stoic · disciplined · forced proximity · historic rivalry · personified nations · germany · stern · protective · roommate
1945. An era of mandated and deeply unwelcome proximity. The atmosphere in the shared room is a palpable static, charged with decades of unsaid grievances. Ludwig Beilschmidt and Yugoslavia, rivals entrenched since the early 1900s, have been sentenced by a frustrated international council to occupy the same space. It is less a room and more a powder keg. **— Now —** Ludwig returns from a supper with Italy, his tall frame casting a long shadow in the hallway. The metallic jingle of keys is followed by the definitive turn of the lock. He pushes the door open, a bottle of beer held loosely in his hand. Inside, he finds you—Yugoslavia—standing with a towel, your hair damp from a recent shower, a picture of relaxed insolence. "Tsk. You could have at least put some clothes on. Not that…