agora | 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

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

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

... Yeah?

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

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

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

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

Have I ever done anything to you?

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

[ 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. ]

[ 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.

[ 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. ]

[ shitty ass smile ]

Could be worse.

Like what? Ten?

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

[ Hey. Covers his forehead now!! ]

You can see for yourself someday.

[ He flicks his cheek and then nose.

Maybe that day will come sooner than expected. ]

[ Grabs his wrist after to stop him from doing more. ]

What are you doing?

I'm being "familiar" with you.

[ Yeah! Sure. That's exactly what it is. He doesn't try more after his wrist is grabbed though, and merely watches Jacopo. No struggling from the captive wrist either. ]

It shouldn't bother you so much, since you wanted it, right?

[ It really sounds stupid parroted back to him........ But Adolphe is right. ]

But what did I do to deserve that?

[ He pulls Adolphe's cheek now with his free hand. ]

You were being silly earlier, so what I did was justified.

This isn't justified...

[ Stop pulling his cheek?? He winces. It huuuurts. He tries to shake his head to get Jacopo's fingers off his face. ]

[ Snorts and comes after his cheek again, but after another pull or two he pats it. Sorry, sorry. ]

It's good to see you getting a little more comfortable each day, even if it'll be at my tragic expense.

... I try not for it to be.

[ At Jacopo's expense. Alas. Being comfortable means it usually happens that way regardless. Adolphe drinks water. ]

I should head to bed...

It's fine because I'm going to give you grief back.

[ Mutual exchange!! For a moment, his attention flickers back to Adolphe's captive wrist, mostly at his hand, but he doesn't say anything.

He lets him go. ]

... I still need to shower, but I'll do it quickly.

I'll wait then. Don't have to rush.

[ His hand is fine. Great, even. Felt like a normal wrist when Jacopo held onto it, at any rate. ]

[ Your hands, Adolphe. He will go shower then! Which won't take long, either. The dogs will keep Adolphe company, though. They are a bit rambunctious and lively because he couldn't take them out on a walk, unfortunately.

While he has a hair dryer, he comes out with a towel to towel dry instead. ]

Bedroom is yours. [ Like the word signals them, some of the dogs bound to the bedroom, but... Jacopo frowns. ] It's going to take them a while to sleep, so you should lock the door.

[ He's going to wrangle them back into the living room. ]

[ Oof... Energetic dogs are so hard to keep up with, especially with Adolphe's current lack of energy. It makes him think though... ]

If I have time, do you want me to take them out for a walk?

[ He's not closing the door just yet. ]

[ Oh... He's trying to handle the dogs all at once, but. ]

You don't have to.

I'd like to. It was nice last time.

[ And it was when he walked Harold while Jacopo walked the other three. ]

It would also give me something to do.

[ Thinks about it as these dogs are more energetic than they should be at this hour of night. ]

... All right. Sure. [ Looks down at these rascals. Even Rocco is a little restless. ] I'll pay you.

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