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]

[ THE ONE ABOUT HAVING SEX 24/7, Jacopo has to have heard it. It was mainstream. His eyes roll up as he figures out which notes those are as he plays the song in his head.

And starts playing k-pop, but in acoustic. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Stop he only heard the clean version

Adolphe watches Jacopo play and seems impressed. ]

You can play it just like that?

[ wow ]

[obdure]

I learned that I could play by ear pretty well, which was convenient.

[ He actually has no idea if it's something he intrinsically learned, or if he had the latent talent for it. Doesn't matter since he still pauses in some areas when he gets a note or two wrong, having to correct it so the song sounds right. Sampling chords here and there, but eventually it does sound more like the song even though it sounded pretty good at the start, granted.... As best as he can remember it.

If he looked like he isn't much of a pop person, then you would be right.]

[chrysanths]

[ Neither is Adolphe but he's not really an anything person. He is satisfied. ]

What about your favorite tune?

[obdure]

[ Slows down in playing k-pop as he has the most confused face because he's trying to remember... How to play. You are asking so much of him.

But eventually he starts playing Serie de Fragmento, predictably. He doesn't know how predictable it is of him. He just really likes this song. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He is getting to know Jacopo... ]

It sounds a little melancholic... where did you hear it first?

[obdure]

[ Through watching him play guitar. ]

You think so? It sounds peaceful to me.

[ But there probably is something melancholic, or monotonous about it. The question has him frown and knit his eyebrows as he tries to figure that out. A shrug? ]

... I don't remember, but I must have heard it from somewhere.

[chrysanths]

It must have had an impact on you if you can say that it's your favorite.

[ But Adolphe won't push for the answer if Jacopo doesn't know either. ]

[obdure]

I wonder if it's something I heard when I was young. [ Quieter, unsure about this one: ] Or a dream.

[ He's struggling to remember, now that he's wondering if it's important—from where? ]

Well, we can't end the day on a melancholic note.

[ Plays a brighter tune, though not super energetic or fast. It's also slow. ]

[chrysanths]

[ the way i was looking up happy songs and i came across something the complete opposite but now i have discovered SOOOO songs

Adolphe listens. It's slow, but catchy. ]

It's nice. See? I didn't laugh. You didn't make a fool out of yourself or anything.

[obdure]

[ me smiling as i was listening to nier reincarnation ost so it isn't that happy, either. ]

You're saying that like I'm actually that delicate.

[ He was joking! Joooking, but he also wouldn't want to be laughed at in the end. Does that make it less of a joke. Probably. ]

[chrysanths]

Well, do you think you are? Since you brought it up...

[ That's not the word Adolphe would have thought of, but. Okay, Jacopo. ]

[obdure]

[ Kind of stops playing because Adolphe is really just making his head spin. ]

We can't just take what I say as hyperbole sometimes?

[chrysanths]

[ ..... ]

You talked like you really meant it.

[obdure]

To be sure, you're talking about my saying on being delicate?

[ He wants to doublecheck before saying anything. Plucks some strings. ]

[chrysanths]

... Yeah?

[ Adolphe isn't sure what else they would be talking about. ]

[obdure]

[ ... He puts the guitar down and to the side, then beckons Adolphe to come closer with a wave of his hand. ]

[chrysanths]

I feel like you'll do something to me if I go...

[ He squints. Look, he's actually wary now. ]

[obdure]

Have I ever done anything to you?

[ He has not! Not in this life! Where is the wariness coming from? ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe is naturally a suspicious person, but it was barely shown with his time with Jacopo. This is what it's like to know this guy without the reincarnation filter. ]

... No...

[ He stays there for a while, but eventually scoots closer to Jacopo. ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo doesn't need to be at the receiving end of it to get a feeling that Adolphe is a reticent and cautious person, especially after his YA book broody protagonist spiel.

He flicks his forehead. ]

It's a bit too late to worry about that when you act so familiar with me sometimes. [ YOU HAVE BEEN RUDE ] And I don't want you to feel like you're walking on eggshells... Because you're not.

[ Flicks his forehead a second time. ]

I'm fine and pretty resilient. [ Flicks his forehead three times in quick succession. ] You can treat me a little more roughly, actually. Just brace yourself for retaliation.

[chrysanths]

[ those broody protagonist spiel mindsets are too common for him now there's no turning back

Adolphe grumbles when the last one is done, finally pulling his head away. ]

... Like right now?

[ This retaliation of five forehead flicks. ]

[obdure]

[ shitty ass smile ]

Could be worse.

[chrysanths]

Like what? Ten?

[ Just for that, he flicks Jacopo's forehead too. ]

[obdure]

[ Hey. Covers his forehead now!! ]

You can see for yourself someday.