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]

[ 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. ]

[chrysanths]

[ 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. ]

[obdure]

[ 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. ]

[chrysanths]

[ 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. ]

[obdure]

[ 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. ]

[chrysanths]

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.

[obdure]

[ 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. ]

[chrysanths]

[ 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. ]

[obdure]

[ 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?

[chrysanths]

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

... Hot sauce?

[obdure]

[ 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. ]

[chrysanths]

[ 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?

[obdure]

[ 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.

[chrysanths]

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. ]

[obdure]

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.

[chrysanths]

[ 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. ]

[obdure]

[ 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. ]

[chrysanths]

[ 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. ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo eats, but also watches Adolphe because this is kind of like introducing wet food to a kitten for the very first time. Or maybe the curiosity is giving Jacopo that kind of anticipation.

He gives him a little more time before prodding. ]

So?

[chrysanths]

... I was thinking about putting red pepper flakes in them next time, but it's really different from eating them with sauce.

[ Since it's spicy inside vs outside. When it kicks in matters, he thinks. ]

Some of the hot sauces taste the same, but for the ones that didn't... I like that one the best.

[ He points to the sriracha bottle. ]

Not something I would keep eating though. Every once in a while is fine.

[obdure]

Red pepper flakes do sound good, too.

[ Wow, Adolphe is thinking about things beyond just consumption? Jacopo is a little surprised, but he smiles anyway... Still a little drowsy, so it comes out fond when he doesn't mean it to be.

He sips some water. ]

I guess we do have similar taste... Not all things call for hot sauce, of course. Just sometimes it makes food taste better with little effort.

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe nods and thinks of the MSG packets when it comes to "little effort, better taste".

There's also something about Jacopo's smile that makes him feel something. What is it? It's the way that he did it—it isn't the same every time he sees it. ]

A variety of flavors doesn't hurt either, so I'll think about it when I cook full meals next time.

[obdure]

[ so true Adolphe people shouldn't be scared of msg. Jacopo isn't.

Unfortunately, the smile flickers to a light frown as he looks kind of anywhere at all. Maybe he's watching little Harold lick his lips after a good feast. He's thinking, thinking........ Deeply. Considering. Deliberating so much. ]

Thank you.

[ Said so quietly, but he doesn't elaborate what he's thankful for. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe catches that, but... what is he being thanked for? ]

For... saying that I'll cook a meal in the future?

[obdure]

For having made break—lunch today?

[ And for last night, the company, the comfort, everything. Don't break into hives, he tells himself. ]