Latest Posts by resolduende - Page 3
Senorita ugly, you didn’t like that nick name?
hermano. if you’re going to insult me, say the whole insult in either Spanish, Portuguese, or English. or don’t insult me at all.
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.
Carmen: I don’t think you want to kiss someone who’s been throwing up for the past couple of minutes, let alone fuck them.
Luciano: You said that yesterday too, and just this morning you were complaining about your thighs and ass hurting.
Carmen: ...
Luciano: I’m right, aren’t I?
Carmen: Fuck you.
Luciano: No, no, bella. It is I who will be fucking you.
Honey, I'm delighted of your interest in becoming friends with me but- you should probably choose your words carefully when we're anywhere my brother can hear. He is not too... fond of the idea of anyone 'having' any of us. Oh, by the way, I made cheese puffs before coming here, hopefully you'll like them. (Flavio)
out of that entire paragraph of speech, all carmen really understood was back away from the brothers & that he had made cheese puffs. well, it was a good thing he dropped by now because the poor girl was kind of hungry. & she was too lazy at that moment to get up to make food. this girl had a nation to run & an economy to fix. let her rest. ❝ oh, uh... i guess i’ll leave you boys be then. but you can totally drop those cheese puffs with me. i’ll be sure to bring the container back next week for dinner. what kind of cheese did you use? i haven’t had cheese puffs in a while. ❞
"I bought two." he commented with a friendly wink. (Flavio)
the spaniard perked up at the other’s words. there was a clear look of confusion on her face as described by the slight tilt of her head & her furrowed yet delicately trimmed eyebrows. ❝ bought two of what? you have to be clear with me, as 90 percent of the time I usually have no clue what is going on. ❞ much like her male counterpart antonio, carmen was always confused &/or oblivious to a lot of things.
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. ❞
@resolduende
“Treats? You didn’t give them to the kids, right? And-.. yes, I still have some of them living at home unfortunately.” He didn’t want to miss out on these treats, frankly.
What do you guys want to see out of this blog?
Spain facts, interactions, etc. Drop me an ask or a message.
[ I’m still alive. I’ve had a lot of work to do recently since finals are coming up. I hope to have this blog somewhat finished by next week. ]
Send 💬 and my muse will say what they really think about yours.
No holding back!
i am disappointed in myself for forgetting-
happy late birthday!!
Wait- fuck! Did I miss your birthday?!
it was monday (:
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.’
Update
Next few days are going to be me straightening up the theme and bio.
If you guys want to start sending in asks, go ahead!