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]

You're so...

[ Honestly, this situation is so baffling that he can't help but to laugh out of incredulity. Adolphe waits until the dogs let him go though. He doesn't want to forcefully pry himself from them... doggies ]

[obdure]

[ They do let him go and look like they're expecting praise. They get one from Jacopo who's leaning against the doorframe. Bravo bravo. ]

You're going to finish your sentence?

[chrysanths]

You're so extra.

[ That's what they say, right? Adolphe has never been one to keep up with trends.

Anyway, Adolphe gets up and ruffles Jacopo's hair so bad. ]

[obdure]

And you're having fun.

[ Wait he can read the body language as Adolphe approaches him and he's about to evade and escape, but it's too late.

STOP... STOP!! TAKES HIS HANDS. STOP. ]

[chrysanths]

Yeah, I am actually.

[ He stops trying to fight Jacopo's hands after his own are grabbed. ]

But you did too, in watching the dogs drag me off. So I'd say that we're even.

[obdure]

I should have recorded it.

[ To send to whom? Jacopo doesn't really have close friends even though he's making some progress with Maria... And Adolphe claims to have no connections.

He guesses??? It'd be for himself? Vera and Rocco come from behind him and gently butt their heads against the back of his knees, guiding him to walk into the bedroom while keeping Adolphe's hands captive. ]

It was very funny.

[chrysanths]

... Don't record it.

[ Embarrassing. But also he's... getting pulled over to the bedroom... with Jacopo...???

?????? ]

Uh. Jacopo. Your dogs...

[obdure]

They can tell it's bedtime so they're preparing.

[ These spoiled doggies that like sleeping near people... Jacopo lets him go. ]

All right... Let's try to reach some kind of compromise.

[ Harold is already on the bed, a loaf on the edge, big eyes shifting attention between both of them. ]

[chrysanths]

... We take turns on who sleeps on the bed?

[ Is that the sort of compromise there is? Adolphe wouldn't dare bring up sleeping on the bed together though. ]

[obdure]

Right, since the only other option would be to share the bed.

[ Which is big enough for two people and probably the dogs. He brings it up easily because they're not considering that option. ]

[chrysanths]

[ hate how adolphe easily agrees with absolutely not considering that option

maybe they should get locked in together that would be funny (what about the aftermath) dont worry about it ]

Yeah.

[ Hm. ]

Alright. Fine. You take the bed today, and I'll take it tomorrow.

[obdure]

We have a deal.

[ Okay, maybe they should get magically locked in? The dogs for some reason look very, very sad about this... If Adolphe tries to leave the room, they will try to block him or bring him back........

They are so, so, sooooo sad.... ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe does try to leave the room, and he... can't resist when the dogs are so sad at him... ughhhhh. He looks over at Jacopo as if this is his fault. ]

Why are your dogs crying??

[obdure]

[ He is like in his closet going through his clothes when this happens, so he doesn't see anything. ]

I don't know?

[ Comes back out. ]

What are they doing.

[ No... Adolphe... Don't leave.... Whine whine whimper... ]

[chrysanths]

Like I said, they're crying--look, they're doing it again! Can't you hear them??

[ Sttooppppppp

sorry he's too attached to these dogs now to actually care and give a fuck but he might a bit. overbearing. ]

[obdure]

... Yes, I can hear them, Adolphe.

[ Jacopo is just like they're dogs being little babies why are you the one looking like you're going to cry with them?

But he goes over to them and crouches down to one knee to inspect. They call quiet down and he shakes their heads a bit by the underside of their muzzle as a soothing gesture.

They quiet down, but if Adolphe tries to Leave. It Will Happen Again, ]

[chrysanths]

[ cease

Adolphe tries to leave again and... They're crying again aaaaa he'll just try to open the door to leave while trying to go around the dogs ]

[obdure]

[ you shall not pass.... but even if Adolphe forces his way out, some will trail after him to keep crying... go back into the bedroom..... they will stop crying when you do.

Jacopo is just perplexed by this. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He manages to sit on the couch and looks over at the direction of the bedroom where Jacopo should be.

Help. ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo came out to see this, but still like more toward the bedroom hallway... And since he's not in the bedroom, half of the dogs are also whimpering and whining at him sadly. They both are getting whined and whimpered at. The dogs' eyes are getting misty.

He just looks back at Adolphe like... uhhhhhhh.... ]

[chrysanths]

... They're your dogs...

[ Do something?! ]

[obdure]

They'll keep us both up all night if they don't stop...

[ They're usually good boys and girls who cause very little trouble.

He has nothing. ]

I can have them sleep in the yard tonight?

[ Since there's a nice doggy shed/house for them. They now look so heartbroken like they understand the conversation. ]

[chrysanths]

It doesn't look like they want to...

[ .........

He just lies down on the couch like a stubborn old mule. ]

... I think they want both of us to sleep in the room. I guess they don't want to be separated...

[obdure]

[ The dogs' tails all start rapidly wagging when Adolphe pitches this. They will nip at Adolphe and tug a bit to indicate NO COUCH FOR YOU

Jacopo is incredulous, stroking his chin while looking at these ridiculous fur children. ]

Sorry. [ They are his dogs in the end. ] This has never happened before.

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe is tempted to ask, so he just will. ]

I think you should enter your dogs in a dog intelligence contest.

[ Yeah. ]

Alright, alright. I'm getting up...

[ He sits up but still on the couch. ]