A beautiful sandy beach glistening under the moonlight. The carefree girl splashes in the shallow waves. "This is amazing. I don't remember the last time I had so much fun" the girl smiled. She was in a little black dress with her heels in her hands. Her dazzling smile and long brown hair carry a particular resemblance to the main protagonist. It was Niš, enjoying a quiet evening with Turkiye.
He walks behind her in fine polished shoes and suit, and smiles at, to him, radiant sight. Coming closer, he puts his hands around her waist and turns her towards him. She looks up at him, putting her hands on his chest.
"I'm glad you liked it. It is a good thing you excepted my invitation for the weekend" he says.
Niš chuckles. "How could I refuse. All expenses paid, with a full tour of Ismir and so on. I have to say, I never expected for you to have so many churches."
Turkiye shrugs. "What can I say. I am a man of culture. Besides most of those were Byzantium's so... Did not have the heart to tear them all down."
She looks down and sighs. "Yeah. There's a lot of history here. Wish I could stay a little longer but Serbia would be worried" she adds slowly as the waves swish under the starry night.
He looks up and inhales. "Listen, there have been something I've been meaning to ask."
"What is it" she stutters, holding her breath.
Taking her hands, he starts slowly: "If you liked it here so much. I truly don't see a reason for you leaving. You could stay here. I would come and visit you on the weekends. I can promise, I'll..."
She looks away letting go off his hands. Turning away, her eyes gaze west. "I'm sorry. You know I can't accept."
"But why?" he revolts. "She treats you badly. Favouriting all the others. Restricting you. Controlling you, like you were some sort of..."
"City?"
"Yes!" he yells.
"Isn't that a job of a country? To keep it's cities orderly?" she retorts.
He shakes his head displeased. "Stay with me. I promise I will never be mean to you. I will shower you with gifts. Just state your wish and I will bring it to you."
Niš closes her eyes tight, as if his words pain her. With her hands crossed, she contemplates for a moment.
"Thank you for a lovely day, but I really need to go" she says with a quiver in her voice and walks away. She passes her devastated date and walks and walks until the nigh outlines of the city are replaced with a plain white background.
"It was that night that Turkiye realized something" the narrator says as she walks slowly towards the elevated cube. "Serbia and Niš might not like each other often. They might act mean and say hurtful things to each other."
The aforementioned nation was sleeping on the flat surface in her fine attire. She wakes up noticing her approach, prompting her body up. Niš tries to smile but cannot muster the strengths.
"But there is a very good reason why she is her oldest friend" the narrator concludes. Pressing her lips the runaway city brushes a strain of her hair apologetically. Serbia, confused at first, smiles warmly. Making some place on her slab, she pats it signalizing her to sit. The city does so. Once at her side, she lets out a painful sigh. The country embraces her, letting her press against her shoulder. She holds her gently, like a mother would a child, forgiving her in advance.
"I didn't tell him anything..." she says with a quiver in her voice.
"I know" Serbia replies calmly.
"I would never... I would never betray you like that" Niš says starting to sob.
Her nation hugs her tighter and lulls her gently as the camera zooms away.