Story #1

Bound to Budapest

As Julie walked down the cobble stone street she turned her face upwards towards the sun and soaked in its hot rays. "Bette! Stop sulking in the shadows! Come and enjoy the Hungarian sun with me!" Erzsebet rolled her eyes at the sound of her friend's voice shouting to her, and continued to walk close to the building where she was being shielded from the devilish licking of the sun's hot tongue. Julia and Erzsebet had grown up together in Buda, Nebraska, a city with a very large population of Hungarian descended citizens. Julia and Erzsebet both came from Hungarian families and were given Hungarian names. Julia and been fortunate enough to be graced with her name, Julia, which she further Americanized into the nickname Julie. Erzsebet on the other hand, was given a much more traditional name which only shortened into Bettie or Bette, nicknames much to plain to capture all the facets of Erzsebet's dynamic personality. The two friends were currently in Hungary visiting the city of their ancestors, Budapest. Well, Erzsebet was there to visit the city of her ancestors. Julie was more interested in the Hungarian bars and all the single women. Erzsebet knew Julie wouldn't be much interested in the architecture, museums, and culture of the city but she needed a traveling partner and Julie was the most convenient person to go with her.

 

Julie and Erzsebet finally arrived at the home of the generous Hungarian family that had allowed 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 smell of a traditional homemade Hungarian meal being prepared. As they joined the family to eat dinner, the two women discussed possible plans for their evening. "It's our last night here and we have got to spend it out partying!" Julie says cheerfully.

 

Erzsebet sighed at her friend's suggestion. "Julie I really wanted to try and find Erzsebet's grave before we leave."

 

Erzsebet was named after her great-great-great grandmother, who was raised and died in Budapest. The circumstance of her great-great-great grandmother's death has always been ambiguous at best through various tales her elder relatives told, and she was always suspicious and curious as to what might have really happened. Erzsebet had always felt a strong connection to 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 darling Erzsy, love is eternal, Calli". Calli was the shortened name for Callidora, and through some clandestine chats with various family members, Erzsebet's learned that Callidora was the great love of her great-great-great grandmother. Apparently her great-great-great grandfather was aware of this love affair between his wife and her female lover, yet in vampire families, which Erzsebet has always strongly suspected her family was a part of, this is neither forbidden nor taboo, and in fact, it has always been quite acceptable. Stories about the pair tell of how Callidora was of noble birth and fell for Erzsy the moment she saw her, but prideful Erzsy wanted nothing to do with her. She was devoted to her husband. That, however, did not deter Callidora and she relentlessly continued to woo her until one day Erzsy had no choice but to surrender her heart to the beautiful temptress. Some of the legendary tales say no two had ever been more in love than them, and those tales caused Erzsebet to often dream of finding a woman like Callidora, a strong, beautiful woman that would see her worth and work to win her over, but so far no luck in that department.