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

And now to interrupt all your hard work....

[widows_kiss]

[Today also happens to be Tony Stark's birthday. Which can't, of course, go un-celebrated. So for the first event in a still-unopened coffee shop, his friends and teammates clear some room, pass the word where they can, and drag out the party supplies to celebrate in style.

Except no exploding watermelons this time, Tony. The floor was just mopped.]

[halfnhalf]

[The first thing Teddy did before getting to work was set down the two cakes he'd been working on just for the occasion. The birthday cake itself is a two layered cake: vanilla on top, chocolate on the bottom, and a raspberry filling with vanilla buttercream frosting. It would look beautiful, except Billy's decided to magically decorate the cake with a raccoon on top and fruit roll-up "leaves" all around it. It's an inside joke that gave Teddy a good chuckle, and so he let it stay.

The second is one for everyone, more to celebrate the coffee shop's construction than anything, though it could also be used for the birthday. A triple chocolate cheesecake made with care, sliced sixteen ways. Have at that, ladies.

As for the party itself, Teddy will mostly stand by Billy and watch the celebration. The cakes count as gifts shush]

[handing]

[Teddy, you may be Pepper's favorite person in the world right now, because. Triple chocolate cheesecake.

Yes, she is definitely having a piece of that, and enjoying it. She's savored about half of her piece before she finds Teddy.]

Please tell me you are going to make this more often.

[halfnhalf]

[Teddy beams; He always likes it when people like what he does and are receptive towards it. Especially cooking.

He puts his hand in his pockets, somewhat out of shyness, and gives a nod.]

Just say the word and I'll make one for you. It was actually kind of fun to make.

[handing]

[Yep, now it's official. She likes him best.]

I'll definitely take you up on it some time. Do you enjoy cooking?

[widows_kiss]

[Natasha's a little amused that the cafe is having its first impromptu celebration before it's even opened, but she rolls with it. The cake makes her laugh and she comes up beside Teddy to eye the decorating job with amused curiosity.]

So. Is there a story behind this or does Tony just come across as the small furry woodland type?

[halfnhalf]

[Teddy looks at Natasha with a grin, obviously amused by all of this as well, before he gestures to the cake almost dramatically.]

What, you don't think he's secretly housing tiny woodland creatures?

[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.]

[alloys]

[ AND HERE IS THE BIRTHDAY BOY, in all his mute, resplendent glory. Tony somehow got conned into manual labor on his birthday, so you sure as hell better be celebrating him.

Tony has a handy-dandy text-to-audio translator on him he whipped together after the draft, and while it may not carry the full weight of his usual snark, it gets the job done. So come wish him a happy birthday, and don't forget your gifts! He's expecting them, naturally. ]

[wildbluevagner]

[Kurt had managed to have a gift on hand for Tony that he had been saving ever since he came across it. Having heard word from Billy, he makes his way towards the place in question and looks for the man of the hour.]

[alloys]

[ Tony hasn't seen the kid since the draft, so it's always good to spot an ally in one piece. And, clearly, if he was showing up now, it was for the best reason of all. Himself. ]

Hello, Fuzz. Where's my gift?

[worldsaway]

[If Tony ever wants to feel younger, he should remember Thor is over a thousand years old. Though, given that Thor is ancient and still looks like he should be off surfing and beach bumming. Still, there's solidarity in being so much wiser and more mature than all of your companions, right?

He knows it's Tony's birthday, but only due to the talk of it today. As such, he has no present and very little care for the importance of the day. He's just going to clap a hand on Tony's shoulder for the manliest of brief moments before letting it drop to his side.]

You don't look a day over two thousand, you know. [Isn't that the nicest thing anyone has ever said to you?]

[alloys]

[ Somehow, being young compared to gods isn't completely comforting. But he'll just have to deal with another year on his ticker.

Thor gets a dry look at the shoulder-clap, and an even drier one at the comment. ]

You would be the expert on that, wouldn't you? God, that's got to be weird. I mean, relatively speaking, aren't we all basically babies to you?

[selfhelp]

[Hey there, raccoon man. Your fanboy is approaching you with a plate covered with fruity-leaves and an icing-decorated black-and-grey foot.]

...Cake?

[alloys]

[ To be perfectly honest, he finds it amusing as hell. Well played. But of course, he can't just say that, so. ]

It's exactly what I wanted. How did you know?

[widows_kiss]

[Natasha isn't one for fanfare, or even for gift-giving, really. Honestly, Tony should be thankful for the Speak & Spell, since that was about as thoughtful as she usually got. She wasn't the sentimental sort.

Still. She owed Tony a lot. Especially after the Draft. So, at some point in the evening, if he happens to stick his hands in his pockets, he'll find something unexpected has been slipped in when he wasn't paying attention.

There's a brief inscription etched into the inside of the pocket watch's cover that reads simply: Here's to doing whatever you want to do, with whoever you want to do it with.]

[alloys]

[ Honestly, he wasn't expecting to get something from her, either. She hardly seemed like the gift-giving type, so naturally, he was pretty surprised to find the watch in his pocket. He had a hunch who left it there based on that alone, but the inscription is what seals the deal.

But he doesn't make a scene out of it, shockingly enough. Instead, he'll wait for a chance to catch her eye, and give her a subtle, appreciative nod. Enjoy it, Natasha - it's not often he's so gracious. ]

[handing]

[He'll get his gift from Pepper later. In the meantime, she finds a moment when he's not being congratulated by anyone else to come over and plant a quick kiss on his cheek.]

Happy birthday, Tony.

[alloys]

[ He gives her a genuine smile, not so much minding the break in well-wishes if it means she's at his side. ]

Happy birthday indeed. You know, I wasn't expecting a coffee shop for my birthday, but you really do go the extra mile. Even if I had to help build it.

[theboywiththebook]

[If he had known it was Tony's birthday he would've gotten something for the man. Otherwise, Tony will have to make due with the drink being offered. But, the boy will be beaming up at the man as he holds it out.]

Happy Birthday, Mr.Stark! Sorry it's not much.

[alloys]

[ Honestly, it says something that he even takes it. This is a historic day indeed. ]

Fruit punch. How did you know? Second on my list this year. Right below a nerf gun.

[jamesbarnes]

Stark. [Bucky has taken a break from the grunt work to come by and clap Tony on the shoulder.] Happy Birthday. Should I ask how old you are, or just offer to help you cross the street sometimes?

[alloys]

[ Very funny, Bucky. That earns him a sardonic look from the man of the hour. ]

You're from the same era as my dad. I wouldn't be talking if I were you.