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]

[ No....... It is better if they make fun of it... Better if they just call it silly and dismiss it because it has no place in the physical realm of logic and reason. Jacopo of course thinks it's stupid as he tries to contend with whatever he's feeling. ]

So they opened my eyes by saying nonsense. [ Wry. A small humorous scoff as he tries to get his bearings again. ] ... All the time in the world? What a joke. Time is limited.

[ But he's here missing someone he doesn't even remember. Their face, their voice, their smile—nothing.

CAN A MAN WITH FOUR DOGS BE LONELY? Well, I guess he does look particularly lonely right now. ]

[chrysanths]

Is it not in a dream?

[ He looks at Jacopo, curious and holds out his right hand. ]

If I let you hold my hand, would you sleep better?

[obdure]

You're not seriously entertaining dream logic—[ But before he can run the course about how they should brush it off, Adolphe asks that and

Jacopo is bewildered... Just shock. Huh??? ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe is very close to withdrawing his hand and telling Jacopo to forget about it, but he holds on for a few more seconds. ]

[obdure]

[ ... This is also ridiculous. He isn't a child? Even though he's about done with his warm milk. His eyebrows knit as it dawns on him that he doesn't feel so offended despite his thoughts.

So he does eventually reach out for Adolphe's hand with fingers sampling his gloved palm first before he holds it. It's a loose grasp, fretful and careful, which might be different from the air he carries himself with. ]

[chrysanths]

[ It's a simple action, but it's still something that he's thought a lot about. It just happens to lead to the conclusion of "to Jacopo, holding hands must be a means of comfort". He's glad that Jacopo doesn't seem to doubt his intentions, so it makes this a lot easier.

When Jacopo's hand makes its way to Adolphe's, he stills his hand, waiting for Jacopo to get used to it first. After the loose hold, Adolphe tightens it just a little more so that it looks more like mutual handholding. The right hand feels what a normally gloved hand should feel like. ]

[obdure]

[ In this life, rather than distrusting, he's simply solitary. Adolphe seems straight-forward, even if reticent... And there's something about him as usual. The hand-holding is beyond that. He had never thought much about it, though he has held a couple of hands before.

It doesn't feel the same like now. It's an insane thought, but he wonders if he could replace smoking with hand-holding if it always feels this way. The secure grip encourages him to tighten his hold, too. ]

You think hand-holding is the same with gloves on?

[ Finally, after who knows how long, Jacopo finally broaches it. ]

[chrysanths]

Aren't you picky...

[ He says without any real weight behind those words. ]

You want me to take my glove off?

[obdure]

[ Yeah, he loves nitpicking, but he can't keep nitpicking when the question is thrown out there and he clearly flusters. ]

N-no, I... Wasn't trying to—you don't need to. You said you don't do well with direct touch, so... [ He berates himself for stuttering like an embarrassed high school girl. What an emotional and sleep deprived mess. ] I just wanted to ask why you wear them.

[chrysanths]

Well, you just answered your own question, right? Since I said that my hands don't do well with direct touch.

[ But I'll throw Jacopo a bone. It's fine. He's so cute.... ]

My right hand is fine. It's just my left hand, but it would be weird to only wear gloves on only one of my hands.

[ And it gets people to not pry any further, so it was his reflexive answer. ]

[obdure]

[ IS HE CUTE ]

Even when you sleep...

[ Back to being seemingly picky and nitpicky, a dash of incredulity.

He gives Adolphe's hand a reassuring squeeze. Jacopo isn't one to pry, but maybe to prick and needle until eventually something comes up where he should address it. ]

But if that's comfortable for you, then it's fine.

[chrysanths]

[ He is cute to me

Adolphe doesn't say anything for a while but he does return a momentary squeeze of the hand. ]

It's not really something worth thinking about.

[ He says it like it's final, but his tone still sounds neutral somehow. ]

Do you feel better?

[obdure]

Don't be stupid. Your comfort is worth thinking about. [ Stomps on Adolphe's final with an addendum. ] I wasn't feeling that bad.

[ As if he didn't say he felt like garbage before, but that was an exaggeration. Or maybe it wasn't. It's hard to describe the chaos that is thinking these emotions aren't yours, but they're there.

can men be a little more honest ]

Has this helped you?

[chrysanths]

[ He doesn't want to to talk about his hand!!! But Adolphe pauses for a moment. ]

What in particular? Helping someone to help myself?

[obdure]

[ Is Jacopo making Adolphe talk about his hand further?! No!! See?! ]

Yeah. Distracting yourself from whatever woke you up in a cold sweat and had you sit up...

[ Pointedly. He finishes his milk cup and places it on the nightstand near his side of the bed. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Can men be a little more honest? Hard to say. Regardless, Adolphe is quiet for a moment. ]

... You got something better to recommend?

[obdure]

I'm not giving you a recommendation—[ maybe he should be more direct this is his fault ] Can't say telling you my dream made me feel better, so encouraging you to let it out isn't on the table. But... I guess it's a little easier.

[ He doesn't elaborate on feeling less alone despite how nothing really resolved. ]

That isn't the point. [ THIS IS THE POINT ] I'm... Asking how you're feeling.

[chrysanths]

[ How does he feel? Adolphe sinks into the silence that he often delves into, pauses in these conversations. ]

I feel like I can sleep again without much trouble.

[ So, "better". ]

[obdure]

[ A sigh of relief. The hold of Adolphe's hand loosens a bit since it sounds like this will be the end of their middle of the night scare. ]

That's good, but the next question is if we want to sleep on a bad mood.

[ This is something he has never considered himself. He would force it out of himself or have a smoke, but... With this hand clasped in his, he doesn't want that for the person in front of him. ]

[chrysanths]

I'm not in a bad mood.

[ He admits, which is... weird, because Adolphe has been used to being in a bad mood more often, especially around people. ]

I'm fine, actually. What about you?

[obdure]

[ Idly, he rubs the base of Adolphe's thumb, not thinking about the motions much. He's just... Glad that Adolphe isn't soured or feeling too bad.

But it could be better, right? ]

I want to go to bed in a good mood.

[chrysanths]

What... was laughing at me not enough to put you at a good mood?

[ He smiles just a little. ]

[obdure]

... It was funny. I did not expect Harold to have such an interesting voice?

[ He smiles back, joking along. ]

But I don't feel like a good mood at the expense of others right now. Difficult, I know.

[chrysanths]

Then... what would put you in a better mood?

[ Apart from smoking and at other people's expense. ]

[obdure]

[ He strokes his chin, already having ideas, and considering that it's Sunday he can use the ungodly hour and not feel bad about sleeping in to catch up.

But before he proposes anything. ]

You don't have anything going on, right?

[ If Adolphe needed to sleep, then they can just sleep on an okay mood. ]