"You seem like you're very far from home, my friend."

The waves crashed against the small boat. The sun was just rising over the clear water. Crew members were giving orders in Italian, laughing at a witty joke someone said. There was one man near the railing, wearing a dark blue raincoat, a black sweater and a white shirt under that. He wore jeans, and some hiking boots. The only thing he owned were on his body, his backpack, and the guitar case at his side. He laughed at the man's comment, looking over at him. His brown hair was messy, yet looked perfect. He was starting to grow a beard. "What gave it away?" The man asked, smiling with white teeth. "Although your Italian is good, you don't have that native accent. And you dress like a man who has seen some shit." The man laughed. "What's your name, Stranger?"

"Benjamin Chase. People usually just call me Ben." Ben said. "Paolo Ricci." He extended his hand.

"A pleasure." Chase replied, shaking Paolo's hand.

"I'm a local fisherman on that island way out there... Isola di luna." He said with a smile. Ben nodded, looking in the direction he was pointing. "I'm going there myself. Looks like quite the place... Everything here is beautiful." He said. Paolo nodded. "Ah yes, Italia is very beautiful... Why exactly are you visiting our little home?"

Ben shrugged, running a hand through his hair. "I like visiting new places..."

"Ah, a man with no real home... Well, i hope you enjoy your visit, Benjamin Chase."

It was a beautiful day, like most days in truth, and Aria Giovanni was at her usual place; a small cove along the eastern shore. It was the perfect place to watch ships come and go from the small shipyard the island boasted, and it was a good place to not be seen by people looking for her. Standing with her feet in the water, Aria shaded her eyes with her left hand as a familiar ship came closer to shore, waving her right hand the young woman called out in Italian,
"Good morning!"
Knowing her voice would carry across the water. A breeze blew across her and lifted her warm blonde hair out of her deep brown eyes. She had an open smile and a kind face, her body was fit but with curves in all the right place. She did not look like the other women on the island, she did not look Italian, and that was a source of gossip for the others. Long had it been the controversy when Aria was born, that she was not her father's daughter, but that had never been confirmed nor denied by the man even to this day.

Now Aria began walking back to the main shore, her mother would be looking for her by now. It was Aria's day to help the sailors aboard the ship by giving them fresh food and water, carrying some of their bags, and greeting any newcomers to the island. It was rare, Aria had never come across anyone new on her days to help, but she always held out hope.

Ben and Paolo kept talking while the boat came closer to the island. Ben told him about the places he's been, and taught him a few different words from languages he learned fluently now. He laughed as he tried to say how are you in english, nodding at his good work. As they got close to the island he heard a sweet voice across the water yell goodmorning. Ben looked up to see the small figure on the beach waving at the boat. He smiled.

"Looks like its Aria's turn. The town's sweetheart. She loves meeting new people." He said, patting Ben on the back. The boat came to the docks, and the Italian men started unloading the cargo. Ben started helping, laughing at their comments of asking why this American was doing so far away from his country. "The baseball parks were all filled and i ran out of ammo for my shotgun." He replied in fluent Italian. The jokes made the fishermen burst out laughing. He carried a box off the dock, immediately noticing the young woman. He assumed that was the girl on the beach. Although she didn't look like a native here, she definitely was attractive. blonde hair, sun kissed skin, amazing eyes... He set the box down, greeting the natives who were near the dock, and giving a smile and nod towards the woman.

He climbed back onto the boat, picking up his backpack and guitar case. He walked up to Paolo. "I appreciate you taking me here..." He pulled out a handful of bills. "Here. Drinks are on my later tonight." He said with a laugh and grin, patting him on the back. Paolo laughed. "I'll see you later, Benjamin Chase!" He called out as Ben walked down the dock, taking in the view of the island. They made small cozy houses on the small mountain cliffs, a natural waterfall and white beaches. It looked amazing.

There was someone new! Aria could hardly contain her excitement as she hurried onto the dock, staring at the visitor who was helping the men unload the boat. Aria picked up a cardboard box with bottles of water and stood by another box of sandwiches, and held the water as the men walked by, some of them grabbing a bottle, and some taking both a sandwich and water. When the stranger made eye contact with Aria, she blushed and looked away, her shy nature coming forward. Setting down the half empty box, Aria took a few tentative steps towards the man as he took in the island, enjoying the beauty. It was her job to greet people, but Aria had not prepared herself for what would happen if that would actually happen.
"He..Hello..." She said in broken English, hoping her accent wasn't too thick for him to understand,
"My name... my name is Aria," Giving him a shy smile, Aria met his eye for a moment before looking away and down at her bare feet. It was easier to talk to them than it was the man,
"Welcome to Isola di Luna,"

Ben was snapped back into society when he heard the voice speak towards him. He turned to see the beautiful young woman talking to him in a thick english accent, looking down at her feet. "If you would like, we can speak in your native tongue." Ben replied in Italian, with a small smile. "Hello, Aria. Its a pleasure to meet you. My name is Benjamin Chase. Thank you, its a very beautiful place." He said with another smile. She clearly was a shy woman, but also very sweet. Ben has met countless people in his time, so the ability to talk to strangers became easier with time... although she gave him a slight bit of anxiety... a good anxiety though. He ran his hand through his hair, glancing around quickly before looking back at her.

"Oh thank you!" Aria said gratefully in Italian, smiling again. It was nice to see a visitor that knew very good Italian, though Aria could hear a distinct accent that came from the mainland. Her own breed of Italian from the island was influenced by different countries and cultures, but it held to the Italian words and subject verb agreement. Many of the people who came to visit were Americans who knew no or very little Italian, or read it from a phrase book.
"It's very nice to meet you Mr. Chase," She said, looking at his lone backpack then back at Ben,
"You don't have much, you won't be staying long?" Aria couldn't hide the hint of disappointment in her voice. This man was handsome, new, and interesting.

The way he looked spoke clearly of a man of travel and adventure. He didn't carry much, wasn't well shaved, relaxed... Everything Aria wished she could do and be. She hoped beyond hope that Benjamin would stay at least for while, so that she could get to know him and of his traveling.

Ben looked back at his backpack when she mentioned it. He heard a bit of disappointment in the very rich and soothing italian accent of hers. He could tell they didnt get visitors often. "I usually stay around when i'm at places i like very much, and seem exciting... and just getting off that boat, this island looks very promising..." He said, smiling reassuringly at her. He could hear small children screaming in excitement, playing soccer, or football as its called in most of the world. He hesitated for a second. "I heard you help new visitors here... and if you wouldn't mind, i wouldn't mind having someone like you show me what this island has to offer... You look like you know more about this island than anyone." He said with a smile. He had a feeling this was going to be one of the best places he's been to.

Aria ducked her head again and nodded. It was true, but not common knowledge. The young woman liked to go for walks and would routinely find herself up among the waterfalls, going higher and higher until there was nowhere else to go. She'd visited every shore, every cliff, always looking for something that she could never find on the island.
"Would you like a room first? To unpack and get settled in?" Aria glanced up at Ben with a small smile and she started walking in the direction of the main square,
"There is a lovely place a few blocks from here. It overlooks the sea and is next door to a fantastic bakery, Auntie Rosa owns it, she's very kind."

Ben nodded at her question. "That sounds good. I wouldn't mind getting rid of some of this stuff." He said, following after her. As she talked about the location, he smiled, looking around at the scene. "Sounds very nice. Its been a while since I've had some fresh baked goods." He said, recalling the countless times he had eaten the native's foods around the world. His least favorite was the bland tasting maggots found in tree roots in the Amazon... It still made him shudder to this day. A group of kids ran by, yelling that there's a foreigner on the island, clearly fascinated yet running away playfully as if he was it in a game of tag. Ben laughed and looked back at Aria, following after her. "Isola di Luna is very cheerful." Ben said, feeling somewhat homey and welcome.

"It is a small island, everyone knows everyone." The young woman said with a nonchalant shrug as she smiled at the children who were enamored by Ben already. Pointing to a white building with blue window trim and flowers in the sills. There was a plump Italian woman clipping flowers and Aria raised her hand in greeting,
"Auntie! I have a visitor for you!" She called and the woman looked in their direction, smiling when she saw Aria and Ben.
"Hello!" Rosa called, waving back and putting her flower clippers in her apron pocket as she walked towards the pair,
"Welcome to Casa Luna! I am Rosa, but call me Auntie. What is your name?" She asked, giving Benjamin a warm hug and light kisses on the cheek.

Benjamin didn't expect to be hugged and kissed, but anything goes in other cultures he guessed. "Hello, Rosa. I'm Benjamin Chase. A pleasure to meet you. Those are beautiful flowers." He added with a smile. "Aria told me that there's a room for rent. I'm interested in staying there for as long as i can." Ben stated. "Just name your price." Money wasn't an issue. He saved up a lot over his years, and it helped that he didn't have a home or any other personal belongings to pay for.

Aria was amazed by Ben's grace with Rosa's open greeting. It was a normal greeting for her culture, but Aria didn't usually greet people that way. Women here were meant to be helpers, Rosa was the exception. As Ben talked, though, Aria smiled brightly at his declaration that he didn't have a time frame or window. The older woman smiled at Benjamin then and nodded, giving Aria a side glance,,
"We do not take advantage of people here, my price for you is the price for everyone else." She told him her weekly rate, and her daily rate.
"But, if you are not planning on leaving soon, I would be happy to cut your rates in exchange for some help." Aria looked at Ben, wondering what he would think of the offer. Knowing Rosa for as long as she had, Aria had never seen Rosa offer someone a job right away. Aria herself did odd jobs every once in a while in exchange for flowers to give to tourists as a greeting, but never money.

Ben nodded his head in understandment when she told him about the price offers. It was nice to know that this island wasn't like others, and made foreigners pay extra. When she told him the price, he smiled. "That sounds reasonable..." And when asked about the special offer, he didn't have to think long about it. He was eager to help others, and this might be an interesting experience. "Of course, I'll help you whenever you need me." Benjamin said with another smile. He handed her the amount of bills. "For this week." He explained. He looked back to Aria who seemed to be surprised at his actions. I guess she assumed him to be a bit more selfish in a way... But after traveling so long, he seemed to leave all his worries and his needs behind. All he cared about was health, shelter, food, and the locals who showed him respect and friendly gestures.

This man was very kind, and seemed honest. Smiling brightly at him, Aria shrugged,
"If Auntie likes you, then you must be a good man." She had to dodge a light swipe coming from Rosa, who laughed,
"Girl! You will get into trouble! Be gone with you, your Mama will be looking for you!" Nodding and laughing as she waved to the two of them, skipping away then running through the children who all laughed and started running with her.
"Goodbye Mr. Chase! I will be back later!"

Rosa turned to Ben, smiling and shaking her head,
"Aria is a good girl, too much of a free spirit though." She motioned for him to follow her into the white building, the inside was made of light weathered wood, faded but lovely decor, it had homey feel to it.
"No man on this island will want to marry a wild child like that. She will calm down soon." Rosa spoke more to herself than to Ben as she grabbed a key off a wall of hooks and lead him up a set of stairs to the second floor. Down a hall and the last door on the left, she handed Ben the key,
"Here you are Mr. Chase. Ocean view, with the garden right below. Breakfast is served at nine, I am sure Aria will be back around two, if you want to wait for her. If not, then go ahead and look around the town." She said all of this brusquely and matter of fact before walking down the hall,
"Have a good stay!"

Ben waved at the beautiful girl who ran off, and turned to Rosa. He followed after her, listening to what she said about Aria. When she mentioned the free spirit, he gave a small smirk. "There is nothing wrong with a wild side, Miss Rosa." He said with a smile. He was as free spirited as it got, and hearing that she might be as well gave her kindness and beauty more of an attraction. He looked around the room, taking the key. He set his guitar case and backpack down near the soft looking bed. He hadn't been in one for a while. He usually slept on the streets, which he didn't mind. He looked out the window at the garden, and the deep blue ocean making waves. He turned to Rosa, giving a smile. "Thank you very much, Miss Rosa." Ben said as she walked off.

What was he going to do? Go get some food down at the bakery? Visit the shops and stores around town? No, he knew what he was going to do. He was going to go to the beach and play a round of football with the locals. It looked fun! Ben took off his raincoat, shirts, pants, and shoes and changed into a lightweight white collared shirt, light tan shorts, and some old worn out sneakers from his travels. He put on some sunglasses, smiling a bit. Some of the tribal tattoo's were coming out of his short sleeves. Although he was from a city where it didn't get much sun, the years of traveling made him nice shade of brown. He started walking out the door when he stopped, running over to grab his guitar case. He planned on staying on the shore for a while, and if people leave he can always play a tune on it by himself. It calmed him. He locked the door, put the keys in his pockets, and started walking down the street towards the beach.

"Did you give them the sandwiches and water? Made sure you were on time?" There were more questions being thrown at her, but Aria wasn't listening to her mother very closely, only nodding at what seemed like appropriate times. She had arrived back at the small villa that her parents owned just as her mother was getting worried, now the young woman was chopping tomatoes for dinner that night.
"There was a visitor," Aria said absently, looking down at the chopping board,
"Good! I trust you greeted them and everything. That's enough chopping, start stirring the sauce."
"I promised him I would show him around."
"And you will, after you stir the sauce." Aria huffed and went to the steaming pot of sauce on the stove and quickly stirred the thick red sauce. It smelled just as wonderful as always, but as soon as the sauce was set Aria gave her mother a swift kiss on the cheek and ran out the back door.

Running felt like freedom to Aria, the way her legs carried her quickly down the streets, her bare feet hardly making a sound on the dirt and into the town square. Slowing down as she approached Rosa's, the older woman called from her kitchen window,
"He left a while ago! Headed to the beach!" Aria waved in acknowledgement and started walking now until she came up to the most visited beach near the hotel. She walked to the edge and looked around, shading her eyes from the sun.

Benjamin placed his guitar case down, looking at the scene. A father with his son fishing, a couple walking the beach, and the Italians of all ages were playing soccer--football... He ran up to them, asking if he could join. They accepted, but not before judging him. Only a few seconds in he scored a goal on the other team. The sidelines were made of twigs, tree leaves, And sea shells for goals. A few minutes in he was high fiving people, making jokes, and a huff of quick annoyance on being beat. As he stopped to catch his breath he saw the beautiful island woman scanning the beach. "Hello, Miss Aria!" He called out to her, giving a smile and wave, wiping sweat off his brow

She heard her name being called and she turned her head, raising her hand in a wave. Aria couldn't help the smile that spread over her face. He was charming and had been places that Aria could only dream of seeing, even now she could see tattoos on his arms that she couldn't see before. If Aria ever got a tattoo anywhere on her body, Mama would have a heart attack.
"Did you have fun, Mr. Chase?" She called, walking over to meet Ben at the edge of the makeshift football field. Clasping her hands in front of her, her white skirt fluttering in the sea breeze, Aria smiled up at Ben,
"Are you still wanting to see the island?"

"Of course! I think I could use a break..." He laughed, looking at her. He wouldn't hesitate to spend time with her. It had only been a couple of hours and he could tell she was amazing. He didn't say anything for a few seconds, just staring at her until he snapped out of it. "They sure do know how to play a good game of football." Ben grinned. "So, where to first, Miss Aria?"

"Just Aria, Mr. Chase," She said with a smile, turning from the field to lead him back towards the town. Why had he been staring at her? Did she have some sauce on her face? The two of them walked through the town, and Aria pointed to the east, towards the waterfall above them,
"That is La Bella Madre, the beautiful mother. It is the largest of the three waterfalls here on the island, the other two are her daughters." Aria explained, turning down a path that would take them to the waterfalls,
"Some people like to climb them and jump off the top. I've never tried it, but I have heard it is very fun." Her voice turned wistful as she gazed at the top of the waterfalls. Aria had never jumped off the top of the Mother, because her own mother would have skinned her alive. Girls were not supposed to be daring.