Whistle While You Work [Open]

[runs_on_batteries]

♥ Who: Tony + Open
♥ Where: Insomnia 2.0 Brewery and Bar (under construction)
♥ When: March 21- onward, idk
♥ What: From this network post
♥ Rating: CW: Language

March 21- 25: [Demolition]

The fresh spring days in the entertainment district have recently been disrupted by the sound of power tools, loud bangs of heavy material being thrown into an industrial dumpster, swearing workers, rock music (heavily AC/DC), and an assortment of other construction sounds.

The front of the business was nothing impressive yet. It was one of many in the area that had been abandoned for one reason or another. It was only one floor and one of the windows was busted out. Judging by the glass on the outside, this may have been a recent accident rather than something originally wrong with the place. There's a hasty spray painted sign stating 'Privately Owned- Bar Coming Soon' on a scrap sheet of aluminum sheet metal was propped by the open door, but not blocking the entrance- which stays open during work hours due to the dust, the need for a cool breeze, and not being arsed to close it.

March 26- (TBD): [Construction]

Less noisy in some ways than the initial days, there was a never ending list of work to be done. From building the interior walls with metal frames and dry wall to new cleaning and bringing in the new furniture and equipment. The bar slowly takes shape.

All the while, Tony was in the best mood he'd been in for a long time.

[Come bother him at various points of the day. He's as likely fixing something as he is patching himself up from some various injury. Have someone stop by to chat or to help.]

Comments

March 26, morning: For Ardbert

[runs_on_batteries]

The first few days were all demolition. It was cathartic and he'd been able to put some distance between himself and the emotional upheaval he'd been dealing with recently. Yesterday was the turning point, where the last of debris was cleared out and new interior walls were being mapped out. In other words, the old business was gone and Insomnia 2.0 was taking shape. Tony had been anxious to get in today and start work early- much to the chagrin of the neighbors.

The front door was standing open again. A passerby would be greeted with the most delicate of sounds. "Dammit!"

Tony glared at the circuit breaker on the far wall. One of his hand was covered by the glove of his suit and his index finger was sending tiny electric pulses through one of the circuits. His other hand was moving things around on hovering blue holographic images (one being of the building). "Great, I'm going to have to rewire the whole damn place. Friday, configure which nodes in this building are hot."

[firstbump]

Well, that was mildly worrying to hear. Ardbert thought the curse came from a familiar voice, but he hadn't heard whomever it was shout before. He's gone down this way before, but he doesn't quite remember this building being like... well, it is now.

His run can wait. Ardbert, an adventurer without any adventure, can't help but seek even the slightest bit of mystery in this place. So a Warrior walks into a bar....

"Everything okay in here?"

[runs_on_batteries]

Tony was standing in the room with his back turned, but hearing a voice he turned around. There was a kind of electronic visor across his eyes, with a small flashlight at the center (now aimed directly at Ardbert) and a magnifier on one side. The visor quickly collapsed and seemed to disappear from sight.

"Ardy. It's been a while. How are you?" Tony asked. He looked back at the panel and grinned. He waved him closer. "Hold this box too." You know, since you're here and all. Tony might as well take advantage of the extra hands and get the old circuit breaker box down. He was tempted to just rip it off, but he'd broken enough things unnecessarily.

[firstbump]

Oh dear.

Arbert is just left half-dazed as he stares at Tony for being Tony, for the disappearing strange visor, and the fact he doesn't see any sort of boxish box around. He's not sure what else to do, so he comes over awkwardly. Only when he's gotten close does he realize what 'box' Tony meant.

He doesn't answer the question, instead focusing on the task requested of him (as a Warrior of Light, it's almost drilled into him to accept requests. "Where do you want me putting my hands to hold it?"

[runs_on_batteries]

Huh, that was an awkward reception. Tony wasn't sure what to make of the last of response to his greeting, but he'd ignore it and focus on the fact Ardy was coming over to help. He pointed out right where he wanted the man to hold the circuit breaker.

"Thanks. I had hoped I'd be able to salvage this but unfortunately I'm going to have to rewire the whole place." While Ardbert held the outer shell of the circuit board, Tony unscrewed the panels. "You're up early today. Enjoying the nicer weather?"

[firstbump]

He doesn't know what to make of Tony, either, not knowing anything about what's going on between him, Era, and Emet. All he knows is that Era needs his support and affection. But he's thought about that so much lately that he'd rather... not. So he'll push those thoughts away for the diversion that Tony's providing now, strange as it is.

While Ardbert didn't always talk for talking's sake before he died, he certainly doesn't mind it now. The novelty has yet to wear off. As well as the fact he can hold things again.

"I always try to get a bit of exercise in the morning; it gets the blood flowing to my block of a head," Ardbert would shrug, but his first focus is holding the panel still. "Rewire the whole place? Do you mean..."

Outlets work, appliances and their tablets work, and things recharge are all facts he knows, and he looks thoughtful for a moment. "... I suppose I never thought about how electricity flows through a building. I just know it works. It is electricity you're talking about, right?"

[runs_on_batteries]

Tony was of a similar mind. He was tired of the drama and thinking about all the hurt feelings. The emotional turbulence had cut him deeply and he knew it had to have done the same thing to Era and her household. He hadn't been sure what to expect of Ardbert when they crossed paths again, but this wasn't it- and he was grateful.

He gave a good-natured laugh at the former ghost's joke and nodded. "I'm the same way. I've been trying to get back into my yoga routine. I used to do it every morning but.. new place, new routine.. all that."

Switching to the other side, he worked on the screws there. He paused when he heard Ardbert's question and smiled at him. "Yes, it is. Every outlet is connected back to this point," he showed the other man where the wires were webbing out from the panel board, with the circuit breaker was set on. As he continued to explain, his tone got friendlier and more upbeat, visibly interested (and maybe a little too into) the topic he was sharing.

"And from here it goes to a meter outside to track the power usage and then on to whatever power source the city is using. The problem is, they let any jackass thread these wires around these old businesses and they weren't regulating the insulation or caring about how effective the charge was. After all that chocolate rain, it's corroded some of these and other parts they're frayed.. this could easily start a fire or a number of other problems."

He really looked terribly put out he was going to have to redo this himself. Not at all eager and ready to do it his way. Nope. "Care a coffee? I brought in two cups from Affurgato."

March 26th (And probably repeated several times over the course of the build. ;-P )

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis carefully picks his way around the someday-to-be-bar, looking and listening for its owner. When he doesn't find sign of Tony right away, he pulls what looks to be a flask from the Armiger and dangles it in front of himself as if it might somehow summon the person he's looking for.

Calling out probably is the more likely method of finding him, though.]

I come bearing special drinks for the oft injured!

Speaking of injuries..

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony heard the call from the main room and he whistled to get Regis' attention. He was sitting on the floor in the freshly sectioned off kitchen-to-be area. Fresh pipes, old corroded pipes, wrenches, and a variety of other plumbing equipment surrounded the area and central lines that would be the sink and dishwashing station. Rock music was playing from a portable stereo in one corner on an overturned bucket and a bottle of beer was on a folding work table.

Tony held a bloody handkerchief to his nose, tilting his head up. Despite this, he gave his friend a wave and a smile could sort of be seen around the cloth.]

Hey Reggie. Glad to see you. Think my beer is getting warm.

Tony! *shakes head*

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis follows the whistle to its source, but when he sees Tony, for a moment all he can do is sigh. No wonder he has that iron suit! Regis can't help but think his friend could find a way to hurt himself on a marshmallow.

He walks over to the overturned bucket and sets the flask on it. There is no sense in using that right away, so he pulls one of the extra potions he keeps in the Armiger out and then carries it and the beer bottle over to Tony. As he walks, he pulls up some ice magic to chill the bottle.

Tony is lucky alcohol doesn't work well for healing potions. Otherwise, he might just turn it into one as a joke.]

Take your medicine first and then maybe I'll give you the good stuff afterward.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Hey now! He had this great idea for making that system of pipes over there stronger and one got away from him and.. Just give him his beer.

He tilted his head to the side as he reached for the potion.]

Did you just chill my beer with magic?

[He pulled the cork off the bottle with his teeth and spit it off to the side. With one more swipe from his cloth, he chugged the potion grimaced.]

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis seems torn between smirking and grimacing himself when Tony actually drinks the potion.]

Next time, do yourself a favor and just crush it. The bottle is enchanted not to do harm and it will work just as well. Even with the replicators getting better, I can't always promise they will taste good.

[He then holds up the bottle, giving a curious look to the frost that now coats it.]

You mean this? Why yes, yes I did, though I almost think I should just drink it myself lest you do so and hurt yourself again. Alcohol tends to make one more unsteady, does it not?

Any Demolition Day

[wakemelater]

[It's the music the grabs his attention. Nico's picked up on quite a few of the more "modern" artists, and he's pretty sure he's heard the song blaring out into the street at least once. Which means, Earth. He pokes his head into what is apparently a construction site.

Yes, he sees that there is a sign by the door, but he has a hard enough time reading printed text. He's not even going to bother trying to sort out that spray-printed mess.]

Re: Any Demolition Day

[runs_on_batteries]

Hey! You! Come here!

[Tony spotted movement by the door from where he'd been trying unsuccessfully to hoist a broken down piece of equipment through the backdoor. The machinery might have once been a repair device but it was now clogged with dried chocolate, rust, and who knows what else.]

Grab that side. It's caught on something.

[wakemelater]

[He hesitates, unsure if he is being addressed, and looks around, but there is no one else present.]

Yeah. Sure.

[He picks his way through the space and takes hold of the machine. He may look like skin and bones, but he manages to heft up his side of the thing with a grunt.]

Where's it going?

[runs_on_batteries]

[He smiled when the young man hurried over to help.]

If you'll go low, I'll go high and that.. yeah, right there.. that's where it was caught.

[He didn't get a good look at the stranger till he was backing them out to where a large industrial dumpster sat half full of chunks of concrete, chocolate sludge, other trash.]

Right over here. Thanks, kid.

[He dusted his hands off once they tossed it in and then pulled one of his heavy work gloves off to hold it out.]

Tony Stark, new co-owner of Insomnia 2.0 bar and brewery. What's your name?

[wakemelater]

[Task done, he wipes his hand off on his jacket before grasping Tony's hand with a nod.]

Nico di Anglelo. And...probably too young to be here.

[At least here didn't look like a functioning bar yet.]

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony waved away that worry.]

Don't worry about that. We're going to serve some stuff minors can have too so long as you all don't sneak drinks.

... Actually, I'll have to look into what exactly the laws are here about that.

[He shrugged.]

You're pretty scrawny for being able to haul your half of that compressor. I'm impressed.

[wakemelater]

Are there a lot of minors trying to get into bars around here?

[Come to think of it, were there any other bars around here? He knew the Affurgato had some alcohol, but that didn't really count as a bar.]

If I were back in Italy, I could drink. [With an adult present... Yeah, what were the laws here?

[He looks a little perturbed by the...compliment? That was a compliment, right?]

Um... Thanks? I guess the sword fighting paid off.

Anytime after 26th, preferably with at least a sink installed

[tinkerheart]

Are you there Tony?!

[The question does seem a little redundant given the clouds of dust and the noise coming from the inside but it still feels a tad less inappropriate than simply yelling Hey or similar nonsense in what is a most likely vain hope that the man working inside will hear it. That Fëanor has been here a few times already doesn't change the fact it simply feels wrong to just barge in unannounced.]

I come bearing gifts!

[Fortunately for them both he is no Annatar and does not harbour any malicious intent. He only brings potatoes... or the closest approximation to them, he could force the stupid machine in his house to produce.]

April 1st!

[runs_on_batteries]

[There were several fans blowing in the entrances pointed out as the smell of fresh paint was still fairly strong. Tony had come early and opened up every window in the kitchen to make sure it was the safest for the sensitive (and often cranky) elf.

After that he'd gotten distracted again in the reflection of the kitchen's new stainless steel refrigerator. It was hard to believe how different he looked and it was mostly the amount of strain he'd been under the last two years.

His hair had lost the gray and lines had softened on his face. Other parts had tightened and been lifted. Scars on his hands and arms from battles were gone.

He was just turning around to.. maybe check out one of his best features when he noticed Feanor was in the doorway.]

[tinkerheart]

I fail to find what's so fascinating in this fridge that has you staring at it as if it were some marvel of technology unseen before.

[Fëanor has let himself in not waiting for Tony to greet him.]

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony gives Feanor an awkward smile wondering just how long he'd been standing there.]

What? Never seen a guy check out his ass before?

[He turned around and wiggled it at Feanor.]

It's okay to admit you want a piece of this. Everyone does.

[Yeah, that was so going to bite him in the ass later- and not in the good way! Don't mind him overly compensating for being freaked.]

[tinkerheart]

No? [That answers earns Tony very concerned look.] Why would you even do that?

[But the initial confusion passes quickly turning into a mischievous smirk as Fëanor comes closer, tilts his head to the side and appraises what he sees. Or at least pretends to.]

The air here must serve you well. You do look healthier. If I am to be more precise I'd say less ... Hmmm [Now the smirk is in full force.] shrivelled.

[Did he just comment on Tony's ass? He most certainly did. Don't you just love getting compliments?]

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony rolled his eyes. Silly elf. Like Tony doesn't know how highly you regard your looks? Narcissus was your love child.

His smile started to fade when Feanor got closer. Oh, he did not like where this was going. He was so close to getting that grin back in full bloom with the start of that.. and then-

Tony smacked Feanor but fell a little short of reaching his face.]

Shriveled?! Really?! Get out of my bar!

[Okay they both knew he wasn't really kicking Feanor out but still..]