video; backdated to the 25th!

[lasthugs]

[The video starts, and it's a face that might be familiar to some but not so familiar to others. It's a super ordinary, super smiley face, and Aunt Cass as she is known has attached her phone to a tripod for this recording. It's a good thing; considering how excited she is, looking like she's just barely holding herself back from bouncing in place, the recording would've had enough shaky-cam to give the first Hungry Games movie a run for its money.]

So!

[But her excitement could only be contained for so long. Her hands make a nice, clear sound as she claps them together.]

Hi, guys! My name is Cass, for those of you who don't know me, and for those of you who didn't know about this, I used to run a coffee shop back home. That is, in San Fransokyo, which is kind of like San Francisco but also like Tokyo. Funny how that works, right? Anyway. [She reels herself back in before she goes on too much of a tangent, bringing her small body up to its fullest height and smiling even wider than before, if possible.]

I'm happy to announce today that at the beginning of next month, on October 2nd, my nephews and I will be opening up the second branch of the Lucky Cat Café here in Heropa! We'll be on the corner of [she names a couple streets here] ready to serve you hot coffee, pastries, and Japanese food if that's more to your taste. Come stop by!

And also... [Here, she chills out a little and relaxes, hands clasped in front.] I used to run the place by myself since our house was right above it, but this time, I'm looking to ask you guys for some help. So if you have any experience or interest in working at a coffee shop, let me know.

Comments

[driftsintobuffetline]

[OMG she speaks his language: excitement level at 11!! Also, he totally notices that's where Hiro is from.]

REAL sort of Japanese food? Or severely limited American stuff? What sort of tea do you offer? Come on, you have to give us some details, maybe early release of a menu to whet out appetites!

[lasthugs]

Real Japanese food, straight from their motherland! [because she is not, in fact, Japanese.]

And gosh, yes! [she slaps her hands to her face. She moves a lot, and now that she's slapped herself she's reaching for the phone to start tapping the screen and -- ding! He'll get a .PDF.] I knew I was forgetting something, I got too excited, but here you are, my dear.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Oh! Cool! Very very cool! But their motherland? So I take it you're not Japanese yourself? What prompted you to open a Japanese cafe, then, if you're not actually from Japan? Just for the coolness factor, or are your-- [nephews...wait a sec.] Are you Hiro's aunt?

[He likes her so much already. She's totally adorable and infectious. He's been around so many grumpy and stoic military types for the last ten years that she's like a breath of fresh air. So normal, so excited. And as he reads over the PDF...] Thanks! Wow, you've got quite a selection, holy shh--[And he catches himself, because while he probably wouldn't stop this in front of Hiro--Hiro is a peer, no matter his age--she's a Mom-figure. More Momly than his own mom. Some sort of instinct or something kicks in and his word fizzles out with a nervous laugh.]--oot. But no, I can totally see why you were so excited to get this out, this sounds amazing! So the 2nd, you said? I might have to drag my buddy out to Heropa then.

[lasthugs]

[Holy moly, this guy can match her energy. It is actually, in fact, making her even more bouncy as her grin widens like she's just waiting for a break in his talk so she can throw back an answer!!]

That I am! You one of his coworkers, then? Under Mr Stark, was it? Who's your buddy?

[Oh she wishes there were a counter for her to lean on. Unfortunately, she's standing outside with the phone. But she does take it off the tripod so she can move off the street.]

The second, and every day after that. I'm so delighted -- my nephews have been great, helping me get this together.

[driftsintobuffetline]

[Her reaction is so rare (usually people get exhausted by him, not more energized). He's really looking forward to meeting her in person. He walks down the hall and into the living room with the phone still running video.]

I am! His coworker, I mean. have yet to meet his brother, but Hiro is amazing! His microbots are absolutely astounding work; I have a familiarity with the neurotech used to control them, but I'm just sorry I don't I work in robotics since I'd love to work with him more. I'm in the biotech division with my friend Hermann-- [Pans over, then attempts to zoom in, trying to catch Hermann in the frame. The mathematician grumpily looks up from the couch, notices, and turns away. Newt keeps narrating.] --he's the buddy I'd be dragging to your cafe...He loves tea, he's just not big on crowds, but I'm sure he can be persuaded! Hermannn! Say hi to Hiro's Aunt!

[mathemagier]

[He's working on his laptop and mutters something about Newton being an obnoxious something or other. But he glances back up from his work and adjusts his glasses, turning a look at the camera pointed at his face]

My apologies. Newton has a tendency to get overexcited. [And that's 'hello' for you. His attention shifts back to Newton] What is it that I'm agreeing to now?

[driftsintobuffetline]

Hey, I make up for your under-excitement, okay?

[Newt makes a face at Hermann, which the camera doesn't catch. Then he moves over to push his way onto the couch and next to Hermann, turning the camera to take in the two of them together, holding his arm far enough that it fits them both it.]

Tea! With me! At Cass's cafe! Keep up, Herms.

[mathemagier]

[It's a fair point, but if Hermann had delusions of his part in the conversation being over, he's sorely disappointed when Newton settles next to him on the couch. He sighs and closes his laptop, because it's rude to split attention and it is Hiro's aunt, after all. Likely the only reason he's even entertaining this venture. Still, he sounds dubious]

You mentioned something about crowds.

[lasthugs]

[There's a "Hi there!" chirped from her end of the conversation, but at Hermann's concern she answers,]

It's a coffee shop, so I'm hoping nobody's going to be throwing a party. Of course, you're under no obligation to come, but I've arranged so that a part of the store will be quieter.

[lasthugs]

[She waves first to Herman! The other guy looks absolutely quiet, the complete opposite of Newt, so she can already imagine what their dynamic must be. But it only warms her heart with fuzzies -- friendship!]

Hey, crowds can be taken care of.

[She raises a finger to her lips in a shhhhh motion.]

Most of the tables are on the main floor, but the place has got lofts. I figured it'll be a good quiet section for anybody who wants to study or work, in case the place gets busy. If your friends wants to hide up there, he's totally welcome to. Friend perks, right?

[driftsintobuffetline]

[He grins glancing between them both, loving the suggestion and taken aback a little by how considerate she is. Could she get any more adorably mom-like?] Come on, Herms. See, that's a good solution, right? Away from the crowds, your own table... Plus, I mean, isn't she cute? How could you say no to that face? [He nudges Hermann in the ribs with an elbow.] ...My treat~? Who can say no to free food?

[mathemagier]

[Well it does mean navigating a staircase in all likelihood, and that's always a bit awkward, but the peace and quiet would be worth it. It's a nice consideration on her part, and they probably should meet Hiro's aunt at some point, even if he hadn't known she existed until a minute ago.

And then of course, there's free food involved, and that always feels like a victory of some kind. Could do without the nudge though]

Yes, alright. When is this?

[driftsintobuffetline]

[Take your time up the stairs, no worry. Someone will have your back, Hermann.

The nudge was NECESSARY. Newt makes, for lack of a better word for it, a success gesture, something of a fist that he pulls back. I win. You...also win, because you're getting free food, but getting you to come along was a tougher sell and you agreed, so I win more.]

October 2nd.

permatext; comm tag is "Tadashi"

[tadeadshi]

Sorry, the brother's been busy, but glad you like Hiro's work.

[Look refurbishing the inside of this place is time consuming ok]

comm tag would be "newt"

[driftsintobuffetline]

Oh hey, he does exist!
What's the brother been busy with? Microrobots also?

[tadeadshi]

Nah, those are Hiro's things.
Been mostly helping with the cafe but working on a medical gel at work.

text; comm tag is "Hiro"

[microbrobotics]

the BEST japanese food. and hot wings. make her make you hot wings sometime. you wont regret it

[driftsintobuffetline]

Hey! No fair tempting me with things NOT on the menu!! I haven't had hot wings in forever.

[microbrobotics]

duuuuuuude

dude

you HAVE to have some then

[driftsintobuffetline]

duuuuuuuuuuude

dude

I totally WANT to have some. But I can't just make myself at home and demand hotwings from your aunt. I mean I CAN--I totally would, and I am that much of an asshole, but that's also a little too presumptuous (or so Hermann says and he's sitting right here giving me a LOOK)

[lasthugs]

Feel free to accept if Hiro invites you to dinner sometime :)

[microbrobotics]

youre invited to dinner sometime

boom, done

Why are you so cute, smol science child?

[driftsintobuffetline]

...wow just like that, huh
Thanks.

Can I bring Hermann?

it's one of his superpowers

[microbrobotics]

totally yeah. hes fun too.

[driftsintobuffetline]

well, I wouldn't go THAT far. Fun is stretching it