“In the armed forces of Prussia, Tsarist Russia, and other Eastern European nations […]waist made small by a corset worn under the uniform, a practice which was common especially during the Crimean Wars[…] Political cartoonists of the day often portrayed the tight waist-cinching of soldiers to comedic effect, and some cartoons survive showing officers being corseted by their inferiors, a practice which surely was uncomfortable but deemed to be necessary and imposing.”—Wikipedia.
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Toris released the laces in his hands, taking a step back from his strenuous task. Lifting his right hand up, he swept the back of it across his forehead, discovering that it was quite damp with sweat; enough for his bangs to be sticking to it! Lips were parted for his labored breath, his fingers were creased with red lines, stinging and throbbing terribly. His arms themselves were aching, and he didn’t know how much longer he could keep this up.
The Russian’s hands rest against the wall, his head bowed slightly, shoulders heaving a little with each pant. Over Ivan’s white, military designated shirt was a stiff, whale-boned corset. The corset its self was off-white, almost tan, and it ran from just under Ivan’s shoulder blades to a few inches below his hips. Thick straps reached up over Ivan’s shoulders, connecting the back to the front. The back of it was laced up tightly, as much as Toris could manage! With a small sigh of exasperation, Toris spoke up with a tired voice. “I-I don’t think it’s going to get any smaller, Sir.”
“A-are you mocking me?” Came the breathless voice in front of him. Literally, it was breathless, as the taller nation standing with his back towards the Lithuanian had no breath to use for talking at the moment! Ivan’s voice was quiet normally, and a little higher than one would expect from a man of his stature. His current tone however, was heightened due to the pain that he was likely holding back. Green eyes widened a little, a bit startled by that reply.
I want to draw something where all the characters are going to a boarding school (which has cute uniforms) around fifth grade - the place and the school would be fictional (but most likely England-ish).
How come I always get the ugliest sweater??
I-I don’t think it looks that bad!
Poland/Russia speed doodle, bringing to light two of my dumb headcanons;
1. Although Russia is better known for topping his small, androgynous partners ::koffkoffLietkoff::, he is something of a power-bottom at heart.
2. Poland has just a little bit of a soft tummy which he has to work very hard (via much dessert binging) to maintain, because he is naturally svelte. He is VERY proud of it, and constantly teases Lithuania for being skinny and having a flat/concave stomach.
Kay, back to my commissionwork!