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]

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?

[obdure]

... I do, but it's a type of exhaustion that leaves you feeling good.

[ Comes with taking care of something, right? He offers one leash for Adolphe if he wants to walk one of them. It can be Harold's which he has no worry. Adolphe can handle a small puffball. The other three dogs are larger, so. ]

Were you just looking for a place to study after you were done with everything else?

[ Jacopo isn't going to be so arrogant and assume... He went specifically for the cafe. There are plenty of other places that allow people to stay after patronage. There's a library somewhere nearby, too. Or something. Libraries are everywhere. ]

[chrysanths]

[ An exhaustion that leaves you feeling good... Adolphe thinks about that, and... yeah, he can think of a few times so he nods in understanding.

But oh. Harold's leash. Adolphe takes it when offered. Harold's little running legs... so cute. Adolphe finds himself endeared by how he walks. ]

I said that I would go again, so I did. It helps that it's not too far from where I was already, but I wanted to go to your cafe again.

[obdure]

[ It takes Harold so many more steps than the other dogs to keep pace, but he seems soooooooooooo happy. Though when his leash is exchanged, he looks up at Adolphe to assess him, then continues along!!! ]

I thought you were just being polite for once.

[ FOR ONCE. AS IF ADOLPHE HAS NEVER BEEN. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe will try to mimic the pace that Jacopo set before, so hopefully Harold won't have to be too put off by the leash exchange. ]

For once.

[ He says flatly. ]

Really?

[obdure]

[ Harold is doing well, but then Olive is bumping her muzzle into Adolphe's hand.

Listen! Listen... LISTEN. ]

You have to be aware that you give me attitude.

[chrysanths]

No I don't...?

[ Conveniently forgets all the times when he had one

He also gently pets Olive back on the head and looks down at her. ]

What is it?

[obdure]

Yes, you do.

[ DO NOT FORGET. HE REMEMBERS THE SLIGHTS. Olive just keeps nosing his hand... Pets... ]

[chrysanths]

Yeah? Name three times.

[ Aw, Olive... Adolphe keeps petting her with his right hand. That leash will have to be held with his left that was in his pocket for some time. ]

[obdure]

One, accused me of flirting. [ Even though... He still feels like they've met before. So much feels familiar. ] Two, accused me of being a pushover. Three, implying that I'm not responsible. Four, pretending you did none of that.

[ Adolphe... Your hands... Jacopo thinks to ask, but he'll give it another moment first. If his hand is injured, then he's glad he gave him Harold who weighs like. Nothing.

Thank you for the pets, Adolphe. Olive is pleased and goes back to trotting in front of them with the rest of the dogs. ]

[chrysanths]

[ His hands... it seems fine for holding onto the leash though. No worries here. ]

I wouldn't really call those four things of me having an attitude with you... but there's something about you that makes it easy to be that way with.

[ He'll just think that Jacopo is easy to bully. Yeah. That's it. ]

[obdure]

[ A flat look. ]

Easy to be that way? You want to elaborate?

[ you are... a little shitheel. that must be it? ]

[chrysanths]

Alright. Sure.

[ Adolphe doesn't look at Jacopo as he continues to hold the leash, but it's more like tied onto his wrist by how many times it's wrapped around it. ]

... I'm not a friendly person. I hate talking to people unless I have to. Maybe it's your charisma. Maybe it's something else, but the point is, unfortunately for you, I feel comfortable enough to talk to you like that for some reason.

[obdure]

[ He can't look at Adolphe because he has to also have eyes forward when he has three dogs on a leash, but he's like.

Obviously dumbstruck by how honest this was. It'll take him... A long moment, confused. If someone else told him this, he would think they're out of their mind and that this is a pass to harass him, not that he'd be that furious about it. Just a little bit furious. ]

You... Have a way with words. [ Not necessarily a compliment, but not an insult. He's just speechless and thinking to himself he would rather die than say anything Adolphe said to someone. ] I don't even know your name.

[chrysanths]

Thanks.

[ He doesn't take it as a compliment either way.

Just as he said, he wouldn't just give his name away so easily, but: ]

It's Adolphe.

[ There's really something about Jacopo. ]

[obdure]

[ He wasn't expecting Adolphe to tell him his name, either. Him pointing it out isn't even an ask... Just wanting to focus on how it's a little strange to be comfortable despite being strangers.

Uhm. ]

Jacopo. [ What does he say after that? Thank you for coming to my cafe? Isn't it too late for that? Also too late to say it's nice to meet you? ] This doesn't mean you get a free pass to talk to me like that all the time.

[ Not that it bothered him so much to begin with. ]