13782/Birthdays on a Boat IV: Here we drink... vine.

Birthdays on a Boat IV: Here we drink... vine.
Date of Scene:	03 September 2021
Location:	M/Y Surprise, Francavilla al Mare, Abruzzo, Italy
Synopsis:	Considerations on family, wine, and the memory of hills of Abruzzo.
Cast of Characters:	Jax Miller, Cannonball, Nightingale, Kit Killovarras

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Jax Miller has posed:
    It has been nigh on two days of smooth sailing. Well, sailing... as much as a motor yacht sails, it did, and has for the past 48 hours. Through the Straits of Messina, around Calabria, and back north. The eventual destination on this heading is Venice, or so the itinerary claims, but really there had to be one stop along the way. The east coast of Italy is as marvelous as the west, and after a brief glimpse of the Syrian coast on the southernmost point of the journey (and a rousing chorus of 'The Coast of High Barbary' from half the crew as they made that coast hove into sight), it's all smooth cruising. Very smooth. Not a thing to worry about.

    Which is why, out of an abundance of paranoia, Jax has the ship put into Francavilla al Mare at the Captain's suggestion rather than making for Ortona, the port where ships heading for the Abruzzo region would normally stop over. If anyone is trailing the yacht, they would probably have a harder time following them into a smaller and lesser used tourist port.

    Where, it must be said, the arrival of M/Y Surprise is causing quite the stir. 40 meter vessels are a rare sight in this little marina, and it seems like fully a third of the local residents are lining the quay. If the goal was to go in without attracting attention, that ship has literally sailed.

    Lacking the necessary jetties on which to moor such a large vessel, 'Surprise' comes to anchor in the only holding ground large enough for a vessel of its size... right in the middle of the circular harbor, forcing the rest of the traffic to veer around. In any other port that would probably attract some rapid-fire comments from the local captains, but in a port that survives entirely on tourism and sightseeing, nobody seems to mind much. One more thing for tourists to look at on a dolphin spotting trip.

    All of this does mean that disembarking has to happen by tender, for those of the passengers who cannot fly, to the harbor proper where two hired vehicles are waiting. Yes, two.

    The first, larger vehicle is intended for the passengers, with Gregor as the driver. The smaller vehicle is for Stavros and Guillaume, the ship's purser and cook, and a few mystery packages over which they are making quite the fuss.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie will offer to ferry anyone who needs it, or even be the outboard motor for one of the boats to get there. Sam looks out over the area, and the kids, a smile on his face watching them

Nightingale has posed:
     Clad in her alluring, yet still very modest, white lace and linen dress, and Roman-style brown leather sandals, Shannon cannot quite resist the opportunity to take a page out of 'Titanic', and stand on the bow of the ship. Her arms and wings are outspread, her face upturned towards the sun, and she laughs for the sheer joy of the moment as she leapt into the air. Spiraling higher, and higher, it is like Icarus flying towards the forbidden territory of the Gods in heaven.

     For a moment, it looks as if she is about to disappear among the clouds and join those selfsame Gods, never to return.

     One couldn't be more wrong.

     A whoop of laughter can be heard echoing from the sky, and a snowy white bullet drops like a stone towards the waves below. At the last possible moment, she snaps her wings outwards, skimming the surface for a good distance, before angling upwards again and flying towards the two tenders heading for shore.

     Yes, life was good.

     Today was going to be a good day.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
Kit meanwhile, clad in his usual attire for the trip, would have managed to get to shore like any other, by way of the smaller craft, stretching his legs and body a little once he's on dry land.

Ever the quiet sort, and more importantly, ever the mildly paranoid sort, he'd be keeping himself on high alert, his nose and ears keeping him informed on everything going on around him.

The laugh and the show from Shannon though has him watching, waiting to greet her when she lands with that ever-present little smile of his.

Jax Miller has posed:
    By the time people are getting into the cars, the crowd has swollen to include tourists who, being mostly clueless and easily fooled, seem to think that some kind of celebrity has arrived in the little tourist town on the Trabocchi coast. This is most certainly not helped by Jax hamming it up, wearing a pair of nigh ostentatious sunglasses and designer cut clothes... well, all except for the t-shirt he's wearing under the open jacket, which today is a very pale ochre with a motif of clouds and sunbursts, sporting the text 'Oblectate, nunc hic sumus!'.

    There is the expected chorus of 'oohs' and 'aaahs' as Shannon takes to the air, caught on many a camera with the usual cries of 'Angelo!'. And yes, Jax and Kit are getting their fair share of amazed shouts as well, the usual 'puppy' and 'kitty!' although this time in half a dozen languages, not just the local italian. As if to reinforce the myth that this group is famous, Jax waves to the crowd as he gets into the passenger seat of the car, taking off his sunglasses and giving a few people a wink.

    Stavros and Guillaume, smiling silently to themselves, make quick work of transferring their packages to their own car and getting in without attracting any special attention. Meanwhile, Gregor seems to have decided to play his own part, and dutifully holds open the doors for Sam, Shannon, and Kit.

    It's almost as if he's used to this...

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie watches all of this and even though he has met a few "gods" be them asgardian or greek, he now sees how it could be easy for people with their powers to fool people now, let alone back in the days of yore. He will take the boat in after putting some sunglasses on now that none need him.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon lands on the tender with Kit, Jax, and Sam, riding in to shore with them like anybody else. While she does flick her wings and tuck them in neatly behind her, there is that irrepressible grin that exclaims 'Sorry, not sorry' to one and all who know her. The joy of flight for its own sake was just too great for her to resist.

     However, there was one factor she'd forgotten about completely, in the flurry of flight, and simply enjoying the trip.

     Her music.

     Oh, there were no autographs for her to sign as she made her way onto shore with her friends and adopted older brother. But there were the unmistakable--if slightly out-of-tune--renditions of her two better-known songs, leaving the winged young woman blushing as she got into the car.

     "Don't know if I'll ever quite get used to that," she murmurs.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
The people calling out about 'puppy!' get a loud but friendly smile and a Hyaenidae bark in greeting, a sound that can literally travel for miles normally, though he's being quiet about it here. Thankfully, he's been getting used to hiding the fact that he's probably shaking right now, but it's something he'll deal with inside the vehicle.

Once he's inside, he'll give a little sigh and start humming to himself a little for a moment before he gives Jax a glance, his lips parting ever so slightly to emit a simple, "I know you enjoy this kind of attention, but damn." just below the range of human hearing. Then he goes back to humming, still trying to stop his body from shaking it seems.

The aardwolf's ears perk a little when he notices Shannons music being sung by the others and he just gives her a glance in the vehicle and a little nudge with a grin, "Well, look who's famous." he says with a toothy little grin, then sticks his tongue out at her playfully.

Jax Miller has posed:
    "Looks can be deceiving." Jax whispers back, with the smile still on his face and waving to the 'fans', even if they mostly have eyes for the American popstar that literally just dropped from the skies. "Always give them a show, and then at least you get to decide how much they take from you."

    There's people on that pier who are wondering where the security is, who's stopping them from rushing the cars and demanding autographs. Right now the belief that such a security cordon exists is the only thing keeping them back, but a distressing number of them have managed to find notebooks or bits of paper, and someone back there must be doing a raring trade in pens.

    "It probably best we leave soon." Gregor murmurs as Shannon gets into the car, bowing her in with a smile and closing the door, before running over to the other side to bow in Sam.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie looks over as he makes his way in acting as a bit of security himself. Sam's movements, show some security training. He slides in after Shannon and says "Youse guys, keep getting more and more popular, going to have to add some to the security crew." He does in an new york/jersy accent. If anyone has met him they may realize he is doing a Guido aka Strong Guy impression.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon just laughed, albeit a bit nervously, hugging Sam, Jax, and Kit each in turn. "If this keeps up that might actually not be such a bad idea, big bro!" Settling into her seat, she peers out at the crowd through the windows, letting out a little sigh and a smile. "You know, I had a talk like this with Poseidon once. To some people, our gifts might seem miraculous and god-like, but we're just regular folks with a little extra. Kind of puts things in perspective, huh?"

Kit Killovarras has posed:
"Easier said that done sometimes.." Kit murmurs, again just beneath the range of human hearing. He gives a little shrug to Jax and chuckles quietly, then looks to Sam and tilts his head for a moment before just giving a little laugh. "You guys already have more of a security detail than I think you realize.."

The hug from Shannon gets a fluffy hug in return with a little smile. "A lot of people don't or can't understand that we aren't what we seem. It's a reality that I've lived for most of my life." Then he gives a little shrug and sticks his tongue out once again before adding, "At very least though, where I'm from you resemble someone that people would cherish." There's a glance between her and Jax and he adds a simple, "Both of you do."

Jax Miller has posed:
    "People know what they see. People believe what they think they see. In short, people believe because people believe." is Gregor's short summary as he gets into the driver's seat and starts the car. For an engineer aboard a superyacht, he's been remarkably deep and has a habit of offering his opinion rather than being quietly in the background. There's a fractional pause as he looks into the rear view mirror "No hug for Gregor? Is okay. Will get autograph later." Which is, probably, a joke. Most likely. But Jax is grinning like he ate the canary, so... who knows how much of an in-joke that was?

    At last the convoy sets off, pursued by some of the mob for a short distance, and it shouldn't be any surprise that after only a few minutes, Jax's phone starts ringing. "Y'hello... oh, Capt..."

    The cat mutant literally cringes when the voice of Captain Tala echoes out of his phone, almost loud enough for the rest of the car to make out.

    Someone is most certainly not happy that there's quite a large crowd gawping at the yacht when they were supposed to be putting into the smaller port to avoid drawing attention. This is a call that might go on for some time.

    In the meantime, the cars follow the road along the coast for a few minutes and then turn inland, avoiding the busier main roads and taking the scenic route which, after about ten minutes, begins to climb into the hills.

    Hills which soon begin to grow into the modest but still awesome heights of the Monte Amaro.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie looks out the window smiling a bit at something. He will get a goofy smile on his face as they pass a particular patch of mountains that can be seen from the road. He looks over to Kitt and says "Honestly I believer anyone in this car could could take care of themselves more than most would expect, and I do put you in that group who would surprise others Gregor."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon's cheeks flush bright pink, and she ducks her head in shame at the very thought of slighting Gregor. "Mea culpa! I could not give you a hug while you're driving! Just you wait till we get out, mister!" Begun, the hug wars have!

     But, by the sound of things on the phone, WWIII has also begun for poor Jax. Shannon winces, offering Jax a sympathetic and apologetic look for her part in their grand entrance for which he must now pay the price. "I'm sorry... didn't mean to get you into hot water there!"

     Even wincing and blushing cannot stand up to the goofy, almost schoolboy-ish look on Sam's face as they pass by that particular patch of mountains. Her look of chagrin melts into a heartwarming smile, the young woman chuckling knowingly and resting a hand on Sam's shoulder. "That was a good part of why I thought you might want to join us on this trip," she says. "At least one of us can see the one they care for."

Jax Miller has posed:
    Even as the angry phone call continues, Jax is putting his feet up on the dash in front of him, which gets a momentary frown from Gregor. Without any words passing between the two, Jax puts his feet back where they belong, instead slouching to lean against the door. There is the very audible *thunk* as Gregor hits the child safe locks. Yeah, he may have gotten used to the idiosyncrasies of the Miller family by now.

    It takes about three minutes for the call to end, and Jax actually massages his ear when it's done, then half turns in his seat to look at his friends in the back. "It's about another half hours driving, and I'm told the scenery is pretty epic. Hope you don't mind, but Guillaume and Stavros wouldn't let us go up to Caradenza vineyard without providing some kind of culinary surprise, so... hope you're hungry."

    And Gregor? Gregor gives a glance over to Sam through the rearview mirror before grinning and focusing on the road.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie looks over and says "That mountain over there a good deal up on the wester side there is a small clearing, that is where Ah asked her to marry me." He tells his students, and says "Well, Ah, am sure Nonna will have something for us to and some for us to take when we leave as well." He informs them. "They have had the vineyards in the family for many generations, Ah even brought home a bit of the vine to grow at my farm down in Kentucky."

Kit Killovarras has posed:
Kit's ears perk up a little bit at the phone call, but he just chuckles and waits until after the call to muse, "Well, I mean if the plan was to fly under the radar, that's not really possible with you." he says, sticking his tongue out at Jax for a moment, then he gives Gregor a glance, tilting his head at the sound of the child safety lock. There's a quiet sound from him, but there's no hidden speech in it, no words.. just a little mix between a groan and a sigh.

Nightingale has posed:
     "Sam, you are one lucky son of a gun," Shannon says, with a slightly melodramatic sigh as she looks out the window towards the area of the mountains he points out. There is a hint of mist glistening at the corners of her eyes, but somehow, she manages to keep that little hitch out of her breath. "Finding a great spot like that to pop the question to her, and then getting along well enough with her family that they allow you to grow a bit of their vine in your own place? That's so sweet you two will have a bit of her home with you always."

     For a moment, it looks as if she might say something further, but on that subject, there is nothing. She just smiles a little bit, settling back into her seat and preening her wings. "You know, Mr. DaCosta was by a few days ago," she says. "Surprised me with a bit of flight training, and a wine tasting at his vineyards after. It makes me curious about how the wine is from Alexis' family's vineyard."

     Glancing to Kit and Jax, she snickers softly, shaking her head. "Flying under the radar? With Jax? Really?" She can't help a light giggle, taking the chance to brush her hand under her eyes as if to wipe away tears of mirth. "Not possible, but I've got to say this trip might not have been half as much fun if we did."

Jax Miller has posed:
    "Hey, I know my limits." Jax responds with a smile and a shrug, which actually raises a guffaw from Gregor. The man is dividing his attention between the road and the rear view mirror, taking the car along smaller roads through small villages. If the stalker is tailing along, they'll stick out like a sore thumb in this kind of environment. But the only people who seem to be following are Stavros and Guillaume, in their smaller and less obtrusive car.

    After a little while, the road begins to wind into the mountains, and finally Gregor is forced to merge into a semi-large road leading up through the foothills and bypassing some of the more scenic routes. Clearly where they're going is a bit higher up, and is going to require the use of an actual main road, which leaves the man even busier checking angles as he drives. Must be an engineer thing?

    "Okay, I know I'm going to sound like that guy, but... when you've got your own vineyard in Italy, you got it made. I gotta talk to this DaCosta, sounds like he's got taste." Which is pretty rich coming from a teenaged cat wearing a t-shirt under his suit jacket. "But the wine from Casa Caradenza? If you believe Guillaume, it's ambrosia."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie looks over and says "Berto, well, like I said you remind me a bit of him, but you want to see his pride and joy go down to brazil with him sometime." He offers over to them, and says "As for the spot, took me a couple days to find it and then had to talk to nona and papa about permission

Kit Killovarras has posed:
"Riiight," Kit says in response to Jax' comment, giving a little grin, then shrugs and adds, "Whoever the idiot sending those letters is, I seriously hope they aren't stupid enough to try anything." He rolls his shoulders a little, then looks out the window as he tries to relax.

Shannon's comment gets a little smile and an added, "Yeah, he doesn't exactly know what subtly means," with a little laugh and another tongue stuck out at poor Jax, "But I mean, then again you don't seem to either at times." All said playfully, of course.

Nightingale has posed:
     "It's a little hard to be subtle with these on your back," Shannon replies to Kit, chuckling softly, shrugging as she extends one wing partially towards him. "Figured I have one of two choices. Embrace who and what I am and just try to live a decent life, or run and hide from it. Thanks, I'd rather not run and hide." She grins a little wider, another round of laughter bubbling up from within her. "Besides, it was just too beautiful a day out to not try that little skimming the water maneuver out there. I'm used to it over the lake back home. It was just so beautiful out there in the bay, I had to try it there, too."

     She's not blind to the way Gregor is keeping his head on a swivel. The more she watches it, the more her own smile begins to fade. She, too, begins peering out the windows, her brows furrowing and her arms crossing. "You guys sure you don't want me out there as eyes in the sky? Wouldn't be the first time, won't be the last. Might be the one angle any follower would have a harder time keeping an eye on." She smirks a little, motioning to the sunny skies above. "Especially with me wearing white, and the bright sun out there. It'd be harder for them to see me coming, I'd look like just another cloud till it was too late."

Jax Miller has posed:
    It's a steady climb towards the mountain, the kind of climb that eventually results in ears popping, before the car makes another turn to leave the main road, heading once again to a string of villages. The summit of the Monte Amaro is getting closer to the right, and the road changes from good tarmac to cracked paving, narrowing until it's just about wide enough for two cars or a single truck. Fences and olive trees line the road, if such it can still be called.

    "Hey, I know what subtly means. I also have a good idea of what nuclear fission means, but you don't see me trying that either." is Jax' tongue in cheek rejoinder, utterly relaxed in his seat, as if he's the only one /not/ keeping an eye out for trouble. But why would he?

    It's a sun drenched countryside, of the kind where the most dangerous creature you are likely to encounter is a sheep. Plenty of those around, in fact, being watched with half an eye by shepherds enjoying the sunshine and the nice weather... as well as what appears to be wine skins. Soon enough the vines start to take over the dominant view on the slope to the right of what shall be called a road because it's mostly paved and clearly intended for use by vehicles and running in a close approximation of a straight line.

    The convoy of /two/ cars driving past gets a momentary curious glance from the shepherds and even some of their sheep. Two cars? That's luxury, that is...

    It's then not long at all before the small convoy turns off the road again onto a smaller private looking track, marked only by a discrete sign. Clearly you either know where this place is, or you need to be told.

    But the environment is unmistakable... this is a vineyard.

    This is Casa Caradenza.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie looks over, and and says "Well, we are almost there, and as for their wine, some of the best around, I am sure, you will get to try some with dinner. "Zio, will probably have a few things planned "Thats Alexis's uncle, and he enjoys having visitors about "Oh and so you know everyone here calls Alexis Allegra, it is her real name, she was going by Alexis when we met, so sorta habbit with me."

Kit Killovarras has posed:
The extended wing gets nosed ever so gently by Kit as he gives a little chuckle, "There's a difference between 'running and hiding' and learning to use subtlety to your advantage." he says with a smile, then she suggests going on recon and he looks at her for a moment before shaking his head. "This is supposed to be a vacation, not a mission. Let those who are perpetually paranoid be the ones keeping an eye out for danger." This said as his ears flick a little, doing about half a dozen micro-adjustments every few moments. Even if he doesn't look or act like it at times, he's very much on high alert and has been for a while.

Jax gets a glance and a little laugh for his comment, "You seem more comfortable in the spotlight anyways," he says with a nod. "Not really a bad thing though, I'll admit. It tends to make it easier for others to go unseen when they need to."

Nightingale has posed:
     Chortling, Shannon just holds her wing still, allowing Kit to nose it. She was used to such things, really. "Believe it or not, when it comes down to it, I can and do use subtlety. Just no call for it yet on this trip."

     Her smile widens as she listens to Sam, dipping her head briefly in acknowledgement. "Fitting name for a musician of her caliber. It'll be wonderful to get to meet her family as well. If I'd have thought all of us would be coming here, I'd have baked some orange almond pillow cookies to bring for a gift."

Jax Miller has posed:
    "And I have it on good authority, if you use the kitchen on the ship, Guillaume will have you thrown overboard." Is that a joke? Jax must be joking, right? Right? Well, Gregor is laughing, so... oh no, now there's a fist bump between those two. Who knows at this point?

    It's moment later that the car pulls up into a driveway, stopping in front of a large but tastefully built house in local materials, while the second car... keeps going? Drives on, in fact, and disappears around the corner. Huh.

    There is the click of the child safe locks disengaging as Gregor shuts the engine off and gets out of the car to open the doors for the passengers. He's too late to open up for Jax, who practically leapt out of the car the moment it came to a stop and the doors unlocked. Likely he would have gone out the window if they hadn't.

    It's then that an older man descends the stairs leading up to the entrance of the house, smiling, his arms wide in Italian fashion. "Benvenuto! Welcome to Casa Caradenza, Signore Guthrie! Signore Miller! Signore ... ehmm..." and there he stops for a moment, giving a polite nod towards Kit, and a sudden deep and courteous bow upon catching sight of Shannon. "Signorina, perdonami! Non siamo stati presentati!"

    In the light of such Italian flair, even Jax is speechless for a moment.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie will climb out of the car, and will move to the older gentleman, offering him, his hand, but the two are soon in a man;y hug. Sam speaks to him in Italian a moment, telling him the trip went well, and where their ship was docked and said. Sam will turn and then introduce each of the people in turn "This is Jake Miller. but everyone calls him Jax, this is Kit Killovarras, and Shannon Lance." He motions towards the three of them, and says "They are students of Allegra and Mine." He explains and adds "And this is Gregor, he works for Jax, and tries to keep him out of trouble, I believe that last part is a full time job on it's own."

Kit Killovarras has posed:
Kit is slightly slower than Jax to get out of the vehicle, having watched the leap of the feline the second the doors clicked with a little shake of his head and a grin and even taking a moment to nose Shannon's win again. He stretches for a moment, still letting himself stand at his full height at the moment and when he notices the older man give him a nod? He's bow his head slightly and offer a warm smile.

Kit takes a moment to scan his surroundings, taking in literally everything he can see and, from the ever so faint twitching of his ears, everything he can hear as well. He takes everything in for a moment more, then Sam introduces him and his ears perk up, giving a little wave to the older man when he's introduced.

Jax Miller has posed:
    "Signore Caradenza." Jax returns the greeting, although his pronunciation is atrociously American. And that might be the limit of his attempts at Italian, because the next words are perfectly normal english. "A pleasure to meet you. And I'm glad to notice your pets are doing well too." Ey? How could he /possibly/ know that? It even gets the older gentleman to raise an eyebrow, even after the ebullient greeting and the quiet conversation with Sam, almost as if from uncle to nephew. Gregor makes no comment when he's introduced other than a polite nod, before surreptitiously getting back into the car to park it out of the way around the corner. Is that a sudden laugh as he's pulling away? Yeah, that's a laugh. That man is having fun today.

    "Come, come inside, you must be thirsty after a long trip. And when you are no longer thirsty, you must have a tour of the grounds, I insist."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie motions towards the kids and Gregor to follow him. "Ah am glad you have had time for us to come by, Ah know seeing the place will be a good thing for the kids, and thought they could learn a lot from it." He grins a bit and says "They are not as quite used to the farm life, the most they have had to do is some chores either in the garden or stables at the school." He offers moving to follow along as well.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
Gregor going to park the cars gets a glance from the aardwolf and a slight shake of his head before he heads over to the others finally. He's going to be the quiet type around new people, it's the norm for him, so he probably wont speak unless spoken to for now, but that wont stop him from being polite and friendly.

He's also very much going to keep looking around, using all of his senses to take in what he can. There's something to being paranoid when you have heightened senses, but really? It just makes for a more interesting experience overall too.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon smiles warmly at the older gentleman, sketching an equally deep bow in kind, with a flourish and flick of her wings. "Signore, an honor and pleasure to meet you. I owe a great deal to Allegra and Sam both. Grazie, for welcoming us all to your home." While her command of Italian is limited at best, the few words she does know, are at least pronounced fairly well.

     When the others fall in step to follow Sam and Signore Caradenza through the grounds, she takes her place at the rear of the group, the better to keep her wings partially open to the wind and the sun. For a moment, she closes her eyes, drinking in the warmth of the sun seeping into her from all around, and the balmy breeze that wafts through every so often. "This place is truly stunning, Signore, yet I've a feeling this is only the beginning."

Jax Miller has posed:
    The group is conducted, and such a verb is very appropriate for the way the older man keeps fussing over his guests, to a sitting room that is clearly set up to receive guests. Not only are enough wine glasses left out for a gustation, but several wine bottles have been decanted and left to breathe. "It is only a small place, of no great consequence." Signore Caradenza replies to Shannon as he conducts (again, accurate) people to their seats. "But is is ours, and that suffices."

    What also seems to suffice is the re-appearance of Stavros, along with other gentlemen from the grounds, bustling about to set out appetizers and small selection of amuse bouche to go with the wine. A glass of which is being offered to each guest. "Please, relax, and I hope you will enjoy my humble offering."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie nods, and will motion for all to have a seat and asks Where Alexis and Nona are, to be told they had to go into town to get some things, Nona wanted for dinner later tonight and would be back. Sam nods a bit and says "Ah well if Nona is making, Ah will have to talk her into letting Shannon and I bake a few things for dessert for you guys before we leave."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Home is always of great consequence, Signore." This time, Shannon has no problem with accepting the glass of wine, dipping her head with a softly murmured, "Grazie." The color, a deep ruby red, is admired with a smile, the light from the windows refracting on the surface like little gems. A small sniff of the aroma just above the surface of the glass, and then a tiny sip which is savored for several long moments. Her eyes close, and she just smiles. "I'd heard wines from your home described as ambrosia, Signore, but I fear such a description falls short."

     When baking a dessert is mentioned, she just grins from ear to ear, pale azure eyes twinkling with glee as she opens them again. It's hard not to relax, and to be put slightly off-guard in such a little slice of heaven as this is proving to be....

Jax Miller has posed:
    As the gustation begins, an older cat traipses into the room, seemingly attracted to something inside. And once in the sitting room, that cat is making straight for Jax, tilting its head to the side and sitting down in front of the mutant. Jax, for his part... is just holding his glass of wine, politely, but isn't drinking, not even tasting. As soon as the cat appears, however, he sets the glass down and beams a smile at it, ears doing a complicated little semaphore impression, punctuated with a few distinct feline noises that are odd coming from the very humanoid figure. Then he holds out his arms and smiles. "Hi Joe. C'mon up."

    Which Warrior Joe does, going from lap straight to shoulder, and sitting there like a slightly ragged familiar, tilting his head to all that he surveys, with a mew of recognition for Sam and Shannon.

    And the rest? The rest is purring.

    "You ehm... have a way with cats, Signore Miller." Signore Caradenza intones, but quirking an eyebrow the untouched wine glass. "Is the vintage not to your liking? Did you find fault with our humble wines, Signore?"

    But it's Stavros to the rescue with another glass, which he swaps for Jax' original one without comment, before the mutant begins to sip. "Sorry, just... odd personal taste."

    Hmmpf. Signore Caradenza gives Jax one more glance, and then nods his head at Shannon. "Quite a few things are said about our humble wines, but I am pleased to know that my humble offering is pleasing."

    As for baking? "I believe we have a certain Guillaume in the kitchens at the moment, preparing something along with the staff. Not a usual arrangement, but how can I refuse anything to such distinguished guests..." a nod to Sam and Shannon. "... especially those buying five dozen of our finest." Which is punctuated with a nod at Jax. Yowzers.

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie looks over to Papa, and says "Some of our students have special needs with their foods and drinks Ah should have thought and sent ahead the list, it is not something Alexis.. Allegra or Ah have to think about often unless we are doing a meal for folks so it slipped my mind. It is all on me."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon laughs when she sees a familiar feline in the form of Warrior Joe. Setting her glass down on the table, she makes some soft clicking noises, reaching out with one hand towards the grizzled old cat. "Hey you," she said, her eyes alight. "Missed seeing you around the school. Bet you've been getting spoiled rotten over here, huh?" Glancing at Jax curiously, she tilts her head slightly to one side. "Okay, just out of curiosity, what exactly were you and Joe saying?" Because, obviously, Cat is not a language she speaks.

     Upon hearing Signore Caradenza speaking of the situation in the kitchen, the winged young woman furrows her brows. "If it would cause trouble to bake something for you, then I couldn't intrude upon your kitchen. Which would be best? For me to leave a recipe with the staff, or should I be in the kitchen after all? I'm... uncertain of which is proper in this case."

Jax Miller has posed:
    "My house is your house, of course, Signorina Lance. If you feel inclined to bake, especially as a surprise to my wife and Allegra, then who am I to refuse?" Signore Caradenza practically gushes, all southern european hospitality. "And how lucky am I to receive guests who not only bring sunshine and companionship to my door, but baked surprises for us all to sample later as well?"

    With a smile, Jax sips his grape juice masquerading as wine, and confesses to Shannon. "It's... not really like that. It's more of an understanding than a language, but I told Joe that Squeakers is doing well and that neither of us has claimed his spot on the landing. And it's his house, so I asked his permission to stay for a while. He ehmm..." and here Jax glances at Warrior Joe, who tilts his ears and licks the cat mutant's nose. "... he says it's okay."

    And at that explanation, Jax carefully shrugs over to Signore Caradenza. "It's a cat thing."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie smirks a bit and says "I am sure he is happy to have you about Jax, took Joe a bit to find his spot, and Lockheed had claimed some of the better sunning spots." He grins and looks over to the group, and says "Papa here did a good job with the winery it had some issues with some of the local issues a while back, but he has preservered and kept the reputation of the vineyard great."

Nightingale has posed:
     "Then if you like, I'd be happy to help bake some of those surprises, and leave the recipes with your staff afterwards so you can have them whenever you wish. Besides," Shannon adds, with a twinkle in her eyes. "I'd be intrigued to learn which wines would pair best with some of the sweets, and can think of none better to learn from."

     Giggling softly, she manages to spare a gentle scritch under that grizzled old chin, eyes sparkling as she hears Joe purring in response. Too, she partially unfurls one wing, teasing the old Warrior by moving her wing tips lightly over his paws. "Perhaps later, I might offer a song as well? If it weren't for Allegra, I wouldn't have learned to play guitar, so the song might never have come to be."

Jax Miller has posed:
    "Ah, pah..." Papa Caradenza replies to that, waving off the suggestion of him doing anything out of the ordinary in a very italian hand-wave gesture "We have been here for generations, we will be here for generations. What is it to us if some teppisti... ah, no matter." A smile and a sip from his wine, and the older Caradenza seems almost lost in thought, before he looks over to his guests with a smile that is deeper and seemingly fonder than ever before. "These hills are old, and they remember. The grapes grow well here, and the hills remember that too. If there is trouble, local or distant, what do the hills care? What does the wine care? The grapes don't judge, they care only for the sunshine and the love they get from us humble vignaioli. If I have done anything, then I could not have done it without the dedication of the people who have worked here, giving their cuore e anima... their hearts and their souls, yes? When we are long gone, the hills will be here, the grapes will be here, and the wine will remember."

    Which, of course, ends with a raised up glass and a toast to the hills, the vines, and family. Especially family. "Famiglia!"

    This leads to a moment of quiet introspection, before the man becomes animated again. "Wine, food and song. What sunshine has graced my door today! Signori, Signorina, you must stay to eat with the family tonight, I insist."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie nods a bit and says "Ah believe we have time to spend the day and night here if your ok with it Papa." He grins a bit and says "Ah was thinking maybe showing them around the town on the way out tomorrow, so they get to know the area a bit. Ah wish we could longer but there are plans and time table. Ah may fly back a few times since we are close though."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon blinks, looking more than a little surprised. She looks quickly between Sam, Kit, and Jax, and back to Papa Caradenza again. Her expression shifts slowly then, from incredulity at the rather sudden invitation to spend the night, to a brilliant smile. "Mille grazie!" Her wings flutter behind her, and she seems quite content to her musings as she listens to everyone else speaking for a little while.

     What had she just gotten everyone into?

Jax Miller has posed:
    "Come now." Papa Caradenza concludes when everyone has finished their tasting of the local wine, standing up as if he has shed twenty years from his life. "Before we begin to dine, or even begin to consider cooking, we must work up an appetite. And what better way than for me to show you la vigna? It may very well be instructive, but above all, I am certain we can make it entertaining for your giovani, Signore Guthrie."

Cannonball has posed:
Samuel Guthrie hears the truck pull up, and says "Papa, if you don't mind, Ah will let you show them around, it seems I hear Nona and Allegra returning, Ah will go help them with the stuff they bought." He looks at the students "They are good kids, they will love to see the place, and be on their best behavior."

Nightingale has posed:
     Inspiration could, would, and often did strike at the oddest of times. Such was the case for Shannon as she moves to stand with the others, preparing to tour Casa Caradenza. But in such a household, how could one begin such a journey without verse or melody?

"The wine will remember
So drink deep of the memories
Of sunshine and laughter
The wind in the trees
Chaos and pain, they'll all fade away
But the hills will remember
Drink deeply of joy
Shared with family...."

     She smiles a little sheepishly at the others, ducking her head. "I fear I may come away from this place with more songs that will keep me awake at night, until they find voice."

Jax Miller has posed:
    "But of course." Papa Caradenza smiles, gathering the students while Sam goes to help. "Their best behavior, I'm certain."

    A short pause while the older man waits for Sam to walk out of earshot, and then looks at Jax, Kit and Shannon. "But that would be boring, wouldn't it?" And he gives the students a wink, before leading them out through the back towards the vineyard proper "Avanti, banda!". Oh, this might be memorable...