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]

[ 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. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Meal bars don't feel like anything... but it's fine. They're going to eat! And their stomachs won't eat themselves!! ]

It's...

[ Adolphe sits at the kitchen table in silence. ]

... draining. I'm sure I'll feel better after I eat.

[ Luckily, he's not hangry. ]

[obdure]

Well, you're back and you can relax.

[ He was going to tell Adolphe he can serve himself since he doesn't know how much he wants, but he's already sitting.

He will just scoop a moderate amount of risotto, then add a seafood assortment. A sprinkle of garlic oil, I guess some parsley, too.

Onto the table, then glasses of water. Time to eat. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Oh... he had the food brought to him. Adolphe nods over at Jacopo in thanks. Time to eat! He ends up stuffing his face at a moderate pace, because he didn't realize just how hungry he actually was. It's... really savory. And good. He takes care to chew more when he needs to. ]

It's really good. It matches the amount of savory that I like.

[ Somehow?! Adolphe looks amazed. ]

[obdure]

[ It just seemed like a hassle of wandering around the kitchen, so might as well just bring it to the table. They eat! And Jacopo is eating like usual, though he's thinking about serving himself more when he's done.

It is quite good. Very seafood. Very cheese... ]

Does it? [ Sips water. ] We have similar tastes then.

[ Coincidence, really. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Coincidence, but for some reason, it makes Adolphe feel a little better from.the exhaustion, like how simply seeing someone can brighten your mood.

He doesn't think on that. ]

It feels really luxurious to eat like this...

[obdure]

[ An incredulous though amused look as he fiddles with the spoon in his hand a bit. LUXURIOUS... ADOLPHE... He's getting an idea of his life, even though he does think this risotto is good? ]

All right. We have to knock that off before I spew chunks. [ He'll just assume flattery, even though Adolphe does not seem like the type. It's why this is just a joke. ] It's something you can make, too. It's not that hard.

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe huffs. ]

If I have the recipe and ingredients, I can make it. It's just a matter of getting all those ingredients for the sake of this one meal.

[ He could probably do leftovers, but. ]

Then I would have to think of how to use all of it up before they go bad...

[ He's feeling a little stressed just thinking about it so he eats some more. someone help this neurotic man ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo is too stressed about work where stuff like food isn't allowed to stress him... Easy sustenance quick to make is ideal.

This is out there for him still even if Sunday is his rest day. That's time he could use being productive, but he's found that he enjoyed cooking. Maybe it's because there's someone else... And they brighten up after a spoonful when they had a draining day. They say it's "luxurious."

Going out of his way to cook a good meal is not that bad. Time lost, but he finds it worth it. ]

Do it for occasions, then. Honestly, you don't need to make it seafood. You can make a risotto easily, then choose whatever protein suits your fancy. Cut small pieces of ham and mix it in. You can cube canned meat and throw it in.

[ Tries to cut things out easily for him. He's used to it when proofing food for the cafe. ]

Rice freezes well, so risotto should, too. [ ... ] If anything, I'm also here to eat through it if you wanted.