Coffee Shop Construction is a go!

[widows_kiss]

Who: Natasha Romanoff and anyone conned into likely to swing by and help
What: Before it can open, the coffee shop needs a little tlc and a few touch-ups.
When: Friday, May 10. Possibly extending into the weekend.
Where: The future location of A Shot In The Dark coffee shop. (AKA, Building M)
Summary: Natasha calls in a few favors and bribes a few friends and teammates into helping her get the coffee shop ready to open. Anyone able to hammer a few nails, wield a paint brush or broom, or move some furniture is invited. Or come ogle some of the shirtless males she's put to work, that's acceptable too.
Rating: PG. Probably. >.>


Natasha's still not entirely sure why she's doing this. Most mornings, she wakes up with the inevitable realization that she's probably lost her mind. She's not one to put down roots, to make a commitment to anything, because things don't last, situations change and her lifestyle choice of 'don't get attached' is slowly getting buried under a mound of teammates, friends, and persistent pests that somehow end up being debatably endearing.

And, apparently, a coffee shop.

Yup. She's definitely lost her mind. That doesn't seem to stop her from going each day and working on the little shop off the plaza, although she's reached a point that there's not much else she can do on her own. She needs help. A galling realization, but hey, that's what teammates are for, right? So, on a bright and sunny Friday morning, she rounds up what help she can find to pound out the last few renovations needed for the place.



((OOC Note: Most of the work needed is inside the cafe itself, although some work can be done outside as well. The doors will be propped open for people to come and go and they're taking pretty much a blank slate of an interior and turning it into this. So, work your character could possibly be doing is helping construct the coffee bar, painting the walls, hanging light fixtures or the shelving behind the coffee bar. Cleaning up the tables and chairs or the other surfaces inside once the sawdust and nail-pounding clears up. And if someone wants to get creative and make her a sign, she will be eternally grateful.

There will be a constant supply of drinks and snacks as well, for people wanting to take breaks or those wandering by to eyeball the proceedings. Hop in, help out, or just stop by to chat.))

Comments

[handing]

[There is a firm no tolerance policy in regards to blowing up produce, and Tony's left his suit at home; already this birthday party is promising.

Okay, so Pepper actually isn't worried about those things mostly. In truth she's really happy with how many people have stayed around to celebrate, and with the spirit that's filled the coffee shop all day. It's been hard work, yes, but also fun, and now they'll have a chance to unwind and enjoy the rest of the evening.

For Pepper's part, she'll be helping with decorations since Billy and Teddy are handling the cake. After the festivities actually start, she occasionally ends up by Tony's side to goad him into taking presents from people gracefully, or just to steal a few moments with him. For the most part she's on her own though, mingling with the crowd, saying hi to friendly and familiar faces, and having a good time.]

[theboywiththebook]

[Why can't we have nice things, Pepper? Like blowing up watermelons? B(

Henry is looking around to see if Tony is anywhere near here right now. When it looks like she is away from Tony, he goes over to her and looks up at her. In a whispered tone he speaks to her:]

Pssst, Pepper, I need to ask you something.

[handing]

[Because nice things get sticky and gross when covered in exploded produce guts.

Clearly whatever Henry has to say is both very important and very hush hush. Given the occasion she has an idea, but Pepper goes along with it, looking around herself before she crouches to better hear Henry.]

Sure. What is it? [Asked with her voice at an appropriately secretive volume, of course.]

[theboywiththebook]

[ But it'd be so cool!

When she's closer to his height, he looks to see one more time that Tony's not here, he finally asks.]

What do you think Tony would want for his birthday? I didn't get anything for him yet.

[handing]

[Yep, mystery solved. It's a pretty good question though, and Pepper gives it a little though. Not just something for Tony, but something from a kid, with the resources available in Luceti.]

He's a big fan of just about anything Iron Man related. You might want to start there.

[theboywiththebook]

Hm, I had a feeling. He really likes his suit, doesn't he?

[Or himself.]

Okay, I should be able to handle that.

[He just has to avoid macaroni noodles.]

[handing]

[That does sound kind of bad, doesn't it? Pepper looks down for a moment as she smiles, trying to decide exactly how to temper this--even if Henry really does have the right idea.]

I think he likes who he's become since he made the suit. The good he's been able to do, and the people he's been able to save.

Although, you aren't wrong. Sometimes he can go a bit too far. So do me a favor? Avoid any Iron Man posters?

[Pepper doesn't want to have to go through another argument about the artwork in their house.]

[theboywiththebook]

Isn't that kind of a given with being a superhero?

[It's like she was stating the obvious. He wasn't trying to sound rude, it was just more of him asking what should be obvious.

The poster idea though...]

I'm going to have to keep thinking.

[Yup, it was first idea that came to mind.]

[handing]

True. I guess anyone would want to believe they’re doing what’s right when they make a choice like that. [But Tony’s changes go so much deeper too, and while maybe some things are obvious, Pepper thinks others aren’t so clear. Then again, she’s not really keen on going into Tony’s approach toward relationships prior to his superhero days.]

I’m sure you’ll come up with something.

[theboywiththebook]

It sounds like he was different before he became Iron Man.

[Because, it's kind of sounds like that.]

[handing]

He was. Not that I’m saying he was a bad guy or anything—but Tony was a very different person back then.

[theboywiththebook]

I know. But, at least he changed for the better, right? That's all that really matters.

[And maybe it gives him just a bit of faith for his mom.]

[handing]

That's right. He's definitely a better man now.

[theboywiththebook]

So, how did you meet Tony anyways?

[handing]

[She grins at that question.] I worked for him—or rather, for his company. I was one of the many administrative workers employed by Stark Industries. I was doing some typing when I found an error he’d made in an important document, so I decided to go to his office to talk to him about it.

[Which had turned out to be anything but a simple talk.]

[theboywiththebook]

You worked for him? I thought it would've been the other way around.

[Because, you know...Pepper's way more responsible from the looks of it.]

Was he busy being Iron man when he made that mistake?

[handing]

[There’s a knowing smile on her lips as Pepper shakes her head.] No. Tony was CEO, or Chief Executive Officer. Everyone who worked at Stark Industries worked for him.

And this was years before he became Iron Man. That only happened three and a half years ago, roughly. We met over ten years ago.

[theboywiththebook]

Sooo, you two have been really close before all this, huh?

[And then Henry looks up at her with a kind of knowing smirk.]

So when did you two get together anyways?

[handing]

Yes, I’d say we were. [There may have even been times where Pepper found herself daydreaming long before their relationship began. But Tony had a way with women back then, which was fine for him but not for her. She wanted more than a one-night stand.

Luckily she stuck around long enough to get it.]

Three years ago—or it will be, two days from now. [If they go by dates, anyway.]

[theboywiththebook]

That's great.

[And there's another pause.]

So, you guys are going to get married?

[handing]

[That is the pressing question lately, isn't it? Oddly enough, Henry's caught her on one of the rare days when she isn't wearing her pre-engagement ring; somehow she didn't think wearing the piece of jewelry would be wise with the construction.]

Maybe one day. We're working our way there.

[theboywiththebook]

Does it really take that long? I mean, if it's true love doesn't it happen right away?

[Because, it's not like anything was keeping Pepper and Tony had things keeping them apart like his grandparents did.]

[handing]

Not always. Relationships can be tricky, and they usually take a lot of work.

[Henry's a sweet kid, but it's probably better that he doesn't hold on to notions of relationships that are so idealistic.]

this is super late, sorry x-x

[theboywiththebook]

Didn't seem like that in my book. I mean, with all the people in it.

[Because, his book was 100% truth so why would it not be like that?]