie.
They just ate a few hours ago. Three large boxes of pizza were demolished in under an hour and the cartons were carefully deconstructed and broken down so they would be taken away by the garbage man on Monday.
(He was going out to scout. To see what the other has seen and grabbed Felipe's attention.)
"Coke!" Felipe immediately yelled out, not noticing the looks that everyone had been giving each other
(It's not his fault that he doesn't remember. Doesn't recognize that his silence and emotions are often telltales of something in the water. In the wind. His connection to the very life-giver was something special. Something… sacred that even when his form is mortal, it listens and waits and adheres to the will.)
"Beer for me," Vikal made a motion with his hand like he was shaking something. "The light ones. I don't want to be drunk drunk."
(He doesn't even like to drink but to make it believable than he's willing to lie.)
"Booo, drinking on a weekday?" Usama teases, leaning against the table. "What a bad example abang." His tail that suddenly sprout behind him, wiggling back and forth as he purred when Lien pats his head.
"I'm sorry that I'm legal and you're not." Vikal answers with his eyes closed, a dark smile on his lips. "I often forget that you're still a child."
Both of them glared at one another, Felipe clapping while pulling out his phone. Excited for the fight that would usually come out between them whenever their short age gap was mentioned. (An ancient rivalry between the rain and the Beast that lurks underneath the sky. Ever trying to reach out and snatch away the clouds and chase away the gloom with a roar.) Lien had the idea of pulling Usama back but chose not to when-
"Ah!" Eldwin interrupts just in time to get everyone's attention. "Can I have coffee?" He says as if he's been already told countless times ever since they've been living together that no.
He's not allowed coffee.
"Decaf coffee? Maybe some milk?" Pravat tries to suggest but the scowl (terrifyingly rare but terrifying still) that followed his words made him hold his hands up. "Alright alright. One coke, beer, and coffee. Lien? Usama? Anything?"
Lien puts her hand down, shaking her head only once to signify that she doesn't need anything.
(She needs to be alert. Awake. Just in case their worries came through. That there is something outside their house right now. In the darkness lurking.)
"I'm good! Still full from the pizza," Usama flashes a toothy smile, patting his stomach.
"You should be considering you ate a whole box for yourself," Eldwin points out, fixing the deck after everyone seemed to forget that they were playing a game. The cards in his hands fly in the air and fall to his palm as he twists the deck once more.
"After you drink all the drinks," Usama snaps. Fangs longer than usual. (His eyes are glowing, threatening but none of them are scared. Not when they all know that he will never lay a hand on them. Not on them.)
Eldwin meets his eyes, staring straight before putting the deck down. "Because you ate the last dessert."
Then the whole room began to liven up. Felipe laughs as he films the tiny playful spat that Eldwin and Usama were having. Vikal suddenly becomes the victim when he tries to break the two of them and all while this was happening, Lien stood up.
Accompanying Pravat to the door, she leans against the wall. Her hawk-like gaze staring at the door while he puts on his shoes. "Do you feel something?" She asks, grimacing at how loud their house was in the dead of the night.
(The outside was too silent. Incredibly silent that she pursed her lips and reached out for something- for a space that doesn't exist in there and right there.)
"No." Pravat stood up, shaking his head.
(And that was what was wrong. It felt… empty. Dark. Like the whole world has stood still and ceased to breathe. Even when it's still 11 pm, there should have been the clacking of children outside. The sounds of the karaoke from the house behind them. The dogs barking and the wailing of the children.)
(Except… there was nothing. Only emptiness.)
"Do you need help?" She asks, opening the door for him and looking up. "I can come with you."
(The sky was empty. Too empty despite Pravat telling them earlier that day that there might be a falling star soon and he never is wrong in his prediction. The world was quiet. Too quiet that it was suffocating. Wrong.)
"Stay here." Pravat raises his hand, holding it up as if waiting for something and she looks at it before pressing her palm against his, pushing back against it.
(The fear of letting him go into this alone. Protecting them once more as the eldest terrifies her but she knows that even if she were to say that Usama was there. Vikal was there. The other will still not allow it.)
She tries to give him a small smile. (Even if she says that Usama was there. Vikal was there. He still won’t let it. The fear still holds strong onto him.)
“Take care.” She says solemnly.
“I’m just going to the convenience store.” He smiles at her and laughs than with one hug (it felt too tight, his hands around her waist as he gives what might be his last goodbye) he leaves.
(A lie.)
---
“Yes.” A teenage boy nodded, playing with the strap of his sword bag. He stands underneath the streetlight, a phone in hand while he talks to the person from the other side. “I will make sure that they will get home safely. Thank you Ralvis-san. Yes. Good morning to you.”
He takes a deep breath, noting the footsteps that came behind him, and closed his eyes. Letting the darkness and shadows crawl forward, holding him by the shoulders until the footsteps stopped and the sky cracked, straight in the middle. Bright light almost blinded him if not for his expectations of what the other would do.
“See you soon.” He says goodbye, pocketing the phone as soon as the call dropped and he opened his eyes. Meeting the glowing golden eyes of a friend from so so long ago. (Of an angered god whose rage has scorched the lands before.)
“Hello there.” The teenaged boy greets, craning his neck up. His voice was as soft and gentle as he possibly can (guilt clouding his tone that he wonders if the other can feel it- the heavy feeling in his heart at the sight of anger). “I’ve been waiting for you.”
"Leave." The man growls. The lenses of his glasses did nothing to hide the flares of the sun as the other approached him, stomping on the ground. "Leave and never come back."
(If Kiku can do that, he would. He had told his companions that maybe… it's not a good idea to approach those that have already made it clear that they do not want anything to do with the likes of them. Human but at the same time gods. The mistakes of an ancient yesterday still fresh in their hearts)
"I'm sorry." The boy apologizes, bowing. His black hair falling to hide his eyes and the sleeves of his yukata comes with it.
"If you are truly sorry then-"
"But I cannot do that."
(They all have duties. Domains to rule. Powers to be used to keep the balance and he was one of the few that has taken the peace for granted. The barely-there balance and because of his actions. It fell.)
The boy, in one swift motion, reached out from behind him, pulling out a katana that he points at the man. "Pravat-san, please come with me."
(So this time- this lifetime- may his sins be absolved and be forgiven.)
Pravat looks at the blade, the light making it glint underneath the streetlight then to the black (almost soulless) eyes of the teen before reaching for his glasses. With careful and calm motions, he pulls out the container for them and puts them in before tucking it in the small bag he has around his waist.
(That in this new world where he is no god but at the same time still is- may he protect this time instead of destroying.)
Then when he looked up, meeting the teen's eyes once more- everything went bright.
This was intended for @aphasiaweek day 5 but i..am very late
my inspiration tm for these are: 1) a ton of rich shanghainese women 2) the middle-aged girlboss family friends who run several companies and always meet at some restaurant looking extremely put together and chill and enrol their kids in school overseas and - yeah you get the picture 3) my grandmother 4) my parents
She reads a lot of chinese webnovels online…every evening you can see her at her desk hunched over her phone and reading
HOWEVER she still lectures younger nations about Using Your Phone/Other Electronics Too Much. justifies it by saying that old people have the leisurely time to spend on such frivolity, while young people should be working hard to make their futures bright and fruitful etc etc
spams everyone’s wechat (essentially, facebook) messages with random Articles she finds online about things like: 1) chinese pop/chinese traditional music 2) The Health Effects Of Doing (insert thing that young people do here) 3) nice art 4) Moving Poems, and more!
her messages go unread and people have blocked her on-and-off bc they didn’t want to receive those messages anymore…so sad for xinyan </
she uses Personal Shoppers to get herself limited edition gucci/prada/coach etc bags from places like the uk <3 she has a Bag Collection! like the rich person (derogatory) she is
probably doesn’t own companies in nationverse but makes a lot of passive income from investments in land, shares, etc! (yes she’s a landlord…pensive emoji)
generally she collects a lot of things including cute stationery and fabric <3 it’s a hobby for her! her online shopping cart is Always full especially during sales and she also hoards things she has from the past like yao
she’s the type of person who when clothes shopping takes photos of the clothes she wants and looks for them online at cheaper prices. she can be very cheap at times!!
she has very beautiful calligraphy! she also writes poetry - there are a lot of women poets in chinese history, examples including yu xuanji, li qingzhao, li ye, dong xiaowan etc
she cleans up well! Whenever she meets someone whether it’s for work or even casual chats she favours dressing in a sort of trim business causal style - think simple, cool or dark toned dresses or a flowy blouse and slacks! my memory of meeting girlboss adult women is Not Very Good but this is what i remember And of course her prada/coach bags <3 They Cannot Be Missing.
she likes going out a lot! in china holidays are often extended into longer breaks lasting a week or more (…at the expense of more working days either the week before or the week after ^^;) and she, like many others, enjoys taking tours within china during these times!
Day Eight: Thailand + Vietnam // Sports // “The sun will rise and we will try again."
@aphasiaweek
Two!! Days!! left!!
Lien = Vietnam
Pravat = Thailand
Felipe = Philippines
Vikal = Indonesia
Usama = Malaysia
Eldwin = Singapore
AO3 Link -> Tadaaaa
“A cup of Boba for your thoughts?”
Lien looks up just in time to find herself face to face with the cold plastic container of her favorite milk-tea place. She smiles gratefully for the other, leaving her laptop on top of the table to grab the milk-tea. The coolness and slight watery condensation of the cup itself left her hands wet to which she immediately wiped it down with a towel she found laying around on top of the table.
Probably Vikal’s judging from the bright purple V that was embroidered at the side.
“My thoughts are not this cheap.” She teases, shaking it with one hand expertly. “But let’s just say I needed this exactly right now.” She certainly does after the large amount of emails she saw in her inbox after taking a week break due to Usama and Vikal getting sick at the same time.
