The cab stopped; Norbert looked at the meter, his eyes wide and teary at the cost. Swallowing, Norbert presented his card, tapping it against the pay machine as the cabbie smiled back at him. Opening the car door, Norbert stepped out and found himself in his destination, Placentia.
Just at the outskirts, not wanting to be dropped off at the Arnott's factory, let anyone there know of his presence. Instead, Norbert had asked to be stopped off outside of the town. Norbert looked down at the village, spotting the factory jutting out, looking out of place compared to the stone buildings on the side of the hill.
Norbert turned to Obsius, who was also watching the scenery. "Is it just me, or does this feel like a trap?" Norbert asked the bird.
Receiving a chirp in response, Norbert nodded. "Yeah, glad you agree as well," Norbert replied.
Confirming his backpack on his back, Norbert looked down at the road ahead, wondering what the rest of the day would have in store for him. Looked around the hill he was on, the farms slopping down the hill, showing the vineyards that dotted the hills.
Taking his first step forward, Norbert walked down the dirt path, watching the sign above his head for the streets he was on. Following the path, the trees overhead blocked the sun, the dust kicking up with each step as Norbert made his way down to the town.
He waved to farmers along his way, hearing them speak Italian in return as Norbert just smiled and waved in return, trying to act friendly. As he was just on the outskirts of the first building of the town centre, Norbert knew that everyone by now would know about the stranger walking into town.
Standing at the border of what he would call the town, hands on his hips, Norbert breathed in as deeply as possible, smelling the clean air around the town—the stone buildings behind him dotted the hill as he stepped forward.
Taking out his phone, Norbert scrolled through his information, re-reading about the town and building he would need to find. The last bit was about Francesco, the stranger who had a relation to the other side. Remembering Sally's words that it wouldn't be a trap, Norbert steadied his nerves again.
Passing through the town, Norbert looked over the buildings, mapping his way around as he looked for the hotel he had booked online. He looked up at the signs, trying to find the one with the three lines coming out of a circle; Norbert couldn't find it no matter how hard he looked—he did not want to use his phone unless, in case of emergencies, that roaming data would be used quickly for him to find his way in this place. Sadly, his plan to use the free local Wi-Fi was blowing up in his face, as there was nothing to speak of on the waves.
The sun is now setting for the day, and Norbert is annoyed at being unable to find his destination. Finding the first random store, Norbert entered, hearing the bell on top of his head. The stone interior feels instantly more relaxed compared to the temperature outside.
Walking inside, the door closing behind him, Norbert looked at what he had entered. Everyone just stared at him, food in their mouths at his welcome. As Norbert stared at everyone, he noticed a common theme in their dress wear. Everyone was wearing formal clothes and sitting around tables.
At one of the tables, who he thought looked like a bride and groom sitting there, looking to be in mid-conversation. Norbert looked down at his own dress wear, shorts and sleeve top and joggers, completely not matching what everyone else was wearing.
Clearing his throat, Norbert exclaimed to the crowd, "Sorry to interrupt, but do you know where I can find this place?" while he flipped his phone around, showing a picture of the hotel he would be staying for the next night, best case or worst case, following several days.
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He looked around the crowd, gazing at everyone there, hoping to see some form of reaction from someone there. Norbert gazed at the crowd, getting closer and closer to worry consuming him. When he looked to the end of the crowd, Norbert heard someone exclaim, "Oh, that's right next to where I live!"
Norbert turned his eyes to the person who spoke, the rest of the room nodding and confirming. Locating the sound, Norbert met his eyes with the bride, slumping his shoulders in defeat. Norbert just nodded. "Well, I hope you have a good night and a happy marriage to the lucky pair." As he turned around to leave the place and let the party and celebrations continue without him.
He opened the door to the outside again, the wind blowing through his hair as he breathed in the sun setting on the horizon; the street lamps were starting to light up around the town. Stepping out into the street, the door closing behind him, a voice called out to him.
"Wait, you don't have to leave. There is plenty of room for one more." The voice carried out.
Norbert turned around, seeing it was the bride, now standing up as the room divided in their reaction and half nodding along and agreeing, the other half grimacing of the uninvited guest. Stepping forward, Norbert closed the door behind him, the bell ringing again.
Bowing deeply, Norbert spoke while looking at the ground, "Thank you for welcoming me into this great and special occasion and for your generosity and gift." Norbert said as he reached into his backpack on his back.
Rustling around inside, Norbert was looking for anything to give them. Hand clasping around a coin, Norbert brought it from his backpack and looked at it. Eyes wide, not believing how a coin from Masanu could have made it over, but too late now, Norbert flicked it across the room.
"For luck," Norbert said as he finally stood up, all eyes following the coin as it landed on the table and began rolling, Finally stopping and falling between the couple. Everyone stared at Norbert, eyes going to and from the distance so that he could fling the coin away from him.
"So, any place you would like me to sit, or should I pick a table randomly?" Norbert asked around.
Standing where he was, the staff moved to action, bringing a chair out and directing Norbert to sit down. Following the lead, he moved to the side, the conversation returning to normal, murmurings filling the room. As he sat down and pulled his chair in, Norbert looked around the small table he was on.
As he looked around, Norbert waved to them all. "Hello, I'm Norbert. What are your names?" he asked them.
One by one, they all responded; the last one to speak was a man. As Norbert turned to him, he realised he hadn't spoken at night. Norbert turned to him, asking, "And you, sir, what is your name? It's OK if you don't want to give it."
The man gulped one last time before he opened his mouth, saying, "No, that's all good; you may call me Francesco." The man said.
Instantly, Norbert turned towards the man, eyes peeled sharp as the sounds around him faded in the background; Obsius, on his shoulder, jumped off and landed on the table, looking at all the different types of food she hadn't had before.
Going to the centre, she began picking items and pointing to plates before returning to Norbert. Picking up the food Obsius was picking and placing it on his plate in the centre, Norbert turned to Francesco.
"Oh, what a wonderful name, and Francesco, who is this around you?" Norbert asked the man who he was speaking to on the phone just a few days ago, the voice resonating around him as it went into his skull, sparking his memory of the conversation. He just smiled at the man, waiting for the response confirming to Norbert that the jig was up with whatever plan these Italians had been cooking up.
"This is my family, as you have been introduced to them all already," Francesco replied before picking up his fork and eating.
Norbert nodded, now looking at his plate and the pile of food on it. "Obsius, don't you think you're being a little greedy now?" he asked the bird.
Obsius, turning around on the white table, chirped twice before looking back to the plate and nibbling away, taking small pieces off and nibbling away. Norbert picks up a fork and eats bits of the pastry and meat, not recognising any of the foods on the table.
Placing it in his mouth, it burst with flavour as he realised he hadn't eaten in three days. Shrugging, he nodded along, smiling at the others as the tense attitude slowly released around him. Norbert stared back at Francesco, who every second looked like he wanted to run away from the table. That anywhere would be better than where he was now.