The State of Missouri



River (Spirit) Jones is a fanmade character for the anime and manga Hetalia: Axis Powers and she represents the State of Missouri (the 22nd state).

Human Name: River Spirit Jones

Siouan Name: Moneka (earth)

Age: 16

Birthday: November 16th, 1703

Weight: 150 lbs

Height: 5’’9

Languages: French, German, Italian, English, Spanish

Hair color: Dirty-Blonde

Siblings: (twin) brother Maine

==Appearance == River has dirty blonde hair/ light-brown layered hair that hangs down to the middle of her back. Inherited from her father, River also has a straight cowlick that sprouts from the left side of her head, opposite of her side swept bangs that often fall into her sight. She has an oval-shaped face, blond eyebrows, and eyes that constantly switch from blue to grey with her mood. Like most teens, River is positively paranoid about her long nose which she views as massive (but no one else does, though she is teased).

Though she is not the youngest state, River usually prefers to appear younger than most of her elder siblings (although she is one of the tallest children in her human form).

River enjoys wearing mostly bulky sweaters with traditional tribal patterns. Her favorite sweater is red and blue, which she wears with ripped jean shorts and red converse. Around her neck, River wears thick aviator goggles of leather in tribute to Mr. Charles Limburg (whom she went with when he flew the Spirit of Saint Louis airplane in the first non-stop transatlantic flight). Etched in fading white paint is the number 50, causing minor jealousy among the States as she received the goggles from her Father before she took to the air.

When s River attends the state meetings, she wears a long sleeve, cream colored ruffle top, black leggings and neutral colored heels. In addition, she wears her goggles. Despite the reprimanding from her elder states, such as Virginia or Minnesota, River refuses to remove her goggles because she claims “they remind me of Dad.”

In addition to her sentimental goggles, River was also once a smoker. It was a habit that she picked up in the 1750’s with being one of the main trade states with Native Americans. Though the teen quit the habit after her Father found out, she still has a tendency to pull out a cigarette after a stressful or upsetting day. Despite this bad habit, she is loved greatly by her Father as he spends quite a lot of time with her (after all that is why Missouri is in the middle… she’s one of the closest to his heart).

==Personality and Interests == Unlike her younger twin, River is a bit of an introvert and a lazy bum (unless there’s adventure). Due to the fact that she is bordered by several of her Midwest siblings (who are very social), she thoroughly enjoys the time she spends by herself and her pet dog, Truman, in the Ozark Lakes or Touring the Art Museum of Saint Louis and Kansas City. Due to the large amount of time she spent among her uncle Francis and mentor Antonio, River has a great respect for the arts and architecture that she studied in France and Spain (which she brought back to her state).

River has a passion for music such as blues, ragtime, and jazz though she cannot play an instrument to save her life. She positively adores symphony orchestra as well. In fact, River was the second the state to gain her own symphonic orchestra (of course, right behind New York). In addition for her passion for music, River also adores books especially by authors like Langston Hughes, Mark Twain, and Maya Angelou. River was especially fond of Mr. Twain, viewing him as a wise, grandfatherly figure that she was temporarily tutored by.

Much like her weather, River has a tendency for dramatic mood swings and bizarre habits. This does make her rather difficult to cooperate with for some of the even tempered states. Putting aside her moods, River does care greatly for her siblings. So much so, that she was the state that set apart the Union and Confederate sides during the civil war. Though some northern and southern states call her a chicken for compromising, River hated choosing sides between her two groups of siblings.

Much like her father, River is also adventurous; accompanying the explorers Lewis and Clark on their escapades in the Louisiana Territory. She traveled up and down the Mississippi River- hence her name-, traveling with Charles Limburg, and riding on the pony express.

River enjoys horses. So much, in fact, that her Father gave River her own breed of horese, otherwise the known as the Missouri Fox Trotter. Like some of her elder cousins, she loves hunting, fishing, and hiking. She also spends quite a bit of time with Colorado.

==Truman == Upon River’s return to Saint Louis after many long days venturing through the Louisiana Purchase for nearly two years, she found herself carted off with her father and several other states (well, at that time territories) to stay with Spain for a period of time. While she was staying in Madrid with her brother Maine, she was discovered by France (who had come along for the ride) and was briskly rushed off to France.

River spent several months with France until her Father discovered that she was gone and came after her. Alfred promptly returned to the shores of America with the rest of his new children and decided that River was best left in his brother Canada. Canada and his niece were on good terms due to trade compromises, so America felt comfortable leaving his daughter in the hands of his quite brother.

River lived with Canada for several months until the tension between Spain and America decreased. When River had to return to her homeland, Canada asked her if she wanted anything as a goodbye present. The memory of the Newfoundland dog, Seaman, fresh in her mind, River instantly requested a Newfoundland dog of her own. Canada complied and awarded her with her own, black Newfie.

Truman is named after President Harry Truman. The dog is abnormally large with large, expressive eyes. He has a sweet temperament and is often the only thing that will calm River if she hits one of her mood swings. River spends most of her time with her canine friend and will only leave him behind if she must attend a state conference meeting.

==Relationships == America (Alfred F Jones)- River considers her relationship with her Father to be a strong one, due to the fact she is very close to the heart of the country. The two are very much alike in more ways than one and she enjoys every moment that she spends with her Father.

Canada (Matthew Williams)- Uncle and niece are fairly close to each other, but have grown distantly since the trade between them decreased

England (Arthur Kirkland)- River and Arthur’s relationship is a rather rocky one. Since River is so much like her Father, the two can sometimes bump heads. But most of the time, the two agree to disagree and love each other very much.

France (Francis Bonnefoy)- Francis was a massive influence on the young state since she was a little girl. The two are extremely compatible due to their mutual love of art and music. But Alfred rarely lets his little girl travel abroad, therefore limiting the time the two spend together.

Siblings (the original 13)- when River first was born, the 13 were quite skeptical. But she eventually became very close to Georgia, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. However, her elder sister New York is very hesitant towards the ‘tacky’ girl and her strong bond to Alfred.

Siblings (the later states)- River loves best Colorado, her younger twin Maine, Iowa, and Montana. Oregon, Illinois, and Ohio are not quite sure what to think of her (especially Illinois).