act20mini

The meeting is with your own family?

I didn't know they moved here. I saw them while I was out on the street, nearly didn't recognize them.

What once felt like the biggest deal in all of Siracusa now barely feels important at all. All these years, I had no contact at all. It's time I finally dropped by.

My family was not well-off, so we had Verdi with dinner. I don't know why Papà never tired of it... I hope that once he sees this bottle, he'll let me in.

So there's been no misunderstanding here. A bottle of common, ordinary Verdi, wrapped with care, appeared in front of me precisely when I needed it. And for that, I am willing to pay this price.

If it still weighs on your conscience, then why not offer me a 'good luck' as a bonus?

...Sure! Best of luck to you!

Never thought I'd see the day I'd chase down a buyer to get my product back... You're looking chipper. Happy now?

Mhm! When I tell Nonno, he's gonna say I made a good deal.

Then how about a high-five?

Yay!

No time to rest on your laurels, though. We've only sold one bottle. You can't count on more happy accidents—

Excuse me, are you Bettina?

I am. Who might you be, signore?

Finally found you. Miss Bianca says you sell traditional Siracusan red wine. Is that right?

I'm planning to open a Siracusan restaurant in Victoria, and I might consider bringing a few such items back with me. Could you introduce your product?

Oh, you mean...?

A golden opportunity is knocking, Bettina! Don't just stand there, the important part is putting your marketing skills to good use next! Still remember what I taught you—

Hm.

Signorina Tosia?

Never mind, kid. You... You graduated.

Just forget everything I said. It's better you do things your own way.

Tosia watches the girl and the young man move to the curb, listing out the gains and losses in her head out of habit.

A Siracusan restaurant... Even if he's looking for a local wine, he'd make more profit if he went for something a couple grades higher than Verdi. Well, it's all about what the buyer thinks, in the end.

Just gotta hope he signs a long-term agreement. Though, even if he does, it's still a drop in the bucket. This label isn't going to escape bankruptcy or acquisition that easily...

Hmm?

The conversation nearby seems to pause for a moment. The girl turns to Tosia, jumping and waving her hands, a bright smile plastered all over her face.

Looks like things are going well.

Whatever... As long as she's happy.

One week later.

I've spoken with Mr. Roger, and he approves of your idea. He simply has some hesitation about getting involved, and is worried about the risks.

No rush, the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi isn't making any big moves right now, but this doesn't mean things will go the way G.C.C. planned.

We may be backed by the G.C.C. right now... but we need to make our own preparations.

No matter which of these titans lets something slip through its fingers, we shall enjoy a sumptuous feast.

We are not the only ones waiting to get a slice of the pie. We simply need to be ready, and wait for the perfect wave to carry us aloft...

Ohoho, look who it is! Our shining star of the market finally arrives.

Sales tells me you got quite a few local retailers to sign our shelf display agreement, so I thought we should celebrate!

Thanks. It was just like you said, not much resistance when we were talking.

I meant to have this celebratory dinner yesterday, but my secretary told me you were busy with something?

I made friends with a local girl these past few days. She invited me to her home for dinner. Sorry, I know you don't splurge often...

Why apologize? This is great. We're foreigners in Nuova Volsinii. Only by understanding the Siracusans can we empty their pockets.

It seems my lovely niece has some tricks up her sleeve. You always know exactly why you do things. That's what I like the most about you.

Come, na zdrowie!

I think you've misunderstood something, Wujek Czarek. I didn't go to the kid's place to fish for some information. It was just to sing her 'Happy Birthday'.

Oh, is that so?

The glass filled with first-rate red wine freezes in midair, while the young lady on the other side of the table gives him a smile.

Her family's as ordinary as can be. They even brought all their furniture in from the countryside. A family that's the complete opposite to our 'Nuova Volsinii, Vita Nuova'.

I did manage to get one piece of good news there, though. Look.

Tosia pulls out a soft drink in a glass bottle, resting it on the pure white satin tablecloth. Czarek cannot help but laugh.

You're here to eat dinner, you know. Why bring your own drink?

This is the Chinotto I asked about last week. Her family says there are still grocers in the city who sell it.

I'm not sure if you remember, but my tata often went to Siracusa for work. Every time he came back, he'd bring some snacks and toys for me.

My favorite was this drink, and I'd always beg him to bring more back next time. Haha, it would've been way too heavy, now that I think about it.

Well, you know what happened next. He lost his job, so I didn't get to drink Chinotto anymore, naturally.

Tosia pries off the cap, the soft drink in the brown glass bottle letting out a cheerful hiss.

I've always wanted to try it again. I'm starting to think that if these 'old-fashioned things' really did disappear, it would be a real shame.

Na zdrowie, Wujek Czarek.

Tosia lifts up the bottle, knocking it against the wine glass.

Honestly, that zero-proof sparkling water from last week? Not my cup of tea. No offense.