World Academy W - some time ago
"Mom, please, let me stay at home tomorrow" Yasna begs in their kitchen waiting for dinner. Šćepan is there too, quietly watching TV.
"I don't think you understand how important education is" her mother says stern as she peels the potatoes. "You have to have a good attendance record or you won't graduate."
Desperate, the teen yells out: "But Mom! You don't seem to understand what hell I'm going through in that school. My former friends have badmouth me so much that no one wants to talk to me, and I have an enormous bully that keeps harassing me each and every day.
"Oh sweety, it can't be that bad" the mother says unconvinced. "Oh, it is" her daughter confirms energetically nodding.
Flashback: Lunch time in school that same day. Yasna is in the line ready to take her food, Enis is a few students further. He sees the last piece of a tasty looking baklava on the dessert shelf and licks his lips in anticipation. The piece is taken by Yasna who then goes to sit down. Enis looks at the empty shelf sad.
Next scene: At the table, Enis sits at his usual place. He keeps glancing at her tray pouting. As she finishes everything and is ready to eat the dessert, he starts fidgeting. "Oh come on! Are you really going to eat it?!" he says shocked.
She looks at him confused. "Um, yes. I don't see why not" she says.
Enis sulks and turns his head. "It's just...you know how much I like them. You would always let me have the last one or at least shared it with me."
Yasna can't believe his words. She straightens up and makes a face. "That was when I thought you were my friend. Now that you showed your true colors, I see no point in giving you anything."
"Don't be so cruel. Give him his baklava" Časlov interferes.
"It's mine and I am eating it myself" she says and takes a big spiteful bite. Enis stands up and yells at her: "You are such a meany. I'll never forgive what you've done to me!" He then storms off very loudly.
We see Yasna unapologetically continuing her lunch as Alfred appears behind her almost out of nowhere. "What happened now?" he asks impatient. "Nothing. Leave me alone" she says.
"She took Enis' dessert" Časlov replies. Alfred grabs the rim of his glasses furious. "Looks like someone needs another stay in the locker" he says and grabs Yasna. No one says anything. Not even Yasna. She just takes the plate with her and eats the rest of it in her locker.
End of flashback: We see her mom's attentive face. She smiles: "Oh these kids today. You don't know how good you have it. When I was in school, students would brings all sorts of weapons like knives and spears. You prayed to the Gods each day to end the day alive. Now that builds character... You are going to school tomorrow. End of story."
Yasna's jaw falls from shock. "You are unbelievable!" she screams.
"Oh don't be so dramatic. Your brother is doing fine, isn't he? Do what he does."
The teen turns to see her brother staring at the TV comatosed. She then turns to the table. Her mother is putting a pot on the stove. She sees one of the leftover potatoes and takes a bit.
The mother turns and gasps: "What are you doing?! That's raw. You are going to make yourself sick!" She tries to grab the potato from her hand but Yasna holds it tight. "That's the idea" she says as the two of them struggle.
August 8th 1913
Romania and Greece carry Bulgaria who is kicking and screaming. They are all in military uniforms. "You can't do this too me! I have my rights!" he screams trying to escape.
The two continue and, without saying a word, drag him down the stairs into a basement.
Next scene: He is showed in a small room. After they leave, Bulgaria starts banging the door yelling to be left out. Eventually he turns and sees Serbia siting at a desk staring at him this whole time.
He takes a deep sigh. "This is going to be painful, isn't it?" he says looking at what tools our main character brought. Except a decrepit table and two chairs, there seems to be nothing there. Serbia, in her military's uniform, continues to stare at him with a serious expression on her face.
Bulgaria looks at his former ally a little anxious. "So, what's going to happen now?" he asks sweating.
"All in good times" Serbia finally speaks still extremely serious. "Let's have a little chat first. Sit" she says looking at the chair. Bulgaria does so very carefully.
"Now, about the territory division" she starts. Bulgaria gets upset.
Flashback: A field after a battle. Serbia walks with Bulgaria. The latest united successes in the war left them both in a good mood. "So who are we looking for again?" she asks looking around.
"One of ours. But don't worry about it. I'll look for her. You can go and rest" he says and continues walking south.
Serbia does so, taking off her easily recognisable hat and sitting down next to a pile of rocks. She puts her gun down and is preparing some tobacco when she hears some noise. Turning sharply, she sees a short girl with long wild brown hair spying on her over the rocks. Relieved, she replies: "Are you lost?"
"Um, no. I, just wanted to ask if I can have a cigarette" the girl quietly says. Serbia nods and offers her pack. The girl smiles and comes out. She is wearing a national attire and has no shoes. "Did you make the Ottomans go away?" she asks taking and takes the tobacco wrapped in paper.
"Um, yes. Me and Bulgaria. You must be the representative of this region? I kind of have a feeling that I saw you before" Serbia asks.
"Oh, you probably did. I've been here since forever" the girl replies proud. She then continues telling her story and stops only when Bulgaria arrives.
"There you are! Oh, I'm so happy to see you" he says rushing to embrace her. The girl lets him put his arms around her but his squeeze is too strong. We see her feeling uncomfortable while he still continues to hold her smiling. End of flashback.
Next scene: In the basement. Bulgaria looks angry. "We had a deal" he says mad.
"I know" Serbia replies. "It's just..."
Flashback: (May 30th 1913) London. A large nicely decorated negotiations room. On one side are England, Russia, Austro-Hungary, Germany, Italy and Ottoman. On the other, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro. The newly freed regions are sitting quietly, awaiting their fate. They all seem serious and anxious.
A large map of the Balkans is on the center of a large table. It's Serbia's turn to get her part of the territories. She looks at the map, with her hands crossed, silent and displeased.
Britain observes her, finally speaking: "I would strongly advise that you accept these territorial changes. We have pondered day and night to make the best possible decision for that region."
The side of Serbia's lip arches down. "It's hard to take these squiggly lines you made seriously when you didn't even care to spell my name right" she says straining to breath normally.
"Think of the people, this is the best for them" Italy adds compassionate.
"Really? Interesting. Because the last time you were given some colorful ink and a large piece of paper, you drew two long lines between me and my brother who just happens to have a coast."
"Barely has a coast" Montenegro adds depressed.
"You were given those territories now" Russia addresses her. She glances at him disappointed and continues: "And now, the region my army fought and died for, and fairly won, is being taken away. And, surprise surprise, it's the one that has access to the sea. Call me crazy but I'm sensing a pattern here" she states keeping her voice low and monotone.
Austria rolls his eyes: "Oh please, stop being so self-absorbed. The world does not revolve around you. These territories will have a brand new nation. Its rightful representative."
"And what about my people there?" Serbia says emotionless.
"What people? There are only my people there" a female voice is heard. A girl with red hair stands. She seems cute, but Serbia gets the impression that she is not that bright. She has a white skirt with a red and black vest and apron."I would like to say how happy I am you acknowledged me. I will show you my worth by becoming the most prosperous country in the Balkans" she states to the powers with confidence. None of the Balkan countries are impressed.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Greece blurts staring at her suspicious.
"Why, I'm Shqip..." she says before Austria interrupts. "Her name Albania" he says to which she stops talking and nods.
End of flashback: "So!" Bulgaria yells "You got scr*wed over by the powers and you decided to take it out on me! She is mine! We had a deal."
Serbia stands up furious. "Yes you are right. We HAD a deal. But things are different now. You may not have noticed, from that meeting but I am in great danger. I need a strong army as a bargaining chip in case the great Austro-Hungarian Empire decides he is done playing passive parlor games and moves on to the battlefield. And with the losses I endured chasing away our common enemy as well as coming to your aid in battle, I am entitled to some land and some more manpower!"
"How can I trust you after this? You were always after my land. Ever since we were little, you kept taking the side of anyone who was against me" Bulgaria yells back.
"Oh please. I was a kid. And you were no better...What did we know back then? Nothing. No one did. We hopped around the battlefield in epic fights just for fun. But we are adults now. We must be mature and responsible so that our people can live long and happy lives" she says with conviction and sits back down.
He crosses his hands listening.
"Alright. This is my offer. I will forget that you savagely attacked my forces in the middle of the night starting this whole mess..."
"You deserved it" he interrupts.
"And the boys and I agreed to ignore the fact that, while you were fighting me and Greece, you left your capital and the rest of your land completely unguarded, letting Romania nonchalantly waltz in" she says trying to suppress a laugh. He makes a face but remains silent.
"They will take a small portion of your territory but I will respect the boarders drawn before the war. I will only keep the girl" Serbia states.
Bulgaria stands up so violently that his chair hits the ground. He paces around swearing.
"If you are planning to start another fight, I won't hesitate to call Romania and Greece. They are outside listening in. Whose side do you think they'll chose?" she says in an extremely calm and confident manner.
Bulgaria sighs and stops to think. "So this is the plan? There won't the any unexpected changes when we go and sign the treaty?"
"You have my word" she says standing up and extending her arm. He reluctantly accepts it and they shake hands. From his face, we can see that he is not satisfied, but he calms down and stays that way. For a while.