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

[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 ]

[chrysanths]

[ He hears that, so. ]

Yeah, get yourself a bigger car that can fit all the ones you love.

[ The dogs. Yeah.

Onwards to the zoo! ]

[obdure]

[ when will they GET IT TOGETHER

Jacopo is also thinking the dogs, but... finds that he doesn't mind the thought of Adolphe being in the passenger seat, maybe even Maria alongside them. A bigger car could be fun for a road trip? ]

You're going to help me choose?

[ To the zoo, which Jacopo will see the pamphlet that has the map and everything. Takes one. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe also takes a pamphlet on the way. ]

I'm not an expert on cars and I don't care much about how they look, but if you still want me to help you choose, I can.

[ He doesn't think it's a good idea. ]

[obdure]

What's going to matter is how comfortable the interior is rather than how good the exterior looks.

[ Jacopo can easily pick the car brand. It'd be checking out models in person. He thinks it's a great idea, well... More like it'd make car buying a bit more fun.

Unfurls the zoo map. ]

Was there an enclosure you specifically wanted to see? Or...

[chrysanths]

[ I imagine going car shopping with Adolphe would actually be incredibly exhausting and insufferable............. He'd constantly look at the car information and always compare and think too much on its value. ]

No, but maybe I'll learn which animals I like more as I go.

[ He looks at the pamphlet. ]

... There are a lot of animals listed here that I've never even heard of before.

[obdure]

[ this sounds like a perfect trip for jacopo who is also neurotic and insufferable... they can fight over cars while narrowing down choices and jacopo would enjoy it because in the end they'd put a lot of thought into the car they agree on or something

But it isn't about that. It's about the zoo. ]

So this is kind of like a soul-searching visit.

[ He had never considered having a favorite animal since like. He was a child.

But he also gets that going to a zoo is a fun thing to do on a beautiful day. He might just be teasing. ]

[chrysanths]

Uh-huh. Might be one for you too.

[ He says this even though Jacopo owns and loves four dogs. Anyway, they go to the closest exhibit, which are birds in huge cages. ]

[obdure]

[ Adolphe also loves those four dogs. ]

So we're both finding ourselves at the zoo today.

[ Hilarious. It would be more hilarious if I make Jacopo regain his memories from something incredibly stupid like seeing a baby animal trying to walk.

The immersive bird cage they go, where there are all types of birds in here that simply coexist. They are beautiful and the space is large enough to fly like they're free. ]

When's the last time you visited?

[chrysanths]

[ If it's funny, you should do it. ]

I've never been to a zoo before.

[ He looks up at all the birds that fly around and sees a little feeding machine off to the side that offers baby fist-sized capsules of bird feed. Adolphe rolls one out and holds it out so that the birds can eat. Three birds fly to him, resting on his hands, pecking at the bird feed.

Another one roosts in Jacopo's hair. ]

[obdure]

[ help not like this ]

Hey—I don't have food.

[ Gently, he nudges the one roosted on his head off and it flutters to Adolphe, perching on his arm like the rest.

Unfortunately, more little birds come to nest on his head and shoulders as they wait for their turn. Jacopo simmers.... Then goes to the feeding station to get a little cup of sugar water.

And puts it in Adolphe's other hand. More birds for you now. Jacopo's birds transfer over since there's more arm to perch. ]

[chrysanths]

[ All these birds flock to Adolphe and he... doesn't know how to feel about this. They eat bird feed from his gloved hand and peck into the little cup full of sugar water. Adolphe holds his arms out, since the birds are crowding his wrists and hands too much. But not he's stuck in this position where he has his arms out... ]

...

[ He tries to shake them off. Gently. ]

[obdure]

[ Before he says or does anything else, he takes a photo of Adolphe. ]

There's a nursery on this floor if you want to go see some chicks.

[ I have expanded this bird sanctuary dome... It is also a crater where you can take a spiral path down to see more birds and nature, with the bottom being a pond area for some semi-aquatic birds. ]

[chrysanths]

[ You are free to shape the zoo as you will!! Adolphe gives Jacopo a flat look as if to ask him why did he take a picture. Cease. None of that comes out verbally though. ]

Sure... Come on. Off.

[ Adolphe shakes his arms a little more and most birds fly away. Bye. ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo smiles sweetly at him in response to the flat look. He won't know what you're saying (he does know) unless you say it (you don't need to say it). None of that comes out verbally, too.

Some of the birds scatter, with one or two still hanging on, wings flared like they're dancing with Adolphe. Jacopo will gently nudge them, which makes them hop onto his hand. ]

Maybe you can get a job as a scarecrow.

[ He flicks his hand, but the birds take flight without issue. To the nursery? They might catch eggs hatching in the incubators or a zookeeper feeding some babies using a fake glove that looks like their parent. ]

[chrysanths]

The birds weren't scared of me.

[ That's not the point!!

Adolphe follows to the nursery and sees a zookeeper caring for the little baby chicks. Aw. They're cute.

Then there's this one. ]

... it fell over.

[obdure]

You'd be decorative, unless you want me to say you'd make a great bird feeder.

[ Adolphe was very good at staying still and being quiet, so...

But the chicks. They are cute and Jacopo quietly watches them, but then that one tumbles over and he can't help but laugh. ]

It's a little clumsy.

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe thinks it would be a disservice for him to be a decorative anything, but he looks at Jacopo laughs at the tumbling chick. ]

It screamed with all its might...

[ Then fell. Sounds about right. Silly babies. That exact chick squints at Jacopo like "punk what you lookin at" ]