ONE HOUR EARLIER

France was beginning to feel drunk, but he wasn't done with his mischief yet. Oh, no. In fact, the mischief was just beginning. He had already gotten Norway and Hungary, and now he was sneaking up behind China.

Poor China. He didn't suspect a thing. He was so busy playing with Austria's sound system, switching seamlessly between tracks, that he didn't hear France sneaking up behind him. China felt someone tap him on the shoulder. No sooner did he turn around than did France press something onto his face, right under his nose.

"Ay yah!"

China caught his reflection in the side of a rather shiny speaker. He was wearing a large fake moustache.

"What is this, aru?" China asked.

"I have moustached you, China," said France. France laughed. China shook his head and began to laugh as well. He peeled the moustache off his face and fidgeted with the glue.

"Where did you get these, aru?"

France reached into his cloak pocket and showed China the packet of fake moustaches.

"My dear China," he said. "Romano gave them to me. He said he stocked up on them for military purposes but now has no need for them."

Lowering his voice, France leaned in close and whispered in China's ear.

"My next target is Angleterre."

China waved his hands.

"I do not think that is a good idea, aru. England does not respond well to tricks, aru. Especially from you, France."

France shrugged.

"If the English jerk face wants to lose his composure over a childish prank, then that is a tribute to his maturity level."

"And yours, aru," China muttered, too quietly for France to hear.