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]

[ 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. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He'll point that out because it seemed pretty obvious-- ]

It doesn't look like it actually bothers you that much to the point it looked like preference.

[obdure]

You...

[ (suwabe voice) omae... It isn't scathing, but! Still! Principle of engagements! ]

A preference? A preference for what—being disrespected despite providing you a comfortable environment at the cafe?

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe is quiet for a while, but he eventually opens his mouth. ]

... To be familiar.

[ For comfort. ]

[obdure]

[ ............ This is so much for him to process upon second meeting. He feels like he's losing his goddamn mind.

He wants to fight back, but Adolphe already said he feels comfortable around him and... For some reason, he wants to keep that.

WHAT THE FUCK ]

Is there something up with you?

1/2

[chrysanths]

I was talking about your preferences and now I'm the weird one?

[ But he's also thinking about how this is strange to him too. He doesn't like people. He's neutral to most at best. What's so special about Jacopo? He doesn't feel anything like there's something special, but...

Oh. ]

But no, I took my meds this morning.

[chrysanths]

[





Another thing he wouldn't just blurt out to anyone. He's still a private person in this universe, but he doesn't look surprised. Or more like, something isn't letting him. He closes his eyes, taking in this realization and hands Harold's leash back to Jacopo. ]

My car's over there, so I'll get going.

[obdure]

[ Jacopo was going to say something, mostly that Adolphe is being weird here—so much more than when he asked if they've met before, but Adolphe keeps dropping comments that tug and pull him to different emotional states.

They barely know each other, which he is incredibly cognizant about, but it's comfortable and familiar. They barely know each other, but he's wondering about his gloved hands. Why no direct touch? Is there something wrong with his left hand? They barely know each other, but he wonders about his sleep schedule. What kind of work does he do? They barely know each other, but he wonders about the medication even if that is entirely none of his business. (Has this happened before? Deja vu?)

You don't wonder these things about strangers, not when you're an incredibly busy man who is selective of company. May not even need any, actually. This is insane behavior and he squashes all those thoughts as quickly as possible when accepting the dog leash. ]

Goodbye, Adolphe.

[ The dogs all bark once at different times like they're saying bye, too. They just assume their paths will cross, though Jacopo is thinking to himself maybe it's best they don't meet again. He doesn't believe in silly things like fate and yet his expression clearly shifts to one that loathes to see Adolphe leave.

He masks it quickly and methodically. A look of generalized concern is better than whatever the hell he's feeling. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe merely nods in acknowledgement before leaving. His car is also old, like everything else he owns. At least it looks well taken care of. Jacopo can probably see that it's a model that hasn't been used in a decade, much like his phone.

Adolphe's thoughts are muddled as he drives away—composed and neutral on the outside, but absolute chaos on the inside.

It's the next day and the news is always the same: mundane things, sometimes dangerous weather forecasts, some crime that happened in the city, an unfortunate incident that involved a fire in an orphanage, a traffic accident on the highway.

It's always the every day.

Adolphe doesn't return to the cafe for weeks, but when he finally does, he orders the cheapest coffee on the menu. As he waits, he's by the charging station, looking down at the sliding puzzle with some curiosity. The busy time has been over for a while. ]

[obdure]

[ The first couple of days when Adolphe didn't show up had him wondering when he didn't mean to—is he not coming today? What about later? Tomorrow? But he would berate himself each time, telling himself it's silly to be thinking so much about someone he met twice. Maria only caught him once lost in thought while fidgeting with the sliding puzzle he had on display, prodding him about what was on his mind... He thought about telling her his strange troubles, but he also only knew her for a couple of weeks before hiring her. They've bonded very quickly after meeting at a bar, of course with insults to start.

Jacopo doesn't confide in her.

Days pass, then weeks. The dreams continue as usual. Wheat fields or blankets of clouds... One where he begged desperately, another where he left solemnly. These are the only stupid phenomenons he can tolerate.

He lives his life as he used to, mind focused on work. The cafe is supposed to be relief from the stressful and suffocating real estate field, but it's his curse to be a workaholic. The only satisfaction he gains is from progress, not enrichment of his personal life though now he invites Maria to have dinner sometimes. It's not enough of a social life, she says, but he prefers it this way.

The image of Adolphe sitting at a table begins to fade from his mind. Things can go back to being normal. He can go back to being normal, or so he thought. Adolphe has returned and all of those questions he had before ram into him like they never left.

How can he be... Glad to see him? This man is ruining his life. ]

Your coffee.

[ The cup and saucer are placed in front of him. Jacoo isn't sure how to interact with him after their last farewell... Is it... Awkward? Is it... Normal. It should be normal. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Good to know he's ruining someone's life with his mere existence! Telling Adolphe that surely won't backfire.

When Jacopo approaches Adolphe with the coffee, he can notice that Adolphe seems even more tired than before despite the neutral expression. He looks down at the cup and saucer before looking back at the sliding puzzle. Then he sits down and looks at Jacopo. ]

Thanks. Have you been doing well?

[ He's not exactly great at small talk, but he tries instead of ignoring Jacopo. His black gloves are the same, but they seem more worn out and damaged in some parts. It looks like burn damage. ]

[obdure]

[ It's maddening because he can't stop feeling glad to see Adolphe, but the guy does interrupt and change his way of life.

The puzzle piece today is actually completed, showing a beautiful image of clouds painted in a setting sun's colors. It's vibrant. ]

I have.

[ Used to the stupid amount of work he puts in and used to not having a life outside of that, can't complain. He crosses his arms as he looks down at Adolphe, giving a pause to examine him before he says anything. Again, bombarded with questions he thought he escaped when Adolphe stopped showing up.

It's better that this isn't their first or second meeting, but still. Why—does he care so much? ]

Better than you, at least.