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]

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.

[chrysanths]

Of course. They're kinda like your kids in a way.

[ And why would he be mean to dogs... blasphemous. ]

They're really friendly... you trained them well too.

[obdure]

Kids? They're dogs... But I get your point. I do like them more than a lot of people I've met.

[ Like. A lot. Also, some people just don't like dogs which is fine. ]

I think I got my work cut out for me. They were friendly to begin with... Well-behaved is a different matter.

[ ... ]

Don't spoil them too much, Adolphe.

[chrysanths]

Is it because they sometimes chew on your ties?

[ lol ]

By what? Giving them affection?

[obdure]

Harold chewed on a lot more than just my tie at first.

[ Purses lips. ]

They're going to expect two people's worth of attention when you decide to leave.

[chrysanths]

[ Maybe Adolphe should just never leave then. ]

Well... then he learned. You must be a good trainer.

[obdure]

[ that's kind of aggressive ]

I'd say I'm diligent... Google also saved my ass. [ Thank fuck. ] My family never stayed in one place long enough for pets.

[chrysanths]

[ Jacopo can be aggressive, sure. ]

Did they have a job that needed them to travel often?

[obdure]

[ NO I MEANT THE META ABOUT ADOLPHE SHOULD JUST NEVER LEAVE IS AGGRESSIVE you are right he shouldn't leave ]

Yeah. My father's work often had us pick up everything and move. It was annoying to start over all the time, but... No use complaining.

[ That was life. ]

[chrysanths]

[ That is so much moving fees... Adolphe doesn't want to imagine how all that costed. ]

Are you thinking about staying here for a long time?

[obdure]

[ Don't worry about it. He raises his eyebrows, mildly perplexed. ]

You'll have to be specific. You mean live in this building? Or stay in this area... This city?

[chrysanths]

This building? A cafe is nice, but I feel like it's not something you want to do forever.

[ But it would make sense to keep it if this is his... ]

[obdure]

[ He hums... Is it something he wants to do forever? It is a break from real estate. ]

Owning a coffee shop is a lot of people's dreams, you know.

[chrysanths]

But is it yours?

[ He doesn't care about other people.... ]

[obdure]

[ Gives him a bit of a tired look. ]

Dreams are for children and fools.

[ Despite having been so uncharacteristically and yet also characteristically generous and kind in his roundabout ways, he is still bound to being cynical and pragmatic.

Or he thinks he should. It doesn't answer the question, so he scrounges something up. ]

Being a cafe owner has been a breath of fresh air.

[chrysanths]

So, which is it?

[ Not a dream, but a rest stop. ]

[obdure]

Are you worried I'm going to up and leave someday?

[ Is this how this question got pulled from his mention of being forced to move around a lot?

He stands up and gets a third serving now that his stomach has settled with the first two, but he doesn't avoid the conversation. He's back at the little kitchen table with Adolphe. ]