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]

[ 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. ]

[chrysanths]

[ 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.

[obdure]

[ 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 ]

[chrysanths]

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.

[obdure]

[ 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.

[chrysanths]

... 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?

[obdure]

[ 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.

[chrysanths]

[ 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.

[obdure]

[ they can't be two neurotic brunettes

He leans over to scope the map and pins his eyes on the nearby food court that Adolphe was talking about it. ]

I've never eaten food at the zoo before, but it does have a handful of interesting things.

[chrysanths]

[ reality decrees it so

Adolphe looks at a particular picture. It looks like a waffle, but so much white powder sugar is on top of it. He squints. ]

Do people really eat this...

[obdure]

Imagine... It's here, but no one buys them. It's like an animal in an enclosure, just for show.

[ OF COURSE PEOPLE EAT THEM? Not that Jacopo is inclined to buy a waffle with so much powdered sugar?

He reaches over to tap on a spot in the eating area. ]

There's a rain forest cafe. I'm sure they have something?

[chrysanths]

I would hope they do.

[ Lest it be full of things like powdered sugar waffles. Adolphe leads them there, pretty confident in following the map. ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo doesn't try to double check the map, so he obediently follows him like a duckling. You can be competent and steer them.

Rainforest cafe. It do have the noises of a rainforest including an animal noise every once in a while. Fog machines. Animal animatronics.

Jacopo will request they have a table further away from speakers. They can be next to an animatronic macaw. ]

You've never been to one, huh... It'll be a bit of a surprise to you when there's a thunderstorm inside. [ Informative, though actually he's giving Adolphe a heads up. ] It's going to come with strobe lighting, so you know.

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe looks at the animatronic macaw and everything else this cafe entails from where he can sit. ]

Why is all that inside an eatery...

[ It sounds so bothersome and annoying to him. However, he does nod at the warning Jacopo gives in appreciation. ]

[obdure]

I know you wouldn't say that if this was an animal cafe, like one where you can pet dogs and cats.

[ HAVE A LITTLE FUN IN YOUR LIFE? Even though this isn't to Jacopo's taste, either. He orders like a burger or something. Idk what they serve here.

The Macaw asks them how they're doing... But it is a robot. It's programmed to do that. ]

[chrysanths]

Well, that's...

[ He would argue that those are different, but then the macaw speaks up after Adolphe also places an order of borger. ]

Fantastic. Thanks.

[ flatly to the macaw. ]

[obdure]

[ Just smiles like he wants to laugh at Adolphe talking to the Macaw so dryly. He normally wouldn't say anything to the animals... They're animatronics, but sure. ]

Well, thank you. It's a beautiful day.

[ Politely to the Macaw, like he isn't someone who spews profanities and insults incredibly easily. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He didn't expect Jacopo to play along and he almost laughs. He cracks a smile though. ]

Yeah? I can agree on that.

[ It's a beautiful day--a great one, even. The expression on his face clearly shows that he's very much enjoying his time with Jacopo at the zoo here. ]

Having a talking bird would certainly liven things up for sure.

[obdure]

[ It just seemed right to him since Adolphe at all said anything to the animatronic... But he sees that it's worth it when Adolphe's expression tells him he's having a good day.

That's all he can ask for. ]

In a way, some birds do talk even if it's mimicry. I bet you'd take back your words if they started repeating curses like bullshit when guests are around.

[ A finger on the metaphorical monkey's paw curls... The macaw robot says "hope you enjoy your time in the rainforest! Bullshit!"

Just kind of stares wide-eyed......... Uh-oh. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe also stares at it with wide eyes for a second, before he tries his best to hold back his laughter. ]

... Just like that.

[ LMAOOOO ]

[obdure]

[ Jacopo instantly leers, first at Adolphe because DON'T LAUGH ABOUT THIS, then at the bird but there's a mix of fear. oh god, this is a problem. ]

Hey.

[ To whom is this grumbly greeting for... The bird squawks bullshit again and his shoulders tense up, obviously SCANDALIZED. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Poor Jacopo. Alright. Here. Adolphe doesn't feel like much of a gremlin, so he faces the macaw and whistles a simple tune. Can it copy this instead?? ]

[obdure]

[ It can! And it also dashes a bit of cursing in between. Not just bullshit, though. It had collected a couple of others.

Jacopo's mouth gapes open a bit, then closes. Opens again. ]

They did not think this feature through.

[chrysanths]

[ Maybe he can push the cursing out by making it copy more things?? ]

They really didn't...

[ He wouldn't care as much if there weren't children around... ]

[obdure]

[ He's also worried about the kids. A sigh... ]

Are you ready to be chatty?