10433/Italian Afternoons

Italian Afternoons
Date of Scene:	11 March 2022
Location:	Abruzzo, Italy
Synopsis:	Sam Guthrie and Alexis Carr make a visit to Alexis's paternal grandparents. Sam asks permission to marry Alexis (Allegra Caradenza).
Cast of Characters:	Alexis Carr, Samuel Guthrie

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Alexis Carr has posed:
    It was a perilous journey from the airport to train, to cab, and then riding mules hired in Italian by Alexis, who knew the tongue of the land (and the mules' owner), and after a trip upwards through the vine lands of Abruzzo, they come to a fenced and open-gated property.

    Hardly looks like a multi-million dollar enterprise, where bottles of wines are even served in the Hellfire Club's halls.

    The house was comfortable, the perfect place to spend summers and holidays in the mild grape-growing mountains. A sheperd dog barks at some wolly sheep in one pasture, and a couple of gray donkeys bray in greeting as the mules make their way to the rustic, ancient Casi di Caradenza, the home of Guisepie and Anna-Maria -- better known as Papa and Nonna.

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie looks over to Alexis as they make their way up the path. "You know, we have to find any sturdier transportation we will have to swap to mountain goats." He jokes a bit, but he been taking the different types of traveling well. He will dismount to lead the mules the last little bit, and says "So, did ya tell Nonna and Papa, we were coming or are we surprising them?" He may have suggested the trip but had let her make the pans since he would have probably asked a teleporter to bring them.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Mm? No, I didn't tell them, but they know we're here. Italian Old Lady Messaging System -- Signora Bombi probably called." Alexis gives a smile, and she looks over at Sam as they come out to the door and she swings her legs over, just as Papa opens the window and calls out a welcome to them, and Nonna bursts through the door off the kitchen, yelling in Italian that she didn't have time to make anything special for dinner. Of course, it's all in Italian and full of colloquialisms, but Alexis laughs as Nonna takes her face in her hands and kisses both cheeks.

    "Ah! Samuel! Farm boy!" she greets the taller blonde, and attempts to kiss his cheeks too!

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie leans down getting the kisses and giving her hugs, He smiles and in slow Italian, he will says "It is Ok Nonna, we come to see you and Papa, you are all the special we need." He grins and switches back to English "There is no need to do anything special for us, we are just happy to be here." He tells them with a smile.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    <His accent still sounds Roman.> Nonna complains, but pats Sam on the cheek, <You'll learn!>

    Papa then comes out of t he house, walking with the aid of a cane now, and he embraces Alexis and kisses her cheeks as well, and then reaches out to shake Sam's hand.

    "Welcome, welcome come and sit -- the mules know their way back home." he waves his hands to the mules, who already turn to meander their way down the long, rutted dirt driveway.

    "So, what brings you two all the way out to Abruzzo? Giving up on living in the city and coming to take over the winery at last?" he asks with a small grin.

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie chuckles a bit to Papa, as he shakes his hand, and at Nonna's word. "They said Ah have an accent back home too." He will pull a chair out for Alexis, and one for Nonna as well, before he has a seat. He grins and says "Thought we would come see how you guys were doing and let you know we were ok." He does not bring up the article, but he expects they have heard about it.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Aah. Always the dramatic one, our Allegra." Papa gives a smile, and he takes a seat on the bench, letting the two ladies sit. There is already a pitcher made up with a strong smelling liquid, lots of citrus, and a lot of alcohol. He pours small sipping cups all around, and leans back against the wall, overlooking the vinyards and farmlands. "What is it with you young ones today, mm? Always a text, text, text, never a phone call." he remarks with a playful lament, and he purses his lips.

    <Your father said you had died, but never sent funeral arrangements. I thought the worst.> he states,

    Nonna adds on: <We thought you were having a Protestant funeral!> she pauses <... or that you were lost when the angels attacked...>

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie looks over to Alexis, and says "I got about half of, that, missed some of the parts in the middle." He looks to them and says "We had warning about the angels, and we made sure we ere out of the city with as many of her students as we could take with us." He explains. He does sip the drink eyes widening a bit but not coughing at least.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Nonna thought I was going to have a funeral in your church instead of a proper Catholic mass. She didn't want to hurt your feelings." Alexis replies to Sam, and she sips her drink. It. Is. *strongly* alcoholic.

    Alexis continues in Italian, a bit slower for Sam to follow:

<Sam and I left New York and went North to a safe place. One of my students was missing for a little while, but everyone is accounted for. My father... found out that I wasn't just dating a mutant...> she trails off.

    Nonna's eyes go wide, and for a moment her eyes dart to Alexis's stomach.

    Alexis gets a wet cat expression.

    <No, no babies, Nonna. *I* Am a Mutant.>

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie looks over and says "He had been telling himself, I was the evil one, and then when he found out, he could not get past it." He shakes his head and puts his hand on Alexis' shoulder letting her feel he is there for her. "But we figured, we have the good parts of the family still, and wanted to connect more with you guys."

Alexis Carr has posed:
    Papa and Nonna look at one another, and then back to the duo. Nonna folds her hands a moment, and shakes her head. <My god. We failed as parents if he abandoned his own.> she mutters in Italian, and crosses herself while looking up.

    Papa just tilts his cup back, and darkly looks forward.

    <Filippe was a good boy, but has too much of my father in him. So much hate for a people he does not understand. Peh.> he states, and dismissively waves his hand, and reaches over to take Allegra's hands.

    "You. Are my blood. I shall never abandon you." he states, and then he reaches over to Sam.

    "You... eh. You're all right. For an American." he gives a gentle smile. "You have her heart. You are too family." he remarks, and he leans back a moment, and gives a soft snort. <My son, he is a... a buffoon. Knows the cost of things, but not the value. Not what is in here.> he states, tapping his heart as Alexis translates.

    <You two are in love. And so Allegra -- which means with life -- her heart beats for her family, both old and new.>

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie looks over to Nonna, and says "You did not fail, there are some things we do our best with, but can not change." He smirks a bit at Papa's words, and says "Well, I think your pretty good for an old Italian man." He teases back with a smile. He hmms and looks between the three and had planned to do this another way, and seems tempted to do something rubbing his pocket subconciously.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Ah-ah-ah, I am not OLD, I am vintage!" Papa gives a bright smile, and he leans back again, giving a bit of a huff. <I will speak to our accountants and our law people, to make sure we bypass him and you get a share, little songbird. You should inherit it. Let him wallow in his hatred like a fu->

    <Language!> Nonna chides, and she sips her own drink, fanning herself with her apron a moment.

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie looks to them, and says "Enough about the past, let us look to the present, and the future. Ah am happy to be here, and seeing how much you love my lady love, brings warmth to my heart. " Sam smiles and leans down and kisses the top of Alexis' head, and says "So, how has things been going on the vineyard anything neat and new here?"

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Mmm, no, no, we had an ewe that produced triplets, good fortune, though we had to foster one to another ewe. Could not produce enough milk." Papa scratches his stubbly chin in thought. "We have been blessed with good weather and a late frost."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie hmms and nods "Triplets, I will want to see them for sure." He smiles and looks off over to the barn, and sips his drink in thought. "I still want to see how a spring of your vines does in the mountains back home, I would offer to bring you some muscadines, but your vines are a finely tuned things, and would not want to mess it up."

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Mmm, grapes, like some people, grow best in certain areas. My grapes, they love the thin air, and our vines are old. Like our olive trees, planted long before even I was born. Oh, back then there were tales of bravery of our men of Abruzzi, and how isolated many of the farms here were it made an excellent place to... disappear when needed." Papa pours himself another drink.

    "Muscadines I am told are very sweet; is that true?" he asks -- and Mama motions Alexis into the ktichen for help with something, and the two ladies disappear into the screened-off doors.

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie will nod to Nonna as she and Alexis head to the kitchen. He looks over to Papa, and says "Well seems a good place for creating as well, as for disappearing." He puts his drink down and looks over to the older man "There is something Ah would like to talk to you about Papa." His hand rubs that pocket again without realizing it.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Mm. You want vine for home? I have some good ones that need trimming." Papa rubs at his face again, scratching his stubble. "Do not know how they will do in Kentucky, or New York City. Terrible winters, yes?" he considers a moment, and he gives an amused grin, and taps his cane on the floor.

    "You love my little songbird, yes?"

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie looks to the man "Both have some hard winters, Kentucky more cause it is in the mountains. The main thing the town Ah grew up in, is mainly known for it's coal mines. " He tells the older man giving him an idea of his home. Then to the last question he will nod, and says "With all my heart and soul."

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Allegra has grown up surrounded by riches, and was taken in by hatred, but never lost her heart. She hurts, now, having lost her father." Papa pauses, and looks over to Sam "... but you know how it feels. To lose, and then to care for others because you are needed." he leans back a moment, thoughtfully looking out over the valley. "She has always been a lady of two worlds. Italy and England. Song and Dance. She needs someone to lean on when her heart gets heavy."

    And the elder Caradenza man looks to Sam. "And that is you. Not everyone throws themselves out of windows so sure they will be caught."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie smirks a bit and rubs his hand through his hair and says "You heard about that huh?" He smiles and says "Ah know she has my heart, and pretty sure, Ah have her heart as well, but there is something else Ah need." He takes a moment closing his eyes and breathing in, and then opening them in practiced Italian, he says "Signore Caradenza, Ah would like to ask your permission to ask your granddaughter for her hand in marriage. We both know her father would not have anything to do with her or I, so I come to the higher head of the family for permission.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "I hear everything, my ears, they are big." Papa replies, and then he straightens up a moment. He purses his lips, and looks to Sam, watery, dark eyes settling on him a moment before he purses his lips, as if considering it.

    "Well. She could do no better." he remarks, and he reaches out and clasps Sam on the shoulder. "You are a fine young man, Sam."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie smiles and looks to the man, and says "Thank you sir, Ah will admit, Ah was tempted to ask her just a bit ago, but Ah want to do it right. She deserves someone who will do everything they can for her, and Ah plan on that. " He looks to the man, and says "I have my grandmother's ring with me, if I can find the right place and time, I want to ask her while we are here. Someplace that will leave her smiling even more thinking about it.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Heh, when you do, she will remember the rest of her life the very taste of the air around her, the color of the light in your eyes." Papa remarks quietly, and he sips his cold drink.

    "You'll know when the time is right, young man. You'll know, and the only time she will ever look more beautiful is when you marry her, and when she is on stage."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie smirks a bit and says "Ah don't know how she could be more beautiful than she is every day. She is beautiful, fierce, and caring, Ah could not find a better woman than her." The look on his face as he talks of her, tells of his love. "Do Ah need to make sure Ah do it soon? Ah don't want Nonna to have to stress to much knowing it is coming and not being able to speak of it.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    Papa gives a small smile, and a nod. "You should ask soon. I will take care of telling Nonna. Otherwise... eh. All of the villa will know before Allegra does." Papa gives a defeated sort of sound. He's done this song and dance before.

    "But! When time is right, you know. You ask, she says yes, and for the sake of poor Papa, *please* give great-grandbabbies before Nonna passes, or Papa will hear of it in Heaven for all eternity!" he jokes.

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie chuckles a bit to this and says "Well, we have not decided how soon we will have them, but Ah can bring over my little brothers and sister sometime to help keep her busy if need be, I am the eldest of ten kids." He grins a bit and says "Ah am sure Allegra will want them, but also remember, she thinks of her students as he kids too." He smiles and says "But you and Nonna will be the firsts to know, maybe in a conference call with my Ma.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Mm." Papa gives a knowing smile, and an approving nod. "So, Let us see the ring, young man, mm? Must make sure it is appropriately graceful and simple for my granddaughter who in spite of my joking, doesn't care for drama much. Other than windows, and battles with her father."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie chuckles and nods his head and pulls the ring from his pocket opening the box, and showing the man the ring. It is an older ring, that has been resized recently but it well made. It has a small diamond, and a smaller pieces of jasper on each side. My grandfather mined the Jasper himself.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "... such a well-made piece of jewelery--" Papa pronounces each word in English carefully. <Elegand and graceful and simple, like our Allegra.> he decides, and gives a small smile. "So this-a ring, created by your grandfather for your grandmother?" he asks curiously, "A wonderful family heirloom."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie says, "Well he mined the Jasper, he had someone else make it, we have been coal miners for generations. I even spent a little time in the mines after Pa passed. Luckily with the schools help it was not to long in it.""

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "I see." Papa states, and gives a small smile, and leans back against the wall of his home.

    "Very good ring. Good luck for bride and groom to have something with so much love."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie nods, and closes it putting it back in his pocket. "Ma offered me it or hers, but Ah did not want to take that part of Pa away from her. She has dated since he passed, but it just did not seem right somehow.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "I am very fortunate. I have loved once, and she has given me two sons, but never daughters she so wanted. To my relief." Papa reminices quietly, and he looks back to Sam.
    "You are a Good Man, Sam. You look out for our Allegra. Keep her happy."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie nods, and says "I will watch after her and make sure she is as safe as she will let me. " He grins a bit and says "She can be very stubborn at times but I do my best." He smiles and says "Someone ticks her off, might have to protect them from them.

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Aah yes," Papa grins <She is fiery. She gets that from my wife.> he grins, both hands on his cane. <So, what would you like for a wedding present? A sea-side villa? A lakehouse?>

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie chuckles a bit and says "You don't need to give us anything so big, we will be happy with anything you give us, even if it was just a stick, we know it was coming with love and the best thoughts."

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "It will be the best stick you have ever seen!" Papa replies conspiritially, and that's when the door opens again, and Nonna and Alexis coming out baring some plates and pickled artichoke hearts and slices of tomato and motzerella with fresh basil and dressing.

    "Hello!" Alexis smiles, kissing the top of Sam's head. "And what have you two been gabbin' about?"

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie smiles and says "Sticks, and places." He grins and kisses Alexis's chin as she is there. "What were you and Nonna talking about while you were inside??"

Alexis Carr has posed:
    "Properly making pesto. The secret: Pine nuts, but baked." she jokes, taking her seat back as Papa leans over and whispers something in Nonna's ear.

    Nonna then purses her lips, and then throws her hands up.

    <Fine, fine, we send our only granddaughter with this farm boy to pick up fish. What does a farm boy know about the sea, my love? What does a singer know about it?> she complains, and gives a huff.

    And as Alexis looks to Papa, Nonna gives a wink to Sam.

    "It's too long a walk. Fly. Tomorrow."

Samuel Guthrie has posed:
Sam Guthrie nods a bit and says "Well flying is always fun." He grins and says "Maybe while we are here, I can give Nonna a trip flying if she is interested. While your flying with me, you cant be hurt, Alexis will vouch for that."