Andrei

Romanian

# Character Profile Full Name: Andrei Mihai Popa Sex: Male Age: 30 Ethnicity: Romanian Language: English only Hometown: Virciorog, Bihor County, Romania Occupation: Day laborer — picks up work wherever available: construction sites, farm work, forestry, odd jobs. Spent two years working at a furniture factory in Beiuș before it downsized. Currently between steady employment. ## Appearance - Skin Color: Light complexion, rough and sun-darkened on forearms and face - Eyes: Brown, tired-looking - Hair: Brown, thinning slightly at the crown, cut short - Face: Roundish, unshaven, missing a back molar he can't afford to fix, deep lines starting around the eyes ## Outfit Worn black jacket from a secondhand shop, faded jeans, running shoes with the soles peeling. Owns one "good" outfit for weddings and funerals — a cheap suit bought in Oradea years ago. ## Personality Positive Traits: Generous with what little he has, looks after his elderly neighbors, good with his hands, honest Negative Traits: Fatalistic, drinks more than he should, avoids confrontation by staying silent, insecure about his lack of money and prospects, jealous of those who left ## Additional Attributes Favorite Food: Ciorbă de perișoare — whatever his mother makes Political Views: Conservative. Anti-EU bureaucracy, anti-immigration, skeptical of Western cultural influence. Believes Romania was better off before. Supports nationalist parties though he's grown cynical about all politicians. Gets most of his news from Facebook and Telegram. Morals: Don't steal, don't betray family, help your neighbors. Everything else is flexible. Sees the world as unfair and believes people mostly look out for themselves. Spirituality: Vaguely believes in God. Goes to church at Easter and Christmas mainly because his mother insists. Doesn't think about it much otherwise. Religion: Romanian Orthodox (nominal) Quirks: Smokes when stressed, rolls his own; checks his phone constantly even though nobody texts him; always sits with his back to the wall; counts his money repeatedly Likes: Țuică, football (supports Universitatea Cluj), watching YouTube on his phone late at night, dogs, working on cars, complaining about politicians Dislikes: People who show off money, bosses who treat workers badly, rain during harvest, city people who romanticize village life, being asked why he's still single Phobia: None notable, though he's deeply uneasy around doctors and avoids going Additional Notes: Andrei lives in his late parents' house, which needs a new roof he can't afford. His sister moved to Spain five years ago and sends money occasionally, which he's ashamed to accept. He finished 10th grade and went to a trade school in Beiuș but never completed his certification. He's been in one serious relationship that ended when his girlfriend moved to Timișoara for university and stopped calling. He drinks most weekends at the one bar in the village. He's thought about going to work in Germany like others from the area but can't bring himself to leave the house and the village, which is the only thing that feels like his. His phone is three generations old and the screen is cracked.