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]

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. ]

[chrysanths]

Like... doing things tomorrow? No, I don't have anything.

[ But now he's curious about what Jacopo would propose. ]

[obdure]

I have some scenic bookends I bought some years back I never assembled.

[ Like buying books you never read. Tilting his head while still stroking his chin. ]

I could also go for something sweet... A sundae. [ Goes insane. ] Or baking some cookies.

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe has never heard of bookends, so he doesn't know what they are. He doesn't say that though and keeps listening for suggestions. Eating something sweet this late can be bad for them, he thinks. So. ]

We can do the first one. Do you like... putting things together?

[ Since he mentioned "assembled". ]

[obdure]

[ they're adults they can do and eat whatever at any time, technically. But right for their health. ]

I think it can be therapeutic... When I was a kid, I used to save up to buy train models to build.

[ Since they decided, he will get out the bed from Adolphe's side since they're holding hands. And because they're still holding hands, he helps Adolphe up. To the living room!!!

In cabinet under the bookshelf, he pulls this box out for Adolphe to look at. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Oh, he's helped up. To the living room they go! It's probably like 2 AM or something. When Jacopo pulls out the box, Adolphe just... stares at it. ]

Book nook...

[ The fuck is that. ]

[obdure]

[ oh to be awake at 2 am and decide to do something and fuck up your sleep... adult life... ]

You basically build a puzzle diorama, but it's used as a bookend to keep your books upright.

[ He starts opening it. ]

I think with both of us, we can finish in an hour? Maybe a little less.

[chrysanths]

So it shouldn't be too hard, I guess?

[ An hour with two people working on it. It doesn't sound so bad, until Jacopo opens the box and he sees all the pieces and the instructions booklet. ]

....... Why is this so thick.

[obdure]

[ hm............... daunting. ]

... Maybe the diagrams are large. Most assembly manuals have a bunch of white space.

[ Lays out all the pieces on the coffee table, then the glue. He will start grouping things. ]

It is technically for all ages, so it has to be easy to understand for children?

[chrysanths]

Aren't most things not all ages, because they're scared the children might eat some small piece?

[ This has a lot of small pieces. Anyway, he opens the instruction booklet and flips through the pages. There's a lot of white space.

But there's also a fuck ton of instructions. ]

[obdure]

I meant kids of a certain age. Whatever.

[ It is likely for kids who are cognizant enough to NOT eat the small pieces, but Jacopo barely recognizes or deals with toddlers and babies.

Jacopo leans over to see the booklet... Squinting at the labels of the panel pieces, then reorganizes the piles where they're grouped per sections in the manual. ]

We can start with the walls to get them out of the way. They're easy enough... Then the furniture?

[chrysanths]

We can work through the biggest ones and work our way down to smaller pieces.

[ He nods to confirm Jacopo's strategy. Alright. Let's do this. Adolphe picks up some pieces and starts assembling them. ]

[obdure]

[ Cool. If Adolphe thought they could do this in peace and quiet... ]

I've only been to Paris once. [ Brought up because this diorama is in France. ] Ever traveled?

[ Even though he knows Adolphe was in the military and also knows his job history, he asks, anyway. Maybe there's a surprise here? It's better not to assume, too. ]

[chrysanths]

... Not for the sake of leisure, no.

[ He keeps trying to put the pieces together, though sometimes he seems to either hesitate or seemingly zone out. ]

What did you do in Paris?

[obdure]

[ Understandable. I'd be either very awake or very sleepy at 2 am. Jacopo is a bit on the awake side. ]

So we're kind of the same. I was there for work.

[ Finishes the smallest of the three walls and puts it to the side to work on the next. ]

There were couples everywhere even though Paris smells like piss and sewage... [ Jacopo, do you have anything positive to say ever? ] For being the culinary capital of the world, I found French cuisine to be mediocre. Italian is by far better.

[ why did you get this bookend ]

[chrysanths]

[ me having no choice but to be awake at 2 am

But also. Wow. That's really an Image of Paris that Adolphe is thinking about right now. ]

... I was never into Paris being a romantic capital of the world or whatever, but... are you sure that's not your bias speaking?

[ Your italian cafe, Jacopo. ]

[obdure]

[ changes your job

Jacopo is painting an honest picture of Paris while building this quaint bookend. Look at this little sign that says "Paris" on it. ]

Aside from cuisine, there's not much to Italy, either.

[ Oddly, he isn't defensive... There isn't a single drop of patriotism. ]