Berwald Oxenstierna (Sweden)

These streets so fixed and solid
Were shimming with hate

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"Sometimes, silence has the loudest voice."[/center][/size]

And everything that I relied on
Disappeared

Country: Konungariket Sverige (The Kingdom of Sweden)
Name: Berwald Oxenstierna
Gender: Male
Age: 21
Profession: Woodworker, delivery man
Highlander or Lowlander?: Lowlander

All the strangers look like family
All the family look so strange

Appearance: Most people can easily summarize Berwald's appearance with one word: scary. Even his height adds to his intimidating exterior as he basically towers over most people. With his broad shoulders and “bear-like” frame, anyone would say that Berwald is a big man. He also has some muscle to go with his large frame because of all the manual labor he's been doing most of his life. He's light-skinned and doesn't tan very easily. He has light blond hair and, due to his terrible eyesight, constantly wears glasses. Berwald's glasses somehow manage to make his strikingly bright turquoise eyes strikingly terrifying.

Berwald has two default expressions: neutral and scary-neutral. He almost never smiles or laughs and even when he does, it's usually restrained. The smallest of frowns can make his face's scary levels increase drastically and a glare from Berwald is often enough to send most people running. Berwald usually dresses plainly and comfortably. The type of work he does dirties his clothes very quickly so he doesn't bother dressing too nicely.

Personality: Berwald is an almost impossibly sweet man whose good intentions are always misunderstood because he's just so damn terrifying. What makes the misunderstandings even worse is his inability to voice what he really means or feels. Everything he wants to say is in his head but he doesn't voice the words because he's embarrassed to openly show his feelings. This makes him come off as cold and distant to many. He is very, very awkward and easily embarrassed so he tends to avoid long conversations – not that it really matters, though, because most people can't carry a lengthy conversation with Berwald without feeling awkward or scared. Berwald used to be bothered by everyone being so afraid of him but, after having to put up with it all the time, he eventually got used to it.

Berwald is an extremely patient man and is actually quite considerate of other people's feelings. He is naturally very hardworking. There aren't many things he loves more than the satisfied feeling he gets after a hard day's work. He especially likes the tedious and repetitive kind of labor because it allows him to brood while doing his work. He's a bit of an optimist since he's surprisingly good at motivating himself, even in seemingly hopeless situations. Though he's the type to mind his own business, he actually likes to help people, even when they don't ask for it. Berwald holds fast to his values and beliefs and won't stand for them to be ridiculed or insulted.

He's quite the family man and loves his parents dearly. They took very good care of him when he was a child; and, though they're quite old now, they continue to help him in any way they can. Berwald is extremely grateful to them. He works hard so that his parents can live happy and comfortable lives. His closeness with his parents is the reason that he doesn't mind not having that many close friends.

Berwald usually prefers being alone but is not opposed to the idea of having good company every once in a while. Though he is usually distant to those around him, he is fiercely loyal to anyone who manages to gain his trust. He's protective of the people he loves and is not afraid to sacrifice his own happiness for them.

Berwald is not exactly the smartest man you will ever meet. However, he is good at learning about things on his own. He also learns quickly when there's someone willing to teach him.

History: Berwald is happy to say that he was fortunate enough to be born to exceptionally kind parents. His father was a carpenter and woodworker before retiring and his mother was a cook in a small restaurant before retiring as well. He has no siblings. He had a wonderful childhood and basically grew up in the woodwork shop that his father ran. His father inspired him to try his own hand at woodworking at the age of six. His father was delighted to find that Berwald had a natural talent for woodworking as well. It eventually became one of Berwald's favorite things to do as he could spend hours just building furniture and coming up with different designs and embellishments for them.

In the present day, Berwald works at his father's woodwork shop that is now being managed by a friend of his father's. Though the profits of the woodwork shop are enough to put food on the table, Berwald firmly believes his parents deserve better so he also works as a delivery man for more money.

Recurring nightmare: The Finnish War in general. Specifically, watching King Gustav IV be forcefully dethroned and arrested.

The only constant I am sure of
Is this accelerating rate of change

Likes:
Building furniture It's his only real hobby. He especially likes that it makes his father proud.
Working Berwald isn't a workaholic. He likes working because he's good at it and it makes him feel useful.
Old people Since they've been around for so long, they're wise enough to know that they should not judge people based on their appearance. Berwald is well-liked by a lot of his parents' elderly friends.
Cold weather A lot of his fondest childhood memories have to do with cold weather. He likes to recall the times he snuggled up to his mother for warmth, drank hot chocolate with his father and listened to his parents' stories by their tiny fireplace. He also likes cold weather because he is fond of dressing warmly.
Being thanked He usually responds with things like “It w's noth'ng” and “Ya d'n't h've ta thank me” but genuinely likes it when people appreciate him for something he's done.

Dislikes:
Rude/inconsiderate people This also includes people who don't listen to him when he actually has something to say.
Letting someone down Berwald treats every promise he makes as something sacred. He always feels a ridiculous amount of guilt every time he breaks one. His greatest fear is letting his parents down.
Crowded areas Berwald has never been able to understand exactly why but being in any kind of crowded area makes him feel insecure.
Prolonged conversation He's not good at it... at all. He can't keep a conversation going for more than ten minutes without him or the other person feeling awkward.
Noise Berwald isn't a big fan of noise mostly because it distracts him from his thoughts and work.

Downside up, upside down
Take my weight from the ground

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Roleplay Sample: “Fin... Fin, 'm s'rry... 'm so s'rry...” Sweden said, his usual mumbling barely louder than a whisper. He could feel his fingers tremble as he held the phone. “Sve... D-don't apologize, please. I know you don't mean for it be like this,” the Finn on the other end of the line said softly. Sweden let out an almost shuddering breath before replying.

“Still... Feel l'ke I sh'ld be able ta do more f'r ya. And wh't m' boss said ta ya... w'sn't right,” Sweden said, his grip on the phone tightening slightly in restrained anger. “Maybe I should just accept Russia's terms, Sve. It'd end this war sooner and--”

“No!”

Sweden immediately regretted raising his voice. He fumbled with the phone awkwardly, feeling very guilty. While Sweden was desperately thinking of something to say, a slightly uncomfortable silence settled between the two nations. A few moments later, the younger nation finally spoke up. “S-Sve...? Are you still there?” Finland inquired nervously. “'m s'rry for yell'ng at ya...” Sweden mumbled, guilt obvious in his voice. “It's alright,” the Finn said, sounding relieved that Sweden hadn't hung up on him. There was a short pause and the Swede thought of responding but Finland continued talking. “It's just... Do you really feel that strongly about it, Sve?” he asked quietly.

“'f course... Ya d'n't des'rve terms l'ke th't... S'why I w'nt ta help ya f'ght against Russia. S'just th't m' boss doesn't seem ta w'nt ta h've anyth'ng ta do w'th yer war. He's already rej'cted two a' yer formal requests f'r milit'ry aid. He ev'n had the nerve ta make th't damn publ'c statem'nt about how ya should subm't ta Russia's demands,” the older nation said quietly, feeling his blood begin to boil at the mere thought of his infuriating boss. His anger immediately disappeared, however, when he heard Finland laughing on the other line.

“Wh-wh't's so funny?” Sweden asked, sounding somewhat startled. “Hahaha, o-oh! S-sorry, Sve! Hahaha! It's just that... Haha, it's just that you never talk that much all at once. I guess I'm just happy that it's for my sake,” Finland said, the smile on his face obvious from his tone. Sweden felt his cheeks tinge pink. “I see,” he mumbled, still embarrassed.

“Well, anyway, Sve... I was thinking of maybe sending yet another request for military aid. It doesn't seem like they're ever going to budge but... it's worth a shot, right?” Finland said, obviously trying not to sound too hopeful. Sweden paused, completely unsure of what to say to the Finn.

He bit his lip before replying tensely.

“Yeah, w'rth a shot.”

He knew he sounded doubtful but he was sure there was hope laced in his words as well. He hoped to God that the hope shone through brighter than the doubt.

---

Sweden resisted the urge to impatiently thrum his fingers on the edge of his file case as he waited for his turn to speak. He knew he was supposed to be listening during the meeting but he could not focus because all he wanted to do was bring up Finland's third request for military aid. After what seemed like an eternity of listening to old men talk, Sweden finally got his chance to talk about Finland's situation. He was sincerely hoping he could convince his boss to even just consider helping their neighboring country.

“Sir, Finland's j'st sent an'ther request f'r milit'ry aid... If ya would j'st list'n ta m' pr'posal--”

“Sverige, I thought we were already clear on this matter. We're rejecting this one, too.”

Sweden believed himself to be perfectly capable of maintaining a level head but it honestly took all of his willpower to stay seated and not storm forward to punch the living daylights out of his boss.

Falling deep in the sky
Slipping into the unknown

Out of Character
Name/Nickname: I usually go by Gui but I'm fine with Sweden and Berwald, too!
Timezone: GMT + 8
Any other information: I seriously hope my interpretation of Sweden's accent is easy enough to decipher, haha!

You pull me in…
P u l l

m e i n.[/size][/i][/right][/b]