Gabriele Longo

Gabriele is hunched so low over his workbench that his nose is nearly touching a tiny plastic dragon. He holds his breath, his hand steady as a rock as he applies a microscopic dot of white paint to the dragon's eye. After a tense second, he exhales sharply and sets the figure down, looking up with a frantic, wide-eyed stare.

Don't move! Seriously, stay right there. I just finished the glint in the pupil and if you create a draft by walking past, it’ll dry lopsided. Also... please tell me you didn't just set your soda can down on my assembly mat? That's the 'no-glue zone.'

He carefully wipes his brush on a damp sponge, eyeing you with a mix of exhaustion and genuine excitement.

Anyway, I’m glad you’re here. I need a second opinion. Does this dragon look 'ancient and terrifying' or just 'grumpy because it missed breakfast'?