2019-11-03 - Gimme that Pumpkin Spice

It is Sunday morning. Sunday mornings are usually when Nicole sleeps in, does some gardening, maybe some cleaning as she dances around the trailer. This morning though, Nicole has dragged herself out of bed filled with needs. First, she needed a shower. She smells like maple syrup and her hair is a bit sticky. Once that was taken care of, she needed a fuckin' punkin' latte. She also needs some chocolate, lots of it. Candy. For now though, she is at the Espresso Yourself, sitting at a table with her hands wrapped around that sweet, sweet Pumpkin Spice Latte. Her hair was still wet when she left, still smelling faintly of maple syrup and even if it isn't, she swears it is sticky. So, she wears it in a bun at the moment. Dark washed and professionally aged jeans, a pair of brown leather calf-high boots, and a flannel shirt in shades of purple, cream, and gold plaid finish her oh-so-fall outfit.

It's Sunday morning and Raul is looking scruffy with his dark hair unruly and his face looking a bit scruffy. With the fall months coming he has on an earthy green canvas jacket and a woolden long-sleeved shirt underneath with jeans and a pair of brown workers boots. There's definitely some lag in the man's movements as he tromps in fromt the rainy morning weather towards the counter with a hand groping into the back of his jeans for a wallet.

A short exchange later he has a cold brew with some irish kicker syrup in it and an extra shot of espresso and is sipping it as he turns and spots Nicole his local hair stylist (yes men need them too) and more importantly amatuer photographer for One Up events and cosplay. There's a sleepy smile as he makes his way in her direction, lifting his coldbrew kicker in a greeting. "Hey Nicole, long time no see. You look about as keen to be here as me." he chuckles not claiming a chair with the young woman yet, but standing nearby.

Looking up, Nicole shares a sleepy smile with Raul. One leg is set crossed over the other as she sits at the table, but she unfolds it, stretching it out to push out the chair across from her gently. "Good morning, Raul." Lifting her much needed Pumpkin Spice, she says, "I had a craving... Anyway, how are you? How's the shop? I actually have been meaning to give you and Ruby a call..." Gesturing to that chair, she says, "have a seat and chat, if you've the time?"

Raul claims the chair once Nicole's foot is clear of it the man leaning back with a groan before hunching forward to put his elbows on the table and sip from the straw of his coldbrew. After a particularly long ssssssssssip he smiles toothily and replies, "I've been good we had a comic costume party, I went as Bane but we saw the Tick and Jessica Jones with Luke Cage and a few others. It was fun, little bit of a small showing." then he makes an mmhm sound at the call, "Yeah did you want to do a photo shoot or get some comics?"

"I wanted to go to that... but, I was caught up elsewhere. How'd it go?" Nicole's leg resettles, crossed with the other. She slips her hand between them to warm chilly fingertips while keeping that latte in the other. "What was Ruby?" she asks. "Oh, neither, unless you have new things you need shot? I have a friend who is an artist. Well, I have a few artist friends, it seems, but one, in particular, is why I was going to contact you." She smiles and takes a sip from her latte before settling it down. Holding it, she runs the edge of the bottom of the cup around the table. "His name is Dylan. He works in a number of mediums, but, he is making a comic book. Did you see my help wanted ad? He drew that. Anyway, I told him he should talk to you guys and see if, maybe when he was ready to print something, if you guys might feature it in the store or something."

"I think it went well enough, I just wish the turnout was a bit better. Not a lot of times we get a crowd in a shop these days even with the MCU putting those movies out." Raul admits in a good natured tone, though the hint of disappointment is obvious. When Nicole asks after Ruby he laughs softly and explains, "Medusa, a red-haired comic book... Well heorine... Villianess... She is a Queen and rather bossy so it fit." after the little praise to the concept he continues, "Sure if he's looking to release a self-published comic book we could definitely do something. It'd be a bit more Ruby's department than mine as I deal with games, but maybe we could all grab lunch and have a talk about it. You could take some glamour shots of his comic, put it on instagram or something?"

"You guys need to hold something when I don't already have plans," Nicole says with a smile. "We can generate more interest pretty easily. " She chuckles and asks, "is that how it all works? She bosses you around?" Nodding, she says, "ah. I didn't know duties were divided like that. It's based on local people. I'm in it!" She says. "Oh, not sure about the insta thing. I mean, I could promote it but, not post the whole thing. Lemme see if he's gonna be available any time soon. He has classes. When is good for you guys?" She sets her latte down almost reluctantly and reaches for her phone from her pocket, powering it up. She first spots a text that was delivered to her, and she opens that up, smiling and tapping a response before sending off another one to someone else.

"Red-heads, they have opinions." Raul replies with a slow sip of his cold brew and then a toothy smile as Nicole shoots of a text. "But red-head and bossy girlfriend jokes aside she's pretty sweet on me. Almost to sweet, sometimes I think she'll take it wrong if she tells me to get off my ass and go to the gym." he says with a shrug. "Oh as for days sometime during the week would work, we could meetup at One Up or somewhere else" he offers in an encouraging tone as the texting occurs on and off. "What kind of comic is it?"

"Girlfriend? I thought you were married," Nicole says, looking up from her phone. "Dylan says he's finished the first edition. It's called Grayscale. I... am 'Style'" She beams a proud smile then tilts her head. "Oh, do you think you need to get off your ass and go to the gym? I've been going to Kelly's. It's fun.. way more entertaining than running on a damned treadmill." She looks at her phone and when that pic comes through, she shows it to Raul.

Pointing to Style, Nicole says, "that's me... in case you can't tell. It's like, action comedy... um, just based on people around the city, but like, making us super heroes sort of. It's fun! And he's really talented."

"We've been together for a long time, we're engaged." Raul explains with his cold brew being set to the side and he leans in to give Nicole a look with his dark eyes and then to the phone examining the cover art Dylan sent. "That's cool for a small town like this doing a little hero fantasy." when Nicole points at Style there's another chuckle and he admits, "You know I see the resemblance. She must go to Kelly's gym in the comic book too... As for me, I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds for the wedding. If only because those pictures will be around forever and I want Ruby to like looking at them without worrying about me getting a heart attack." it's a little extreme of a sentiment as the middle-aged man is at worst toting a dad-bod around and not obese or anything.

A new text dings through and Nicole peeks at it. "Oh! Here's another." She flips the phone around again for Raul to see. "I mean... she, I, we might have more incentive to go to Kelly's gym than just a good workout. Well, maybe not Style, but me at least. You want to learn to box, or something? Go to Kelly's. Or.. I mean, you could take up jogging if you wanted, go to the other gym... yoga. Omm. When's the wedding?"

"Clever for a self-published comic to have grayscale like that. Makes it cheaper to print, means nicer paper and better ink too." Raul explains as Nicole shows him yet another bit of the artwork. When she elaborates on Kelly's gym there's an oooo sound, "I'd probably enjoy boxing more than yoga and the wedding is you know, coming up." he replies rather vaguely on the date but seems sleepy but pleased with the idea regardless. "I know Ruby goes more often than me, maybe you guys could go together when I don't make it out with her."

"He doesn't talk a whole lot... so, that's partly why I am helping. I think he communicates great despite it, but some people have a little more trouble. So, I'll be your Rink Interpreter. " Nicole smiles and nods. "I didn't think of that... the cost benefits and such. I just thought it was a cool aesthetic. Oh, does Ruby box?" Taking a sip from her latte she murmurs, "I may have to hit up the Patisserie after this... I had this dream last night and now, all I want is sugar... Anyway, yeah, I have been kind of learning kickboxing? Very much a beginner, but if she wants, she's welcome to come along? Maybe I'll get bonus points for bringing in new members... if you guys aren't already members..." She looks at her phone again and asks, "he says he's cool with lunch. Where sounds good for you?"

"Ruby is athletic, she did some competitive stuff when she was younger. I'll let her tell you all the deets, she's pretty proud of being not only a geek girl but a lowkey badass." Raul explains with a shifty eyed looked as he tries not to come off as overly praising his girlfriend and thus downplays it with a long sip of his coldbrew through the straw. "Where ever for lunch is good, I could cook something at our place and invite you guys over. That seems a little 'formal' for lunch but it's pretty homey or if you guys know a good place in town."

Waving a hand at Raul Nicole says, "we'll figure it out... one way or another. I'll text you and let you know?" Pausing, she asks, "how has business been otherwise? Do you guys need another promo?"

"We could use another promo for the holidays maybe some christmas gifts to boost sales. I know there's a new Dungeons and Dragons module coming out and some board games that might be good if you're up for doing a photoshoot of new products and maybe Ruby can cosplay as one of the heroines or a genderswap hero from a new comic run that is going on." Raul says after a moment of consideration before adding, "You could always bring some of your friends in after boxing and do some make believe adventures too."

Nicole nods to Raul. "I am always up for taking pictures. Just tell me when. " Grinning she adds, "I can ask them, but I don't know if they are the type for that kind of gaming fun. But, if you are willing to teach, maybe I can join in sometime at least."

"Sure there are a few games for easing people in. Say Anything is a good one. It's more on the players than anything else, just gives you prompts." Raul explains somewhat vaguely as it's unclear what the game might be able except saying things! "As for pictures, I'll hit Ruby up and see what she thinks about a holidays promo. How is the hair stylist gig going for you?"

"Oh... Say Anything? Is that like Truth or Dare?" Nicole asks before taking another sip. "The salon is going good. I've decided it is smarter for me to wait until after the holidays to do the remodeling projects. Holidays usually make us busier. Hence, help wanted ads."

"Kind of... You draw a card from a deck. It has three questions on it. The person who drew it asks one of them and the other players have to write the answer they think is best. Then they bet on which one the questioner will pick. It tends to be pretty funny and you normally win by knowing the questioner enough to play to their tastes. Every round it's a new person drawing the card so it's a good time." Raul explains before nodding along to Nicole's comment on the Salon. "Well I do handiwork around One Up if you need a hand, I can certainly do that maybe for a discount or free promo shots?"

Wrinkling her nose, Nicole says, "that sounds like Cards Against Humanity with the addition of betting. Is it like, money betting?" Tilting her head, her nails play at the rim of her paper coffee cup. "I plan on doing a lot of the work myself, and Joey said he might know some people, but I will keep that in mind for sure. Any specialty?"

"Nah it's like... What was the best saturday cartoon in the 90's or what is the worst song that could come on the radio?" Raul explains with a hint of sincerity in trying to sway Nicole's opinion on the game. "Everyone writes their own thing then tries to justify it. The questioner secretly picks and then they all big little colored tokens on which one they think the judge will take. It's gambling for points not money." and then onto the more responsible practical things, "I can do carpentry some light electrical, you're handy with tools?"

She listens to the details of the game and smiles. "Huh, sounds kind of fun maybe... Might have to try it." Nicole nods a bit. "A little. Mostly like, cosmetic things, not electrical." She grins. "I should be going soon though," she says, lifting her almost empty cup.

Raul is only halfway through his coldbrew but he's rising up as Nicole mentions leaving and admits, "I'm supposed to bring Ruby back something but I like drinking my coldbrew before the ice starts melting. I'll shoot you a text in a couple days to hammer out the time and place. Unless you catch Ruby first?"

"Sure thing," Nicole says, getting up and finishing off her cup before she tosses it away to leave. "Text soon," she calls out over her shoulder.