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]

[ Adolphe opens his mouth, closes it, and reopens it: ]

Sorry, but it's something I wanted to bring up for a while. You can take the bed for yourself now.

[obdure]

You're not even going to soften the blow...!

[ Adolphe really said sorry, you still look like shit, then continued. ]

[chrysanths]

It won't change what I said.

[ He also thinks Jacopo can take it, so he's not that worried about that. ]

[obdure]

... It's not because I'm sleeping on the couch.

[ The battle begins. ]

[chrysanths]

No, but it would help if you slept on the bed. I sometimes find you in weird positions on the couch at night.

[ When he sometimes gets up for water or something. ]

[obdure]

What?

[ HELP he's a bit flustered actually ]

Just because you caught me like that for two Sundays doesn't mean anything.

[chrysanths]

... It wasn't Sunday.

[ Whether it's true or not, he's saying this. ]

My point is, take the bed. I'm fine with the couch now.

[obdure]

[ ........ There's no way he can call it a bluff because what if it's true. The strategic move here is to not respond to that part. ]

Then you're going to end up looking like the first time you walked into my cafe.

[ Which Jacopo did say he looked bad. ]

[chrysanths]

It can't be any worse than you are now.

[ Now, git. ]

[obdure]

Again, it's not because I've been sleeping on the couch.

[ NO HES STUBBORN AND DEFIANT NOW AFTER BEING CALLED OUT ]

[chrysanths]

I know, but sleeping on the bed will help you plenty. Sleeping on the couch won't put me in a bad condition either.

[ Jacopo said so. ]

[obdure]

[ Leers at him... ]

[chrysanths]

[ sits there like, he's waiting for your response, jacopo. ]

[obdure]

This is going to start a cycle.

[ He's predicting it. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Hm.

Adolphe lies down on the couch. His head lands right on Jacopo's lap. Oops. Well, whatever. He tries to scoot a little down so that he can stop doing that to him though. ]

The couch is mine now. Go take the bed.

[obdure]

[ He sits up straighter when Adolphe's head is basically on his lap, then less on his lap. ]

This is you trying to stake your claim?

[ THIS IS HIS PLACE THIS COUCH WAS NEVER YOURS ]

[chrysanths]

Yeah. Good night, Jacopo.

[ He lies down on his side. Bye.

He feels like he needs to be stupidly stubborn to get his way when it comes to Jacopo. Please go sleep on a bed. He's begging. ]

[obdure]

[ Starts manhandling his side to get him to sit back up. If it feels ticklish, that isn't his fault or his intention. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Oh, that feels. So weird. Also people touching him over there? Why would they?? Adolphe jolts a bit out of surprise, but he continues to stake his claim on the couch. ]

[obdure]

[ Well, he will keep trying to jostle and force him back up even if it feels weird for him? That just makes it easier for Adolphe to not SINK into the couch? Up up. ]

[chrysanths]

[ No?? Let him stay on the couch!! But no, he actually ends up falling off the couch and onto the floor. Oof... ]

Why do you make this so hard.

[obdure]

[ Leans forward to hover over him. ]

So little in life is easy. [ YEAH? ] You'd rather roll off the couch onto the floor than sit up?

[ The four dogs will DESCEND onto Adolphe because he's DEFENSELESS on the floor. ]

[chrysanths]

You shouldn't have—

[ And now he's being attacked by the dogs aaaaaaaaa there's some protests, but a little laugh here and there. Stoooopppp ]

[obdure]

[ Well, Jacopo watches this happen.

The dogs are snuggling, nosing, and slobbering over him. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Jacopo... your dogs... Adolphe can't even manage to say that out loud. He feels so loved—in fact, more loved than he has been in his entire life. That's sad, but a dog's love is pure.

But even after that. ]

I need a napkin...