Chapter 1: The Spell
An empty vodka bottle clinked down onto the table, the angle causing it to wobble free of its owner and fall crashing to the floor. Shards of glass shattered and flew across the tiles. Nobody noticed.
"I'm empty Nor, I need another..."
Norway pushed his ash-blond hair from his face, his blue eyes glazed. "Still trying to catch up Eng? I'm on my eighth you know!"
"Just finished my eighth Nor," England retorted, his vision starting to blur. "This next one will be my ninth!"
England and Norway were inside the Norwegian's kitchen at opposite ends of the table. Jackets and shoes had been removed as they sat laughing and joking. Empty bottles of Ringnes and Finnish vodka were discarded across the table and some even on the floor. Food and containers lined the counters and table, half eaten crisps and snacks littering the floor. Neither Norway nor England noticed the mess they had created. They were too busy showing off their magic to the other and trying to not fall from their seats as the potent alcohol affected their senses.
It was an uncommon sight to see the two nations together. Generally, they kept to their respective circles, Norway with this Nordic brothers and England with... himself. Many at the world meeting had raised eyebrows when the two nations had sat next to each other. It was noted that they didn't share many traits. However, there was one skill that united them; something no other nation could understand.
Magic.
The world meeting had been held in Sweden and England had enjoyed spending some time with the Nordics. It wasn't often he managed to get away to a cold country and he did enjoy skiing, but only if there was no one around to see just how bad he was. Today had been the last day of the world meeting and instead of going back to his hotel England had met up with Norway. At first they had gone out for a meal to catch up and enjoy some peace and quiet from their respective partners. They had then returned to Norway's house, as the hotel England was staying in had forgotten he would be staying another night. There would another meeting tomorrow in Germany, and the hotel had somehow managed to mix up the dates.
When they had arrived at Norway's house – after England had angrily retrieved his suitcase from the hotel – they enjoyed a few bottles of Ringnes. At first, England was surprised that Norway had started drinking. First impressions painted the Norwegian as a quiet, reserved, deadpan person with very little interest in socialising or being friendly with anyone, save those he was very close to. However, as the night had worn on, England had seen a side of Norway that he doubted many others saw. Smiles, a few jokes and sarcastic retorts, even the odd compliment. It was strange to hear such words come from Norway, but England had to thank the Finnish vodka for that.
It was 2:25am and both nations were looking worse for wear as the contest continued. More and more drinks had been consumed and more magic spells had been cast. However, as the vodka affected their brains, the complexity of their spells had lessened. Their spells now consisted of bright displays and loud bangs.
With a flick of his wrist, Norway managed to create an orb of light that sailed up to the ceiling and exploded in a small shower of green sparks. As the sparks floated downwards, they changed into snowflakes and melted when they touched the surface of Norway's table. England howled with laughter and slapped his hand against the table in applause, taking a gulp of vodka as he did.
"Beat that!" Norway said, managing not to slur his words. He took a large gulp of his vodka, wincing as the liquid burned his throat. England, not to be outdone, took a gulp and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He picked up his wand and tried to think of something that would show Norway his magic was superior.
With a twist of his wand and some mumbled words, England created three red misty dragons that began to circle and snap at each other. Norway laughed loudly at the sight, making appreciative noises as the dragons passed through the table and other kitchen appliances as they fought. Eventually they faded away, although one dragon did manage to snap another's neck before it disappeared into oblivion.
"Ha! Beat that Norway!" England snorted. He wobbled on his chair, but managed to stay seated. His head felt fuzzy and he had trouble keeping his vision in a straight line, but he would not lose this contest. Somehow, it had turned from 'who's magic is better,' into, 'who can make the coolest display while drunk.' A contest England was determined to win.
"Alright," Norway slurred. He flicked his wrist again with a smile. Tiny purple flowers sprang upwards from the table surface, covering the mess and stains as they opened their petals. England almost fell from his chair as the flowers wriggled up from the wood. With another flick, they exploded like fireworks, flickering out of existence with golden sparks floating in the air. England howled with laughter as the flowers popped, his red-rimmed eyes becoming teary.
"Where did you get all this alcohol Nor?" England asked, unscrewing the cap of his new bottle. "I thought booze was really expensive here."
"It is," Norway answered. He pulled off his beret, ran a hand through his as-blond hair then replaced shakily. "I bought a batch last time I was in Finland, but never thought to open it until now. Drinking with Denmark is always a bad idea; Sweden doesn't really drink that much anymore and Fin... he'll drink anyone under the table. "
England nodded at his words, making the room spin. "I can believe that. How strong is this stuff?"
"Hey come on, it's your turn!" Norway slurred. His eyes were blood-shot and his movements slow. He had managed to keep up with England so far, but he could feel himself reaching his limit. He hadn't drunk this much vodka in a long time, and his small frame made continuous hard-core drinking difficult. Still he was proud he'd kept up with England, a notorious binge drinker.
With a grin, England accepted the challenge. He took several large gulps of vodka, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and raised his wand.
The tip of England's wand grew bright and a blue pulse of energy seemed to shiver around the star. With a flick of his wrist, England sent the blue energy upwards towards the ceiling. He muttered something under his breath, the words blurring together in his drunken state. The blue light reached the ceiling and began to circle around itself, growing bigger and picking up sped. The ball of energy spun faster and faster until it seemed like a ring of blue was attached to the ceiling. With a final mutter from England, the blue light imploded, blinding England and Norway. Both covered their eyes as the light burst through the kitchen. As quickly as the light shone, it dimmed away, leaving purple sparks in their vision. Gingerly, England peeked through his hands. Aside from the bright light, nothing else had happened.
Norway suddenly erupted into a fit of giggles, clutching his stomach as the laughs shook his body. He slid to the floor and tumbled backwards, his limbs sprawling and his long blond hair splaying against the blue tiles of his kitchen. He giggled one final time before his eyes closed and he passed out, still clutching his bottle. The clear liquid spilled out into his hair and started to soak into his beret.
"Nor you light-weight!" England cried, expecting Norway to wake up and issue a scathing retort. The Norwegian didn't answer and England laughed aloud. He took another large gulp of his drink, watching Norway's chest rise and fall to check if he was alright. England peered closer at Norway as his eyes threatened to close. Something didn't seem... right.
"Wait," England muttered aloud, "Norway, when did your hair get so long?"
England blinked and focused on the sleeping Norwegian. Had the last spell actually done something? It wasn't just Norway's hair that was different. Something about his frame seemed wrong too. He looked... curvier and his chest looked... bigger? England blinked in disbelief.
Norway was a girl.
England glanced down at himself, long blonde hair floating forwards. His shirt was stretched beyond belief by a pair of breasts.
He was a girl too.
"Shit," he muttered before passing out atop the kitchen table.
Sorry, I forgot to add:
Ringnes - Norway's most sold beer brand. It is owned by the Danish brewery Carlsberg.
