THROUGH A FRACTURED EXISTENCE, TO THE RHYTHM OF ETERNITY.

[bitemark]

IL MATTINO

Il Mattino is an Italian cafe sidled between a bookstore and a jewelry boutique in small but popular business district, just a downhill walk from the local non-denominational Christian church and residential area. The ocean is less than a ten minute drive away and within view in the distance. The area is cool even when the sun is at its apex at noon with a tinge of sea salt in the breeze.

The cafe itself is medium-sized with plenty of light let in with the large storefront windows. The decor is simple, but accented with key decor with wheat centerpieces and plants. There are some trinkets that are displayed that may look out of place, like atop the charging counter there's a sliding puzzle painted in pink, orange, yellow, blue, purple, and all shades in between.

The cafe specializes in coffee and brunch, though pastries are sourced from local Italian bakeries in downtown Little Italy.

While the establishment has two floors, the cafe takes up the ground floor. There is a yard for some reason, but that's because there are four dogs. They're kept separate from the cafe to make sure patrons are not disturbed, but people are free to go outside to pet them. Reviews have mentioned the owner lives on the second floor and the dogs' names are Harold, Olive, Vera, and Rocco.

DRINKS ✦ FOOD ✦ all sorts of pastries available

Comments

[obdure]

[ Maybe one day you will SPEAK UP, but it is good to affiliate words to flavors. Expand on your experience, etc.

Goddamn. Is this textbook the fucking bible is what he asks himself? The last he was in academia was some years back and he thinks his textbooks are so much more legible than this. Line breaks are IMPORTANT, but they aren't having small talk.

He shouldn't engage in it. ]

You're welcome. If you need me, [ Wait he meant "if you need anything," but he doesn't pause in fear it'll sound strange. ] flag me down. The last call for kitchen items is 2:30 pm, but... That may not be a problem for you.

[chrysanths]

[ Why would he bother... he has no motivation in doing that. ]

How long does this place stay open without the kitchen?

[ He's considering relocating when that happens. ]

[obdure]

[ adolphe....... you basic bitch... this is why they aren't the same person.

Jacopo was about to leave, but he raises his eyebrows. He places his hand on his hip and tilts his head. ]

Normally, another hour after... [ Though he's thinking of something that maybe could work out to have the evening open, just not as a cafe. More to think about later. ] You really deep in your work where you need to hunker down?

[chrysanths]

[ He has other things to focus on?? This isn't his problem!! ]

I considered napping for a moment.

[ He really is, for some reason, comfortable enough to say something outrageous to the cafe owner. ]

[obdure]

[ Blinks... Like several times?

THIS REALLY IS SO COMFORTABLE. HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW YOUR NAME? ]

[chrysanths]

[ He looks up at Jacopo from his textbook. ]

Thanks for the food. You can bill me now or later. You must be busy, so go ahead.

[ Says all that as if he just didn't say something so stupid. ]

[obdure]

[ There's silence as he processes the series of events here.

The guy mentioned he wanted to nap and he only came to this restaurant once... Followed it up with trying to dismiss him and NOT FEEL WEIRD ABOUT IT?

He's perplexed and chuckles once.

Starts laughing after. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe squints at Jacopo. Even though Adolphe did all that just now, even he finds himself confused after a bit. He'd only say those things if he felt safe. This is a cafe. It's probably also Jacopo's home. But when he saw the multicolored sliding puzzle, he feels an emotion that he can't exactly place.

He finds himself staring at Jacopo as he laughs. ]

[obdure]

[ It's a weird... Yet familiar feeling and he's conflicted. Why can't he feel normal about this?

Where is the nostalgia and sentiment coming from? The answer should be no because why? ]

You can stay even after the staff's done cleaning, but you should go when I walk the dogs.

[ Jacopo lives here so there will be someone around until. Dogs. ]

[chrysanths]

Oh, that's... nice of you.

[ He's surprised, because he expected to be rebuffed about it. ]

Thanks.

[obdure]

It's a public service and responsibility to prevent an auto accident.

[ May this make him change his mind about thanking him. ]

[chrysanths]

How responsible of you.

[ Implying that he usually isn't as an insult. ]

[obdure]

Are you usually so willing to give compliments?

[ Implying that Adolphe has an attitude. ]

[chrysanths]

No.

[ He goes back to reading his book. Jacopo is dismissed. Adolphe wouldn't want to hold him up any longer.

He does end up staying past busy times though. ]

[obdure]

[ The staff is cleaning up the cafe and were instructed to leave Adolphe alone, though they obviously have questions... Some even peek over to see what he's doing, whispering among themselves until Jacopo tells them to stop being gossip mongers.

Some linger after hours to just chill a bit and they're all allowed to take home any leftover pastries that didn't sell. Only old croissants can be salvaged to make into almond croissants.

Anyway, Adolphe can nappy and everyone will be gone by then... Cafe is closed, no more customers... When he wakes up, there's a little leftover pastry on a plate. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He didn't think he would nap for real, but he found that he really needed it. He slept quietly... almost too quiet. It didn't even look like he was breathing at some times? Some customers probably thought Adolphe was knocked out at his table and occasionally asked the staff if he's okay.

Anyway, he wakes up and sees the empty cafe... then looks down at the little leftover pastry on the plate. It's quiet and he really just napped on top of an open textbook. He puts his netbook away inside a worn out backpack and closes the book as he munches on the pastry.

He thinks he should be going home soon, but he's still a little dazed after waking up. He'll give himself some time. ]

[obdure]

[ mY GOD. Well, it's fine. The staff will be good on reassuring everyone Adolphe is fine, though Jacopo will at times be like ??? is this guy dead? Not in my cafe, please. ]

You sure slept well.

[ Jacopo is at another table doing some paperwork and munching on a leftover pastry himself. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe makes a small confirmation sound as he munches on the pastry and eventually finishes. It's peaceful here and he likes it. He didn't expect Jacopo to be right there at another table though. He sits there, pondering on some things. ]

... I did. Thanks.

[ He looks at the ceiling. ]

How much was all that? I can pay now.

[obdure]

[ He calls out the price for one pastry and one coffee while looking through some papers, scribbling on some every once in a while. I don't believe in figuring out numbers and the logistics for that. ]

You know you scared some people?

[chrysanths]

[ That's fair. Adolphe gets his wallet out and pauses while looking down and looks back up at Jacopo. ]

... All I did was sleep, but... whatever.

[obdure]

[ Thank you for your patronage... Seems like the leftover pastry is free. ]

You sleep like a corpse. [ Jacopo lifts his gaze, catching Adolphe's. ] But I guess you didn't wake up a zombie.

[chrysanths]

[ Exact change to pay with as always. He puts that on his own table, so that he can give it to Jacopo when he feels like getting up, or if Jacopo feels like getting the cash himself. ]

I'm not sorry about how tired I was. Wouldn't it be better if I slept quietly anyway? For your business.

[ He didn't snore........ ]

[obdure]

Quiet and dead are very different.

[ Not to say that Adolphe is wrong. Jacopo would prefer someone who's quiet rather than someone who snores, but what matter is it when people were chatting here and there. It wasn't boisterous, but snoring likely would fade into the rest of the sounds.

His eyes have been flickering from the papers and back to Adolphe, but they stay on him... Curious as he spins the pen between his fingers. ]

... Place wasn't too loud for you? We were busy.

[chrysanths]

Well, I'm alive.

[ His gaze meets Jacopo's eyes dead on. ]

I was tired enough for the noise level to not matter. Were you waiting for me to wake up here? I can go now if you want.

[obdure]

Welcome back to the land of the living.

[ His eyebrows furrow as they are locked into a staring contest... And I guess this is a battle of wits and tsun. Not that Adolphe was or is, but Jacopo can't be direct that he was worried.

And so he was here watching over him a little. It's too insane for him to admit to himself to begin with. ]

I live here? Can't a man do paperwork? You also look too out of it to leave right now.