Avery Crittenden (word_of_law) wrote in marvel_nextgen,
@ 2010-02-27 14:11:00

Entry tags:

npc - avery crittenden, sydney ashcroft, zoey ashcroft

Dinner Date
Avery Crittenden did not get nervous on dates with women. He did not worry about what he wore, how he looked, or if it was a good or bad hair night. He didn't get nervous over business dinners when million-dollar deals were on the line, or times when the eyes of the entire gallery were on him, listening to him speak on why this or that argument held water or did not.

He stood outside the Chuck E. Cheese Restaurant early Saturday afternoon and wondered if the sweater and slacks were too conservative for meeting his daughter. Would she pick up on that? Should he have just gone with the polo shirt and jeans? Would that make her think he was a slacker of some kind?

Would Sydney consider him a bad influence upon her?

Avery took a few deep breaths and smiled ruefully to himself, thinking he should have gone with the polo shirt and jeans. Ah, well. He hoped Zoey would enjoy spending a little bit of time with him today, and that Sydney would see that he was ready to be an active, supportive parent to their little girl. He knew it was best to take things in slow steps, but he also wanted to let Zoey know he would always be there for her.

So, he waited outside for Sydney to show up with Zoey and fought the urge to call and say he'd be late so he could run home and change.

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

sydney_ashcroft
2010-02-27 09:41 pm UTC (link)

Sydney and Zoey were running late. It was just one of those days for them.

Syd was up at the crack of dawn to crawl out of Simon's bed and head back to her own. Then she overslept and was late getting Zoey to ballet lessons. The ballet class ended late and they were late getting to the bank and it had closed before they got there.

Any other day Syd would have called it quits and spend the rest of the day just hanging out at home, but it wasn't an ordinary day. They were meeting Avery at Chuck E Cheese for lunch and allow Zoey some time to get to know her father.

Syd had talked to Zoey the day before and explained who Avery was. Zoey had a million questions and Syd had done her best to answer and explain everything. Needless to say, the child was anxious to spend time with her dad and had been ecstatic knowing she had a daddy.

Now it was time for some chaos. Chuck E Cheese was always awash with kids and noise. Not Syd's favorite place, but she did manage to have fun there when they went. Zoey always had fun and that's what mattered.

Syd went for as casual as possible. Jeans, blouse and a pair of boots. Zoey was in a tee and jeans and a pair of boots.

She greeted Avery with a smile. "Sorry we're late. It's been one of those days."

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-02-27 09:42 pm UTC (link)
	"Hi, Avery!" Zoey beamed. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

word_of_law
2010-02-27 10:01 pm UTC (link)

Avery saw Sydney and Zoey and smiled at both of them, waving as they arrived.

"Zoey the Awesome has arrived, and now the party can start!" Avery says. He nods at Sydney and extends a hand.

"Hey, thank you both for coming. I hope you don't mind...but I called in a favor. We've got one half of the place to ourselves for the evening. I'm not sure what kind of pizza you both like, so we can have them get started on that inside." he says, opening the door and holding it so the ladies can go through.

Once inside, the trio is escorted to the left side of the restaurant, where there is a sign that says "Zoey the Awesome". The ski-ball, basketball and mini-bowling games are all on this side, along with a small table for three of them.

"O Zoey of the Awesome and Amazing, what pizza dost thou wish to partake of?"

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-02-27 10:06 pm UTC (link)
	"Pepperoni!" Her eyes were wide and there was a large smile pasted on her face. "This is awesome!" she squealed. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-02-27 10:11 pm UTC (link)
	Syd shifted the manila envelope to her other hand and then took the offered hand to shake it. "Avery, this is too much," she said as she followed him to their table. She placed the envelope and her purse on the table. "You look nice," she said. She was nervous and not quite sure what to say. It had been a theme this week. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

word_of_law
2010-02-27 10:21 pm UTC (link)

"Pepperoni it is." Avery smiles, then turns to speak with the attendant to make the order.

"So do you. I swear, I'm not trying to buy her off. I just remember you said she liked pizza, so I wanted to give her something she liked and a way to lighten the mood. All I'm after here is a good time for all three of us. That will also give us time to talk about the manila envelope you're holding.

Manila envelopes are used for three things in the legal system: bribes, blackmail, or legal papers. Being that you're a concerned mother, I'm going to guess we're dealing with number three." Avery says.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

sydney_ashcroft
2010-02-27 10:34 pm UTC (link)

"Thanks," she said with a smile. "Given that this is a special occasion, it's fine. I /try/ to keep things as normal as possible." A paused. "At least when we're out in public." Home life was far from normal as one could get.

"Yes," she said and could feel the muscles in her neck tighten a bit. "We can discuss that a little later." She nodded slightly in Zoey's direction meaning when the kid wasn't withing earshot. "I think and hope you will find it agreeable."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	word_of_law 2010-02-27 10:48 pm UTC (link)
	"All right, then we can discuss that later, though...I also have some things to say when we get to that point." Avery says. He wants to say more, but now isn't the time. "Now, you and Zoey are going to have to get to work on that pizza, because...well, I can't. So it's really for you two." he says. "Zoey, how did your day go? Did you have fun?" he asked. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-02-27 10:51 pm UTC (link)
	"Great! I had ballet class this morning! Mom was cranky though." She was practically bouncing. She helped herself to a slice of pizza and sipped her lemonade. Zoey tilted her head. "Why can't you have pizza? Did your mommy tell you no?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-02-27 10:52 pm UTC (link)
	Syd grabbed a slice of pizza and let them talk. This day was for them and she'd give them time. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	word_of_law 2010-02-28 12:05 am UTC (link)
	"Oh no, sweetie. Actually, I'm lactose intolerant, which are two big words for saying I can't drink milk or anything made with milk, like cheese. Otherwise, I get really sick and have to go to the hospital." Avery says. "So, I get to buy you pizza and let you enjoy it. And there's other things to eat out there, too." Avery says, having himself a breadstick or two. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-02-28 12:10 am UTC (link)
	"Oh!" She was quiet for a moment. "Does that mean you can't eat ice cream?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	word_of_law 2010-02-28 12:11 am UTC (link)
	"Yep. No ice cream for me, either." he replies. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-02-28 12:22 am UTC (link)
	"That sucks." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-02-28 12:23 am UTC (link)
	"Zoey! Language!" Syd chided. She offered Avery an apologetic look. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

word_of_law
2010-02-28 12:38 am UTC (link)

"I agree, Zoey, though we'll have to find another word for it." he says, and offers a smile.

"Ballet is really cool, though. Your mom says you're really good. I'm hoping I get to see that sometime." he says.

He pauses for a moment, then looks to Sydney before focusing on Zoey.

"Zoey, I think your mother has discussed with you who I am and I'd like for us to get to know each other over time. What I'd like to do right now is give you a chance to ask me anything you want about me. Anything." he says.

Clearly, Avery has no idea of the type of people Zoey spends time with if he's willing to open himself up for such a line of questioning, but why not let her get to know him with a little Q & A?

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-02-28 12:42 am UTC (link)
	Zoey nodded. "Mommy told me you're my daddy." She thought about it for a moment. "Do I have any brothers or sisters? Do you have brothers and sisters? Do you use a sword? Do you have a pet? Do you like chocolate?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

word_of_law
2010-02-28 12:50 am UTC (link)

"Yes, I am. I want you to know that you can call me Avery until you're ready to call me anything else. I just want you to know that I'm going to be here for you." he says.

"No, you don't have any brothers or sisters, but I do. I have an older sister named Aurora. I also have younger brother and sister. They're all adults now, but those are people you'll probably get to know over time." he smiles.

"I used to fence when I was in college, and I have a sword, but I haven't used it in years. And no, I don't have any pets, though I've been thinking about it. What would you suggest a good pet is?" he asks her.

"No, I don't much like chocolate, either. I don't eat many sweets." he says.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-02-28 12:51 am UTC (link)
	"Mongolian death worm!" Zoey squealed. "Ohu says they'll make a great pet!" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-02-28 12:52 am UTC (link)
	Cue facepalm. "No Mongolian death worms for anyone," Syd said. "They do not make great pets no matter what Ohu says." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

word_of_law
2010-02-28 12:56 am UTC (link)

"Those things are just myths, last I checked." Avery says. Granted, he last checked back in biology in college, but he hadn't heard anything different since then.

"Well, in any case, your mother is right. A Mongolian Death Worm wouldn't make a great pet. What do you think of cats or dogs? Or a bird? Or even a goldfish?" Avery asks.

"Does Ohu often suggest such fantastical pets?" he asks Sydney, curious.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	team_mascot 2010-02-28 12:58 am UTC (link)
	"They're all good. We have two dogs, two horses and a tiger!" Zoey giggled. "The dogs chase the tiger and I chase all of them. We play tag. Sort of. They never tag back." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-02-28 01:00 am UTC (link)
	"Ohu has a very different opinion of what could be a pet. I've shot down Mongolian death worms, unicorns, aliens, dinosaurs, dragons, and a host of others." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

word_of_law
2010-02-28 01:06 am UTC (link)

"Zoey the Awesome is a tiger-chaser? That's grreat!" Avery says, going for the easy, cheesy joke and thinking that Zoey is just embellishing a bit on her playing with her pets.

"Anyone who suggests a dragon or dinosaur as a pet has an odd sense of humor." Avery said. Sydney has to be joking. The expression on her face says she's now. Could the Defenders really be as...different as the papers say?

"I do have to say the unicorn gets points for originality, though."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-02-28 01:14 am UTC (link)
	"Ohu is unique to say the least," Syd mused. She wasn't even going to mention what happens when one of the godlings' parents show up. She still had a nightmare about really big snakes once and awhile. "It wouldn't be that much more original than the flying horse." Every time she talked to a normal person she realized how absurd her life sounded. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)