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someone recently commented on my France sketches and it got me wondering… why haven’t I drawn him properly with short hair yet?

well, this is the result. I hadn’t been able to make a clean artwork in a while so it was quite refreshing. I also wanted to draw a France with the proper WW2 uniform colors. As for his hair - it’s a headcanon of mine that he cut it shortly after the occupation, either symbolically or just out of necessity. Either way he’s still fabulous like that (and he knows it).

Another thing I like to imagine is that despite the catastrophic beginning of the war, France doesn’t become dispirited or pessimistic. He’s an old nation and though this is the first time his head has been so close to the water, he’s used to toughing it out. So I imagine him retaining his calm and being his usual suave self in the face of adversity.

He is beauty, he is grace.

Wer reitet so spät durch Nacht und Wind? Es ist der Vater mit seinem Kind

-Erlkönig, by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Drawn for a friend who wanted to see the ballad of the Erlkönig with Gilbert and Karl and I got right on it because that’s rad as shit. Gilbert taking Karl away to safety but death follows. Couldn’t decide which version I liked more, difference is tiny but it mattered to me!!

Samantha Calista Tallmadge, OC of Legume_Shadow on AO3

Gillivia First Meeting

Lafayette woke up due to shouting, he quickly put on his uniform to see what was going on. French and American soldiers were fighting, Lafayette knew that there were tensions through the men, but he never knew it would get this bad. Before General Washington or Lieutenant General Comte de Rochambeau could say anything, he heard a voice.

“One…” a woman counted in a low, but commanding voice. Those who heard it turn to her, only to freeze in shock. The woman was wearing the deadliest, most cold, and most terrifying glare that Lafayette had ever seen.

“Two…” Now all of the soldiers were looking at her in shock and fear.

“Three…” The woman jumped off her horse and the Major General could finally get to observe all of her: she was wearing a red dress under her black cloak, her fiery red hair was braided into a plait and hanging over right shoulder, her violet-blue eyes reminded him of his friend; Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, she had freckles dotted across her cheeks, nose, and ears, and had pink-red lips.

“Ah...I thought you were arriving the day after tomorrow, my daughter?” son général asked. Wait what?! My daughter?! She doesn’t look a thing like George Washington!

“Yes, Papa, but traveling through New York to Valley Forge as a Patriot is no easy feat.” The unknown woman mused, “I would be in a blue dress, but I thought it would be easier in red. New York and Pennsylvania are full of lobsters and loyalists.”

She looked at General Washington’s hair, face full of amusement and exasperation, “And you still have your potato hair,” she tsked her tongue, “I feel so sorry for you.” Snorts and laughter were heard around the men at the joke.

Finally, the commander in chief of the Continental army introduced the woman to the camp. “Everyone, this is Olivia Rachel Hamilton, she is a very important and very special asset in this war against the British. I expect you all to welcome her or welcome her back with open arms and respect her.”

Olivia Rachel Hamilton, where had he heard of that name before? Right! She participated in the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Paoli, Battle of Setauket, she was with her brother during the Schuylkill River Incident, trained the under-trained soldiers, kept the army fed, and nursed the wounded back to health. Lafayette had heard of her name throughout the year about how kind, brave, and caring she was and her unknown reason to depart from camp. Yes, he had heard of her, but never seen nor met her.

He had heard some of the French and American soldiers, who obviously didn’t know her well enough as to why Washington would ask them that, especially of a measly woman even if she was Hamilton’s sister, he had heard slurs about her from her appearance down to her accent.

General Comte de Rochambeau introduced himself to Olivia with the help of translating from her twin brother.

“And Olivia this is-” General Washington got cut off by Olivia, “Major General Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, yes I know exactly who you are, monsieur.” Her Nevis accent was more pronounced when she spoke French. Upon hearing her say the French word perfectly, the soldiers from France froze.

“Oui, je connais le français avec l'espagnol, le danois, l'hébreu, le grec, le latin et l'italien. Voulez-vous savoir pourquoi le général Washington vous a demandé cela? Ce n’était pas à cause du rang de mon plus jeune frère jumeau, c’était parce que je l’avais mérité, par moi-même. Ne sous-estimez pas les femmes mais ne les surestimez pas non plus, ce sera votre chute avec votre fierté et votre ego. Bien que j'aime plutôt être sous-estimé, le choc sur ceux qui en ont est assez amusant, si je le dis moi-même.”

"Via, vous n'êtes plus âgé que de 30 secondes."

“Oui, Xander, cela signifie que je suis sur la bonne Terre de Dieu depuis 30 secondes avant toi.”

Lafayette could feel a start of a fight and so did Washington as he reminded Olivia about the introduction. “Ah! Yes, of course, Papa. It was a pleasure to meet you, Marquis.” Before anyone could start talking, she spoke again, “Now if everyone would excuse me, I need to take a nap, my journey was not a relaxing one.” She nodded and walked inside Alexander’s tent with said man escorting her.

She is one interesting lady Lafayette thought, before having sleep taking over him once again.

.

.

.

Translations:

-his General

-“Yes, I know French along with Spanish, Danish, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and Italian. Do you want to know why General Washington asked that of you? It wasn’t because of my younger, twin brother’s rank, it was because I had earned it, by myself. Do not underestimate women but don’t overestimate them either, it will be your downfall along with your pride and ego. Though I rather like being underestimated, the shock on those who have is quite amusing, if I do say so myself.”

-“Via, you are only older by 30 seconds.”

-“Yes, Xander, that means that I have been on God’s good Earth for 30 seconds before you.”

I will go down with this ship

Yuri!!! on Ice Podium Family Mobile Wallpapers [540 x 960] 🐶 🐷 🐱

Time Off Well Spent 

OMG! In ep6, after watching the “nude hug” photo Phichit uploaded to INS, Yuuri imaged the news title of his losing is “The result of frantic love(乱れた愛の果て)”. 

What are you thinking about Yuuri😂

WW2 photo studies with a touch of color by yours truly 
Listen, I’m not a fan of the ‘Arthur’s grumpy all the time’ hc but WW2 was rough on him. That’s why I believe he tremendously appreciated Matthew’s presence. 
Matthew was one of his main pillars of strength, not so much in terms of reinforcements (though those certainly shouldn’t be overlooked) but in terms of emotional support. He was the one who knew how to deliver bad news and maintain his presence of mind in the face of them. 
Alfred on the other hand went into the war a bit shaken up but quickly regained his composure and even more quickly turned it into confidence. I imagine Arthur acted annoyed at his cockiness but deep down found it reassuring. 
ps The second reference I used was a photo of Roosevelt and Churchill and man those two are a treasure trove for Alfred and Arthur vibes.