End of 19-ish century- a few days later
Serbia, looking extremely cranky, in her regular clothes with a big bag, is approaching the Vojvodina weekend house. She notices that the gate has a new shiny lock, much nicer than the previous one. "Anyone here?" she announces herself. No one replies. She walks into the shed and grabs her garden tools, then inside the house where she takes her musical instrument gusle (гусле) and a few clothing items.
Stepping outside, Serbia looks around and takes a heavy deep breath. A noise is heard coming from a nearby cherry tree. She runs towards it and smiles seeing a kid in it.
"You stuck little one?" she asks in a neutral tone. The kid immediately climbs down, quietly fuming on the remark. "Sorry, I didn't know it was you Germany?" she says backing a few steps back. The young Germany walks away without saying a word with a hand full of red cherries. He bends and starts placing them on the grass.
"What're you doing down there?" she asks curious. "Playing" he shortly remarks. In the grass, we can see lines and lines of battle formations made from various small items found around the garden. He takes the cherries and places them and the previously picked blackberries on a toothpick and arranges them with the same ruler-like precision.
"You planning an invasion?" she asks intrigued.
"No, just possible tactics in case of war with France" Germany says. "Oh" Serbia replies, glances at it again and returns to the patio. The scar on her neck starts to hurt and she rubs it while quietly cursing.
"Does it still hurt?" she turns to see the boy facing her. "Yes, as much as being cut apart into two can hurt. But thankfully the scar is fading quickly" she says solemn.
"He had to do it. An empire needs to have representative nations of all people groups at the palace at all times" Germany states.
Serbia's mood becomes grayer. "Yeah...like that was the reason. Can't wait what brilliant idea he thinks of next" she mumbles to herself sarcastically.
"Is that yours?" he says sharply pointing at the gardening tools in her bag. "No, it's Austria's. Didn't you know of his love for everything soil-related?" she says barely keeping a strait face.
"I see" the boy adds. He looks to the side and says: "I have to go soon. Are you leaving too?"
"Yes. Why?" she continues in a glum tone. Germany stays silent.
"If you are busy, you can go" she continues. He remains silent. Serbia rolls her eyes and grabs her instrument. "I'm just going to sing a quick sad epic and will be on my way."
"Oh, alright. I can wait that long" he continues trying to sound carefree.
"Are you sure? It's an acquired taste."
"Yes. I do not have a problem with it" he says suspiciously well-mannered.
Serbia hums, sits down and puts the fiddle on the string making rhythmic screechy sounds. Germany flinches but the real horror comes when she start to wail in decasyllabic verses.
"Stop!" he shouts in a state of shock. She does looking at him as if puzzled.
"I'm leaving now. Don't forget to lock the gate door" the young teen says.
"No problem. I'll walk you out" she relies standing up.
As Germany leaves the garden, she shuts the gate and leaning on it says completely serious: "Now that you've fulfilled your duty of spying on me like a good little brother..."
"Spying?! No! What makes you think that? I just came to see how my people are doing" he says with a nervous smile.
"They're fine. They have been fine for almost a century now. I don't know what Austria has been telling you about me but I am not stupid..." she continues serious and calm. After a dramatic pause she says: "Tell him.. that this is my story. Some may like it, some may not but the fact remains. This is my story. My narrative. My epic. My history."
"What does that mean?" Germany asks confused. Serbia doesn't reply. She lets go of the gate and walks to the one on the other side, easily visible because of the flat terrain. She walks out, locks it and continues not saying a word in the process.
World cruise
The party is still raging. The music is playing loud. There are even nations dancing. China and Serbia are talking near the buffet table. As Serbia is explaining something, India comes close to the table. As he approaches, China automatically moves away. As soon as India moves, China relaxes.
Serbia sees this. "Hey, why did you do that?" she asks.
"Do what?" China replies.
"Moved and ignored India like that. Are you two in good relations?"
"Yes, of course. I just have to be careful. You never know who your next rival is gonna be" China says serious.
"Aha" she replies and takes a loud sip. "Have you ever fought each other?" she asks curious.
"No."
"Really? You two are more than 3 000 years old. You never had a conflict?"
"Well, no" China replies.
"So why worry about it now? I mean, why insinuate bad feeling for no reason?"
"You don't know that. Maybe he's planning something."
"Like what?" Serbia is persistent.
China signals for her to look closely. They both slouch and take a look at India. He sees them and innocently waves.
"Did you see that?! He's clearly up to something" China whispers paranoid.
Serbia facepalms herself. "Do me a favor China and stop looking for nemesis where there are none. You may accidentally create one."
China starts pondering. The frame moves slowly away to show the party atmosphere.