Chapter 28: More Than Just Furniture and Meatballs, Part 2

Ah, so that explains Lavian's Scandinavian traces in her usual Canadian accent.

We three also make the mandatory self-introductions in return.

Leigh then asks her the most pressing question.

"So why'd you decide to move here to Atlanta, Lavian?"

"To have some adventure!"

"Meaning?"

"Life up north can be boring. Yes, we get better healthcare than you…"

And I'm not taking it as an insult. It's a sad reality, really.

"...but what about the other stuff?" I ask.

She gaily answers, "In terms of entertainment nostalgia, Canada's quite worse. Well, despite being neighbors, how come we Canadians weren't able to experience awesome shows and cartoons such as Luminaries that were produced south of the border?"

"Ah, so you're trying to reclaim the childhood you've lost… because you had a boring one."

"Exactly."

"That's a justifiable reason. And your parents approved of it?"

"Yes. As long as I get to contact with them. I'm a good daughter, after all."

"Good, good. And regarding recapturing the nostalgia you never experienced in the first place… well, Atlanta has a glut of shops dedicated to retro anything. Clothes, physical home video, video games, any kind of memorabilia."

"Yes! Thank you, thank you! And also, before I forget…"

We all take a peek at the quite huge paper bag she's carrying.

"Here's something for you three!"

She graciously give us said bag.

No surprises here. Lavian simply gives us some Canadian treats.

They are obviously Canadian due to the mandatory English and French wordings on the packaging.

Let's see here...

Baked beans in tomato sauce, chocolate-hazelnut spreads, luncheon meat, toothpaste, mouthwash, cookies of various kinds.

Basically, not much different from American products.

But still, gifts are gifts, and she's no Greek bearing gifts.

We graciously accept them as they are.

"And oh yes, I'm not done yet! Please wait for a while. I have something else great to give you."

She quickly dashes back towards her new unit, which is located right away to the left of ours.

Aurora ponders in a whispering way, "Hmm… is it some weird Scandinavian thing?"

If I recall correctly, Scandinavians are more than just known for their furniture and overall sense of design, as well as dishes such as Swedish meatballs.

They are also known to leave baby strollers outside, so that babies will have stronger immune systems just by getting used to the cold early.

They are also known for eating fish for breakfast, because fish is a great source of protein and is thus a great energy booster.

They are also known for prioritizing pedestrians in traffic. Any kind of vehicle will have to give way to the granny crossing the street, because courtesy.

They are also known for avoiding arguments at all costs, because the cold weather is not receptive to hotheads always looking for a fight.

They are also known for crossing borders to avail of conveniences such as cheaper groceries, because border patrols are not that strict.

They are also known for treating the Winder Olympics as serious business. Obviously, it's not just national and regional pride that's on display.

They are also known for being proud of their Viking heritage. This is more obvious on dating sites and apps.

Lavian comes back...

...with an old-timey rifle.

Thankfully, she never releases a slasher smile, like in those kinds of films.

She explains...

"This is a harmless replica of the Mosin-Nagant rifle, the rifle used by famed sniper Simo Häyhä."

Simo Häyhä, huh?

I sure do recall my history lessons.

He fought for his native Finland in the Winter War, an event that took place within World War II, that brewed between the country and the Soviet Union.

With just that rifle and a submachine gun, he racked up around 500 kills; and he was thus called "the White Death".

What was even more amazing about him is that he took a bullet to the face from an enemy soldier, but he still survived.

After the war ended, he retired and came back to farming, living a mostly quiet life until he passed away at the ripe old age of 96.

When asked if he regretted killing that many, he only stated that he only did what he had to do, in the service of his country.

And thus, this rifle replica isn't just a weird Scandinavian thing; it's an amazing Scandinavian thing.

I also bet that she had some explaining to do to the TSA, the same way Leigh's parents did when they imported that pistol teapot from Scotland.

"Please accept my gift. I once was enamored with guns, but I eventually grew out of it. As someone who grew up in the hinterlands, hunting was a way of life. But like I've said before, I've missed my childhood."

Aaaand here goes that quirk.

Last I recall, Canada has much stricter gun laws than the United States.

Well, why don't we three accept that gift?

Leigh and Aurora nod in concert with me.

Since our unit is a little less cheery, one more decoration doesn't hurt.

"Thank you, Fred, Leigh, and Aurora! I bet we will be the best of neighbors from now on!"

I gaily respond, "And thank you, too, for choosing Atlanta as your new home. Besides pursuing your lost childhood, you have any career- or school-related reasons to move here?"

"Oh, yes! And it's related to my other reason.

"I'm actually pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with Concentration in Gerontology, at Georgia State University. I believe that as we grow old, we pine for the old days, and it takes more than just nostalgia for the elderly to take on the challenges of an ever-changing world.

"Many people forget this when reminiscing about the past, but we also need to consider the present if we want to safely live in the future.

"Some people parrot about reliving their lost glory, and what's the result? Ideas that should stay in the past are horribly revived, and wars rear their ugly heads again."