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]

[ 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?

[chrysanths]

What are we even going to talk about??

[ He suddenly puts on the spot... ]

Maybe I should play a video for this thing instead...

[ baby shark dodododoooo ]

[obdure]

[ Raises his eyebrows. ]

You want to avoid talking to me that much?

[ Starts bullying him over the baby shark music unless that's just a joke. ]

[chrysanths]

What? No... I just... don't know what to talk about.

[ He looks off to the side. Can the food come faster. ]

[obdure]

We were talking all day and you suddenly don't know what to talk about.

[ You're so funny. ]

[chrysanths]

That the bird can copy?

[ You know what. Yeah. Baby shark song. Adolphe turns on YouTube on his phone and puts that close to the animatronic so that he doesn't have to put it on blast.

He is so good at this. ]

[obdure]

We can talk about what we want to do tonight? That's mundane.

[ But then he quiets as he watches Adolphe pull this out. A slow blink as the song continues, smile looking like he wants to laugh. ]

So prepared of you.

[chrysanths]

I just clicked on a random video that seemed safe.

[ Anyway. ]

You feel like doing more after this? I thought you'd be tired.

[obdure]

[ The bird does eventually go :0 baby shark doo doo doo doo doo doo. ]

We can figure something to make for dinner, I mean. Though I'm not against being out a bit longer... [ He wonders if Adolphe's social battery is drained. ] Maybe something like walking on the pier at night.

[ he does not know in this life you hate the sea ]

[chrysanths]

[ Cute bird... may you stay like that forever.

But yeah, it's drained. The battery is beeping its imaginary death throes. ]

A walk on the pier?

[ He won't disagree that it's nice, but... ]

... That's fine.

[obdure]

[ It is a cute little robot bird that now once in a while sings baby shark. ]

You sure? We can go home, too.

[ Jacopo seems flexible.

Also, their burgers arrive. Portion is massive with a side of fries that take up half of the tray. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Good. He has done a civil service today. ]

I'm fine with the pier.

[ He looks down at the tray and. ]

Why is this so big...

[obdure]

All right.

[ Jacopo thinks to himself it's been a while since he enjoyed a night stroll at the pier.

Borger. ]

For the price we're paying for, it should be or I'd cause a riot, but it is a little daunting.

[ Squeezes ketchup bottle for his fries. ]

[chrysanths]

Just a little?

[ Adolphe gets his own burger to eat and is actually struggling a little from how big it is. He can't get a bite in no matter how big he opens his mouth.

...

He puts his burger down. ]

This is impossible.

[obdure]

[ If Adolphe looks over to Jacopo, he's cutting his burger like it's a steak... Fork and knife in hand.

Does he look ridiculous? Maybe. ]

Have to get it in our stomachs somehow.

[chrysanths]

[ Maybe he looks ridiculous, but Adolphe can't judge since they really can't eat this thing properly.

You know what. He tries taking a bite out of the bottom half. It's partially successful. Then the to half. A whole bite. Wow!

...

He also feels ridiculous. ]

This is so much.

[obdure]

[ He's just eating it in a prim way, which is fine. He cuts the burger into quarters or something, but doesn't eat yet.

Instead, he's watching Adolphe struggle and lets out a snort... ]

It'll keep you full at least?

[ Doesn't realize he's idly eating fries with a fork now. ]

Maybe you need to really squeeze the burger.

[chrysanths]

If I do that, everything will fall out.

[ The last thing he needs is a mess... the burger eventually gets smaller and smaller as he chips away at it and now it's gone. ]

That was way too much work for a burger.

[obdure]

You should have just ate with a fork and a knife.

[ Jacopo isn't as fast as eating because of it, but he's down to his last bit of burger and a couple of fries.

Passes some fries to Adolphe's plate via fork. ]

Food wasn't that bad, actually. It put up more of a struggle than expected, though.

[ He lifts a hand to wave down their server so they can pay. Have his card. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe looks at Jacopo because the way he worded that sounded as if the burger was sentient and alive.

... ]

I'm full.

[ He passes on the generous donation. ]

I think I would have enjoyed the burger far more if I didn't have a hard time eating it.

[obdure]

[ Well, it was once alive. It once moo'd and grazed grass plains.

Jacopo as he signs and adds tip takes the time to mention the mechanical bird next to them and some oversight about it... Please reconsider the feature. Children are around.

Adds that his friend has made it sing baby shark, which both him and the server have a small laugh about before they leave. ]

Maybe your mouth is small.

[ Says Jacopo who didn't even try to wrestle it. He takes the fries back, but stacks his plate onto Adolphe's since it's empty, then wipes down the table a bit with a napkin. Less work for the servers. ]

I do agree they could have sized it down... Maybe sliders here would be the size of regular burgers.

[ Once he downs his water, he picks himself onto his feet and tucks the chair back under the table. ]

Not so full where you're ready for a nap, right?