(AN: I'm talking about economics in this story. I know next to nothing about economics. I realize now that may have been a poor choice, but I'm committed now. My point is that I'm sorry for any errors or misconceptions that I'm certain will rear their ugly heads. Sorry.)
China looked at Hong Kong in a mixture of condescension and mild annoyance that the territory had gotten to know well. He ignored it studiously, and kept his expression impassive as China said, "I don't think that you really have to be at this meeting, you know."
"It's an economic summit," Hong Kong said flatly. "It's very important for all of us."
"I could speak for both of us," China reminded him gently, as he continued putting on his tie in the mirror. The two nations wore immaculate black suits and plain ties.
Looking around the plainly Western decoration of China's hotel room, Hong Kong wondered ruefully to himself exactly which one of them had spent the better part of the last two centuries as a British colony.
His eyes narrowed a sliver of a centimeter, and he leaned forward slightly on the bed. "We have separate economies. One country—"
"—Two systems," China finished. "Yes, yes, I know what I said. You're perfectly free to your own economic system." His eyes met Hong Kong's in the mirror and flashed darkly. "Though, I should remind you, it is that system, capitalism, which got us into this mess, which I have to now sort out. It could do you better to cooperate more with me in these matters."
"America caused this 'mess,'" Hong Kong said clearly. "Him, England, the West. If anyone." You certainly haven't helped, he wanted to add, but kept his tongue.
China sighed. He turned around and faced the smaller country— special administrative region, Hong Kong reminded himself. "Fine," he said. "I suppose there's no problem with you attending. It's not that important of a meeting anyway."
Hong Kong's jaw tightened. He gripped the sheets of the bed he was sitting on.
"We'll see," he said. The sentence might have been a threat in another tone, but Hong Kong stated it so flatly and unemotionally that China only raised an eyebrow slightly and turned back to the mirror.
After a few moments, Hong Kong realized that he was being ignored. Rather than just sit stewing in quiet indignation, he got to his feet and walked to the door.
"Where are you—?" China began.
"Getting a newspaper," he said curtly.
"All right," China said unconcernedly. "Just be back quickly. I need someone to practice my talking points on."
Hong Kong heaved a heavy, silent sigh. He stepped out of the room, walked quickly down the hall, until he was outright running.
Damn it.
China was right. He was tiny and weak, allowed to exist by the largesse of the larger nation. Hong Kong had no army; he could barely fight off corruption within his borders. All that he had was the economy, and now that was folding like a tall, elegantly built house of cards
This wasn't apocalypse. Hong Kong was smart enough to know that. But, it was going to be humiliating, it was going to draw out for months and months, and it was going to hurt.
Other than his protector China, what country cared about him for anything other than his laissez-faire market economy?
He had stopped running and rested by the tall staircase, breathing heavily and looking down at the tiny lobby.
Who did he think he was? At this meeting, he would be standing with America, China, and the other massive nations who could, and would, survive this nightmare, though they were the ones who caused it.
All he had was a port, cheap labor, and no regulation to speak of. Without the economy, he was nothing. And, now he had to look the superpowers in their eyes, and continue to whore himself for their precious trade.
He sighed.
God damned economy.