one does not simply walk into mordor, open

[new zealand]

it is one thing to stroll around the big apple in different cultural garb to represent ones country in pride. however, to march around the city in silver battle armor is one entire different thing. new zealand is that said person in strange fictional clothes, representing not only her country but the most famous story her country has ever produced: lord of the rings. with her small bare, cinderella feet, she continued to trudge alone the busy streets of time square.

"ninety-six thousand.. " she murmured, her two wide child-like eyes examining the piece of paper in her hand. there, glorious in all its glory like a golden ticket to willy wanka's factory is a lottery ticket. it was the other day she heard someone from nyc won almost one hendred grand. and man, does new zealand really need that money. sure, she is environmental friendly and happy with her situation - but with that money she could save trees! or better yet, build her own shire...

her body shook in excitement at her fantasies. "give it heaps," she wished, closing her eyes as she spoke that new zealand slang of hers. stopping at her tracks, she stood underneath the lights of broadway with her lottery ticket held up in the air like it was baby simba from lion king. ultimately earning her fair share of strange looks, but she doesn't care because she has the magic of the maori on her side!

[taiwan]

How peculiar.

Taiwan had come to visit New York on some personal business, but as she walked the streets to her destination she caught sight of something rather strange. A little tiny girl dresses in battle armor. It was like the medieval ages all over again! Still, she couldn't help but wonder what in blazes that girl was doing dressed up like that, holding a small piece of paper like it had descended from the heavens and landed right in her hands. Maybe it was some sort of performance? She couldn't tell, but a part of her was determined to find out. Besides, she had time to kill before she had to attend to her personal business, so why not waste her time on something interesting?

She weaved her way through the small crowd of people that stopped and stared at the girl before coming within speaking distance. "Excuse me," she said politely, trying to hide away her very Asian accent. "But that's quite the strange get up you have there. Are you preparing for some sort of war?" Taiwan knew that she probably wasn't, but she felt like being a little bit silly. By the way the girl was dressed up, she might produce a funny answer of sorts.

She smiled pleasantly and glanced at the ticket that was in her hands, noticing that it was one of those legendary lottery tickets. Oh? So this girl was trying her luck huh? Well then the best of luck for her, because the odds were against you in the lotto! You had a higher chance of getting hit by lightning than winning!

[new zealand]

the kiwi native continued to hold her ground, two bare feet glued to the concrete ground, her battle armor weighing her down, and two lithe arms up in the air holding her precious lottery ticket - yup, new zealand knew she is going to be lucky this time around. it was only when a small and careful voice that broke new zealand's concentration upon her dreams. "what," she started, confused, as she brought her arms back to her sides. she continued to look flabbergasted at the obvious asian female, her mouth open agape as she looked dumbstruck. "well mate," she began, her oceanic accent evident.

"kiwi's don't go into war, have ya ever read the series lord of the rings?" she geeked out, arm already wrapped around the asian female's neck as to tell her a small secret. drawing a book from literally out of nowhere, new zealand propped it into the girl's arms. "ya not thick for not picking up my outfit from first glance, so ya shall do your research," she laughed, removing her arm from around the pink haired female's neck only to place her hands on her hips proudly. the citizens of new york could be seen glancing at new zealand, looks cross between astonishment and puzzlement.

"well actually, i am always at war with oz." if taiwan knew kiwi slang, she would know that "oz" meant "australia." "he always believe he is the bees knees, i think not!" she scoffed, making a "humph" noise.