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

[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.

[chrysanths]

... Yeah? I'm not saying that you can't do paperwork. Don't you live upstairs? But I guess you'd have to watch over the last customer who hasn't left yet.

[ That makes sense. ]

I'm fine though.

[obdure]

It'd be negligent and as you said so nicely earlier I'm responsible.

[ Perfect sense. It's nothing more than that is what he's trying to convince himself.

He gathers the papers to put them into a drawer in the back room, but he can still be heard. ]

If you're heading out now, wait for me to harness the dogs.

[ Their walkies. ]

[chrysanths]

Are you going to take them out for a walk?

[ He wants to see the dogs up close... Adolphe puts everything away into his backpack and waits. ]

[obdure]

Yeah, though I'm wondering if I should hire a walker for the days I'm busy.

[ He is resistant because he can walk them, but when he's busy he knows they get sad and restless to not get their evening walk.

He returns from the back room and gestures for Adolphe to follow him to the yard. Upon opening the yard door, it is... Harold. He will greet Adolphe first happily before the other dogs bound for him. Two are medium-sized mutts, likely adopted, and the last is a Cane di Oropa.

Jacopo walks to a storage box and starts gathering the harnesses.

The yard is plain, though there are some rose bushes at the back, dog toys scattered around, and a dog shed for the dogs to sleep in. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe follows Jacopo to the yard after slinging his backpack over the shoulders and sees... Harold. That is the puffiest dog Adolphe has ever seen in his life. Then he sees the next three dogs and holds out a hand for them to sniff. he wants to pet them... ]

Do they just sleep in here?

[ Like. The yard in general. There is no longer thoughtshare, but Adolphe is imagining all four dogs piling on Jacopo while he sleeps on the bed. ]

[obdure]

Most of the time. I had the shed built with good insulation, so it's warm in winter and cool in summer.

[ Ohhh... The dogs will sniff before surrounding Adolphe waiting for pets. There are some rules that were taped to the yard door that allows customers to pet, but not to feed. He can't have all of them gain so much weight from customer treats.

One mutt has a floppy ear, cream in color. This one is Vera.

The second mutt is a little round, mostly brown with a white patch on its chest.......... Named Olive.

The oropa is Rocco. ]

Other times I let them upstairs, even though they can all barely fit on my bed. [ It is exactly as Adolphe is imagining... ] Dogs have no idea their size and think they're small.

[ Jacopo walks over and snatches the Pomeranian so fast, then puts the harness on it. ]

Well, Harold is small. He gets a pass.

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe looks at their little nametags as he pets each one with his right hand, still gloved. They're gentle little rubs near their faces and ears. ]

They always think they're kids, aren't they? The lack of self-awareness is cute when it has to do with that.

[obdure]

I wish they'd get it through their tiny little brains that they're not puppies.

[ Harold is fine and is dispensed to get more pets...... But the other three medium to large dogs are definitely not kiddo sized. They all vie for Adolphe's affection, nudging each other back and forth for his hands.

He starts working to get the other dogs leashed and harnessed. It doesn't take him long with someone distracting them. ]

This would normally take me longer... [ Nice, though he eyes Adolphe's gloves. Unsure. How to approach this. ] You don't want to feel their fur? I brushed them recently.

[chrysanths]

[ His left hand, also gloved because it would be weird to only have one on, is in his pocket. It does seem a bit strange, but... ]

... I'd like to, but I can't.

[ Implying he won't take his gloves off for that reason. ]

How often do you brush them? It sounds like it's a special occasion from how you said it.

[obdure]

Special occasion? You should be brushing dogs once a week, long-haired ones need a daily brushing. I just meant that they're softer than usual.

[ Versus like... Days of not being brushed. Organizing the leashes, the dogs seem ready to GO once they are all in order to not tangle over each other. Jacopo just looks silly to have four dogs tethered to him. ]

... How come?

[ He isn't going to pose that maybe it's a medical condition. There's no need to make Adolphe uncomfortable when they barely know each other... Better to let him decide what he wants to tell him. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Softer than usual. Adolphe looks down at the dogs with a hint of restrained longing. Alas. He is not meant to pet your soft furs directly with his hand.

No matter how comfortable Adolphe feels in this place for an unknown reason, he defaults to the usual response whenever someone asks. Jacopo isn't the first to ask and he definitely won't be the last. ]

My hands aren't good with direct contact.

[ Regardless of whether it's a truth or a lie, it's definitely obvious to Jacopo that Adolphe is used to giving this answer out. ]

[obdure]

... All right.

[ It's obvious that he's curious and there are already theories stringing together in his mind, but he isn't going to press for how.

A second chance meeting doesn't mean anything and prying into a stranger's personal life is stupid.

... And it'd be better to hear it from them first. ]

Which way are you headed?

[ While holding four leashes in one hand, he unlocks the single yard door. The dogs, though antsy, are behaved and don't try to run and drag Jacopo off like a rag doll.

Harold yips once in excitement. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Cute Harold... ]

To the right.

[ The car that Adolphe drove the first time isn't around. ]

Do you have a specific walking route?

[obdure]

[ Harold will place his paw on Adolphe's shoe for a second before looking up at him. ]

I do, but changing routine can be good for the dogs.

[ Or. Like. He just wants to drop off Adolphe and make sure he's fine. The dogs are excited no matter what. Adolphe can go through the gate first and Jacopo second, so he can lock it. ]

I'd certainly get bored doing the same thing every day.

[ but he does......... but he does... ]

[chrysanths]

[ Harold is cute!!! Adolphe can't help but think a more muted similar thought when he sees the dog put a paw on his shoe, but he goes through the gate first. ]

It sounds nice to have that sort of monotony.

[ But his tone sounds really neutral for what those words usually convey. ]

My car is parked far from here, so it's a bit of a walk. I hope your usual route is somewhat similar.

[obdure]

[ ... It is nice to have the mundane and normal—why does the sentiment feel familiar? Does Adolphe have a turbulent life? Why is he wondering? ]

The parking around this area can be hell to get... I'd honestly never come here except during off-hours.

[ Says Jacopo who lives in a cafe without a garage. His car is somewhere out there in public parking. He is just staring into the distance about parking struggles as they go right. The dogs walk ahead them, but don't tug. ]

But they like themselves a good walk. I try to go on long ones so that they tucker themselves out and don't go insane.

[chrysanths]

[ The dogs are soooo behaved. Adolphe wonders how long did it take for Jacopo to train them like this. ]

Then it looks like I chose well. I parked over there since I had things to do at a closer location, and I didn't feel like moving my car.

[ He looks at the dogs after Jacopo says that. ]

Do you ever get tired with them?