OOC: Testing out something different here, jump in if you like.

Alexander had been invited to the Venitian Opera House to participate in their Autumn showcase. While enthused about the idea and what the opportunities would mean for his career, he was a little concerned about his voyage. For starters, while he loved to fantasise about romantic vacations spent in foreign lands, the undeniable fact that he had never stepped foot outside the Nation's borders did little to calm his worried heart.

He knew bits and pieces about the opera, and next to nothing about Italy or its customs. Being alone in a foreign paradise though appealing, brought its own set of pitfalls, ones that he really did not want to face without adequate preparation. Since the invitation had arrived at the last minute, he did not have enough time to research thoroughly.

Confused about what to do, he eventually found his way to a bar. Pulling the cigarette he kept tucked behind his ear in his mouth, he lit the end and inhaled sharply, feeling the familiar burn at the back of his throat before coughing once and letting the smoke rush out of his mouth. Flicking the butt of his cigarette he watched the ash fall of the end and down to the dirty floor below as he explained his problem to the bartender.

The man wiped away a glass with a rag and looked at him in mild annoyance at his willingness to chat despite his refusal to buy alcohol. With a shrug, he turned away to service his more profitable customers and Alexander let out a dejected sigh. Just when he was about to resign himself to his fate, a fellow patron sitting two stools away, turned towards him and said....

“Italy is supposed to be beautiful, mister.” Kid said without looking up. “Or at least, that is what I hear from some of these wanna-be goombahs around town. I have never been there, but in all honesty I feel some of them didn’t visit the old country either.”

Now he did look to the side and vaguely recognised a face he had seen around town before. The man was old, well-spoken and had an attitude that expressed a certain authority despite appearing reserved at the same time.

“Well, I can’t help you.” Kid continued. “A place I do not know, I can not introduce. But what I can do is ask you a question. Apart from what will be… if you had the choice and reality wouldn’t object, what would you hope to find over there? What is it you seek, culture or adventure?”

Kid now shifted towards Alexander, his interest in the conversation slightly increased. Maybe one day he would travel beyond the borders of the country himself. He is certain the unknown would be what would drew him in that case. That’s intriguing in itself; how can the unknown can have pull. Perhaps the common pushed away instead. Perhaps destination didn’t matter as much as direction, or movement by itself.

“Sorry,” Kid continued. “My mind drifted for a moment. Let’s continue. What do you hope Italy to be?”

Alexander looked beside him at the individual who had spoken up. A mildly familiar face captured his sight, one he had seen around town before but never had the pleasure of meeting.  "Tales of the natural splendour held within the Italian peninsula are never scarce my young friend. As you said, the people who spin tall tales about their European heritage make sure us poor American fools never forget it."  He said as he took a small sip of his iced tea.

Brushing back hin unkempt hair he sighed and added.  "And yet as a simple troubadour with no ties to Italy and a far-fetched association with the seedy underbelly of the mafia, I fear my journey might be akin to a piece of driftwood floating endlessly in an unfamiliar sea." Pausing to take a drag of his cigarette he continued.  "My life has been short, but what little of it I have lived has been interspersed with misadventures and mischief, albeit of the relatively harmless persuasion. You could say trouble and I are old friends. I wouldn't be surprised if I run into some during my stay there."

Glancing at Kid with an eyebrow raised in mild amusement he asked.  "What about you my young friend? If you were free of your obligations and if you had the resources to support your desires, what part of this wicked world would you venture to?" 

DorianGray overheard DustyKid and AlexanderKnight talk about how they imagined Europe, and especially Italy would be and DorianGray, whose ancestors came from the old continent, decided to share what he had learned from what his father had left him in documents..

I sure you do gentlemen don't mind me bursting into this conversation.. DorianGray hardly gave the couple of men time to answer

I have a comprehensive description of a honeymoon travel through all of Italy, it should be one beautiful journey, as my father had planned it to go with his fiancé Lo. Unfortunately what they thought was a chronicle of a fairytale marriage untold turned out into a chronicle of a double death foretold..

Yet, apart from that legacy that was so tragic that it made Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet fade, it did gave me some insight on where the most beautiful spots of that country should be..
Dorian paused as he thought of the plans.. Looking at AlexanderKnight, his mind went over the different spots he would love to see

The mosaics of Ravenna.. Bernini's little obelisk-carrying elephant. just beside Rome's Pantheon.. The Amalfi Coast.. The beautiful shell-formed square in the centre of the wonderful black-and-white-tiled Siena.. It should be full of marvels there.. And those cities.. Florence, said to be the most beautiful thing in all of Europe..

DorianGray paused

The weird thing was that my father, Tops, highlighted San Remo several times. The only thing I could find there that stood out from other places is that is has a casino..

Slightly taken aback by the abrupt interruption of the dark-haired stranger, Alexander took a deep breath to calm himself as he glanced at the man again with an eyebrow raised in curiosity while listening intently. It was clear to him that the man either knew intimate details about Europe and specifically the Italian peninsula from his research and personal experiences or he was a very smooth bullshitter capable of fabricating the most intricate of fantasies to enthral anyone he came across.

"I must admit Sir, your knowledge is quite comprehensive and the insight you have given me will come in handy." Pausing to take a sip of the iced tea in his hand, he let the ghost of a smile emerge on his face and continued. "I wonder if you can tell me more about some of the less frequented spots around the countryside, the hidden gems that are shielded from the average tourists looking for a quick photo opportunity or two. Places where the native culture is not just a publicized highlight but an intrinsic part of the day to day life?"

Taking a moment to scratch his stubble infested chin idly he added. "I would be foolish if I didn't plan ahead for the trouble I am inevitably going to end up getting into during my nocturnal escapades. While the casino you mentioned does not appeal to me, gambling you see is not one of my vices; women, on the other hand, are my weakness and I would Ideally like to understand the local power structure in case I need help after causing an unintended stir."

With a sheepish grin on his face, he said.  "Say, did your father happen to leave any information about which Dons to befriend and which ones to avoid?"

Dorian Gray, sir, please don't let my face fool you, my picture is the one that ages, I don't.
DorianGray extended his hand to AlexanderKnight and smiled, as he thought he noticed a bit of a smile on the gentleman's face as well.

Oh.. It is just what I have found on their planned honeymoon.. So I can't say I know a lot on the donna's.. Dorian smiled, paused, then continued

From what I read, I think people in Italy do not really care about the couple of foreigners that bother to visit their marvels. They are a proud people, and they will refuse to change their lifestyle, even if they would be ordered to. So don't be afraid about feeling like you would be watching a play. They are supposed to be stubborn and proud to act. Italy is said to be real.

DorianGray shifted the weight to his other leg, raised an eyebrow and added

There are some culinary tips in it though.

Avoid bread in Tuscany because of the lack of salt, try everything you can get a hold on in Sicily, because it will astonish you every time, try to find out whether you are into Napoli or Roma pizza themost, but never, ever admit to prefer a Roman over a Napolitan to a Napels person.. Or vice versa.

Some of the spots I mentioned earlier are less known, as far as I know, others are said to be so impressive that it would not matter how many people would go there, you would be marvelled anyway. Florence, for example, is said to be quite small, but really pretty and attractive. It is said to be a heavenly place to be in. The Abruzzo region was highlighted on a map, but there was nothing written along with it. Maybe that's an area that needs some exploring?