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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[ 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.

[ Back and the dogs are sleepily laid around, tails wagging. Welcome back. ]

It was, wasn't it... Let's see if we'll still feel that way when we wake up.

[ Because of course he doesn't do this usually. Or at all, honestly. He lived alone and if he decided to do anything after waking up, it would be either having a smoke out in the balcony or working. Again, he thinks it's been fun even if he might wake up like groggy and lethargic in the morning.

Onto their sides of the bed, which feel much nicer after some productivity and good feelings. ]

Adolphe.

[ Not quite goodnight yet, so he must have one more thing to say? ]

[ Thank you for the warm welcome, dogs. Adolphe goes to his side of the he'd when he hears his name and he looks up from the bed. ]

Yeah?

[ Doggies on the bed come to snuggle. Cozy under the sheets... There's a pause as he reconsiders because what is he thinking? Quietly, ]

May I... Hold your hand?

[ For the night. ]

[ No, because that's weird.

I'm just kidding. It doesn't take long for Adolphe to come to a decision. It's easy for him to make, all things considered. ]

Yeah.

[ Before he holds out his right hand, he takes the glove off. It's a perfectly normal hand. Jacopo can hold onto this one. ]

Good night, Jacopo.

[ you're so right

In the silence, he reaches out and holds Adolphe's hand like he did before. Carefully, gently, and loose in where he can slip away if he wanted. His hand samples before taking it completely, holding his bare hand like he never wants to let it go.

Jacopo doesn't understand why this specifically is so comforting... And why his heart hangs a bit heavy as he holds his hand. Regret, guilt, but not enough for the peace it offers to disappear. ]

Goodnight.

[ He won't dwell on these strange feelings... Because the exhaustion is taking hold. Jacopo falls asleep easy and he will likely sleep past noon without an alarm, in some chaotic position where some of him is half off the bed, but still grasping onto Adolphe's hand even if it's just pinkies nebulously overlapping. ]

[ Adolphe doesn't fall asleep as fast, wondering how their relationship became so... odd, so familiar. Adolphe doesn't help either, only contributing to all this, but why? He doesn't want to feel desperate for attention nor touch, though spending time with Jacopo has been nice in its own way.

It's still confusing, but can he really complain when it's been nice? He made a friend, obtained shelter, food, water, isn't as stressed about money... it's like the perfect relief. He knows this is temporary though. He can't stay here forever and while Adolphe is thankful, he doesn't plan to overextend his stay. He doesn't want to feel like a moocher.

These are his thoughts before he also eventually falls asleep.

The next morning, Adolphe finds himself disoriented because he wakes up in a completely different position than he was last night. He still feels Jacopo's hand, somehow remained in his throughout the chaos and just... gets up to look at Jacopo proper.

Adolphe wonders if he was kicked and shoved last night and didn't notice because he was just so exhausted. He's not the one sleeping past noon this time, but he still woke up at 11 in the morning. He gently lets go of Jacopo's hand and withdraws it, goes to do his morning routine, and thinks about brunch—or just lunch at this point when he walks over to the kitchen.

He went grocery shopping at some point, so now he'll finally use those ingredients to make some quesadillas for lunch! Yippee! They're gonna be great and relatively healthy.

Then he looks at the dogs like. Right. The dogs need to be fed. He's not sure how much they should be fed, but also... where the fuck is the dog food. He saw Jacopo getting it out before, but where was it... ]

[ Listen here. Jacopo doesn't kick, but perhaps he may have jostled Adolphe a little. He can somehow stay contained to his side for 3/4 of the time.

The dogs do very much need to be fed... They follow Adolphe, with just Rocco staying behind to keep sleeping Jacopo company. He may even correct how he sleeps, too, by dragging him back onto the bed or something.

The other three stare at Adolphe expectantly, then at the pantry. The doggy kibble is in food storage containers that dispense whatever is in them for ease. There are a couple and they're labeled as large and small because upon examining it... It's large kibble and small kibble. ]

[ Okay. No kicks but definitely jostled. He'll take that as a kick anyway (assumption).

But yeah, he's going through the pantry until he finds it and voila. Kibble. Lifeline of the (domesticated) canines. Also, Rocco continues to be Jacopo's secret caretaker... that's so cute.

Small kibble for the obviously small dog. Large kibble... for the rest of them...? Adolphe stares at the kibble for a moment. Whose dog bowls are...

...

He's just going to make his best guess and pour them accordingly. ]

Edited 2025-05-16 17:35 (UTC)

[ That is correct.

Thank you, Adolphe. The bowls do not matter. The dogs will eat whichever bowl you place in front of them. Rocco will show up since he heard the sound of kibble and he is also hungry, hello.

They all eat peacefully without causing trouble because they are good boys and girls. ]

[ Rocco is such a good boy. They're all good boys and girls. They are so cute and Adolphe will pet their heads after they finish eating. He also takes the time to wash and clean the food bowls too, washing his hands and putting the glove back on the other hand. Unfortunately, conformity is still the most comfortable where he continues to where gloves on both hands instead of one despite Jacopo knowing that his right hand is fine.

Anyway, he'll keep the quesadillas warm. ]

[ Jacopo does wake up not too long after the dogs start eating, went into the personal bathroom to realize his stuff is still in the kitchen half bathroom.

So he goes outside with his hair a bit of a messy nest and his pajamas kind of disheveled like how do you somehow unbutton the collar in your sleep well it happens to him and he kind of looks like a slob. ]

G'morning.

[ Since he must pass the kitchen to get to the bathroom. ]

Good afternoon.

[ He turns to see Jacopo and. Wow. He is so incredibly disheveled like. Damn. Adolphe is actually in shock for a moment. He didn't think Jacopo looked that bad when he left him in the bedroom. It's almost impressive. ]

I made some food and fed the dogs. Come sit at the table whenever you're ready.

[ Stop. It's easier to look messier when you have more surface area to toss and turn. Also, multiple pillows. He also usually wakes up earlier than Adolphe aside from some Sundays he's also a mess of a man sleeping in random places in the living room.

In small shock. The hanging clock does say it's after twelve. ]

........... Good afternoon...........

[ to the bathroom where he can brush his teeth and make himself more presentable.

He's trying to figure out if he should thank him right now....... Is that weird... ]

What did you make?

[ Back out, he'll take a seat at the table. Aroma says tasty. ]

[ While Jacopo looks like he's learn how to be human again, Adolphe seats himself on the chair first after setting cups of water on the table. ]

Quesadillas.

[ They're really only a little better than the ones you can buy cheap for bulk, but he did try to be a little health-conscious at least. ]

[ Jacopo looks down at the food and takes a bite. Overall, he seems pleased. ]

It's good.

[ Simple things can be tasty and still spark joy. He eats another piece— ]

You know what would make it better?

[ Adolphe also takes a bite. This is satisfactory. He looks at Jacopo when he says that. ]

... Hot sauce?

[ He props up his elbow on the table and rests his head on his hand, leaning forward with a smile. ]

Are you a mind reader?

[ YEAH HOT SAUCE!!! Which they have in the fridge. Jacopo likely has Tabasco, cholula, I don't know this Trader Joe's yuzu hot sauce, and sriracha. ]

[ That's so much hot sauce. Adolphe doesn't seem to understand, but... you know what. Let's try different things. ]

I'll try one with hot sauce then. Which one do you recommend?

[ WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DONT UNDERSTAND YOU MILQUETOAST WHORE ]

All of them. They're all different—they're also mild, in case you're worried.

[ ............. ]

I should also have salsa in the fridge, if you were to say you find black pepper spicy.

Black pepper being spicy...?

[ He squints. What the fuck. ]

I was asking since you know my taste preference... not for fear of spice.

[ Regarding savory at least. ]

Some people think that.

[ Real... Actual, some people are like that, which is kind of hilarious yet appalling.

I see that Adolphe is relying on him to know his tastes which has him narrow his eyes WHAT IS THIS PRESSURE. ]

The yuzu one has more citrus acidity, but... I guess you'd like the Tabasco or sriracha one. Cholupa is on the sweeter side, but not as spicy as Tabasco.

I'd still recommend trying them all. You never know.

[ He's learning about so many things and it's not just about hot sauce. ]

Alright. Let's try them all then.

[ He plans on putting the sauce on an enchilada in every bite. Then he wonders if he needs a palette cleanser other than water.

It's fine. He'll make do. ]

[ Goes to get them the hot sauces... And salsa just in case Adolphe is a baby. He doesn't know. ]

Chase it with water in between.

[ Palate cleanse and all. Jacopo picks whichever for each occasion and because I like sriracha and everyone loves sriracha he will also choose sriracha. ]

[ Adolphe wonders if he should add red pepper flakes into his food next time as he squeezes some hot sauce onto the next bite of his food. Then he eats.

...

He drinks water and tries the next one. Then Adolphe repeats the process four more times. ]

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