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]

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.

[chrysanths]

Shouldn't that make it more obvious when that sort of person says anything remotely similar to an invitation...

[ This is so pedantic, but Adolphe will sit on this hill. ]

[obdure]

I wouldn't want to assume. The consequences could be catastrophic.

[ It really is. It's stupid and pedantic, but strangely telling of what kind of person Jacopo is whether or not he knows it. Always ask first. ]

But go get ready.

[ He will collect their plates and glasses to rinse, then load the dishwasher to run later tonight. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Sunday zoo date!!!! Adolphe doesn't think of it as a date, but he gets up nonetheless. ]

Alright. You do know where it is, right?

[ Google maps save us ]

We can take the bus or car...

[obdure]

[ friends can hang out.... zoo date though ]

Why wouldn't I know where it is? I'll drive us.

[ Even though Jacopo prefers public transit, might as well use the car for ease. Dishes into the rack, then he rinses the dog bowls next. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe was about to leave, but. ]

I already washed the bowls.

[ Okay he leaves for real now to get ready ]

[obdure]

[ Oh... He just looks at the bowls and guesses he'll just have them dry or put them away if they're dry by now. ]

Thanks.

[ He will also get ready with some wait here and there since he'd need to get his clothes from the bedroom closet, but they can be ready eventually.

Dogs are lined up for their little goodbyes... They know they are going to the yard since both Jacopo and Adolphe got ready. ]

[chrysanths]

[ These dogs are so smart... Adolphe pets them after he's ready. ]

You really trained them well... it reminds me of when the people line up in the morning.

[ Army drills... Adolphe said the first part already but he thinks it's worth repeating. ]

[obdure]

[ How are they dressing. Jacopo is simple with a white dress shirt unbuttoned two or three down, sleeves rolled up his forearms, and straight legged ankle pants.

Watch, a bracelet, usual men accessories. I guess he can have sunglasses hanging onto his shirt, too. ]

It was a life or death situation... I wouldn't survive if all four misbehaved.

[ Granted they misbehaved in a weird way last night that he has never seen, but...

Jacopo does his usual with each dog like he does every morning, little kiss etc. ]

Let's get them out and we can head to my car.

[ Down the stairs and dogs free, then they can walk. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Four rowdy dogs... sounds chaotic. Adolphe is wearing a white shirt with a light red jacket over it and a pair of jeans, sure. I always blank out if I have to describe clothes. As for accessories, he only has his usual blue stud piercings in his ears. He looks more or less the same otherwise.

Adolphe watches the dogs go down and to the yard. Goodbye dogs... then he follows Jacopo. ]

What kind of car do you drive anyway?

[obdure]

[ i just think it is fun to know what the vibe looks like ANYWAY, the dogs will be running and playing with each other as they leave. Very cute.

Jacopo leads him to his parked car which is somewhere between residential and businesses, just at the curb where parking is free. He gestures to it... And it's a Ferrari Roma in charcoal black. ]

[chrysanths]

[ It really stands out.

Adolphe has never seen this sort of car before, much less know of its existence. ]

... This must have been expensive.

[ —is all he can really say. What the fuck. ]

[obdure]

It was... And if I could go back in time, I'd definitely buy another car.

[ Unlocks. Time to get in. There's a jacket on the passenger seat, but he takes it off and throws it into the back so Adolphe can sit. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Buyer's remorse for Jacopo... Adolphe looks at the jacket that flung to the back. There's something about this action that makes it seem so... out of place. He can't quite place it, but he just has that feeling. Anyway, he sits. ]

... It's a cool car.

[ He guesses! At least the interior looks "fancy". ]

As long as it doesn't cost as much as a Benz for repairs.

[obdure]

[ OUT OF PLACE? It is not polite to have stuff on the seat when someone is going to use it. ]

It did get me a lot of compliments, but that doesn't matter if it's a struggle driving the dogs anywhere.

[ Jacopo's buyer's remorse is about Practicality. He must have bought this when he only had one dog. Seat belt clicked on, engine on, it drives very smooth, and I guess it plays classical music because he's boring. Maybe he can have some jazz... As a treat. ]

[chrysanths]

[ It's just a feeling that he has, not that it's actually out of place! It's fine! Jacopo can be normal. ]

You don't have carriers for them?

[ Seat belt on and goooo. The classical and jazz is nice and Adolphe finds himself a little more relaxed than usual when he's inside someone else's car. ]

[obdure]

I do have carriers, but the car doesn't have enough space.

[ It is those cars where you have to pull up the passenger seat to let anyone into the backseat... It also does not have a lot of trunk space. Sporty sportscars that don't pretend to be regular sedans are so annoying.

It would not be comfortable for the dogs even if he was able to shove all four carriers in. ]

[chrysanths]

... Then why did you get this car?

[ He knows Jacopo said that he could, he would have bought a different one, but. Huh? ]

Didn't think you would have four dogs?

[obdure]

[ A lingering silence. Maybe Jacopo is focused on driving! Just kidding, they're at a traffic light right before zoo parking, so there's nothing keeping his attention.

Ugh. ]

Yeah. [ Lack of foresight— ] But who could predict four dogs?

[chrysanths]

... Well, you could have prevented it.

[ That was all up to you, Jacopo. ]

[obdure]

I know you love those dogs, Adolphe.

[ Tries to swerve the line of logic elsewhere because there is no other way to defend himself. ]

[chrysanths]

That doesn't have anything to do with what I said.

[ Accept your failures. ]

[obdure]

Four dogs means four dogs' worth of love. Less than four dogs is less than four dogs' worth of love.

[ No. Tries to find parking. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe looks at Jacopo like he just said the stupidest thing he's ever heard. ]

[obdure]

[ It is stupid, but it is true. Jacopo is wondering why he said something so silly, but maybe he's comfortable to do so.

He finds a space, then sees how Adolphe looks at him when they're parked. He offers a lopsided smile. ]

I guess I could have prevented this, but I regret the car and not them.

[ time to enjoy a nice day, so out the car they go

and he will be staring at his Ferrari and whispering to himself he should sell it soon... sorry Adolphe ]