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]

It depends if there's interest.

[ you want to go in circles as they keep eating risotto and seafood ]

[chrysanths]

That's why I'm asking you if you're interested.

[ binch........... ]

[obdure]

I suppose I wouldn't be against it.

[ no u. eats a spoonful to quell the tiny embarrassment. ]

[chrysanths]

Alright. How about we do that at least once a week?

[ Start off small, no expectations. ]

We can take turns in cooking something that's more than just sustenance, like this risotto. Maybe every Sunday? The cafe is closed on Sundays. Or just whenever we feel like it, but Sundays should be the designated day.

[obdure]

[ A snort... He's trying to remember the last time he ate a meal with someone that isn't just business or networking... Was it college? Even if he doesn't talk to his college friends as much anymore, they're fond memories. ]

Look at you, a man who blatantly claims to hate talking to people... Making little dinner plans.

[ A small smile. Even if his words feel patronizing, it rings... Empathy because when had he invited people himself? He never reached out, either.

Maria is more recent, though barely counts when they went out for dinner once. ]

Every Sunday. [ Like a promise. ] And then some, if it ends up being that way.

[chrysanths]

... I'm not taking back my words regarding comfort. You...

[ Hm. ]

You don't feel like most people. For example, not many would choose to give shelter to some random homeless guy on the spot. Inviting someone to your home... there's a certain level of trust that's needed to invite someone, let alone having them stay.

[obdure]

You should just go ahead and call me stupid and insane.

[ Adolphe.... ]

[chrysanths]

... I can't really judge that since I'm benefitting from what you did, but I get the feeling that you don't normally do this for others.

[ So he was thinking... ]

So... maybe I'm just lucky to look like this, since it apparently reminds you of someone.

[obdure]

[ He listens and is just like... This continues to sound stupid and insane, even if Adolphe is right that he benefits from it.

A sigh as he runs his hand through his hair, though it doesn't stay slicked back. ]

No, I don't do think normally. I really thought we met before.

[ Somewhere he can't put a finger on. ]

Well, we're here now and you'll need to deal with me. Lucky you.

[chrysanths]

Lucky me.

[ He says in a neutral tone without sarcasm or dryness. ]

It's the other way around, isn't it? I'm the newcomer here.

[obdure]

[ me rereading what I wrote like why did I write this half asleep or was this the iPhone autocorrect

He gestures with a wave of his hand as he leans back into his seat. ]

You may be, but you seem like the type to live quietly. Like if I don't actively interact with you, I'll barely notice you're there aside from the fact you're using my bed.

[ In the sense that he'll notice things are different because he isn't sleeping in his own bed. ]

[chrysanths]

Well... you wouldn't be wrong.

[ He's completely right, actually. Adolphe just lives quietly... He cleans up after himself but sometimes leaves a s mess to clean later like unmade beds and whatnot. He's just more diligent here because he needs to keep himself occupied or else. ]

I wouldn't want to leave a shared space messy. To keep it clean beforehand prevents costly mistakes down the line.

[ Having to hire pest control, etc ]

[obdure]

I'd also start complaining if things around here became messy.

[ Or like messier than usual. Jacopo knows that sometimes his place can be chaos when he's crunching through things. ]

Don't make yourself too sparse. We are friends now.

[chrysanths]

[ Friends, huh. Adolphe looks thoughtful. They sure are friends now as said before, but it's not like he would know how friendships are supposed to work. He hasn't had a single one in his life. ]

You want to hang out more often?

[ Is that what it is? Adolphe feels like he won't mind. Actually, that reminds him. ]

And why did I send you my resume again...

[ If Jacopo isn't going to do anything with it. ]

[obdure]

We could, when we find the time... [ Quietly, ] I'd like to get to know you.

[ Sips his water like it'll cover up what he just said. ]

I was going to offer sending it to my connections to see if they know any openings that would suit you, but since you wanted to take a break I'm just sitting on it.

[ He respects your wishes to be unemployed. ]

[chrysanths]

Oh.

[ Huh. This is a lot. Adolphe ruminates on this for a bit. ]

There's... not much to know.

[ He thinks he's a boring person, and that's because he's already taken away what he's actually willing to talk about for the moment. Jacopo may have had the advantage of early comfort to get this far with Adolphe pretty easily, but this is where the real start line begins. ]

Like I said before, I'm just a guy.

[obdure]

What do you mean there's not much to know?

[ Jacopo knows he's a liar... He remembers the left hand that shook him awake. A mention of not dealing well with direct touch. Everyone born has a past, too.

But frankly he isn't looking to pry that out for curiosity's sake. It isn't that important. ]

"Just a guy" has plenty. I learned how savory you like your food.

[ Small, simple, and mundane things are as important and novel to him. It's something he forgot in his dive into capitalism. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Just that.

Adolphe sits there, surprised again. It's really just things like that. It makes him aware that trust is still quite a few ways to go. That depends on how much he knows about Jacopo, after all. And he feels like he knows next to nothing.

Which is even weirder, because he accepted living here despite that.

... ]

Is that really something that stands out...?

[obdure]

[ yeah why did you do that adolphe even though Jacopo's offer was so pure of heart in delivery

A shrug. ]

It was something I didn't know about you. That counts, if you ask me.

[chrysanths]

[ Jacopo is so pure of heart... Adolphe would feel bad if he knew. Probably. ]

If it's something like that... I don't mind telling you.

[obdure]

Things like that would happen naturally, I think.

[ It can be normal, much like what Adolphe did earlier as small as it was.

But... ]

Of course you're free to ask me anything if you're curious enough.

[ Jacopo also thinks he himself is kind of not that interesting. Offering small bones. ]

[chrysanths]

Why four dogs?

[ He slightly tilts his head. Adolphe was actually wondering about this for a while. ]

[obdure]

I actually only had Rocco at first... The rest of them fell onto my lap.

[ The conflicted expression of like "why did this happen to me?" Not in the regretful way, but confused how events got him here. ]

Housemate couldn't take care of their own dog, Olive. A coworker from when I worked in real estate had moved to a place that didn't allow animals, Harold. Vera I found abandoned out in the streets...

I intended to foster them until I found them homes, but I... [ Got attached, he doesn't say. ] Was busy.

[chrysanths]

They really seem to like you. Rocco felt like the most senior out of the four too, so that makes sense.

[ ...... ]

But you really got hoisted three more dogs and couldn't refuse.

[ He finds that a little endearing, but funny. ]

[obdure]

[ A sigh as he massages his temples. ]

Looks like it... It's hard work, but after living with them for a while I wouldn't have it any other way.

[ Because in a similar way to how he has felt about some weird things, having four dogs feels? Right? The names also feel so right?

Unsure how to explain it. ]

Thank you for being good to them.