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]

[ STOP SOMETIMES YOU GIRL DINNER STRUGGLE MEAL and then have an expensive treat after

His eyebrows knit as his gaze shifts down to his spaghetti, then to his glass, just anywhere really to avoid seeing Adolphe smile. ]

It's just breakfast. [ Deflects. ] You'd still prefer savory?

[chrysanths]

[ mood though ]

Yeah, but... I'm really fine with anything.

[ Especially since he's getting it for free? He doesn't even think of making demands because he's always the thankful sort. ]

[obdure]

Then I better not hear you complain.

[ Just saying, even though he's generally confident on the recipe... He's not a chef or anything, but it's his grandmother's with some tweaks.

... Dinner is a good time to talk about things, right? Now that they're friends and now roommates. ]

What do you even do?

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe complain unless you're like jiaoqiu and suddenly make it deathly spicy. I'm pretty sure Adolphe would remember that spanning universes. ]

What do you mean?

[ What does he do... for what? Job? How he took care of himself before? He doesn't know. ]

[obdure]

[ Do not die to spicy, Adolphe... They are too European to survive Chinese spice, though Italians can handle more peppers than other people in Europe. ]

... Like... Your job?

[ The most important thing. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He suffered thrice in heaven... He thought he could water it down, but he could not. Useless attempt. Jiaoqiu spice is eternal (unfortunately). ]

Oh.

[ ............... ]

I don't have a job right now. I got laid off from my last one.

[ The spaghetti is finished. ]

So I've been doing odd jobs and participating in research for money nowadays.

[obdure]

Your luck really is bad...

[ Jacopo had ran into bad luck before, but not all at once like this? At least not in a very long time.

He sips his wine. ]

What did you do before?

[chrysanths]

Writing comprehensive wellness reports for various orphanages and to see if they were still fit to run. I was checking the one that was near my house, but...

[ He munches on some salad. ]

... one of the children there caused the fire. He had severe depression and sleep apnea, so I wanted to help him with at least one of those.

[ Obviously, that didn't pan out. ]

Luckily, no one died in the fire.

[obdure]

That's good that no one died.

[ Even though fire is destructive, taking everything very quickly. Jacopo munches on some salad, too. It's just a simple italian dressing, but honestly i love italian dressing.

It's kind of Adolphe to go out of his way for the kid and he wants to ask how they're doing. Or if it's just something Adolphe had to put down for a bit as he FIGURES HIS LIFE OUT. ]

Went to college? Got a degree?

[chrysanths]

No, and no. I got drafted to the military instead.

[ The hand with the fork stays still on the table as he thinks about something, but his expression is neutral. ]

[obdure]

[ He isn't going to ask about military-assisted job prospects because Adolphe likely looked into it... Jacopo was never in the military, so he isn't going to stick his nose in it like he knows how the benefits work.

Tasty... Spaghetti... He's done with his plate and will have more salad. ]

I'd offer you a job here, but... I'd imagine you want to hold yourself up. [ On top of a place to stay, Jacopo doesn't want to keep stacking things. It can feel like a debt. ] You should still send me your resume.

[chrysanths]

[ If Jacopo asked about military prospects, he would just say no. No hesitation whatsoever.

He looks tired about the resume suggestion, but he relents. ]

Where should I send it to?

[obdure]

What are you looking so sour for?

[ He was about to be like can you air drop it, but then remember Adolphe's phone. ]

Let's exchange numbers. I can give you my email via text and pass you the Wi-Fi password.

[ Jacopo will say his number when Adolphe is ready. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He's quiet for a moment and shakes his head. ]

... Nothing.

[ Not even the sense of comfort will reveal that to Jacopo right now. Anyway, Adolphe gets the number and sends him a blank text. ]

[obdure]

[ He sends his email and also the wifi information. ]

What kind of work are you looking for?

[ Jacopo can you ever shut the fuck up about capitalism. It's dinner... After hours... Relax...... ]

[chrysanths]

None at the moment. I don't even have a proper address to fill out on applications.

[ But he sends the resume anyway. To be summed up, he finished high school, didn't go to any schooling after, got drafted to the military, is listed as a veteran despite still being at the age to be drafted again. He's 25. Adolphe also worked at the job he mentioned. Typical desk job and field work combined. Worked in that job for about two years. ]

[obdure]

... Well, now you do.

[ He will glaze the resume as he sips his wine. ]

I'm assuming something clerical? Administrative. [ ... ] But it's fine to take a short break to get your bearings.

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe opens his mouth and then closes it.



....... ]

I can't list a temporary address like that.

[ He's only staying for a little while? Right??? ]

[obdure]

[ Raises his eyebrow. ]

Temporary in the sense that it's permanent until you move out, yes. You just need an address, anyway. Plenty of applicants lie and list their friends' or family members' address.

[chrysanths]

[ Well.

Alright. ]

... I'll keep that in mind, but like you said, I would like to take a break. For once.

[ Spaghetti, salad, and wine are all finished. Sorry if you wanted the rest of the salad, Jacopo. Adolphe still looks terribly exhausted despite everything, so. ]

[obdure]

[ A snort. ]

You deserve it for your hard work and all the shit life's giving you right now.

[ It's fine. Jacopo can veggie dip snack if he feels like it later in the night. He finishes also his portion. ]

If you're not going to have more spaghetti, I'll start putting everything away.

[ Just double checking. ]

[chrysanths]

If the rest of it is leftovers, I have containers you can use.

[ Since he's so used to leftovers and he just. Has a lot of them. That's probably why one of his backpacks were just thirty pounds. But he feels extremely tired now that the day is almost over. ]

Thanks for the food. It was really nice.

[ To just sit there and talk with someone, even if it wasn't really all pleasant things. ]

[obdure]

[ It's nice... To feel appreciated on a personal level. It's been a while, actually, now that he thinks about it. ]

Thank you. [ Wait. Why is he thinking him for complimenting? Is he stupid? ] ... It's really not much.

[ Jacopo stands up, picking up his empty glasses and dirty plate. He tilts his head... Adolphe brought... Tupperware? Like. All the tupperware he owns? Okay.

Something occurs to him as he watches his loose tie fall off his shoulders. ]

Actually, why don't you just pack however much you want and I shower.

[ He's about to pick up his tie, but little Harold finds it and takes it. A sigh, but he lets it go so he can put everything in his hands into the kitchen sink. Salad bowl next, too. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Look... when he said that he doesn't have much, he really meant it. ]

Sure. I'll do that.

[ Is Jacopo leaving the stuff unwashed in the sink? Because Adolphe will wash dishes first before getting the leftovers. ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo did leave for a bit with Rocco and Vera following him, while Harold and Olive stick around the kitchen to keep Adolphe company.

Except he comes back because he remembered about the dishes and dog bowls. ]

Dishes—[ Oh. ] You got it covered.

[ He's just frazzled with having to share a space and figuring out logistics... You see, if he showers early, then that means Adolphe can just hit the hay as soon as he wants? Efficiency.

Except it's showing that he's a mess of a person. ]