Stark Industries - Thursday

[the_best_sister]

Of all the things Yelena expected when she took a job at Stark Industries, dealing with a "security" issue at the gremlin-run Starbucks wasn't one of them.

The gremlins had tried to "upgrade" the espresso machine to run faster and produce more coffee. While they succeeded, the machine had turned into an espresso cannon, spraying the lobby like a firehose and pinning the gremlins against the wall.

Unfazed, Yelena stood there, debating whether to let them suffer their own genius or step in. With a heavy sigh, she walked over and unplugged the machine.

"Congratulations. You’ve invented the first espresso fire hose. Want to tell me why my boots are covered in coffee?"

The gremlins looked up at her with wide eyes, still dripping with espresso. One of them sheepishly offered her a cup filled to the brim with coffee, half of which spilled before it even reached her. Yelena just sighed and snatched the cup of their hand.

"Clean that up," she ordered, gesturing at the small lake of espresso in the lobby before heading off to add milk and pumpkin spice syrup to her free latte.

Comments

[heroic_jawline]

Steve paused on his way to the elevator up to the residences. "Do I even want to ask?"

[the_best_sister]

"Probably not," Yelena said with a frown as she turned around and then realized who she was talking to.

There was just a moment of hesitation as this was the first time she had seen Steve since arriving on the island. Or at least the first time he wasn't a dog.

"Gremlins took 'improving the coffee' a little too far," she added with a wry smile. "Nice to see you’re back to normal, though Fanny’s going to be devastated to lose her playmate."

She extended her hand. "Yelena Belova. We haven’t officially met."

[heroic_jawline]

"Steve Rogers," Steve said, giving her a firm handshake. "It's nice to meet you, Yelena. And Patriot is always available for playdates. He has a lot of energy for a corgi."

[theworst_verine]

Was Logan being social? Eh, debatable. But he was stopping into the weirdly tall for the island building to see where Yelena worked.

He did not care. You know, for the record. The official record. But there he was nonetheless.

[the_best_sister]

"I've noticed. For a little guy he was able to hang with the big dogs and hold his own," Yelena said stepping aside for a gremlin and their mop. "Think Tony would mind me bringing Fanny into the office?"

[the_best_sister]

To see Logan show up at work was surprising to say the least. "Logan. So good to see you. Would you like a cup of coffee?"

Yes. She was gesturing to the floor.

[theworst_verine]

Look, he was just investigating.

"I think I'm good," he replied dryly.

[heroic_jawline]

"I doubt it," Steve said with a smile, "but check with the gremlins, too."

[the_best_sister]

"So what brings you by? Need to talk to Stark? Steve? That perky intern who rambles on endlessly about Captain Marvel?" Yelena asked, genuinely curious as to Logan's visit.

[theworst_verine]

"Who?" Look, he was from the Fox properties... mostly. Ask him about poor, sweet baby boy Johnny Storm instead.

[the_best_sister]

"After having espresso blasted through the office this morning, I'm not checking in with them for anything," Yelena said eyeing the baristas. "Franny can do oversight on any future projects for them."

Because dogs can do that.

[heroic_jawline]

"They did this?" And now the gremlins were getting the full dose of Captain America is Very Disappointed in You eyes.

[the_best_sister]

"Never mind," Yelena said with an amused eyeroll. "What can I do for you Logan? I'm afraid I have no whiskey with me so there's no rewards for telling me to eff off."

[theworst_verine]

"I think I'll manage without," he said, looking around the place. "This where you work?"

It was very... Apple Store looking.

[the_best_sister]

Yelena frowned as the gremlins seemed to react more to Steve's disappointment than her threats.

"Yes," she said with a nod. "Apparently they felt the need to add some improvements. I'm not sure why espresso needs to be produced at such volume but they might have learned their lesson."

[the_best_sister]

Don't say anything about the Apple Store aesthetic out loud, Logan. It'll make Tony think he needs to redecorate.

"Yes, doing security," Yelena replied. "And apparently babysitting green baristas."

[theworst_verine]

Look, sometimes you needed to completely re-do the place! And add more lasers too.

"Security? At an electronics store?" Logan asked. "Guess it beats a book store."

[ifwebeworthy]

Thor stepped out of the elevator, took two steps, and looked down to see why his boots were...sloshing.

And then really looked around the lobby.

Judging. Just judging so hard.

[the_best_sister]

"I wouldn't say that," Yelena said with a laugh. "Besides this isn't an electronics store. Stark Industries is more like a shiny, high-tech playground where everything is straight out of a sci-fi movie. I take it you've never heard of Tony Stark or Iron Man?"

[theworst_verine]

"What is he? Made of metal?" That schtick was taken, Tony! That was Colossus!

[the_best_sister]

"Gremlins," Yelena called out to Thor as if that explained everything. "If you wanted coffee you might have to make it yourself."

[the_best_sister]

Or Silver Surfer! Don't forget the other Fox properties!

"More like a guy in fancy high-tech armor that can fly and blow up things," Yelena clarified. "And also a billionaire playboy philanthropist. Well... less of a playboy. He's married."

[ifwebeworthy]

"Ah," Thor said as if that explained everything, which indeed, it did, although he might now be operating under the misconception Yelena had done this while under the influence of gremlin venom, which, it was okay, Yelena. It happened to a lot of people.

Not Thor, because of the armor. But a lot of people.

"I do not find myself in need of stimulation at present, fortunately," he confessed. He wasn't Don. (It was really for the best. Don might have cried.)

[theworst_verine]

"Seriously?" Logan asked, frowning. Because that kinda armor sounded almost like personal sized Sentinels. "Rich people hobbies."

But he was a touch on edge about it. Because, well, Sentinels.

[the_best_sister]

Surely Don is made of sterner stuff than this!

"Well there's always decaf," Yelena mused. "I mean I don't know why anyone would drink decaf. But hey if you're already stimulated then good for you."