World Academy W (present)
In front of a computer classroom students are standing around chatting with friends. Yasna hurries to Wang Yao and Yong Soo who are talking by themselves. "Hi guys. I was wondering if I can do the IT project with you?" she asks smiling.
They look at her. "Oh, are you interested in working with us?" Wang Yao asks in a friendly way. "I intend for this project to be my masterpiece. The programming is going to be next level. Are you sure you can handle it?" Yong Soo adds.
"Yes. If you agree with it that is. I may not be a computer wiz like you, but I'm sure I can be useful and do my part" she says with confidence. The two boys look at each other. Wang Yao shrugs and Yong Soo nods. "Alright. See you in the library tomorrow at recess" Wang Yao says.
"Okay. Sure thing!" Yasna smiles and the two say goodbye.
"I'm gonna get the highest mark for sure" she says happy and almost runs into someone. "Oh, hi Elizabetha. Long time no see" she says still in a good mood. Her friend stares at her suspicious.
"Making friends I see" Elizabetha says with a cold expression. "Why do you ask? Jealous?" Yasna teases. Elizabetha does not reply but walks with her through the hallway. Their next class is in the music room.
Roderich is outside waiting for someone. He waves seeing the girls. Elizabetha waves back.
"Are you two back together?" Yasna whispers. "No. But we do spend time together. Especially now since he is off baby-sitting duty" Elizabetha replies quietly as he approaches.
"Hi" he casually says to Yasna who replies in the same manner and then winks at Elizabetha. She smiles back twirling her hair. Yasna sees this as a sign to leave and enters the classroom slightly confused.
Next scene: Inside is an arrangement of instruments that students are free to chose. That is, if they can get to one first. Yasna looks at the accordion longingly. Maintaining her cool girl image came at a cost. With all the posing, carefree attitude and witty remarks thought off at the spot, she also had to face the fact that certain things are off limits. Such as uncool instruments like the accordion or trumpet. Most of the time she would pick the triangle because not showing effort at all is most times better accepted than being mediocre at something.
Ludwig takes the accordion and goes to his seat alone. Right next to him is Honda with his shamisen. Yasna finds this strange. She cannot remember when was the last time she saw him without his brothers around. "This is new" she thinks with a raised eyebrow and takes a seat. Other students enter. Among them is Veneciano who is crying very openly. Ivan is by his side comforting him. "There, there. You'll get through this" he says to which Veneciano starts sobbing harder. Antonio goes to pick out an instrument but does not feel like playing anything. A teacher, in an outfit that is half clown, half jem-obsessed fortune teller, enters and starts the class singing a melodic "Hello my dears. Let's play the gloom away!" The students murmur and the class continues like any other.
Before WWI
We see a peaceful summer landscape indifferent to the problems people were facing. Over this idyllic scene, the narrator speaks: "It is probably very obvious that Austro-Hungarian Empire and Serbia were never really the best of buddies. In fact, the empire tried multiple times to start a war with its small neighbour. Luckily for Serbia, someone kept it at bay." A chibi Russia pops out and waves. The narrator continues: "Well, yes...But I was thinking of someone else. Sorry. You'll get your turn soon." The chibi pouts and disappears.
Next scene: During the First Balkan War. A lavishly decorated office. Prussia answers a fancy looking phone. Young Germany is tinkering with something but we cannot see what. "Mhm, mhm...Alright, I'll see what I can do" he says and hangs up.
"What is it?" Germany asks still occupied with whatever he is doing. "He seems to be having problems with his southern neighbor and wants to crush him. Asked us to join him" Prussia replies nonchalantly. Germany ponders for a second and continues: "What did Bismark say about him?"
"Short version, that it's not worth our troubles" Prussia replies.
"Then there is your answer. And besides Greece and Romania consider him an ally. We should not risk alienating them" the teen replies calmly.
"If that is your decision, I shall respect it. However, Austria did seem furious about the whole thing. Should we go to him and make sure he does not do anything stupid?" Prussia suggests. Germany makes a face not wanting to leave what he started unfinished. "Fine" he says annoyed.
Next scene: During the Second Balkan War. Same phone, same office. Same nation screaming into Prussia's ear. "Alright! Alright! I'll talk to him" he says irritated before harshly hanging up. We see Germany's play corner better. He has a tiny plane in his hand and other stuff we cannot see because of the angle. "Something wrong?" he asks his big brother.
"No. Austria's trigger finger is itching again. It seems that all his neighbors are at war and he feels left out." Prussia snickers for a bit and adds: "Actually, I have been missing some action myself. Perhaps, we should help him mop the floor with that tiny pest he keeps nagging about. It's not like it will be a challenge. "
"I don't know. Let's wait a while. Maybe he changes his mind" Germany replies arranging some things.
"Very well" Prussia sighs disappointed.
Next scene: After the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and the ultimatum. Same office, same screaming coming from the phone. "Again! You're really getting on my nerves. Mhm, mhm. Yes, the boss did say that but...Yes! Fine! FINE! I'll talk to him!" Prussia yells smashing the telephone down. Germany observes the whole thing. "He hasn't changed his mind, has he?" the boy says.
"No! He is as stubborn as a mule" Prussia replies still angry.
"Alright then" Germany adds calmly. Prussia turns to him confused. The boy shows him his corner, which is completely covered in tanks, planes and toy soldiers. They are all sorted and perfectly aligned with one another into lines difficult to believe were done by hand alone. Prussia looks at it impressed.
"I'm ready" Germany replies calm. Prussia taps him on the shoulder proud.
