foster_jane (foster_jane) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-09-22 00:44:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, audrey, gwen stacy (ghost spider), jane foster |
Who: Jane, Gwen and Audrey
When: First week in September
Where: Baxter Bakery
What: Meeting, Chatting, being Girly
Rating/Warning: Low/None
Status: Complete!
Gwen and Jane headed into the bakery. Audrey had done a few deliveries to Stark, so she and Gwen had bumped into each other a couple of times. They weren’t close (yet) but they were friendly. Gwen was just talking to Jane about Audrey, and they decided to go to the bakery for lunch. It seemed only fitting. Jane needed to meet and get to know Audrey better--afterall, she was going to be Merlin’s wife soon enough.
Gwen stepped into the line at the counter, and marvelled at how busy the place was. “Must be really good food for lunch.” She said, leaning over so Jane could hear her. “I normally only come for a breakfast pastry and a coffee.”
“Well Merlin pretty much raved over this place,” Jane commented as she took in the amount of people in the bakery. “Everyone’s getting stuck into their food, so I’d say that’s a good indication,” she grinned at Gwen.
“Well, he would, wouldn’t he?” Gwen said, giving her friend a little, knowing smirk. She stepped forward when the line moved. “It looks like people are enjoying it, true. And the line’s moving pretty quickly, so that’s also a good sign.”
“Well, I suppose so,” Jane laughed. “You normally come here before work then?”
Gwen blushed a little. “I’m a bit of a junkie. And when I met Audrey--she was dropping off lunch for Merlin at the time--I started popping in here for my morning coffee. It’s become routine now.”
“Well, if the coffee’s as good as I’ve heard it is, then I may be joining you in your daily pilgrimage,” Jane joked as they stepped forward in the queue again. “So where’s Merlin’s Audrey then?” she asked, peering around at the various servers.
Gwen lifted her head and looked around at the employees behind the counter. There were a couple of girls who only knew her by her morning order, though she didn’t know their names, and over behind the pastry case… “There. That’s her.” Gwen said, motioning to an auburn-haired woman of around thirty. Audrey was plump, but incredibly pleasant, and dressed like a 1950’s housewife.
Jane looked in the same direction that Gwen was pointing, standing up on her toes to see. “Aww, she’s really cute!” Jane commented with a little smile. “How did they meet? Do you know?”
“I’m not sure. I think he just came in here a lot.” Gwen said, leaning over a bit, almost conspiratorially. “All I know is she’s an absolute sweetheart. And I always thought that Merlin was gay.”
"Yeah," Jane laughed. "He does seem to...give of that air," she joked. If she hadn't known about Audrey from the start she might have assumed that for herself. "You know her then?" Jane asked as they moved forward a little more.
“Just a bit. She came in to Stark to deliver Merlin’s lunch, and we got to talking. She seems so kind.” Gwen beamed. “She brought me lunch once, too. She’s super generous.” They reached the front of the line and Gwen smiled to the girl at the register. “Can we see Audrey, please?”
Audrey, at the sound of her name, perked up, then broke into a bright grin. “Gwen Stacy! Come over here, you.” She said, moving around the counter to give Gwen a big hug. And the gal with Gwen, too. “Hello! You must be a friend of Gwen’s!”
Gwen laughed. “Audrey, this is Jane. Jane, Audrey.”
Jane wasn't expecting the hug, so when Audrey pulled her in for one she flailed a little but then figured giving into the gesture was the right course of action. She wrapped her arms around the girl with a laugh. "Nice to meet you!" she grinned.
“It’s nice to meet you, too! Do you work with Gwen?” Audrey asked, pulling back. She was a grinning person, happy and friendly by nature.
“Sort of. We work in the same building sometimes, but she’s not in my department.” Gwen said. “We left Merlin there today, figured we’d have a girls’ lunch out.”
“Yeah, I’m mostly just stealing the particle accelerator over the summer,” Jane elaborated. “I’ve been offered an internship though, so I’ll see what this year of school is going to bring and then go for it,” she smiled.
“Oooh, I didn’t know you got an internship!” Gwen said, turning to her friend with a bright smile on her face. “Congrats!”
Audrey beamed, too. “Let’s celebrate! Mochas? Mocha? Mocha?” She said, pointing to the girls each in turn. “I’ll be right back!” And she dashed off around the counter to make them at the espresso machine.
"Yeah," Jane gave a little embarrassed laugh. "Mr Stark offered me one whenever I want pretty much," she told them when Audrey returned with coffee and they moved to sit down near the window. "He even made me a suit with all sorts of monitoring equipment in it! I can't wait to get in it to try it all out!"
“He made you a suit, too?” Gwen asked. “I knew he was making them for a lot of the Stark family… he hadn’t painted mine when I went in to see it.” She said, slipping into the chair near where Jane sat.
“That’s amazing. Like, an Iron Man suit??” Audrey asked, wide-eyed, looking between them.
"Yeah, he said he wanted to protect the 'squishy people' he cares about," Jane told them. "It worried me a little though, he seemed a little...on edge," she told them with a frown.
“He was a bit crazy when I saw him, but then again… he’s Tony Stark. When’s he not crazy?” Gwen said, breaking into a bit of a smirk at that thought. “I’m stoked about using my suit, though. Really excited.”
Audrey looked both thrilled and jealous. “Man! I wish I had a suit! That’s amazing, that is.” She sipped from her teacup (hot tea, as she’d been dreaming, she’d started drinking it hot instead of iced) and glanced between the girls. “Think he’s gone over the edge?”
“I think…” Jane took a second to consider her words carefully. “I think he’s putting himself under a lot of stress. I mean, as cool as it is to have these awesome suits I can’t help but wonder if they’re a hobby to keep his mind occupied,” she shrugged. “It’s what I do,” she admitted taking a sip of her coffee.
Audrey paused. “Poor guy. After those horrible weddings. I wouldn’t blame him if he needs a hobby to keep his mind off of things.”
Gwen nodded, too. “I imagine that poor Pepper needs something to do, too. I’m surprised that she’s done as well as she has, considering. I don’t think I’ll ever get married.”
“Well, it’s alright for some people,” Jane smiled at Audrey. “I just think Stark attracts trouble, I mean let’s face it, he’s pretty high profile,” she theorised, picking up her coffee to sip it.
“I can’t wait to get married.” Audrey said with a wistful sigh. She broke into a grin at the other girls around the table. “I’m glad I’m not as high profile as Stark Industries. No one really cares one way or the other about Baxter Bakery.”
“We care,” Jane pointed out. “Merlin’s pretty excited too, I found him poring over magazines at his desk the other day,” she laughed. “Have you sorted out your dress yet?”
“Well, no, I mean… of course people care, just not enough to try and ruin things… right?” Audrey said, backtracking.
Gwen simply nodded.
Audrey went on, “Oh. Dress. Right. I should probably try and figure something like that out, shouldn’t I?” She went rather pink.
"Probably a good idea," Jane grinned at her. "Do you have an idea of what you'd like?"
“Well… I want to design it myself. I think I’d like something off the shoulders, poofy at the bottom, with a waist. I really need a dress with a waist.” She had a crazy hourglass figure, and wanted to show it off.
“You’re going to be beautiful either way,” Gwen said. “But we can help you look.”
“Absolutely,” Jane grinned, she’d never had a friend who was getting married. Then a thought hit her. “I mean, that is if you’re ok with it, y’know, what with only just having met me and all,” Jane added bashfully with a shrug.
Audrey laughed. “I’m fine with it! We should get a big group together, and all go dress shopping. I’m thinking I want to design something myself, but it doesn’t hurt to go look? Maybe I’ll find something I’m absolutely in love with, and then I won’t have to pay extra to have someone make it for me special.”
Gwen grinned. “I think that’s a splendid idea. I’d love to look at big, fluffy, white gowns.”
Jane laughed at the pair, trying not to feel like she was intruding on these two very good friends discussing a very personal decision. "There's a few designers on the Net aren't there? Could you put out some feelers on there for design ideas and prices?" she suggested.
“That’s a good idea.” Gwen agreed with Jane, nodding. “You should definitely do that. Use Valarnet as a resource.”
Audrey nodded, too. “I think I will. I--” she cut off, though, as someone behind the counter started calling out for her. “Oh, I should get back to work. You ladies enjoy your coffee.” She gave them each a grin. “I’ll be in touch! We’ll definitely do this again!”
“Definitely! I want to see pictures of you in lots of different dresses!” Jane called after her with a smile. “You’re right, she’s adorable,” Jane told Gwen. “She and Merlin go really well together,” she decided.
Gwen gave a laugh. “Right?? Isn’t she? She’s a sweetheart. And so’s Merlin. They’re a perfect match. We’ll have to hang out with the two of them together some time.” Gwen said, grinning. “C’mon, let’s get back to work.”