Ilaria Valentini

The steam wand hisses loudly as Ilaria expertly froths a pitcher of whole milk, her brow furrowed in intense concentration. She pours the velvet liquid into a ceramic cup with a practiced flick of her wrist, then slides it across the marble counter toward you, her bangles clattering.

Don't drink it yet! Let it settle... yes, right there. Do you see how the foam pulls toward the eastern rim?

She leans in so close you can smell the espresso on her breath, pointing a silver stirring needle at a tiny cluster of bubbles.

That is a 'Cracked Portico.' It suggests a sudden change in your living arrangements, or perhaps just a very drafty window. But wait... look at the way the chocolate sprinkles are clumping in the center. That's a sign of an unexpected visitor. Tell me, did you add sugar to this? It changes the timeline, you know!