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

[chrysanths]

I heard some dogs love digging up gardens and eating vegetables, so I think it would be a necessary measure.

[ Not that Jacopo's dogs would but... who knows... maybe Harold will be a vicious cabbage eater. ]

Why a vegetable garden though?

[obdure]

They can be trained not to do that... But to start, a fence.

[ Jacopo really trusted his dogs and hadn't considered it, so this is good to keep in mind. ]

A small experiment for the cafe. [ BUSINESS ] If it pans out, then it'd be convenient. The cafe could use some of the produce or the produce could be sold as is. Whatever leftovers, I can personally use. There's been a health craze lately over homegrown and organic food which I think is ridiculous, but if it benefits us then who am I to criticize sheep with deep pockets.

[ NO ONE ASKED ABOUT BUSINESS, but on the personal front... ]

I heard gardening is also calming.

[chrysanths]

I wouldn't really say it's calming, but... it gives you something to do.

[ He looks at Jacopo like. Wait a minute. ]

Don't you already have your hands full with things? And you want to start a garden?

[ Adolphe's thought gears turn and turn and turn-- ]

Chives and green onions grow quickly without much care. For the latter, you can harvest them while leaving the base and it'll regrow.

[ Unlimited green onions. ]

... I think the last time I saw the markup for green onions was almost two dollars.

[obdure]

I wouldn't be entertaining it if I can't find time to wedge it in.

[ But... There were a lot of papers this morning when he passed out on the floor with Rocco. Jacopo is busy and it seems like he often makes himself busier. ]

Herbs are enticing... [ Though now he's looking at Adolphe as he drops all this veggie knowledge. ] Noted.

[ Staring at him a bit, then looks over to the kitchen window. ]

The kitchen windowsill is big enough for herb planters, if you want something personal and it interests you...

[ He isn't going to drag Adolphe into business. ]

[chrysanths]

Oh. You'd let me?

[ Adolphe slightly tilts his head. ]

Though... I haven't thought about it for a long time, since I lacked funds and time to take care of anything, much less a plant. I used to help out with gardening when I was a lot younger, so my advice could be outdated.

[obdure]

You can always ask if there's something you'd like to add or change.

[ He will put it out there first. Jacopo may feel high maintenance as a person, but he's reasonable. Gestures with a hand wave it's not a huge deal. ]

I had considered getting some herb planters for the kitchen, anyway. [ no, he didn't. ] It can be something like a test run.

[chrysanths]

Well... alright. Which plants were you considering?

[ He thinks Jacopo has some in mind already if he was considering herb planters. ]

[obdure]

Basil, chives, oregano, and mint. Green onions are also versatile.

[ Improvises insanely quickly. Thankfully, he does cook sometimes. ]

Maybe three to start. You can narrow it down.

[chrysanths]

[ Jacopo is so good at this. Adolphe doesn't think anything of it. His thinking is more geared towards the menu of Jacopo's cafe as he thinks about the choices. ]

Basil, chives, and oregano.

[ Not because they're the first three, but he thinks these would be the best to grow first. ]

[obdure]

Those three, then.

[ May he get caught for doing things for others but masking it as for himself in the near future. It isn't a lie that he'd benefit, either way. ]

The windowsill has been looking empty for a long time.Some green will make it look nice.

[ It kind of never occurred to him. It might not have for a while if it weren't for company, actually. It can be one of the few personal touches for this copy and paste bachelor pad. ]

Are you going to rest after this? Since you're looking like a zombie.

[ Jacopo is going to start cleaning up dinner. Plates, utensils, etc... He also will start filling doggy bowls since it's about time for them to eat. ]

[chrysanths]

You could have considered succulents... those don't require much care, if at all.

[ He watches Jacopo for a while and sighs. ]

... Yeah. I might as well.

[ He forgot that he was actually tired during his conversation, but upon being reminded, all the exhaustion just hits him at once. Since he assumes Jacopo will clean up everything, Adolphe excuses himself to go do his night routine. ]

[obdure]

Well, they're going to be herbs now.

[ It was decided! All the dirty dinnerware and cooking ware into the sink, then the doggy dinner is set.

It has only been a couple of minutes, but he had been thinking... A lot... Debating with himself... Over this... So much in those minutes... As he stands by the front door get the dogs. He hasn't left yet because he's still thinking.

He could use the time to progress on side projects and other important matters, but he walks back into the living room space and raises his voice to be heard. ]

Adolphe! If you're not going to knock out right away—we can watch a movie or something!

[ should he wait for an answer... maybe for a minute or two? (Why is he nervous?) Then he'll go get the dogs and finish up washing the dishes. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe was, in fact, going to knock out right after doing his night routine. He tries to give his answer in less than ten seconds, so-- ]

Which movie?

[ He calls out from the bathroom. So that's a yes, even though he's not sure if he can stay up throughout it... ]

[obdure]

[ oh.... uh.... that's good. it isn't a no? but then he catches himself like why does he care so much. it's casual. ]

We can see what's on Netflix when you're out. I'm going to get the dogs.

[ He didn't decide because he didn't want to have expectations. Now he has to think about movie choices as he climbs down the stairs to let the dogs in. The dishes after getting a good rinse are put into the dishwasher because he actually uses it... Then he washes the dog food bowls in the sink.

When he's done he guesses he will sit on the couch and start up the smart TV. The dogs are chilling, though Vera and Harold will go into the bedroom because they know Adolphe is back. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe comes back in leisure clothes--t-shirt and sweatpants. It's whatever. I'm assuming that Vera and Harold are always following him. He sits on the couch too, looking at the smart TV in wonder. Wow. This is the first time he's ever seen one function apart from display TV screens that are out there by now. ]

Did you see anything that catches your eye?

[obdure]

[ Yeah. The dogs will gather where the people are... Rocco and Olive have already dragged their dog beds close to the couch so they can lounge, too. Vera will do the same once she realizes they're here to movie watch. Harold hops onto the couch, though.

Jacopo is going through the selections. ]

A couple of movies came out for streaming recently, so I was looking through them... [ He's the type that watches documentaries and docuseries... Or classics, but he isn't the only one here. ] Got a preference?

[chrysanths]

I'm fine with anything as long as it doesn't have frequent loud sounds.

[ So... probably no action, thriller, and horror.

He pets Harold in the meantime. Fluffy puppy... ]

[obdure]

[ goddamn those are the genres I know most about uh

Harold enjoys getting pampered and Olive will nose Adolphe's knee. Pet me, too. ]

Comedy...? Romance? Romcom, maybe. Dramas... I guess we can also watch an episode for a series.

[ squints Vincenzo, Bridgerton specifically S2, Challengers, idk you can also pitch some ]

[chrysanths]

[ You know what. I think they should watch Vincenzo. Adolphe looks at the little preview images of the series that are on the screen and is distracted by petting Olive too.

anyway here's the episode text summary ]

What do you usually like watching?

[obdure]

Mostly non-fiction and classics...

[ Which isn't really fun to watch with other people. It's nice for idling listening while doing mindless things.

Jacopo lands on Vincenzo and the premise does interest him because he's Italian. ]

Let's watch this one.

[ And the first episode is wild? I hope that Adolphe doesn't mind that Jacopo comments here and there because he is a commentator at a home theater. It's mostly how Vincenzo's Italian isn't too bad, structures of the mafia at the start, romanticizing the mafia in media tangent, Chayoung and her father being a mess... Etc.

He'd shut up at an actual theater. I hope he finds it annoying, but some of it is insightful at least for Italy and what he knows about law from real estate side of things.

Oh, the dogs every once in a while will want pets... Thank you. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He flinches a little when there are gunshots, cars blowing up, and fire being everyone, but the dogs are a very good distraction so he'll give them a lot of pets. The flinching eventually stops with each time there's something like that on the screen, so he ends up watching the rest of the episode normally.

There was one thing that made Adolphe laugh a little though. ]

Casanova surname... that's amazing. People really bought that.

[obdure]

I would perish if people called me Mister Casanova.

[ Jacopo does think it's funny even if it's debauchery of his mother tongue. He can't blame them, though. Languages can be hard. They're settled on the credits and he will pause it before it starts automatically playing the next episode.

He isn't sure... If he should address the flinches. Fortunately, his dogs are very in tune and wanting to comfort, so each time they probably snuggled Adolphe. ]

... Are you all right?

[chrysanths]

I'm fine.

[ The dogs are sooo cute. Adolphe isn't aware that they're trying to comfort him or anything. He just petted them anytime they made any gesture that seemed to suggest it. He was just a little jumpy--nothing like blatant flinching. ]

Do you want to keep watching this? It looks like it can be funny and dramatic at the same time.

[obdure]

As long as it isn't too loud and sudden for you. I thought it was going to be more on the law side of things.

[ Which is why he was somewhat surprised by how much GUNFIRE happened, but maybe he shouldn't have been surprised. Mafia will always have guns and shootouts in fiction.

However, the guy is a lawyer? There was so much lawyer stuff? They got to know everyone in the building and IT'S A CIRCUS.

The doggies are very happy. Harold is basically on Adolphe's lap, sleeping. ]

The humor I admit is good. [ A bit funny for him because he seldom watched comedy. He's learning that it's fun. ] We can, if you're not tired. We can also continue another time.

[chrysanths]

It looks like it'll be more about law now.

[ The first episode had So Many Things. When Jacopo says the last bit, Adolphe looks down at Harold on his lap. ]

... I'd feel bad waking him up.