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]

[ ONLY HAROLD? There are FOUR DOGS and they will be going to Adolphe now that Jacopo is in the shower.

Harold will try to play while having the tie in his mouth... Do we want to tug of war with this tie? Olive and Vera are also very excitable, though Olive will settle her head in Adolphe's lap while Vera plays with him and Harold.

Rocco seems comfortable just watching them play from the dog bed in the living room, but he's older and patient. ]

[chrysanths]

[ No, he does not want to play tug of war with the tie. In fact, Adolphe tries to coax Harold into letting go of it instead, but then there are the other three dogs but none of them are overwhelming. It's... nice, really. He pats Olive and gestures to Rocco that he can come over too, if he wants.

Dogs... are truly the best. ]

[obdure]

[ Adolphe should be able to win against a pomeranian... So he may have the tie back, though Harold will try to get it back, too. Rocco sees the invitation and gets up from the dog bed to come over, tail wagging slowly, but he simply plops next to Adolphe and lounges there.

Jacopo will eventually come out in matching set pajamas because apparently he's that type of guy to wear a matching set, towel-drying his hair, and sees this... ]

I hope I'm not interrupting your fun. [ Crossing his arms, he smiles. ] Bedroom's yours.

[chrysanths]

[ He's keeping Jacopo's tie safe from any more dog mouths. When he hears Jacopo, he turns to look over at him. ]

Thanks.

[ He pet them soooo much, even Rocco who came by a little later. Belly rubs? Headpets. He was really affectionate with the dogs like how one would be towards children. But the time has ended and he must get up. Adolphe stands and goes over to the bedroom, but not before passing off the tie to Jacopo. ]

[obdure]

[ The dogs... Are so spoiled.... They are getting pets from two people now... And Jacopo can't help but be happy for them, even though THEY GET PETS DURING THE DAY FROM CUSTOMERS. They're spoiled fur children.

There's some surprise when he passes off the tie. ]

Thank you. [ He can toss it over to a folded bundle of clothes he plans to wear for tomorrow stacked on the sofa chair. ] Goodnight, Adolphe.

[ Harold and Olive will follow Adolphe to the bedroom, though. ]

[chrysanths]

Good night.

[ Oh. He didn't expect any dogs to follow him, but he doesn't mind it. He just thinks they like the bed more than the people.

Adolphe does his night routine and settles inside the bed. He doesn't remember the last time he's been on one and feels himself sink into the mattress regardless of its firmness. His exhaustion finally seeps into his bones and he feels that he can finally relax. The black gloves stay on and he eventually falls asleep. Unfortunately for the dogs, Adolphe tosses and turns a lot and sometimes wakes up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night.

By the time morning rolls around, Adolphe ends up sleeping in... until 11 unless woken up earlier. ]

[obdure]

[ It's fine... The dogs like people, so they hop onto the bed to sleep with him. Odd enough, if he does wake up in the middle of the night in cold sweat, they seem to also wake up and comfort him with little licks and snuggles. They seem used to it? Not startled by all of it, including the tossing and turning.

throws dart it can be sunday so Jacopo is also sleeping in you must wake up on your own adolphe ]

[chrysanths]

[ At that moment, Adolphe doesn't think about how the dogs are used to his actions, but their comfort was greatly appreciated. He'll remember it later.

Despite all that, he feels like he got a good restful sleep otherwise. Then he looks at the time and oh no he overslept—he gets out of bed in a hurry, does the morning bathroom routine, changes his clothes and finally walks out of the room. Is Jacopo still sleeping? ]

[obdure]

[ The dogs that slept with Adolphe will also follow him out the bedroom!! They actually may go use the doggy restroom on the balcony.

Jacopo is still asleep... Despite promising to make breakfast, he forgot to set an alarm, but it doesn't seem like the only thing he forgot.

When Adolphe comes out to the living room, he'll find that the couch is left as is without any sheets or covers, but maybe that isn't weird. People would be awake by now and put the sheets away, except he can see that the plastic bag holding the sheets still beside the couch... Then Jacopo kind of sprawled on the floor along the far living room wall, surrounded by papers (he even has a couple still loosely held in his hand), and Rocco curled in his arms.

Oops. ]

[chrysanths]

[ .......

???????

Adolphe was going to leave the man alone, but he's on the floor and. Huh. Did he pass out while doing something? Bless Rocco for making it seem relatively normal just by being there. He walks on over to Jacopo. ]

... Hey.

[ He lightly shakes him by the shoulder. ]

[obdure]

[ Rocco is awake at least and wags his tail while looking up to Adolphe. Hello.

The papers around are a mix of things that can be easily glanced over—contracts with local businesses to sell their pasties here, sourcing for coffee beans so contracts with suppliers, alcohol license checklist and requirements, mockup designs for a bar, some documents in Italian, and some real estate documents for a current project.

The shake stirs him enough. Fortunately, he isn't an incredibly heavy sleeper. ]

Mmmn...

[ Blearily, he opens his eyes... Just in a barely awake state stares at him from the floor. ]

[chrysanths]

[ The papers are just there so he kept help seeing what some of them are about. Still, he has no pressing questions at the moment, because the more pressing situation is right in front of him. ]

Jacopo. I think you passed out. Are you feeling okay?

[ Rocco gets pets with his good hand. Adolphe really touched Jacopo with his left hand... it doesn't feel like a human hand at all by the hardness despite the gloves. ]

[obdure]

[ He realizes something as Rocco enjoys the pets and slips away. Sharing a place with someone means they can see you at your lowest, literal.

The left hand will have to wait. ]

... Just stayed up later than I should have. [ Which is not an uncommon occurrence considering the dogs seem used to this too, but. ] I'm fine.

[ Checks his phone— ]

Don't you have an appointment? Get out.

[chrysanths]

[ Why are the dogs all used to this, is what Adolphe finally wonders, but. Right. His appointment. He gets up and reaches his right hand out to help Jacopo up. ]

[obdure]

[ Adolphe wonders that while Jacopo is awake enough to think about his left hand as he takes his right. He helps himself up with his support. ]

Thanks. [ A sigh as he looks down at all the papers. He will sort these in a bit. ] When will you be coming back?

[ Nonchalant. ]

[chrysanths]

Maybe in three hours.

[ He is going to be so hungry... ]

Do you need me for something?

[obdure]

No, but I think I'll be having a late lunch. If you end up back here, I'll need to make more.

[ It's... A vague apology for not having woken up and make breakfast like he mentioned.

Jacopo gathers the papers and puts them on the coffee table, then heads to the kitchen. When he returns, he has a meal bar. Here you go. ]

[chrysanths]

Oh. Thanks.

[ He immediately opens and eats it. He's really hungry...... ]

I'll come back here by then, so I'll get going. See you later.

[obdure]

[ Hm... Goes to get him a second bar just in case. Do not starve. ]

Good luck.

[ The Dogs sense Adolphe is leaving, so they also swarm to say goodbye. Just little head bumps against his legs, no crowding.

They will all see you later. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Oh. Second bar. He mutters a thanks as he pets the dogs and leaves. Byeeee.

Adolphe does indeed return after several hours. He looks exhausted again like yesterday, but this is him trying to hide it. It must be beyond exhaustion if he can only hide so much of it. He follows Jacopo's directions and goes through the yard with the given keys. He eventually makes it back and sighs. ]

I'm back...

[obdure]

[ Adolphe will notice that the cafe is closed on Sunday in general, but when he comes back through the yard the dogs are out for their fresh air and they come to greet him hello hello hello you're back? Welcome back? You're coming back? They don't know this will be a regular occurrence.

They don't follow him in because they want to stay outside longer. Jacopo is home and from the kitchen: ]

Welcome back.

[ A delicious aroma wafts through the whole space, even though he cracked the windows open. Looks like the place got cleaned, too. ]

[chrysanths]

[ The dogs get more pets because Adolphe can't resist. They deserve them, so he will give them an equal amount. ]

What are you making? It smells really good.

[ There's slight anticipation that he feels, which... is something he hadn't felt in a while, at least in a positive light. He goes to put his backpack down inside the room before walking back to the kitchen to peek. ]

[obdure]

[ Dogs can fix him. ]

Seafood risotto.

[ He isn't in his pajamas, but just general lounge at home clothes. On the stove, there is a big pot of risotto, then on the side is an assortment of seafood. Shrimp, clams, mussels, squid, scallops, and crab.

It's a bit more prep and cooking than he normally would do, but... To make up for not making breakfast earlier. ]

I didn't get to eat lunch and we're nearing dinner in a couple of hours, so I decided to make a lot.

[ Because less dishes and pots to clean if they just eat everything in one meal, right? ]

[chrysanths]

[ Dogs can fix anyone, it's true. ]

To make up for not eating breakfast and lunch...?

[ Adolphe doesn't think eating quite works this way, but. Okay. If it works for Jacopo, then he supposes it's fine. Adolphe has a normal appetite under normal conditions, so he'll be eating a moderate portion. ]

[obdure]

[ Adolphe is wrong because it can work like that, obviously? Or at least for Jacopo it can... Daily intake is important. ]

... I am very hungry.

[ Unlike the man who had two meal bars, he had nothing because he got sucked into chores. He stirs the risotto, then adds the parmesan in. ]

How was your appointment?

[ He doesn't know what the fuck it's for. ]