[ATARAXION] application for Austria
PLAYER INFORMATION
Your Name: Stephanie
OOC Journal: honoumiko
Under 18? If yes, what is your age?: No, 24.
Email + IM: cavyhugs@comcast.net and currymuttonpizza
Characters Played at Ataraxion: None yet
CHARACTER INFORMATION
Name: Austria (Roderich Edelstein)
Canon: Hetalia
Original or Alternate Universe: Original
Canon Point: 1955
Number: 088
Setting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hetalia:_Axis_Powers However, I am specifically taking him from the year 1955.
History: The earliest record of a place called Austria is from 976, when he was called Ostmark. Twenty years later, when Austria given the House of Babenberg as rulers, he was called Ostarrîchi. Back then, Austria was rather weak, his did not have much of a bloodline at all, and was really more of a region on a map than a cohesive nation or culture. During this time, young and having the appearance of a child, he could not walk without assistance. He slowly became stronger, though, and in 1156, he was elevated from a margraviate to a duchy. This was Austria’s first taste of independence, no longer bound to Bavaria. It was not until 1276, however, when the Habsburg Royalty was given to him by the Swiss, that he began to gain strength and started to walk on his own.
The Habsburgs began to extend all over Europe, especially in Spain, with whom Austria had a union because of this. The height of Austria’s power was during this union, as the Spanish Empire was so vast, with lands extending all over the world. Though not a stranger to warmongering, his old motto still held true: "Let others wage war; You, happy Austria, marry!" It was through the marrying off of the Habsburgs that Austria strove to ensure peace and happy relations with other countries. He had many business-like unions, but it was not until 1867 when his empire actually merged with Hungary that he was in a true marriage. Because of this, and because of his conservative nature, he made every effort to keep things on a business-like level rather than romantic, up until the actual marriage. The marrying off of his royalty took priority, not giving himself away to everyone with whom he wanted to maintain peace. Especially around the time of the Reformation, however, Austria was not afraid to fight wars for his Catholicism. Tensions and issues from these early faith wars had lasting effects that continued even into the twentieth century.
In 1529, the Ottoman Empire attempted to capture Vienna, in what is known as the Siege of Vienna. After years of tension, ending with the Battle of Vienna in 1683, Austria (as part of the Holy Roman Empire, and with the help of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth) was finally was able to fend off the empire. Rather amusingly, however, it must be noted that the final victory was against a weakened opponent - the Ottoman Empire’s forces were camped all around Vienna in closed quarters. Their leader, Kara Mustafa Pasha, had brought along his harem. Soldiers, women, and eunuchs were all crowded in tents, and many fell ill. It was this poor condition that the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth took advantage of and ultimately won. With this victory, he gained land - namely Hungary, a fiery, unstoppable and headstrong woman who forced herself to become more mild-mannered as she began working for him as a maidservant. Even this early, he was quite taken with her strength and beauty, but pride and prudishness would not let him pursue this attraction very much at all. In fact, he was perfectly content simply having her around - and, admittedly a bit full of himself, he was proud of her as an acquisition. Regardless, he treated her with far more respect than the Ottoman Empire did, despite viewing her as an underling. This view was true in that he did exercise power over her, but it was also greatly idealistic on his part, and he would later learn that she could only be kept down for so long.
As early as the Babenbergs, Vienna (now the capital) was a cultural center in Europe, home to the great school of Minnesingers, the Germanic equivalent of the more familiar Troubadours of France. But as time went on, Austria began to truly grow into his cultural capital status. Beginning in the Enlightenment Era (or Classical Period, in terms of music), Vienna was without question the place for composers and musicians to make their career. One may look at a number of composers from various places in Europe and see just how many spent the majority of their careers and the ends of their lives in Vienna. Through all of Austria’s struggle for identity (his military was greatly strengthened by foreigners, his royalty was originally Swiss, and he had no clear bloodline at birth), music has been the most consistent and lasting mark of pride and passion. Even traveling to Austria today, it is nearly impossible to avoid the presence of all things music-related - especially that of Mozart! He had (and still has) a particular fondness of Mozart; the man was the sort of person who would drive him up the wall with his disorganization, but make him laugh with his crude humor, and awe him with his genius. Mozart was actually Bavarian - Salzburg, the city of his birth, did not yet belong to Austria at the time, and the composer considered himself to be German. One must never suggest this tidbit to Austria, though; as far as he’s concerned, Salzburg is his now, and so is Mozart. Really... he is still rather obsessed.
When Maria Theresa was named successor, much of Europe did not approve of a female successor. In 1740, Frederick the Great of Prussia declared that he did not accept this, and that he would take some of Austria’s land as a result. Thus began the War of Austrian Succession, ending in 1748 after help from Hungary in defeating Prussia - Maria Theresa was accepted as monarch, but at the cost of Silesia, which was handed over to Prussia. Maria Theresa herself was a strong, motherly figure, even going so far as to travel with her infants to the Hungarian court, begging for military assistance to ensure the safety of her children. She even interrupted a play at Schönbrunn Palace to announce that her grandson was born. She wrote to all of her children once a week and always believed that she was entitled to have authority over them, no matter how old or how powerful they became - they were always her children. She was nicknamed "Landesmutter," or "Mother of the Country" because of her maternal characteristics. She was indeed a mother figure to Austria, and probably the closest thing to a mother that he has ever known.
Tensions were high with France, as Napoleon constantly would take lands from Austria. But as soon as Napoleon married a Habsburg (Marie Louise), many Austrians had positive feelings towards France. After Napoleon fell, the Congress of Vienna was held in 1816 to decide what to do with all of the captured lands. However, this congress did not get off the ground until several months after it was supposed to start, literally because the people involved were partying the whole time. Vienna has always been a city for lavish parties and extravagance, and this did not go away simply because business had to be done. This is a perfect example of Austria’s love for entertaining - he may not be much of a partier himself (at least not in large groups!), but he takes pride in the celebrations he hosts. It is also, on the other hand, an example of his laziness and escapism.
The empire was vast in the early 19th century, but in 1848, Hungary was the first to crack its strength. She was unhappy with her conditions and presented ten grievances to Austria, trying to declare her independence. Austria panicked, fought her in order to keep her, and with Russia’s help, crushed the revolution. However, Italy was more persistent. His first attempt at independence was also in 1848, but he revolted once again in 1859, and again in 1866. The last of these three was also when Italy allied with Prussia, who was fighting Austria in the Austro-Prussian War. Although Austrian forces were able to defeat the Italians directly, Prussia’s victory over Austria allowed Italy to go free. This crushing defeat, and the loss of land, left Austria in grave condition. Numerous possible solutions for Austria’s survival were brought up. In the end, Hungary ended up proposing a compromise in which the two of them merged to be one empire - essentially, marriage. Through this, Hungary finally gained sovereignty, and although they had one emperor, they had two separate governments. In terms of their status as human entities, they were no longer master and servant, but two equals.
World War One began when his Archduke, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated in Sarajevo (then still part of the empire). The war finally took the Habsburgs out of power. Once again, Austria was weak and unable to walk without assistance for several years. At this time of defeat was when Hungary left him, declaring independence through the Aster Revolution, which Austria accepted that same day. After this, Austria, along with much of Europe, was in a terrible state of economical (as well as emotional) depression.
In 1938, Germany annexed Austria. Austria actually saw this as inevitable, and was thankful that it was done peacefully. The prospect of establishing a greater sense of identity appealed to him, and he looked forward to becoming strong again. Under Nazi government, Austria was now called by his very first name - Ostmark. He was willing to make sacrifices to become strong again, but as time went on, he began to realize just how far his leaders were willing to go - much, much further than Austria himself would have ever wanted, with the heartless murder of his own people as well as his neighbors’. What started out as a promise of hope turned into a period not only of violence against other nations, but a period of traumatizing, uncontrollable self-destruction, seeing his leaders kill his citizens before his eyes. The name Ostmark from his childhood now had terrible things associated with it, ruining his ability to look back on this name fondly.
After the war was over, the Allies occupied Austria. This lasted ten years, and the issue of whether or not Austria would go under Soviet control made everything more difficult. On top of that, the issue was constantly put on the back burner because of the need to focus on what to do with Germany. Austria’s fate was almost an afterthought. But eventually, in 1955, the option of permanent neutrality was essentially imposed on Austria. And although it was the only solution, Austria embraced this new status and identity. Today, in 2011, the anniversary of the declaration of neutrality is Austria’s national holiday. It is October 26, and it is listed as Austria’s birthday in Hetalia canon. But for this Austria, from 1955, although neutrality was gladly accepted, it is still a very new concept to him.
Personality: On the outside, he can come off as a spoiled cat. Proud, bordering on arrogant. No-nonsense, and has a hard time dealing with people who don't get straight to the point. If he's not being (not so subtly) passive-aggressive, he's brutally honest. Quietly witty. Analytical. Has a great heart, but will generally only show it through knowing glances and subtle deeds... at least to those with whom he is not as closely acquainted. If you get close to him, you will see that he is quite an intense person.
Despite his bottled-in passion, he has a tendency to be apathetic when it comes to misfortune. He tends to be a bit of a Pontius Pilate in this regard. Just recently, Austrian authorities released an ex-KGB man responsible for a massacre in Lithuania, essentially washing their hands of the situation. In another instance, an Austrian citizen was quoted as saying that he was mugged three times, but that crime was becoming accepted as a way of life, even by politicians.
He is rather vain. His glasses are purely for aesthetic purposes, and he does not need them to see. His hair naturally falls straight (aside from his single hair curl) but he feels that this does not flatter him as it makes him look too simple.
Frugal as all get-out, but values top quality on the finer things in life - pastry, music, and performance spaces. He saves room for dessert - literally and figuratively. His savory cuisine is quite simple, but he makes fantastic, subtly complex cakes and pastry. ...Under the surface? Enormously passionate. Mostly this manifests itself in his love for music, which is a hell of a lot more than just pretty waltzes. For a good while, his artistic output was so focused on pain, suffering, rebirth through suffering... interestingly enough, this seems to have started in the late nineteenth century, when he was married to Hungary.
He is extremely interested in psychology. He loves reading or writing about what makes people tick but feels awkward if he actually has to speak about it, because well, he's a private kind of guy, and one wrong inflection could expose him too much. Freudian slips, and all. He will greatly enjoy the topic of sexuality, but only in general terms, and in the context of either intellectual discussion or art. Honestly, he loves a lot of taboo subjects if they are in either of those contexts; it makes them "okay" to discuss. Sharing personal things? Absolutely not. He will take something raw and sugar coat or refine it into being presentable - this goes for music, as well. He truly has a fascination with the uninhibited, and will transform wild folk dances into something to be performed in a grand concert hall.
He displays OCD-like traits. He is a bit of a hoarder, hanging on to old belongings and becoming upset if he sees someone else not doing the same (such as the time when he was upset with Germany for throwing out underwear that had a hole in it...). Repetition, structure and symmetry are also all important to him - in music, even after the end of Baroque and Classical eras (which were heavily focused on form), the use of recurring motifs was especially popular in both Germany and Austria. Twelve-tone technique - the method of composition that ensured each note of the scale would be used equally as much as the others - was born in Austria, thanks to the minds of both Schoenberg and Hauer. His need for this sort of evenness also affects him whenever he feels someone has wronged him personally, or perhaps more strongly, if he feels he has wronged someone else.
All in all, there is a much darker, analytical (and even intensely sexual) side to Austria than most people seem to realize. Prominent citizens that reflect at least one of these traits include Mahler, Freud, von Sacher-Masoch, Krafft-Ebing, Berg, Schoenberg, Zweig, von Hofmannsthal and Jelinek.
Abilities, Weaknesses and Power Limitations: Incredibly skilled musician. His main instruments are violin and piano, but he is proficient with just about anything else. Has a decent singing voice, but nothing stage-worthy. He cannot truly die unless his status as a nation is dissolved. Having taken on the suffering of his citizens in the battlefield, he like any other nation has an enormous tolerance for pain, but also the ability to heal quickly. As stated earlier, he has a tendency to be apathetic and may accept misfortune too readily.
Inventory: Violin and bow in a case, pocketwatch, old wedding ring, brass cigarette case.
Appearance: Age about 24. Canon appearance. Mun’s semi-realistic sketch, for greater detail. The latter is how he appears fifty years later, but overall there is not much difference. He is much more reserved in 1955. The mole on the left corner of his mouth was referred to by the author of the series as an erogenous zone - possibly jokingly, possibly not.
Age: 979
AU Clarification:N/A. Just that the setting is 1955.
SAMPLES
Log Sample:
Roderich awoke much more slowly than he would have preferred. It was eerie, having such difficulty coming to his senses, without the knowledge of having been drinking the night before, or a headache to clue him in to anything he may not remember. He wasn’t sick, either, although his throat did feel a bit sore. That was all. Finally, his eyes fully opened; he was too weak to stretch, but he took a deep breath in an attempt to refresh himself, blinking rapidly.
It was then that he saw that he was naked, alone, and with a number on his arm.
The scream that resulted wasn’t terribly loud, having been weakened by absolute terror. He entered a state of panic, wheezing, his heart racing, and he began to try rubbing the number with his hand to remove it. The image had far, far too many negative things associated with it, and triggered an intense feeling of trauma, worsened by the fact that the number was not going away. Gasping, he couldn’t shake visions that had plagued him in not only in the form of nightmares, but in things he had been forced to watch in full consciousness: all of it too recent for comfort. Reality was fleeting, and when it finally returned, he realized he had scratched the spot on his arm until it bled. The next course of action might have been to run, but instead, he fell back onto the bed, pulling the too-sterile sheets over himself completely. His fate had been an unknown for ten years, caught in a tug of war between the Soviets and the West. He had finally found a happy conclusion, but now it seemed that was no longer the case. He lay under the sheet, numb and wanting to vomit, if there was anything in his stomach. If this was the punishment they’d decided on, the only thing he could do was accept it.
Comms Sample:
[An image flickers into view of a very distressed-looking, bespectacled young man. His eyes are tired as if he had just finished exerting himself in one way or another. In this case, it was panic, but he is doing his best to not let on. Unfortunately, his voice is trembling a bit, but considering the level of panic he’s just managed to shake off, he’s doing quite well. Stiff upper lip, as always. As much as he can, at any rate.]
Hello. I would like to know who else is present in this place, and what your circumstances were leading up to your arrival here. I understand that the United States and the USSR have been exploring the idea of space travel this past decade, and I am under the assumption that one of them has finally succeeded. Would anyone kindly tell me if they have any ideas as to which one of them it was? Or is it neither? [His face colors a bit, nervous again.] Knowing which of them is in charge of this ordeal might give me a better idea of my fate here, as I’m almost certain this is some sort of arrangement decided upon as a result of the events of the last two decades.
[He leans his head upon his hand and his long, slender pianist’s fingers are raked through his own hair. He lets out a sigh, inadvertently letting his guard down a bit, not looking into the camera.] I thought all of that was over and done with. They finally let me pledge to eternal neutrality and I embraced it. I welcomed their conditions with open arms and honestly, I thought I’d been let off easy. But it looks like that was too good to be true, now, and in any case, it makes sense. After everything that happened, really. [He winces, finally looking back at the camera for a split second, his voice faltering a bit, speaking quickly and quietly.] And in regards to that, all I can say is that I’m sorry, and that I wish I’d known myself, otherwise... [A pause.] Really, if someone could just tell me what I’m in for, I’m prepared to hear it. Just don’t leave me in the dark. Please.
[The video flickers out.]
Your Name: Stephanie
OOC Journal: honoumiko
Under 18? If yes, what is your age?: No, 24.
Email + IM: cavyhugs@comcast.net and currymuttonpizza
Characters Played at Ataraxion: None yet
CHARACTER INFORMATION
Name: Austria (Roderich Edelstein)
Canon: Hetalia
Original or Alternate Universe: Original
Canon Point: 1955
Number: 088
Setting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hetalia:_Axis_Powers However, I am specifically taking him from the year 1955.
History: The earliest record of a place called Austria is from 976, when he was called Ostmark. Twenty years later, when Austria given the House of Babenberg as rulers, he was called Ostarrîchi. Back then, Austria was rather weak, his did not have much of a bloodline at all, and was really more of a region on a map than a cohesive nation or culture. During this time, young and having the appearance of a child, he could not walk without assistance. He slowly became stronger, though, and in 1156, he was elevated from a margraviate to a duchy. This was Austria’s first taste of independence, no longer bound to Bavaria. It was not until 1276, however, when the Habsburg Royalty was given to him by the Swiss, that he began to gain strength and started to walk on his own.
The Habsburgs began to extend all over Europe, especially in Spain, with whom Austria had a union because of this. The height of Austria’s power was during this union, as the Spanish Empire was so vast, with lands extending all over the world. Though not a stranger to warmongering, his old motto still held true: "Let others wage war; You, happy Austria, marry!" It was through the marrying off of the Habsburgs that Austria strove to ensure peace and happy relations with other countries. He had many business-like unions, but it was not until 1867 when his empire actually merged with Hungary that he was in a true marriage. Because of this, and because of his conservative nature, he made every effort to keep things on a business-like level rather than romantic, up until the actual marriage. The marrying off of his royalty took priority, not giving himself away to everyone with whom he wanted to maintain peace. Especially around the time of the Reformation, however, Austria was not afraid to fight wars for his Catholicism. Tensions and issues from these early faith wars had lasting effects that continued even into the twentieth century.
In 1529, the Ottoman Empire attempted to capture Vienna, in what is known as the Siege of Vienna. After years of tension, ending with the Battle of Vienna in 1683, Austria (as part of the Holy Roman Empire, and with the help of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth) was finally was able to fend off the empire. Rather amusingly, however, it must be noted that the final victory was against a weakened opponent - the Ottoman Empire’s forces were camped all around Vienna in closed quarters. Their leader, Kara Mustafa Pasha, had brought along his harem. Soldiers, women, and eunuchs were all crowded in tents, and many fell ill. It was this poor condition that the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth took advantage of and ultimately won. With this victory, he gained land - namely Hungary, a fiery, unstoppable and headstrong woman who forced herself to become more mild-mannered as she began working for him as a maidservant. Even this early, he was quite taken with her strength and beauty, but pride and prudishness would not let him pursue this attraction very much at all. In fact, he was perfectly content simply having her around - and, admittedly a bit full of himself, he was proud of her as an acquisition. Regardless, he treated her with far more respect than the Ottoman Empire did, despite viewing her as an underling. This view was true in that he did exercise power over her, but it was also greatly idealistic on his part, and he would later learn that she could only be kept down for so long.
As early as the Babenbergs, Vienna (now the capital) was a cultural center in Europe, home to the great school of Minnesingers, the Germanic equivalent of the more familiar Troubadours of France. But as time went on, Austria began to truly grow into his cultural capital status. Beginning in the Enlightenment Era (or Classical Period, in terms of music), Vienna was without question the place for composers and musicians to make their career. One may look at a number of composers from various places in Europe and see just how many spent the majority of their careers and the ends of their lives in Vienna. Through all of Austria’s struggle for identity (his military was greatly strengthened by foreigners, his royalty was originally Swiss, and he had no clear bloodline at birth), music has been the most consistent and lasting mark of pride and passion. Even traveling to Austria today, it is nearly impossible to avoid the presence of all things music-related - especially that of Mozart! He had (and still has) a particular fondness of Mozart; the man was the sort of person who would drive him up the wall with his disorganization, but make him laugh with his crude humor, and awe him with his genius. Mozart was actually Bavarian - Salzburg, the city of his birth, did not yet belong to Austria at the time, and the composer considered himself to be German. One must never suggest this tidbit to Austria, though; as far as he’s concerned, Salzburg is his now, and so is Mozart. Really... he is still rather obsessed.
When Maria Theresa was named successor, much of Europe did not approve of a female successor. In 1740, Frederick the Great of Prussia declared that he did not accept this, and that he would take some of Austria’s land as a result. Thus began the War of Austrian Succession, ending in 1748 after help from Hungary in defeating Prussia - Maria Theresa was accepted as monarch, but at the cost of Silesia, which was handed over to Prussia. Maria Theresa herself was a strong, motherly figure, even going so far as to travel with her infants to the Hungarian court, begging for military assistance to ensure the safety of her children. She even interrupted a play at Schönbrunn Palace to announce that her grandson was born. She wrote to all of her children once a week and always believed that she was entitled to have authority over them, no matter how old or how powerful they became - they were always her children. She was nicknamed "Landesmutter," or "Mother of the Country" because of her maternal characteristics. She was indeed a mother figure to Austria, and probably the closest thing to a mother that he has ever known.
Tensions were high with France, as Napoleon constantly would take lands from Austria. But as soon as Napoleon married a Habsburg (Marie Louise), many Austrians had positive feelings towards France. After Napoleon fell, the Congress of Vienna was held in 1816 to decide what to do with all of the captured lands. However, this congress did not get off the ground until several months after it was supposed to start, literally because the people involved were partying the whole time. Vienna has always been a city for lavish parties and extravagance, and this did not go away simply because business had to be done. This is a perfect example of Austria’s love for entertaining - he may not be much of a partier himself (at least not in large groups!), but he takes pride in the celebrations he hosts. It is also, on the other hand, an example of his laziness and escapism.
The empire was vast in the early 19th century, but in 1848, Hungary was the first to crack its strength. She was unhappy with her conditions and presented ten grievances to Austria, trying to declare her independence. Austria panicked, fought her in order to keep her, and with Russia’s help, crushed the revolution. However, Italy was more persistent. His first attempt at independence was also in 1848, but he revolted once again in 1859, and again in 1866. The last of these three was also when Italy allied with Prussia, who was fighting Austria in the Austro-Prussian War. Although Austrian forces were able to defeat the Italians directly, Prussia’s victory over Austria allowed Italy to go free. This crushing defeat, and the loss of land, left Austria in grave condition. Numerous possible solutions for Austria’s survival were brought up. In the end, Hungary ended up proposing a compromise in which the two of them merged to be one empire - essentially, marriage. Through this, Hungary finally gained sovereignty, and although they had one emperor, they had two separate governments. In terms of their status as human entities, they were no longer master and servant, but two equals.
World War One began when his Archduke, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated in Sarajevo (then still part of the empire). The war finally took the Habsburgs out of power. Once again, Austria was weak and unable to walk without assistance for several years. At this time of defeat was when Hungary left him, declaring independence through the Aster Revolution, which Austria accepted that same day. After this, Austria, along with much of Europe, was in a terrible state of economical (as well as emotional) depression.
In 1938, Germany annexed Austria. Austria actually saw this as inevitable, and was thankful that it was done peacefully. The prospect of establishing a greater sense of identity appealed to him, and he looked forward to becoming strong again. Under Nazi government, Austria was now called by his very first name - Ostmark. He was willing to make sacrifices to become strong again, but as time went on, he began to realize just how far his leaders were willing to go - much, much further than Austria himself would have ever wanted, with the heartless murder of his own people as well as his neighbors’. What started out as a promise of hope turned into a period not only of violence against other nations, but a period of traumatizing, uncontrollable self-destruction, seeing his leaders kill his citizens before his eyes. The name Ostmark from his childhood now had terrible things associated with it, ruining his ability to look back on this name fondly.
After the war was over, the Allies occupied Austria. This lasted ten years, and the issue of whether or not Austria would go under Soviet control made everything more difficult. On top of that, the issue was constantly put on the back burner because of the need to focus on what to do with Germany. Austria’s fate was almost an afterthought. But eventually, in 1955, the option of permanent neutrality was essentially imposed on Austria. And although it was the only solution, Austria embraced this new status and identity. Today, in 2011, the anniversary of the declaration of neutrality is Austria’s national holiday. It is October 26, and it is listed as Austria’s birthday in Hetalia canon. But for this Austria, from 1955, although neutrality was gladly accepted, it is still a very new concept to him.
Personality: On the outside, he can come off as a spoiled cat. Proud, bordering on arrogant. No-nonsense, and has a hard time dealing with people who don't get straight to the point. If he's not being (not so subtly) passive-aggressive, he's brutally honest. Quietly witty. Analytical. Has a great heart, but will generally only show it through knowing glances and subtle deeds... at least to those with whom he is not as closely acquainted. If you get close to him, you will see that he is quite an intense person.
Despite his bottled-in passion, he has a tendency to be apathetic when it comes to misfortune. He tends to be a bit of a Pontius Pilate in this regard. Just recently, Austrian authorities released an ex-KGB man responsible for a massacre in Lithuania, essentially washing their hands of the situation. In another instance, an Austrian citizen was quoted as saying that he was mugged three times, but that crime was becoming accepted as a way of life, even by politicians.
He is rather vain. His glasses are purely for aesthetic purposes, and he does not need them to see. His hair naturally falls straight (aside from his single hair curl) but he feels that this does not flatter him as it makes him look too simple.
Frugal as all get-out, but values top quality on the finer things in life - pastry, music, and performance spaces. He saves room for dessert - literally and figuratively. His savory cuisine is quite simple, but he makes fantastic, subtly complex cakes and pastry. ...Under the surface? Enormously passionate. Mostly this manifests itself in his love for music, which is a hell of a lot more than just pretty waltzes. For a good while, his artistic output was so focused on pain, suffering, rebirth through suffering... interestingly enough, this seems to have started in the late nineteenth century, when he was married to Hungary.
He is extremely interested in psychology. He loves reading or writing about what makes people tick but feels awkward if he actually has to speak about it, because well, he's a private kind of guy, and one wrong inflection could expose him too much. Freudian slips, and all. He will greatly enjoy the topic of sexuality, but only in general terms, and in the context of either intellectual discussion or art. Honestly, he loves a lot of taboo subjects if they are in either of those contexts; it makes them "okay" to discuss. Sharing personal things? Absolutely not. He will take something raw and sugar coat or refine it into being presentable - this goes for music, as well. He truly has a fascination with the uninhibited, and will transform wild folk dances into something to be performed in a grand concert hall.
He displays OCD-like traits. He is a bit of a hoarder, hanging on to old belongings and becoming upset if he sees someone else not doing the same (such as the time when he was upset with Germany for throwing out underwear that had a hole in it...). Repetition, structure and symmetry are also all important to him - in music, even after the end of Baroque and Classical eras (which were heavily focused on form), the use of recurring motifs was especially popular in both Germany and Austria. Twelve-tone technique - the method of composition that ensured each note of the scale would be used equally as much as the others - was born in Austria, thanks to the minds of both Schoenberg and Hauer. His need for this sort of evenness also affects him whenever he feels someone has wronged him personally, or perhaps more strongly, if he feels he has wronged someone else.
All in all, there is a much darker, analytical (and even intensely sexual) side to Austria than most people seem to realize. Prominent citizens that reflect at least one of these traits include Mahler, Freud, von Sacher-Masoch, Krafft-Ebing, Berg, Schoenberg, Zweig, von Hofmannsthal and Jelinek.
Abilities, Weaknesses and Power Limitations: Incredibly skilled musician. His main instruments are violin and piano, but he is proficient with just about anything else. Has a decent singing voice, but nothing stage-worthy. He cannot truly die unless his status as a nation is dissolved. Having taken on the suffering of his citizens in the battlefield, he like any other nation has an enormous tolerance for pain, but also the ability to heal quickly. As stated earlier, he has a tendency to be apathetic and may accept misfortune too readily.
Inventory: Violin and bow in a case, pocketwatch, old wedding ring, brass cigarette case.
Appearance: Age about 24. Canon appearance. Mun’s semi-realistic sketch, for greater detail. The latter is how he appears fifty years later, but overall there is not much difference. He is much more reserved in 1955. The mole on the left corner of his mouth was referred to by the author of the series as an erogenous zone - possibly jokingly, possibly not.
Age: 979
AU Clarification:N/A. Just that the setting is 1955.
SAMPLES
Log Sample:
Roderich awoke much more slowly than he would have preferred. It was eerie, having such difficulty coming to his senses, without the knowledge of having been drinking the night before, or a headache to clue him in to anything he may not remember. He wasn’t sick, either, although his throat did feel a bit sore. That was all. Finally, his eyes fully opened; he was too weak to stretch, but he took a deep breath in an attempt to refresh himself, blinking rapidly.
It was then that he saw that he was naked, alone, and with a number on his arm.
The scream that resulted wasn’t terribly loud, having been weakened by absolute terror. He entered a state of panic, wheezing, his heart racing, and he began to try rubbing the number with his hand to remove it. The image had far, far too many negative things associated with it, and triggered an intense feeling of trauma, worsened by the fact that the number was not going away. Gasping, he couldn’t shake visions that had plagued him in not only in the form of nightmares, but in things he had been forced to watch in full consciousness: all of it too recent for comfort. Reality was fleeting, and when it finally returned, he realized he had scratched the spot on his arm until it bled. The next course of action might have been to run, but instead, he fell back onto the bed, pulling the too-sterile sheets over himself completely. His fate had been an unknown for ten years, caught in a tug of war between the Soviets and the West. He had finally found a happy conclusion, but now it seemed that was no longer the case. He lay under the sheet, numb and wanting to vomit, if there was anything in his stomach. If this was the punishment they’d decided on, the only thing he could do was accept it.
Comms Sample:
[An image flickers into view of a very distressed-looking, bespectacled young man. His eyes are tired as if he had just finished exerting himself in one way or another. In this case, it was panic, but he is doing his best to not let on. Unfortunately, his voice is trembling a bit, but considering the level of panic he’s just managed to shake off, he’s doing quite well. Stiff upper lip, as always. As much as he can, at any rate.]
Hello. I would like to know who else is present in this place, and what your circumstances were leading up to your arrival here. I understand that the United States and the USSR have been exploring the idea of space travel this past decade, and I am under the assumption that one of them has finally succeeded. Would anyone kindly tell me if they have any ideas as to which one of them it was? Or is it neither? [His face colors a bit, nervous again.] Knowing which of them is in charge of this ordeal might give me a better idea of my fate here, as I’m almost certain this is some sort of arrangement decided upon as a result of the events of the last two decades.
[He leans his head upon his hand and his long, slender pianist’s fingers are raked through his own hair. He lets out a sigh, inadvertently letting his guard down a bit, not looking into the camera.] I thought all of that was over and done with. They finally let me pledge to eternal neutrality and I embraced it. I welcomed their conditions with open arms and honestly, I thought I’d been let off easy. But it looks like that was too good to be true, now, and in any case, it makes sense. After everything that happened, really. [He winces, finally looking back at the camera for a split second, his voice faltering a bit, speaking quickly and quietly.] And in regards to that, all I can say is that I’m sorry, and that I wish I’d known myself, otherwise... [A pause.] Really, if someone could just tell me what I’m in for, I’m prepared to hear it. Just don’t leave me in the dark. Please.
[The video flickers out.]