~ I finally realized that I was unfit for everything, so I became a poet. – Notre Dame de Paris ~

Most of these pieces have been discontinued because I hate my old writing with a passion but haven't the heart to delete it. I've just realized that I've been on FFN for almost five years now--three on this account, and haven't improved much at all. Depressing, non?

I've something of an obsessive personality. Just now the objects of my fixation are Axis Powers: Hetalia and Elisabeth: das Musical. I can't recommend either enough. I've also got a rather alarming affinity for Victor Hugo, Stephen Sondheim, and some assorted books, films, and stage plays.

~ Hetalia ~

EnglandxAmerica is by far my favorite pairing for the series. Yes, in that order. I suppose USxUK is nice too, but I'm a fervent England roleplayer (with an absurdly pounderous headcanon), and UKxUS has always been more intriguing for me. Take England's personality, for starters. I've developed him as calculating, manipulative, and controlling, with a bit of a sadistic streak. Not to mention possessive. Just look at his history, at the British Empire! I have history on my side when I say that the blushing, helpless, innocent uke thing doesn't really work with me for Arthur Kirkland. Actually, it kind of ticks me off. Don't get me wrong! America-on-top is perfectly alright (I've read some brilliant pieces) as long as it's not coupled with super-submissive!England. Unless he's playing mind games. Because he would. Oh, and excessively describing England with adjectives generally applied to young women and making him burst into tears and wait to be rescued every time America insults him is also annoying. Come on! He was a punk, a pirate, and the greatest power in the world. Sure he's emotional(ly unstable) sometimes. But it doesn't make him a weepy victim.

Ah, that's my rant. But I feel I should mention that I'm also a bit of a Churchill fangirl. Which is sort of where the UKxUSxUK came from.

“I avail myself with relief of the opportunity of speaking to the people of the United States. I do not know how long such liberties will be allowed. The stations of uncensored expression are closing down; the lights are going out…”

"Here is the answer which I will give to President Roosevelt: Put your confidence in us... We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Neither the sudden shock of battle, nor the long-drawn trials of vigilance and exertion will wear us down. Give us the tools and we will finish the job."

"I want no criticism of America at my table. The Americans criticize themselves more than enough."

On second thought, I'll take France, America, Canada, and England in any couple, threesome, or foursome. I just happen to be a UKxUS addict. (Oh, and EnglandxCanada always seems to involve dubcon, Stolckholm Syndrome, and manipulation for me.) But that's mostly what I read and write...assuming I ever do get around to posting some of my work.

AustriaxHungary is something I like on principle, and was delighted to find canon. The Empire is probably my single largest historical interest, thanks to Elisabeth, so I've was captivated by the pair of them before I'd even heard of Hetalia. I think they genuinely do love each other very much, and they have the potential to be breathtakingly tragic or absolutely adorable.

PrussiaxCanada is a pairing I got into quite by accident through roleplaying. Without my realizing, my Canada fell in love with a friend's (brilliantly awesome) Prussia. As they'd conversed, we'd already scoffed at the idea that we'd start shipping them--and ended up being rather wrong about that. They just seem like the sort who'd get on very well together, and their lack of historical baggage strikes me as a blessing.

GermanyxItaly. I still don't understand how anyone can not love this pairing. It's the reason I watch/read the series instead of just the fic. They're the quintessential "Odd Couple," and despite my nagging fears that Italy is someday going to give Germany a heart attack, I really admire how much they care for each other.

~ Other Fandoms ~

Elisabeth (aka The Best Thing Ever) DeathxElisabeth and DeathxRudolf win out here. I find the power struggle of the first absolutely thrilling and the tragic progression of the second heartwrenching. Especially because I don't get the impression that Death genuinely cares for Rudolf at all, beyond the obvious connection to his mother. I'm also quite a FranzxElisabeth fan (blame one too many Sissi films, even if she should have ditched him for Andrassy). And DeathxLucheni. Anything involving Lucheni. Actually, if it involves Elisabeth at all, I'll read it.

Dracula (the book, the stage play, the musicals, and...not the 1992 movie) You can find me on several other sites, including LJ, as minavanhelsing, and yes, I am professing a pairing preference. DraculaxMina has never really done it for me (if there was ever an example of fandom spoiling an interesting idea), but I am fervently devoted to and fascinated by Van HelsingxMina. I'd say he's definitely attracted to her...Her intelligence and courage startle him, and he's felt alone far too long in a marriage with someone he cannot help. For her part, I think she respects him immensely, but I doubt he's ever allow himself to take advantage of that...I'm also a fan of DraculaxJonathan, JonathanxMina, LucyxSewardxLucy...Anything that's not DraculaxMina, really. I just get so annoyed when people point at that ridiculous movie and say he 'loves' her. If he 'loved' anyone in the canon, it would have been Lucy. He only took Mina to get back at Van Helsing, Jonathan and co. for Lucy's destruction, in my mind.

Rebecca (the book, the movie, the musical) I'm actually a really, really big supporter of FrankxIch (FrankxNarrator), though, once again, because the fandom is so small, I'll welcome any Rebecca fiction with open arms. Frank is the sort of man she needs...He understands her crippling shyness because he himself is shy; he doesn't brush it off as Maxim does. Maxim is also kind of an emotionally abusive jerk. I think Frank loves her (in the novel, he definitely acts like it), but being the type of person he is ("Frank-ish", in the narrator's words), he'd never, never act on it, especially as Maxim's best friend. Bring on the MaximxRebecca, RebeccaxDanvers, FavellxNarrator...Hell, I even started in on a FavellxFrank one day, just to cure my writer's block. The premise wasn't bad, either. But I'm too lazy to write it...

Harry Potter (because everyone who's read it ships something) LupinxTonks is my personal favorite...I've always had a thing for those melancholy OlderxYounger pairings that end in a bittersweet way. If you can't tell from the rest of my profile. Yeah, I ship HarryxGinny and RonxHermione. Woo for canon. I love canon!HP. Let's see...VoldemortxBellatrix, SnapexLily...Oh, and TomxGinny. Because I'm mildly interested in twisted things, too. If you couldn't already tell...