Hello there, this is not a legit update. Sorry, been a little busy. Instead, this is a bit of an interlude in which I will address a pressing issue that you guys maybe are wondering about, but just haven't gotten to speak up. Also, I will give you a sneak preview of what you will expect from me in the future, with regards to "Lotophagi."

Feb 28th 2012- Edits made regarding the clarity of my arguments. The dichotomy between Yao's person and his country is made more emphatic. I will never tone my humour down. If you don't like hearing my rants, and you are too uptight to laugh a little, then don't mind me saying, for fuck's sake, leave. It is only made to your reading a dry analysis a little more entertaining. Take-home points are printed in bold, the rest is just bullcrap that I wanted to post anyways.

Warnings: Less-than-immaculate grammar, unprofessional language, and my own crude, creepy, and sometimes cruel sense of humour. Please read with caution, and an open mind. I'm just full of shit... Not that it is an excuse.

First off- I bet this is something that are concerning a great number of you, or however many people who actually care to read my fanfic. And that is... (drum rolls please) Yao's character. Aha!

Now, like I had mentioned in the really long author's note in ch. 1, I fully admit that I have had a little too much fun with Yao's personality. Heck, I have fully done a 180' from his canon self. And, I have a suspicion that some of you may be a little upset at me for this...

So, what I am about to do is strip him down from head-to-toe (giggity), give you guys my full analysis of Yao, and hopefully, this would be enough to justify why I portray him the way I do.

When I made this story up in my head, I was feeling the need to assign a "hero" and a "heroine." Sure, this concept is terribly, terribly cliched in literature, but I had to be naughty just this once. ;) Though my two ultimate favourite pairings in APH are Fruk and Rochu, and I chose to feature Rochu for this reason. I think people would react A LOT worse to England being this effeminate.

(Plus, Rochu gives the story a more fresh, open perspective on the history of the world. I believe that Fruk are just too caught up with fighting with each other, and drowning and choking in their sexual tension, to let anyone else into their realm. If "Lotophagi" were a Fruk fanfic, then it would more likely be all about them. On the other hand, while Ro and Chu are in love, they still have the potential to foster interesting relationships with other countries. Opium war, cold war, modern times, etc. They are not as consumed with each other than Fr and Uk are, in my humble opinion.)

Which means, as you are reading, I think it would be a lot easier on your eyes to just view China as female. He is the heroine of my story, while Russia is the hero. Though, for China, being transgender does have its advantages, as you will see in later chapters.

Also, while Russia is the hero, he is by no means the protagonist. This is when hair-splitting becomes significant.

Now, on to China's personality, or, should I say, Yao's personality.

(When I am writing, I try to place more emphasis on the humanism of these characters. I am depicting more of Yao than China, if that makes much sense. I may TAKE INSPIRATION FROM Chinese history in creating his personality, but I am NOT bound to it. I am not going to make him act a certain way SOLELY BECAUSE of history. Makes sense?)

I am not trying to diss the country, China, by making Wang Yao a total slutbag. And yes, if you put it bluntly, he is, so far, pretty much, a total slutbag, lol. I am making a claim about his personal constituency, and I am not, by any means, directly stating anything about China's history just from this single aspect of his personality.

Wang Yao, in my story, also has human qualities, and I hope that your own response to his character does not affect your own opinion about the country.

And, this is how I see it-

For centuries, Yao has struggled with insecurities about his external beauty, and his self-identity.

This is demonstrated in ch. 1 with-

1. As he was getting dressed, he first states that he has admired the colour red for its "rich, daunting hue", and as he slips the robe over his shoulders, he feels that his own body is being eaten up by the piece of clothing. To Yao, the clothes that he wears are so much more than the person he actually is. (Besides, lol, he full-on states that he feels inadequate about himself.)

2. The night before, he had placed seven pieces of hair jewelry in a row in front of his vanity desk, and he thinks that every knot in his hair must be loosened. This shows the first hint of OCD'ness in his personality, which is often associated with someone who is obsessed with the way they look. Furthermore, the number seven is an unlucky number in Chinese culture, because it is one less than eight, a super duper awesome lucky number. Seven is a number of imperfection, which mirrors how he feels about himself.

3. Okay, so we got that he is a little mentally, um, ill? Troubled? Very well, then now lets move onto the relationship between him and his boy toy, Mongolia. He is passively controlling in their relationship. Mongolia may threaten to strangle him, and be angry all he wants, but who is really the dominant figure in this?

Yao is only using him, because he has this constant need to feel wanted, to feel important. He even notes that sex is the only thing he is good at anymore. And, it is true. He is stuck in this cloud of imperial decadence, of gold, parties, and debauchery. He occasionally gives two cents about his people, and teaches Kiku to be a good kid. But, really, Yao is rotting from the inside out. Sure, he used to be all "RAWR Yeah! War! Nationalism! Fight to the death!" But, that was thousands of years ago. Consider Yao to be going through a bit of a mid-life crisis right now. He has gotten rid of all of that adolescent vigour during the Spring and Autumn, and Warring states phase. From Han to Tang, he had worked hard to build his empire and to boot, a vibrant culture. Now, he has become a little soggy.

So, in conclusion, Yao is this way because he feels inadequate about himself, and wants to be loved, while not falling in love. He is going through a mid-life crisis, and he seems to believe that the best treatment for it is to make bad choices akin to those of a crackhoe. Once again, keep in mind that not only does he represent his country, he also does have human qualities. He, like humans, possesses his own insecurities, longing to belong, desire for flesh, etc. Which means, he could have reacted to his experiences of being a nation, his life so far, in a different way. But, there is a sense of nature versus nurture here. He is, as Nietzsche said, "human, all too human". In my story's AU, immortals which represent the countries are not Gods, they are humanoid creatures. They are not perfect. Which means, there are certain aspects of his nature that are inborne, and have nothing to do with him being China. Upon making up his character, I have taken the liberty to inject him with a personality like this, instead of the canon one, because I believe that this is significant for the later developments of the story. I hope the readers' interest stays until then, even if you are disappointed now.

Speaking of love... Yao is going to get with Ivan... or most of you wouldn't be reading this!

His lifestyle also serves as a stark contrast to how much restraint he shows with Ivan. It serves as a foil to Rochu's relationship throughout the story. We can see that though Yao has considered being sexually involved with Ivan at the end of chapter five, Yao refuses, and even goes as far to condemn his these thoughts. He truly cares about Ivan, though the kid is pretty damn annoying. But, he just doesn't want to admit it yet, because he is a little snooty. Who can blame him? He sits on a golden pedestal as one of the most powerful countries in his time. His relationship with Ivan demonstrates that he is capable of having different sides to his personality. Yao is more in-depth than at first glance, which you will see maybe fifty to sixty chapters down the road.

So, what does the future hold for our favourite heroine? Well, history speaks for itself. He will fall, and his hedonistic lifestyle will contribute greatly to his apostasy. I don't want to say too much, but we all know that Japan betrays him, and many other western countries pretty much... gang rape poor Yao. I suppose then, Yao would finally get what he has always wanted, to be getting that attention, and be passed around on everyone's lap? Well not really, cause he also has his personal pride. It would be too much for him, and his own insecurities would serve to exacerbate the pain he feels during the Century of Shame. Not to mention, how would he play into Fr and Uk's relationship? Only time will tell. Once again, I stress the fact that here, Yao is acting as a person, not a country. Being China is not the only thing that makes him Yao. This gap is an important theme, and will play a significant role in the conclusion of the story.

Which is why, naughty!Yao is necessary in the development of my story. Everything is weaved into a web, and I can't leave anything out! D:

Also, there will be a part of my story where I describe the modern times, and in the future.

Oh, I am so looking forward to writing futuristic!Hetalia. I have already gotten a few chapters down. Lotophagi is soooo getting finished. Well, unless I get hit by a car, or die of alcohol poisoning. :3

By then, Yao would have changed so much, though he still keeps a few of his old-world traits. A hundred chapters later, you guys wouldn't even remember how he used to be. The importance is how Yao has changed throughout the years, and how he and Ivan stay so deeply in love with each other, despite all the odds that have been set against them.

So, now it is time for me to ask the readers to kindly consider giving Yao a chance. I believe writing Mary Sues is a criminal flaw. Which is why, he ain't no Mary Sue, and that is what makes him interesting. I mean, aren't you guys tired of seeing Yao act as a damsel in distress in the fandom, while Ivan would his prince charming? (Who is just a little creepy, stalkerish, insane, etc. Oh wait! I am not allowed to say that Ivan is insane, cause it is not politically correct. No, he is not insane. He is... special... Like Kelloggs cereal. xD)

My Yao has his problems, and they will be resolved as the story moves on. To keep him the way he is right now is an insult to China, but making him rise from the ashes and into a better person is tasteful characterization.

Of course, he is nothing like canon!Yao. But, I think if a seriously patriotic Chinese person were to watch the show, they would get so pissed. Though I am not claiming that I am being 100% historically accurate, I don't think making Yao a panda-loving, effeminate, tsundere senile grandmother is being very considerate to China's glorious history, and her current prowess on the international playing field.

It would be dishonour on your whole family. Make a note of this! Dishonour on you, dishonour on your cow, etc... (Mulan reference)

But, no worries. We all know that Hetalia is a comedy at which you are supposed to laugh to the point where you choke on your Kimchi, and never want yourself, nor anyone else in the world to watch the show again. Yes, if you value your life, you should never watch Hetalia, because it will make you laugh so hard that it becomes a health hazard. Seriously, I think scientists should research the lifespans of Hetalia fangirls to normal people. May help them finally find a cure for cancer. Wait, what am I saying?

Not to mention, think about how well using Yao's cannon personality would fit into "Lotophagi". Can you already see in your head, the complete horror show?

Oh, and if you seriously hate seeing Yao being all down and dirty. Um, I think you won't like the next chapter very much, which I will be updating... Soon... :S

So, thank you very much for taking the time my author's note/rant/analysis/whatever. I promise that the next time I update will be two or three new chapters. I would also love to hear your feedback regarding your thoughts on the story, and Yao so far. I do ever so love getting reviews, and I seriously don't mind if you flame me! xD Insults make me as happy as compliments do.

I hope you guys all have a great week!

And, as a side note. Why is this story called "Lotophagi"?