16348/Happy Birthday Nettie!

Happy Birthday Nettie!
Date of Scene:	15 November 2023
Location:	The Crowe's Nest
Synopsis:	Nettie was surprised (not really) by Joshua, Sara, Talia and Clark Kent for her birthday. Gifts were given, she got a cupcake of her very own, and tea was sipped.
Cast of Characters:	Nettie Crowe, Clark Kent, Talia al Ghul, Joshua Foley, Sara Pezzini

---

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    THE CANDLE, BOOKE, AND BELLE SHOPPE. So many extra E's, mister-E's, and part-E's.

    The shop has been closed for the afternoon, as the weather was decent and Nettie had business to attend to in Philadelphia, and had made her return only moments before. Corvax and her new crow, Torny, have flown in and taken up perches as she begins to unwind her flight scarf and remove the goggles from her head, leaving an impression in spite of the cushioning and her hair going every which-way.

    "AND THAT --" Corvax had been mid story, and he flaps his wing a bit, motioning "IS HOW I ended up NOT being on the Queen Anne's Revenge with Blackbeard -- instead my crew on Poor Fortune ended up coasting along Africa with our griefed friend George and freed a number of slave ships from their owners!"

    Torny, the hooded crow, is staring.

    "Was this before or after you lost your leg to fighting the shark with the one eye?!"

    "Oh, oh this is after that." Corvax replies wisely, "Had me a peg made out of the shark's jaw. Since the rest of 'em is all but jelly instead of skeleton!"

    Nettie gives a small smile, leaning against the tea bar in the closed up shop.

    "Take it with a grain of Old Salt, 'e's not got much in the way of fish tales but e's got a yarn or two!" Nettie calls up to the two crows -- Pirate and Penitent.

    She is totally not on guard considering what day it is.

Clark Kent has posed:
So. The CANDLE, BOOKE, AND BELLE SHOPPE. Entering the shop carefully, Clark Kent takes a moment to ensure his tie was straight. His glasses were at the top of his nose, and his note pad was ready in his pocket. As was his pencil.

Clark's steps were cautious and slow, and his look takes in everything in front of him.

Clark's demeanor was a laughable attempt at casual. After all, when was he ever casual? Moving slow and methodical, he speaks up in a voice that was slow and measured. "Hello! Evening. Um. So. How is everyone?"

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia Al Ghul has arrived rather quietly while moving to listen to Corvax, "Were you jumping past it or trying to get over it at the time? I'm told that such things can bring bad luck with them. So if so you enhanced the danger of the situation with a karmic mishap and danger. Such things come with them high risk regardless of circumstances, and are only enhanced by such things." She would fold her arms over across her chest, and have a small package over with her. It was rather large, flat, and plain, and had no real decorations over on it. Just the tape that was sealing it shut. "Is there a pile where we are to put such things?" So formal!
    Going to wait for instructions and then going to move over against the wall. And Clark is -guaranteed- to recognize her an dnkow what she is.

Joshua Foley has posed:
The jingling of a bell announces a visitor. A pair, actually. "Mom!" Joshua calls out with his usual upbeat tone that is reflected in the gold of his skin. He's carrying a small bag decored with 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' in bright colorful letters and a smaller box.

"Happy birthday!" he offers brightly, before seeing the crows. "Hello Corvax, Torny!" with that, he sets down the box to open it. And inside is a crudely made chocolate cupcake. He had used Sara's kitchen to make it and this one was the best of the lot. Even if it's not great.

"I made you a cake?" he offers helpfully, before adding as he extends the bag to Nettie. "And got you a gift. And I'm not alone in wishing you warmly~!" Then he pauses as he sees Clark and offers a wave. "Hello!" he greets.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Slipping through the door shortly after Joshua, Sara carries just a card in her hand but the grin on her face is more telling. For the moment she remains quiet, letting Joshua give Nettie her cake and not making even single comment about it. She could have gotten a cake made by her aunt, but a home made one was far sweeter... in intent at least.

Setting the card by the box with the cake in it, she offers Nettie a nod as she offers a soft, "Happy birthday, Nettie. Hope it's a good one."

Stepping back from Joshua, her eyes shift to a face she doesn't know and another brief nod with a polite, "Afternoon." is offered.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Oh, hullo sir -- I'm afraid the shop's closed for the afternoon," Nettie begins at Clark, because she has never met him outside his costume (in spite of the fact that she has met one of his super sons), and the two birds instantly stop their talking as Clark Kent makes his way in.

    Talia asks her question. ANd Joshua walks in with a bag and... cake?! Nettie gives a questioning look, and then looks to Joshua's lover, and then all around, and then takes a deep breath, looking up to the ceiling, and then exhaling down -- "All right you lot. I'll permit it." she states, and then she leans in and looks at the cupcake.

    And her expression warms greatly, in stead of dispassionate stares it's a warm smile tugging at her lips.

    "Allr ight, all right, might not be much cake to share 'coz I'm going to eat it all -- lad's a decent cook!" she announces, and then she hops over her counter (she stands significantly taller behind it, thanks to a running platform, and starts setting scones up.

    "C'mon, c'mon, introduce yourself sir, not everyone's seen your face on the Daily Planet." she gives a warm smile to Clark, and motions about "My co-conspiritor, Detective Pezzini and my son, Joshua Foley -- my good friend Talia. An' don't mind the birds, they should mind themselves.

Clark Kent has posed:
Clark smiles. "Closed. That is ok! I understand." He doesn't leave however. With another smile, he returns the wave towards Joshua. "Hello! Thank you. Evening!" Clark pushes his glasses back up on his nose. Irritating glasses. "That is a great looking cake!"

Looking into the room, Clark adds, "Happy Birthday! Indeed! Perfect timing! What a great celebration!" A smile towards Sara Pezzini and a move towards the centre of the room. "Afternoon."
Looking slightly downwards, and over his glasses, Clark winks. Wait. Winks? At Talia. His voice subtley changes, as he says, "Good to see you Ms. Al Ghul. Once again. Always a plasure." His voice was deep, low, and for her. Although those with good observation talents would obviously see the interchange.

"As Ms Crowe has mentioned, I am Clark Kent. A friend of the community, as it were." Now that was also followed by a warm smile." It is great t see everyone!"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Without pause Sara steps over to Mr. Kent and offers her hand. "I /knew/ I recognized your face from some place. It's nice to meet you Mister Kent, I'm Sara." There were a ton of other titles connected to her name, the most public and well known being her part in the Avengers as Witchblade. Since this man was just a reporter, albeit a handsome reporter, the titles weren't needed.

Turning her attention back to Nettie that mischievous grin she entered with returns. "Open your card Nettie, I'm pretty certain it's something you will thoroughly enjoy."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would glance over at Nettie, "Happy birthday. I suppose that it's just one more for the bucket. Do they tend to become a bit less important after you've had a few hundred of them?" For some that got old it was just another day and for others it was a point of celebration. It depended a great deal on the immortal after all.
    SHe would go to put her present over in a corner where it was indicated to be dropped. Corvax will probably be killing her later when he can lie in ambush for what she just said after all. "A pleasure to meet you Clark." G lancing over at Talia. "Friend of your's? How did you two meet?" She would inquire? And then smile over at him. "Please do refresh my memory as to how we met one another?" Moving to shake his hand.

Joshua Foley has posed:
"Nice to meet you, Mister Kent." Joshua offers brightly and then ahems. "I should have gotten a bigger cake on the way in." he murmurs softly to Sara, before his attention returns to Sara presenting her gift and his own is handed over after all.

Sure, he blew the whole 'birthday ambush' idea, but at least he had a gift?

When Nettie opens the bag, inside is a small box. There's a five pack of cloth tea bags, already filled with what's marked as tieguanyin tea. He probably spent his entire monthly pay just to secure those bags. And Nettie probably already has it behind the counter and he just couldn't find it. "I was told you can use the bags multiple times."

Clark Kent has posed:
"It is so nice to meet you as well Sara. As you know, I am Clark!" A warm smile and a shake of the hand.

Clark then takes a slight turn, and two steps forward, then shakes Talia's hand. "Oh I don't believe we have met. We are friends of a mutual friend. A Billionaire with a fascination for dark caves and bats." Clark grins. "It is nice to actually meet you." As always, Clark was sincere.

Turning to nod at Joshua, Clark says, "It is nice to meet you as well. Oh, no worries sir, I will only have a small piece of the cake. I have to maintain my figure after all. Suits are terribly expensive nowadays."

Taking the mismatched cup of tea, Clark almost beams a warm smile. "Thank you. I love it." The cup and the tea. In his world, Justice was never blind. Clark's present was modest, and thoughtful. Not as good as the other's presents.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    Nettie gives a small smile, opening Talia's gift first as some scones and tea are coming to temperature, and she gives "Aah, a swimsuit calendar -- no doubt with instruction on how to redeem for a swimsuit of the month." she lauds the gift, and gives a good natured nod to Talia. "Thank you Talia, how incredibly thoughtful!" she offers back.

    A black tea with spice and orange is poured. It has an earthy sweetness to it. Scones are handed out. Everyone has a mismatched cup -- Clark's of course is red and blue and has a depiction of Lady Justice on it, though this one isn't blind.

    Talia's is acid green with amber and violet swirls through the glaze.

    Sara's looks vaguely mechanical and is covered with stars.

    Josh's has 'Mom's Favorite' written on it in sharpie. Nettie slips a sharpie into her pocket as she finishes handing out tea and warmed cranberry orange scones, and hops up to sit on a clear section of tea counter.

    "Oh! Is this --" Nettie begins, catching the scent from the birthday bag, and she almost sticks her face in it.

    "Oh! That's Tieguanyin! That's a rarer variety -- good show, Josh! What a find!" she comments with a smile to the blonde boy with the golden skin.

    "And those bags are adorable. I'll be sure to use 'em until they're just memories, poppet." she smiles to Josh, and carefully puts a hand on his shoulder with motherly pride. In spite of the fact she looks like she's only a couple years older than him.

    And lastly was Pezzini's card.

    "Dear Nettie. Thank you for abdicating your position as head of the JLD, you old fart, I hate you, no love, De-TEC-tiv Pez--" Nettie was BSing what was in the card as she dug out a pair of glasses. And once she applies them to her face, her face sobers.

    She blinks, her cheeks and ears going quite red before she looks up at Sara.

    "Sara, I /can't/ accept this. That's too dangerous *and* too much." she comments quietly.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would smile, "And how to redeem the models in said swimsuits, if that's your preference." Probably best not to ask how that particular thing is an option. She would look amused. "And I do wish you a happy birthday, and time over with friends." She would glance over and go to take the cup. "Do these have meaning or have they been personalized in any sort of way?" She would glance over at Clark.
    "Ahhh. I must say that I'm surprised over that he has friends in journalism that don't work in the tabloids. You must be rahter unique in that regard. Or have some very good blackmail over on him. And it's a pleasure, Mister Kent. You do excellent work at the Planet. How many Pullitzers have you won? They say between you and Ms. Lane you're the most skilled investigative reporters since Woodward and Bernstein."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
If someone manages to catch a glimpse of the card when Nettie opens it, no matter now brief, inside is a rose scented piece of pink paper with bright purple writing. The Lady Lace Club VIP membership night! It lists fifteen dancers who will be performing, along with 'special dances' from Crystal Lace and Amber Rose. Bring whom ever you wish, the club is Nettie's for the night.

Sara starts chuckling as Nettie speaks then laughs out right at the end, like she would sign a card with her work title. "Nettie you old crone, you can't give back birthday presents... it's very bad luck," she laughs a she slips her arm around Joshua. "It is most certainly not too much, as for too dangerous I will be there to chaperone the night."

Joshua Foley has posed:
Joshua was just there, right? "You're a reporter, Mister Kent? That's neat! I wanted to write for a skateboard magazine once upon a time, but my guidance counselor thought I was better at riding a skateboard than writing about them." And that is when Nettie starts to open presents.

And while he was proud of his, as he learns more about Talia and Sara's, the young man's cheeks start to glow brighter, that golden hue getting brighter and brighter. If he was a star, someone in here would probably feel super-charged with as that bright gold color creeps over his cheeks, down his neck and up his ears. "T-th-that's nice." he manages and shoots a look at Sara as she hooks him.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Until flesh-to-flesh contact occurs during a bloody lapdance and then some poor dancer has to contend with visions of their own demise the rest of their lives, I shan't do it. Have fun you two on a visit there." NEttie says lowly, handing the card back to Sara.

    "I apologize for the lack of explaination, Mr. Kent -- I'm afraid this is an interior trouble item." Nettie states, and she looks to Sarah, and breathes out.

Clark Kent has posed:
A slight chuckle. Clark looks at Talia for a few moments, but not an uncomfortable amount of time. Cups - personalized of course. "Journalism is the one true art of truth in a world of pessimism, Ms. al Ghul. Pulitzers. I don't count. Lois is a far better reporter, but thank you for that. I truly appreciate it." Sincere again. "Woodward and Bernstein? Deep cuts. I'm impressed."

"I am a reporter Mr. Foley! I love that you used "neat" in a sentence. I knew there was a reason I liked you!" Kent smiles, with no sign of insincerity at all in his expression. Honest and true. "Oh, sir, you are a Skater! Outstanding! I did a little skating myself when I was younger!" Clark laughs warmly.

"I just wanted to say Happy Birthday, Ms. Crowe. I am sure you can take care of your "interior troubles". However, on behalf of myself, and the "team". Do take care of yourself, enjoy this time, and if you ever need anything, we will be there for you." Clark's blue eyes look deeply into Nettie's and he smiles. "Have a great night everyone." Mostly that was for Nettie of course. With a smile, Clark dons his scraggly old "60s" type hat, and with a final turn, opens the door, and exits into the Autumn night, pulling his coat into himself tightly against the cold.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would nod her head over at Clark, "You're spoken of quite well in the highest circles." Then again, the circles that Talia happens to occupy probably have some rather harsh words when it comes to speaking of him. He no doubt has done quite a -great- many things to earn their frustration. She would glance over to the rest of the group and go to smile, leaning back over against hte wall.

"I'm sure there are middle grounds if you do wish it." She would lightly tease Nettie. "But don't do anything that you wouldn't enjoy."