As Katie walked down the cobblestone street she turned her face upwards towards the sun and soaked in his hot rays. "Vickie! Stop hiding in the shadows! Come and enjoy the beautiful Hungarian skies with me!" Viktoria rolled her eyes at the sound of her friend's voice shouting out to her, and continued to walk alongside the old building where she was being shielded from the devilish licking of the sun's hot tongue. Katie and Viktoria had grown up together in New York City, a city with a very large population of Hungarian descended citizens. Katie and Viktoria both came from Hungarian families and were given Hungarian names. Katie had been fortunate enough to be graced with her name, Kati, which she further Americanized by changing the spelling to Katie. Viktoria on the other hand, was given a much more traditional name which only shortened into Vickie, a nickname much to plain to capture all the facets of Viktoria's dynamic personality. The two friends were currently in Hungary visiting the city of their ancestors, Budapest. Well, Viktoria was there to visit the city of her ancestors. Her bisexual friend Katie was more interested in the Hungarian nightclubs and hot men and women. Viktoria knew Katie wouldn't be too interested in the architecture, museums, and culture of the city but she needed a traveling partner and Katie was the most convenient person to go with her.

 

Katie and Viktoria finally arrived back at the home of the generous Hungarian family that had been allowing the pair to stay at their home for a cheaper rate than a Budapest hotel, and a cleaner environment than the hostels in the city. As they walked through the door they were met with the delicious aromas of a traditional homemade Hungarian meal being prepared. As they joined the family to eat dinner, the two friends discussed possible plans for their final evening in Budapest. "It's our last night here and we have got to spend it having fun out on the town!" Katie enthused.

 

Viktoria sighed at her friend's suggestion. "Katie, I really wanted to try and find Nagymama Viktoria's grave before we leave."

 

Viktoria was named after her great-great-great grandmother, who was raised and died in Budapest. Viktoria had always felt a strong connection for her namesake, and she often wore one of her great-great-great grandmother's lockets around her neck, a pretty antique piece with an inscription on the back that read, "To my beloved Vika, my eternal heart, Ro". Ro was Viktoria's great-great-great grandfather, and was short for Roman. Vika was his pet name for Viktoria's great-great-great grandmother. Tales about the couple had been passed down through the generations of Viktoria's family. Viktoria's mother would tell her about how Roman was of noble birth and fell for Vika the moment he saw her, but prideful Vika wanted nothing to do with him. That, however, did not deter Roman and he relentlessly continued to pursue her until one day Vika had no choice but to surrender her heart to him. Legendary family accounts say that no two had ever been more in love than them, and those tales caused Viktoria to often fantasize about finding a mysterious man like Roman; a strong man that would see her worth and work to win her over. But, so far no such luck in the love department for Viktoria.

 

"Vickie," Katie chimed, disrupting Viktoria's musing. "how 'bout we go to the nightclub for a while, and when we get bored we can try to find your grandma's old bones." Katie's disrespectful demeanor irritated Viktoria. Katie knew how important this trip was to Viktoria, but she was obviously too wrapped up in trying to have her own carnal fun to care.