“I don’t know what you mean by ‘where the circles are the strongest’” I sighed again in frustration.

“Uncle Vlad said it was always confusing to explain. Why don’t we take a break. I brought sandwiches!”

I smiled. I couldn’t help it. No matter how frustrated I ever was about anything, Mia always had the power to break through it. Her cheerfulness was indomitable. I considered for a moment how rich we would be if we could bottle it somehow. Marketing and patenting might be problematic.

I took a sandwich and reflected on Uncle Vlad.

Mia’s family was from “the old country”. Which I took to mean somewhere in eastern europe where the castle to city ratio was close to one. Her mother’s uncle Vladimir came to visit a couple weeks ago, but I only met him that morning. He was returning from some mysterious trip, Mia’s mother warned, and we were not to bother him as he would probably be exhausted. We were almost done with breakfast and were about to head to the clearing when he arrived. He was wearing a light grey trenchcoat, and a fedora. His face was lined and hawkish and had a permanent glint in his eye so similar to Mia’s, I could not doubt they were related.

“Ahhhh, Mia my darlink, you must be introducing me to your friend here, yes!?” His accent was so pronounced, I entertained the notion that he was effecting it. He pulled off a leather glove and extended an equally leathery hand. I took it and smiled politely. He smelled of campfire, and something else I couldn’t identify; chemical-y.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“This is my best friend, Max, Uncle. Max, this is my uncle Vladimir.” Mayor Mia in full effect. I smiled.

Uncle Vlad’s eyes narrowed for a moment and the twinkle intensified then he took back his hand and bowed, flourishing the glove. “Vlad the Amazing, being at your service!” I now understood that Mia’s infectious goofyness was hereditary.

I bowed my head a little awkwardly and tried to not to sound too dippy, “I am honored, sir.”

“Well now! That is being entirely appropriate, yes! Ahh, I must be apologizing but my travels have weakened an old man so I cannot be yet showing off all the wonders I have in store for my favorite niece and her friend.”

Mia elbowed him lightly, “I’m your only niece, uncle.”

He waved dismissively at her “Bah, semantics, less important than geometry, eh? Yes? Yes.” I thought I saw his expression darken for a tick, but then he smiled brightly “Now I must go, I will be seeing you both again soon. And Mia we must again be having one of our talks, yes?” He winked and made his way upstairs, presumably to rest.

“Is he a circus performer?” I asked with a laugh.

Mia turned serious, “No max. He’s a wizard.” She held my eyes for a couple seconds. I raised my eyebrows. The clock ticked a couple more times.

“You’re serious, aren’t you?”