Post by Ivan Braginski on Mar 20, 2010 1:21:23 GMT -5
Ivan Braginski
OOC:
Name: Darcy
Are you 16+: Yes; 20 as of this month.
Contacts: grounding.the.satellites@gmail.com
Time zone: CST
Other Characters you play here: None.
Characters you've played elsewhere: L (Death Note), Trowa (Gundam Wing), Kabuto and Shino (Naruto).
IC:
Human Name: Ivan Braginski
Country: Russian Federation (Российская Федерация)
Primary Language: Russian, though he can speak decent (if not rather accented) English as well.
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Current School Year: Junior
Birthday: December 20th
Occupation: Full-time student. On some days he can be found working desk shifts in the university library.
Ten Facts About Your Character: These can be whatever you want. (Feel free to do more than ten too!) Try to link the facts to the character as much as possible. Extra props for weaving history into AU backstories!
- Russia’s instability and eccentricity can largely be attributed to the fact that his country’s history and existence is comprised of seemingly opposite extremes -- searing cold and blazing heat, vast power and wretched servitude, unprovoked cruelty and tender compassion, violent xenophobia and fierce longing for outside contact, simultaneous love and hatred for the same objects, and so on. While he is perhaps not quite as unpredictable, paranoid or intimidating as his predecessors, he is still somewhat ‘unhinged’ and dread-inspiring, despite his gentle smiles.
- Having come from a place known for its unforgiving cold, Russia tends to keep himself covered up. He is almost always wearing a scarf -- though he’ll settle for a necktie if the situation is particularly formal -- and has acquired quite a collection in different colors, knits, and lengths. (His favorite is the one given to him by his older sister, Ukraine.) He has managed to break his habit of wearing gloves, although he wore them so much before coming to Boston that, even now, he sometimes touches or picks things up a little oddly, since he isn’t entirely used to being bare-handed.
- Russia’s younger half-sister, Belarus, is deeply infatuated with him and has plans to marry him one day -- plans to which Russia has most certainly not agreed. This detail doesn’t deter her in the least, leaving Russia dismayed and, occasionally, downright terrified. In spite of this, there are some times that he sort of appreciates her unwavering support, though he is reluctant to express this for fear that it will only encourage her unwanted attentions.
- Although his grasp of the English language is fairly good, there are a lot of colloquialisms and slang terms that Russia doesn’t understand yet. He can often use context clues to figure out basically what is meant by such expressions, but don’t be surprised if you enthusiastically tell him about a “bitchin’” movie and he just looks at you in an obviously perplexed fashion and asks what you could possibly mean by that.
- Russia is rather touchy about issues such as NATO expansion and the anti-missile system in Europe, and doesn’t fully trust the Western nations -- America in particular -- since he believes them to be hypocritical and abusive of their power. However, he knows that his country can’t advance in the modern world without them and, deep down, he suspects that he’ll eventually be forced to make some grudging concessions in order to remain a powerful, competitive force in their politics. He is viciously determined to protect what centuries of harsh history have given to Russian character and tradition.
- Some might be surprised by this, but Russia has a great love of the arts, particularly literature/poetry and music. His favorite works and styles are extremely indicative of his nature. Melancholy and dismal, while all at once sensitive and resilient. When he is alone, Russia may read aloud to himself. Regarding music, he has great talent in playing the cello, though he has never explained to anyone why exactly he chose that particular instrument. (It may be interesting to note, for the record, that many believe the cello is the instrument most closely resembling the human voice.)
- While he is not a habitual smoker, Russia does do it on occasion. The Russian smoking population increased sharply following the collapse of the Soviet Union, though efforts to control and decrease the practice have fairly recently been made. Russia had a period in his later teens in which he smoked regularly, but since then has almost completely quit, and now does it only rarely. As such, it should be taken as a sign that he is in an Extremely Bad Mood if he is seen lighting up.
- Speaking of vices, Russia is quite partial to vodka. He is, however, also picky, and will only drink what he considers to be the best. (Thank you, America, but you can keep your throat-scalding Everclear.) He thinks that mixing drinks is a waste of quality liquor. All that said, he hardly ever goes so far as to actually get drunk. If he does, it’s probably because he wants to forget something for a little while, and it’s likely best to leave him be.
- Long isolated and internalized, Russia seems to understand very little about other people, and has few friends -- if any -- as a result. It hurts a bit, sometimes, but that’s the last thing he’d tell anybody. He speaks with a frank sort of honesty or naïveté that is, at times, appalling, and finds the manner in which others interact to often be a bit silly, especially with the way that they seem to always end up fighting with each other. His sense of humor is generally rather dark -- as is his outlook on many things -- and may show itself at odd or off-putting times. His demeanor can change from endearing to disturbing on a dime, though he very often fails to even notice this.
- The Cossack dance is Ukrainian, and, furthermore, Russia will not do it for you.
A secret he/she wouldn't want anyone to learn about: Despite all appearances, he doesn’t much like being alone, but he doesn’t know how to change that, or if he even should. He also doesn’t like the dark. He’s one of those people who absolutely will not let his arm or leg hang over the edge of the bed at night.
Favorite Color: Red is the color that means the most to him, and is the answer he’d give if asked. (However, the color that he really likes is the distinct blue of clear, sunny skies.)
Anything else?: Not at the moment :D Forgive my derpa-derp.
