A/N: If you are interested in this story at all, I strongly encourage you to read at least the first few chapters. This first chapter began as a one-shot that I wrote over a year and a half ago and I feel that it is no longer representative of my writing. (ie, I believe that I improve as the story goes on, with the few most recent chapters being the best.)
For reasons unknown to many, the nations of the world did not often meet with their opposite-gender counterparts. Each nation would communicate with their individual counterpart about their own country, but beyond that, they often stayed separate. This usually led to problems when it came to dealing with global issues, as the two sides tended to come to two different conclusions, and eventually, some sort of compromise would have to be made. Finally, they decided it would be best to gather together at one massive world meeting.
Of course, Italy Veneziano was the most excited about this idea. Some had their doubts about the plan, but he immediately voted in favor of it. And, as one might expect, it was mainly because it would give him a chance to meet women.
"I've always wanted to know what the lady versions of our friends are like," he told Ludwig, practically bouncing in his chair. The two had arrived first and now waited for the others. The German liked to be early, and while Feliciano was in Berlin and staying with him, he would have to deal with being early too. He would never let the Italian behind the wheel if he could help it.
"I know you're excited," Ludwig said, "but please, try to keep the flirting to a minimum. They may all be women but they're still here on business just as we are. You need to behave professionally."
"Yes sir!" Feliciano exclaimed, saluting him. Ludwig opened his mouth to speak once more, but stopped when he heard the click of a doorknob. They looked to the conference room door, and watched as an elegantly-dressed brunette woman walked in. The two men exchanged glances, unsure of how to handle the situation; they thought they would have been able to figure everyone out, but they had no idea who this was. Then, Feliciano did was Feliciano does best.
"Hi, I'm Italy!" he introduced himself, bounding towards her. "But you can just call me Feliciano if you'd like. That would probably be best since other me is coming too, and so is my brother Lovino and his other him, and that could get confusing real fast." He stopped, and looked her over for a moment. "Wow, you're so well-dressed! You must be France."
"Francine is fine," she said with a smile. Then she looked past him and said, "And I'd recognize you anywhere. You look so much like her someone could almost have trouble telling the two of you apart. What do you prefer to be called, darling?~"
"Well, usually I just go by Germany but since there will be two of us here today, Ludwig is fine." Damn, how did he figure her out so quickly? I guess not everyone is going to look exactly like you might expect.
Next they heard two feminine voices out in the hallway, one rather loud and one much softer. They seemed to be arguing, too. Soon, a girl with short, dirty-blonde hair barged in, not bothering to acknowledge the others already in the room. She was followed by a quieter, very similar-looking girl sporting glasses and pigtails.
"Look Meg," the first girl insisted, "just admit I'm right already."
Okay, so they're America and Canada… maybe this won't be so hard. And… uh-oh, Ludwig thought, glancing out the window. Double trouble. His brother was just arriving with none other than Julchen, his female version. Having her around was like having a second Gilbert around. He could see the smirks on their faces from where he was standing; no doubt he was in for a rough time. Now, dealing with the two of them and two of Feliciano at the same time? What a nightmare. If only he could get Feli to leave just long enough to get his brother and the Prussian's other half settled down.
"Hey, Feliciano?" he asked, moving towards the redhead who was now caught up in a conversation with the girl called Meg.
"Hmm?" the redhead replied.
"I was just thinking. It's going to be a long meeting, so I was going to suggest you step outside while you still have the chance."
"S-sure," he said, sensing something was up. "Are you okay?"
"Gilbert and Julchen are here."
"Ah." He needed no further explanation. Even he knew those two could be a handful, and that all Ludwig needed was for him to stay out of the way for a few minutes.
"Ja. I just need a little space to get them calmed down, that's all."
"Sure thing," the Italian said with a grin, and snuck out of the room without another word.
The air did seem much cooler out in the hallway, so maybe it was a good idea to get out of there anyway. He wasn't really looking forward to being stuck in that stuffy conference room all afternoon now that he thought about it, but hey, at least there were going to be plenty of pretty ladies to look at!
He decided it would be a good idea to take Ludwig's suggestion and go outside while he waited for the other nations to arrive. He passed someone on his way out the door, and though he barely paid them any attention at first, he froze and did a double-take a few seconds later, realizing who he was seeing.
Standing before him was a tall, strong-looking woman with short blonde hair and stunning blue eyes. A rosy pink dusted her cheeks when she saw him, but she began to approach him slowly, almost as if she were being cautious. I see now what Francine meant, he thought. He blushed as well.
"You must be Italy," the woman said.
"Si! And… you're Germany?" She nodded.
"Monika." She slowly extended her hand in front of her.
"Feliciano!" The Italian shook it with enthusiasm.
"Ludwig?" the German woman called, entering the conference room a few minutes later.
"Hello, Monika," her counterpart greeted her, reaching out to shake her hand. Behind him came a bouncy, curly-haired young woman with shining amber eyes.
"Hi Germany!" the woman squealed, running up to her female companion for a hug.
"Personal space, Daisy, personal space," the German woman said, politely removing the Italian from her body.
"Right, sorry," she said, backing off. Then she spotted her male version walking up behind Monika.
"Feliciano!" she cried.
"Daisy!" he exclaimed in response. The two hurried towards each other and came together in a massive embrace. They kissed each other on the cheek and began speaking rapid Italian, much to the confusion of the other nations.
"I guess it's been a while for them," Ludwig observed.
"It has," Monika replied. "Daisy's been talking about wanting to see him again."
"Well, it looks like most people are here, shall we begin?"
"I don't see why not," the female German said. Then she raised her voice to address all nations in the room, and moved to take her place at the head of the table. "Alright everyone, we have no time to waste, so let's get started. You will speak one at a time, and raise your hand if you wish to do so. Debating is fine, but pointless bickering will not be tolerated."
"Wow," Feliciano mumbled. "She's so like him."
The Italian male could not stop thinking about the German he met that day, even on the ride back to Ludwig's house after the meeting. Sure, he had met plenty of women that afternoon, but something about her just amazed him. Of everyone, the two Germanys were definitely the most alike.
"She's beautiful, Germany," he said, sitting in the passenger's seat.
"Mmm…. I guess," the blonde replied. He looked straight ahead, keeping his focus on the road.
"You don't think so?"
"Well you see, for me, looking at Monika is like looking in a mirror; judging her appearance as anything good or bad is something I've never done, because it would be like judging my own appearance, which is weird."
"Hm, I see," Feliciano said. "Well, I think she's beautiful."
"Just her? No one else?"
"Oh, they were all pretty, but I like her the best. She's just like you, only a girl, which is… nice."
Ludwig remained silent. He could see why Feliciano had liked Monika, but he seemed to be focusing a lot of attention on her.
"You wouldn't happen to have her number, would you?"
"…what?"
"Yeah! I think I want to get to know her a little better. Daisy seems to really love her and now I see why. And how awesome would it be to have two of you around? You know, I think I'll just text Daisy now, I bet she has it. I know she's not driving 'cause Monika never lets her just like you don't with me; isn't that funny?"
Ludwig shook his head, wondering what he had just gotten into. Or rather, what his female self was about to get into.