“I Like Walking When The Streets Are Empty.”

In an earlier post, I talked about the lesser known sides of Spain. This post will focus on the more obvious, yet ironically ignored, positive aspects of his character. Spain has never been a plain character. The problem is that his personality is often watered down, either as a result of the anime or people choosing to selectively represent certain aspects of his personality.

That said, let’s go over some examples.

He’s not a cheerful ditz all the time: 

Ex: He didn’t take chibi Romano’s constant complaining without any resistance. On several occasions, Spain’s shown to be calling him an idiot.

Ex: He’s an emotional or “violent” drunk. It depends on which translation you have, but it pretty much conveys the same thing.

My translation is a bit different from the one above:

“As long as you keep him away from booze, and don’t get on his bad side, you should be fine.”

Ex: Prior to the strip, teenage Romano had a huge obsession with fantasizing about/ role-playing the medieval chivalric romance novels that he read. In comes Prussia, recklessly spouting out keywords that seem to trigger Romano’s obsession again, much to the latter’s dismay. Mother hen Spain quickly swoops in to give a deadly warning.

Ex: He melancholically looks back on his and France’s rough childhoods.

Ex: When the topic of discussions falls to what each nation is known for, Spain laments over being known for cows and tomatoes.

He’s more than capable of reading the atmosphere: 

Ex: His reaction to America after the Stock Market crashes in 1939.

Ex: He’s heartbroken when Veneziano chooses Austria over him during the Austrian War of Succession. The scene alludes to the fact that Spain was deeply saddened in the years following his divorce from Austria. Likewise, the way Spain revs up his cheery attitude in light of being rejected seems to be more of a defense mechanism, a guarded mask of emotions, than it is of his true personality.

I say this because Romano finds Spain weeping in the next panel.

Ex: He solemnly hints to Chibitalia of what’s to become of him right before he and his brother are both conquered.

His optimism is not out of sheer stupidity: 

It’s more like it’s a desperate sort of optimism. The way that Spain convinces himself to push forward with a smile is eventually internalized until he himself doesn’t even realize that what he’s doing is unrealistic and naive. As mentioned above, it’s also a coping mechanism.

Nonetheless, there are moments where he shows a deep awareness of his economic/ political situation.

Ex:There’s a clear recognition that he’s lost his international standing due to poverty.

Ex: Once again, his [desperate] optimism shines through in how he copes with his weakened economy. He sings songs, and acts happy…

…but he’s more than aware of how deep and serious his money problems are. He’s literally clinging to Germany, albeit for exaggerated humorous effect.

He may have a laid-back personality…

…but once he gets worked up about something, his passion replaces his typical lazing around.

Ex: He fought to have olive oil continually be marketed as a staple product of the EU.

Again, with Spain, it seems that the happiness he forces onto himself allows him to get too carried away in what he does (e.g., over-manufacturing and then causing a property bubble).

That’s why he comes off as naïve and a bit air-headed. You could even argue that it’s a slight dissociation from reality to help minimize any anxiety that he feels.

His constant smiling is also a play on the fact that the sun never set in the Spanish Empire.

He’s selfless:

Ex: Despite all the complaining and constant belittling that he had to endure with Romano, Spain still saves him from Turkey.

Ex: Spain spent all his money on improving Romano’s wardrobe. [Please note that Romano was too young to realize this]. Meanwhile, his own clothes were in tatters.

Ex: When Romano immigrates to America, Spain is the first person he calls. Their relationship is noted to be much deeper than the one Romano shares with Veneziano.

Immediately, Spain’s mother hen mode gets switched on as he asks Romano how he’s been and if he’s been eating well.

He also lets Romano know how proud he is of him working and taking responsibility for himself for once.

That said, it wouldn’t make sense for a character predicated on a stereotype of passion to be flat and static. He’s anything but.

Alaior - Menorca - Spain (by Little Sadie) 

“You already spit out whatever goes in your mouth. I.E. Words. So you already have that going for you,” Carmen replied calmly, flipping a page in her book. She knew this man all too well. “Speaking of, how’s that STD of yours, hermano? Your balls stopped scratching yet? Or have they fallen off?”

Put your dick away

“Hmmmm..” He hums, as though hes considering the advice. “I suppose you’re right, nothing better than this mouth, am I right?” He says with a cocky grin, shooting a wink to the Spaniard. She should know, after all.

RP Blog change!

different ways to say ‘i love you’. 

‘i’ll make you something, yeah? your favorite dish, just for you.’

‘let’s get you back to bed.’

‘shh, it was just a nightmare.’

‘you like this, don’t you? i remember you saying that.’

‘i drew up a bath for you.’

‘you need rest.’

‘you ought to be asleep.’

‘i bought two.’

‘here. you can have the rest.’

‘i thought of you when i saw this.’

‘i like your smile.’

‘you have a cute laugh.’

‘stay there. i’m coming there to get you.’

‘it’s okay, i’m here, we’re okay.’

‘be careful.’

‘look both ways.’

‘you mean so much to me.’

‘i can’t lose you.’

‘i thought i might have lost you.’

‘how to you feel about the nickname, (insert nickname)?’

‘it looks good on you.’

‘i’ll make you soup.’

‘ah-ah-ah. you’re sick. you need to stay in bed.’

‘are you okay in there?’

‘that’s it, that’s it. get it all out. shh.’

‘it’s a remedy i knew. helps with your throat.’

‘it’s a lullaby. would you like me to sing it to you? would that help you fall asleep?’

‘i’m worried about you.’

‘what do you want to watch?’

‘where would you like to go for dinner?’

‘close your eyes and hold out your hands.’

‘we’ll figure it out.’

‘oh, it’s not big deal. you’re fine.’

‘i brought you some medicine for your cold.’

‘you’re important to me.’

‘this is your favorite song, right?’

‘you’re like a son/daughter to me.’

‘good luck!’

‘you’re like a mom/dad to me.’

‘don’t say that about yourself.’

‘want to come with?’

“wow! you look really nice.’

‘goodnight, (insert term of affection).’

‘it’s okay. i couldn’t sleep anyway.’

‘you can have half.’

‘come here. let me fix it.’

‘your tie is crooked.’

‘c’mere. shh, it’s okay.’

‘i’m not going to hurt you.’

‘can i touch you?’

‘can i kiss you?’

‘can i hug you?’

‘promise.’

‘would i ever lie to you?’

‘i think you’re very beautiful/handsome.’

‘hey, good-looking.’

‘of course i care. you’re my family.’

‘one more chapter.’

‘i love you.’

Squishy!

{ Send me 'Squishy!' For my muse's reaction to yours grabbing/fondling their chest. } surprised carmen is surprised. her chest - her lovely, ample chest - was being fondled. by who? she did not know. though whoever’s hands it was... they felt rather skilled. maybe. it had been a little bit of time since anyone had gotten at her chest, whether sexually or playfully. hence, the look of surprise on her face. ❝ wh-what??? ❞ she blinked & looked at the hands. feminine looking? did she know of anyone with hands looking that good? ❝ um- hi? can you release your hands from my boobs please? ¿por favor? ❞

If it’s okay to start an rp with you anytime, reblog this

I know a lot of people (myself included) worry about being unwanted or anyone, so reblogging this means it’s okay for ANYONE to start something whenever. Let’s hope this gets the canon flowing a little more.

What kind of nation being thing reads a newspaper anymore? Geez, he’s old.

Carmen just gave him a look as she took a seat across from him, crossing her legs. Like the lady she was. “Look me in the eyes and ask me that again.”

“So I did a bad thing. And I regret the thing I did.”

@resolduende

The top of his newspaper is flipped down to look at her, a brow cocked. Antonio… feels very old now so he just sets the newspaper down outright.

“Did you eat someone?”

at the mere mention of him possibly joining her, the tiny lady’s face brightened into a smile. there was hope for them being friends, even if it did come by way of sweets. either way, she was just excited to finally be talking to someone again other than her bosses.

oh yeah. she had forgotten that she was nearly hunted down for the sweets at her former charge’s house. ❝ just don’t be too hard on them. i can always make more for them... if they pay me,❞ she replied with a tiny smirk. ❝ turn your hobbies into a way to make money! ❞

she lifted up the blanket from the basket a little to show him, having to physically lift the entire basket for him to see. curse her creator for making her so short & those Dutch genes for making him tall. ❝ i looked up a bunch of recipes from around the world, so that we can taste new things! & yes i did make some Dutch & Spanish sweets so that we wouldn’t be left out. ❞ she gave him a wink before laughing to herself.

she clearly missed her times with him when he wasn’t being a dick.

resolduende

odd. for not seeing each other outside of meetings and other nation get-togethers, he seemed rather contained. carmen had no clue what to think about this situation, but it was not like she would complain.

❝ no. though a few of them did look like they were about to tackle me for them. ❞ the spaniard held up the blanket-covered basket & gave the taller man a sweet smile. ❝ it’s a wonderful day out today. & it looks like you could use a break from those sugar-saavy niños y niñas. care to join me? we could catch up on what’s been going on. ❞

It’s the prospect of sweets, Carmen. This boy has an awful sweet tooth, inherited by every single one of his kids. “Argh… I will tell them off for it.“ He sighed, but then took a look outside. She was right, it was finally starting to become nice and warm weather after the cold and gloomy winter days. He had been so engrossed in his work that he didn’t even notice.

“It really is a nice day out, isn’t it? Hm… I suppose I could take you up on that offer. What’s in the basket?” He was in desperate need of a break from both his work as well as the children.

Send me 'Squishy!' For my muse's reaction to yours grabbing/fondling their chest.