As the chef closed down the shop, she looked at it melancholically. There was a lot of work to do and she had not taken care of herself that well lately. So once home, she did a relaxing face routine, poured some camomile tea and listened to soft music while enjoying the view. Then she went to the spa, to get a massage. After that, in a nowhere-to-hurry way, headed over to do a few detox treatments, did her hair and got her nails done.
"Anything on your mind?" the nail technician asked with a smile. The female was deep in thought, still very much melancholic.
"They could have done a much better job" she answered as if in a daze.
"Huh?"
"The podium. It was out in the open..." she leaned in explaining. "When my boss went to Kosovska Mitrovica, the rally was in the open too. There were people behind him of course, but so was a bulletproof wall. I think there was a logo or something. Doesn't matter. It didn't take away from the aesthetics. And above him was a gigantic black roof that shielded all of them from potential snipers. And there probably were, since the whole, you know... Any way, a much better solution than standing out in the open, as he was made to do for the Srebrenica visit. Those who sent him knew exactly what they were doing" she concluded.
The nail technician watched her gobsmacked. "I was asking about the nails" she uttered.
"Oh, typical clean French" the customer concluded calmly and presented her hand.
With her nails done, she continued to a nearby park where she could put her feet. Reading a newspaper, she sat on a picnic blanket under a nice shade. And then, as if sensing she took a nice relaxing day off, who should come and ruin this peaceful moment - Austria.
"Why hello there. I haven't seen you in a while?" he said, walking down the path. He seemed somewhat stresses, understandable with everything going on.
She glanced up, unbothered. "'S up?"
This casual reply stung him. "Not much, just that the entire world is in chaos and it only seems to be getting worse," he said blunt.
She did not respond, more interested in the papers.
"Come to think of it, it was like that ever since your BOY assassinated my Arch duke."
She glanced up and sighed. "Italy's boys did worse long before that. One killed your empress and another tried to kill your emperor. Why didn't you declare war on them?"
"That was different!" he stuttered.
"How was that different?" she asked calmly.
"He didn't mean it."
"Really? I heard he constructed a monument in its honor not long after?"
Austria seemed shocked she knew this. Even he forgot, it seemed. "He's... family."
The paper wacked onto the blanket. "So that's what it all revolves around. Others having to suffer because of your pathetic daytime family drama!" she declared sharply. "This is not a play or a TV show. These are human beings it's affecting. People. With actual lives. They matter. All of them!" she declared, rightfully angry.
He stood there, stunned. "But... But," he tried to save face.
"Officer!" the visible annoyed girl waved at a policeman. "Officer, please arrest this man. He is clearly bothering me."
The officer, turned and noticed the same. Austria gulped, seeing the man walk towards him. "Alright, alright. I'm leaving... God, you're touchy," he mumbled and walked away.
Evening was approaching and with that a lovely sunset over the park. The girl took in the view, taking a few pictures and a few selfies along the way.
"Wonderful sunset, isn't it?" a passer-by remarked.
She turned and nodded adjusting the phone to the orange and pink hues.
"Too bad global warming is gonna destroy all that. With all the gas consumption and farming causing CO2 emissions..."
"I'm sorry. What?" she asked.
"You know... with the cows and meat production," the passer-by remarked, slightly insecure this time.
She turned to them, and squinted. "Tell me, do you know how much CO2 emissions are caused by wars? Like the ones raging right now?"
"Umm..."
"The ground get pulverized, causing smoke and debris that gets everywhere. Lungs, air, water. Ash falls, making it unusable. Not to mention the fires or dangerous chemicals that lace the bombs. Do you actually think that cows are the main culprit here?"
The person slouched, not sure how to reply.
"I understand that your concern is coming from a good place. But I do believe that such zest would be more useful stopping thanks than transportation vehicles and livestock."
With that the girl calmly walked away. The view was too nice to be spoiled this way.
Eventually, she returned home.
"Hey, how was your selfcare day," her partner greeted her from the door.
The girl, who held a sombre expression for most of the day, smiled pleasantly. "It was good. Had a few hiccups but other than that... Yeah, I feel refreshed and recharged."
"Mmm, well I'm happy for you babe," Srpska uttered.
She got in the kitchen and after some rummaging, emerged back into the living room. "Hey, where's Plazma."
"Oh, we ran out," he said.
"Can't you get some more?" she asked.
Srpska made a face. "I don't know. The stocks have depleted after the fire."
She blinked, stunned. "What fire?"
"Don't you know? The factory burned down a month ago?"
"What?" Her jaw opened, flabbergasted. "You mean that the place where my favourite national biscuit Plazma. MY PLAZMA is gone?"
"I thought you knew," he added slowly. Serbia was visibly shaking.
"THIS IS A NATIONAL EMERGENCY! WE HAVE TO GET TO WORK ASAP! I HAVE BEEN EATING THAT FOR A HUNDRED YEARS! I CAN'T GO WHITOUT!" she yelled and paced around with all that relaxation she accumulated going out the window.