[It is an important part in establishment of Ntoniu's character, an insight to why he is like this in the main chronology. Some pics may repeat the ones in the posts, I put them here for better understanding. Also, plot spoilers ahead. Even if the story isn't written yet]
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1. The Sicily Era
It all started in the Kingdom of Two Sicilies, or, how the chronicler calls it shortly, the Southern Kingdom, in the small marine province of Messina. Nowadays it is a part of Italy, but many folks in the distant past came there for trading or travelling: Arabs, Africans, Greeks, and so on. This place, I mean Sicily, is thus ethnically diverse and rich in culture. Well, back to the story: long ago from now, on 13th of June 1823, an event that changed a lot of lives took place. The main hero of this biography was born.
That is, classically Antonio, colloquially Ntoniu, or shortly Totò, a descendant of the Trifiletti family. Little background of the surname history. Not much is known, but some suggest that Trifiletti started in the times of Byzantine Empire, 12th century or even earlier. It has two possible etymologies:
1. "Trifiletti" is a toponym derived from Greek "triphyllon" - trefoil, geraldic symbol. Generally represents the Holy Trinity in Christian art.
2. Italian historian Vito Blunda found a possible meaning connected with a specific part of meat (spine). The surname then may have indicated a butcher's family or something of that kind.
I hold to the 1st explanation, as these Trifilettis' ancestry revolves around Greeks more than butchers. They are coffee farmers and own plantations, brew it or sell the beans themselves, and earn money.
There was a special class of "village nobles" back then, families who were simultaneously poor and rich. Poor in the sense of development and industrialisation, as it was almost nonexistent in the Southern Kingdom, in contrast to the Northern Kingdom, with its coal mines, machines and bourgeoise enterpreneurs. On the other hand, rich in the sense of nature and agriculture - it was like a piece of Heaven on earth, all the ripe fruit and veggies, the Mediterranean fish, breezy nights and hot sunny days. Messinese village nobles possessed acres of fruitful land and had good trades with neighbours, hence the "wealthy" part.
All that said, Toto belonged to the class mentioned above. In my setting, their coffee business is known all over the Kingdom, its members have a special mark - a trefoil-shaped earring on the left side. Except for the manual workers, referred to as bracciando, as they're not family but rather employees who look after the fields for a certain time period.
Now for the family members. Ntoniu literally has a myriad of relatives, including his elder brother Giacominu, Jacu for short, parents, grandparents from both mom and dad's side, 7 aunts and uncles, and 25 cousins some of whom he's never ever met. Some Trifiletti got married to neighbouring families' members like Lorenzini or Scarcello, running their own trades thereafter. Totò's dad is on good terms with them, and occasionally buys/exchanges bread, ham and cheese.
The main conflict, or more like a contradistinction, was between Toto and Jacu. The two are polar opposites. Jacu is hard-working, kind of non-stereotypical for a Sicilian, and responsible: all the field duties are on him, their dad and the bracciando, while the women (mom and Jacu's wife) do the housework. He gets up the earliest to do everything before it is unbearably boiling outside.
What's Toto doing then? The answer is simple: nothing. He usually slept in the daytime, under the orange trees in the small garden on the sacks with beans and grains, and hung out at night. He rarely appeared in the house, only to have a family dinner and then go outside again. Being fun-loving and careless as he is, he often rode around the town in carts, entertained local girls with songs and dances. He's been playing the guitar and tambourine since childhood, his soul is blooming at the sounds of a national canzuna.
Though Toto had a liking for telling young women rude stuff jokingly and pulling their leg, some've got over it and still spent time with him. Even the saying appeared among the rest: "Dealing with Trifiletti Jr is like biting into an unripe lemon". (He used to be the "flirty cheeky guy" type, I can say. He didn't use to believe in true ever-lasting love, only in temporary passion.)
When the night ends and the sunrise is near, Toto finishes his concert and returns to the garden. Stretched out on the sacks, he yawns pleasantly and slowly goes to sleep, with cheeks still burning from excitement. He feels his heart beating under his hand, in the same fast and lively rhythm of these serenades he played. This way, music will remain with him his whole life, and beacuse of this realisation he smiles in his dream.
He used to wake up in the afternoon at most. Jacu often used to censure Toto for his behaviour, such as lazing out and being "useless". This routine continued every day. Until one moment of gargantuous change.
The Revolution.
In 1848. It was due to the Nationalists' desire for Sicily's independence from the Bourbon dynasty and wish for a liberal government, not a monarchy. Toto, as well as many well-off village nobles, was against the rebellion, as he didn't find the current Bourbon government wrong. On top of unawareness of simple Sicilian folk's will, he never really valued the bracciando's work. He thought of it as something easy and only their obligation to do, not the farm owner's. His dad, apart from being a successful farmer, was a Sanfedist and a newspaper enthusiast, so he went to serve in the Neapolitan army to suppress the revolution.
Trifiletti Jr wasn't as keen on of politics, therefore he had no idea about the Northern Kingdom's condition. Spoiler - it was also torn by uprisings. In spite of this, judging from all the new he heard, Toto thought of an aim, and it was to become an enterpreneur in the North. Not the village one this time, but the economist, who invests money and gains profits. Top-hat and cigar archetype, that's right. Political contradictions made the Trifiletti house a disaster, and he saw no other way than to leave.
Sicily was proclaimed independent in March. Toto took his belongings onto the boat, said farewell to his relatives, and opened a new chapter of his story. He sailed away to the North, in search of a better occupation.
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The Revolution.
In 1848. It was due to the Nationalists' desire for Sicily's independence from the Bourbon dynasty and wish for a liberal government, not a monarchy. Toto, as well as many well-off village nobles, was against the rebellion, as he didn't find the current Bourbon government wrong. On top of unawareness of simple Sicilian folk's will, he never really valued the bracciando's work. He thought of it as something easy and only their obligation to do, not the farm owner's. His dad, apart from being a successful farmer, was a Sanfedist and a newspaper enthusiast, so he went to serve in the Neapolitan army to suppress the revolution.
Trifiletti Jr wasn't as keen on of politics, therefore he had no idea about the Northern Kingdom's condition. Spoiler - it was also torn by uprisings. In spite of this, judging from all the new he heard, Toto thought of an aim, and it was to become an enterpreneur in the North. Not the village one this time, but the economist, who invests money and gains profits. Top-hat and cigar archetype, that's right. Political contradictions made the Trifiletti house a disaster, and he saw no other way than to leave.
Sicily was proclaimed independent in March. Toto took his belongings onto the boat, said farewell to his relatives, and opened a new chapter of his story. He sailed away to the North, in search of a better occupation.
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2. The Piedmont Era
In the middle of the journey, Toto arrived in Piedmont-Sardinia, a conservative monarchist country bordering the Northern Kingdom. After the 1848 uprisings the power was in the hands of the Savoy dynasty king Victor Emmanuel II. The land got along well with the French and Austrians (partly for recognition and world authority) and moreover had a lot of Swiss and French influence.
In the 1830s, some action was taken, and the new reforms ameliorated the industrial and factory production, which played a role in Piedmont's development. The ministries' policies were a wreck, though they looked down on the local uprisings as well.
Trifiletti stopped at the coast, near the ship building factory. He imagined that his dream came true, that soon he'd be successful.
He spent the night at one of the workers' rooms, supervised by this guy:
Let's call him "the boss" for convenience. The next day Toto was about to leave, but found out his boat had been stolen. Boss offers him the plan - he'll make a new one, in exchange for Toto's help on the factory. No choice but to agree, huh? Tough days, here you are.
Toto was aware that an industrial company consisted of employers and employees. His dream depicted him as an employer for sure. But he totally didn't expect to be an employee. He was introduced to wonders of manual labour: transporting coal, operating constructions, chopping wood and so on. Remember how Toto devaluated his Messinese bracciando? In Piedmont, he's practically in their shoes, and is going to get through how "easy" it is.
Once he got hit by a heavy board which fell from a ship's stern by accident. It triggered vision difficulties: he almost turned blind, but quickly recovered, and at the end stayed near-sighted his entire life. Constant exhaustion made him absent-minded due to poor coordination. His palms turned rough and bruised, inhaling dust resulted in coughs, which he thankfully got over.
That's how he, apparently, obtained his luxurious aim from a different, less tempting perspective. He'll always have in mind that behind every wealthy enterprise there are efforts and pains of simple working class.
He stayed in Piedmont for half a year. The boss gifted him a new boat at last, Toto packed his stuff again, and the journey went on. With a change of heart and new experience, he learned his lesson about attitude to workers, and at first had the urge to return to Messina and beg Jacu and the bracciando for forgiveness. But the adventures called him, and he headed higher to the North.
Before finding Prussia, Ntoniu has sailed through Switzerland, Baden-Württemberg and Sachsen.
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In the 1830s, some action was taken, and the new reforms ameliorated the industrial and factory production, which played a role in Piedmont's development. The ministries' policies were a wreck, though they looked down on the local uprisings as well.
Trifiletti stopped at the coast, near the ship building factory. He imagined that his dream came true, that soon he'd be successful.
He spent the night at one of the workers' rooms, supervised by this guy:
Let's call him "the boss" for convenience. The next day Toto was about to leave, but found out his boat had been stolen. Boss offers him the plan - he'll make a new one, in exchange for Toto's help on the factory. No choice but to agree, huh? Tough days, here you are.
Toto was aware that an industrial company consisted of employers and employees. His dream depicted him as an employer for sure. But he totally didn't expect to be an employee. He was introduced to wonders of manual labour: transporting coal, operating constructions, chopping wood and so on. Remember how Toto devaluated his Messinese bracciando? In Piedmont, he's practically in their shoes, and is going to get through how "easy" it is.
Once he got hit by a heavy board which fell from a ship's stern by accident. It triggered vision difficulties: he almost turned blind, but quickly recovered, and at the end stayed near-sighted his entire life. Constant exhaustion made him absent-minded due to poor coordination. His palms turned rough and bruised, inhaling dust resulted in coughs, which he thankfully got over.
That's how he, apparently, obtained his luxurious aim from a different, less tempting perspective. He'll always have in mind that behind every wealthy enterprise there are efforts and pains of simple working class.
He stayed in Piedmont for half a year. The boss gifted him a new boat at last, Toto packed his stuff again, and the journey went on. With a change of heart and new experience, he learned his lesson about attitude to workers, and at first had the urge to return to Messina and beg Jacu and the bracciando for forgiveness. But the adventures called him, and he headed higher to the North.
Before finding Prussia, Ntoniu has sailed through Switzerland, Baden-Württemberg and Sachsen.
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3. The Brandenburg Era
At last, our hero reached Brandenburg. German was a hard language for him, as it not a part of Romance language branch, but he grasped the speaking part in a few years. He still has trouble writing properly and getting rid of the accent, and by that I mean it never actually changed, it has always been a thick Sicilian accent, sprinkled with German words.
German literature, like Goethe and Kant, quickly became his favourite, German cuisine also appeals to him, but in his opinion, nothing in the world is more delicious than grandma's pizza. His clothes now look more in tune with local fashion, with trousers (instead of pantalones), suspenders and a bowtie.
He sold his box of oranges to open a market stall and start earning at least something. He also got glasses he was prescribed by Avicius. (It seems that there are no other doctors except Avicius in Brandenburg, but let's just leave it as it is.) In 1856, he met Richard. They are in a symbiotic relationship: Wissenstein gives him money in exchange for coffee and biscuits, and Toto gives him secular life pieces of advice. Though he has less effect on Richard's life than Immanuel, he helped him get things straight with personal problems.
Toto has no apartment, but he bought a tiny countryhouse and some land from the Bergs to continue the business. He still lives there in fact, and his Kaffeebaum is situated near the Bergs' bakery. Jacu is informed about his address, so he sends letters to Ntoniu from time to time. And products, when it is necessary.
Though he considers himself German at that point, he still feels weird in this lifestyle and thus develops an identity crisis. In Prussia, he is an alien, as he isn't taken seriously, mainly by Theo and the "true German" rhethoric. People here come across as too serious and cold for his mentality. He went on vacation to his hometown a couple times, and there he was misunderstood as well, because he tried so hard to pass for a German with his love for culture, that he became out of touch with his own culture. Toto is turmoiled deep down and has no idea who he is, or where he should go. But it didn't last long.
Though he considers himself German at that point, he still feels weird in this lifestyle and thus develops an identity crisis. In Prussia, he is an alien, as he isn't taken seriously, mainly by Theo and the "true German" rhethoric. People here come across as too serious and cold for his mentality. He went on vacation to his hometown a couple times, and there he was misunderstood as well, because he tried so hard to pass for a German with his love for culture, that he became out of touch with his own culture. Toto is turmoiled deep down and has no idea who he is, or where he should go. But it didn't last long.
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In 1869, Toto was shot in the head by Karl and Fritz, when they invaded his shop after he forgot to lock it and stayed too late. That's the problem - he got cured from his laziness, but failed to be more careful about himself. I'm not sure about the reason for this crime. It may be due to the marxists' hatred for the bourgeoise, or the fact that they were drunk and mistook him for someone else.
Richard hid luckily, so he wasn't caught. He saw this murder with his own eyes and was in intense fear, it contributed to his physical disease later. As Toto was a Roman Catholic and not a Protestant, his funeral was not held in St Gotthardt Church and the Choral Four did not perform the burial service. However, Richard came there with Mary and kids to see him for the last time. There was also Martha, his low-key crush.
The Kaffeebaum was immediately closed, then opened again by a new owner, the drunk communists were convicted and sent to the town prison. Richard still misses Ntoniu's vivid storytelling. Bergs, Theo, Avicius, the Choral Four and other townsmen remember him too, whether they liked or disliked him when he was alive.
The Trifiletti family mourned their loss of a relative, when the last letter from the Kaffeebaum was sent by the new owner, notifying that Toto's dead. By that time Jacu had taken over the fields after his dad. He did all he could to keep them prospering, for the family's glory. One life story came to an end, but it wasn't in vain for sure.
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[Yay I've finished! The most accurate biography so far, composed from tons of drafts. If you have questions/suggestions, please contact me. I'll gladly listen!]
The Trifiletti family mourned their loss of a relative, when the last letter from the Kaffeebaum was sent by the new owner, notifying that Toto's dead. By that time Jacu had taken over the fields after his dad. He did all he could to keep them prospering, for the family's glory. One life story came to an end, but it wasn't in vain for sure.
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[Yay I've finished! The most accurate biography so far, composed from tons of drafts. If you have questions/suggestions, please contact me. I'll gladly listen!]
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