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]

You can wake him up.

[ STOP SPOILING. Jacopo will take it he wants to watch another episode, so episode 2 here we go. ]

No appointments tomorrow?

[ Just curious in case they should be cognizant of the time. ]

[chrysanths]

Mm.

[ Adolphe takes a moment to think. ]

I don't think so, unless anything comes up last minute.

[ He wants to spoil Harold... he's never got to spoil anything in his life. ]

I really hope nothing does.

[obdure]

... A day to relax then?

[ He will be praying for that, unless Adolphe would rather be busy.

The Pomeranian is sleeby, little leggy twitching every once in a while. Since other dogs are asleep, Rocco places his head on the couch between Jacopo and Adolphe.

Jacopo will pet him first, then ruffle. ]

What are you going to do with your free day?

[ Just small talk as they watch Vincenzo suffer through shenanigans. Stoic and serious man is so harried. ]

[chrysanths]

[ godspeed song joongki ]

I'd like for it to be.

[ He looks down at the pom. So cute... Adolphe gently pats Rocco too. ]

Just sleeping would be good for now. I haven't thought much about it.

[obdure]

[ He was just t-posing so often until he needs to pull out a gun. There are thugs that are messing with them, though.

Rocco noses Adolphe's hand a bit, but not as much as the other three dogs. Just a little begging, but not too much despite the big eyes. ]

Paying back your sleep debt well. [ Good. ] I'll be out. Out of the cafe, too.

[ More work, but... This is the first time he's begrudging to go. ]

If you need or want anything, you can contact me.

[chrysanths]

[ Here comes the scene where someone gets repeatedly bludgeoned by a hockey stick. Wow! Adolphe just zones out for a bit while still petting Rocco and watching the screen. ]

I'll keep that in mind.

[obdure]

[ Rocco whines a little as he nuzzles against Adolphe's leg, then settles there content.

Jacopo frowns at the scene... Korean dramas can really be gruesome, goddamn. It doesn't make him too squeamish to not shut the fuck up, though. He makes comments, even looks up where this building would be based on landmarks and such. He will continue to trivia yap. There's a reference to the Godfather, etc.

The episode ends with a big party at the plaza, which has Jacopo's eyes raise. ]

Risky to put your face, name, and location out there, but... I guess that's the price of a bunch of hidden gold.

[ did you pass out Adolphe ]

[chrysanths]

[ Yup he dozed off and fell asleep because he hit his limit of mental exhaustion for the day. And for some reason, it felt really comfortable enough for him to do that. It's weird, to strangely feel at peace despite how none of this should be happening. He doesn't fall to the side or anything—his head is just hung as he quietly sleeps. ]

[obdure]

... Adolphe.

[ Gently shakes his shoulder.

This doesn't stir Harold awake, though the other two sleeping dogs lifts their heads and blink slowly. Movie night over? ]

[chrysanths]

[ Yup. Movie night is over, kids. Adolphe slowly opens his eyes when roused from his quick slumber. ]

... Sorry, did I fall asleep?

[ He covers his mouth as he yawns. Ugh. ]

[obdure]

You did.

[ Jacopo scoops up Harold and puts him down onto the floor. The pom blinks sleepily, then shakes himself awake. ]

I can't set up the couch for me to sleep if you're going to hog it.

[ Standing up, he offers him a hand to take. Up up. ]

[chrysanths]

Then I guess you'll have to take the bed then.

[ He murmurs, though it's a joke. He gets up with Jacopo's help, not thinking when he uses his left hand to do that. Whatever is under the glove doesn't feel like flesh and blood. ]

Good night, Jacopo.

[ He lets go of the hand and walks on over to the bedroom. Adolphe is going to just pass the fuck out once he touches the bed. ]

[obdure]

[ Harold who is already up follows after Adolohe, though Vera and Olive are too lazy to do so after their little nappy.

He still has questions about the hand... How long is he going to sit on asking? But now isn't the time. ]

Goodnight, Adolphe.

[ When Adolphe leaves, Rocco stares at Jacopo and he stares back before motioning the direction of the bedroom with a nod of his head. Rocco then goes to join Adolphe and Harold.

So Jacopo is here, looking at the hanging clock for the time. The night isn't young, but he can still make use of the hours. He lifts the coffee table's tabletop to stare at the documents in the storage space he could look over tonight. Catch up on making progress that he could have had if he didn't waste his evening.

... But was it a waste? He enjoyed himself and there's satisfaction he had never experienced before. Or maybe he had once and had long forgotten. Another moment staring down at the work waiting for him, then he sighs.

Most of it isn't urgent.

He sets up the couch first and foremost, night routine using the kitchen's half bathroom second, then he focuses on one set of documents to read instead of all of them. Tonight, he won't be pushing past hours and will sleep at a less ungodly time. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Good. Also Rocco... what a good dog. Adolphe seems to be sleeping well this time, but it's really more that he was so tired that he couldn't even wake from possible night terrors.

He continues to sleep well into the morning and possibly noon as well if he doesn't get woken up. The sleep debt is so real...

[obdure]

[ Sorry, it is 7 am and even if the door is open to let dogs come in and out, Jacopo knocks on the wall along the doorframe three times and doesn't peek in.

It catches Rocco's attention, who will hop off the bed to go out, but little Harold will stay pressed against Adolphe even though he's awake. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Three seconds pass without an answer, so Jacopo is welcome to go inside.

Adolphe is sleeping in the bed, absolutely quiet but still breathing. His sleeping position is the exact same as how he slept last night: fully on his back, arms next to his sides... he wears those gloves even when sleeping, but that's probably only because someone else is here. Maybe.

Not even Rocco moving gets him to stir awake. ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo peeks into the room and sees Adolphe sleeping peacefully. He isn't going to walk in and hover or anything. He can see perfectly fine from here. ]

Adolphe.

[ Tries calling him out of slumber first. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He continues to snooze...

Zzz......

He doesn't even budge, actually. ]

[obdure]

[ well, glad you're getting sleep.

Goes into the room this time and he'll gently shake his shoulder. ]

Adolphe.

[chrysanths]

[ Yeah. Rejoice, for he is sleeping.

With the hand on his shoulder, Adolphe eventually stirs awake. He can barely open his eyes from how heavy they feel. ]

Mm...?

[obdure]

[ There's something endearing about watching people be soooo sleepy. ]

I made breakfast.

[ He crosses his arms as he looks down. Harold is awake now, too, though all he does is stretch. ]

But if you're too sleepy to have it now, I can put it away and you can heat it up later.

[chrysanths]

[ How many times has Jacopo seen Adolphe sleepy, tired, or just flat out exhausted? Too many. Adolphe ruffles Harold's fur and looks up at Jacopo again. ]

No, I'll... eat it now. I'll be there in a moment.

[ He sits up and stretched his arms outwards. Ughhh. ]

[obdure]

[ It's different when it's someone stirring awake... Which is like thrice. ]

All right.

[ Jacopo looks a little tired despite the small smile, but not as dead as yesterday. Harold will start attacking and lick Adolphe's face a bunch before he sits up. That earns a snort.

He leaves since Adolphe doesn't need him to help him get out of bed or anything, though he pauses by the entryway because he forgot something. ]

Good morning.

[ Now he leaves. ]

[chrysanths]

[ aaaaa attack of the dog slobber... Adolphe still stays in bed for a few moments, trying to get his bearings after stretching and getting lovebombed by a pom. ]

... Good morning.

[ Saying this particular phrase feels so foreign to him that it sounds awkward even in his own ears.

Nevertheless, he gets up, does his little morning routine and goes to eat breakfast. ]

[obdure]

[ Harold is getting the idea that it's also time for him to eat, so after he follows Adolphe out he waddled to the kitchen to chow on some kibble with Rocco. The other two dogs are there, too. Morning feast for them.

For the adults though, Jacopo brought the plates to the coffee table and he's sitting on the sofa's armrest instead of the floor, legs crossed and looking over a set of documents in one hand. The other hand has an open-faced sandwich he's taking a bite of every once in a while.

It is a tartino polpette, basically country bruschetta with beef meatballs in a tomato sauce infused with basil. There's a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan on top and the bruschetta itself was toasted and brushed with garlic oil. There are two slices per plate, though Jacopo is finishing his first slice.

There are also two drinks!! But one is coffee and the other is chamomile tea. ]

If you want coffee later, I have a container of cold brew in the fridge.

[ It's like cold brew in bulk... Large glass cylinder container. ]