agora | THROUGH A FRACTURED EXISTENCE, TO THE RHYTHM OF ETERNITY.

THROUGH A FRACTURED EXISTENCE, TO THE RHYTHM OF ETERNITY.

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah.

[ ...

He feels a little awkward all of a sudden as if he wasn't supposed to say that. Everything is just... weird. He feels like he said this before, but... not anywhere in the zoo nor the cafe home. Deja vu? ]

Is this how they actually fight? It reminds me of that red raccoon thing standing.

[ Jacopo isn't sure how to respond to that and he'll need a moment to string his thoughts and words together... They both can be a little awkward for a moment.

Good thing the pandas are so funny. ]

... I don't know if they fight at all. Adult pandas don't have many natural predators in China, so they don't... Really have a reason to fight. I think they're playing. These are also bred in captivity.

[ Watches this panda mufasa shove this other panda off the smallest ledge ever, but the one falling lets out such a pathetic scream. ]

... That sure is a scream.

[ Today he learns that pandas can scream like that. Amazingly pathetic. ]

Is this one of your favorites?

I didn't know they make that noise. [ They are usually sleeping, but he thinks it's a little funny. ] I wouldn't say one of my favorites, but they're a must-see. You never know when China decides to enact panda diplomacy and take them back because our government made a decision they don't like.

[ He hasn't thought about favorite animals since he was a kid... Aside from dogs, which are closer to pets.

It's been enough time, hasn't it? He has thought it over, examined his feelings, and also scrambled through every combination of words to use. ]

It wouldn't be an awful sight to see you smile more often. [ This is direct enough, isn't it? ] But you're not the type to do it on command. You'd need reasons...

[ cries in panda diplomacy

Meanwhile, Adolphe is surprised that such a thing exists. He nods, listening to what Jacopo says about it.

But then. Oh. ]

... I didn't realize how much it meant to you.

[ He means just smiles in general not just... his smiles. Lmao. ]

[ APPARENTLY IT ISNT DIRECT ENOUGH??? APPARENTLY THEYRE ON DIFFERENT PAGES ENTIRELY?

Jacopo doesn't even consider that Adolphe is thinking about it in a general sense. He isn't overly friendly, despite being amicable and friendly enough... Sure, smiles are nice, but what normal person cares so much about smiles even from strangers?

There was actually more he wanted to say... Something he repeated in his mind like once or twice, but now he's shocked into silence being (not) called out.

JUST QUIET WHILE STARING INTENSELY AT THE PANDAS... While his cheeks start turning pink, maybe even a flushed red. ]

[ Yeah? Adolphe can't fathom anyone feeling that way specifically about him. What reason would he have to believe now all of a sudden??

Adolphe just stares at Jacopo, waiting for a response. When it never comes, he ends up staring at Jacopo longer than he should, which means he gets to see his reddening face in real time. ]

... Oi.

[ The pandas do not give enough distraction for him to ignore Adolphe's voice and escape feeling put on the spot, even though there wasn't intention to do that.

Instantly, he scowls and turns away to bury his red face into his hand. Shit. Fuck. ]

Yeah.

[ What is it? He lost himself for a moment to embarrassment. ]

[ What is it, indeed. Adolphe slowly blinks when he sees Jacopo turn away. ]

You're the one who said you like seeing smiles, Jacopo. Why are you embarrassed...

[ He sees... This could be a way out for him until he finds the occasion to speak the truth, but when will that be? Should he keep waiting for the right moment, the right time?

Why does it feel like he's made that mistake before? Slowly, he turns back, giving him a flat leer and frown. ]

I like your smile, you idiot. There's plenty to be embarrassed about.

[ What.

Hold on.

Adolphe continues his surprised stare at Jacopo. He's not too dense to not know what that could possibly mean, but still. It's a little hard to believe. He wonders if it has to do with how they feel so... "open" with each other. Adolphe still doesn't know how to feel about that and normally he would hate it, but... he doesn't. His brain is just a little fucked differently from canon. ]

Are you... flirting with me?

[ Unlike the first time he asked this question, he asks quietly, slowly, and... as careful as he can. ]

[ Adolphe... you soupy brain... Have you ever seen a million thoughts go through someone's head at once? Maybe that shows in his expression for a second where it's blank.

He opens his mouth, closes his mouth, and there's something in him that wants to bark that he isn'T FLIRTING. FLIRTING? HIM? FLIRTING? CAN'T A GUY LIKE ANOTHER GUY'S SMILE? Wow, he wonders to himself is this murderous intent? FLIRTING? CAN'T SOMEONE SAY SOMEONE ELSE'S SMILE IS NICE? How dare you, Adolphe. How dare you accuse him for being so conniving as to flirt especially with their circumstances. Goddamnit, this is a public space, so he keeps it together.

"Seeing you smile... It feels like I had been searching for it all my life."

What is this insane thought? He can't say that?! ]

I meant what I said. [ FLIRTING IS FRIVOLOUS. He looks like he's so incredibly frustrated and angry (with himself). His eyebrows are furrowed so intensely, but the color on his face just makes him look silly. ] I—am going to walk ahead.

[ Like when he confessed and just decided he will go back to trial. Going to move onto the pandas now to go look at the nearby exhibits. He isn't abandoning Adolphe completely, though. ]

[ apparently not ]

... You can mean what you say and flirt at the same time.

[ He mumbles as he watches Jacopo go for a moment before catching up.

There is a bear exhibit. It puts its huge paw longingly on the glass towards Jacopo when he goes further into the exhibit. ]

[ If Jacopo heard that he'd disagree.

He tries to distract himself with the bear. Thank you, dangerous but cute creature. He extends a hand and hovers over where the paw is. Normally, he wouldn't entertain, but he needs his mind off of it and to CALM DOWN. ]

[ paw through the glass touch... the bear is strangely moved and leans on the glass, mimicking when a dog wants to be petted. Adolphe watches this happen and takes his phone out to record this moment. Not because it's cute, but it's so strange to look at this. ]

[ Animals are so sweet sometimes... How can Jacopo not find it endearing even though bears can easily eviscerate him?

With a soft smile, he lightly taps against the glass in a rhythm with his fingertips, likened to petting but I guess ASMR. Sorry, no pets. ]

[ The bear seems to appreciate it and leaves just as Adolphe walks over to stand next to Jacopo after putting his phone away. ]

Maybe the zoo is a place fit for you. They have all sorts of reactions to you specifically for some reason.

[ His shoulders draw up from the sound of Adolphe's voice. Right. It's not like he totally escaped. He's Adolphe's ride... And he didn't actually want to be that far away from him.

Back to being awkward, but he tries not to be. Is his face less red yet? ]

What a way to say I belong in a zoo.

[ It doesn't have the usual playful cut and bite because he's a mess. ]

[ Jacopo is so affected... Adolphe feels bad for some reason. ]

I didn't say that you belong in one... jeez. Do you like bears?

[ do not feel bad for him. he can just try to figure himself out, except he sulks and simmers... maybe it's a good sign he isn't actually mad or offended. ]

Not in particular... I guess they're all right. They kind of remind me of someone.

The guy who works for you?

[ He forgot his name... sorry man. ]

With how fond you seemed of them just now, maybe that's also the same about the person you're thinking about.

No, not him.

[ Adolphe do you know anyone downstairs aside from Maria. Well, Maria is the only one that matters since she would try to size him up and be nosy.

A bit confused now, but tries to brush it off. ]

I wasn't fond, just... Keeping myself occupied and entertained.

[ Gratien and Maria... ]

Sure. Let's keep you occupied and entertained a little longer.

[ There's a zookeeper that tosses a fish to a bear. It tries catching it with its mouth, but it fails, so it tries to catch it with its paws. The paws fumble and flail a bit before it actually catches the thrown fish. Phew. Nom. ]

[ maria being like :3 hi Adolphe comes closer to him what's up... whatcha doin.... seeing anyone? you should come out more and hang!!! And Gratien just giving the usual bro encounter. ]

What? That's not something you can—[ He gets distracted by the bear trying to salvage what could be a very pathetic catch and honestly he felt his heart almost drop with the fish.

Watching the bear try to have a secure grip on it does have him laugh. ]

Well, it saved itself some heartbreak, not that I think it'd be deterred from eating it if it fell.

[ maria........I am sorry that Adolphe is just "no" about the seeing someone part ]

It definitely wouldn't have, but it looks like people aren't the only ones to have a close save in situations like those.

[ He's never seen an animal do this before. It's pretty funny. ]

I think the bear that was close to you is making weird faces at the zookeeper.

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