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]

[ cool, they do not stumble. Jacopo's reflexes and balance are actually quite good.

My guy... Jacopo takes him to a secluded corner (there are no corners in a circle platform) spot, a nook away from the main path meant for people to take a break in nature. There's a bench here and everything, but everyone else is focused on going back up the spiral and checking out the rest of the zoo. They can be alone for a bit.

He has never held this left hand this long before... But it somehow doesn't give him less comfort. It may not be warm or giving, but it's Adolphe's which is all that matters to him. Instead, maybe there's a different type of comfort. This hand wouldn't be able to feel how he holds it, would it? How there's more intimacy than there should be... Jacopo wouldn't need to fear how his actions are read when he holds this hand while of course to himself it feels so very obvious.

He holds on a little longer before letting go, though the incredulous and weary scowl has been etched on his face since they escaped Pelican. ]

Adolphe.

[ Scolding....... ]

[chrysanths]

What? I'm right.

[ This shouldn't be the thing to care about, but here he is. Adolphe looks down at their hands before realizing that, oh. Right. The hand that he doesn't really want to tall about. With this sort of contact, he thinks Jacopo is aware of what his hand is by now. He frowns a little. ]

[obdure]

[ You are so stupid. He has been aware for some time that his left hand isn't the same, but Jacopo doesn't touch on it. He lets it slip by yet again, for the nth time, because that isn't important right now. He isn't going to theorize or create conspiracies. He isn't going to make assumptions.

Until Adolphe wants to tell him or until it poses a problem, he will stay back and stay in the dark. He's focused on something else. ]

We can give a keeper our formal complaint, but it isn't about that. Most of the birds here are tame, but wild animals can still be unpredictable. You went up to it and offered it your hand? It could have attacked you. Regardless of how capable you are, I... Wouldn't want you getting injured.

... We still have the rest of the day here.

[chrysanths]

[ Hearing that immediately calms him down. His frown eases and he quietly breathes out. ]

... Sorry, for worrying you. Let's go enjoy the rest of the day then.

[obdure]

[ Since this scolding was seamless and effective, Jacopo stops being uppity and overbearing. The scowl tapers to concern instead.

They can go back to enjoy the zoo, but... ]

... You're all right?

[chrysanths]

I'm fine.

[ He says automatically like a reflex, but he's actually fine this time. There's nothing glaringly obvious, at least. ]

Still confused as to why they had a wild animal just out here without it being trained not to attack, but I'll let it go this time.

[obdure]

[ Jacopo lets a pause hang as he sifts through Adolphe's answer and expression. ]

Usually, the pelicans don't get so close to the bridge, but I still agree... They should reconsider the format if it's going to bring trouble to customers. Impulses aside, it could have crushed your hand there.

[ ... ]

You're being honest with me, right?

[ Automatic responses even if true do not inspire confidence. His tone isn't accusatory in the slightest, if anything just uncharacteristically uncertain. ]

[chrysanths]

[ "The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math" feelings are here. He was genuinely feeling fine, but for some reason, he... doesn't feel as fine now.

Adolphe isn't sure why until he realizes that he genuinely wouldn't have cared if it crushed his hand. ]

Yeah, I was. You were successful in pulling me away that it couldn't touch me at all.

[obdure]

... I can see that, Adolphe. I obviously meant in other ways.

[ But he lets out a sigh, having no intention to be a bad cop in an interrogation when Adolphe invited him out on a beautiful day which they shouldn't waste.

Later, maybe. ]

If you don't feel so great, tell me. [ He comes to flick his forehead. ] Or else.

[ Lightly threatens. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Why is his forehead being flicked!! Adolphe frowns and just. Flicks Jacopo's forehead in return and starts leading him back with everyone else. They're holding hands! His right hand this time. ]

[obdure]

Hey—why did you flick my forehead?

[ He isn't the one who was misbehaving! But they can be led out of this nook and Jacopo catches up to walk beside him. Wordlessly, he positions them so that he's closer to the crater's edge again with Adolphe closer to the wall so he can see any bugs or birds coming his way.

this is service dog energy is what i'm realizing ]

[chrysanths]

[ SERVICE DOG ENERGY this is so funny but also so accurate right now. And... Adolphe actually recognizes this behavior. Wow, it's like he had experience with one. ]

Just because. Let's get going.

[obdure]

[ it's unintentional since obviously Jacopo doesn't know too much and he has never had a service dog. His four are just spoiled children.

Simply, he observes and make note. He just wants to make Adolphe comfortable, but would never admit to what he's doing... ]

We are going. You won't be able to pick out your favorite animals by the end of the day if we don't.

[ A sigh and a grumble as he looks out to the side, seeing all of the plants and the birds. ]

We didn't even take any photos down there.

[ They can wind up back to the top and leave the cage, though they must pass by the nursery and watch the stumbling chick screech again. ]

[chrysanths]

I'm fine, since I don't think I'll forget the things here anytime soon.

[ Because he had been ACCOSTED by them (one willingly). ]

But you can take plenty of pictures in the next exhibit.

[obdure]

It'd be good to still have some for memories. When you're old and wrinkly, you can look back on it.

[ Are they still mindlessly holding hands? Jacopo won't notice because he's trying to persuade and argue for something. ]

What? Am I your photographer now?

[chrysanths]

[ Sure they can be mindlessly holding hands. The handholding continues. ]

What's this about you being my photographer? You're the one who said something about not having taken any photos over there.

[obdure]

[ They will realize eventually... ]

They would be photos for you since you've never been here. I have plenty of the zoo already. Why would I need more photos?

[chrysanths]

You were also the one snapping photos first.

[ This is where he realizes that they're holding hands, but he just keeps it that way. This is fine. ]

So you seemed invested. I don't really need photos...

[obdure]

Well, one of us should be.

[ And since Adolphe is like this, Jacopo decides he has to be the one invested wholesale. He squeezes his hand. ]

I'm taking them.

[chrysanths]

... Okay?

[ He'll just let Jacopo do that. A child passes by, staring at the two. They murmur "no fighting" before scampering away as if to avoid the consequences of saying it. Adolphe looks surprised. Were they fighting? No. But it makes him aware that other people, including children, are aware of their presence in public. ]

... Let's keep going.

[obdure]

[ Adolphe, you get on his nerves in such funny ways by being low maintenance and just existing.

The child comes and goes after being AUDACIOUS, but now he's a bit self-conscious. ]

... We weren't fighting.

[ Sulks........ Wait, they're holding hands. He slowly lets go. ]

This trail should lead us to the tigers? We'll see a bunch of jungle animals on the way, mostly monkeys.

[chrysanths]

[ Sometimes, one must force themselves to be low-maintenance. Existing though? Sounds like a skill issue for Jacopo. Adolphe looks at Jacopo letting go of his hand. ]

Tigers should be fun to watch if they're not sleeping. Maybe they'll feed it when we're there.

[ Rated G for General meat eating. Fun. ]

[obdure]

[ He gets you!! But life is more than that!!! And why are you specifically looking at him letting go of your hand. He crosses his arms, his usual pose. ]

We're likely to see more action from the tigers than the pandas. Feels like every time I've been here and those bears are asleep.

[ But along the monkey jungle trail! There are a ton of small monkey enclosures and they are quite animated. They can stop by each one and read the placard... Aside from monkey enclosures, there are like... Tapirs, smaller jungle cats, etc. ]

[chrysanths]

Don't they sleep like cats? 18 hours a day or something.

[ He has no clue. Adolphe stops by one of the placards.

Noses: Most Old World monkeys have small curved nostrils set close together. Most New World monkeys have round nostrils set far apart.

Cheek pouches: Macaques and some of the other Old World monkeys have cheek pouches, where food is stuffed on the run, so it can be chewed later. New World monkeys don’t have cheek pouches.

Rump pads: Some Old World monkeys, such as drills, have sitting pads on their rumps, but New World monkeys do not.

Tails: Some New World monkeys, such as spider monkeys, have prehensile tails, but Old World monkeys do not. And one Old World monkey, the Barbary macaque, has no tail at all!

Adolphe slightly tilts his head, not knowing how "macaque" is pronounced, so he just lets the word stay in his head. Makes it annoying to read though. ]

New and old world monkeys...

[ Then he looks at a tapir. ]

... Is it normal to look like a cross between anteater and hippo...

[obdure]

That speaks to how much pandas loaf around.

[ At least Jacopo thinks so. Pandas tend to not do much, which is a travesty when they pull in so many people and you can end up waiting in line for one to two hours for them. ]

Macaques.

[ Says it just because he's reading it... Even though he has read this before. He would say this and not Spinny Rift. He's have a chill and educational time, enjoying a nice day.

Then ADOLPHE KEEPS TALKING. What kind of question is that? He snorts before giving the tapir an apologetically smile. Sorry Adolphe insulted you, little tapir. It looks at them with the most head empty eyes. ]

... It didn't ask to be born looking like that, you know?