Unmarked

Chapter 63

Lavina walked next to her brother as they waved at the crowd. Lavina dawned more medals than her younger, about more than a handful more. Anghi was working hard, but rising through the ranks was no easy task. It was hard for her to believe that the man walking next to her, working the crowd I might add, was a perfect stranger six months ago. As Lavina reminisced she looked in front of her, as all the adults led the parade. She watched her grandparents, mom, and uncle waving as they walked. Almost all of them looked the same, well at least by gender. She could see how much Anghi looked like her uncle in his uniform. I guess everyone looks the same in a hat. Lavina grabbed her hands behind her back and then looked over her shoulder at her father. He walked and tried to keep his head down as he walked down the street in his suit. Soon enough the parade was over, but as always there were pictures.

"Are you alright, honey?" Lavina looked up at Oglm and then looked off to her side. He sat down next to her and pulled her close with his left arm. "I haven't seen you in quite a while, I recall your mom saying you were living in Phoenix with your dad and his family?"

"Yeah, I have been."

"Has that been fun?"

"Yeah. It's been nice getting to know him."

"So- how is his family?"

"Hm? Oh, his wife is nice and so are his kids."

"His kids? He has kids? You have little step siblings?"

"Yeah, two twin girls and their younger brother."

"Oo, I suppose twins are a thing for Huffs, hm?"

"Aunt Elsie doesn't have any twins."

"Yes, but she's never been pregnant before." Lavina made a look at him. "Oh, come on." He shoved her a little bit. "Why are you so upset?"

"Esch." She turned away from him.

"Perhaps it's time to tell you a story."

"One that you haven't told you before?"

"Mm- no, I don't think you've heard this one before."

"Really?"

"Yes," He paused, "I think you are ready to hear about Seyoek." Lavina sat up and looked at him. "So you know about Seyoek (Say-oh-ek), right? I've talked about her, right?"

"Yeah, she was a Queskff (Quesk-ki-f), right? And her father hated you, that's how you two met, and you dated for a while, but you never told me what happened." She paused. "Huh!" She gasped. "It wasn't because of me was it?"

Oglm laughed, "Oh, no, no, no, sweetheart. You actually helped me."

"Did I?"

"Oh yes, let's begin, hm?" He smiled at her. Lavina nodded at him. "Let's see..." He put his finger to his chin. "It's been fourteen years now." He stopped for a second and looked to the ground. "You know, I once pinned after your grandmother."

"Oh my god, how old are you?"

"Woah, hey, I am a few years younger than her." Lavina shook her head at him. "I know, I know, but- you're grandfather really loved her, he truly did. He brought her roses and made her laugh, I made her blush, but we only got to know each other because her father was my master. When I saw how happy he made her, how much he made her laugh, I broke up with her. But, I mean- I did it for that but also, every girlfriend I have ever had something bad happened to them. And I didn't want that to happen to her, but something good came of that- you came from that." He pointed at her grandmother. Cristel blushed and then waved at them. Lavina waved back at her.

"So,"

"Well, me and Seyoek dated for many, many years. The whole time I had Amilia."

Lavina chuckled, "Yeah, I know dad."

"Anyway, things happened with your mother and you. But-" He paused again, his voice cracking. "A little while after your first birthday Seyoek got diagnosed with what you know as cancer." He stopped again. "She went through that Kemo stuff and some other medicines. Before then, when you were younger, I asked her to marry me. And boy, did she love you. She'd pick you up and swing you around and you'd giggle. We were so happy about seeing you grow up together, you know, mom and dad. But, she got very sick and she unfortunately passed away. I suppose I'm trying to say- that you have to make your own happiness. With Amilia gone I don't know what I would have done if you weren't there. You really kept me going."

"Yeah, I know. And I'm sorry. Are you seeing anyone?"

"Oh, heck no. The only person who I ever loved who I think could avoid the Ozedk curse would be Nsefen, but there's no way to get her back." He laughed.

"Mhm."

"Oh I'm joking. I know how weird and awkward and inappropriate that would be." He nugged her. "Now, I suppose you should go spend some time with your brother, yes? Speaking of which, I should probably spend some time with him too." Oglm kissed her on the forehead and then bopped her nose before getting up and heading over to her brother.

"Look who it is? You and your father are gossiping about me, hm?" Amilia sat down next to her. "What's the matter? You didn't seem too excited at the parade? I know what you said earlier, do you not want to be princess anymore?"

Lavina laughed, "No, no, no." She started. "And I don't know, I'm still figuring things out."

"Ah."

"So- you and Leo?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah, didn't work out."

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"I-" She blushed. "No, not at the moment."

"But you have someone in mind?"

"Mhm." She shook her head.

"Do I know them?"

"Yes, you do."

"Do I like them?"

She laughed. "No, no you do not."

"What? Who is it? Oh my god, it's not dad is it?"

"Wha- no, he's married!"

"Not that dad."

"Ew, no, Oglms old, and also my father."

"Mm, I don't know then."

"Eh, it'll come out eventually."

"I suppose so."

"Anyone special in your life?" Amilia raised her eyebrow.

"Uh- well, no."

"Oh, there is."

"Uh, no not really. I mean, I went out for ice cream and this guy came over. He was really nice and whatever."

"He sounds nice, what's his name?"

"Huh? Oh, it's Phoenix."

"Wait, his name is Phoenix? And he lives in Phoenix, Arizona?"

"Yup, and his last name is Firebird."

"Phoenix Firebird." They shared a laugh. "We have to catch up while you're still here. I'm sure you've been on all sorts of fun adventures." Amilia pulled her in close.

"Yeah, I suppose we'll have to." She smiled.