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]

[ 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. ]

[chrysanths]

Oh, sure.

[ Jacopo will have to use verbal words about last night, because Adolphe truly thinks that the thanks is really just for the food he made. He doesn't seem to think much of it either as he eats another quesadilla and drinks some more water. ]

If you have anything in mind, I can try to make it as long as I have a recipe... and can easily get ingredients.

[obdure]

[ Jacopo will not because he's incapable of being direct a lot of the time. ]

Sure, but you're free to choose any dish you wish. I'm willing to try anything once.

[ He finishes up on his quesadilla, then also his water. Adolphe likely needs guidance... His simple taste buds. ]

I do have a list of recipes I wanted to try. Never got around to it.

[chrysanths]

[ His simple taste buds!! Adolphe looks curious when Jacopo says that. ]

Like what?

[obdure]

[ He knows you were surviving with your food and that's okay.

Fishing into his pajama pants for his phone. ]

I can send the list to your phone. It has links and everything.

[chrysanths]

Go ahead.

[ He doesn't have his phone with him right now, and it'll clearly show after Jacopo sends him the message. The strong vibration sound is heard from the bedroom. ]

I'll take a look at it later... then think about what I need to get.

[obdure]

Right, groceries... This reminds me we've never gone to the grocery store together.

[ Their schedules just make it so that maybe sometimes Jacopo can buy produce in the middle of the day.

Leaning back against the chair, he hangs his elbow on the backrest. ]

Got any idea how you want to spend the day?

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe thinks about this. They slept well and after checking the weather, it looks like it'll be a good one today. ]

At the nearby zoo. Do you want to go too?

[obdure]

It depends. Is that an invitation for me?

[ How annoying does Adolphe find him? I hope very. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Not very at the moment, because he raises an eyebrow. ]

Yes...? I wouldn't ask you otherwise.

[ I hope Jacopo feels stupid about it. Me, haki, personally. ]

[obdure]

Asking if I want to go doesn't necessarily mean you're inviting me to come with you.

[ He doesn't feel stupid, but I think he should. Complicating simple matters is stupid, but he's very good at it and finds it fun sometimes. ]

Can never be too careful with someone who claims to be an unfriendly person and who hates talking to people.