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]

[ Your problem now!!! Not his!!!! Jacopo feels so free as he finishes his water.

His gaze is dark, close to being a glower, but not aimed to Adolphe... Probably to whomever or whatever sprung up on the call. Snapping out of it, he rolls his eyes a whole revolution when he's scolded. ]

... Everything all right?

[ Hesitantly, after a pause. ]

[chrysanths]

[ An entire revolution of the eyes. Amazing. Adolphe looks at Jacopo like. Man. ]

... it's a hand check up.

[ If Jacopo wants to go with him, he can. Adolphe usually doesn't ask if anyone wants to come along because he always assumes no. ]

[obdure]

[ A full petulant eye roll revolution just for Adolphe's mild scolding because if Jacopo is going to be treated like a child, then he'll act like one because the hangover is killer.

But right now he's just being a concerned friend, worried in his own way even though earlier it looked like he'd bite whoever was on the phone. ]

A checkup that makes you so irritable.

[ He thinks it over because normally he would join, but... Aren't things weird between them? Won't it just make it weirder and more awkward for Adolphe? Jacopo can easily pretend and enjoys being around him, but he doesn't want to burden him. 800 thoughts per second after the most harrowing moments of his life last night. ]

... If you'd like company...

[ He rubs his neck nervously. Roundabout as usual. ]

[chrysanths]

[ I think Jacopo should bite whoever was at the other end. ]

... It's the doctor.

[ He holds back on a scowl and quietly sighs. Dealing with the guy isn't something he wants to do right now, but it looks like he needs to go for some reason—that wasn't scheduled beforehand. ]

I don't mind it, but it'll be really boring.

[obdure]

[ He would do anything for you, Adolphe... ]

I'm not expecting to be heavily entertained at a clinic. I'll be providing moral support instead.

[ Slowly, he stands back up and puts the glasses into the kitchen sink for a rinse before he heads to his room to pick out some clothes. ]

Are we going by car?

[chrysanths]

Yeah.

[ Adolphe is assuming that they are riding his car. His beat up old ass car. ]

I'll go wait outside.

[ And he goes, since he's already dressed for it. ]

[obdure]

[ how many times have they taken Adolphe's car while they've been living together

The dogs will greet Adolphe on his way out though they peer into the cafe like where is their dad.... why has he been sleeping for 800 years, but fortunately Jacopo doesn't take long, either.

He says goodbye to the dogs before they can beeline to Adolphe's car. Taking the passenger seat, he belts up. ]

I hope that it isn't these doctor visits that put you in such awful moods sometimes.

[chrysanths]

[ Probably not much together... bye dog children. Your dad is fine. Adolphe also puts his seat belt on first before starting the car. His car definitely looks more lived-in than the place he actually lives in right now, probably because he had to make do with a month or so of car housing. ]

What awful mood.

[ He knows he's not the most friendly, but he doesn't think it's often, which is what he's assuming what Jacopo means. ]

[obdure]

[ Sir... You can Live in his place, please. ]

Some Sundays you come back gloomier than usual. Sometimes I wondered if someone died.

[ He doesn't gloss over that Adolphe is a gloomy person and, yes, this is hyperbole. Adolphe doesn't look that bad where a funeral might be planned, but Jacopo tends to exaggerate to prove a point. ]

[chrysanths]

[ He's doing it!! He just cleans up after himself and it's too spotless... definitely not lived-in.

Adolphe shoots Jacopo a Look before focusing back on the road when they're stopped at a red light. ]

The doctor is just all kinds of annoying about it.

[obdure]

[ Jacopo squints at him when he sees him shoot a look. He's dressed so presentable and yet gives off the aura that he wants to be in bed still.

But he's here in the passenger seat, trying to be comfortable. ]

In a bad way?

[ Just because nagging can be good, even if it's annoying. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Boy. Mood. But also: ]

Is there a "good" kind of annoying with someone that isn't close to you?

[obdure]

[ He's just a sleepy grumpy dog, Adolphe....... ]

People could have good intentions despite their obnoxious delivery. I'm sure you thought I was annoying at first.

[ Jacopo is well aware of his inclinations to prod, poke, pry, and not leave people alone. ]

[chrysanths]

So you're admitting that you had good intentions, but your delivery was annoying.

[ Is that what he's saying? Adolphe finds it a little funny.

It doesn't take too long, but they arrive at some sort of hospital, but that's not where Adolphe is going--it's to the smaller offshoot building next to it that seems to be connected to the main facility. ]

... Here we are.

[ Not sure what else to say, he goes inside after getting out of the car, parking, and whatnot. ]

[obdure]

No, I am admitting to good intentions and I gleaned that you might have found it annoying, which you shouldn't have.

[ Which is entirely different. They're here... And Jacopo squints at the main facility, then slowly turns his head to the smaller one.

Should he go in, too? Should he wait outside? Looks at Adolphe like Please Tell Him What He Should Do before he goes inside. ]

[chrysanths]

[ Adolphe bites back a sigh when Jacopo says that, but pauses when he looks at him as if he's waiting for directions. ]

Come on.

[ He gestures with his hand to follow him inside.

Once he does, the small waiting room has a slight cozy feeling to it. The seats are plush, the decor is full of pastel colors with fake plants. There's a small air filtering machine that softly hums in the corner, usually undetected unless someone looks for it. Adolphe goes up to the counter, talks something over with the receptionist. ]

I'm here for my usual checkup. [ ... ] Yes, I brought someone with me. [ ... ] That's not a problem. [ ... ] Alright.

[ Then he gestures to Jacopo to come follow him again past another door before the receptionist calls out to Jacopo to remember to stay calm at all times, okay? Please?

:) ]

[obdure]

[ Wow... You don't find it funny anymore?

Jacopo follows obediently and doesn't make any comments like how he usually does. Well-behaved in a new environment, ready to make any impression he has to, because despite often being difficult and combative he doesn't want his actions to reflect poorly on Adolphe in any way.

Even though this is a clinic Adolphe frequents, so really it'd be the other way around. He merely looks at the decor, finding it not much to his taste, but no comment. There is some surprise when he's beckoned to follow since he thought he'd be waiting in reception. ]

Of course. [ With a smile. ] I wouldn't be able to provide support, otherwise.

[ Thinking to himself............ Why the warning? Why does he have to stay calm? Isn't this just a checkup? ]

[chrysanths]

[ The receptionist smiles. Right. Moral support. That sort of thing is always nice to have. Adolphe doesn't comment on it and keeps walking until they reach a room. They walk inside and there's who seems to be a doctor in a lab coat, sitting on a chair, seemingly relaxed. He gets up to greet them, gesturing that Jacopo can sit in the chair in the corner where there are multiple chairs so that he doesn't feel like he's being sat in time-out or anything. Adolphe takes the seat next to the person who's still assumed to be a doctor.

Then finally, he takes off the gloves. One hand is normal, but the other has a thin but sturdy looking hand exoskeleton. It could be something like a prosthesis, considering Adolphe is completely lacking a human hand in that regard. ]

[obdure]

[ It would be funny to be timed out despite being invited... He'd let it happen because what else is he supposed to do? Complain to Adolphe's doctor that the amenities are so lacking? What if Adolphe had two people come with him, would the other person stand?

But, nice, multiple chairs. After a greeting in turn, he politely sits in one and keeps his hands on his lap, neatly clasped together atop. Jacopo stays alert and shows interest, though he tries not to make this a spectacle. It's just? A fancy prosthetic? He isn't going to ogle it. That's rude.

However, should he dislike the vibes of this doctor.... ]