Application for fasti

[eiffelinlove]

PLAYER INFORMATION

Player Name: Oozaru
Are you 18+?: Yes. 26.
Preferred Contact: oozaru or PM
Current Characters: N/A

CHARACTER INFORMATION

Character Name: France
Canon: Hetalia World☆Stars
Canonpoint: Chapter 340
Character Age: Over 2000 years old. Looks around 26.

Appearance:
France has already been humanised, technically. Voila. There's not really anything about him that doesn't look human, and I'm assuming that the game's nerfing will leave him feeling human as well.

Background/History:
History of France from normal Wikipedia
France from the Hetalia wiki.

Axis Powers Hetalia is a comedic webcomic/anime about personifications of countries and their wacky misadventures throughout history. It's all very silly and ridiculous. The personifications are basically living metaphors, living their lives while playing out whatever is happening within themselves at the time. They do have some signs of individuality- sometimes they long to live like humans do, sometimes their feelings don't quite line up with whatever is happening politically, sometimes their history and experiences influence their personal relationships- but the exact nature of their existence is a little complicated and it's possible they don't understand it perfectly themselves.

The wiki isn't the best, history wise, so I'm going to do my best to summarise France's existence as portrayed in the comic strips. Obviously I will be skipping over large chunks of his history that have not been covered in the comic, but France's history is actually covered in more detail than most of the cast.

Long, long, long story short the person now known in France was born sometime during the Roman occupation of Western Gaul, we see him in Chibitalia's flashback alongside some other Roman provinces and briefly in another flashback just described as "the chaotic past" looking like a toddler alongside an even younger England. Of course, "France" didn't exist yet- but eventually, he would! He and Spain say that their childhood involved being beaten up a lot and Italy mentions living with him and the Roman Empire for a time (alongside others).

We pick back up again with France at the turn of the millennium- 1000 AD. All the adults in Europe, sans Turkey, have died off and France is the new leader of the pack! Everyone's big brother! Setting trends across the continent and showing all his little brothers and sisters how things are done- in his own mind, at least. It's rough being the eldest when you're still a kid yourself and France is feeling rather emotional. When faced with the potential end of the world and his own death, France flies into a panic while the other kids don't seem all that bothered. He runs to his neighbour England, who he has always dreamed of conquering- basically, getting to live together again, in Hetalia terms- and gets him all worked up too. England agrees to let himself be conquered if it really is France's last wish and they seem a little comforted by the solution.

Of course, the world doesn't end in 1000 AD. It continues marching on. France apparently decides that out of all his little brothers, England desperately needs his guidance the most, and his canon appearances in this time period mostly involve visiting England to annoy him, make fun of him, and influence his culture and taste. England is not happy about this. From fashion to food to language, England ends up heavily influenced by France. Even his king was French! Unfortunately, that actually lead to some trouble for France down the road...

The next few centuries are defined fairly vaguely in the comic. France and England's brotherly bickering becomes terrifyingly vicious and fighting each other becomes an important part of their national characters. France is at war on and off for over a century, meets "that girl" (Joan of Arc), and starts to grow up a bit. No longer a bratty-but-cute child, he's now a pain in the ass teenager annoying all his neighbours. At least he's allowed to hang out with Spain again. France starts fighting people a lot. And the other kids are starting to catch up with him.

More fighting follows this. France keeps fighting with England occasionally, but also squabbles with Spain, Austria and other German countries. Mostly he wants a piece of Italy- either Italy! They're both so cute! Ah, he wants to squish their little cheeks... No one else particularly wants France to have any of Italy, but he manages anyway. North Italy at least still seems fond of his big brother France. Despite all this fighting, France's friendship with Spain seems to remain strong and England still keeps going to him for food.

With all these kids growing up, Europe starts to feel a little small for all of them. They start to spread out- France included. The comic mostly covers his and England's adventures in North America, rather than with their other colonies. They go out there to claim land for themselves and are shocked when they discover a strange child showing up around their settlements! He seems to resemble them both (and also, weirdly, Finland) and everyone is very eager to claim responsibility for this new little brother- America. It's just a shame they can't teach him how to share. France and England immediately start fighting over whose little brother this kid is. It bleeds into a bunch of other wars, even back home in Europe. In the end, they decide the kid should decide who his family is, showing a shocking amount of maturity. France tries to win him over with delicious food, but England wins the pity vote and France misses out. He still doesn't leave, really, and visits America regularly to give him food and see how he's doing. He does, however, start directing more of his attention to the north. He finds a new little brother that's even cuter than America- but England really is just no good at sharing. They fight again, in North America and in Europe, and France loses another little brother to England. His name will forever be a mystery.

It's fine, France gets his revenge. During all this fighting was the Seven Years War, during which France and England involved Austria, Prussia and Spain in their bickering. France, Prussia and Spain's team up may not have been particularly spectacular or even successful, but it did form a friendship that apparently didn't fade even after fighting each other several times over the centuries. When America decided it was time to declare independence from England, France went to help him out- and he brought Spain and Prussia with him. This works out great. For America, anyway.

Before all that fuss really got under way, France was unquestioned style leader of Europe! He was famous for fashion that was both fabulous and practical. Other countries were sent by their bosses to spy on him and copy him- unnecessary, since big brother is always willing to give advice (for a price). However, if fighting England is expensive, fighting England with America is even more expensive... France fell into some hard times and his people decided it was time to revolt against the upper classes. Vive la France! No, really, vive la France, he doesn't want to die. So France goes along with the people's revolution and throws away his fancy clothes. The déshabillé look is also very nice! The other countries are shocked to see France dressed in rags, but he knows he's still hot. Also, he doesn't want to get hassled by his own people. He does protest when his people start throwing away and selling his luxury furniture and artwork however- they don't know the value of things like that, but he does! Still, there's not much he could do to stop them. It's something that haunts him even to the modern day, looking at empty rooms that were once full of art and decadence.

Before France went totally broke, he bought the island of Corsica off Genoa! The people of Corsica are not happy about this. However, rebelling against France didn't accomplish much and in 1769, a baby was born French and given the name Napoleon. Napoleon was sent to France to study, initially with the goal of learning enough to help set Corsica free! However, that didn't work out. Instead, he somehow ended up rather fond of France and they got along rather well... The rest is, quite literally, history. The revolution went on and eventually calmed down, Napoleon came into power and helped restore France to his former position as the style leader of Europe! Luxurious fashion was back! Also some other stuff, but the fashion is what's truly important. France kicked ass in Europe for quite a while- apparently because his style was just that fabulous- and life was good (for France). Eventually Europe got it's act together and they all kicked France's ass back into a monarchy, for a short time.

After that whole debacle, France was rather friendless for a time. Isolation doesn't suit him nearly as well as it does others. Funnily enough, his return to the world of alliances would come from the most ironic person possible... Suddenly, England and France became friends again! As much as they're capable of being, anyway. Russia and eventually America are there too. World War One goes as you would expect. Afterwards, France spends his time driving Germany up the wall. If he can't kill the kid, he's going to make his life an expensive hell. Eventually, however, Germany gets a little scary. England and France try to keep Europe under control, but Europe is not very helpful in this regard. They really did try to help Poland, they swear.

World War Two breaks out and France is tragically on the front lines! He gets together a brilliant defence called the Maginot Line that... does not do it's job. Germany takes over most of France's house anyway and he has to move in with England. They're not happy about this. In this war, the Allies are technically the Good Guys, but you wouldn't know it looking at them. While the Axis powers are having their little friendship club, the Allies are arguing with each other and being the kind of pricks you'd expect from world powers like themselves. They also spend a great deal of time stranded on a deserted island- actually France and England's little sister Seychelle's house. France shows off his talent for spreading rumours and gossip by spreading propaganda about Germany alongside England. He keeps on fighting throughout the war, just in a less direct way than England and the rest of his allies do. Rumours and spying and plotting end up being his wheelhouse.

That war does eventually end and France soon finds himself in some new fights. The Suez Canal Crisis nearly cripples him financially and his boss forces him to propose to England. Actually, they've proposed to each other a few times. Nobody is happy about this. England, naturally, rejects him and France turns to the rest of Europe instead. The ECC is formed and France vetos letting the United Kingdom join for several years before they're finally allowed in.

The 20th century continues to march along and gradually turns into the 21st. The European Union is quite a powerful organisation now and France sits at the helm alongside Germany. The countries continue having incredibly ridiculous adventures in their down time, starring magic, ghosts, alternate dimensions and costume parties, but for the most part their lives are full of paperwork, meetings and doing their best to get along. Or not.

Strengths:

        Love~ France is the country of love, of course! Loving and being loved- it’s France’s greatest calling in life or so he would like everyone to think. Romance is his self-declared speciality and he considers himself an expert on seduction and romantic atmospheres. His “family” and neighbours might argue with him on this, but they’re all barbarians with no romance in their soul so they obviously don’t know what they’re talking about. France loves to flirt and admire others that are in love. He’s not limited to romantic (or sexual, let’s be honest) love though. From a young age, France did his best to set himself up as the big brother of the cultured world. Whether it’s through teasing, affection or teaching, France does love to dote on his “younger siblings”. Those he’s grown up with seem to get more teasing and torment as a way of showing affection, but they’re probably happier with that than with the alternative. He punches Spain for fun, plays mind games with Portugal, pinches Switzerland's cheeks, and, well... England is a whole other case. He does try to look after England when he's sick and worries about him, though he did originally show up to make fun of him. As a European nation, relations between family and friends will always be strained- but France loves who he loves no matter how crazy they may be driving him at any given time. Apart from England and Austria, France is never really shown to not get along with anyone he's not currently at war with. When you’ve gone to war with basically everyone you’ve ever been close to, you learn not to take it too personally.

Of course, to a nation their people will always come first. France loves his people and thinks they’re simply wonderful. For what it’s worth, they seem to view him as charmingly eccentric at worst. France would do damn near anything for their sakes and has gotten personally attached to many of them over the centuries. He reflects on Jeanne D'arc very fondly and tells her reincarnation (an American tourist visiting France in the 21st century) that he always prays that his people who suffer will have a good life somehow. He's also shown to get along with various citizens and work with them. This love of love sometimes leads to him getting... rather worked up and making a scene, but it’s all with the best of intentions. He loves his people and he’ll revolt and strike and surrender to make sure they get the very best in life that he can provide. What he can’t do for them, he will hope and pray for.

        Charm~ Somewhat related to the above- France would certainly pick his lovely charm as one of his major strengths! People come from all over the world to admire France's beauty, from his cities to his countryside. Even for other countries, he's a popular holiday destination! For some reason, everyone loves going on tours of Mont Saint-Michel... His food is delicious, his art magnificent and his people are beautiful and intelligent. France himself is quite the smooth talker and a rather handsome man. American tourists classify him as a "hunk". He pays a lot of attention to his appearance and personal style. Even people who should know better can't help falling for him at least a little! Everyone admires big brother!

Even when he fails in war, France survives as a style icon and a charming elder brother. His culture and charm are definitely sources of strength for him personally as they help him achieve certain goals and give him a strong dose of self-importance and confidence that keeps him going. We see this during the strips regarding fashion during the revolution and the Napoleonic wars, but he also preens and exudes self confidence during modern strips.

        Wisdom~ One of the poster children for “older but wiser” France has been... very foolish in his long life. But he’s also learned a lot of lessons. France is one of the more openly philosophical nations, as far as we see in the comic. Whenever it's time to contemplate the existence of nations, France is the vessel through which the reader gets their best look at the struggles and joys they undergo. Though he can be rash and flippant, France is very clever and intuitive at this point in his life. He’s seen a lot and put a lot of thought into his own existence and the nature of humanity. After a youth of war, France has finally reached a stage in his life where peace takes priority. He works with the other nations of Europe to try and force everyone into a more peaceful state- and it seems to be working! It’s been... decades... since the last time anyone in Western or Central Europe tried to wipe a neighbour off the map. Truly a new record. The comic shows France and Germany working together (presumably with Belgium as well, though we see less of her) to keep the EU on track and generally be the responsible parents of Europe. At least, Germany does. France tends to be more ridiculous and irresponsible in his behaviour, but he's still a clear leader within the EU and aware of the problems they face. The twin engines of Europe will turn this car around, kids.

        Pragmatism~ Of course, you can’t survive as long as France has without a healthy dose of sense. For all his romantic and compassionate nature, France is a survivor at his core. He’ll fight and preen and parade around the room like he owns it- but when the chips are down, France does what he needs to do to protect himself. He’ll compromise with enemies, lie, surrender, play the fool; whatever it takes to diffuse a situation and come out with a decent position. France has lost many wars, but somehow he’s never really lost his position as a major player in Europe while others faltered and fell behind at times. Even after being occupied territory in World War 2, he managed to push his way forward to the table as one of the main powers (even if he couldn’t manage being in the top 3).

When England was running around the globe, trying to nab up France’s colonies, he didn’t bother fighting too hard for many of them and instead just worked out whatever deal best benefited him (and, in the end, said colonies. Canada is fine, okay, and Seychelles still speaks more French than she does English). This is shown when he surrenders Canada to England before he can take too much of a beating. At the start of the 20th century, he put aside a thousand year rivalry to ally with England and put together a fearsome team in the face of growing tensions in Europe. When it was clear the toll of war would be too great on France during WW2, he surrendered and retreated into more subversive attacks and supporting his allies. When his boss said "marry England or die", France did everything he could to marry the hell out of England. Pride is all well and good, but it doesn’t help much if it’s all you have at the end of the day.

Weaknesses:

        Vanity~ This weakness should really be perfectly understandable for France is so beautiful, cultured and wonderful that he can hardly help being a little in love with himself! After all, doesn't the rest of the world love him just as much? But seriously, France is more than a little obsessed with his appearance. The kind of guy that spends forty minutes preening in front of a mirror before leaving his room looking stylishly disheveled just to answer the front door. His looks, his actions, his style in general- everything is deliberate and beautiful. He gets distracted catching sight of his reflection in the Seine river.

This self-obsession doesn't just extend to his looks, however! There are several strips dedicated to France's vanity. France comes second only to America in the number of flags scattered around his house or general belief that he's the best at whatever he's doing. His cuisine is also the best in all the world and he'll kick up a fuss if it's being disrespected. He even dragged all the other countries into a big meeting dedicated to solving the problem of people misunderstanding French cuisine. He feels similarly about his art and language. He responds embarrassingly well to praise and poorly to criticism. Everyone is clearly just jealous of his wonderful style and beauty.

        Striking~ But he is le tired... He is going to take a nap. France is famous for his love of going on strike! It's his favourite hobby! For some reason, lately he's taken to dressing up as a magical girl in order to teach people about strikes and England and Japan are also there! Look, the French workers deserve the best conditions in the world and France is going to make sure they get them. If that means the trains get shut down at the height of tourist season or the banks close just when he needed the boost to his economy or the Louvre is closed again- look, the right to go on strike is important! He's a hard worker, really, but sometimes the best way to accomplish things is to... stop working. Take a nap. Delegate responsibilities to Germany. Put on a dress and do your hair up in pigtails. Whatever is necessary to serve the working classes. His friends and neighbours may become vexed by this behaviour but it's fine. They'll come to his house anyway!

        Viciousness~ Described by historians as a "poor winner" France can get... a little harsh at times. Though he's giving the peacekeeper thing a try more recently and he is kind to those he loves, a lifetime of "survival of the fittest" has left him ready to kick people when they're down to make sure they won't get up again. Europe was a bloody place once. When Italy inquires politely after the Mona Lisa and when it might be returned to him, France straight up decks him. Even Prussia, the "army with a country", described him as a formidable enemy. As someone who does everything with style and flair, that brutality is rarely all that subdued or restrained. This is the inventor of the guillotine we're talking about. France's grudges and fits of viciousness have rarely worked out well for him. He's lashed out at England and tried to hurt him in many ways over the centuries (in his defence, England did the same to him) and many times it got him hurt too. He's matured a lot in the past few decades, but all that excessiveness is still under the surface.

        Flirtatiousness~ France is a flirt or a sleeze or a pervert, depending on how charitable you're feeling. He is the nation of romance, after all! He loves love! But this typically manifests as a desire to hit on everything that moves and get people out of their clothes. When it's time for the fans to start making requests for countries in costume and states of undress, it's apparently France's job to break the fourth wall and fulfill them. He'll flirt with anyone and those that know him best are used to hands slipping to where they probably shouldn't. He's classy about it with everyone else, I promise. Just turn a hose on him. But this sort of behaviour has gotten him hit many times over the years- with fists and frying pans. He's also occasionally gotten himself in trouble by running after a pretty face- he can't help it if so many countries are so very cute!


Fatal Flaw:

Vanity. France wants to be leading the charge and he wants to look good doing it. He's flashy and dramatic and wants all eyes on him- which isn't always the best tactic. While it may have made him the style leader of Europe, it has lost him more than a few battles in the past. This narcissism also leads to self-obsession and him getting a little too preoccupied with himself.


Driving Force:

Love- more in the abstract sense than the specific. France lives to love and be loved. He wants to be admired, he wants people to look to him, he wants to be adored. He loves his people and dreams of better lives for them. He watches the lovers in Paris with fondness. He maintains close relationships with his fellow nations, even if it takes a more aggressive form at times. The life of a nation is almost always a lonely one, but France continues to love anyway.


Patron:

The choice here is obvious- the beautiful Aphrodite! France is the Country of Love, after all. As well as an incorrigible flirt and pervert. He can be very charming; all his citizens we see him interact with seem to consider him a charming eccentric and despite his (many) flaws, he seems well liked by plenty of people who have known him long enough to know better. He's also very emotional and good at reading people. France is known for being dramatic- he can and will cry on demand- and has a history of prioritizing style over sense. France can be very manipulative as well, happily spreading rumours about his enemies and taunting them to get the advantage in battle. He's good at it.

He also has something of a history of "borrowing" art centered around Venus and getting very attached to them. He's a fan. So, yeah, Venus.

GAME INFORMATION

Setting Suitability:

A beautiful voice comes down from the Heavens and France... Well, of course he agrees to help them. He likes helping others, when he can, when it won't cost him too much. The chance to be able to without any serious political repercussions sounds awesome. Also, he has been chosen. Of course he's been chosen. He's wonderful, of course the gods would want him. (He likes to feel special). On another note, Rome, Italy, the Roman Empire... Kind of family. France has always had a soft spot for Italy. He can spare some time to make sure some alternate universe version of it doesn't get squashed by Titans.

As far as fitting into the setting... France was a small child during the time period the game is set in, but he vaguely remembers stuff still. He remembers more about himself and his personal affairs than about the nitty gritty details of Roman life. He'll complain and be a baby about lacking modern comforts, but he's totally used to the violence of the setting and is used to adapting to different technology, even if he's used to progressing rather than regressing. And stabbing people is stabbing people no matter the century. France knows war. He may be critical and he may pout and complain, but he'll do what he can to help.

I don't have any specific plans for him as such. Adjusting to acting as a human will be a interesting shift for France though! He's not used to being just one man. Between no longer being a land mass, a culture of 65 million people, a semi-immortal being and a walking metaphor, and no longer being able to summon roses and sparkles from thin air, he'll have a lot to deal with.



Sample:
TDM