Post by greece on Apr 27, 2011 6:56:20 GMT
• Ελληνική Δημοκρατία
Name --- Herakles (Heracles) Karpusi
Nation --- Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία) // Republic of Greece (or Ελλάδα, Elláda)
Aliases ---
- Hellas (Refers more to “Ancient” Greece then Herakles, circa 1400’s)
- “_____ Brat” (Please Insert: Worthless, ungrateful, idiotic, etc.) A certain nation’s favorite nickname/title for him
totally false too. - Kingdom of Greece // Βασίλειον τῆς Ἑλλάδος or Vasílion tis Elládos (Prior to his independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1832)
- Hera or Hercul – used by those who are close to him. Though mostly, he doesn’t really care.
- Mr. Karpusi / Herakles-kun (or san depending on Japan’s mood)
- Athos (Mount Athos derived, not a popular or proper title for him.)
- Αδελφός or Adelfós meaning “Brother” has not been used in A LONG TIME.
- υπηρέτης or ypirétis (“Servant/Underling” – if you ever call him this, he will most likely get very upset, very fast.)
Apparent age --- 27 years old
Actual age --- 558 years old (Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453)
Gender --- Male
|-|-The External-|-|
Eye color --- Jade Green
Hair color --- Dark Hazelnut
Height --- 180 lbs.
Weight --- 6’0”-6’1”
Skin tone --- Lightly golden—but slightly pale in complexion. A “Dusted Olive” would perhaps be more appropriate.
Defining features --- Has a tattoo over the inner left curve of his thigh, underneath the pelvic bone that has an Ω (Omega) symbol surrounding it; with the Greek inscription of “Ελευθερία ή θάνατος” or “Eleftheria i thanatos” meaning Freedom or Death.
It is assumed the Ω (Omega) symbol was chosen due to the popular saying of “"I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last" in Greek culture, specifically the religious culture while the Greeks battled for their independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Additional features ---
Herakles’ features aren’t exactly anything to shake a stick at, so to say—he’s surprisingly active with his exercise regiment despite being as lazy as his nature implies. He’s completely ripped, muscled quite well on his upper chest as well as in his legs—and arms. This feature is actually hidden quite well, even though the Greek stands at a dominating height of 6’1” due to the fact he more or less adores loose-fitting clothing. He’s quite the lounger, and thus doesn’t normally dress to impress. Rarely will he ever wear anything that is too formal, or too ‘close’ although jeans tend to be a new phenomenon in his culture that most have taken quite the liking to. It’s assumed that this preference evolved from the loose clothing that the original Etruscans (as well as his mother) wore before the fall of Constantinople.
His hair naturally falls in two parts, with the front being far longer then in the back. It frames his face rather well, and tends to darken in winter months while lightening in warmer ones (when he is outside majority of the time napping.) His bangs are significantly longer then the locks near the back of his head, and the dark brown contrasts the olive-tint of his skin; as well as the jade green of his eyes. He’s fairly simple, in a manner of speaking—and doesn’t exactly bother to brush his hair unless it is tangled, or he’s fresh from the shower. There is a light hair-split, or curl at the top of his head, which perks up from the rest of his mildly curled hair. Herakles does actually enjoy being stroked on his head, specifically when he is resting or prior-post sexual encounters; it’s one way to securely calm him down as well during times of high stress, or when he’s upset.
It’s important to understand that the Greek isn’t too interested in impressing anyone—but he does mostly positive traits of masculine physique. His body is slightly curved, specifically around the hips and legs, while his face is fairly angular and predominant. It is far easier to say that he’s androgynous over having an overly masculine, or feminine appearance; and mixed both rather well—ironic since it is the Greek way to ensure (and praise) the beauty of men and women within his society.
|-|-The Internal-|-|
Personality ---
A rather mild mannered man, Herakles is naturally very laid back as well as ‘lazy’ if not content with simply himself. He’s difficult to rile, and even more so to persist with grudges. Granted, this is not always the case—but overall, the Greek is fairly self-centered over inadvertently hostile. He takes most of his time resting, and despite being such a historically rich nation; spends his time pondering over the past over actually reliving it. Herakles understands more then most that the cycle of nations (the birth and death) is something that most of them cannot outrun. As such, the loss of his mother is bittersweet to him; as he had enough time to ‘notice’ her, but not enough to truly say that he could recall what he learned from her, or knew of her personally. To this day he is still very protective of Ancient Greece’s name, as well as her history and other means of Greek culture. Through her disappearance however, he’s come to understand the instability of having life come and go as it so pleased. Despite the assumption that he can be a rather ‘shallow’ man, it goes without say that he is more deep, or philosophical then most.
He’s also very keen on physical, as well as mental contact. Herakles constantly does need attention, and not the type that regularly circulates words. Ever since he hit a mature-enough age, he’s been constantly addicted to physical pleasures. Calling him a Nymphomaniac, or suffering from hypersexuality probably wouldn’t be too far from the truth. One of the main factors to keep in mind, however, is that Herakles uses such actions to either calm himself, or simply take some time out of his day to catch up with his constantly stressful regimes. He actually adores considering himself ‘human’ even though he is a nation. His people’s desires tend to rub off on him, figuratively and literally. There’s also the factor of jealousy that comes into play, which tends to give him the desired attention he wants—through his more then ‘tasteless’ actions of sleeping around. Although Herakles is open with his lovers, he will never force himself upon another man or woman—even though he can and will constantly allude to it if someone doesn’t give him a direct ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response.
He’s not very active in any sort of sportsmanship, but he does enjoy healthy competition like that of the Olympics. As surprising as it may sound, he enjoys watching others have competitive fun; thus the revival of the games seemed appropriate in 1896. Having the world come together, even in the means of trying to best one another seemed far more appropriate in terms of venting frustrations. Because of this, the Greek can also be described as a man who would much rather push his frustrations out in as healthy a way as possible—anything other then outright violence. Even if this is not always the case, it’s a large part of whom he is to this day. Herakles, normally, does not come off as any sort of instigator—or an individual who would seek out a verbal or physical fight simply because he could. Instead, he seems far more interested in working such complications out, or repressing them until they become too much to handle. Even then, he’s fairly talented in finding other means in which to vent what is ‘bothering him.’ The Cold War Era would be a great example, since playing the ‘middle man’ had placed a lot of ongoing stress on his country—and yet the Greek managed to keep a cool head for majority of the timeframe.
Though, there are exceptions, as with everything. Herakles is not the type to hold grudges against others, he wouldn’t have as many allies id he did. There are select few people, and namely countries, that he struggles with. Granted, with time (after 1990’s) he’s become more at ease working with them. There is a lot of tension, however, and to this day it still plagues him when he thinks of Turkey or Northern Cyprus. He will normally take any sort of road, or path out of his way in order to dismiss them—even if that isn’t always possible. It’s difficult to say how his relationships with such ‘touchy’ subjects commence, or are taken care of—but it does open a new side to the Greek that not many believe possible. His ability to feel otherworldly rage, frustration, and venomous intent towards another nation. When around these people that (unluckily) spike his malicious side; Herakles can become verbally abusive, and fairly physically inclined to cause bodily harm upon the opposing nation.
Herakles can also come off as fairly protective, if not jealous over his own personal possessions. Although he tries his hardest not to get attached, there are moments in his life (and past, if you want to get technical) that he tends to get fairly defensive. This more so happens around the feeling of ‘family’ or what he can best describe as platonic-to-romantic bonds that he has with other nations. While it is rare, it is not unheard of—and it can be fairly traumatizing if one has not seen the Greek in a ‘bad mood’ before.
Overall, though—Herakles is tame, if not a completely careless nation whom is far more interested in means of ‘having fun’ over causing conflict.
Likes ---
• He’s always been a huge fan of taking naps, as well as lounging or having time to rest. He comes from a nation that’s rather laid back, and when he can afford some rest he’ll simply crash.
• Mediterranean cuisine, and specifically anything that is grown in Greece; for example—olives, and feta cheese (he also enjoys goat/lamb)as well as some more ethic (and time consuming) desserts like baklava.
• He’s very proud of his culture due to their adoration/free-loving nature. Sex to him is almost like an extra-curricular activity; one in which he very much enjoys taking part in—whether with females, or males.
• Cats—I really hope you don’t need an explanation. Come on, who doesn’t like cats?
• Religion is a large part of his life, at least the Greek Orthodox Church; which is also a reason he enjoys visiting Mount Athos for relaxation/comfort during difficult times in his life.
• Anything/everything that is in some way related to his “mother” or Ancient Greece. Including her ruins, her literature, her culture, and her mythology—anything. He takes naps mostly in her ruins when he can, one of his favorite pastimes in the summer months.
• While he’s not as competitive as he was back in the day, he does enjoy the Olympics or any sort of (friendly) sportsmanship/competition between nations. He’s—actually pretty easy to amuse.
• Tourism, specifically from Europe or America; they boost his economy.
• He really is attached to certain nations: Japan, America, England (when he aided him mostly), and France. He’s hit a few rough spots with some of them before, but Herakles is fairly difficult to anger to the point of holding grudges.
• Flowers—more specifically, violets and white laurel branches.
• Alcohol and parties tend to be quite—plentiful in his life. He’s also doesn’t normally leave alone, if you get my drift.
• Warm, humid weather has always been something he’s enjoyed since childhood.
• Amygdalotá or pasteli which consist of powdered blanched almonds, confectioner's sugar and rose water, molded in various shapes and sizes. He’s also a huge fan of yogurt, and puts both honey and nuts in it.
• Coffee, mostly imported from the Middle east/Mediterranean over “foreign” coffee. He’ll never admit it, but he bases his own coffee off of Turkish mixtures.
• Legends and stories, as well as acts of heroism/anti-heroes. He’s more then willing to accept that not every story has a happy ending.
• Freedom, independence, and having civil rights/liberties. He’s always been very proud of America for these exact same reasons. Well—proud, and kind of disappointed—depending on what the other nation is doing.
• He really loves, loves theatre—or any type of art. Philosophy also falls under this.
Dislikes ---
• He hates conflicts, verbal or physical—or anything that induces a lot of stress on his persona as he tends to go through episodes of insomnia, and because of that he can come off fairly grumpy.
• Cages, or restraints—mentally and literally. He hates being boxed in, and can’t handle being in someone’s care for long.
• Any sort of mention of the past, specifically when he was a ‘part’ of the Ottoman Empire.
• Dogs—because they bother his cats.
• Any sort of Western cuisine, past Italy’s food—he finds it weird and unappetizing. Don’t even get him started on America’s tastes.
• Masks, or what he calls “two-faced” people.
• Unnaturally cold weather, or any country that is awkwardly cold.
• He’s actually not a big fan of formal wear, though he will wear suits from time to time in meetings.
• Being in the middle of superpower tensions, more specifically Cold War tensions. Although that no longer applies, he hates being ‘in the middle’ of two fairly nuke-happy countries.
• Being caught off guard, or fooled. Which is easy, considering he can be overly gullible when with friends, namely Japan.
• Arguing, or holding grudges—though this can be taken out of context for some individuals.
• Showing weakness, in any meaning of the word. He dislikes being dependent on another nation, even when he needs to be.
• Economic slumps, especially the one he is in right now. (2010-2011 ongoing economic crisis in Greece.)
• Corrupt politics, or anything that will dirty the name of the Greek Republic.
• Being denied sex, or any sort of physical pleasures for a long time. “Long time” can either allude to a week, or (if you really want to push it) a month.
• Having religion influence his government, or impose beliefs onto people. As much as he loves his church, he (of all people) knows how overbearing it can be at times.
Fears ---
• Economic collapse, there have been multiple times in his “life” where he has had to deal with economic failure, and it is perhaps one of the more internally painful things he’s dealt with. He fears disappearing because of it, and tends to grow extremely weak/paranoid during these times. Currently, he is dealing with a very difficult repression/depression (depending on whom you ask, it varies in intensity) that has left the nation almost crippled in the field of commerce.
• Disappearing nations—due to the “disappearance” or vanishing of his “mother” Greece has always had a bittersweet reoccurring dream/nightmare where nations would disappear when their time came to fall. Distinctly during moments of worldwide trauma, he’ll get skittish and his dreams will get more vibrant/intense. He doesn’t dream of the same nation, or himself; at times it will waver. He dismisses it as a subconscious fear of his that emerges when he is sleeping—over an actual ‘warning.’
• Commitment, as it is no secret that Greeks naturally have issues with settling down. Herakles is almost the exact same way, and although there are nations he outright adores; sex to him is literally almost as casual as asking someone for a handshake. Not literally, but pretty damn close. He’s not too large in talking about his feeling, and can come off fairly defensive if you prod him on the subject for too long.
Lesser known facts ---
• For as much bullshit he tends to give a certain Turk, their relationship is simply strained because the Greek doesn’t know what exactly to think about him. After the said “earthquake diplomacy” in 1999, Herakles has actually become quite docile with his neighbor—although he can still be coaxed into anger due to the silliest, simplest thing.
• Although he is very, very close to Japan due to their “good” relations; he finds the man cute and sexy—but not someone he would enjoy getting close to emotionally. Although, their mutual love for cats is quite the plus, and he does very much relish the time that they spend together.
• Herakles is also fairly proud of Egypt (in more modern times especially,) and has a great relationship with him. Egypt is ranked as one of Greece’s most important trade partners, as well as their diplomatic relations reaching as far back as 1833—quite close to when Greece won his independence from the Ottoman Empire. His mother was also fairly “close” to Egypt’s mother, which probably relates to why Greece feels as close to him as he does. He’s specifically ecstatic about Egypt gaining his democratic status and praises him for it openly.
• Herakles actually still seeks out his “mother’s” ruins due to a distinct longing to be with her. While he understands, and accepts she is long-gone, the Greek will go out of his way to continue digging (even if there is nothing to be found) and sleep in his mother’s multiple ruin sites. He actually has a lot of guilt over her “disappearance,” and vividly remembers as much about her as he can before Turkey came into his life. He misses her. A lot.
• For as much as he abuses sleep (as in—he sleeps all the damn time) he’s actually very, very well built and quite strong. Not as strong as what he used to be, certainly, but still worth mentioning.
• Herakles gives off an air as not “caring” for his neighbors (specifically those that support Turkey) however; he does fear any nation “disappearing.” Especially Egypt, Turkey, Northern Cyprus, and any other of those he is actually pretty close to historically.
• He actually is quite the actor, painter, and cook—the latter of the two being actions he does to vent/console his stress levels.
Goals ---
• To get out of this economic depression/repression he’s currently in. He doesn’t exactly enjoy (obviously) being weakened, or about ready to collapse at any given moment. He’ll actually
• To become a cat in the next life, if/when he does “disappear.”
• Eventually better his relations with some of his certain neighbors—although this is more of a pipe dream, it seems.
• To feel like he has done his “mother” proud, due to his intimate connection with the “past” he constantly attempts to live up to her example. He’s also very keen on keeping her “ideas” and “tradition” alive as much as he can in modern times.
|-|-The Past-|-|
History ---
The Beginning
”Birth” to Young Adolescent[/color]
λ—1246 The Empire of Thessalonika falls.
λ—1261 Reconquest of Constantinople by Michael VIII Palaiologos.
λ—1387 The Ionian Islands come under Venetian rule.
λ—1453 Herakles’ official “Birth” and the Byzantium / Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Turks beginning the centuries of Turkish rule in Greece.
λ—1458 Unopposed, the Turks march inward to Athens—and conquer the capital of Greece making it a full possession of the Ottoman Empire.
λ—1566 The fall of Chios and the Ottoman Turks take control of all the east Aegean islands.
λ—1626 A famine on the island of Crete reduces the population by a over one fifth.
λ—1797 The Ionian Islands are conquered by France.
λ—1821 March 25th, Metropolitan Germanos of Patras blesses a big Greek flag at the Monastery of Agia Lavra. Greece declares its independence. Beginning of the Greek War of Independence.
λ—1821 April 10th, Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory V of Constantinople is hanged in the central outside portal of the Patriarchate by the Ottomans. The door has remained shut and out of use ever since.
λ—1821 April 17th, Former Ecumenical Patriarch Cyril VI is hanged in the gate of the Adrianople's cathedral.
λ—1821 April 23-25th, Battle of Alamana. After the Greek defeat, Athanasios Diakos is impaled on a spit.
λ—1821 May: The governor Yusuf Bey orders his men to kill every Greek in Thessaloniki that they find. The killings last for days, with the metropolitan and leading notables among the victims.
λ—1821 June 24th, The massacre of Heraklion or 'the great ravage' takes place against the Greek community in Crete. Among the victims are the metropolitans of Crete.
λ—1821 July: Küçük Mehmet carries out several days of massacres of Greek Cypriots in Cyprus since July 9 and continues on for forty days, despite the Vizier's command to end the plundering since 20 July 1821.
λ—1821 Sept. 11, Tripoli falls to the Greeks, who proceed to eliminate the Ottoman garrison, officials and civilians. A total of about 30,000 people perish.
λ—1822 April 6th, After a month's resistance, the city of Naousa is captured by Abdul Abud, laying the city to waste and massacring its Greek population. Ending of the Greek revolution in Macedonia.
λ—1822 The Chios massacre takes place. A total of about 100,000 people perish.
λ—1822 July 26th, Battle at Dervenakia. A decisive victory of the Greeks which saved the revolution.
λ—1823 March: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, under George Canning, recognizes the Greeks as a nation at war, thus recognizing de facto the Greek Independence
λ—1824 The First Siege of Messolonghi takes place, followed quickly by the Second Siege, both of which are unsuccessful.
λ—1825 Nov. 6th, Beginning of the Third Siege of Messolonghi; followed in 1826 with the Sortie of Messolonghi takes place. Approximately 8,000 Greek soldiers and civilians perish within this time.
λ—1826 The Battle of Vergas, beginning of the last three Greek-victory battles in the War for Independence.
λ—1827 Battle of Phaleron. Georgios Karaiskakis is killed in action.
λ—1827 Signing of the Treaty of London, forcing both Turkey and Greece to cease their hostilities, and give Greece it’s independence.
The Aftermath
Young Adolescent to Adult[/color]
λ—1828 John Capodistria is elected Governor of Greece.
λ—1833 King Otto is elected by the Kingdom of Greece to become its ruler.
λ—1843 Sept. 3rd , Military coup and revolution caused by the King's refusal to grant a constitution. King Otto agrees to convene a National Assembly to prepare a constitution.
λ—1843 Sept. 15th, Andreas Metaxas becomes the first Constitutional Prime Minister of Greece.
λ—1844 The Greek Constitution of 1844 is voted into effect.
λ—1854 Anglo-French occupation of Piraeus to ensure Greek neutrality during the Crimean War, although a Greek volunteer battalion participates in the Siege of Sevastopol. Cholera epidemic begins in the capital, transmitted by the foreign troops.
λ—1862 Oct. 10th, Military coup--Otto leaves the throne and the country.
λ—1863 Prince William of Denmark becomes the new King of the Hellenes.
λ—1863 May 5th, Britain donates the Ionian Islands to Greece, as coronation gift to King George I.
λ—1864 Greece has a new constitution which establishes a Constitutional Monarchy, the new constitution calls for an unicameral assembly as well as constitutional monarchy.
λ—1866 Beginning of the Great Cretan Revolution (1866–1869). The exiled King Otto donates most of his fortune for the cause, and is eventually crushed.
λ—1878 Beginning of the Treaty of Berlin. Eastern Rumelia becomes autonomous province of the Ottoman Empire.
λ—1896 Opening ceremonies of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens.
λ—1897 Cretan Rebellion. Greece refuses an Ottoman offer of an autonomous administration in Crete and mobilizes for war. When Greece refuses to withdraw the Greek volunteers from Crete. The Great Powers announce a blockade on Greece.
λ—1897 The Ottoman Empire declares war against Greece. Greco-Turkish War of 1897 begins.
λ—1897 April 27th, Greece loses the war, agrees to give up Crete to international administration, to minor territorial concessions in Thessaly in favor of the Turks and to pay a large indemnity
λ—1912-1913 First Balkan War beings, with the Greeks triumphing over the Turks. The Treaty of London (1913) ceases the hostilities on both sides.
λ—1913 Bulgarian forces attack Greece and Serbia. Beginning of the Second Balkan War. The Signing of the Treaty of Bucharest ends the Second Balkan War. Much of Macedonia is transferred from Bulgaria to Greece due to this.
λ—1917 Greece officially declares war on the Central Powers. (World War I)
λ—1918 Battle of Skra-di-Legen ends in Greek victory, crippling the central powers advance on the Mediterranean.
λ—1918 Oct. 30th, Signing of the Armistice of Mudros, which ended World War I in the Near East.
λ—1919 May 15th, The Greek army lands in Smyrna (today called İzmir). Beginning of the Greco-Turkish War.
λ—1923 Signing of the Treaty of Lausanne. The Greeks of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos (about 279,788 in Istanbul alone the next year) are excluded from the population exchange. The islands of Imbros and Tenedos are granted autonomy, by article 14, which was never implemented.
λ—1924 Greece is proclaimed a republic. Pavlos Kountouriotis becomes the first President of Greece.
The Epilogue
Adult to Matured Adult[/color]
λ—1940 Oct. 28th, World War II influence beings in Greek territory after Greek premier Ioannis Metaxas rejects an Italian ultimatum demanding the occupation of Greek territory, Italian forces invade Greece. Beginning of the Greco-Italian War.
λ—1940 The Battle of Pindus ends in a complete Greek victory.
λ—1941 The German Army invades Greece, and the Battle of Vevi commences shortly after.
λ—1941 The German Army advances towards Athens. Prime Minister Alexandros Koryzis commits suicide, the Greek First Army surrenders to Germany.
λ—1941 April 27th, The German Army enters Athens. The Nazi flag is raised on Acropolis; soldiers on guard duty jump off the Acropolis wrapped in the Greek flags.
λ—1941 May 4th, Out of respect for the Greek nation, Hitler orders the Wehrmacht not to take Greek war prisoners and allows them to carry weapons.
λ—1941-1944 Axis (German) occupation in Greece.
λ—1944 Athens is liberated and the Greek government-in-exile returns, with George Papandreou at its head.
λ—1945 Greece is one of the founding members of the United Nations.
λ—1946-1949 Fighting resumes between the Government and the Communists, eventually Nikolaos Zachariadis, leader of the Communist guerillas, announces a ceasefire that marks the end of the Greek Civil War.
λ—1950 Greece takes part in the Korean War in the side of South Korea.
λ—1952 Greece and Turkey become members of NATO, despite Greece’s demand that Turkey not be allowed in NATO.
λ—1959 The Merten affair challenges the Greek political world.
λ—1967 April 21st, Successful coup d'état led by a group of colonels. Counter-coup organized by King Constantine II fails. Constantine II leaves the country. This begins a military dictatorship in Greece.
λ—1974 Nikos Sampson is removed from office and replaced with Glafkos Klerides. The coup regime ends. A general ceasefire is declared. This returns Greece to a republic.
λ—1974 Aug 14th, Greece withdraws its forces from NATO's military command structure, as a result of the Turkish invasion on Cyprus
λ—1980 Greek forces are readmitted in NATO.
λ—1996 Jan. 31st, The Imia/Kardak crisis. Greece and Turkey are brought to the brink of war. A Greek military helicopter crashes in the area, killing the three pilots on board.
λ—1999 Aug. 17th, Powerful earthquakes strike the Turkish city of İzmit. Greece is the first foreign country to pledge aid and support to Turkey.
λ—1999 Sept. 7th, Athens is struck by the most devastating earthquake in Greece of the past 20 years. A total of 145 people die. The Turkish aid is the first to arrive. The two earthquakes initiate the Greek–Turkish earthquake diplomacy.
λ—2000 Sudden unemployment and economic issues begin to boil over in Greece, causing riots as well as distress within the political system. (2000-20??)
λ—2010 The Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, visits Greece along with 10 ministers; 21 agreements - memoranda of cooperation between the two countries' ministries were signed.
|-|-The Style-|-|
Roleplay example ---
You're the devil's own
You'll cheat and lie
and you won't stop until
you've stole the glimmer from my eye
but not tonight
1453-58 ;; Ottoman Capture of Constantinople & Athens
Τουρκοκρατία → Turkish Rule in the 15th Century – 1821 : Greek War of Independence
[/i]
The night was quiet, filled with the soft croaks of cicadas as his head rested in her lap, soft breath like a ghost over her olive skin. Long, svelte hands running through his hair, a soft croon coming from the back of her throat. She was gentle with him, coaxing the small child into her arms. It was alright to be confused, she sympathized, trying to explain what she could in the limited time she had with her protégé. The little Greek was so innocent, unknowing what of he was and that which the world awaited for him. Born in the amidst the end of the Byzantine Empire; the older woman would not have the time to go through everything she had wanted to convey before her time ran out. Herakles, she had names him—finding it more appropriate to give him a title worthy of her ancient history. Shifting in her lap, the ‘newborn’ nation (although still a few years old due to being ‘founded’ among the crumbling chaos) lifted his head and rubbed his eyes with a clenched fist. Mumbling gently, as his legs shifted from underneath him. Everything felt like a dream, even her face was blurred beyond recognition in those fresh, clear jade green orbs.
” Μητέρα ?” He called, feeling her hand resting on top of his head, she shushed him and stroked down the adolescent curve of his cheek. Rubbing the child’s jaw, and allowing Herakles to calm—those eyes narrowing with an almost unearthly tinge of tranquility. She didn’t speak much, but Herakles could find comfort in her arms; the feeling was natural to him. It was as if she were a part of him, in some odd way. What he couldn’t feel, what he was too innocent to feel—was her weakening body. She probably couldn’t bring herself to speak anymore, and instead just coddled the nation as she too began to feel the surge of soldiers pouring through the borders, stepping onto her land—and what would soon be only Herakles’ land. ”Μην αφήνετε μου, μαμά.“ He whispered, small fingers threading through her fine linens. That dyed purple alluding to her status, fine gold leaf licking over his well-endowed bosom as her jade eyes glanced down at the child once more. Fingers sliding through his hair, petting him—calming him as much as she could. Her lips moved, and whatever she managed to say calmed the small boy, making him smile. He tugged on her one last time, and then closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, he would find his head heavily resting against the velvet cushion that his ‘mother’ was resting on with him. The soft, inaudible voice was gone along with those tender hands. Instead, he heard screams—words jumbled together until there was only one he could for sure decipher from the garbled mess of shouts outside. The scent of something charred reached his nose, making the small child cough loudly—sneezing as his long white sleeves pushing over his mouth and nose protectively. His eyes burned, watering with the billowing dark clouds filling his mother’s villa; screeching wordlessly, he called helplessly in hopes that the lovely Greek woman would come and find him—what was going on?
Φωτιά!
Οι Τούρκοι είναι εδώ!
”Μητέρα!” Herakles called, rushing from out the door, something within him felt empty—burning. His chest hurt, his throat felt as if caught fire. Everything was aching, as if he’d suddenly come down with something. Weakness was purged over him, and the past years of her weakening empire fell on his shoulders; collapsing as the young nation coughed. Sliding down the side of his brick villa from the side. Lost, alone—he felt deep down; knowing that the woman was gone. An instinct, perhaps—filling him with sorrow as his eyes gazed over from one side of the burning encampment to the other. Not everything was on fire, but there were a few buildings caught ablaze within his Constantinople. Pulling his hands over his mouth again, the young nation began coughing weakly, tears pouring from his jaded eyes as he whimpered gently. His lips shook, unable to stop them despite how he wanted to. He was scared, unsure of what was happening—or why his body was hurting with the prior siege on 1371 along the Maritsa River. Then—then it was 1389’s Battle of Kosovo; now they were here, in his Constantinople. ”Φοβάμαι, δεν καταλαβαίνω τι συμβαίνει.” Curling his legs close towards his torso, the child glanced up towards the sky.
They were probably no doubt looking for her even though she was gone now. A brightly shining star shimmered above the rest, and the Greek child simply stared at it for a long time—rising to his weak legs and wobbling down the fine laid path of stone. Clinging to the side of the archway in the dark, Herakles observed the large group of men with their horses’ hooves echoing loudly on the marble pavement of his city. Shouting in a foreign language that he did not understand, the largest standing in the front with his horse. The torches they held lifted high, ushering the Greeks into surrendering—killing those that resisted. There was no blood on the man in front, his or her face was heavily masked; even the bottom of it was coated in black while the top was covered in ivory white. The long robes reminded him of his mother, even though the scent of the other figure (that he oddly felt like they had something in common, he didn’t know what at the time) one of the guards turned his head—staring at him before attempting to usher in the other Turk’s attention.
With a step off of the horse after a brief garble that Herakles didn’t exactly fathom, the younger nation took a few weak steps forward—pushing himself off of the archway before collapsing against the ground. Sliding down onto his knees, before his legs just gave out and he plopped onto his backside. Sniffling, his hand rose to rub discretely under his eyes. ” Μην αφήνετε. ” Herakles swallowed heavily, arms reaching out, ”Μητέρα?“
----
Herakles’ eyes snapped open, with a gun in his hand he cocked the bullet chamber and fired through the simple click of his trigger. Another Turkish soldier hit the ground, another one of the Turk’s children was gone. God, forgive me for the sin I am committing. It is for the greater good, but forgive me—none the less. Another bullet in the chamber, spinning the revolver before he placed it in front of him once more. There was only one last Ottoman Turk to go, stepping slowly on his furnished roadway; the Greek was coldly apathetic as the wounded man tried to shift backwards from him. ”Do you want your life that badly, Σας κάθαρμα?” When the man nodded his head, the Greek lowered the weapon and narrowed his eyes. His lips were pierced, those memories flooding through him made it—too difficult to shoot any of Sadik’s children. No matter how infuriated he was.
The end was close enough, the Turk had taught him to be as strong as he could; despite the consequences or what his future had in store for him. There was no turning back, and he would be forever indebted to the British, Russian, and French for their intervention and aid on his rebellion. He was still young, still an ungrateful brat as he recalled the Turk’s taunts. Herakles’ wouldn’t win, they had said; but that was wrong—it was either freedom or death now.
You’ve made me this, you should take responsibility. I’m strong now, and you will listen to me.
Herakles motioned for the few soldiers behind him to also lower their weapons. ”Let him go, but when you get back to your camp—tell that masked bastard of yours that I will be waiting.” The Greek turned his head, and then his back to the Turk who was no doubt fleeing the premises as fast as he could. Whether he got back to the masked bastard or not—it didn’t matter. Sadik knew either way that he was waiting, and that Herakles was more then ready to fight to the death in order to secure his independence. No matter what happened to him or the Turk, he would see this through. If it meant another century of suffering, it would be well worth feeling on his own—as it should have been, that long night ago.[/size]
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((TRANSLATION NOTES: Μητέρα – Mother
Μην αφήνετε μου, μαμά. – Don’t leave me, mama
Φοβάμαι, δεν καταλαβαίνω τι συμβαίνει – I am afraid, I do not understand what is happening.
Μην αφήνετε. – Do not leave.
|-|-The Player-|-|
Username --- Lily
Age --- 19
Time zone --- EST
<-- It is unimpressed.