sixthiterationlogs | [ MINGLE ] FORGE AFTER HOURS

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[ MINGLE ] FORGE AFTER HOURS

WHO: Tony Stark
WHERE: South Village Forge
WHEN: January 8th
OPEN TO: Smitherns (Thor, Brigitte, Annie Cresta, Siefer), Plus Ones, Passers by, and Friends! Anyone, really, come on down.
WARNINGS: Language, discussion of canon typical violence probably, drinking?

THE HEARTH

With the bulk of the work and chores done for the day, the heart's banked down to a tolerable level rather than steel meltingly hot, positively cozy. Tables are cleared of metal filings and shavings, the floor is swept, extra chairs and seating or overturned crates serve as places to kick back and enjoy the warmth. A large kettle of tea is kept brewing all night, another of coffee, and a jug of cool water for those thirsty with no real requirement RE flavor. There's a rack for coats and scarves when people don't need to be quite so bundled up, and space cleared enough for milling about, tossing ideas back and forth, or simply relaxing. Arguments happen at The Debate Wall, not by the fire.

THE FOOD

It's an eclectic spread- a pot of stew, some crusty bread, frittatas, a few large, simple cheese pizzas, bottles of wine, and whatever other food the Smitherns or their Plus Ones chose to bring. It's a bit of a potluck, food spread out on one table for perusal, plates waiting and a bin for dirty dishes. Tony will scrub up at the end of the night. By the fire there's a waffle iron and as many toppings as they could find for waffles- jams, zalpaca butter, dried fruit, preserved peaches. Serve yourself or sit and sample!

THE CHILL OUT CORNER

For the more introspective or anyone taking a break from The Debate Wall, there's a comfortable chair tucked in the far corner where the light isn't as bright, the sound not quite so loud- and in this chair sits a young Peacat, a smaller pot for tea, and a few books. Elton's a friendly sort and will chirrup to lean for pets or simply sit on a lap and purr, offering calming, quiet company.

THE DEBATE WALL

Scrubbed clean for the night, the wall opposite Tony's Scrawled projects, equations, rules and definitions- currently marked only with a few notes RE proper charcoal use 'It's for the wall, not your hands, not anyone's clothes', the large space cleared for marking out or drawing out- well. Games, hangman, tic-tac-toe, sketches, or debate points. The only other rule listed is 'If you're going to pick a hill to die on, cite your references'.

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"Not even half of one?" He goads, "That sounds like quitter's words." He's not serious, and the playful lilt to his tone should say as much. Really he's just trying to add some competition to Rhodey's waffles. They've been winning so far. Leaving Seifer in the dust as it were.

"I just don't have the means to cook waffles," He admits somberly. "Then again I like pancakes too. Mostly I just made 'em so I'm waitin' to see if anyone else enjoys 'em." He's discovered that people enjoying his food is a lot more enjoyable than him enjoying his food by himself. It's lonely by himself.

Everyone likes waffles better.

Kat met his gaze and saw how much this meant to him. "Half." She agreed in a soft sweet voice. "But you need to split it with me and eat the other half." She didn't think she had the room for it but she would try. Kat didn't want to waste food when the stores weren't being replenished through winter.

As it was, this seemed a little extravagant.

"What's your favorite toppings for pancakes?" She tried to eat her waffle quickly though Kat naturally took small bites. It helped food last and it helped you feel full when you didn't have a lot to eat. It was a habit that she had developed while living on the city streets.

"Half," He agreed readily. He'll accept half. He can't lose so hard to Rhodey that no one would eat his pancakes, after all. That would be just too damning a defeat. Have to put up his cooking hat forever and then Nida would be sad.

It was, yet maybe it was good for them to enjoy a little excess while they could. Before things grew too depressing.

"Me? I'm boring, good old maple syrup. I'll put just about anything on 'em though. Ain't picky, how about you?" Come to think of it he was rather partial to butter pecan when he could get it. Good luck in getting it. Seifer ate quickly, scarfing down meals like he was on a schedule. Which, where he came from, he was. At all times.

Kat quickly finished her waffle and then placed her plate on her lap. She didn't know how people normally split food. She was used to rougher eating conditions and decided to wait to see how Seifer wanted to handle it. It wouldn't be weird sharing a single plate when you lived on the streets but this.. was different.

She really didn't know what she should do.

"That sounds good. I'm honestly not used to choosing what I eat. I've always just ate what was available. I like butter and syrup but not too much because overly sweet things make me tired." Kat didn't eat a lot of sweets.

Sweets were too expensive.

Once she was finished he held his hand out for her plate, he'd just toss half on there for her then she can butter it up however she wants. It would be weird for him, so he's glad she didn't suggest it though he'd have been inclined to just give her a funny look. There are plenty of plates, no need to share.

However, he could tell she wasn't sure how to handle this. Not to worry, he'd take care of it.

"Yeah, I hear you. Usually just ate what was provided to us, had some variety but cafeteria food all tastes like cafeteria food in the end. Not huge on sweets myself, make an exception for pancakes. Here, I'll fill your plate. You don't gotta finish it if you don't wanna."

But he feels like she should enjoy while she can. Not every day they'll have these festivities. "So, haven't seen you around the forge too much. What d'you do?"

"Oh. Thank you." She passed over her plate with a grateful expression. She didn't know why it was so hard to talk to people here... though it was probably because she was being herself and not under cover in some way. It was always easier when she was on a mission. Now it felt like she had even more to lose.

"I'll try. I don't waste food." Not after having issues finding food. "I don't remember cafeteria food. Unless you're talking about school. Then I think I forgot on purpose."

She'd dropped out of school for a handful of reasons but who needed a high school degree anyway?

"I help Tony with smaller work. Gears and things like that." She looked up at the forge and smile. "I stop by from time to time but most of the work I do I can do at home or by candle light." Kat had small steady hands for that kind of thing.

Oh that was a sentiment he understood very well. Missions made it easier to put on a specific kind of face. Being your own, socially awkward and inexperienced self? Hyne no. He wasn't great at this, but she looked uncomfortable and he had pancakes to offer. The more to lose was also something he'd get. Weird, only having yourself to fall back on.

"I won't give you too much," He offered as he moved away to go dish them both up some. Still close enough to converse. Once he'd plopped half a pancake on hers he offered her plate back over so she could fix it up how she wanted. Her comment about school got a barked laugh. "More or less, yeah."

Sure didn't need them here.

A nod. "That's good. I try, but the real fiddly stuff is a bit too delicate for me. Kinda heavy handed." He's learning. Just takes practice. Always enjoys the challenge.

Kat took the plate and added a bit of butter before settling back into her seat. She liked conversing over food. If she ever ran out of something to say, all she had to do was take a bite.

"If you ever need help." She paused thoughtfully. "Or we can work on something together." Tony didn't always keep Kat busy since sometimes he didn't need her assistance. Kat wasn't overly pushy but she welcomed distractions.

"What is it that you enjoy doing most?"

A good tactic. Perhaps that's why conversations were usually easier over a meal. If there was a natural or even awkward lull, it could be disguised by eating.

"Sure, might have to come up with a project." He was still working on Niska's mold design. So far it was really stumping him. He was bound to come up with an idea that would work for her needs soon enough.

"Anything, really. Casting, hammer work, you name it. He's teachin' me to draw wire right now. And make hinges." Useful things for the future of the village. So far he'd been quite excited to learn. "How 'bout you?"

"I might be able to think of a project, if you're really interested." Her fork bit into the fluffy pancake as Kat prepared a perfect bite on the end of her fork. "I've been trying to put together an alarm clock but I don't have a bell or anything to make a noise."

She ate her bite and considered his question carefully.

"The reason I like gears," Kat began in a wistful tone. "Is that it isn't about the strength of one. They mold together and when working together they can do so much more. It's smaller work but it's balanced too." It wasn't unlike the spells she'd done before arriving in this village of no magic.

"What d'you need an alarm clock for?" It's an honest question, he woke up the same time every day without it. Though he realized that maybe it wasn't so easy for everyone else. What was so time constraining she couldn't just sleep until she got up though? That was the real question. "A bell shouldn't be too hard." He'll leave the clockwork to her. That's just a little too small and fiddly for him to do effectively.

A thoughtful hum at her describing why she likes gears so much. It was a good point, made him think too much about the military though. People shouldn't be treated like gears. "Think I'll leave anything that intricate to you. Hands are too big." He wiggled his fingers in emphasis. Also impatient and became easily frustrated. Those things didn't help with the idea of clockwork either. "But I can make you a bell." He had a prototype in mind for Niska's pill press as well. Containers were still going to be an issue. "Say, do we have anyone workin' ceramics. Or glass maybe?"

Kat rolled her shoulders in a shrug. "It's easy to wake with the sun and go to bed at night but the nights are getting longer and I feel like I'm spending all that time sleeping." She used the side of her fork to cut the fluffy pancake before popping it into her mouth. "I'd like to get up earlier and I live alone, so I don't have anyone who can help me."

Which was partly her own fault but she didn't want to move out of her home.

She reached over and gently took his hands in hers. "I don't think they're too big." Though as she ran her finger along his palm she noticed that his hands were a lot bigger than hers. "It might be that you need more practice." She gently released his hand and returned to eating her meal. Kat was really full but she continued to eat anyway.

"No glass but there is clay. I don't know if that helps but I found some along the river. If you needed to make a mold then that would do it but it might not last more than one or two uses. I'm not sure." Kat really didn't know how that worked.

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[ MINGLE ] FORGE AFTER HOURS

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