Author's Note- Hello again everyone. Welcome to this week's post of The Games We Play. Today's chapter is a bit longer than the ones that preceded it, and has a bit less actual game play in it. Still, I hope you will find them just as entertaining as Chess and Pit. But before we jump into today's one-shot a quick shout out to the wonderful people who left reviews last week. Thank you to Guest, Celtic-Redhead, Saoirswolf, and Bluecupcake789 for leaving reviews (aka digital cookies) for the author. They are greatly appreciated.
Disclaimer- I do not own Hetalia or Ticket to Ride, but I totally rock the Nordic Edition whenever I play it.
Ticket to Ride, Nordic Edition
The snow outside of the window was falling thick and heavy, the wind howled and clawed at the panes of class, but inside of the sturdy little house built by Sweden's national personification all was calm. After centuries of living on the edge of the Arctic, Sweden had learned how to build homily houses able to weather even the worst winter storms. This was proven by the fact that the solid wooden beams and stone foundations barely even moaned when the worst gusts slammed into the building. Unfortunately, despite the strength of the Sweden's construction not all of the homes occupants were comfortable.
"Why don't you come away from the window Peter?" Finland sighed as he put down an after dinner treat of cookies on the coffee table and topped off Sweden's mug off coffee.
"But what about the storm?" The Sealand said without taking his eyes off the darkened scene outside, his voice tinged by fear.
"It w'll bl'w it's'lf out 'ventually." Sweden gentle placed one of his large hands on Sealand's head, tried to comfort the young micronation.
"But…"
"I know," Finland interrupted firmly. "Why don't we play a game?"
"But the electricity is out." Sealand motioned at the crackling hearth, candle lanterns, and battery powered lamps that cast shadows dancing across the living room.
"Why w'ld th't st'p us?" Sweden rumbled.
"How can we play games when the TV isn't working? I mean unless you have a generator that you haven't there is no way to boot up my playstation." Sealand stated dejected as he plopped down on the couch next to Hanatamago which caused the puppy to instantly try to climb on to the child's lap.
"Oh, we will not be playing that type of game." Finland grinned as he brought his torch to the hall closet and pulled out a brightly colored cardboard box. "Ticket to Ride is one of your Father and I favorite games, we have played it ever since it came out, and I promise that we are all going to have a boat load of fun."
Sometime during the night Sealand had stolen all of the blankets, but Finland could find himself caring too much. He was too comfortable nested on top of Sweden's chest, lulled into a half-sleeping, half-wakeful state by the rise and fall of his breath and the whisper of his heart beat. Sadly, even the best moments must eventually be broken. In Finland's case, his traitor bladder finally insisted on being emptied. By the time Finland returned to the living room, Sweden was already awake and moving. The giant nation had stirred the dying embers of last night's fire back to life and stoked the fireplace until it was filled with a roaring flame that was quickly chasing the last of the night's chill from their home.
"G'd M'rn." Sweden yawned and gave a quick peck on the lips before heading taking his turn in the washroom.
Content Finland almost considered kidnapping one of the quilts that Sealand had claimed during the night and curling back up on the couch. Perhaps he would read a book, or nap, or even just snuggle the morning away, but Hanatamago a different plan. The dog whined, pawing at the back door. The northern nation looked out the window at the still blowing snow and sighed. Well, it couldn't be helped.
Boots were stuffed into boots, peck on, hat pulled down over his ears, still the moment the door was opened the blizzard still managed to find every inch of exposed skin threatening frostbite. By this point Hana was so desperate that she ignored the cold and bounded strait into the snow. Hanatamago was not a large dog, she was also very white, and in less than three seconds she had completely disappeared into the massive snow banks. Finland bit back a string of swear words as he realized that he had forgotten to put the dog on her leash before opening the door.
It took an hour and a half to finally get Hana back into the house. By that point Hana was shivering from cold, Finland was soaked, and Sealand was staring out the back window laughing. Luckily, Sweden was a saint. Even though the power was out he had put a large pot of water to boil on the kitchen stove and used to it to heat the water in the bathtub. It was heaven slipping onto the warm water that chased the pin and needles of chill away.
"Mom, when are you coming out?" It was not until Sealand pounded on the wooden door that Finland realized had dozed off in the tub and that the water was now becoming uncomfortable cooled.
"I will be out in the moment." Finland said jumping out of the tub and reaching for a fresh tub. Thankfully Sweden had thought of everything his favorite pair of lounging pants with a comfortable shirt and thick knitted socks were sitting on the sink.
"Good, because Dad is done making breakfast, but he won't let me eat any of until you here." Sealand complained has he paced outside of the bathroom.
"See, I told you it would only be a moment." The Nordic nation opened the door to the relief of the micronation bouncing on his heels. "Let's go find out what Su-san has made for us."
Breakfast was an elaborate affair. There was a fresh pot of coffee spice with cardamom and cinnamon, paired pancakes drenched in birch syrup, eggs and reindeer sausage polished off the meal. Just the aroma caused Finland's stomach to grumble and he quickly understood why Sealand had been so excited to eat. For the first few minutes the kitchen was quiet, as the entire family focused on eating.
"So what you thinking about your first blizzard?" Finland asked when his stomach was no longer begging to be filled immediately.
"It is actually kind of fun." Sealand admitted thoughtfully. "Not having power kind of sucks, but having school canceled and everyone home has been great."
"Well it looks like everyone will be stuck at home for at least one more day." Finland admitted has he skewered a bite of reindeer sausage.
"Really? Can we play Ticket to Ride again?"
"I'm s're th't we c'n m'ke th't happ'n." Sweden shrugged.
"Great!" Sealand exclaimed in excitement waving his fork around to punctuate his statement. "I am totally going to win next round."
Both Finland and Sweden had to suppress a chuckle at their child's earnestness, as all three nations tucked into breakfast.
End Note- Family time!
Next Game-Go-Japan and China spend lunch locked in a challenging game of strategy; but Italy is proving to be a bit of a distraction to their concentration.