1895
Flashback: 1595. It's a starless night above the Belgrade hill Vračar. A large pile of fire is burning blood red, its smoke going high up. Women in scarfs wail as the men with long beards stand with bowed heads. A few men in Ottoman military uniforms are bringing a covered body on a wooden stretcher. They stop near the fire and, to everyones horror, push the body into the flames.
Among the screams, the loudest one heard comes from above. It is a raspy bitter screech saying: "No! You monster! How could you take the last thing I have left!"
The voice is coming from the city walls. Ottoman has tide Serbia and left her to dangle there so she has a good view of the event. "It's your own fault. You shouldn't have rebelled against me. Perhaps, this will teach you to obey" Ottoman, who is standing on the ground bellow her, says sternly illuminated by the light of the fire.
Serbia, in tattered clothes, beaten and bruised, keeps screaming while desperately trying to free herself. Hearing his words, she simply starts struggling more.
"Curse you! Curse you and everything you stand for!" she yells,letting out horrific screeches as the fire mercilessly burns the relics of Saint Sava into dust.
Next scene: End of flashback. A meeting room in the royal residence. The table is filled with priests in black robes with an occasional state member. They all seem to be watching her, still in her national outfit, as she absently stared into the wall rolling a coin between her fingers.
"Is everything alright, our homeland?" one priest finally asks.
"Yes" she says solemnly, still absentminded "I was just thinking about something." Sad and with a heavy sigh, she puts down the coin and prompts her chin with her hands: "I completely agree. Our first Patriarch deserves a lavish church, possibly the biggest one in the world. And as for when, it doesn't matter. It only matters that it is done right."
The others agree and the meeting is soon adjourned.
Next scene: She walks slowly down a not so busy street. Her hands are in her pockets as she move one leg after the other with her head down. Upon arriving home, Runt cheerfully grunts a welcome.
"Hey there. You seem playful today" she fakes a happy face closing the gate. Runt grunts and jumps around her like a little dog. That makes her giggle: "Alright then, where do you want to go?"
Next scene: A beautiful garden with a small elegant white weekend house representing the region of Vojvodina. Around the corner is a patio above which are white metal rods holding up grape vines. Serbia, with a small hoe, and Runt enter nonchalantly. She hears voices coming from the secluded patio. It seems to be Austria and another male voice that seems familiar to her.
"Anyone here?" she announces herself. The voices stop. Austria pops from around the corner and rolls his eyes. "It's alright, it's just one of the servants" he says and sits back down into his comfy garden chair. Serbia frowns at the remark but comes with him.
Austria's guest is a young teen with blond hair and blue eyes, seeming way to serious for his age. "Well, if it isn't the German Empire. Greetings! It is very nice to see you in a non-official environment" she says in a friendly tone. Germany looks at her blank, as if wondering why this guy is addressing him.
Flashback: A narrator speaks: "Last and first time, Serbia saw Germany was at the Congress of Berlin." A still-shot filled with officials and nations of Europe arguing. "The theme of the Congress was the carving up of Balkans. Needless to say, Serbia does not have fond memories of it" the narrator continues as we see her, dressed up in latest Western fashion, sitting nervously in a chair in the corner. "Russia was demanding a Great Bulgaria while Britain was saying anything he could think of to prevent non-conquered regions of the Balkan with a Serbian majority to go to her." We see a still-shot of them arguing.
Britain talks with such zest, as if fighting for his own soil while its rightful owner sits dumbfounded, not allowed to do anything except glance at Austria hopping to God that the words that come out of him mouth are the ones she begged him to say."
Next scene: End of flashback. Slightly confused, Serbia tries to continue the conversation: "I came to see if the vegetable garden needs tending. Runt was bored so I..." at that moment Runt runs over cheerful.
Germany smiles seeing the happy little pig and calls him to come. "Is he yours?" he asks not looking at her.
"Yes. His name is Runt... Say hello little guy" she says to the pig and he grunts jumping happy. "He is really playful today" she says addressing the two male nations. The two remain silent. "Why don't the two of you play?" she says after an awkward silence.
The pig runs towards his favorite part of the garden as the young nation jumps after him.
Serbia puffs sitting down. "Your little brother is not really talkative, is he?" she says to Austria.
"No, just practical. He doesn't waist his words with people of no importance" he replies finishing his drink. Serbia looks at him annoyed. She grabs a small pot and says: "I'm going to make myself coffee. Would you like some?"
"We are having a private conversation and wish to be left alone" he snaps. "Relax...he's playing. I'll finish it quickly and be on the other side of the garden before they even get tired" she assures him.
Austria pouts but agrees: "I remember when I was as young as him. I could sled on the Alps all day" he says nostalgic. "Alps? Is that where you came from?" Serbia asks confused.
"Yes. Didn't you know?" Austria asks. "No" Serbia replies. They stay quiet. Germany can be heard in the background giving orders to his 'troops' to attack a suspicious looking rock.
Serbia comments: "That's funny, he looks nothing like you" she says to which Austria feels offended.
"That's all that darn Prussia's fault. He's been like his shadow ever since his creation" he says and the rest continues in his head "I tried getting close to Germany, but every time I did he would cut me down in the most devious ways. I swear, he is a special kind of evil. Who knows what kind of low level demon he picked up from the Holly land." Laud noises are heard and they turn their heads towards Runt who is in full speed as Germany chases after him shouting military commands. They don't slow down despite coming very close to the patio. Runt gets a menacing twinkle in his eye as he storms on Austria who doesn't realize it until it's too late. With full speed and strength of his entire little body, Runt jumps and rams Austria in the stomach. Germany stops confused as Serbia can't believe her eyes.
"You disgusting little insect! Get him out of my sight before I mince him myself" he yells still out of breath.
Serbia turns to him angry: "Bad pig! How dare you run into someone like that. You will be properly punished when we get home" she yells and winks. Then, she grabs him and exits the garden quickly while Austria is still too occupied with his pain.