Author's Notes: So, this fic comes in 5 parts divided by year(s) covered. This one is more of a prelude than anything. Historical notes down the bottom.
1931
He is an old man and she is an old woman, yet they court one another with the timidity of youths.
They have been officially friends for a year and yet, he is surprised to see her standing on his shores. "It's cold here," she comments, wrapping arms around herself, braids in her hair keeping it from blowing into her face in the wind.
"I am further north than you." She nods as if to say of course. "The fact we are standing on a beach in winter cannot help. We may move inside, if it irritates you?"
"No. This is... nice." She closes her eyes for a second, lets the ocean spit upon her. She opens them again and extends a hand. "You know, you and I could be good for each other."
He takes her hand, which looks a little like his; thin hands, with long fingers. He smiles. "Yes. I believe we could."
1932
She is frightened. Not screaming and hysterical, for she is still proud, but there is no point in denying it.
She remembers when she fought the boy off. It's a moment of pride, because he was arrogant and stupid, because she is still capable of winning such a thing, because she is still free. But she remembers how humiliated the boy was, how unlike his grandfather, how desperately he needs to be strong and she is worried.
In some respects she knows she must change. She is an ancient, but the world has no room for ancients anymore; it is a world of blood and iron, and if she does not advance she will be consumed.
These modern nations have no concept of honour.
She's been told it would be a good idea to model herself upon Japan, and yes, it makes sense to her. They have so much in common – old, wary, empires who managed to defeat those who were 'supposed' to beat them (Europeans, she thinks with disdain).
Japan progresses, he strives forward in leaps and bounds. He refuses to be mocked. He walks forward into the modern era.
She should probably follow.
1933
There is something he likes about Ethiopia – the land, not the woman, although he is fond of her as well. But he is happy to be here, on warmer, older-looking plains. It reminds him of times that past, times that had to pass. He does not regret such things, but he indulges nostalgia every once in a while.
(He acknowledges he is likely over-romanticising her, but she doesn't seem to mind.)
"So, you'd like to stay here?"
She makes him blush – he does that too easily. "I'd like to see what can be grown here, what can be done," he explains cautiously and without emotion. "I would like us to work together. You did say, we could be good for one another."
"Hmm." She kneels down, collecting a handful of soil in her palm. He's not sure what she's doing.
"Ethiopia-san?"
"I am in trouble," she says, which he knows she wouldn't say if she was facing him. "I know that. I am – backwards, and undeveloped."
"You are wonderful!" he protests before he thinks better of it. He shouldn't be so emotional – he doesn't know why she inspires such a reaction.
She just laughs. "I know that. An ancient empire, full of history and tradition. But history won't keep me alive and I don't want those traditions wiped by some foreign power."
He realises who she is. The last independent state in Africa. The woman who fought off a European coloniser once, and now he dwells above her in his small little colony; he has only become more determined to gain recently, with his new leader and new movement. Europeans, he thinks with disdain.
(For a moment, he thinks of the Koreas, and Taiwan, and Manchuria. But no. It is different, for he needs to free them and he needs the room. He will believe that until his dying days.)
She stands again, and turns to him. "You will help me?"
He smiles, reaches his hand out again. She takes it, seeming bemused. "We are two coloured nations who need defense from foreign invaders, from encroachment. Of course I will help you. We must stand together, united; I will do all I can to help you survive."
They're both shocked by the passion of his speech – does he have that depth of feeling? Yet she accepts it with a courteous nod.
Historical Notes: Ethiopia defeated Italian invasion of their country in 1895 at the battle of Adwa, humiliating the Italian military. Ethiopia and Japan signed a treaty of commerce and friendship. The Ethiopian foreign minister, visiting Japan in 1931, emphasised the potential benefits of cooperation for both countries. This appealed to Japanese nationalists, including those who wanted an alliance of the "coloured nations" of the world. Ethiopian intellectuals viewed Japan as a model to base potential modernisation off of.
More next chapter!
