[If only Guy was here to explain this stuff.]

Inter-dimensional travel or kidnapping, take your pick. Welcome to Vatheon, a city underwater.

[Well. That was quite the brief, to-the-point explanation at least. It didn't mean he wasn't shocked, though. Because... really? How fantastical.]

T- thank you, I suppose. I think looking at it as travel sounds nicer.

Ah, ah, ah. Asking is most c-e-r-t-a-i-n-l-y imposing. As apologetic as you may be, it doesn't change the fact that I have been irreversibly traumatized by such a blatant imposition.

However are you going to take responsibility for this, hm?

[And he... seems to take him quite seriously. Canada looks horribly apologetic about the whole thing.] I- I'm sorry Sir. I- I didn't mean to be and I'll take full responsibility for my actions.

Ah, the question wasn't 'if', but 'how'.

It was a purposeful neglect, I'm afraid. I can't properly answer 'how' if I do not know but a reassurance is at least an acknowledgement that the matter isn't being tossed aside.

Oh, it really is very reassuring. Could this be one of those elusive 'IOU's that youngsters exchange on a whim?

In the end, words are simply words. I can reassure you all I wish, but I cannot make you believe one thing or another.

Canada-san? You're back?

Back? I'm not too sure I was ever here in the first place so please excuse me for being confused.

Oh, okay. This place can do that sometimes.

Anyway, this place is called Vatheon. It's like an underwater city that pulls in people from other dimensions.

You'll probably want to find America-san right away, right? He's your brother, right?

A- ah. It sounds Rather... strange. [He was, understandably, a bit confused still.]

America is my brother, yes, but that doesn't necessarily mean I wish to find him. N- not that I wouldn't mind seeing him. I- I'm just speaking generally.

Yeah, it is. But you get used to it.

[She looks surprised.]

Okay. I understand. Anyway, you probably need new clothes, right?

It's nothing against him or anything. It's just that he sometimes isn't very helpful is all. And I'd rather see him after I'm not quite as disoriented. [In other words, he'd rather not end up more confused.]

Y- yes. It would be nice. This isn't... exactly well, wet clothes are a bit of a downer.

Don't play dumb America, you know perfectly well what's--

[Who's looking momentarily upset? Canada. But it's okay. He's smiling briefly again and gently correcting him.]

I- it's Canada, Sir. not America. [There's at least a consolation prize for being on the right continent.]

Oh. Yes. I...realized after scolding you. Terribly sorry, Canada. You just look so similar, it's hard to...to tell you apart.




Erm. So did you just arrive?

But he's the l- [Nevermind. It won't do any good complaining and pointing out differences. He knows this, at least, and is willing to save him the pointlessness of the effort.]

I would say that, yes, that's a safe assumption to make.

And has anyone explained this mess to you?

Not really. But then again, I really haven't pressed. I s- sort of figured the answers would somehow come.

Well, I could explain things if you'd like. Though I don't know everything, I've been here a good couple months.

That already qualifies you as a good person to recveive answers from, then. Besides. Can one say that they truly know everything, anyway?

You're quite right on that. Hm. Well this is Vatheon, and as you can see it's under the water. There's no way out, though so I wouldn't suggest looking. Wasted a whole bloody week...

Oh yes, and there are these strange things that happen every couple weeks. Curses, I believe they call them. They cause raining ducks and body switching and such.

No way out? [There was a soft sigh.] I suppose that's to be expected. If I was running a place that could pull people in, I wouldn't make getting out easy, either. [Logic! Or something like that, anyway.]

Is there- is there any way to avoid these things or do they eventually find you one way or another, anyway?

I haven't tried. Avoiding them, that is. Though it doesn't seem there is, since most everyone is effected.

...I'll let you know how well it works then. [He tends to have better avoidance skills, but for some reason he sees it as mission: impossible. Doesn't mean it won't hurt to try though. One never knows.]

I'd be happy to hear of it. Though do be careful. This place can be quite the mess.

I'm always careful. [Unlike others they know.]

[There was a rather unmanly scream as he suddenly finds himself in the fountain. For a moment, he's absolutely sure someone's trying to drown him until he realises that a) he's only wet and not choking and b) a hug isn't an attempt at murder.

A few moments later the recognition comes.] A- Al! Dammit! I thought you were trying to drown me for a moment!

[Sitting up, he laughs.]

Oh dude, you act as if someone's actually tried to kill you before.

[Ruffling of hair.]

Welcome back!

Technically speaking, yes. People have tried killing me before.

[But that was another argument for another time. Grumbling a bit, he swatted at his hand before giving him a confused look.]

I haven't been here before.

[Of course no one's tried to kill Canada. He doesn't exist. Standing up now and offering him a hand out of the fountain.]

Sure you have! You were here when I ran for mayor.

[...dammit. He walked into that one. Sighing a bit, he at least took his hand and climbed out.]

I think I'd remember if you ran for mayor of an underwater city. However, I'm pretty sure I don't remember this. Not even in my strangest of dreams.

[A gasp!]

You're one of the ones who forgot then! Noooo, Mattie, don't forget me!

[BEARHUG.]

[Not so tight. He needs to breath.]

I don't think I could ever forget you, Al. Not even if I tried.

[Laughing softly, he hugged him back in a reassuring manner.]

[He puts on a happy smile, showing all his teeth, aw so sweet, Mattie. He is just SO HAPPY to have his bro here.]

Come on then! We need to get you clothes and a room at the house and oh man you have to meet Not Japan! He's ... oh! He's Red from Pokemon, you totally know Pokemon, right? I mean, dude, of course you do. Even in the North they have video games, right? Hahahaha, sometimes I forget!

[All the while he's babbling, he's dragging Mattie out of the fountain and to the nearest clothing shop.]

[If the blank look he's wearing while listening to Al speak isn't a clue enough that he has no clue what he's going on about, then he doesn't know what is. On the other hand, he's also wondering if Al actually managed to learn how to transcend breathing as he's pretty sure no one should be able to ramble so much without a breath.]

I'm afraid I have no idea what you're rambling on about, Al. It's like you're speaking a foreign language aside from American. So I'm not exactly sure what a Poke-man is or a video game.

[He's pretty much resigned himself to being dragged at least, and doesn't really object.]

[Breathing is for losers.]

Whaaaaattt? You're kidding me, man. When I was back home, just the other day we were playing video games at my place together. You're pulling my leg, aren't you? Haha, so funny, Mattie.

[Entering the shop now, he gestures at the clothes and stack of towels by the door.]

Help yourself.