Post by lili on Apr 5, 2011 2:54:03 GMT -5
(((My Reflection)))
Nation: Principality of Liechtenstein
Name: Eva “Lili” Vogel
**According to the Hetalia Wikia, Himaruya has released possible names for Liechtenstein, and because I’m lazy and fail at coming up with names, I’m using one combination. I thought Eva was the prettiest-sounding that “fit.” But because everyone uses it,“Lili” is still a nickname.**
Gender: Female
Appearance Age: 16
Hair Color: Wheat blonde
Eye Color: Sea green
Height: Approx. 155 cm
Weight: Approx. 43 kg
Appearance:
Liechtenstein dwarfs nearly every other country at World Conferences, just as she does with the square mileage of her country. She is a thin girl--not unhealthily so--but because of this her dainty yet boyish figure is especially notable. She can’t help her barely-there breasts and waist, but she does all in her power to maintain a somewhat feminine appearance.
For many years, she did this by keeping her waist-length hair in two sweet pigtail braids, each resting on a shoulder. To her, it seemed more practical and easier than simply letting it cascade down her back loosely or conversely put it up in an elaborate fashion.
After Liechtenstein’s adoption by Switzerland and her own adoption of the Swiss Franc, though, such long hair was no longer appealing. On an impulsive whim, she took a pair of scissors to the straw-colored twin braids and to her delight, was pleased with the result. In her opinion, it made her look older--though it really didn’t--and express her gratitude to Vash by copying his choppy, short hairstyle. After an incident in which she was mistaken for his younger brother, she’d been given one of her most treasured items: the royal blue ribbon always tied into a little bow on the right side of her head.
Beneath equally uneven, short bangs, green eyes are wide and sparkling like those of a newborn fawn. They only make her look younger on opposite sides of a petite nose, all on a pale, round face. Often times, a faint blush occupies her cheeks, lips curled upwards into a shy smile.
When simply at home or anyplace other than a World Meeting, she likes to wear her striped wine-red dress. The slightly ruffled hem brushes just below her knees, billowing out from the hips as well as in the puffed shoulders. Beneath the scoop neck of the dress Lili wears a dull, gray-rose blouse with a raised mandarin collar, the cuffs at the ends of her sleeves an identical shade with little black buttons sewn on the outer sides of her wrists. A crimson ribbon is tied around the base of her neck, and similarly, another larger ribbon rests just above her bum, where the dress begins to flare out. Layered underneath are a pair of eggshell-colored stockings that bunch a tad bit at her ankles, just above her black Mary Jane shoes.
**I just noticed it doesn't match with the appearance picture... But I like that picture, so I'm not changing it. >w<;**
(((Know Thyself )))
Personality:
At a first glance, Liechtenstein is a reserved, quiet girl; one of the most prominent facets of her personality. She tends to stammer a bit because of initial shyness, but the impediments usually fade away after a minute or two of conversation. The bashful girl will blush simply when addressed and she even used to have trouble conversing with her adoptive brother, demonstrating how little it takes to make her sheepish and flustered. Because of this, as well as her inbred courtesy, she refrains from speaking unless spoken to which can be misinterpreted for severe timidity.
While she is afraid of sparking conversations, it doesn't mean she is rude or antisocial whatsoever. She is kind by nature and hospitable environment--her nation "childhood" had practically been peaches and cream, with the exception of things like the Black Death and the witch trials. Despite warnings of "bad people," she will politely and genuinely return conversations with complete strangers, or even worse, France, until dragged away by a paranoid Swiss. Lili is also generous and humble, possibly originating from her brother's selfless adoption of her. She enjoys giving gifts, but doesn't feel "deserving enough" to accept them (but she eventually does because she's easy to influence).
She is also very formal and polite, addressing her elders--or in this context, larger countries--with a "Mr." or "Ms." in front of their country names. The sole German female learned to be seen and not heard, especially in the presence of powerful or important people--nations and humans alike. This was emphasized by Austria, as well as maintaing the appearance of and acting as a "proper lady," and Switzerland cannot get rid of them no matter what he does to reverse the "snooty" teachings. When encountered with innappropriate and rude behavoir, such as that of Prussia or South Korea, she is unsure of how to react. Certainly chuckling along with them would be unbecoming, but if she chastised the offender--if she even had the courage to--she would worry if he or she had offended the person.
Like her name implies, Eva can be rather naive. She is no ditz--she is rather intelligent--but she is completely trusting towards anyone, despite the person's disposition and reputation. The landlocked girl doesn't have many big cities--if the miniscule Vaduz and Schaan can even be called that--and therefore wasn't exposed to the different types of people, or taught who to trust. Much like a child, she refuses to believe that a person can be "evil" and isn't afraid to talk to them (as long as they speak first). The neutral nation hasn't seen true war, though she has been marched through by enemy soldiers on occasions, so her outlooks on it are very biased towards neutrality (likely impressed upon her by Vash). The curious girl is also very easily distracted, especially by cute things, and can be influenced very easily. Her gullibility is not her strongest point, either.
Even though she appears to be in her early teenage years, she is actually very mature. She has her childish moments--such as her love for sweets and presents (even though she has issues with actually accepting them)--but most of the time maintains a composed countenance. When prompted, she clearly explains her viewpoint, if not concisely, though she doesn't remember ever actively engaging in the diplomatic conversations at world meetings.
While she can easily speak her mind--in a polite way, of course--, lies do not flow from her tongue as easily. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” is taken to heart by the little Catholic, especially to her two neighbors, Switzerland and Austria. Lili believes lying to be completely disrespectful and abuse of their trust--plus she would never want to be lied to. But because of this, she may attempt to avoid truthful thoughts that may offend or upset.
Liechtenstein is sweet and at times, sensitive, but rarely cries. Even when she was certain she was going to die, the mature young woman remained relatively calm despite her listlessness. The only instance Liechtenstein would cry would likely be if someone close to her--as in, Switzerland, Austria, or Hungary--got hurt, or even worse. Her usual concerns are over her appearance; she either gets quiet and even more curt with her replies, or even staring, horrified, at herself in a mirror for extended periods of time. These unsure moments can be easily cured, however, by something a simple as a piece of chocolate or in a specific case, a ribbon.
With a brother like the "trigger-happy" Switzerland, it may seem strange that Eva dislikes guns or any weapons. The ability to end someone with a simple movement of the finger had always bothered her--not that she'd ever voice this opinion to her brother. To prevent the untimely death of a certain Italian caused by the easily-provoked Swiss, she does all in her power to protect him, including quickly closing the curtains or stalling. She carries a gun herself, but she doesn't think she'll ever be able to actually fire it.
Even though she doesn’t support his use of firearms, Liechtenstein still holds a great deal of respect and love towards her brother. He is, after all, the one who generously took her in and gave her food and shelter when he himself was struggling. She believes that the two get along well and have their brother-sister moments, even with their occasional awkward conversations. He is her role model so she often imitates him, such as her hair cut or her military uniform. Eva also even loves how he takes precautions to keep her safe--though it does get old sometimes--, believing him wholeheartedly whenever he tells her anything. In return for taking her in after World War I, she insists on doing the majority of the house chores like cooking, cleaning, and mending. Even nearly one-hundred years later, she enjoys helping out in every way she can as if she is still indebted to him.
Despite her admiration for her “bruder,” she occasionally disagrees with him, one of their main differences being religion. During the Protestant Reformation, Switzerland’s human namesake, Ulrich Zwingli, rebelled against the Catholic Church and the majority of his larger cities are predominantly Protestant. Apart from this, she also sometimes feels a bit stifled by his overprotectiveness. While she appreciates that he is simply looking out for her, Lili doesn't want to be treated like a child.
She has also adapted to her brother’s frugal lifestyle, having developed a taste for less-expensive items--or rather, an indifference to quality. Lili is lucky she isn’t very picky and doesn't mind the “cheap cheese” Switzerland buys. His thriftiness has rubbed off on her, and coupled with her needlecraft hobby are the origins of much of her wardrobe. One example is her Switzerland-inspired military uniform that she altered to fit her much smaller frame. She can sometimes get carried away in her sewing, though, and end up working until the wee hours of the morning.
Likes:
★ Animals; She prefers animals of the cute variety, such as Gilbird, Kumajiro, and Hanatamago.
★ Housework; Liechtenstein feels like she at least owes Switzerland this much for taking care of her, afraid of being a burden to him. She doesn’t dislike working and being helpful, however, and is rather efficient as well.
★ Switzerland; How could she not like the generous man who took her in during such economically miserable times? She respects and loves her adoptive brother, even if he can be overprotective at times. (Plus his drawings are cute.)
★ Flowers; Picking wildflowers in one of her many valleys is a much enjoyed pastime for Lili, but her favorite flowers are orchids, not lilies.
★ Making others happy; She gains her own happiness from others’, even if it’s just a little hint of a smile.
★ Quiet; Liechtenstein likes polite conversation like anyone else, but enjoys a nice, comfortable silence every so often as well. Simply sitting and “being” is pleasant for her, especially with Switzerland or another loved one.
★ Needlework; Sewing is both relaxing and a free alternative to buying gifts, something the frugal siblings both hold respect for.
★ Dresses; They’re flowy, feminine, and pretty. They also are the one of the few things that differentiate Lili from an adolescent male.
★ Books; Liechtenstein often has plenty of time on her hands after her regular chores, using it to indulge herself in romance and fantasy novels.
★ Mountains; The Alps specifically. They are overwhelming but beautiful, and are just “homey” feeling. They remind her of the tiny hamlets nestled at the foothills of peaks and lush, green valleys.
★ Skiing; Living in the mountains has made her partial to the sport, and despite her small frame, she is rather good. Though due to Switzerland’s precautions, she is compelled to wear a helmet and goggles as well as carry a tracking device in case the sibling duo get separated.
Dislikes:
✖ Being called Austrian/Swiss; While she loves and depends on her neighbors, it is not appreciated when she is not acknowledged as a sovereign country. Liechtenstein doesn’t mind so much about being unknown like Seychelles, just as long as she is identified as a country when she is “discovered.”
✖ Violence; As a gentle and peaceful country, she dislikes weapons and pain, be it directed at herself or anyone else--hence her neutrality. Lili doesn’t take kindly to verbal fighting, either.
✖ Startling/Unexpected things; Lili is a rather soft-spoken girl, and surprises do not always go over well with her.
✖ Receiving; The nation considers herself to be a burden, and when she is given gifts--especially something expensive. Lili doesn't believe she deserves such nice presents, so like the modest girl she is, she politely refuses. (Though she is easily persuaded and usually ends up keeping it.)
✖ Water; More specifically, large bodies of water such as the sea, the ocean, or even lakes. Eva is a doubly-landlocked country and likes solid ground very much; she’s never really felt comfortable in boats.
Fears:
☣ Abandonment; Liechtenstein is incredibly grateful to Switzerland for saving her from what she believed was her inevitable demise. She came to trust him after the rough years of World War II, and would be completely crushed if he simply left her to die.
☣ Independence; While she doesn’t want to be a lowly territory without her own land, by no means does she want to be all alone. Lili depends on Switzerland both economically and emotionally, and though she believes it’s selfish, she doesn’t want that to change.
☣ Being lied to; She is a very trusting girl and would be heartbroken if she learned that someone--especially a loved one--had been deceiving her.
Secrets:
♦ She keeps a compact handgun concealed on her person at all times--Switzerland’s orders--despite her disdain for weapons.
♦ Eva often wonders why she is even still a country, what her purpose for existence is. This likely a product of insecurity.
♦ She didn’t give Switzerland the pink pair of pajamas by mistake; she thought it’d be cute (and she was right).
Strengths:
+ Kindness/Compassion; Eva is, by nature, kind to any and everyone.
+ Intellect; Lili is rather smart (despite her naivety) and has a knack for computers, though she isn’t nearly as technologically apt as Estonia.
+ Manners; She is exceedingly polite and formal, even with her brother. But because of this, Liechtenstein can be too serious at times and blushes at even the lightest impolite statement.
Weaknesses:
-Self-consciousness; Lili is often mistaken as a teenage boy, making her self-image diminish greatly for obvious reasons. She has grown accustomed to correcting the humans, but is still rather sensitive about her appearance. The small country only feels worse when she, like all girls, compares herself to her fellow female nations.
-Naivety/Curiosity; Liechtenstein is very trusting of people, preferring to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and refusing to believe a person to be capable of being ‘evil’ or ’bad.’ Despite warnings about strangers from Switzerland, she engages in conversation with people and nations she doesn’t know or often associate with, often out of either politeness or intrigue. Lili is also quite gullible and very easily influenced by others, the person with the most influence being her brother.
-Humility; The little blonde is very humble and modest, rarely speaking unless spoken to. Even when she is proud of herself for whatever reason, she refuses to look haughty and simply downplays her achievements.
-Physically weak; Her human body is barely five feet tall and her land mass is small enough to fit inside London multiple times. Liechtenstein never really “fought” in any wars, and currently is without a national army. If she were to be invaded, resistance would be futile.
(((The Pages of History )))
History:
Background
Liechtenstein, as a descendant of Germania, bears a great deal of resemblance towards him as well as a few of the other Germanic nations. She shares the characteristic blond hair with Germany and Switzerland, and it can be assumed that they share some of the same blood (though probably not enough to be directly related). However, she wouldn’t be recognized as ‘Liechtenstein’ until the 18th century, and not even as an independent principality.
The Thirty Years’ War and Witch Trials
During the Thirty Years’ War, which raged from 1618 to 1648, just before her establishment as a principality, she was invaded by Austria as well as Sweden, who’d managed to march straight through the Holy Roman Empire into southern Germany. The war wasn’t especially devastating, but her misfortune continued when she caught the plague multiple times. Liechtenstein also has extremely faint, slightly reddish burn scars on her side from the witch trials, during which over one-hundred innocent Liechtensteiners were tortured and killed.
The Holy Roman Empire
Liechtenstein wasn’t yet one of the many tiny states in the Holy Roman Empire until Hans-Adam I of the Liechtenstein family, that lived in Castle Liechtenstein located in Lower Austria, bought the county of Vaduz and Schellenberg in 1712 and 1699 respectively. She was formally a principality of the Holy Roman Empire in 1719, the amount of land purchased just meeting the requirements for having a seat in the Reichstag.
Napoleonic Years and German Confederation
At the Treaty of Westphalia, that ended the Thirty Years’ War, she and the other German states became virtually independent states. When France began expanding his empire during Napoleon’s rule, she was also conquered and became the a Rhineland confederation along with neighboring states. Liechtenstein gained sovereignty July 12, 1806 when she joined the Confederation of the Rhine.
When the French Empire crumbled, the State of Liechtenstein joined the German Confederation in 1815. Many of the small German principalities, ruled by princes like herself, hadn’t survived; she was one of the smallest independent principalities in the Confederation. Her boss at the time, Johann I, had been granted a constitution ensuring her autonomy as well as an absolutist government even while she lived at Germany’s house.
Like her neighbors, Liechtenstein also experienced some inner conflict in the 1840’s against absolutism. However, no riots occurred and her boss at the time, Prince Alois II, continued with his autocratic regime. It wasn’t until the creation of a customs treaty between she and Austria-Hungary in 1852 under Johann II when she began to experience improvements, such as a new constitution that provided some representation in the form of a Diet ten years later. She had been rural and economically disconnected, unable to industrialize or make necessary reforms, but with her partnership with her eastern neighbor Austria, she was able to foster her economy by creating a textile industry. She was able to print her first national newspaper and open the first bank of Liechtenstein because of the new financial possibilities.
However, the Seven Weeks’ War dented Austria’s economy, and sequentially, hers. She was forced to secede along with him, as she was monetarily dependent on the larger nation. Liechtenstein declared herself thereafter neutral when she left the German Confederation in 1868, her army of a mere eighty men dismissed.
The World Wars
Near the end of the 19th century, her economic situation hadn’t recovered, but worsened. Few jobs were available in her own country besides in the textile industry and agriculture, forcing her citizens to seek work in neighboring countries or even emigrate.
During the first World War, Liechtenstein was neutral, not participating directly in the fighting. Even with this status, though, she did assist Austria financially until the end of the war. Their bond turned out to be more detrimental to her with his government and economy in ruins, though, so she ended her customs treaty with him in 1919. Still, Liechtenstein was now poorer than ever: the textile industry’s failure, hunger, and inflation driving her close to destruction. Switzerland offered her a new Customs Treaty with him in 1923, and she readily accepted.
Between the World Wars, more tragedy befell the poor nation; she was nearly bankrupt from the Sparkassa scandal and suffered from severe floods. The Great Depression also didn’t relent, but public projects kept them from financial collapse.
Luckily, Liechtenstein’s economic union with the neutral Switzerland kept her safe from the second World War in terms of money. There was a small Nazi movement within the nation before the war, but it faded after the outbreaks of warfare and did not resurge. Near the end of the war, she provided asylum for five-hundred Axis-affiliated Russians of the First Russian National Army of the German Wehrmacht. Though she was neutral, she generously protected the soldiers from extradition. It was burdening for her to take them in and the USSR demanded the “traitors” to be surrendered, but she was able to hold onto them until Argentina found settlement for them elsewhere.
Post-World Wars to Modern Day
Blessings befell the tiny country after WWII with her incredible transformation in just a few years. Liechtenstein’s economy improved greatly by adopting the Swiss Franc, and overall became far more modernized. Her rural, agriculture-centric economy transformed into a highly industrial one, becoming a more diverse and developed country.
In March of 2003, Prince Hans-Adam II, her current boss, threatened to abdicate the throne to his son, Alois, if he lost the referendum that gave him more power than any other European monarch. He won, and he has the potential power to dismiss governments and veto laws by simply refusing to sign them. Liechtenstein also recently celebrated 200 years of sovereignty in 2006 on her “birthday,” July 12.
Today, she has the highest GDP per capita and low taxes. Even now, Liechtenstein is very connected to Switzerland, their monetary union still in effect. She is a member of the EFTA and EEA, but like her fellow neutral nation, is not a member of the European Union.
Allies:
Current:
Switzerland (Customs treaty)
Austria (In 1979, the two signed an agreement that stated any Liechtenstein citizen could request aid from Austrian representatives abroad in a country where neither she or Switzerland have an embassy.)
Napoleonic Wars (Under French rule):
Other members of the Rhine Confederation
France
Spain
Ottoman Empire
Poland
Italy
Denmark
Holland
Switzerland
Germany
Austro-Prussian War (Under Austrian influence):
Austria
World War I (Under Austrian influence):
Austria-Hungary
Germany
Italy
Ottoman Empire
Bulgaria
Enemies:
Current:
None
Napoleonic Wars:
Russia
England
Prussia
Sweden
Austro-Prussian War:
Prussia
Italy
World War I:
America
England
France
Italy
Russia
Sample Post:
August 1919
Eva couldn’t remember the trek from Vaduz back to Vienna ever being so strenuous or lengthy. Her feet ached; the soles of her Mary Jane style shoes were worn and thin, providing little protection or support. There were surely holes in the heels of the formerly white stockings and blisters forming on the balls of her feet, the impoverished country supposed. The loose threads and tattered state of her pink dress presented evidence of wear and tear upon it, and the dirtied apron covering it was in no better of a condition. She couldn’t even pay for new clothes, let alone for her own country! Liechtenstein could feel the lingering financially-caused cold in her chest worsening rapidly; for years it’d just been slightly bothersome, but with the failed Austrian campaigns came harsh, bone-jarring coughs. Her customs treaty with Austria had been effective and beneficial to the dependent principality initially, but it had been signed over fifty years prior.
Everything had been very different when the agreement had been signed before the Great War. Austria had been a great power of Europe, his domain stretching from Russia to Italy and Switzerland. With the help of his foreign minister von Metternich, he had exercised almost complete power over the disunity that was the German states after the dissolution of the Confederation of the Rhine, formerly the Holy Roman Empire. He and Hungary had served as the only barrier between the “barbarian” Ottomans and Christian Europe, and even forced the Turks from the Balkans, looking to expand Austrian territory.
This quest for power was what put the two of them--along with a defeated Germany and the other Central Powers--in such a state. Fortunately, she had been ordered to take refuge in her own country and hadn’t suffered from the brunt of the physical fighting, but the effects were still felt in the small capital city of Vaduz. Jobs and money were becoming scarce even before what would be known as “World War I,” but this event was the tipping point. Eva’s people--her children--were suffering, starving, and she hadn’t even participated in the war!
Even so, she couldn’t blame the aristocratic man completely, and she certainly couldn’t hate him. He was simply doing his duty as an Empire by threatening the rebellious Serbia--just looking out for his country’s best interests and in turn, hers. Liechtenstein refused to believe that Austria had known that all the ultimatums and declarations resulting from the Balkans conflict would cause the most devastating war to date in European history.
And it showed; as she trudged along the familiar yet different dirt path. Everything seemed…duller, far more listless than she’d remembered. In fact, when she’d trekked down this very same road on her way to Liechtenstein, everyone seemed to be in high, eager spirits for the war that would supposedly be over before Christmas. The blonde remembered smiling at the heartening thought; she liked celebrating Christmas with Austria and Hungary. She’d kept the beautiful sight of Vienna covered in a thin blanket of snow in her mind for the first few months until the twenty-fifth of December came, but still remained hopeful. The war would surely be over by next Christmas, she was sure.
Weary, Eva roused herself from her thoughts and stopped for a moment at a small village somewhere in the foothills of the Austrian Alps, tilting her face skyward to examine the threatening clouds. She was still quite a ways from her destination and silently willed the rain to hold off for just a little longer, even if it was a bit stifling in the mid-summer heat. Wiping her glistening forehead with the slightly filthy sleeve of her dress, she forced herself to continue, noting again that the trip had never been so taxing to the little nation before.
Lili told herself it was because she simply hadn’t walked so far for so long, but a little voice in the back of her mind told her otherwise, blaming it on the looming economic decline caused by her customs treaty partner. No! the proper, Austria-raised half of her countered immediately.
The argument was hollow and futile, however; the chief reason she was taking the trip was to end her financial partnership with the dissolved empire. She hated to just dump him after his loss,--she’d even turned around more than once only to remember why she was doing it--but it was for the good of her people. Liechtenstein anticipated ostracization of Austria by the victors of the war, and that would likely impact her own economy.
She convinced herself it was strictly for economic reasons. She held utmost respect for Austria, and having been bought by the Austrian Liechtenstein family, was essentially raised by him. Eva had always been eternally grateful to him for helping her and letting her stay in Austria, her “home away from home.” She had made friends with many of the other nations--many working as servants--in the house and felt like she had a family, even if Roderich told her it wasn’t ladylike to converse and even assist the help. Despite being instilled with many of his principles such as manners and the rules of society, she still retained her kindheartedness she’d always possessed.
Just thinking about the “happy” years, the ones with minimal conflict (that she knew of, anyway), made her anxious to return--even if it wasn’t with the brightest tidings. Lili felt a forlorn, almost wry smile cross her lips; she hadn’t seen Vienna in four years and imagined this would be the last time for much longer.
(There are
Did you read the rules and Dark Reflections Canon? I did, while eating Italian Pasta. ^^
Random fun fact about yourself: I hate it when people make Lili a friggin’ Disney princess that sings and dances and talks to animals. >> Speaking of Disney, I still have a VCR/VHS player to watch them on. x3
~
....Now I'm paranoid that my Lili is a Mary-Sue, too. ;n;
And Austria: Sorry for being all creepy “oh my god our countries have so much history be my big brother bitte hurr~”Okay, I didn’t say that but I feel like I’m singling you out and being obnoxious xDD; It’s just that there are like, three or four countries that have any connections to Liechtenstein, so. > <;;
There are probably redundancies, and I apologize. >< Personality is probably really awkward to read since it was past midnight for one half of it and the other is typed hurriedly.. Dx; I could make excuses but I don't have time for that! *hurries off to pack*
....Now I'm paranoid that my Lili is a Mary-Sue, too. ;n;
And Austria: Sorry for being all creepy “oh my god our countries have so much history be my big brother bitte hurr~”
There are probably redundancies, and I apologize. >< Personality is probably really awkward to read since it was past midnight for one half of it and the other is typed hurriedly.. Dx; I could make excuses but I don't have time for that! *hurries off to pack*
