Tagging → Sugar Motta, Jesse St. James, Quinn Fabray, Tina Cohen-Chang
Time Frame → Saturday Morning -- [10.17.15]
Location → Everyman Espresso | New York City, NY
General Notes → Pre-date prep
Tina "I have gathered you all here today..." Tina started off. Standing near a table in the spacious dining area of Everyman Esspresso, she tried to picture the space as it would be for Harvest Mate. The event was close at hand and she was happy it was here. The hard work was about to pay off. "No, really. I wanna thank you guys for your help. I know you all are busy and for you to take time out to help me out with this, I appreciate it. Now that that's out of the way," she pulled her notebook with her notes and plans. "I say we split up. Half of us work on the setup and half work on decorations, which I have here." She pulled out another bag full of fall themed things to spruce up the place.
Jesse 's eyebrows raised high as he looked at the women in their small circle. "Wait, I'm here to do actual work? I thought I was just the mouthpiece? And the face." He flashed his teeth in a grin that was both charming and cheesy, tossing in a flirtatious gaze just because it fit. Jesse had only been in the coffee shop once before, which had just so happened to be with Tina, and his eyes drifted toward the menu on the wall. "Off-subject, I know, I don't mean to derail... but what's the food going to be like at this event? More than waffles? Is there going to be food? Inquiring minds want to know."
Sugar smiled at Tina's spiel, taking in the space they had to work with and imagining what it would look like once they sneezed fall over it. "I'll work on whatever requires me to do the least amount of moving, lifting, or standing--in fact, if you have any supervisory roles available, I'm your girl. I'm wonderful at telling people what to do and making sure they do it right." The amused look she gave Jesse was brief, and faded at the mention of food. "I would also like to know more about the food. I need to know whether or not I should pack a snack. I also need to know if I can have a snack now. I can snack and decorate...Yeah, that'll work for me."
Tina nodded, her face solemn. "Yes, sir. We have to get this place in tip top fall shape. I nominate you for moving detail." She handed him and Sugar a copy of her plans. "And you can boss us around and help decorate," she said to Sugar placing the bag of decorations on a table near the woman. "As for food, there's definitely gonna be food. Way more than just waffles. I got a chef coming in to handle all that. It'll be small plates and fall themed desserts. And bowls of candy on the tables. Which you're more than welcome to help yourself to."
Jesse lit up as Sugar spoke, humored by her requests and not at all surprised. Food and a comfortable position was going to be important for the expecting mother, and she was going to make it known. The dramatics he'd opened with deflated into his usual cool as Jesse took the paper from Tina, blue eyes glossing over the words. "I could have guessed that as the able-bodied male in the room. I get the grunt work." A hint of a smile was the only clue that he was joking, perfectly willing to do as he was told to help out the cause. "That's one conversation starter. Waffles, candy, and more while you date a stranger for five minutes. Are you participating, Tina, or just providing
Sugar looked over Tina's plan with an impressed nod. "Looks like you have everything all thought out. It should be a good night." Sitting down the sheet, Sugar began to look through the bag of decor, immediately beginning to create piles for different areas of the coffee shop. "I think you should participate," she said to Tina. "After finding out that you put all of this together, I'm sure plenty of people will be clamoring for a few minutes with you. I'll know I'll be doing what I can to send folks your way." She turned to Jesse, barely biting back her giggle. "That's our job as hosts, right? To get Tina dates?"
Tina chuckled. "That's the cross you must bear, Jesse dear. But I'm gonna help out. Because I am strong. I am invincible. I am womaaaaaan!" she sang while moving a few chairs around. "I am going to be a speed dater. I'm putting the finishing touches on my costume and I figure with there's people already looking for love in one place, I might as well take advantage of it. And hopefully they'll have open wallets as well as open hearts."
Quinn was running late, thanks to a meeting that had gone over, but she finally made it to Everyman, smiling breathlessly once she stepped inside the warm, spacious shop. She spotted her friends right away, and shifted her belongings to a nearby table before greeting them. "Sorry I'm late. What have we decided on, and what still needs to be done?"
Tina turned when she heard the door open, smiling when she saw Quinn. "You're right on time," she pushed some chairs out of the way to make it over to her. She grabbed another copy of her plan to hand to Quinn and looked around the shop. "Here's my plan of action. Sugar is supervising and handling decorations and Jesse and I are moving tables. So there's still plenty to do. I'm sure Sugar would love some help with the decor."
Jesse looked back at his wife, mischief written all over his face. "We're supposed to be a neutral party, babe. However, I don't mind slanting the odds in Tina's favor." He laughed at the song the woman in question sang, standing from his seat to follow her lead in moving furniture. "That's the spirit. What's your costume?" he asked, picking up a chair just as Quinn came breezing in. "Don't tell me it's a witch..."
Sugar shrugged, "I make no promises to be neutral if Tina is the only potential dater I know." As if on cue, Quinn joined the threesome, prompting a perfectly timed question for the blonde. "Will you be going on quickie dates, Q? Or are you just in this for the snacks and charity?" Snagging a chair for herself, Sugar plopped down to rest while she opened bags of faux leaf garlands to hang on the walls. "I'm going to freestyle with this decorating, if that's okay, try to spread everything out evenly enough so we're not having fall in only one corner of the place."
Quinn took the plan outline from Tina, giving it a once-over while she made tracks towards Sugar and the rest of the decorations. "I'll take a look-see at the rundown once I make a dent in the decor. Seems like there isn't much work to be done. Freestyling is just fine with me." Feeling up to the task, she took the unfolded leaf garlands from Sugar and grabbed a nearby stepstool and tape to get to work with the hanging. "I don't know if I'm doing the dating part. I mean, it seems fun but...ehh. However if we're talking about rigging things for Tina, count me in."
Jesse pushed a table into position, leaning onto it, both palms down as he looked to Quinn. "You should do it," he encouraged. "I mean, why not? I would, but as you can see, I am betrothed to another." Gesturing to the seated cinnamon brunette, he threw her a wink, "She would kill for me, and I'm pretty into that." he deadpanned.
Tina "That's cool. I trust your judgement, so have at it." She headed back to the tables, moving them to where she wanted them. "I'm really not opposed to getting the cream of the crop. I just have to decide if I'm looking for a guy or a lady." She shrugged still unsure of what she was going to do. "Since it's going to be separated by men looking for men, women looking for women and women looking for men, it would be hard to be in two places at once. And I agree with Jesse, Q. Be a dater with me!" she started a quiet 'do it, do it' chant while she moved more tables.
Sugar paused her work once the garlands were spread out to retrieve a package of peanut butter crackers from her purse. On the way back to her seat, she stopped at Jesse's side, smoothing hand over his back as she pushed up to kiss his cheek, sweetly informing him, "I would absolutely kill for you. But I would also kill you if you ever went on a date with anyone else. I love you that much." She was all for Tina's encouragement, even the chanting if it meant getting Quinn to be a dater. "I say go for it. It should be entertaining, if nothing else. You can flip a coin and decide, let the universe direct you. Tina, you can do the same thing when you decide whether you want to go on dates with men or women. Either that, or wait and see how the numbers play out, and place yourself wherever so the groups will be even."
Quinn shook her head, smiling at the two parents-to-be, and Tina's infectious energy. Her focus shifted enough to climb the step stool and hang the paper fall foliage along a bank of windows facing the street. "I mean...I am kind of in--nevermind. I suppose chatting up a few ladies wouldn't be a bad way to spend Saturday. I'll try it out. I like that idea of flipping a coin and rolling with it. And also offing Jesse. That especially sounds like a blast. Just know I'd be Sugar's accomplice, should you dare to date someone else..."
Jesse 's smile that formed from the kiss on his cheek gave way to a grimace as his life was also put on the line. "It'd be for charity purposes. My dates come with a fee and a liability contract... but that does sound a little like a high class prostitute. Hm." He was armed with a retort to combat Quinn's hesitation, but his eyes narrowed instead. "I'm watching you two. As always. But like I said, you have nothing to worry about. I'm very much off the market, and here for the song and dance."
Sugar "Charity or not, I don't approve. You always have the option to write a check. I'm nixing the prostitute idea, too...Midnight Cowboy scenarios aside, it wouldn't be a good occupation for you." She raised an eyebrow at Quinn's unfinished statement while she struggled to open her crackers, the questioning look fading into a smile at the promise of help if she ever needed to do away with her spouse. "No one is saying that you have to take anyone home from this thing. But if you do...there's absolutely nothing wrong with getting your bell rung a time or two...annnd that's my advice as a future wine mom--actually, a future champagne mom."
Quinn shot Jesse an innocent grin as she finished hanging up the set of garland in the window. A few plastic pumpkins in the window sill were just the finishing touch it needed, and she stepped back to admire her work, only turning away when Sugar spoke. "Gee whiz, Mrs. St. Motta. You're the coolest mom on the block. Me and my bell are grateful for your hip wisdom." Laughing, she moved to arrange the plastic dishes for the candy at each table.
Tina looked between her friends gathered, listening to their laughter and jokes. Though her eyes did widen at a few things she heard, she didn't want to jump in and ask a bunch of questions, though her curiosity wouldn't let her hold it in for too long. "Future champagne mom? Like near future?"
Sugar shrugged off Quinn's teasing, sitting aside the crackers she still couldn't open and trading the snack for miniature plastic pumpkins. "I know how cool you think I am, Muffin. No need to hide your feelings from company." The pumpkins proved easier to deal with, and Sugar spread them around the shifted tables, giving each an orange bright spot or two as well a handful of seasonally-themed confetti while she thought about how to answer Tina's question. Eventually, she chose the honest route. "Not too near in the future. It'll be some time before I can have champagne again," she gave her stomach a pat, pressing against the fabric of her dress to reveal the roundness at her middle. "I'll be a sparkling water and Shirley Temple mom to start."
Jesse shook his head, stopping short of the impending eye roll. Sliding another table into place, he moved a chair behind it, judging the space between to make sure it lined up with the rest. His interest was piqued by the conversation, particularly with how Sugar would respond to Tina's question. They hadn't ventured too far from their inner circle with the news, but with media speculation brewing and other noticeable changes, that plane was going to expand rapidly in the coming weeks. Jesse was leaving the decision to share up to her, when she was ready, and a smile tugged the corners of his mouth as Sugar showed the shape of her tummy to Tina. "I'll be having all the champagne for her," he joked.
Quinn laughed. "Of course, Sugar Pop. You're the coolest of the cool. Polar bears try to jock your style." She didn't bother adding decorations to the chairs, figuring with all the bodies in motion, they'd fall off. But she did pause hanging up fall-themed string lights to a few of the outside tables to smile at Sugar's announcement. "He'll also be eating for two, as well."
Tina 's face lit up with excitement, clapping happily for the couple. "Congratulations! Oh this is great. Babies!" She laughed at her enthusiasm for someone else having a baby, but that was her way. "Should we start planning the new wardrobe now, Jesse? You know, to accommodate all this champagne and eating for two?"
Sugar didn't expect the excitement, but she offered a small smile before returning to her task, adding faux leaves to the tables to create a fuller look for each. "I would actually love it if Jess got fat with me, but I don't think that will happen. With all of the running around he'll have to do for me, I'm positive that he'll burn off more calories than he could ever take in. I plan on putting him to work. Errands, decorating the baby's room, whatever I need." Once the tables were finished, Sugar returned to her seat, resting again as she gave her crackers another shot. "Speaking of things I need, who wants to open these damn crackers?"
Jesse "Ha. Ha," Jesse deadpanned to Quinn, even though she wasn't far off. He'd been picking pieces of Sugar's culinary exploits, mainly in the form of salty and sweet junk foods. "Mhm," he hummed in agreement after the list of responsibilities that was supposed to keep him in shape the next few months. Taking the pack of crackers that Sugar struggled with, he tore them open easily, plucking one out before returning the rest to their owner. "So, what else do we need to know about this event?" he asked Tina. "Is there anything in particular we should be doing?"
Tina plopped down in a nearby chair, taking a quick break. The place was coming together and she could see the finished product. "Umm, each date is gonna be about five minutes each. Depending on the turn out, we'll see how many changes we'll do. But like I said earlier, they'll be three sections based on what you're looking for. We collect the registration fee at the door and hand the speed daters a questionnaire to fill out with their contact info. When the dates are over, they'll get a card to write down their top matches and then we'll see if the matches match. Then later we'll email them the contact info and hopefully there will be some love connections," she explained. "I'm thinking you and Sugar could be the hosts with the most. Giving out some dating advice, dating anecdotes, in between dates, maybe even point out potential loves matches. Anything to help the people have a good time, really."
Sugar thanked Jesse for his help, munching on her snack while she listened to Tina. The job seemed a perfect fit for her and her other half, and she nodded at the duties, swallowing her mouthful before she spoke again. "That all sounds good to me. How long do you have use of the space here? Once the dates are over, will there be time for the daters to mix and mingle on their own, continue conversations, talk to someone they didn't get enough time with, etcetera? I think it'd be fun if it turned into a little party afterwards. Give everyone another opportunity to make a connection--perhaps a non-romantic one--if their cards don't match up with someone else's."
Tina smiled hearing the same thing she'd thought earlier come from Sugar. "Great minds think alike, and I thought the same thing so we've got it for the whole day. As long as it's ready for them tomorrow, which is already taken care of. I figured mingling would happen and I'm not one to stop connections from being made." Another idea popped into her head that she threw out to see what the others thought. "I was thinking we could have a raffle too. Like everyone gets their name put in a jar and a few people win gift cards to restaurants or clubs to use on their dates that come from the event. Another way to make some more money for charity."
Jesse leaned on Sugar's chair, one hand propped against the back of it. "Advice and anecdotes, huh? So we're the experts here..." he grinned, "I like that. The party sounds like a good idea, too. I've never 'speed dated,' but I know enough about it to find the whole 'not talking to anyone you didn't pick' thing a little strange. Who's going to police that? Being able to hang out and have a good time afterwards would be great." Out of instinct, his fingers brushed through Sugar's hair lightly as he listened to Tina explain the raffle. "It would save them the trouble of figuring out where to go. Plus, who's going to turn down a free meal? I vote yea," he nodded with a smile.
Tina nodded. "That's exactly what you are. I mean, you have been together forever. Who wouldn't want to hear some funny stories and a bit of advice?" She watched Jesse and Sugar together. They just worked. It was something she couldn't explain, but you could just look at them and see they loved each other. Hopefully years from now the Harvest Mate participants would have something like that too, herself included. "Then the raffle is in. I'll make a few calls and see if I can get some gift certificates donated to the cause."
Sugar grinned as she leaned into Jesse's touch, a soft hum escaping before she offered her approval of the raffle idea. "It shouldn't be too hard to gather a few donated gift certificates. You can probably get anything you want in this town if you drop Jesse or Quinn's name." She laughed, smirking at each friend as she took Jesse's hand in her own and pressed a kiss to his knuckles. "So we'll finish up here and leave you to the rest of your business. You can let us know if you need anything else before the event."
