[Celebration]
The long-awaited day of my birthday celebration had finally arrived. Even though I said celebration, it wasn't anything extravagant, but I can say it had a lively vibe to it. I was a bit nervous about what my parents would whip up, but in the end, it turned out to be just fine.
Picture this as a cozy gathering, a sort of intimate get-together where only your nearest and dearest are welcomed. The vibe is completely different from a typical party—there's no booming DJ music blasting in the background, no sparkling decorations to catch your eye, and definitely not a single balloon in sight.
It's just a plain cake, nothing fancy, and it has no soft cream on top to dress it up. My house isn't even decorated for this event, but the warm atmosphere alone can make anyone feel right at home. And that fragrant aroma wafting from the kitchen? It's enough to make anyone who catches a whiff start drooling.
The atmosphere is calm, with people naturally forming their own little groups. Adults tend to stick together, chatting and enjoying each other's company, while kids like me hang out with others our age, sharing laughs and stories.
Given that I was in a completely different time and also following a different tradition, there are so many things about birthday celebrations that stand out as different from what I remember. I don't usually celebrate it every year, mainly because in my first life, I believed it wasn't all that important.
When you're facing a mountain of bigger problems in your life, it's easy to forget that another year is slipping by and you're getting older. Even if I wanted to go through with it, it would just be me standing there in front of the cake, feeling sorry for myself. So, I decided to let that idea go completely.
"Come here, little Viktor, it's time," my mother said, waving her hand to beckon me over. With his big smile lighting up his face, my father was also waiting for me in front of the cake.
As I stood there, my gaze didn't instantly land on the cake sitting on the table. Instead, it was the people around me who caught my attention. There weren't many—just Thorfinn's family, Uncle Leif, and my father's two friends from the blacksmith shop.
Watching them smile so widely and eagerly waiting, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for not fully embracing the moment. So, I took a deep breath and blew out the candles with all my might, snuffing out the flames in an instant.
"That's my son," Smiour said with a hearty laugh as he playfully ruffled my hair, a gesture that perfectly captured his happiness.
My father took the lead at the event, inviting his friends, including Thors and Uncle Leif, to raise a glass of ale together. In the meantime, my mother headed to the kitchen to grab the delicious food she had made just for the day.
Neatly arranged on plates were salted and dried fish, alongside a colorful assortment of vegetables transformed into a steaming bowl of freshly boiled soup. One of the most fascinating aspects was the lamb, which had undergone a unique process of being smoked and then cooked. After that, it was cut into perfectly sized pieces, making it all the more intriguing.
"Give this a try, little Viktor. I think you're going to enjoy it," my mother said as she handed me a plate with a slice of meat on it. I initially thought I was biting into lamb, but the moment it hit my taste buds, I realized there was something different about it.
With a cheerful demeanor, my mother jumped right in to explain, "This is shark meat that's been fermented for several months to get rid of the poison before it's dried."
"Where did you manage to find shark meat?" My voice clearly showed just how surprised I was. I was aware that the folks in this village had a long-standing tradition of hunting whales to sustain their daily lives, but I never imagined they would also go after sharks.
My mother smiled softly, glancing at her husband as if she was hinting at something special. I felt a wave of emotion wash over me, realizing just how much my family had done for my birthday. It touched my heart.
Just then, my father's awkward laughter snapped me back to reality. "This is your first time tasting it, right? What do you think?"
"The smell and taste are unique. I genuinely enjoy it," I replied honestly. I even asked for a little extra just to lock that flavor in my memory.
"Good..." My father chuckled again, giving Uncle Leif a hearty pat on the shoulder. He then grinned, "You must be thinking, I caught this shark all by myself, huh? Actually, I asked your uncle to take care of it because, coincidentally, in the town where he go, there were folks who sold that kind of meat."
My father took time to finish off the last of his ale, savoring each sip, before he continued, "You know, if it weren't for your uncle, you might have never had the chance to taste that amazing shark meat from the depths of the Icelandic sea in your whole life."
"I want it... I want to experience it, let me eat it," Thorfinn's excited shout caught everyone's attention for a moment, and it wasn't until Helga served a portion for her son that Uncle Leif finally spoke up:
"There, Don't worry about it kid! Even though it's your birthday, I don't think I'll be able to get it for you since it's quite pricey. So your parents go all out, even reaching deep into their pockets to make it happen."
Uncle Leif definitely didn't want to hog all the glory for himself, trying to make it clear that he was just a courier. Still, that didn't take away from his significance. After all, he must have some pretty special connections to score that scarce shark meat.
I figured the best way to handle the situation was to go up to each of them individually and wrap them in the warmest, most genuine hugs I could muster. As the celebration party progressed, it took on a cozier vibe. With each passing moment, the atmosphere grew more vibrant as everyone began to relax and enjoy each other's company.
When the sun made its presence known by reaching its highest point in the sky, most of the food on the table had disappeared, leaving only a few remnants behind. Some folks had slipped away from sight, including my father's two blacksmith buddies and Uncle Leif.
It was only Thorfinn's family who stayed by our side, showing unwavering loyalty as we journeyed together until the very end. It was driven by their desire, mainly Helga's, to pitch in and help with the cleanup.
Meanwhile, Thorfinn was sprawled out near the fireplace, and it was clear he had indulged himself quite a bit. Feeling a wave of sympathy, my mother quickly headed to the room to grab a spare blanket to cover him. Helga thanked her warmly, and then they made their way to the kitchen together.
My father and Thors pitched in by putting the furniture back where it belonged and even took the time to sweep the floor. They filled the air with casual chatter to pass the time before heading out, probably off to find some ale, though who knows for sure what they were really up to.
"I'm feeling stuffed..." I mumbled to myself, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over me. I could have picked a cozier spot in my room to catch some sleep, but it just felt like a waste. I'm not sure if it's just kids who go through this, but I distinctly remember always feeling drowsy after a big meal.
In an effort to lift my spirits, I spotted Ylva sitting by herself, a bit away from the warm glow of the fireplace. Even though we were both in the same living room, it felt like her attention had drifted away, pulled into something entirely different. Her delicate fingers danced around the rim of the glass she held, tracing its contours with a gentle touch.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
As I waited for her response, I dropped into the empty space beside her. As soon as Ylva noticed I was there, the first thing she did was give me a playful jab:
"I'm just soaking up my free time over here. What about you? How's it going? Feeling worn out after a long day, big guy?"
I naturally brushed off her provocation, and it was clear she felt let down that she wasn't getting the reaction she was hoping for. As I glanced into her glass, curiosity got the better of me, and I asked, "So, do you drink the same thing as the adults?"
"You think I'm not mature enough, do you?"
"Is it that bad?" It was finally my chance to have a little fun with her, and noticing just how flustered she looked, I couldn't help but think this might not be her first rodeo with teasing.
"Not really, this is just making my head spin a bit," Ylva said with a carefree smile. She lifted the glass she was holding to show me its contents, and sure enough, there was still plenty of ale left inside.
"Well, I guess I trust you."
"Honestly, I'm feeling pretty bored right now. What about you? Why don't you share your wish with me?"
Ylva lifted her glass, ready to take a sip, but the way her eyebrows knitted together suggested she was having second thoughts. In the end, she downed the drink in one swift motion, quickly pushing the glass away from her as if it had somehow offended her.
Her eyes locked onto mine with a sharpness that felt almost impatient, so I replied casually, "Oh, nothing much. I'm just hoping that someone will finally keep their promise soon."
I'm not sure if I'm taking a gamble or just being stubborn, but watching her under the influence of alcohol feels like a prime opportunity. You can't imagine how thrilled I am when Ylva responds so quickly.
"I know I know... You're really a pain in the ass. If you want to take risks, you can come to my house next week."
This time, the alcohol coursing through her veins didn't just leave her head spinning; she had transformed into one of those drunken souls I often encounter at bars, or perhaps even worse than that.
As I was soaking in my happiness from finally getting Ylva to keep her promise quicker than expected, she unexpectedly leaned in closer to me. She glanced around cautiously, making sure no one else was within earshot, and then leaned in to whisper:
"Make sure you arrive early in the morning, and keep it under wraps—don't let anyone in on it, not even your parents..."
I completely lost myself in the moment as I felt Ylva's warm breath brushing softly against my face, so close it was almost electric. On top of that, I found myself completely fixated on her lips.
Her lips moved just like anyone else's, but I took my time to notice the details. They were plump and inviting, and the warm air seemed to give them a soft appearance. I couldn't help but think that the shine on them was likely a result of the ale she had been sipping on.
It was a fleeting beat but powerful enough to send my heart racing wildly. This feeling was quite similar to the time I crossed a line with my mother while she was asleep, engaging in something inappropriate with her body just the other day.
"Ylva, I get that you're taking it easy today, but come on, you could still lend a hand," Helga said with a hint of disappointment as she stepped out of the kitchen alongside my mother. "Please don't tell me you're thinking about having a drink again?"
Just like I figured a mother would, Helga instantly grasped what was going on with her daughter with just a single glance. She gently lifted Thorfinn from the blanket, cradling him in her warmer embrace, and then turned to Ylva to share a heartfelt goodbye.
My mother and I would sometimes chuckle at the sight of Ylva getting a good scolding from Helga, especially when we were outside enjoying the fresh air. Thors and my father were still at it, enjoying their drinks, but for some odd reason, they were both bare-chested despite the biting cold wind around them.
With Thorfinn's family no longer around, my straightforward birthday celebration came to an end. My mother, already feeling quite exhausted, chose to drift off to sleep immediately. Meanwhile, my father, who had also opted for a day off, lumbered over to the bed, his large frame settling in before the familiar sound of his snoring filled the room.
I figured I'd hit the hay early, thinking it might help the time fly by until the day Ylva promised me finally arrives.