agora | THROUGH A FRACTURED EXISTENCE, TO THE RHYTHM OF ETERNITY.

THROUGH A FRACTURED EXISTENCE, TO THE RHYTHM OF ETERNITY.

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

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[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ 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?

[ 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.

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?

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.

[ 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.

[ Low mumbling of an incredibly awful epiphany, ]

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

[ ...

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. ]

[ 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.

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

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

[ 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?

[ 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 ]

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.

[ 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?

[ 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. ]

[ Adolphe pauses and looks over at Jacopo. ]

But we do all that already...?

[ 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. ]

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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ 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.... ]

[ The light with the mirror reflection in one hidden side of a bookend wall gives it the illusion that this little street actually goes on and beyond what they made. It's something so simple, but Jacopo perks up when the light turns on from the little street lamp.

He forgets to respond because there's just a childlike wonder... It shows in how bright his eyes are despite it being THREE AM and the soft curl of his lips. ]

[ Jacopo doesn't answer him and Adolphe also tries to take a peek at what captivated his attention. There are more lights and he sees the mirror illusion that seemingly extends the little bookend world. He watches Jacopo, smiling a little. It's nice to see someone else like that too. He doesn't feel alone.

He keeps his mouth shut because he doesn't want to ruin the moment... but he keeps watching with a slightly fond look on his face. ]

[ He is admiring!! But eventually he looks at Adolphe not out of curiosity, it's all by chance, and catches the look on his face.

Just a blink of seeing his soft expression, Jacopo frantically shifts his attention elsewhere. Embarrassment wells even though he only looked at him for a whole second, but he pushes it down and tries to cover it by rubbing the lower half of his face.

Is he going crazy? No it's 3 am.

Despite that, he's still smiling once he calms down and his hand is drawn back. It's been fun. ]

Right, back to bed.

[ He pushes the button to turn the bookend off and looks over to his bookshelf... After short deliberation, he slides it into a space and wow. A bit of personality to this rather personality-less bachelor pad. ]

Come on.

[ He offers a hand to pull Adolphe up, then they can head back to the bedroom. ]

[ His bachelor pad has suddenly gained personality, with its first step being something pretty unique. Adolphe looks at the bookend that's placed on the bookshelf before taking Jacopo's hand with his right hand to stand up with his help. Time to head to the bedroom! ]

You're right. That was nice.

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