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in which I ramble for headcanon
Apr. 29th, 2012 12:17 pmPersonality and Daily Life
France is outwardly very affectionate and engaging, but he does prefer to keep personal matters private. Nobody has accused him of kissing and telling, even with the regular claim that he's a pervert. He uses that charisma to do well at his job of being a diplomat and actually does take his duties seriously. The strikes he holds are for his people's rights, after all, and he's quite proud of that.
He prides himself on being very socially aware about the world around him and spends a decent portion of his morning reading news articles while drinking the one thing he likes as much as wine: coffee. He wears reading glasses when he's pouring over paper work and articles alike though he puts them away for his daily errands. He enjoys actively discussing things with his citizens – sometimes that slips into complaining, but for France complaining is a conversation unto itself.
While he complains about people not getting his language and cuisine correct (and foreign wines do not compare, but it's okay – they tried?), he does appreciate the fact that people flock to his home and will patiently engage them if he sees some poor confused soul in the streets. It does his heart well to know that his home is desirable. Ego much? Maybe. He does find it hideous that America is endlessly amused that “douche” is the word for shower, or Canada's accent is so ...unique when they converse in French – though he is used to both by now.
Canon states that France doesn't bother to remember English as he's so in love with his own language, though I honestly think he just can't keep up with the evolution of the English language, especially with the dawning of the internet age (he's techno-phobic, too). His favorite means of modern communication is through text, but he finds America's texts godawful. As far as other languages, especially the ones tied to the nations that had a direct impact on him (German, Russian, etc) he's capable in his fluency. Especially from his earlier times tutoring Russia.
He takes vacations away from Paris (because Paris is its own entity separate from the rest of his home), where he focuses on some of his hobbies. He has several homes outside of Paris where he goes to unwind and appreciate some peace and quiet. France relaxes by spending time gardening, baking (stress-baking), and writing erotic fiction. If he is ambitious he'll sketch out some of the more torrid love scenes and send them off to England just to be obscene. Without the proper amount of rest his mood deteriorates rapidly, and he's blunt to begin with.
France has a deeply set urge to show himself as the brotherly figure, though there are a few nations where that extends to paternal (Canada, America ...if he is honest, Vietnam, and Seychelles to name a few. Monaco is more on the spectrum of little sister). While he's shown as making horrible comments toward Seychelles in particular now that she's older, he would take offense if another nation told him he was a poor example. He is seen giving parenting advice. All in all, those he's taken guardianship over turned out normal. When he was ruled by monarchs, France was regularly tasked in watching over the children. Occasionally he'll interact with his modern-day leader's families as well.
Dandiest of the Dandies: Relationships [Romantic/Non and Preferences]
In regard to England:
This obviously gets its own segment since their interaction is fairly extensive.
England is France's oldest and dearest enemy and friend alike; both sides loving to hate each other equally. They have fought tooth and nail against each other, but their histories are interwoven. If scars are caused by the actions of other nations and government upheaval, there are a fair amount that have found their way on his person just from the Brit alone. For hating each other, they spend a decent chunk of their time being around each other – so perhaps they're simply going through the motions with how they bicker in modern day. If we go off of the Brexit strips, France is strongly bothered by the idea of England disbanding from the EU and probably took it a little personally, given he's one of the founders.
They're just two lonely old farts that stick together, and they both know each other too well (which is why, while I ship it to next Tuesday, I do not believe a romantic relationship is genuinely sustainable between them, though they probably have tried numerous attempts in the past. Physically though, they've got it down.).
England and France probably share far more quiet evenings together when nobody is around than anyone would actually believe, but that's okay. France has left a decent sized wardrobe in England's guestroom from how many times he's spent over there. Many times they are platonic visits. Sometimes, not so much. This is France, after all. He could charm a rock, so why not an island?
General Romance and Preferences:
France is fairly laissez-faire with how he woos both his peers and people alike. For the nation of love, France has engaged in very few serious romances with no marriages in his past. He does not make a habit of getting attached, simply out of personal interests (Nations are complicated. Humans are unfortunately lacking in life-span). His string of one night stands and short-lived summer romances is quite long, and while they are undoubtedly brief his partners are never mad when it ends as he does give his full attention to whomever he is with and is upfront. That being said, he's poly-amorous and probably balances several lovers at once when the mood strikes him.
France's idea of love in terms of his kind is focal on where loyalty lies. There are a very limited number of loves he's had in his past, but that is far from something that weighs heavily on him. He simply enjoys that there are others that do find love and happiness. Nothing will get him to stop waxing poetically on matters of the heart, and he's always more than willing to give relationship advice, whether that be to fellow nations or curious civilians.
Is he a deviant in private? Probably, but who knows? We're trying to keep this PG-13.
The More Grim Head-Canon
Note: The following head-canon I will more than likely never actively call on in RP or in how I explain his personality or actions in play. These are merely me being incredibly morbid and voicing speculation on the unlikely as far as Hetalia standards.
During the European witch trials, which made Salem look like child's play, England tried to accuse France of being a witch since he didn't age. How England managed it is beyond anyone's guess as he is also burdened with the same trait, but he was successful. Several. Times. Obviously, France didn't die as he's a nation – but he was very, very irate with the younger nation. It was probably these unsuccessful attempts that goaded on the notion that witches were the real deal and prolonged the trials for several centuries.
The French Revolution brings a bad taste to the mouth for several reasons. He lost a lot of keepsakes and valuables when his people rioted that he still hasn't gotten back. Fair enough to be sour at. Not too dark. However, the people that wanted to lay siege to their monarchy were as at odds with their nation, and treated him to the same fate. Since it was an act of his own people that particular injury did not heal quickly and he was left mute for some time. He had to learn forgiveness the hard way.
France is outwardly very affectionate and engaging, but he does prefer to keep personal matters private. Nobody has accused him of kissing and telling, even with the regular claim that he's a pervert. He uses that charisma to do well at his job of being a diplomat and actually does take his duties seriously. The strikes he holds are for his people's rights, after all, and he's quite proud of that.
He prides himself on being very socially aware about the world around him and spends a decent portion of his morning reading news articles while drinking the one thing he likes as much as wine: coffee. He wears reading glasses when he's pouring over paper work and articles alike though he puts them away for his daily errands. He enjoys actively discussing things with his citizens – sometimes that slips into complaining, but for France complaining is a conversation unto itself.
While he complains about people not getting his language and cuisine correct (and foreign wines do not compare, but it's okay – they tried?), he does appreciate the fact that people flock to his home and will patiently engage them if he sees some poor confused soul in the streets. It does his heart well to know that his home is desirable. Ego much? Maybe. He does find it hideous that America is endlessly amused that “douche” is the word for shower, or Canada's accent is so ...unique when they converse in French – though he is used to both by now.
Canon states that France doesn't bother to remember English as he's so in love with his own language, though I honestly think he just can't keep up with the evolution of the English language, especially with the dawning of the internet age (he's techno-phobic, too). His favorite means of modern communication is through text, but he finds America's texts godawful. As far as other languages, especially the ones tied to the nations that had a direct impact on him (German, Russian, etc) he's capable in his fluency. Especially from his earlier times tutoring Russia.
He takes vacations away from Paris (because Paris is its own entity separate from the rest of his home), where he focuses on some of his hobbies. He has several homes outside of Paris where he goes to unwind and appreciate some peace and quiet. France relaxes by spending time gardening, baking (stress-baking), and writing erotic fiction. If he is ambitious he'll sketch out some of the more torrid love scenes and send them off to England just to be obscene. Without the proper amount of rest his mood deteriorates rapidly, and he's blunt to begin with.
France has a deeply set urge to show himself as the brotherly figure, though there are a few nations where that extends to paternal (Canada, America ...if he is honest, Vietnam, and Seychelles to name a few. Monaco is more on the spectrum of little sister). While he's shown as making horrible comments toward Seychelles in particular now that she's older, he would take offense if another nation told him he was a poor example. He is seen giving parenting advice. All in all, those he's taken guardianship over turned out normal. When he was ruled by monarchs, France was regularly tasked in watching over the children. Occasionally he'll interact with his modern-day leader's families as well.
Dandiest of the Dandies: Relationships [Romantic/Non and Preferences]
In regard to England:
This obviously gets its own segment since their interaction is fairly extensive.
England is France's oldest and dearest enemy and friend alike; both sides loving to hate each other equally. They have fought tooth and nail against each other, but their histories are interwoven. If scars are caused by the actions of other nations and government upheaval, there are a fair amount that have found their way on his person just from the Brit alone. For hating each other, they spend a decent chunk of their time being around each other – so perhaps they're simply going through the motions with how they bicker in modern day. If we go off of the Brexit strips, France is strongly bothered by the idea of England disbanding from the EU and probably took it a little personally, given he's one of the founders.
They're just two lonely old farts that stick together, and they both know each other too well (which is why, while I ship it to next Tuesday, I do not believe a romantic relationship is genuinely sustainable between them, though they probably have tried numerous attempts in the past. Physically though, they've got it down.).
England and France probably share far more quiet evenings together when nobody is around than anyone would actually believe, but that's okay. France has left a decent sized wardrobe in England's guestroom from how many times he's spent over there. Many times they are platonic visits. Sometimes, not so much. This is France, after all. He could charm a rock, so why not an island?
General Romance and Preferences:
France is fairly laissez-faire with how he woos both his peers and people alike. For the nation of love, France has engaged in very few serious romances with no marriages in his past. He does not make a habit of getting attached, simply out of personal interests (Nations are complicated. Humans are unfortunately lacking in life-span). His string of one night stands and short-lived summer romances is quite long, and while they are undoubtedly brief his partners are never mad when it ends as he does give his full attention to whomever he is with and is upfront. That being said, he's poly-amorous and probably balances several lovers at once when the mood strikes him.
France's idea of love in terms of his kind is focal on where loyalty lies. There are a very limited number of loves he's had in his past, but that is far from something that weighs heavily on him. He simply enjoys that there are others that do find love and happiness. Nothing will get him to stop waxing poetically on matters of the heart, and he's always more than willing to give relationship advice, whether that be to fellow nations or curious civilians.
Is he a deviant in private? Probably, but who knows? We're trying to keep this PG-13.
The More Grim Head-Canon
Note: The following head-canon I will more than likely never actively call on in RP or in how I explain his personality or actions in play. These are merely me being incredibly morbid and voicing speculation on the unlikely as far as Hetalia standards.
During the European witch trials, which made Salem look like child's play, England tried to accuse France of being a witch since he didn't age. How England managed it is beyond anyone's guess as he is also burdened with the same trait, but he was successful. Several. Times. Obviously, France didn't die as he's a nation – but he was very, very irate with the younger nation. It was probably these unsuccessful attempts that goaded on the notion that witches were the real deal and prolonged the trials for several centuries.
The French Revolution brings a bad taste to the mouth for several reasons. He lost a lot of keepsakes and valuables when his people rioted that he still hasn't gotten back. Fair enough to be sour at. Not too dark. However, the people that wanted to lay siege to their monarchy were as at odds with their nation, and treated him to the same fate. Since it was an act of his own people that particular injury did not heal quickly and he was left mute for some time. He had to learn forgiveness the hard way.