Owner	Pose
Venom	Eddie Brock hadn't heard of Coffee of DOOM before. Though when Gwen had mentioned it, and the Latverian connection, he had given a small chuckle. The chuckle was repeated when Eddie and Gwen arrived and the man saw the capital letters used in the signage. "Does not surprise me," he comments with a shake of his head and more chuckling. He holds the door open for Gwen and then follows inside after the blond college student has entered. The inside takes him further by surprise. "Ok. Not quite what I was expecting for a coffee house," he says. "Though I suppose a place you can find a Latverian medical journal for light reading was bound to be a little... off the coffee house beaten path," Eddie says of the rather intellectual-based coffee house. The decor makes him want to give a small sigh. He had slipped out early this morning - 4 AM early! - for a shift down unloading fish at the Fish Market. A few extra dollars to take Gwen out with. Though from the looks of the place, that money will have to go to their visit here. Meaning, tomorrow morning. 4 AM again.
Melina Vostokoff	In the far corner of the room, already with some very fancy latte and a book on 'Being Your Best Self!', is a woman who should catch no one's eye. Melina looks like every generic soccer mom to have existed in the history of this country. Her hair is in a neat braid, maybe just a few grays peaking through but they are carefully hidden beneath an expensive blue and gray scarf that matches the MLM jewelry around her neck. She's in high waisted jeans, a white tank top, and a pale blue button down shirt over top. The only 'strange' thing is she certainly looks more fit that a middle aged mother, but then if she's reading a self help book in NYC this time of the day? She probably has time to do all the hot yoga and SoulCycle in the world. As the door opens, her shoulders quietly shift to be almost pressed against the corner of the wall. Hazel eyes flicker up fro her book, taking in the new entrants, before she goes back to her quite not intellectual reading.
Gwen Stacy	"I saw it online." Gwen is telling Eddie while they wander into the cafe, "They have got a really interesting study on genetics at this cafe. And I just -cant- find the thing anywhere else." a playful grin. "I am sure it must be a devious ploy from the owner to get some genetics nerds to come here." ah, self-burns.... "Besides.." And the blond Gwen takes a sniff towards the pastries. "I am told the pastries here are to die for..." Maybe literally. This is DOOM's coffee house after all. She is dressed in a pair of jeans, tight fitting top and a leather jacket atop. On her feet a pair of sneakers. Rather cheapo clothing all in all, no designer stuff or jewelry. Ah the life of a college student... Gaze takes in the rest of the people here, eyes on the 'soccer mom' briefly, then a few other patrons. She gestures. "Lots of free seats. Want to find us a table while I take care of the food and drinks?" she suggests to Eddie.
Wanda Maximoff	Not many people enjoy the thrill of being overlooked by the Latverian infrastructure of Victor von Doom. The servers must be vetted for their loyalty and discretion. They might all just be bots, part of a hive-minded network the man himself originated to cause all manner of trouble. They have reason for worry about a security breach when the centre of the universe decides to show up in all her fashionable aplomb. Not for her the heavy coat or the smothering layers of a New York afternoon. She breezes in wearing a sweater dress yoked around her waist by a belt. A few rings grace her fingers in flashing radiance, one a bright melange of aquatic blues and greens, another a dance of amber laid in a bed of polished wood. The rest aren't nearly so eye catching, humbler by far. When she raises her hand to her hair, the dance of flame might be enough to attract someone's attention. How elegant the place is, practically vibrating with Viennese intentions and melodies. Her smile rises; here, then, is somewhere that wrests an uneasy balance. Her heel click a bit as she walks to claim a space not already occupied by someone. In passing, she nods to Eddie and Gwen, that polite affability of strangers facing one another. She settles down and needs to barely look at a menu, a cursory survey affirming what she wants is there at all.
Venom	Eddie Brock's glance he gave the place included noting the 'soccer mom', and then promptly forgetting about her, probably as she intended for people to do. His eyes have a way of being drawn back to the smaller blond that he entered with anyway. "It does smell great," he agrees. He knows Gwen will end up paying for everything if he lets her. Half the time he does have to let her. Well, not today at least. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small fold of bills. None of large denominations he knows, so he just passes them all over to her. "Here, can use this for it," he says. Not that having her pay for everything makes him feel like less of a man.    <<Venom>> "It does make you less of a man." Eddie's teeth grind quietly. Before he can offer a mental quip back, he glances up at the latest arrival. Subtly he tenses as he recognizes the Avenger. She goes right on past with just a nod. Not there for him.    <<Venom>> "Why would she be here for us? We have been good. And it is getting boring, Eddie." Eddie clears his throat. "I'll grab us a table then," he agrees to Gwen, giving her temple a tiny peck and then moving over to a table with four seats, but a nice view of the place and a look out the windows. He glances over at a stand of books, pulling one out to check the spine.
Melina Vostokoff	The entrance of Wanda Maximoff most certainly overshadows the other interesting couple for just a few heartbeats. Her head subtly tilts, a small hint that the brown haired woman might recognize the incredibly powerful Avenger, but that's it. Melina turns another page in her book, head adjusting so it looks like she is reading, but she's keeping a sharp eye on the trio of new entrants out of the top of her gaze. Her shoulders have gone subtly more tight.
Gwen Stacy	Reaching over to take the bills Gwen eyes them briefly, then Eddie, gaze narrowing momentarily, "So this is where you went this morning." oh yes, she can still smell the fish odor from the bills. Lips press to a thin line, "And it's the 21st century, Eddie. I am perfectly capable of paying this as well." it does seem like it's an old argument between them. Still, she pockets the bills inside the backpocket of her jeans. Does she notice that rising tension though? She follows Eddie's gaze to the new arrival, eyebrows up in surprise. An Avenger! She resists starting to fangirl at least even if blue eyes do continue to follow Wanda long after it'd be proper. And she nodded! So she nods back, with a gentle smile on her expression. "Don't let that jaw hanging so much, Eddie." She jokes with the man, giving him a little hip bump, "Anyway, I will return soon.." and so she steps in line to get an order going. The rest of the tensions in the room? So far Gwen doesn't seem to have noticed any.
Wanda Maximoff	/Being Your Best Self./ It's the kind of book to stand out from the Guardian, Bild, Neue Kronen Zeitung, Rossijskaja Gazeta, and half a dozen other newspapers ever at the fingertips of the erudite readers. Or just those who want to look educated, who have equal cause to dog-ear pages and pretend to understand the concepts in the Financial Times or the Lancet. No doubt a few of those esteemed journals float around for the enlightenment of the foolish, ignorant masses flocking to Doom's altar. She catches a little of the tension involving the cash exchange between Gwen and Eddie. Easier not to draw unwanted attention in that direction, giving the couple their dignity. She crosses her legs, boots flexing at the ankles to permit a loosening of the stress on the joints after walking or treading the dawn in pursuit of a greater danger. Completely natural behaviour! Utterly natural girl, nothing to worry about at all there. She waits for a server to come by, impeccably timed and dressed, to order a mocha and a pastry on a plate. "Heavy on the chocolate drizzle, please." An Avenger with a sweet tooth, gather that precious intel. Or maybe she has no sweet tooth at all and it's a feint. Either way, she keeps a light touch on the napkin and curious gaze moving freely among other patrons. As you do in a place like this. Nothing to be worried about, she hasn't even pronounced the word no in anger. Rather, she gives a light smile and minute nod to Gwen, who seems to be going about her way just fine.
Venom	Eddie replaces the book and then picks up a literary journal. The man stands 6'2" and with the build of a rugby player or maybe a brawler. So seeing the smile of genuine delight he gives as he thumbs it open and sees the list of articles it contains might seem out of place to some. He takes a seat, nudging the chair beside him out so it's ready for Gwen, though whenever she makes it back to the table he'll be standing to pull it out for her anyway. His eyes go right past Melina and back over to Wanda Maximoff. Remembering what he knows of her, though relaxed now that she just seems to be here for a beverage. Or maybe to meet with Doom. Eddie would not be surprised if the Latverian monarch walked in just now. It's been that kind of month.
Melina Vostokoff	After another page turn, especially as Melina feels Wanda's eyes a bit heavier on her (and her book), the soccer mom makes a decision; she NEEDS to know if Wanda is here for her. Did Natasha trip someone's radar? Have her followed? The timing is too close. So, after a few flickers of greenish eyes, in Wanda's direction and then down to book, Melina slips a satin book mark into the thing and sets it down before coming up to Wanda. "...Oh. My. *GOD*. You're the Scarlet *Witch*, aren't you?! You've saved this city more than once! I'd know you anywhere!" Her accent is all middle America. Kansas or Ohio, maybe. A little high and annoying a voice, expression entirely a nerdy fan girl who is nervous but can't resist talking to her favourite hero.
Gwen Stacy	Choices have been made. Black coffee for two. A pair of pastries. All in all it's a rather simple affair. But Gwen likes simple, she bringing the tray back to the table she is sharing with Eddie, the tray sliding across to rest between them. "There we go." she settles down on her chair, glancing over the article Eddie is reading. "Something catching your fancy there?" she questions with a grin. "Which speaking of, let me see if I ..." a quick perusal over the cabinet where the medical articles are brings fruits, "... here it is." she returning triumphantly to the table, a look over as Melina starts fangirling at the Scarlet Witch. Well, it was only a matter of time she expected! Could had been her if not for her IRON will. (And also not having ulterior motives like a certain Black Widow!) "What are you all so tense for?" She asks Eddie. Apparently Gwen noticed.
Wanda Maximoff	Speak of the devilish dictator and... he will not appear. There may be pictures scattered about that embody Victor, like the traditional Conservative strongholds in London boast all manner of Queenly imagery. Must keep up with the Windsor-Mountbattens, though no episodes of "The Mask" will replace "The Crown" for popular viewership yet. The Genoshan royal, of another quasi-defunct title, eases back into her seat and pulls a small Moleskin notebook from her purse jsut about the moment when the soccer mom contemplates making a run and Eddie engages in good reading choices. Mom would be proud, probably. She no sooner pauses to consider a trip over to the rack when the pianist picks up a lilting tune. It might partly cover the enthusiastic exclamation of her title. The witch's amber-green eyes widen a fraction. Her hand drifts harmlessly over her little notebook, a ghostly shape painted by her delicate fingertips. "Guilty as named," she admits. Steve lives this every day. He deals with it gracefully and there may be an echo of that in her welcome smile, the warm tone. "Good to meet you. It's a team effort keeping the city humming, though, I cannot claim credit for anything more than that." Melina receives a gentle nod. The witch's Transian accent is subtle; flattened, but definitely there. "Would you care to sit? No need to stand by." The server returns with the plate and her mocha on a tray, classically served with a small glass of water and a tiny biscuit that mostly exists to taunt the tastebuds. It's not a particularly flavourful biscuit. The gentleman waits, prepared to hold up the sun. Maybe to take an order, maybe to shoot lasers out of his eyes or start spontaneously singing the Latverian Autumn Doom Harvest song.
Venom	Eddie looks up from his literary journal as Gwen returns, rising to pull her seat out for her and taking his own again when she's seated. "Looks great," he says of her choices. He moves the journal aside as he takes a sip of the coffee, just a tiny one to test how hot it is, then sets the cup down on the table. "Oh, story comparing the works of Ibsen and Samuel Beckett. The playwright, not the Quantum Leap character," Eddie says in his gravelly bass voice. "Did you find the one you were interested in?" he asks after Gwen goes to grab her own reading from the medical and science rack of journals and books. Eddie picks up his pastry and takes a small bite. "Wow. Ok, full marks to Latverian cooking," he comments as he sets the pastry back down while savoring the flavor. Over across the room, the door opens up, a loud, brash voice preceding the speaker into the room. "And you tell them if they don't, I'll sue!" the voice says loudly. A voice belonging to one J. Jonah Jameson. Despite the fury with which he delivered the last words, he lapses into a good-natured tone. "And give my love to Barbara and the kids. I'm about to grab some overpriced foreign coffee. I'll talk to you tomorrow on the conference call," he says into his phone, hanging it up. Eddie's hand tightens on his pastry's plate, thankfully not so hard to shatter it.
Melina Vostokoff	"Oh! I mean...I wouldn't want to... I mean, interrupt! You probably get this all the time and just wanted a quiet coffee! I didn't mean to bother...Gosh, I wish I had something for you to *sign*! You're just... You're such an inspiration, you know? To young girls everywhere." Melina seems torn between gushing and being shy, clearly not socially adept in the least. Or, that's what she's expertly showing. There is a single new moment of tension in her shoulders when Wanda's hands shift, but they are just moving over her note book. That is fine. Melina is studying her equally hazel eyes closer than anything, searching for ANY hint of recognition on the other woman's part. But it does not seem to be there. The Widow is safe for now. She keeps her good-old-Kansas girl smile in place. Her All Americana would even do Dottie Underwood proud right now. Then she's looking around the shop, eyes flickering over Eddie and Gwen again, something in her instincts pinging them as the other 'dangerous' people around, but she's not certain why. "This place gets SO many interesting people, doesn't it?!" And then JJJ is pounding through the room, being quite so loud. Melina's green-brown eyes go a little wider and she seems to instinctively slip back into ehr own body, a shy reaction to the loud man. "...as I said. Interesting...people." She mutters softly. But she wants the shadows now. Newspaper men are always trouble.
Gwen Stacy	Taking a bite off her pastry has Gwen immediately agreeing with Eddie about the taste of Latverian cuisine. Ah if only it wasn't a dictatorship filled with killer robots! Yet SCIENCE had to be appeased so here Gwen was, "I did." she replies, mouth still full, so it sounds something like 'I duud', "Mmmm these are great." she finally gets it down her gullet and sighs in satisfaction, "Finding anything interesting about--" she stops when that familiar sound reaches her ears. JJJ. She hasn't really came across him *here*. But the man used to be her nemesis 'elsewhere' so there is a bit of a tension that she appears to share with Eddie. One that increases because Gwen knows what Eddie's relation with the man is. She reaches to rest one hand atop his hand. "We could go." she suggests.
Wanda Maximoff	Oh, look, it's every Spider's least-favourite menace. The tabloid king himself makes a heck of a splash, blaring voice and shiny pate come to life. Wanda is situated such she has a good view of the door, but even lacking that, having ears is the only prerequisite for her to determine the newest entrant to their little party. "Interruption? Not at all," she lightly inclines her head. Only a fraction in JJJ's direction. She hums a certain Miley Cyrus song about a wrecking ball for a couple beats, just loud enough to travel to the enthusiastic Soul Cycle aficionado at her table. "I don't mind. The delights of cafe culture mean meeting every kind of person. For peace and privacy, there is the public library, isn't there?" The tendency to instill a few stray bits of Transian or other Slavic jargon in takes conscious effort to suppress. Not long enough in the good old US of A to suppress that habit, or maybe that puts others at ease. Widows are masters of disguises; witches merely see the unseen with a smile. She follows Melina's gaze back to Eddie and Gwen, taking them in as one who fully expects a camera to be on her. The wiser to pick up the cup of mocha and bring it to her lips, all bitter espresso and dark chocolate blended into a foamy melange at the top. The movement is natural, almost perfectly suited to conceal her lips from bystanders eager to read the responses. "Interesting," she agrees. Almost like she's not learned a good deal from the other terrifying assassin forged by the lost superpower in the world. It's absolutely useful when stealthily grinning briefly when Gwen decides that pastry, introduced from the Austrian neighbours of a little terror-power, really might be delicious. Mm, delicious pastry. "Why, Mr. Jameson. Should we be expecting the man of the hour now?" A sidelong comment pipes high and pure. Cover? Could be.
Venom	Eddie Brock's muscles are tensed, dark eyes peering across the room. Until Gwen rests her hand on his. The young woman's touch is a balm that makes Eddie release the breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Nah," he tells her. Then tries to force the semblance of a smile to his lips, if with only moderate success. "Nah, it's ok. We've got our stuff to read, and, it's all good," he tells her. He turns his hand to be able to slide his fingers about her smaller palm, give it a gentle squeeze. His eyes convey the same emotions as his touch as Gwen proves a touchstone for him against what he was feeling. Meanwhile, J. Jonah Jameson's attention is drawn to one, "Wanda Maximoff! As I live and breathe, never expected to run into you here," Jonah says. Louder than most, if not as loud as when he was shouting into the phone about suing someone. Jonah's head perks up and he looks around. "You aren't here meeting Doom are you?" the consumate newspaper man says, perhaps sniffing the possibility of a story. "Who am I kidding, like he would meet anyone in a coffee shop. Even one with his name in all capital letters. Next he's going to have a Doom emoji made." One of the staff clears his throat. "Already does," he says quietly before going back to work.
Melina Vostokoff	As Wanda dares to talk to the news man, Melina is far more content in the shadows, "It was nice meeting you." She whispers, quiet and small as a mouse, and then gently ducks back to her own table. She's not disappearing entirely, but she doesn't want to be next to the person engaging with the 4th Estate. Better safe that sorry. ESPECIALLY if the man, or someone else, decides to snap a photo of the Witch.
Gwen Stacy	That grating voice. Ugh.. All those memories are coming back to her. Gwen murmurs quietly. "Uff, he's even worse than I remembered.." she says in a low tone to Eddie. Has -she- met him though? But then she grins faintly at him, "Well, what interesting things are you finding out about Ibsen and Beckett there?" she chinjerking towards the article Eddie was reading, and at the same time trying to divert his attention from Mr. J. Another glance to Wanda's table and then another bite from her pastry. Well, at least there's pastry to appease feelings. Her hand continues casually wrapped with Eddie's and she opens up her own article to start reading it. Not that she will be able to focus much on it right now, still casting her gaze over to the other table rather often. Watching Melina dodge away she offers her a smile of sympathy. Perhaps thinking she is also being affected by JJJ's aura of nastiness. But then again, maybe Gwen is a bit biased again poor J Jonah.
Wanda Maximoff	"One with just the mask and the other with the hood," confirms Wanda, proving herself an exemplar of pop culture. Chaos magic, never doubt it. "He may feel the desire to meet someone here to tip convention on its head, but who am I to presume upon what such a person does?" A question for the ages, and one she is not answering while blissfully locked in the espresso-saturated happiness of the mocha. Having pulled a small amount of attention her way, Melina fleeing to relative safely away from the press is understandable. Not an ounce of anger there, only the mildest of farewells signalled by a crook of her fingers. She lowers the cup to exchange it for a tiny bite of her pastry, manners a fact of life in the public sphere. Lorna's the one who plows through beer, Pietro gobbling food faster than the eye can see. A girl has to find the balance! She swivels a little in her seat, perched in preparation to fly or engage as the moment counts. Taking one for the team, even if she isn't entirely sure the cause of the unease or its direct course. Gwen and Eddie have their reasons she isn't trying to suss out; it is enough to know and act on instinct. "What brings you out here?"
Venom	The rasp of Eddie's voice is heavier than usual as he murmurs back to Gwen in agreement, "You have no idea." Jonah has forayed into television and radio enough that Eddie can easily mistake Gwen's familiarity with the newsman's voice as coming from one of those sources. The ESU coed does manage to partially distract Eddie. But only partially. "Oh, it's decent. I read both in school. Had a great professor, she also taught my German class," he comments to Gwen. "Her husband was in the department too. Filled in for her while we were reading The Metamorphosis. Climbed up on the desk on his back and waves his arms and legs around acting out how he imagined the guy looked as a bug," Eddie says, shaking his head and chuckling at the memory. Meanwhile, J. Jonah Jameson gives a tiny wave of his hand. "Just in the area for a meeting and my wife had been on me about trying this place sometime," Jonah tells her. "Figured I'd kill two birds with one-" Jonah's use of the old phrase is cut off as he spots Eddie Brock sitting along the wall with Gwen. His lips twist in an expression of distaste, before he turns back to Wanda. "I hope they have black coffee. Used to be you could get a cup for a quarter. Now the drink names are longer than a quarterback calling a play," he says. His eyes go back to Eddie, just as Eddie looks back over to Jonah. Their eyes meet and it's like two thunderclouds on distant horizons.
Gwen Stacy	Gwen lets out a brief laugh at the story about the teacher climbing on the table. "Nothing like some images to go with the words, mmm?" a wink given at Eddie, continuing to do all she can to keep him distracted from bashing heads with J Jonah. Or worse! Yet it's not as if she can stop the two hurricanes from locking gazes. Gwen casts her own look over at JJJ and then just frowns at where this is going. "Yea, lets go." And this time it's not a suggestion, because she does start to get up to her feet (and yes, she will bring her pastry with her, noone can stop her from that!) "The article isn't as good as I thought. I will just ask Nadia for her copy. I am sure she has it.." But then she realizes Eddie probably doesn't know who that is. And how to explain she knows an actual superhero teen? "Err, she is another friend I met in college." bit of a white lie, but should be fine.
Venom	Eddie Brock rises to his feet when Gwen is insistent about going. As much of a temper as Eddie has, he doesn't want Gwen to witness it being realized. "Yeah, might be for the best," he says as he picks up his own pastry to walk with Gwen towards the door, leading the way as he holds Gwen's hand. Though Jonah steps over in front of them. "Well. So much for Latverian tastes. Letting disgraced people like you in here, Brock!" Jonah says loudly. Eddie tenses, Gwen able to feel his hand tighten, though not enough to hurt. Not enough to hurt if she was just a normal girl even. Jonah's eyes go to Gwen. "And what's this. Robbing the cradle, Eddie?" Jonah says of the girl who is obviously younger than Eddie. "I should never have let Parker talk me into dropping the charges. Looks like more time in a cell would do you well, Brock!" Eddie is seeing red, but having Gwen there, he forces himself to stay calm this time. "You're being a disturbance," he says, and leaves it there. Eddie slips his arm around Gwen, as if to show more clearly his connection to Gwen, as he walks the coed out without another glance towards Jonah.