agora | THROUGH A FRACTURED EXISTENCE, TO THE RHYTHM OF ETERNITY.

THROUGH A FRACTURED EXISTENCE, TO THE RHYTHM OF ETERNITY.

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ i am so hungry

Oh. Breakfast is around the living room. Alright. Adolphe sits on the couch and eats, being careful not to spill anything and he's very successful. Hooray, no stains!!

He drinks the chamomile tea first. ]

Thanks. Would it be too much if I decided to sleep again...

[ MY GUY PLEASE EAT

It is because Jacopo is too lazy to pull out and assemble the portable kitchen table if he's going to book it in ten minutes. He starts in his second slice, eyebrows raised as Adolphe asks.

He looks down at him from the armrest, then lowers the documents so he can properly loom and hover. ]

Why are you asking? [ ??? ] It's your day. Do what you want.

... For some reason, I feel like you would have scolded me.

[ But it's weird. He shouldn't even be caring about that. What does it matter if Jacopo scolds him? He's an adult. He can do whatever he wants.

But then he thinks about how insistent Jacopo was about him sleeping on the bed.

... ]

Even if I did, you wouldn't do what I tell you to do.

[ This comes so naturally to say, but then he frowns for a moment. Adolphe has been very amenable... And not once has he been so resistant or insolent where it's worth mentioning.

Hm... He finishes his second slice and sips his coffee. ]

Maybe some other time I'd tell you not to rot in bed all day. [ Jumps to scolding a little. ] But until you don't look like such a mess, sleep as much as you want.

[ He settles the documents in his lap so he can ruffle Adolphe's hair to be messy like he just woke up. There you go. ]

[ Hey? He was in the middle of eating! Adolphe's hair is so messy that he can't fix it with just his hands in the middle of eating breakfast.

...

He figures it doesn't really matter since he'll be going back to bed soon. ]

Do I really look like that much of a mess still?

[ Annoyingly humming as he drinks more of his coffee because he isn't pensive at all. ]

I'd need to get a good look at you to answer.

What? Can't you see me well already from where you are?

[ He turns his head to look at Jacopo, messy hair and all. His face still looks tired, but not as much as before. ]

[ Long sip as he looks at him with a studious stare since Adolphe offered while lowkey finding this very funny. Why does it matter that much what he thinks?

He gesture with a finger that Adolphe should turn his head at different angles. ]

Turn a little back and forth, slowly.

[ so bossy ]

... I'm eating.

[ You want him to get up?? ]

You can still turn your head as you eat.

[ I-di-ot. ]

[ Just his head?? Adolphe looks questioningly at Jacopo before turning his head. There. ]

[ .......... Tries not to snicker............ ]

[ ............

He gives Jacopo a flat stare after he finishes eating. ]

[ Sips some more of his coffee, but the smirk is obvious. ]

I can't finish my assessment because you didn't turn the other way.

Forget it.

[ He huffs and turns back around, away from Jacopo. Adolphe is finished with his food, so he just stays like that for a while, relaxing against the backrest of the couch. ]

[ Jacopo sips the last of his coffee, considering to forget it like Adolphe asks. He could take the plates and the cups to the sink, then head out with the dogs following him to go to the yard. He's busy. ]

After I've done half of the work?

[ He's busy, but instead he places the cup on the table and positions himself in front of Adolphe, down to one knee on the floor, and cranes to whichever side Adolphe is turning away to... Just to look up and see his face. ]

[ Adolphe looks only just a tiny bit annoyed as he glances over at Jacopo. The way he's on one knee reminds him of something... or gives him a feeling that this gesture us supposed to be one of equality or something. ]

Stop teasing me...

[ grumbling ]

I'm not teasing you.

[ Even though he definitely is, he says it with a gentle and soft smile in spite of the weariness dabbed on the corner of his eyes... He doesn't even know the ends of his lips are quirked up like this—it's natural.

There is an inkling he's making an expression that he normally wouldn't. Why does this feel familiar? Looking up at him, on one knee... Where is it coming up? Ridiculous. Stop. ]

You're looking better than when you got here.

[ He pats Adolphe's knee, then gets up to collect the empty plates and cups. ]

[ After Jacopo gets up to collect all that, Adolphe just sits there, looking confused and a little dumbfounded. He's not sure how he should feel in response, but he doesn't feel... bad. His smile is nice. There's something about this that makes him think that it's endearing and that he should treasure things like this.

... ]

Thanks...?

[ That's really all that comes out of his mouth. Adolphe feels like he should have teased back about how Jacopo seemed like he was flirting with him just now, but... he feels like something will explode if he says it out loud. ]

It was the rest.

More of it and you'll be looking like a human being in no time.

[ you would attack him by accusing him of flirting on this workday morning honestly fair jacopo is so rude

He goes to the kitchen to put the plates and cups in the sink, then gathers the dog bowls, too. As that happens, Harold and Olive trot over to Adolphe to sniff and plead for attention while the other two are waiting by the door.

Rinsing all of this, he checks his watch and— ]

Shit.

[ The noise of scrambling in the kitchen, then Jacopo is at the foyer putting on his loafers while holding an attache case. The dogs seem to know what this sound means for some reason, so Harold and Olive dart to the door, too.

Jacopo quickly grabs each dog by the chin with one hand and kisses their muzzle or between the eyes. A short little phrase in Italian for them, then he opens the door to head out for the day and dispense the dogs in the yard, but he pauses with a hand on the doorframe.

... ]

I'll be back.

[ He never really needed to say it, much like he never needed to welcome anyone back. It's foreign, but not bad. ]

... Alright.

[ Adolphe looks at the dogs and how they just fall into habit with Jacopo's actions. It's honestly really impressive, but this tells him that it happens often.

It makes him wonder. Jacopo doesn't seem to be used to living with someone else. Should he welcome him back when he returns? Adolphe only thinks this because he thinks it would be a nice gesture.

He also wants to sleep.

...

Adolphe ends up fetching his netbook to use while sitting on the couch. It doesn't really seem to be for entertainment purposes.

This is what he ends up doing until Jacopo returns. ]

[ Adolphe should just go back to sleep.

However, Harold is here to keep Adolphe company, having been purposely left behind. The pomeranian will settle next to Adolphe, then sometimes crawl onto his lap, or the crook of his elbow, and unfortunately will beg... for treats........ Because Adolphe is new, this little dog thinks he can manipulate him.

Anything Adolphe does, Harold will accompany him. Maybe even take a nappy.

The door doesn't click open until late evening, probably 8-9pm. The other three dogs come in first. ]

[ When Jacopo said "I'll be back", Adolphe thought it would have been an hour or so. When it became clear that it wasn't, he napped on the couch a bit with Harold. Fortunately, Adolphe doesn't know where the treats are and doesn't end up getting up from the couch apart for water for himself. ]

Welcome back.

[ He looks over at the opened door. ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject