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]

[ He isn't following the conversation this way... He's already thinking about his space and how he hasn't cleaned it. ]

What do you mean?

[chrysanths]

Risk letting a near stranger into your home.

[ They've met... like what? Three times? ]

You don't seem like the kind of guy to take in liabilities.

[obdure]

Roommates are always a gamble.

[ But gives him a long scrutinizing look. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe doesn't mind if it's for a moment but Jacopo looks at him for a long time.

... ]

What?

[obdure]

... Nothing, really.

[ His lashes lower halfway as a smile curls on his lips, small yet almost nearing a smirk. ]

I feel like this is the least risky gamble I've taken is all.

[ A roundabout way of saying... He's comfortable. It's kind of scary to him, but there's no other explanation for it. The "fear" is more like acknowledgment that he can't escape how he feels and he's starting not to mind it. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe looks mildly surprised. ]

I didn't think I would look trustworthy to anyone.

[ In fact, he thought he was suspicious the entire time with everything going on. ]

[obdure]

Rather than trustworthy, I get the sense that I'd know if you hated me.

[ Either via body language, attitude, or simply just not being around anymore. Jacopo thinks he can get a good read on people... He just also knows that he can be blind when it comes to those who have earned his trust. ]

You also have to remember that as the person offering you a place to stay, I'm in the position to take advantage of you.

[ There are risks for both of them. ]

[chrysanths]

I'm aware.

[ He also says that very casually as if Jacopo said the sky is blue. ]

Some things are harder to come back from, but I know how to take care of myself.

[ He was forced to know how, but he knows nonetheless. ]

[obdure]

[ He squints at him before sighing... They both shoulder risk, but Adolphe really sees it differently.

That's fine. ]

I can also take care of myself. [ So he isn't worried. ] Are you going to keep complaining about my generosity and being so dour about your lone wolf lifestyle?

[chrysanths]

[ ??? ]

You're the one who brought it up. I'm just responding.

[ Adolphe doesn't even think about this being dour at all. His standards are so fucked. ]

[obdure]

[ Ignores Adolphe for being stupid. He accepted nothing change that. ]

How much stuff do you have to move in?

[ This is also Jacopo asking how much of his stuff should he move around. Wait, he'd need to get another set of sheets— ]

For the record, I only have one bed, but I'm fine sleeping on the couch.

[chrysanths]

The couch is better than a car. You should sleep on your own bed.

[ He sounds resolute on this. ]

And not many. Like I said, I don't have much. Got three backpacks.

[obdure]

[ Murmurs to himself three backpacks. Okay. That's more than just one backpack? That's good? ]

With how shitty you look? You need a couple of rest days in a bed to look even half decent.

[ Guess who also sounds resolute on this. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He just looks dead at him. ]

[obdure]

[ Stubbornly does the same. ]

[chrysanths]

If you thought I looked fine before, the couch is plenty fine.

[ Implying that he slept on the couch instead of a bed anyway when he still had a home. ]

If you start looking like shit because of me, I'll leave.

[obdure]

You still looked bad.

[ That is likely not the sincerity or reassurance that Adolphe is looking for, but he felt like saying it because Adolphe was making this difficult.

... ]

We can talk about this again once you pay your sleep debt. [ A compromise. ] When do you want to move in?

[chrysanths]

[ Fine. He can agree on the compromise. ]

Anytime is fine. I can even do it right now if you need me to.

[ He's not in a rush and flexible whenever. ]

... Except in four hours. I have to be elsewhere.

[obdure]

Do it whenever you feel comfortable, though after hours would be easier on me.

[ The cafe rush is going to hit soon... No actual rush, but he'd like to show him around his own place? So he had to be present. ]

I'll try to have the place look not as messy before you come back tonight.

[chrysanths]

That's fine. Actually, I'll just leave soon and come back later. That's fine with you, right?

[ He realized that he could be doing other things too... ]

[obdure]

Sounds like a deal.

[ He offers Adolphe a hand to shake. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe holds his right hand out to shake Jacopo's and... huh. Adolphe looks a little perplexed for a moment before he lets go. He said they weren't good for direct contact, but it feels like a normal gloved hand. His handshake was firm too. ]

I'll see you later.

[ He pays for the coffee in exact change in cash like before and gets up, leaving.

When Adolphe returns, it's ten minutes early of promised time where he just waits outside the front door of the cafe. He isn't sure whether this is where he's supposed to come in, and he stands there, waiting with three backpacks. He seems... exhausted, but it looks like it's more of a mental than a physical thing. ]

[obdure]

[ It isn't direct touch, but he takes note of his grip strength. It isn't his left hand, but good that the shake is solid. He'll keep his questions to himself for now. ]

See you later.

[ And as Adolphe leaves, Maria bids him farewell before ASSAULTING Jacopo, asking if he had fun flirting with a customer. Jacopo tries to be quiet, but he is riled so easily, so they start audibly fighting and insulting each other. What a good way to leave.

He would have remembered to ask for Adolphe's number IF IT WEREN'T FOR THIS BLOND FIEND, but he assumes Adolphe might show up a bit early. Jacopo himself comes fifteen minutes early for appointments and the like, so... About five minutes early than the time, Jacopo sees him and opens the cafe front door. ]

Welcome back.

[chrysanths]

Thanks.

[ He's holding one backpack, other slung over his shoulder, and the other on the other shoulder. It's a lot. He walks inside. ]

Closing went well? Heard you having an argument with Maria.

[obdure]

[ Instantly, he looks tired... When Adolphe brings up Maria. ]

We squabble all the time, but closing was smooth. The amount of leftover pastries has decreased, so we saved some costs.

[ Reminding himself not to go into marketing and statistics on BREAD because he can somehow still think about work despite also looking tired. He will lock the cafe door after Adolphe comes in. ]

Want me to hold one of those?