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]

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?

[chrysanths]

[ He would not appreciate statistics and marketing of bread, so thank you for sparing him. ]

I'm fine. They're not heavy.

[ There's really no way to tell unless Jacopo grabs a bag for himself, but Adolphe seems fine with carrying them anyway. ]

Lead the way.

[obdure]

If you say so.

[ Jacopo will lead him toward the yard, but there is a set of stairs by the yard door that he will recognize from last time. They're going to go up and there will be a small area that's sizable enough to set down bags and a door.

A second key and this door opens to a foyer hall, decorated simply by a framed photo on the wall of golden wheat fields. The flooring is a light-colored wood and there's a shoe storage rack right in front, then two sets of slippers next to it. There's a tiny pocket on the side where a coat hanger stands, but along with the two hung coats it's used to hang reusable bags. Jacopo will take off his shoes after closing the door and locking it. ]

Make yourself at home.

[ Slippers on, he gently drops the other set by Adolphe's feet. If he abandons any of his bags to take his shoes off, Jacopo will be hauling them in. The short foyer hall leads them into the living room space. That aesthetic is more like this, simple but with a touch of finesse (the space is also larger than the apartment in this photo). There is a sofa and a sofa chair around a coffee table in front of a mounted flat screen. There are a couple of movies, books, videogames, and a PS5 in the stand under the TV. Somewhere in the corner near window and the balcony door, there are a bunch of dog beds and a crate full of dog toys.

Yes... There is a small balcony. The door out also has a doggy door. There are two chairs and a very small stand outside, but also a shed for doggy restroom.

Adolphe can easily see behind the separator that makes the short foyer wall is the kitchen just beyond the blue living room accent wall and divider. Grocery bags sit on the counter, implying Jacopo recently went shopping. It has a small pantry storage, then another door for half a bathroom (it is toilet and sink).

On the other side there's another door, likely to the bedroom.

There are a handful of plants that add color, a decent amount of windows, and framed photos of locations or art... For some reason, no photos of people. Despite being cozy, it also feels like those open sample houses in suburbs. There's perceived personality, yet not that personal.

Everything has been tidied up... Though it wasn't messy to begin with. Jacopo just thought it was too messy for guests, though. why did i write this much ]

[chrysanths]

[ you truly wrote so much I have to bookmark this

Also, this reminds Adolphe of the time when he caught a glimpse at the TV and it was like some bachelor's pad. Whatever that means. He puts the slippers on.

When Jacopo tries to lift the backpack, it's about 30 pounds. Yay. Adolphe eyes the wheat field pictures a bit longer than what's necessary before moving on. ]

Wow.

[ That's really all he can say in response to this entire residence. Like. Damn. What the fuck. ]

[obdure]

[ It is actually like a bachelor's pad... I didn't even describe the bedroom yet because they're not looking.

This is. A heavy ass backpack. But Jacopo can carry it... It weighs a medium-sized dog. ]

Wow?

[ Like? GOOD? BAD? He sets Adolphe's backpack(s) near the bedroom door before returning to the living room. Placing a hand on his hip, he tries to figure out what to say. ]

The washing and drying machines are in the bedroom's personal bathroom, but there's a clothing line along the bath's curtain rail if you need to hang dry anything. My closet's a little crowded though you can use it if you can fit anything in. I pulled out a clothing rack into the bedroom that you can use, too.

We can do splits on expenses and figure out a chores schedule. The cleaning supplies are under the kitchen sink and the stick vacuum is in the pantry. [ It has its own cover and stand. ] You don't need to worry about the dogs.

[ He'll handle doggy chores since they're his dogs, not Adolphe's. What else. ]

There might be some spots that smell a bit like tobacco... [ Which will explain an empty ash tray somewhere here. At the moment, nothing immediately smells like smoke. ] I'm working on it.

[chrysanths]

[ Yup. Just "wow".

Adolphe makes note of the washer and dryer, hanging clothesline, and clothing rack. He thinks about how he can probably do laundry once a week, hang the necessary clothes that need to be air-dried, and only hang the clothes that actually need hanging, like a suit set. He only has one, and he's rarely worn it at all because he barely had to.

Then he thinks about the expenses and chores schedule. Cleaning supplies are fine. He doesn't know what a stick vacuum is, but he'll assume that it's a fancy vacuum cleaner just like the rest of this place.

His eyes go down to the empty ashtray that's probably out here. ]

Working on quitting? I heard it's difficult, so good luck.

[obdure]

[ It is a compact vacuum, basically. VACUUMS ARE EXPENSIVE ALREADY. Wry smile as he looks off to the side... Adolphe.... ]

I meant getting the smell out, but... I should.

[ Eventually, he'll start, but it's one of the two things that help him with stress. It's been hard to let go. ]

[chrysanths]

It's your life. I'm not going to tell you what to do.

I tried smoking twice. Didn't like it, so I stopped. I heard about how it helps a lot of people deal with their stressors.

[ He wishes it could have helped him, but that's neither here nor there. ]

Also, what sort of expenses do you mean? Like food? Utilities?

[obdure]

I didn't like it at the beginning, either. Coughed up a whole lung from one drag—I don't remember exactly when it became a habit. [ A shrug. ] I don't smoke inside, but it hangs around.

[ So it's more of a warning. ]

Utilities, maybe supplies. [ Whether for cleaning, toilet paper, etc. Whatever. ] Food we can decide. I know some people prefer to buy and manage their own.

[chrysanths]

[ He nods. ]

I can cook basic things, but I'm used to making leftovers to eat another time or day.

[ As in, he can follow a recipe and make it work, but he always made a lot for himself, even though he doesn't eat too much. He eats a normal amount. This is how he saved money while being satiated. ]

It would be nice to have access to a stove again.

[obdure]

[ Leftovers culture. ]

I make whatever is easy to get through the day.

[ He thinks of food like calories and sustenance... Despite owning a cafe and having opinions on food. The man is inconsistent. ]

Does that mean you want to manage your own?

[chrysanths]

[ honestly, you got all these famous chefs who just want to eat pizza for dinner and call it a day so it's not too weird ]

If you want some, tell me beforehand and I'll have a freshly cooked portion for you too.

[ Leftovers culture means he won't be cooking every day... is there a microwave in here ]

[obdure]

[ There is a microwave and an air fryer a la conventional oven style... ]

It would save me time.

[ Sometimes Jacopo just has a coffee with some buttered toast or jam toast. ]

You can use whatever you find in the fridge and pantry, then.

[chrysanths]

[ Jacopo is truly an air fryer kind of guy... ]

I'll note that. I can handle most household chores if you tell me what to avoid--

[ ... ]

For some reason, I expected you to own an efficient roomba.

[obdure]

[ it's just a conventional oven rebranded... There's an oven here, yet you know. Conventional oven is easier to clean.

Jacopo squints at him. ]

Huh?

[ He doesn't even know where to begin with this. ]

[chrysanths]

Since you like saving time, right? And that thing could clean for you.

[ He thinks this makes sense. ]

[obdure]

I do, but the stick vacuum can turn into a hand vacuum for the same price as a roomba.

[ The cost benefit analysis. He has thought about it. ]

A roomba can also get stuck. Sometimes it needs to be babysat. It seems easier for me to use my Sunday morning to vacuum.

[ And not go to church. ]