agora | THROUGH A FRACTURED EXISTENCE, TO THE RHYTHM OF ETERNITY.

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ 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.

Sleeping in the car doesn't do much favors.

[ He takes the cup and finally sips. It sure is waking him up. His gaze returns to the sliding puzzle. ]

Did you ever see a sky like this before? It's the sort of sky that you see at dusk.

[ It's pretty and he thinks there would be a great spot to watch with the dogs nearby if Jacopo ever decided to go, but this is just him thinking about it. ]

... Though I'm surprised that you remember me. I wasn't here for a long time.

[ And there's a small smile about it. ]

... I guess I must have since I've obviously been outside before around a similar time.

[ But the wording isn't exactly indicative or confident. In twenty-six years, he's bound to have seen it, but never had he stopped to admire it. He had other things on his mind, a corporate and social ladder to climb.

But... He's thinking about it now only because Adolphe asks. Piecing together some memories, he can picture that sky and it's beautiful—he never noticed... Always looking elsewhere, much like now when he can hear Adolphe's smile but his eyes are on the puzzle.

There's a niggling feeling and worry that if he saw his expression that it'll change him as a person, when he's already becoming... Strange. ]

You're difficult to forget. [ He has actively tried. It worked a little aside from stray thoughts, but in truth he never forgot. When he feels it's safe, he turns to him. ] A car isn't meant for sleeping.

Are you between places?

No.

[ Just a simple answer to the last question. He takes another sip of the coffee. It's nice for its price. Definitely worth it. The food here is worth it too. Adolphe thinks about it as he glances over at the menu from a distance. There's a lot of selections and he'll probably never get to try them all. He doesn't have the money for it, and now, nor the time.

The coffee still isn't finished, cup held up by his left hand, but there's a subtle strangeness to it about the way he holds it as if it's not natural. Like there's something wrong-- ]

I'd like to come back. Maybe I will, but you probably wouldn't like it.

[ He's about to extend a hand only because Adolphe had told him weeks ago that he felt comfortable with him. As weird as it must be as it is their third meeting, isn't it just generosity to offer help? Even if it's a bed... Under a roof... Anything.

His hand, too—what's wrong?

But what Adolphe says next stops him from all he plans to say and ask. ]

I wouldn't like it? That's an extreme assumption.

[ Even though it could be partly true. Adolphe keeps showing up and changing the rhythm of his everyday comfortable life.

...

Is it so comfortable? Is it living? Why does he doubt himself when he's here? ]

You're my dear customer. Overly comfortable, but always welcome.

"Dear customers" pay every time they're here.

[ A small wry expression, as if that's enough to explain everything. He passes off the coffee cup to his right hand, lowers his left, and resumes drinking it. Quiet sip by sip. ]

[ His eyebrows knight gently. ]

You're saying you want to come here, but not buy anything?

[ Yeah! That's annoying, but? He's very confused. What's the point of coming to a cafe, otherwise? ]

See? You wouldn't like it.

[ Yeah. That's all he's getting out of this. ]

[ The feeling he gets is that he wouldn't mind if Adolphe just hung around, but he can't just say that. ]

... But why come here in the first place? What would you be enjoying?

[ Like. Is it the atmosphere? Jacopo wouldn't go out of his way to hang at a cafe just because it gives him good vibes???

But maybe Adolphe is different? ]

[ Yeah. In fact-- ]

I like the atmosphere here. It's cozy and always smells nice.

[ That's a little more detail than what Adolphe wanted to say, and he's always been conscious about oversharing, but he feels like he can't stop dumping words. ]

And I like... talking to you.

[ It's almost through gritted teeth, but his face still looks neutral about it like whatever is blocking him from feeling annoyed. He already said his reasons as to why before. ]

It's better than staying in my car.

[ He has a million thoughts right now that can't be easily crammed into meta, mostly questioning this situation and how he feels. What's normal? How should he react for it to stay normal? How does he reconcile the joy he feels when he heard what he said and then also the strange disconnect that he barely knows him?

Trying to stay composed and to slow down his thoughts. He delivers this flatly with a squint. ]

And you accused me of flirting.

[ Even though he knows that's not what this is, he thinks they need a brush of levity. ]

Yeah? And?

[ binch,

With that, some of what he was like the first time when he visited starts to show. The second time felt like he was prevented from expressing anything on his face, and it's still a bit similar now. ]

You don't think this is a bit like flirting.

[ He can feel Adolphe's "no" coming up next, so he moves onto the next part even though he's studying his expression... Or lack thereof.

A small lopsided smile. ]

Why don't you ask me to be your friend?

[ Maybe this will help with the guard they've both put up... It could clear up the dissonance a bit, too. ]

[ Predictably, Adolphe is about to say "no" to the flirting comment.

And is surprised when Jacopo says the next thing.

Adolphe did say that he felt comfortable with Jacopo, but when he says that, he feels like there's some sort of power imbalance that knocks the scale enough to be broken in one go, but why? It's a simple suggestion. Was it the wording that he suggest it, as if he's desperate for company? It would be nice, to not feel so lonely. Did he ever feel lonely?

Yes.

Yes, he has. There's no denying it.

He feels like an overreacting stray animal that growls at an outreaching hand that has all the best intentions. Why is he so scared? Is it because this is only their third meeting, yet it felt unusual in so many ways to the point that it felt surreal? Are these his decisions?

But none of that shows on his face nor body language. ]

... Don't people naturally become friends instead of asking one another?

That's hard to do when you're a customer and I'm an employee unless we spend time outside cafe hours.

[ And he can't just let a customer come in to loiter here without paying for something... Others might catch on, whisper, and become resentful for no reason.

That's his paranoia, of course. Still, he wants no trouble for himself or Adolphe. He's starting to get self-conscious and looks elsewhere, even grabs a towel to start wiping the counter even though IT IS CLEAN. ]

So I'm putting it out there, even though it isn't something I'd normally do... But with you—I seem to be doing a lot of uncharacteristic things already.

[ So why the fuck not. In his nature, he would have just let these feelings settle and fester. He'd wait for however long for this to naturally pass or to develop.

Acting on it is better, isn't it? Some control, he tells himself, and it's... A bit freeing. It relieved some of the anxieties, but also there's a small hope.

As much as he values Maria's company, Adolphe's company is different. Maybe without the words to say it, Adolphe can read that he likes talking to him, too. Jacopo hopes he can't. ]

You're free to reject it. The choice is yours.

[ Adolphe stays quiet. A lot of his inner turmoil has quieted down, and he's surprised that Jacopo said that. He's tempted to ask if he's a mind reader, but doesn't. ]

I'm not rejecting it.

[ But. ]

I just find it weird. It feels like we're not allowed to be friends after hours.

[ Jacopo slows down on wiping the counter and gives him a quizzical look paired with an amused smile. ]

A simple and direct "yes" works.

[ Said from a man who also circles around the point... Though Adolphe not rejecting it does not mean that he's accepting it. ]

I didn't know friendship had strict rules like a prerequisite number of hours before you can call each other "friends." Maybe I did it all wrong before.

[ That's just his opinion and from his experience, but he teases anyway. ]

I'm not saying that it's a prequisite... but that's just how it sounded like from the way you said it. As if you can't leave the cafe apart from walking your dogs.

[ Anyway, he would usually reject this sort of thing, but again. There's something about Jacopo. He's curious about him, but the curiosity wages war with his current priorities. ]

Naturally, it takes time to become familiar and learn you're interested. [ So! They're just skipping that to negotiations. ] I can leave the cafe, but it's usually still for work.

[ To meet up with suppliers and other local business owners... Networking and stuff. Thinking. ]

I'm free during the evenings and on Sunday, but you're free to stay after hours.

[ Like before when they were just doing their own thing (well, Adolphe was napping). ]

[ Adolphe has more than enough reasons to be obstinate, but. ]

... Thanks.

[ Jacopo has offered and he'd feel stupid if he refused. A part of him wants to accept it anyway, but for... friendship reasons instead of everything that seems to be attached to it. How could it not be tempting?

It makes Adolphe more curious about him, because just like him, he doesn't seem to be the type to offer friendship so easily either. ]

It would be nice to walk with you and your dogs again too.

[ He smiles a little. Just a bit. Adolphe seems more relaxed than before. ]

They do miss you, I think... They look into the cafe a bit when we're about to leave, as if expecting someone. It could also just be my imagination.

[ Granted, Jacopo thinks the dogs would miss absolutely anyone, but maybe this is a roundabout way to say he also missed Adolphe without admitting it—because it is insane.

It's also insane to see Adolphe smile a little and hope he smiles more often. Christ.

BUT friendship will make... Some of these strange happenings easier on them. It can define what they've found odd and strange as natural and normal now.

He folds the towel and puts it away. ]

You still have to pay, but you can pay in other ways. Favors.

[ It's only fair... And he knows that he himself wouldn't want to take charity for too long, so he can't imagine other people would, either. ]

[ Aw, doggies... cute... ]

Sure. I can handle that.

[ He doesn't know Jacopo well, if at all, but it seems like Jacopo would give reasonable favors. And he'll bet on it. ]

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