14114/Afternoon Coffee Break

Afternoon Coffee Break
Date of Scene:	08 February 2022
Location:	The Coffee Bean - Manhattan
Synopsis:	Lex, Nick, and Sky find out that The Coffee Bean has some interesting specialty coffees
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Lex Luthor, Quake

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Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Be it the cold weather or working all to the point of fatigue, any time can be the right time for coffee. Although the amount of persons in The Coffee Bean is a little less than what shows up in the morning, the afternoon crowd is not something to sneeze at. The sofa seating is spoken for, having been taken up by a study group. And a few more tables in the general area have been taken for the same reason.

But off to the back, closer to the actual counter is some seating that has yet to be claimed. It is here where Nick Drago has opted to situate himself at. He is by himself. But he is still with the phone Bucky gave him and he's let someone over at the Trisk know where he's going. Before him is a cup of coffee, a cookie, and a rather worn looking book.

Lex Luthor has posed:
Sometimes, Lex goes around with much fanfare and all the trappings of the rich and famous.

Sometimes, he's very much incognito... but still no less protected.

Today is very much the latter, with him inside a Sedan Limo coming back from a variety of meetings at the UN and Embassies. With Mercy and Hope at the front, Lex is just examining the streets when he spots the Coffee Bean.

That's a new one. Time for some in-person scouting.

"Pull over. I want to do a side trip into that shop." Lex casually orders from the back seat as he reaches for his wallet and pockets it. As they stop, Lex is all grace as he steps out and walks towards the shop, hands behind his back in a formal posture.

You can go incoginto all you like... but that doesn't erase posture and muscle memory. Anyone who knows Lex will immediately recognize him... which means there's a good chance this shops business is going to skyrocket just from name mentioning after this.

Quake has posed:
Sure, Skye had a bunch of work to do, but it's really checking up on things casually. She could do it anywhere, and Nick had let it drop that he was going to a coffee shop. The Coffee Bean in particular. He didn't like to be followed per se, but he had dropped the name, and the time that he quite possibly would be there..

Certainly he'd let it drop on purpose. Right?

And seeing that she was the only one who could have caught what he said..

OK. She cheated. What with her supersonic hearing, all she had to do was to focus on a particular person, and Bob was your uncle.

She came in right behind Lex Luther, which made her frown. This was beginning to be a problem /if/ he was not trying to be incognito. So far, so good.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
It's business as usual when Lex steps inside. But one perk of the afternoon crowd is the minimal line at the register which is currently down to just on- Make that no line at the register as the person who was standing there has shifted over to the pickup side of the counter.

Nick, whose nose was in a book, does not pick up on the newcomer until the overall mood of the shop changes. The musician's ears picks up on the change of tone first. Random smatterings of chatter regarding big tests and theorems have been replaced with a blend of silence and low murmurs. A warning sign if there ever was one.

Head still tilted towards the book, Nick's eyes roll up to sneak a glance to the source of the interruption. And upon recognizing the man, Nick's eyes look back down to his book. Well. So much for blending in.

Lex Luthor has posed:
To be fair to Lex, he's not trying to hide. He's just indifferent to if anyone recognizes him at this point. He's certainly good enough of a liar to act like a completely different person... but that business suit and that bald head are practically famous in themselves.

As he walks in, Hope follows Lex in while Mercy takes up a position outside, casual and out of the way.

Anyone who makes eye contact with Lex gets a polite and warm nod as he walks up to the cashier, "Good afternoon! Do you have a signature blend here?" Lex immediately asks with a warm smile.

At least Lex didn't do more than glance at Nick as he came in, even as Hope adopts a slightly more casual pose and position.

Quake has posed:
Yep. He's not incognito. Or he was, but the fame and fortune had followed him. ..and at least they wouldn't remember her with him here! (Every now and then she was still recognised as one of the U.N. top ten most wanted. Sure she was found innocent - she had been undercover, but some people still had her in the bad people file of their minds.)

Skye stands right behind him, waiting, trying not to overhear his order. (Fat chance, but she tried!)

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The cashier looks to Lex for a moment, taking a few seconds before she blinks. "Good afternoon." She chirps up in response as the requested bit of trivia comes to mind, "We have three signature blends. The Breakfast Blend, the Afternoon Blend, and the Evening Delight!"

Nick's brow raises as the third blend is announced out loud but he gives a slight shake of the head. He takes a sip of his coffee and turns the page.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"Afternoon Blend will be just fine." Lex confirms, before taking his wallet out and taking out a ten dollar bill, his eyes going to the menu, "does your selection change?"

Quake has posed:
Evening Delight?? Really? Or was she suggesting that she was up for a little afternoon delight. Wasn't there a song about that? No! Afternoon delight was the song.

((there is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu1UXCdyNo0 ))

Oh god, he ordered the Afternoon BLEND which really shouldn't be hilarious, but it was under the circumstances !

Skye had to cover her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Most of the items are year round but we do have seasonal coffees too." The Barista answers, oh so chiperly. She looks up to Lex, "Afternoon Blend it is...What size would you like?" She gestures over to the display cups with the measurements marked on them.

Nick starts reading the page he is on for the third time now. But the dialogue is so... Defeated. Nick closes his book and sets it on the table. A glance up allows for him to spot Skye in line, covering her mouth. One could only guess the reason why.

Curling up his hand, the musician lifts it to hide the forming smirk on his face.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"Small will be fine. Something to go." Lex replies as he places the bill down, before putting his wallet away. "Take your time."

With that, Lex moves off to one side of the shop and sits down, Hope moving to sit in the chair with a broad view of the area, before Lex takes out a LexPhone and starts to make calls.

Quake has posed:
Skye begins to look at anything beyond Lex, and catches Nick by the back wall. Great, now he knows that she was laughing at the conversation Lex and the serving girl at the register.

So much for keeping herself sober and proper!

Finally she makes to the register. "I'll have a normal coffee. Extra large, double cream." She barely made it without laughing, or ordering the "specials" just to hear them again. She was still not believing that the girl was trying to give him a nudgenudge.. Evening Delight.. Who named them anyways??

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
After the cashier makes change and the other barista takes over on the coffee prep, she looks over to Skye. The smile is still etcNickd in place. "One extra large coffee, extra cream" She sums up, price showing up on the screen as the order is entered in. The amount is prompted for.

Great. Skye is on the verge of losing it. Biting his lip, Nick turns his Head, finding an interesting spot on the wall to stare at.

Quake has posed:
"Uh.." Skye almost forgot her cash, and had to pull out a wrinkled five. "Make it 3." Even though she was still fighting the urge to laugh, she figured the poor girl still got a tip.

It was clear that Nick had seen her, so she didn't pretend like she didn't see him while sitting close enough to check on him. Maybe they could share a laugh.

Lex Luthor has posed:
As his coffee is brought over, Lex finishes up with his hushed LexPhone conversation, placing it back in it's pocket as he takes a sip.

Then, in a low voice, Lex asks casually, "so what brings you out this way, Drago?"

No attention drawn, just an offhand comment.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The cashier makes Skye's change and is about to turn to prep Skye's drink before another person comes up, glancing to the menu. There is a hurm of indecision.

Danger of laughing passed, Nick lowers his arm and tends to his drink. Lex's question draws his attention over to the man waiting for his coffee. A wry grin forms on his features. "Why the Evening Delight of course."

Did he actualy?!

No. But he couldn't resist saying it.

Quake has posed:
Skye picks up her coffee and decided to sit at another table, and listen in. No sense in broadcasting that Nick was under the protection of SHIELD until it was necessary. She pulled out her "phone" and began to check on various places to cross them off her list for today. All the while she was listening.

She bit at her lower lip at his response.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"You have to admit, it's a nice play on words." Lex pauses briefly, then adds, "I can get my evening delight anywhere, of course."

He downs the rest of his drink, puts it down, and starts to walk out of the shop then.
Hiss Mercy and Hope both come up behind him, he notes, "Not bad. Whoever manages this place likes to screw with the moral guardians though." As he starts to get into the Limo to drive away.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick's shoulders start to shake a little at Lex's comment. Heaven knows how Nick manages not to make a sound during the bout of silent laughter.

The man at the counter overhears the name and looks at the board. "What's the Evening Delight like?"

There is a a pause before the cashier responds, tone ever so bubbly and chipper! "The evening delight is a hazelnut chocolate blend that is proportioned just right. The sweet nutty taste is worth every cent."

Nick turns his head, looking over to the direction of the smiling cashier and then pinches the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. Nope.Blinking a few times, he picks up his coffee, cookie, and book before heading to the door quietly.