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

Mom. But they look white to me.

[ So he will leave it at that. ]

I've never seen polar bears play with toys—

[ here's the polar nosing the glass in front of Adolphe's face and he gets startled, nearly jumping in place ]

... Christ.

[ Oh, Adolphe, he would laugh at you a bit if he didn't think you're a little traumatized. There's a sympathetic and humored smile as he massages his thumb against Adolphe's pulse a bit and leads him away from the glass. ]

You're not going to do an impression? [ like when he was speaking as Harold last night, a small tease. ] They do sometimes, but they prefer to swim.

[ There are two-tier ledges that are meant to be used as seats. A good portion is already taken up by people, but at the edge there's space for them.

He guides Adolphe to sit inward and he'll take the edge to soften any sudden appearances by people coming into the cave. You may be his lonely traumatized depressed dog, but he's also your service therapy dog. ]

[ his therapy dog...

Adolphe actually takes notice of this and he appreciates the sentiment. Bumping into people never stops getting annoying in whatever scenario. ]

... That's enough impressions.

[ He huffs. It feels weird when Jacopo does that with his thumb, but he realizes that he doesn't hate it. ]

That's it? I'm never going to hear another impression of yours again?

[ He's not holding his wrist any longer, at least. No weird pulse check... When it's just simply he wanted to rub his skin for comfort.

They have a nice view of the polar bears, though. The one underwater is still full view and watching the people seated in the cave. It almost looks like it's waving, but then a second one shows up on the land portion of the enclosure and bats a ball into the water. ]

[ The one that bats a ball into the water makes a splash that soaks the front row if there isn't a higher wall to protect them. Adolphe looks at the first one and was about to wave back, but he keeps his hand down. ]

You'll be fine without them.

[ There's a child yelling excitedly behind them... ]

[ Boo. Jacopo purses his lips as if to pout a bit, but doesn't plead or beg. It's just funny little banter, so they can enjoy the polar bears being active. Imagine if this area didn't protect people. Yes, there is a roof/high wall to prevent water splashes.

The polar bear does a slow-no underwater jump, slowly ascending up comedically to reach the ball. A CHILD IS YELLING LOUDLY BEHIND THEM and it startles him at first. It's fine, though.

He looks over to see if Adolphe is all right? ]

Animals do look more majestic underwater, don't they?

[ Because slow floating. He just throws this topic in to make him check in on Adolphe not seem odd. ]

[ Adolphe seems fine! ]

It must be the slow motion. Makes it more dramatic than it should be.

[ It makes him smile because it's funny. Majestic polar bears... dancing underwater like a ballerina. ]

[ Adolphe's fine, so he guesses he shouldn't need to do anything. Jacopo isn't even looking at the polar bear, but smiles at what he says. ]

Its fur also looks very luscious in the water, right?

[ Long... Not-white locks. ]

Luscious... like how it flows like hair?

[ long haired wonder. Amazing. Someone give this polar bear a commercial offer. ]

I imagine it would tangle if it was longer...

[ Just a MASS OF HAIR ]

Yeah. You can still see it flows in water very smoothly like hair.

[ The polar bear's fur isn't a lot, but it reflects the gently light that passes through the water's surface. Majestic.... except its head peaks above water to poke at the ball, so now it looks like a very wet oversized rodent.

The other polar bear tosses and toy and it bonks the one in the water straight on its muzzle. It goes back into the water like it's knocked out in surprise. ]

Well, predators still are silly. Better they don't have long fur or they'd get tangled in it.

[ Adolphe can't help but to laugh a little when he sees the polar bear peek out and then get bonked. ]

Right. It feels like they're doing a comedy skit.

A comedy skit. They're wild animals that can eat us, Adolphe.

[ He means to continue the funny, but the child is back to being loud behind him which earns a startle and then a scowl. ]

Good grief... [ Turns around. ] Hey, did you not teach your kid how to control themselves? There are other people here at the zoo.

[ The parent starts apologizing profusely and Jacopo sighs before nudging Adolphe. ]

If she wants to see the polar bears so much, swap seats.

[ He's already standing up and waiting for the parent and kid to move... Time for a little shuffle so they'll be in the second row instead. ]

[ Oh.

Adolphe follows Jacopo to the second row, though he doesn't think that would damper the kid's excitement. True to his thoughts, the child jumps repeatedly upon seeing the polar bears do something entertaining. The parent tries to wrangle the kid onto their lap... Adolphe kinda feels bad for them while watching this poor attempt.

Normally, he would keep to himself, but the kid turns around to Adolphe and points at the polar bear. In response, he smiles a little and reacts calmly, gesturing to the bear when it does another trick.

The child remains excited, but is significantly more quiet than before. Now they're just quietly vibrating in excitement in the parent's lap. ]

[ The kid can go back to being excited and all in the front row. It looks like Jacopo is far less bothered about it now, if just not bothered at all if the child goes back to their usual antics.

Doesn't mean he's going to take back his reprimand. He still thinks he's right. This is a good trade-off? They get the second row where they can still see as the kid and parent get the first row where a shorty can see the bears a lot better. It wasn't for the kid, it was totally for them two.

When child and Adolphe interact, it is cute. He smiles despite being annoyed literally a minute ago. ]

Kids. [ The kid mimics the bear when it raises its paws up. ] They're kind of like wild animals, too.

[ Jacopo that's so rude to say with a parent right in front of them..... Adolphe smiles a little, but damn, boy. lmao ]

I think they're a bit better than that at the very least...

[ He does mean it as a joke, nothing too serious or spiteful in his tone. It's still incredibly rude, though. What matters most is that the kid is having much more fun in the front seat, which she is. ]

You're right. They wouldn't eat me.

[ Have fun, small child... Adolphe looks at her, thinking back on his own childhood for a moment.

... ]

I would be concerned if they did.

[ Jacopo.... what the fuck did the edgyness rub off? Damn. ]

[ IT'S NOT EDGINESS... WILD ANIMALS EAT PEOPLE SOMETIMES? They're talking about them because they're in a zoo. It's just a funny comment? ]

What are you thinking?

[ You are pondering. ]

[ If only Adolphe found that funny... ]

... Nothing, really.

[ Even Adolphe is aware that he shouldn't be such a downer when they're here at the zoo. (Date? What date?) ]

Just that the kid is having a lot of fun, and maybe it'll be memorable enough to still think about ten years later.

[ vore is one of your joke nos Adolphe.... It is not a date because they're just friends. They are hanging out and watching the polar bears wrestle in the water now. It's graceful like a dance if their mouths aren't comically open like they are in battle.

The kid asks if they can go to the front. Asks multiple times and is told they can if they aren't to loud. Watches this child bolt to the glass now. ]

They better be having fun after we swapped seats.

[ It benefits both of them! But based on Jacopo's smile when he watches the little rascal bounce to the polar bears with other kids also there, he's not annoyed by them being rambunctious... He has good intentions as roundabout his methods are. ]

These tykes have probably gone to the zoo more times than you. [ Turning to him now. ] Are you enjoying yourself? I'm not asking that if this is so memorable in the next ten years, so you know.

[ you are an adult ]

Edited 2025-07-03 16:22 (UTC)

I am.

[ Adolphe looks at Jacopo as if to ask if it's really surprising. ]

... This is my first time at a zoo, so I think I'll remember this for a long time. But don't call me a kid.

[ When Adolphe turns to him, he catches him smiling at him... Satisfied with that answer, but his expression changes when he's being accused? ]

What? I wasn't going to. No plans, either.

... Thanks.

[ Great, he feels awkward about assuming, and also because Jacopo was smiling and suddenly he isn't because of the accusation and... ugh. ]

Let's go to the next exhibition. Actually, are you feeling hungry?

[ Stop thinking you fumbled... He's in a good mood and just got caught almost wanting to tease Adolphe because yeah he might have said he's similar to the kids here.

Jacopo tilts head. ]

I am a little peckish.

[ Unfortunately, Adolphe is neurotic sometimes. ]

Let's get something to eat.

[ He opens the paper map to see where they are. ]

The nearest food court isn't so far from here... Looks like they have a lot of things.

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