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]

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. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He didn't think it was for patriotism... just his cafe theme and all. He's never really thought of Italy either.

Adolphe finishes decorating and placing the walls. Despite having gloves on, he's not doing bad at all. There's a sort of delicate care that goes into these, even though it seems difficult at times. ]

What kind of work did you do in Paris?

[obdure]

[ Adolphe is very nice for not assuming Jacopo would have some pride. He does for a lot of things, though, just apparently not this. There's a look of approval at seeing how well their little bookend is coming along and he is impressed? Working with gloves on is hard with delicate pieces.

But now he massages his temples for a second before applying the stickers onto some pieces. ]

I was in the same company, so real estate... I took the opportunity when it came up to work with a team in the European branch—they handled properties specifically targeting rich expatriates. It helped that I knew French, too.

The rich are annoying no matter where you go.

[chrysanths]

I assume so.

[ But wow. Even in a European branch. It must be a really big company, he thinks. ]

People are pretty universal about being annoying. So your visit to France wasn't all that great?

[obdure]

You're right on being universally annoying. [ can they both like people please ] I was there for work and for work it was great. I learned a lot.

[ But for... Leisure? He's having a hard time remembering anything worthwhile. All he remembers is work. Luxurious dinners with clients, which again is paid and reimbursed. Work, work, work.

He scrambles for something when he normally wouldn't—in Paris, but he can't talk about anything except work? A couple of things come to mind when he starts on the little furniture. ]

There was a place that had incredible wine. [ Genuinely, he was impressed. ] I also had an amazing croissant this one morning. Whopping eleven euros, but on company dime. The historical landmarks are fine... Tourists kind of ruin it. The museums are worth visiting even with the crowds. A lot of cafes and the smaller ones are often quiet. The coffee was mediocre, but sitting inside a cafe and watching the day pass by through a window has its perks.

[ Some bustle. Some peace. ]

The French didn't gossip too much. Thank god.

[chrysanths]

[ Oh. Adolphe nods. ]

There's really something about just relaxing inside a cafe and having the time pass.

[ He sure experienced that at Jacopo's cafe. ]

... I wonder why it's like that.

[obdure]

[ Low mumbling of an incredibly awful epiphany, ]

It sounds like we don't know how to relax.

[chrysanths]

[ ...

Well. He can't really refute that. ]

Sleeping is relaxing, isn't it?

[ Even though the two are here right now because they couldn't sleep. ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo personally wants to defend himself that he knows how to relax (that isn't the same as actually relaxing), but it's past 2 am and this miniature chair has to be assembled. ]

Sleep is a bare necessity, Adolphe.

[chrysanths]

So is eating, but that's a hobby for many people.

[ He's trying to concentrate on trying to assemble this little outdoors sign. ]

[obdure]

[ A laugh. They're about to finish up on the very last parts before they can assemble the Box. ]

Sure. You wanna claim napping as one of your few hobbies now?

[chrysanths]

[ Honestly, he wishes he could. That way he could at least tell himself that he sleeps in for the sake of wanting to instead of it being a depression-related thing. ]

... I should just take advantage of being unemployed and sleep all I want, shouldn't I?

[ Many people would love to just sleep. Me too tbh ]

[obdure]

Of course, but don't sleep all day.

[ They can start putting the pieces together to form the bookend now. ]

We won't be able to sit in cafes if you do.

[chrysanths]

[ Yup... time to put everything together. Adolphe is still doing his best to be delicate about it despite everything regarding his hands.

But... wait. ]

We're going to a cafe?

[obdure]

[ Jacopo is obviously the type to bitch and complain, so the fact he hasn't commented on anything is a good sign.

The walls are propped up! ]

I didn't mean today we're going. [ Jacopo rotates the bookend a bit in place on the table to see if it feels stable. ] Just that you'd miss out if you take your new hobby too seriously. Like eating breakfast, dinner, walking the dogs, gardening, watch the sunrise or sunset, and watching new episodes of a show...

[ Despite Jacopo often partaking in luxurious lifestyle sometimes, these are simple, mundane, and everyday.

All of these are things they do together, he doesn't realize. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe pauses and looks over at Jacopo. ]

But we do all that already...?

[obdure]

[ oh... it really is we. did he sound a certain way? clingy? desperate? what was he thinking saying any of that? he tries not to lose composure as he fiddles with the wire for the small lights in the bookend. ]

Yes, because you don't sleep all day.

[ That is the point! He implies... While purposely not looking at him. ]

[chrysanths]

Well...

[ He thinks Jacopo has a point so he's saved from Adolphe trying to tease him. ]

Yeah, I guess. I never said it was my hobby though...

[ He gives all of the assembled pieces to Jacopo since it would be easier to do from that side rather than his. ]

[obdure]

[ THAT'S RIGHT YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE FUN OF HIM!!! ]

... We can make it a hobby today since it's almost past three. [ He isn't disillusioned. He can feel it in his bones he's going to wake up past noon. ] And we can decide what we want to do after.

[ Thank you for the rest of the pieces. He glues them in place. Done! It's time to test the light, which Jacopo gestures to Adolphe to press the little button on the front of the base.

Throws out stuff for them to sleep on and decide when they wake up. ]

Museums are free on Sundays for the whole month. Been a while since I took the dogs to a dog park. [ Thinking. ] We could also just stay at home.

[ Lazy day. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He presses the little button and watches it light up. Oooh... Adolphe watches it as if he's watching Christmas lights turn on for the first time—a similar kind of wonder. It's just a little bookend and yet. ]

Right, but... shouldn't we go back to bed?

[ Instead of being out here.... ]