Story: Makarovia! Sure, I Know Where That Is
Chapter 7 Makarovia Prepares for Christmas
Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)
Adult Readers, Sexual Situations, Sex
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This chapter is about traditions in Eastern Europe. There are a lot of traditions, dishes, and names that might be foreign to you, but enjoy the season with them. I love it. More important is their tolerance and respect of the different cultures, religions, and diversity of all Humanity. They learned a great lesson we all need to learn.
Makarovia Prepares for Christmas
I woke up cold. Turning over, I realized Peter had gone...somewhere, but not here. Rolling over, I heard why as the toilet flushed. I grinned as Peter rushed back rubbing his arms to keep warm and smiled at me.
"Sorry." He said rushing over and pulled the covers down over me, but didn't get in bed. He was naked.
"A robe would help with that." I smiled at him.
He nodded. "Yes, it would." He hurried to the large metal box near the fireplace. Opening it, he fished a couple of logs out and tossed them on the still warm coals and grabbed the fireplace poker and stirred up the coals and rushed back, threw the covers back and dove in next to me.
His cold skin and icy feet hit me and, "Oh! You're cold!" I yelped.
"Sorry again." Peter snuggled up next to me wrapping cold arms around me. "You're warm."
I chuckled as he didn't back away, but pulled me closer. "I was."
I felt Peter shrug. "I had to go." He said simply. "If I don't add the wood, it will get even colder in here. What I did will warm the room again."
"I understand that," I said as the shock of the coldness of his body was going away or I had gotten used to it. "Fire good." I said using a voice like a caveman...at least what I envisioned of a caveman's voice to be. "Cold bad."
Peter chuckled kissing my neck. Even his lips were cold to my warm neck. "Yes, Gundar."
"There are no central heat units," I said asking for a confirmation of what I saw.
"No," Peter admitted weakly. "Running the vents would be hard."
There were vents in the chimney walls that began to blow the warm air coming from the burning logs warming the air.
I could see it would be difficult to add those vents. Not impossible, but the whole structure was made of stone and what was there worked. Why fix it? The structure predated...just everything. Pipes were added hundreds of years later. Electric wiring was only a few decades old in addition and any fiber-optic cables for cable or Internet only a few years ago. They did add these strategically along the walls. The new routers and wireless connections were very new and some wires could be removed now. Vents to heat would require more destruction and reconstruction. Having wood up here ready was vital to stay warm as that was the most important thing.
"You told me; Olek told me...I just wasn't prepared for last night." I admitted turning toward him.
Peter chuckled running his lips over my skin. "I knew you wouldn't be. You couldn't be prepared. When you're here at the end of December and into January...that can be really cold." He looked to the small window in our room. "It might be cold, but it might get up to ten degrees Fahrenheit today!"
"Minus twelve degrees Celsius," I said doing the calculations in my head. "That's almost...balmy!"
"Almost." Peter agreed smiling at me. He wrapped his arms around me more pulling me close. "There are things, as I explained before, we can do to keep warm."
I kissed him. "Use any excuse is welcome. I love you, Peter."
"I know." He mumbled as he was kissing me again and he was...heating up.
Being in Makarovia, for me, for the first time in winter was showing me the challenge. Snow, wind, and ice were everywhere. For such a cold climate, it was a very warm place to live. I mean emotionally. I did notice a new structure near the palace covered in snow and buried. It was a tunnel. Well, a temporary tunnel above ground tunnel now covered that allowed access from the palace to the underground passages in Styria.
Adjusting the few hours difference was not difficult, but Makarovia was ahead time-wise in the day. It was later compared to the time on the East Coast. Peter and I got up about noon! I noticed they were putting in more radiating heating units in the palace. Now that money was coming in more, they were making improvements all over Makarovia. I grew up in the South where it was often swelteringly hot. Keeping cool was the focus there. Here was the complete opposite. I'd just have to get used to it.
We showered and dressed, putting on long underwear under our clothes. A sweater over my shirt because there were areas here where they really didn't heat as much in the palace and Peter was showing me how things were.
We came down for a meal for whatever this time dictated. Entering the dining area there was just Queen Alla. She was wearing a white, almost creamy beige sweater and pants (her signature color I found out) looking like what she was. A Queen and former model. Breathtakingly beautiful. She looked up and instantly smiled getting up.
"It was late when you got here." She said hugging Peter and then me. "Welcome home."
"Thanks." Peter grinned back. "You look good, as usual."
"So, do you." She looked at me with a smile. "Your first winter in Makarovia. What do you think?"
I just did a shiver.
She just let out a delighted laugh. "Yes, that about sums it up. Makarovia can be harsh, but it can still be beautiful. Especially now. This time of year adds an almost magical essence to everything." She said looking dreamily at nothing, but clearly seeing something in her mind.
I smiled. "Christmas...and the other holidays of this season...does weave a sort of magic. I always love it." I chuckled. "There are some traditions I have I don't want to stop."
"Oh?" Peter asked. "Did you do it last year?"
I nodded poking him lightly in the chest. "You know what they are." I smiled patting his chest where I had poked him. "All those programs I watched?"
Peter nodded with a laugh. "Oh, yes. I wondered why you watched those children's shows."
"Yes, they were for children at first, but not really." I bounced. "Shows like Rudolph: The Red-Nosed Reindeer with Burl Ives singing those carols, Frosty, all the Santa Clause movies...you saw me watch those. I never miss them."
Queen Alla's eyes widened. "Never?"
"Never." I smiled. "Dad taught me, if you're too old for Rudolph, you're too old."
Queen Alla nodded. "I've never seen it; this should be interesting."
Peter thumbed over his shoulder. "I noticed the addition; the above-ground tunnel?"
Queen smiled and nodded again. "To access the underground. Things down there have really changed. We've added and are improving what was there. It's still a work in progress, but I think you'll be pleased. Since the military has time now, ours and the other countries...they have helped. I look forward to showing you." Then she smiled more. "Or maybe you should both see it for yourselves. I think you'll be pleased."
"There are more than just the tunnels now?" Peter asked.
"The new arrivals will want things," Queen said she hugged him. "You'll see. Go!"
I turned to Peter. "So, I won't be the only one seeing something new."
From what I had been told, there were passages under Styria. I asked when I first flew over Makarovia and saw the...town, village...whatever, that was Styria, I asked where they got the gallon of milk, bread or just supplies. The new heating units for the streets and roads would help, but if it was actively a storm of snow and ice...I didn't think even those would keep the roads clear enough to go out.
It was a little later when Peter grabbed a coat and gave one to me. "Your people await, My Lord." He said grandly to me with the exaggerated bow.
I really growled at him. "It's good I love you or we could be having harsh words...in English and Makarovian!" I took the coat and followed him to the elevator. There was an entry to this new tunnel just to the side of the palace wall that had to be shoveled but was clear now. We walked into the tunnel's entrance where we gradually went down. It would be dark day or night, so there were lights periodically placed, but it was still cold. Out of the wind, so it wasn't bad. Then we got to a passage that was chiseled out of the very rock, there again was the passage that led off toward town. I had no idea! It made sense, though. To get that loaf of bread or gallon of milk...with that much snow and ice...you had to have them.
"No wonder there isn't that much traffic above," I said.
Peter was looking at it...seemingly for the first time. "Only in the winter was it used." His eyes widened. "Oh, my god!"
We were looking at the various construction slots and equipment around. The smell of wet concrete and paint was strong. I also heard a fan that was sucking the fumes out somewhere. We rounded a corner...sort of...it emptied to an intersection. An underground intersection and people were strolling down here with bags of things they had gotten. Men, women, and children walked together seeing us and nodded with bows and a smile, but kept going!
"Wow!" Peter gaped at all the reconstruction. "Mom was right! Things are changing down here." He smiled bigger as many smiling faces that walked the passages.
"But these passages have been here," I said puzzled.
"Yes, they were just...passages." He pointed to the wall of the passage. "There were the openings to go up...to the street." I pointed to a sign that said what was at the top of the worn stairs. "Depending on the conditions above, you still had to travel in snow and ice to get to a business." He pointed to what advertised a market. "It's like...Styria is now underground."
"This wasn't like this before?" I asked.
Peter gave a shrug. "Not as extensive as it is now, but this..." He waved to some fresh marks where the tunnel was widened. "These were simply...tunnels before...to get from one part of Styria to the other." He waved at the wider tunnel and people. "This is much more!"
I nodded thumbing up to the surface. "There is a hell of a lot of snow and ice up there. It makes sense to have this."
Peter nodded and looked back at another sign. "Makarovian Underground Transit?" The picture was of a modern shuttle on a rail.
"That also makes sense," I said.
"The first will go from here to Skoal." I nodded. "They begin soon. It's projected completion date is for next fall." I looked at Peter surprised. "Can they do it that fast?"
Peter grinned. "Other than hiding, we know how to drill."
"It will make things better in Makarovia." I read the board display. "They want to connect all of Makarovia. The whole project will take a decade to complete, but it would solve many of the problems you spoke about." I smiled as I noticed the familiar greenish color of the military equipment and machinery in the United States with the unique lettering and probably in England, too. "I see the military is being utilized here."
I pointed to a business sign. "I told you! All the men here like us, there would be the trendy things! The Makarovian Gourmet Coffee Shoppe!" I drug him in the direction the sign said.
Arriving, there were people waiting to get various hot drinks. The Coffee Shop was basically a holed out portion in the wall of the tunnel. It was clearly still under construction, but there were the wires, pipes, and cords along the wall to have the business open! The other people saw us and bowed slightly waving for us to go ahead of them.
Peter smiled pulling me closer in a one-armed hug. "You must understand. The Earl of Styria...the future Prince of Makarovia doesn't like to...impose himself. He appreciates the consideration, but will say no."
"He's right, I am saying thank you, but no." I waved at them to go ahead. I watched as all of them pulled out cards to pay for what they got. "What currency do you use in Makarovia?"
Peter smiled. "That depends on who is in charge; rubles, hryvnia and Euros."
The girl behind the counter smiled and bowed slightly. "Welcome to the Makarovian Gourmet Coffee Shoppe, Your Highness, My Lord. What can I get you?"
I thumbed at Peter. "He'll have a coffee! I just know it." I grinned at him as he looked away. "I would like a hot chocolate." I grinned and raised my hands apart. "A big one."
She nodded. "Coming right up."
Peter pulled his wallet out and took his card out with the VISA written on it. It was a card tied into the treasury.
"So, that's why there are all these cards." I reasoned.
Peter nodded. "There are banks in Makarovia."
The girl handed me the steaming big cup of hot chocolate. "Forgive me, but..." she pointed down the tunnel, "There is a branch open down there. Anyone can go to one and give whatever currency they have and convert it to a card. That card can be used to buy here." She said simply. "It's better than counting change in all those currencies and having the available currency to change back into." She handed Peter is coffee.
"Modern times! Improvements!" I took my hot chocolate from the young woman with a thank you, to which she returned with a slight bow. This sort of thing, I just was going to have to get used to it. "Places more remote will probably still have to come out and go through the snow to get to wherever. I would like one to The Grotto."
Peter chuckled putting his arm around me as we strolled down the passage. "I don't think that was a priority." He shrugged. "I don't think they have the supplies needed now. Not to have the sort of business they do late spring, summer or early fall."
I waved at the many down here now. "They need something to do."
Peter looked at the many people walking. "These were just..." he shrugged, "tunnels. Maybe one or two could walk together, but this is so much wider...and lit!"
"As I never saw it before, I can't understand." I brightened. "Now, there won't be as much focus on redoing the village and town above!"
"We really don't have that long a season to be outdoors."
"Naturally," I said. "That's why we need places like the one you said would be a place for these marvelous people to have fun and get out of all that snow. We can have those great sunflower lights to grab sunshine and pipe it down. If not, they can relax in a warm place and just relax!" I sipped on the hot chocolate. "This is GOOD hot chocolate!"
"Nothing but the best from now on!" Peter said sipping his coffee. "Good coffee!"
The temperature down here was not bad. No wind and no snow. The surrounding earth kept the temperature steady. Why was I so lucky to be here when these changes were going to happen? These people had suffered a long time, but now were stepping out into a brighter world. It wasn't fair or unfair, it simply was. "There aren't any Christmas lights down here," I said.
"It isn't Christmas yet," Peter said simply.
"The United States starts decorating after Halloween," I grumbled.
We walked further down the passage enjoying being down here. Everyone seemed to be enjoying being out...of their homes and out of the cold. This was a whole new world for Peter as well. I couldn't image what it was like before, but from Peter's reaction, it was a vast improvement. This was going to become a city underground.
"This is great!" Peter nodded toward more signs that said what was above to shop and find various items. There were also other signs advertising future things like restaurants and other shops and stores. It was sort of heading toward a modern mall look and feel.
"And it won't have to be for just the winter!" I said happily. "This will be year-round." I turned walking backward a second, looking at Peter's face. "If anything,...this like the North Pole!"
I watched his face grow puzzled. "The North Pole? I know it's cold out, but..."
"Not the North Pole in the Arctic, I mean the North Pole, like Santa's North Pole in those movies and shows I watch." I grinned more. "There are times here when it doesn't snow and the weather is clear...cold, but clear. Right?"
Peter nodded. "Sure."
"This can be Santa's domain!" I said and nodding. "Yes, I know he's Svyatyi Mykolai here for St. Nicholas." I cocked my head. "Do you know of Pavuchky?"
Peter nodded chuckling. "Yes, we know about the Christmas Spider...the poor who couldn't afford to decorate the tree and the web turning into silver and gold Christmas morning."
I nodded. "Starting tinsel! And the Christmas tree?"
Peter grinned now drinking his coffee. "Yes, the story of the little boy on Christmas Eve that knocked on a poor man's house, that man taking him in, fed, cleaned him up and even put him to bed only to be awakened by the choir of angels and that little boy was Jesus himself! The beginning of Christmas Trees with the bow and tinsel and all that." He chuckled. "We were part of Ukraine many times and their customs, stories, and traditions were here as well."
"Yes!" I nodded. "I just love the season and the stories, but there could be so much more here to winter...like sculptures in the snow! An ice hotel! The possibilities are endless. It would boost tourism!"
"Tourists in Makarovia," Peter said incredibly, thinking about the idea. "That will be a first. We probably can't do it this year, but next year, sure."
"We could do it this year! We can get the ball rolling." I said putting my arm around him. "The snow and ice sculptures...even the ice hotel! That doesn't have to be due to the Christmas Season or any holiday." I grinned at him. "I tell you again and again, with so many people like us in this country...there are bound to be artists who will love to do it!"
Peter grabbed me closer and rested his lips on my forehead. "I love you, Eric." He chuckled. "I love that you are loving Makarovia."
"I know you love me, Peter." I stopped bringing him in for a kiss. "This country grew you. I adore Makarovia. I adore you."
He laughed as he returned the kiss. "I know you do."
"What do you think, Your Highness?" A friendly voice asked pleasantly.
Turning, I saw Fedir and his husband walking hand in hand. "Fedir!" I suddenly launched myself at the smiling man, hugging him quickly. "It's great to see you!" I turned to his husband Kurt. "I've never really met you but once, Kurt! Hello, again!" And I hugged him, too.
Peter smiled at the surprised Kurt. "My husband is a big hugger."
I turned to Peter. "What? Of course, I am. Handshakes are just so...distant. Fedir and I are friends! Kurt and I will be." I smiled at the blond man.
"Well, I don't want to be accused of being distant." Peter grinned and hugged them both. "I can't believe this!" He waved at the passage. "This used to be just...a hole."
"Not anymore!" Fedir waved with his coffee. "Don't worry, this decaf." He wiggled the coffee he was drinking.
Kurt rolled his eyes. "Your doctor said no caffeine, Fedir!" He nodded at me. "He never listens. It's great to have you here, My Lo..."
"Kurt!" Fedir interrupted in mocking irritation. "I told you, he doesn't like the titles." He waved at me.
Kurt nodded and smiled. "It's great to see you...can I call you Eric?"
"I insist," I said.
"It's great to see you, Eric," Kurt said and turned to Fedir. "I want you around! You will do what the doctor said!"
"See?" I said as Kurt confirmed what I'd said to Fedir before when he dared to have his one drink after locating the many files and letters on the escaped World War II people in Makarovia.
"I know," Fedir said sadly. "Only he takes what the doctor says to cut back on and Kurt wants me not to do it at all!!"
"Better safe than sorry, honey!" Kurt said as he must have said it again and again.
Fedir smiled at Kurt and then looked at me and shrugged. "He loves me." He looked at the many people down here and smiled. "Things are getting crowded here. I think it's great! Things are really changing in Makarovia."
"For the better?" I asked.
"Definitely," Kurt said quickly. He bounced a little. "They found this big..." he looked at Fedir. "What was that? A lava bubble?"
Fedir nodded. "When this part of Makarovia was forming millions of years ago, there was a large bubble apparently and it solidified. They're opening a Grotto like something there!" He frowned at Kurt. "Which you won't let me go when it does!"
"They haven't even started construction, Fedir!" Kurt said back he looked at me and pointed at Peter. "Does he irritate you sometimes?" He thumbed at Fedir.
I nodded and grinned. "Sometimes."
Peter's eyes widened. "When do I do that!?" He demanded.
"Plenty of times! Like when you get fixed on something...when the professor got under your skin at Northeastern and you forgot..." I pointed at Fedir and Kurt, "he forgot to greet me." I waved my hand. "A lot of times you do that!"
"Yeah, well, you bring me back!"
I bounced again and looked at Fedir and Kurt. "Ain't love grand?" I said in English. It wouldn't translate into Makarovian or Ukrainian.
It took them both a minute before Fedir nodded getting what I said. "Yes, it is." He bumped Kurt pulling him in for a kiss.
"Right now, most of the people in Styria are loving being able to have somewhere to go." Kurt waved at the passage ahead. "See what's coming and what's here." He said smiling. "Go! Enjoy!"
I hugged them again. "You can come to visit now! Do that, or do I need to make that a Royal Command? Frequently, understand?" I said and we walked off. "We'll come to see you?"
"We'd love to have you." Fedir grinned. "We'll be here, My Lord." He said pointedly at me, knowing he annoyed me.
We did go further through the newer, wider passages.
"This is happening in Skoal, too." Peter pointed to another sign.
"There are a lot of people here now," I said reasonably. "Not a lot to do outside now...it makes sense."
We returned to the palace and walked into the family communal room as we caught Olek and Helga in a...well, they were kissing and in an embrace that...was very personal.
I chuckled. "Well, not to be left out..." I grabbed Peter and pulled him in for a kiss of our own.
Olek broke from Helga. "We were here and..."
Peter broke our kiss only to say. "You don't need to defend love to us, Olek."
Olek kissed Helga again quickly and turned more to us. "So, what did you think of the new passages?"
Peter nodded. "They were pretty impressive. All the new businesses opening. Where are you getting the personnel?"
"We have more people now and many who need something to do. Makarovians, British and American." Olek said. "Personnel is not a problem."
"With this new influx of people..." I said hesitantly, "there still is the consortium to consider."
"Yes." Olek sighed. "I think when we were starting with the novelty of the uranium we were more in danger, but I think...I hope...the world knows it's ours. Even the Ukraine and Russia have backed off. Those that want to take it know now that won't be possible. There are always those that will try to take control, but with the new people here. It will be harder."
"I hope so," Peter said quietly.
There were new improvements all over Makarovia. Now that there was more money coming in those improvements were well on the way. New heating units were being installed in the palace. With these improvements, there was a need for new laborers to make the improvements.
There were so many more people in the palace. Not just workers for the palace or laborers, but Olek's office was in the palace and there were more people seeing him, bringing reports and other Makarovian things the king had to be appraised of.
The mixture of East and West for upcoming Christmas Season was going to be interesting. Eastern Orthodox and Western religions were now simultaneously being observed. The Santa Claus the people from the West was now being seen more as well as Svyatyi Mykolai, Makarovia's and Ukraine's version of St. Nicholas were being seen.
Not all the stores were underground naturally, but there were now entrances from underground to gain access to these stores. There was still none of those large malls or chain stores overly decorated for the upcoming Christmas. Most Makarovians who could shop online. Most had ordered a while back to make sure what they wanted to give was here in time. Who needs that Christmas rush anyway?
Makarovia took on a whole new meaning for me. As cold as it could be, it was beautiful. Peter and I ventured out during the daylight of the afternoon. Standing on the bluff near the palace everything was covered in pristine white with that clean feeling that came with snow. The hush that was always accompanying scenes like this was...amazing. Almost no traffic on the streets as everyone was moving around underground. The river that ran by was frozen now on the surface. I saw a movie a long time ago, "The Silver Skates" or something where there was a village that skated on the canals that ran by their village. The Netherlands, I think. Here as the day got brighter there were people skating on the river ice! Then I noticed someone on a large patch of ice near the river. They had erected a series of raised wooden seats near what was clearly a skating rink.
"Peter," I pointed to the man and ice, "what's he doing?"
Peter looked and grinned. "That's where the guys play hockey."
"And you used to play hockey on it?" I asked.
"Yes, I did."
"Don't you like hockey?" I asked.
"Sure, but I don't have time..."
"You do now!" I said brightly. "Isn't there scheduled games or something?"
Peter gave a shrugging nod. "There can be, but usually guys just gather and...just play at the warmest part of the day. It takes place in a couple of hours. It's just understood."
"You have your equipment," I said knowing he did.
"Sure, but..."
"Why are you hesitating? Why can't you play?" I saw his eyes were looking tempted. "You want to, I can tell." I pointed at his gray-green eyes.
"I haven't in a few years, but..."
"You're a prince now and above it now?" I challenged with a grin.
Peter chuckled. "Nooo...I was a prince before, but..." He grinned at me. "Are you going to play?"
I shook my head. "I can't stand up on ice skates; weak ankles or something. That's probably why I could never stand on pointe. Besides, in Charleston, there wasn't enough ice to learn to skate. Even Asheville didn't have that much." I waved at the surrounding white. "Not like this."
Peter was giving in. "Tell you what." He said poking me lightly on the chest. "You talk Olek into playing and I will! He was a good player."
"I bet he was." I grabbed his hand and was dragging him back to the palace.
Up in Olek's office we went in as he was talking on the phone again. After the call, he looked up and smiled. "Hi!"
"Can you take a couple of hours away from...this?" I waved at the many papers on his desk.
"I suppose, for what?" Olek asked.
"Hockey!" I said happily.
"Hockey!?" Olek's eyes widened as he repeated a little stunned.
"As in you and Peter, down on the ice and playing hockey," I said leaning over his desk at him. "You can I heard. I want to see you do it."
"I haven't played in almost a decade!" Olek groused.
"Then, I say it's way overdue!" I grinned. "Peter will play only if you do."
"I'm in my forties!!" Olek objected.
"So? You're in great shape!" I said pointing at him. "I've seen you naked and know you are. Come on. I love hockey."
"But he won't play," Peter said to his brother.
"Ice needed, remember? I told you that. I can't skate on ice." I said back at Peter. "No ice, no ice hockey." I turned back to Olek. "He wants to." I waved at Peter. I looked at Olek. "You do, too!" I pointed to his face. "I can tell."
"I don't even know where my skates are!" Olek said with his hands out defensively.
"I have an extra pair," Peter said now smiling. "We have the same size feet." Olek frowned at the collaboration, but he was just as tempted as Peter was.
"Come on, the Ivanov boys back on the ice!!" I said excitedly.
I watched him mull it over in his head. "Well, it has been a while..." he smiled. He looked over at his desk. "I suppose..."
"Olek," I said softly. "You're king. Is there anything here that can't wait?" I waved at the papers on his desk and to his computer.
"They're getting the ice ready," Peter added tempting his brother more. "Only a couple of hours from now they play."
Olek smiled at his brother, knowing what Peter was doing. "Let me make a quick call." He grabbed his cellphone and hit a button. "Helga...I'm stepping away from the office a few hours..." he listened and nodded, "...no, my brothers want me to play hockey with them..."
"With Peter," I said loud enough for her to hear.
"...with Peter. They don't play hockey where Eric was raised." Olek said looking mockingly pitying me. His smile grew. "Right outside...okay?" He said happily. "Just letting you know I might not answer too quickly." He grinned at whatever she said. "I will...I love you." He said closing his phone. "Let me change!" He got up and saw Gretchen passing by. "Gretchen, I'll be out of the office."
"He's playing hockey!" Peter grinned.
Gretchen looked surprised but then smiled. "I think that's wonderful." She said nodding. "We'll handle things here. We know where you'll be!"
Peter and Olek went to change and we went back down to the ground area to go to the makeshift rink. I was smiling at the number of guys that were assembled...and there were spectators. Gretchen had probably let people locally know the king was playing hockey. They came to see that.
An older man, in his fifties, looked up smiling as we arrived.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, and My Lord, I got a call you were coming." The man smiled bowing. "You want to play!?"
I knew Gretchen had called.
"Can we?" Olek asked.
"Of course!" The man waved at the other men of various ages from their twenties to fifties gathered to play. "But they're not going to easy on you." He warned good-naturedly.
Olek smiled waving at the men. "That's fair." Then he got this predatory look. "I won't go easy on them, either!"
"Okay!" The man said happily. "Get those skates on and let's go!"
I watched as Peter and Olek put their skates on. They had dressed for the cold, it was three in the afternoon now, but still cold. They were given colors to show what team they were on. Olek and Peter decided they should not be on the same team. I did love hockey. There was a good difference between professional hockey, minor league hockey and this... These men were playing by rules I thought were to be followed, but the term I didn't know the Makarovian or Ukrainian word for high-sticking. You know, the touching the other player above the shoulder. Cross-checking? Hitting the other player with both hands on the hockey stick with no part of the stick on the ice. Head-butting? That shouldn't need explaining. Hooking? Using the hockey stick to trip the other player. Elbowing? Hitting the other player with your elbow! There were all these other violations, but no one was stopping them. Hockey was not an easy sport and these guys...just like many, many who played got caught up in it and were determined to win! Fighting! Oh, yes. There were a few human beings that didn't like hockey, but it seemed to me that any human being with a Y chromosome loved a fight! If not being in one, just watching one. Now the king and prince were joining the game! I watched Olek and Peter bite down as they inserted mouth guards to protect their teeth. It used to be you knew a true hockey player by the number of teeth they were missing when they smiled. At least Olek and Peter would keep their smiles looking nice.
I was right. There wasn't that much ice to skate on in South Carolina except in rinks, which you had to dress to go and...go! None of this, let's go outside and skate like here. Peter and Olek, like every man out there, seemed to have been raised to be on the ice. It was second nature for them as they easily skated out on the ice.
The game began and as they played, that aggressive, primal nature just surfaced in no time. They were doing all of the violations almost immediately! Olek and Peter were doing them, too! No, this was no professional game or minor league game. I knew there would be blood! I saw Peter use his stick many times to slow or stop the other player from getting the puck! He did it to Olek! Olek did it back! They were having fun! I heard yelling and cursing at other players and to Olek and Peter who came right back at the men! Were they homosexual or heterosexual? It didn't matter. They were men!
I saw Helga arrive. She was wearing a thick fur coat, but watched as a player deliberately used his elbow to block Olek, hitting Olek in the face! Her gloved hands came to her face in shock shaking her head and walked over to me.
"What possessed Olek and Peter to do this!?" She asked in disbelief sitting next to me.
I looked a little sheepish. "I'm afraid it's my fault."
"Your fault!?" Helga asked shocked.
"Peter loves to play and hasn't in a while." I waved at the rink. "I had no idea they played so...rough!" I cringed as a man was hit in the face by another elbow. "Damn, that had to hurt."
"They could be killed," Helga said weakly.
I shook my head. "No. They won't go that far." I waved at Olek and Peter. "Look at the smiles on their faces. They are having fun!"
"They could lose teeth or break an arm or leg," Helga said holding her mouth as another player was speared in the gut with the end of a hockey stick.
"They may be grown men, Helga, but really...they're a bunch of little boys!" I frowned as Peter was hit again in the face. "They are having fun."
Helga gave a reluctant nod. "I suppose." She gave a groan and closed her eyes as Olek got hit again with an opponent's stick in his midsection.
"I wish it weren't so...raw, but..." I waved at them, "Olek and Peter played here for years. They knew how this was played here and were eager to get out there."
"Why aren't you!?" Helga asked.
"I can't skate!" I said again. "I would if I could skate."
The first quarter ended and they switched the goals as was the rule they did follow. They started again.
Peter's team was down by three when the third quarter was to begin. One of the players called for a breather before they started again. Peter and Olek skated over to us. Peter had the beginnings of a black eye. Olek was bleeding from his nose, but both had big smiles. Even though it was cold out, they had both sweated and their hair was everywhere.
"Oh, Sweetie!" Helga said reaching in her fur pocket and pulled a tissue and wiped Olek's nose. "Are you enjoying yourself?"
Olek nodded and removed his mouth guard. "I am!" He looked at Peter. "Are you?"
"Hell, yeah!" Peter nodded kissing me and then remembered. He took his mouth guard out "I think I forgot how much fun this is!"
I nodded kissing him again. "I thought so." I ran my fingers in his hair. "Do you have to be so..."
"Rough?" Helga added.
Both Peter and Olek looked puzzled. "Yes. This is how it's played in Makarovia." Olek said simply. "It's a rough sport."
"No penalty box?" I asked.
"No penalties. Unless someone breaks a leg or something." Peter explained. "It helps with aggression. They need an outlet, this does that."
They called again to start the last quarter and Olek and Peter skated back out on the ice. In the end, Peter's team lost. Yet, they all congratulate each other as they broke up promising to do it again, but the evening was coming and the temperature would drop.
Going back up the elevator Olek hugged his brother. "That was a good game." He said bumping his head against Peter's. He hugged me. "Thank you, Eric. I did enjoy that."
Helga nodded, smiling as she pulled Olek down the corridor. "Let's get you cleaned up." She looked at me. "I'll take care of this one. You have that one." She chuckled pointing at Peter. She put her arm around Olek shaking her head. "A bunch of rowdy little boys." She muttered.
In our room, I got the shower on hot as I helped Peter undress. He was sore. I got him to look at me. "Did you have fun?"
Peter nodded with a chuckle. "I did." He kissed me deeply. "I really had forgotten how much fun it is."
I reached up and gently touched the cheek near his left eye I saw was swelling and darkening. "You'll have a black eye."
Peter chuckled nodding. "Yes! It's great, isn't it?" He said proudly.
Peter was very happy now. I turned the shower off and turned the faucet on in the big tub.
"I think you need to soak," I said as I began taking my clothes off.
Peter smiled at me as I did. "You're joining me."
I nodded. "I am. The hot water will help your muscles relax." I shrugged. "It has been a while since you played hockey and you played pretty hard. Rough, but hard."
"That's how we play here," Peter said simply.
"Right. I know you'll be sore." I came to stand in front of him. "I'll massage the soreness out, too." I looked closer at his eye. "There's plenty of ice out, but you need some to stop further swelling."
Peter came forward kissing me deeply. "Yes, it will." He said softly. "I know you'll take care of me." He said running his finger over my jaw and cheek. "You always do. You are always so good to me."
"Sure, I am." I smiled. "I love you. Our lives have joined, Peter. I'll always take care of you. You do with me."
"We will always take care of each other." He said kissing me more bringing me in and then stopped with an, "oooh." He put his hand on his back.
I chuckled. "Okay, Prince Petro Ivanov...hockey champ of Makarovia." I turned him toward the tub. "In you go." I smiled and gently helped him in the tub.
We came to dinner and saw Queen Alla sitting at the table waiting for us as she looked up. She wasn't surprised at what she saw, but her frown told me she wished it hadn't happened.
"Did you and Olek have a good time?" She asked tolerantly...barely.
Peter nodded. "I did."
We saw Olek and Helga come in slowly due to Olek's slower pace. Helga was smiling but holding Olek's arm helping him get there as they came to the table. The bruising and cuts were now more evident on both of them.
"We did enjoy it," Olek said sitting with more care that normally and let out a little groan. "I can't do it too often now like I used to, but it was fun."
"We've had this conversation." Queen Alla said holding her hands up to stop what she knew they'd say. "I know you like it. Why I will never figure out." She looked at Peter and then at Olek. "Just don't get yourselves killed. Please."
"We will, Mom." Peter promised.
As I said, there was a combination of West and East Europe traditions and decorations. It was actually spreading the Holiday all the way through January the 14th! Peter and I were having to fly out before the festive week ended to go back to Northeastern, but we would enjoy the beginnings of it! Those from the West were gearing up now to celebrate the secular parts of Christmas. Santa, elves, and carols like Jingle Bells and all that. Don't forget there were some who were Jewish in Makarovia, so there were the menorahs and Stars of David...decorations of silver and blue for Hanukah. They celebrated Hanukah or Hanukkah on the twenty-fifth...of Kislev using the Jewish calendar. Makarovia loved blending and merging the many traditions to make it one long holiday season. I was told by some of my friends who are Jewish Hanukah was made to be a greater holiday because of Christmas. The miracle of one day's worth of pure oil last using the week. There was also the green garland with the bells, red ribbons and colored glass ornaments hung. Trees were going up decorated with the decorations and the Chrismon Trees, depicting the Christian religions. All beliefs were represented and no objections were raised by anyone. That was the greatest part. Tolerance, respect, and acceptance!
Even our rooms were being decorated for the Holiday. The new heating elements installed was making it warmer so we didn't have to hurry to bed to keep warm. Peter and I were relaxing on the floor in front of the fireplace in the living portion of our rooms. Spread out on one of the great furs, covered by another great fur and the fire keeping the air warm as Peter and I rested after some good loving.
"I will never get tired of this," I said resting my head on his hairy chest, my fingers running through the hairs.
I felt him hug me a little more. "Neither will I."
The marvelous afterglow was interrupted by my phone ringing. Looking over, I picked up the phone and saw the identity of the caller.
Touching the face of the caller on the screen, I said. "Drew!!!"
"Hello!" Drew said happily. "How are my two favorite Makarovians?"
I looked at Peter. "We're fine. How are you and Wayne?"
"Great as always," Drew replied. "I called to ask if, on your way back to the United States, you might like to stop by here?"
"Well, we will be leaving on the 10th of January," I said. "The week of Christmas here is later."
"Oh, that's right," Drew said and I could see him nodding in my head.
"Well, that's the Eastern Orthodox Christmas," I answered. "What are you two doing for Christmas...or even New Year's?"
"Christmas here, we're going to Wayne's family to celebrate...for the regular time of the 24th and 25th."
"And New Year's? Let me just say it. Why not come here for New Year's?" I asked him. "Makarovia will be celebrating the upcoming Christmas. It will still be going on. You can see how they do it here."
I heard him talking to...it had to be Wayne, in a muffled voice as he covered the microphone on his phone. Then his voice came back. "It's cold there, right?"
"It's Makarovia! Carpathian Mountains? Remember? Yes, it is cold. So, you won't come due to the weather?" I asked.
"No, that's not..." Drew hedged, "planes and ice? They don't work well together." Drew said hesitantly.
"We have an airport here." I groused.
"In Skoal!" Drew said as if that explained his position of hesitancy.
"And a small one in Styria!" I pointed out. "You can fly into Budapest if you prefer, but you can get here! We're flying in and out!" I growled. "You owe us a trip anyway; you didn't come to Boston!"
"I know," Drew said uneasily. "I know we promised. Okay, we'll be there. Can we arrive on the 27th?" He was talking to Wayne, too. "What commercial airline goes there now?"
"Not many commercial flights, but flies in at least once a week! The RAF!" I said. "I'll ask General Hammond; he'll get you on a Royal Air Force plane. Supplies come in almost weekly for personnel and equipment...and what happened to the rough and tough reporter?"
"I still am!!" Drew defended loudly and added weaker. "It's just that..." he stopped.
I sat up grinning at my friend. "Drew! You're afraid of flying, aren't you?"
"If the weather is nice and no complications...I'm fine, but..."
I heard some noise and a little struggle and then Wayne's voice came over. "He can be such a big baby sometimes," Wayne said in the phone. "We'll be there. I know how to deal with him."
I laughed. "I'm sure you do after all these years."
"We look forward to seeing you and Peter, Eric." Wayne said. "Say good-bye, Drew."
"Good-bye." Drew's voice came back a little distant.
"See you soon." I chuckled as the phone call ended.
"I heard." Peter chuckled taking my phone and laid it aside. "Now, where were we?" He grinned moving to come over me as he again, was kissing me deeply, his tongue not having to ask, was taken in and welcomed and the kiss just intensified as arms went around each other's bodies.
Helga was had gotten one of the small nuclear power stations operating that was feeding Styria which was needed with the increase of power demand. All the new businesses and the new underground were most of the reason. This led to Olek's and Helga's first...argument wasn't right, it was a disagreement. Not heated, but we got there was a problem. Her time was demanded now. Not only as the engineer she was but as the future Queen of Makarovia. She would be Queen!
Peter and I were coming out of our rooms to go down for dinner as they came out of their room to do the same.
"...I have to be there." Helga said. "The new station is working, but I have to..." she stopped as she saw us.
Olek grinned at us. "We're just having to work out this whole...working Queen thing." He explained to us.
"Olek?" Helga said to him questioning as she stopped.
"I tell these two almost everything," Olek explained. "Do I keep us more private? I trust them above anyone else, besides you! I listen to what they say even more than my advisors. We have no secrets."
"About everything!?" Helga asked a little bothered by that.
"Not about personal moments with you, but...yes!" Olek said. "Hell, they knew I was jerking off before you! I didn't hide it. That's kind of personal. I've never hidden a thing from them."
I reached out to Helga touching her arm. "When I first came here...I was bothered about how open these two were with each other. It took me a while to get used to it. Their father was just as open and honest with Olek and would have been with Peter. It's a family trait." I said hoping she would understand. "Olek knows Peter and I are intimate. He doesn't know the details..." I looked at Peter, "does he?"
Peter chuckled. "No. I don't tell him that."
I nodded. "Okay." I looked back at Helga. "I know you two are intimate, but I don't want to know the details." I sighed. "This kingdom works as well as it does because Olek shares a lot with Peter and me. No surprises. He's a major part of our lives." I smiled at Olek. "Not because he is king, but because of who and what he is. He's family!" I ran a hand over Olek's arm and shoulder. "He's a special person. He will tell us things. Perhaps you should talk to Mom. She knows about the Queen that works. You worked hard to get where you are. What role this takes now, you and Olek with have to work out. He will probably tell us unless you tell him not to. You can do the same with Queen Alla."
Helga sighed with a nod. "I guess I should." She shook her head. "I want to be here, Olek, but I have a job that is taking me away that day. Getting from here to there and back takes a while. I have to be there. That reactor's stable, but I need to be sure." She turned to Olek. "I have a responsibility. I can't put it off for the day."
"So, what is Georg here for?" Olek asked and she was going to say something she had obviously said before. "I know..." Olek said holding his hand up to stop her again. "You're signing off on it. I understand...I just wish you were here."
"We're not even officially engaged, Olek." She said. "Right now, I am the king's mistress!"
Olek's eyes widened. "You are not!" He said quickly. "You are my fiancé! You're going to be my wife! I love you, Helga!"
She smiled and pulled him in for a kiss. "Yes, I know you do, Olek. I love you, too. Just see...I was originally brought here to do a job. I have to do it. I want to do it. This new role as your friend, partner and soon to be wife is fine. I will be here for you. Not to be the Queen. I just will be."
Olek smiled. "I can be disappointed." He shrugged.
Helga smiled again chuckling. "It's good you are. That proves I mean something to you." She took his arm. "Now, let's have a nice dinner. We'll talk later." She looked at me and Peter as we headed on to the dining room. "He tells you two everything?"
Peter smiled. "He does. I tell him everything."
Helga sighed. "This family will take getting used to."
The day in question was coming on the 19th, where St. Nicholas Day is celebrated. Western Europe and several areas in the West was on the 6th, but it was a tradition in Eastern Orthodox. It was really for children...and their parents, too. It was a tradition that all the children that could make it, came to the palace. This would be done in the other villages and towns where they could not make it, but there was a special dinner for them and they brought their letters to Saint Nicholas and gave it to King Olek to pass on to Saint Nicholas. These were not letters like in the West. No requests for that toy alone or something like that...the requests for the toy were in there, but it was more to request the joy, health, and happiness for the parents, friends, and family. He was a saint, not Santa Claus. Whether they got those things...all of those things depended on the behavior of the child during the year. The toy was given and there were a lot of sweets, usually, these cookies called mykolaychyky, a round cookie with different fillings put under the child's pillow...duh, isn't that what all holidays were about? Food you didn't get any other time? Queen Alla, of course, would be there as her focus had always been the welfare of families and the children of Makarovia. I knew it as it was a big tradition in the Ukraine. Makarovia was a part of Western Ukraine for a long time off and on. The Russians didn't like Christmas but did something on New Year's Eve, but...it was still alive and well in Makarovia. Was it an important event in Makarovia? It was to the children and they were the future of Makarovia!
The fact that Helga might not make it was...well, it would be nice for her to be there. I would be there and so would Peter, Olek, and Queen Alla.
The new units to heat the palace were prepped and ready to go to make things warm for our littlest citizens and their parents.
As the day got closer, we ended up having more people work to prepare for this first Holiday event. To make the kutya, a wheat portage...that was made of nuts, wheatberries, poppy seeds, and honey. Dried fruit and raisins were sometimes added. It was done traditionally to ask for good weather. Hah! Maybe Makarovians weren't eating enough kutya! Who am I kidding? Kutya or no kutya, it was just cold here. Kutya was eaten also in the Ukraine, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Russia...it was eaten a lot many places. It was the first of the Twelve-dish Christmas Supper or Sviata Vecheria as it was called here. Now, I'm sorry, this all is East Europe things, but there were other dishes like chicken borscht, dumplings galushki, cabbage soup or kapusniak, salo (pork) and the pampushki (small buns or donuts to be served with the borscht). You know Makarovia is a country of mixed people consisting of dishes and traditions from the Ukraine, Russia (which were the most influential), Romania and Hungary as well as Germany (thanks to World War II) and a few others. America calls itself a melting pot? Makarovia was that for a long, long time.
The real new thing was these new underground passages! A lot more children and their parents were arriving than ever before.
I watched from overhead with Peter as they were gathering in the great gathering room of the palace like most arrivals for a palace function. Adults were noisy...but children! The volume level was getting higher and the adults were having to talk louder to be heard and...it was noisy! Happy noises, but noisy because kids were kids.
"With the new transit system going in..." I began smiling as I watched children chase each other and being called down by their parents. "We may have to move this to somewhere else. I don't think the Makarovian Palace is big enough for all of them."
Peter smiled and chuckled. "I don't think there is a structure bigger than the palace in Makarovia." He looked at the gathering families. "There were maybe a few dozen before, but there is a few hundred down there!"
"I guess the outer parts of Styria were not as easy to traverse." I speculated.
Peter shrugged. "Yes, but even if they could, bringing small children on a cold night, the parents just wouldn't do it."
I nodded. "Well, now they are!"
Peter hugged me. "This is the beginning of a whole new Makarovia."
"And we are going to be a part of it," I said kissing him. "I love you, Peter."
"I know you do," Peter said. "I love you, Eric."
"I know."
There was a struggle to find places for all the citizens at the palace. It was a potentially stressful, yet happy problem! Peter and I went back to our rooms to put on the traditional clothing for this season. The favored color was red. The pants were loose and baggy, called sharovay and were bright red. There was the shirt, a blouse really called vyshyvanka was white but embroidered with festive red and green. Don't forget the bright red sash tied around the waist. It was a traditional folk dress for this part of the world.
We came down the stairs to the crowded gathering area and met Mom who, still looking very much like a Queen, but dressed in the color red as was the color prominently worn and the white blouse and it was a dress that was...almost a folk dress, but longer and I'm sure it was made for her specifically. I don't think she could be ugly if she tried!
Olek came up behind us, dressed similarly as we were. "Well, here we go!" He clapped his hands together rubbing them to get ready, but tone and face said he wasn't too enthusiastic about it. It was like he was about to walk into a bees' nest.
Mom looked at Olek. "They're just children, Olek." She shook her head. "You need to be out there." She smiled. "One day, one or two will be yours' and Helga's."
Olek looked up a little better, but he was still a little wary. "I guess."
Peter elbowed his brother in the gut lightly and hugged me slightly. "We've been trying for over year and nothing."
"Yes, well, Helga's having issues with being an engineer and Queen. Being a pregnant engineer and Queen...?" Olek muttered with a slight grudging shrug.
"Olek." Queen Alla frowning. "She will be your wife and she will be Queen. I had it easier as my only job was being Queen." She looked at Peter. "When I was pregnant with you, it was more difficult, but I did it. Helga is a structural engineer! Should she give that up?" She asked Olek.
"No!" Olek said quickly and then had a sheepish look. "But..."
"She was a structural engineer when you met." Queen Alla said. "It was Helga you first liked and then fell in love with. She will always be that."
Peter held his hand up. "Which these two will work out." He said to Mom. "Helga's not here to add her voice to this...let's just get this party started."
"Presenting His Royal Majesty, King Olek Ivanov of Makarovia." The man at the bottom of the stairs said loud to everyone there. "Her Royal Majesty, Queen Alla Ivanov of Makarovia, His Royal Highness, Prince Petro Ivanov of Makarovia and His Lordship Eric Richards, Earl of Styria...soon to become his Royal Highness, Prince Eric Ivanov of Makarovia." He waved to us as we got toward the bottom of the stairs and everyone there in the gathering area turned and bowed. Adult and children alike bowed.
Olek grinned at the many little faces and the parents of these precious faces. "This is an important day! The beginning of our observance of the traditions for this time of year. This is indeed will be a magical night. The celebration of Svyaty Mykolay is always looked forward to. I trust all of you will got that special something under your pillows this morning."
"Yes!" Many small voices answered him.
"All of you are living in a momentous time in Makarovia." Olek smiled at them all. "We are entering a new world and you will be a major part of that new place for Makarovia in the world."
Queen Alla came up beside Olek. "We are here to celebrate Svyaty Mykolay." She said loudly. "And you all know the St. Nicholas Song."
"Yes!" They answered together again.
Queen Alla began in a sweet voice, led them in song. "Children who, who love Dear St. Nicholas," she was joined by everyone including Olek, Peter, and me, "children who, who obey St, Nicholas, they're the ones who won't be missed and their wishes will be blessed by St, Nicholas!"
At the end of the short song, they were all applauding.
"Now, for some great food, fellowship and good wishes," Olek said to the crowd. "I can't believe how many got here!"
There was a general laugh from many there.
"That was easy!" A dark headed boy about six said to Olek. "We walked here through the new tunnel!" He said simply.
Olek chuckled. "I know you did! Let's all go to the ballroom; it has been set up to give us a fine meal and a good time! In many other parts of the world, this day is a solemn day, but we don't see it that way. The letters you have written will be gathered and I will make sure they are given."
I leaned into Peter and whispered. "It's a religious holiday here, isn't it?"
"Well...yes, but it's more joyful here," Peter said simply. "There are a lot of traditions from the Ukraine, but not alike."
"So, Svyaty Mykolay...St. Nicholas and Ded Moroz?"
Peter chuckled. "Well, the Soviets didn't want Svyaty Mykolay, but approved Ded Moroz, Father Frost which brings gifts on January 1St or January 7th."
I waved at the children. "So, they get two Christmases!?"
He nodded with a chuckle. "Of course."
I shook my head. "Lucky little scamps," I muttered. "I only got one."
"Today is a little smaller with the gift giving. Usually a book or something today, maybe a little toy..."
"And don't forget the mykolaychyky!" I said happily. "I love those cookies filled with raspberry or cherry filling!" I then turned Peter around. "I didn't get them this year!" I objected.
Peter gave me a grin. "Maybe you weren't good enough."
I narrowed an eye. "Yeah? Well...where was yours!?"
He shrugged. "I know I wasn't good enough. I've been bad."
I looked at him. "Why do I sense this has taken on a whole new meaning?"
Peter chuckled again pulling me in for a kiss. "Because it did."
"You've never been bad, Peter."
"Neither are you," Peter said running his finger on my jaw.
Going down the ballroom, it had been completely transformed. Beliefs in the religious part of St. Nicholas were here, as there were the many images of St. Nicholas, but there were trees decorated with all of the colored glass ornaments, tinsel, and lights. Garland was strewn along the walls with the ribbons. There was a large church. It was like a gingerbread house, but much bigger decorated with icing, other sweets and had the bells and the figures of the saints, with St. Nicholas in front. Round tables were set up with festive red cloths with the hurricane glass enclosed fat green candles surrounded by the green holly garland. There were the many "oohhs" and "aahhs" from both the young and their parents. It was going to be a magical night.
It didn't take long before the noise level went up again as happy little voices were excited pointing things out to their parents and hurrying from one display to another to take it all in.
What I also noticed, there were a few couples...men who were clearly married (they were too close to be just pals and holding hands in some cases) with children. Some women, too, but again I'm sorry the men outnumbered the women. For five male couples, there was one female couple. No, a man that had children with a woman could have entered a relationship with a man if the marriage ended or even a death occurs.
"These male couples with children..." I said to Peter. "The few female couples have children."
Peter looked in the direction I was looking. He laughed a little and nodded. "Remember, I told you that there are times when we have people die during the harsh winters? There are also accidents and even sickness."
I nodded. "Sure, that makes sense."
"We don't have an orphanage," Peter explained and hurried on sounding a little defensive. "We do, but the kids don't stay there long. There are plenty of couples willing to take the children in because who died were friends or something."
"That's great, Peter," I said to assure him. "Of course, you check the adopting parents out, right?"
Peter looked at me closer. "Really?" He waved at the people. "I know almost everyone here!" He waved at two men with a little boy about eight and a sister about five. "I played hockey with them the other day." He waved at the others. `There are some I don't know that well, but their neighbors do." He led me to the table where we were to sit. "Are there mistakes? Sure, but it's a small country. One of the other things about us...we watch out for each other." He was a little too defensive and was not telling me something.
His tone was...embarrassed, too. I touched his arm. "Hey, I get it." I smiled as we sat down. "It's a tough life here, but getting better. This are very good people here and close. I understand that. With the increase in population, it will be trickier." I pulled his face toward me. "Is there something I should know?"
He pointed to a couple of children with a sigh. "Those two were found in the house where their parents...died weeks before we got to them. Nearly starved and sick when we got there."
"A fire?"
He looked away. "No."
"Peter?"
He nodded reluctantly. "The...mother sort of...lost it and became unstable." He said sadly.
"Did she...?" I asked but didn't want to complete my question.
"They lived in a more remote part of Makarovia." He again looked bothered. "I told you, life was hard here. One of the other things is the isolation and darkness many times during the winter with the storms and short days. It will be the end of this month when the sky, at best will be a dull grey during the day. Often in January, it is pretty dark most of the time. People become...depressed."
I looked at the girl about ten and her brother about seven or eight. I had heard of this in some of the more northern parts of the world. People would become very depressed. You don't think it possible, but days where there is almost no sun could play havoc on a person's psyche. "Sure, I've heard about it. They started light therapy...I think in the northern parts of Russia like in Siberia and other cities inside the Arctic Circle that are doing the same thing. It is to treat that depression." I pulled him closer and pressed my forehead against his. "Things...happen." I shrugged.
He nodded. "They do. Their mother killed her husband while he slept and then killed herself." He sighed and looked at the two happy children with their new fathers at least. "They almost died themselves."
"Almost died, but they didn't." I reminded Peter. "You did all you could."
Peter nodded. "We try."
I watched as one of the father's, both men had dark hair and were in the late thirties or early forties. One of them picked up the little boy and tickled him making the boy laugh, begging to be put down. "They seem happy. How long ago was this?"
"Three years ago," Peter said. "Aneta was hardly older than Aleksander, her brother is now." He smiled as the father put Alek down bringing the boy into a hug. "Mark is the one hugging Alek. David is Mark's husband. They are very nice people."
I chuckled as David said something to Aneta who laughed shaking her head at whatever David has said. He held her chair out for her to sit down. I leaned against Peter. "I don't think I've ever met a person from Makarovia that wasn't nice."
Peter frowned. "You know there are people not so nice here. We don't have a prison here. We have a jail, but...it's almost never crowded."
"You said there is the occasional murder or theft."
"Again, because of the climate, they don't stay. When we were more actively a part with the Soviets, they took the harder criminals, which were few here. When we were still part of the Ukraine, they took them." Peter explained. "Drug dealers and elements like that just don't do well here."
"I can see that. The people here are too busy staying alive."
Peter nodded. "That's right."
"We'll talk more about it." I looked up as dinner was about to be served. "Later."
There were differences as the traditions had merged together from the many countries. In the Ukraine, it was a fun day there, too. The day in Makarovia had some other things that were unique. We all had the kutya, that sweet wheat portage with the dried fruit, raisins, and honey to help bring good weather, remember? I ate a good bit. I wanted the weather to be good this year.
There were the dances done, but where there were folk dances done by the traditional male and female couples, I was pleased to see one couple was male! Who led was simply because one was taller! There were the carols and a puppet show. Yes! That was definitely Ukrainian. The shepherds visited by the three kings who were celebrating Jesus. The shepherds sang songs that all the children knew and we all sang with them. Bear with me a second, part of the show that showed Rachel, whose children were killed by the order of King Herod. I know it's horrible, but we all know he did have the children killed. How the angel told Joseph in a dream to get Jesus and Mary out of Bethlehem before it happened? There was the scene where Rachel cursed King Herod and as he died, the devil comes up and takes Herod body and soul to Hell!!! It was tradition to teach the children about what happened.
The puppeteers were good. The puppets were funny and made the children and adults laugh while making a point.
There was also the story about Kozak Mamai, the defender warrior for freedom and honor. That part of the show showed the cowardice and greed of man. People that cheated and lied, done in a humorous way because they thought they'd fooled Kozak. Kozak defeats all of them and laughs at the cheater and liars, even laughs at the devil himself! The puppets were funny. They taught the many children lessons! The stories were sometimes sad but presented in a funny way for the younger Makarovians with positive endings. It really was a mixture of St. Nicholas' Day and Christmas. This went on for several hours! At last, the Bishop came into the room. Having never been to the church here, I didn't know him. I didn't think there was a Bishop in Makarovia! My guess was he was like the Santa Clauses that were in the malls and on corners ringing bells. None were Santa, I think. He was dressed like a Bishop! He came in with a large wooden box that was red and trimmed in gold.
Olek stood from his place at the table. "Okay! Put all the letters in that box. I will make sure they are delivered."
The poor man who was the Bishop was suddenly being rushed toward as little hands were putting their letters in the box. All making sure their letter was in. When it was done, Olek went to the Bishop and took the box to be delivered. In this way, it was like sending letters to Santa Claus.
The anticipation of the children could be felt in the air as eager faces were bright with hope and it was truly a magical night.
"I always love Christmas," I said, not really to Peter, but he was there.
"I'm glad you do," Peter said putting his arm around me as we watched Olek deal with the box. "Keep that magic." He turned me around to face him. "I love you, Eric."
I shortened the space between us kissing him. "I know you do. I love you, Peter."
"I know you do."