Anya Antonovna Romanova Stark (anyastark) wrote in marvel_nextgen,
@ 2010-09-07 18:08:00

Entry tags:

Tied Together With a Smile
Anya gulped down the last of her champagne and put the empty glass on the tray of a passing waitress. Normally she would pace herself, but tonight she just didn't care. She grabbed a full glass from a passing waiter and took a drink. She wasn't drinking to become numb, just the opposite. She was drinking to be able to forget the numbness and emptiness inside of her.

A deep sigh escaped her and she looked around the room. It was a fundraiser for the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Pepper had given her a heads up about the event if Anya wanted to go and Anya hadn't planned on going, but the Russian Embassy had asked her very politely to attend on behalf of the Embassy and the Royal Family. There was a collection of Russian art going on display and tonight was the opening night. Anya almost told them to go stick it, but they were making a effort to abide by her request not to be set up on play dates. She could do a formal party at a museum. She had done many before and could do this without much thought or effort.

She could put a smile on her face and make others think she was having a good time. It was easy enough. Or so she hoped. The dress she wore was new, a Van Dyne Original, as well as her shoes and jewelry. Some major retail therapy had been needed and Anya indulged. The amount she spent on that shopping trip had been obscene even by her standards.

Another drink and the glass was already half empty. Her head was already swimming. Maybe she should slow down, or better yet leave. She had made her appearance and had been seen by the people who needed to see her. The Embassy would have to be satisfied.

Anya took another drink and started to make another round of the room.

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	anyastark 2010-09-09 03:28 am UTC (link)
	"Oh /you/ weren't bad, but the writing was horrible. I think they threw every tech term they could think of in there and none of it made sense. To hear them misused so badly, well it was funny. Like bad B-movie funny." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-09 03:49 am UTC (link)
	"Yeah..." Austin says, looking a bit embarrassed. "Ah barely know anything about that stuff, but even Ah could tell they were just throwing stuff together." "It's kind of nice to meet someone who's seen a bad movie of mine and is honest about it. Most people tell me how great it was, even when /I/ wasn't proud of it." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

anyastark
2010-09-09 04:05 am UTC (link)

"We all do things we're not proud of," she said speaking from experience. "The key is learning from your mistakes and take responsibility for your actions if necessary." Anya had a lot of experience in that regard.

"I love bad movies, though not as much as my brother and I'm not afraid to speak my mind."

She smiled a little. "Well if you ever need any help with tech stuff, give me a ring. I am a Stark."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-09 04:27 am UTC (link)
	"Well, Ah might have a role coming up soon that Ah could use the help with, Miss Stark. That is, if you wouldn't mind bein' a consultant. Since Ah'm sure you don't need the money, Ah'd be willin' to compensate you in coffee and Thai food. If you like Thai food, that is." Austin says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-09 04:44 am UTC (link)
	"I would love to consult and make sure things are right. Coffee and Thai food sound like perfect methods of payment." "What's the next project you're working on? Or is everything hush hush and you can't talk about it?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-09 05:06 am UTC (link)
	"Well, there's going to be information coming up soon. But...someone wants to do a remake of another hacker-type movie." Austin says. "Have you ever heard of Sneakers?" he asks. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-09 05:25 am UTC (link)
	"Sneakers is possibly my favorite movie of all time. If someone is even thinking about remaking it, I will seriously have my father by the studio just to shut it down." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-10 12:29 am UTC (link)
	"Well, it's not exactly a remake. It's more of a...sequel? I guess you could call it that. It's following the children of the original." Austin says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-10 01:03 am UTC (link)
	Anya's eyes narrowed a bit. "I guess I can live with that. If it sucks I can pretend it doesn't exist. Much like I do with anything after the first Highlander movie." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-10 01:26 am UTC (link)
	"Amen to that. I loved Highlander too." he says. "Though, I keep telling George Clooney that when they do the remake of Ocean's Fourteen, I want in. He said he'd put in a good word for me." Austin says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-10 01:30 am UTC (link)
	"It was a great movie," Anya said. "I'm sure you'll get a part," she assured him. The cab came to a stop outside of an all-nite diner. It wasn't in Cambridge, but in Watertown, the next town over. Anya paid the driver and stepped out of the car. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

nextgen_citizen
2010-09-10 03:19 am UTC (link)

Austin's a little miffed that she beat him to paying the driver, so he'll have to work twice as hard to pick up tonight's check. He gets out of the car and goes to help Anya out, if he can, then looks at the diner.

"Wow, this place seems like it's off the beaten trail." Austin says. "I like finding places that few people know about. They usually have better service than 'establishments'."

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	anyastark 2010-09-10 03:31 am UTC (link)
	"It is," she said as she climbed out of the car. "I love places that are off the beaten path as well. Chains are nice when you're traveling because you know what to expect, but for daily stuff, Independent places are the best. I found this one not long after moving up here." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-10 05:14 am UTC (link)
	"Speaking of that...how long have you been around here and how is school going?" he asks. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-10 02:47 pm UTC (link)
	Anya opened the door to the diner and held it for him. She was all for equality. "This is my second year up here," she said as she held the door. "School is going well. I just had one of my professors ask me to help him with a project." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-11 02:27 am UTC (link)
	"Really? Can I ask about the project or is top-secret?" he asks. Austin does not step through the door. He's been raised with firm ideals about men holding doors for women and he motions for Anya to proceed him. "I insist." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-11 02:32 am UTC (link)
	"Thank you," she said and walked in. The hostess seated them and then Anya answered his question. "It's an Artificial Intelligence project. It's an area I'm interested in and he needs a little help tweaking his code." "So, what's your next project?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

nextgen_citizen
2010-09-11 04:34 pm UTC (link)

Austin waits for Anya to be seated, pulling out a chair if necessary, and then sits down across from her. His eyebrows raise at the mention of Artificial Intelligence.

"Wow, that must be really cool." he says with genuine interest, leaning in a bit and focusing his gaze directly on Anya.

"Ah've never been smart enough to understand that sort of thing, but...don't ever worry that maybe we're giving machines a bit too much control? Ah'm not trying to say we should all go back to the Stone Age or anything; technology is the main reason Ah have a job.

There have just be several roles Ah've had that have made me think about it these kind of things, and Ah try to improve my knowledge when and where Ah can. Ah mean, take that Iron Man guy, for instance. That's like...the pinnacle of technological achievement. But it must be scary as all hell knowin' that there's really only a few pieces of metal between you and all the evils of the world." Austin says, his voice a mixture of awe, respect, and curiosity.

He orders his drink and smiles as she asks him about his next project.

"Well, Ah can for certain Ah'm not hurtin' for work. Ah've been asked to do a couple of spots on a few TV shows, like True Blood and General Hospital.

Ah've also just signed up for a sci-fi action thriller called Mass Effect, based on a video game of the same name. It's about a solider who uncovers a plot that threatens the galaxy, so he puts together an elite team of warriors to stop this threat. A lot like the Avengers or the Fantastic Four in space. I'm signed on for this movie and the sequel, with an option for a third. Filming starts in December." Austin says.

"Dwayne Johnson and Will Smith are both in talks for it, too, so there's a chance of putting all three of us on together. Ah don't mind not havin' top billin' if Ah get to work with those guys.

He /Rocked/ during his other career." Austin smirks.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

anyastark
2010-09-11 04:50 pm UTC (link)

"This is why we program in safeguards," she said. "Every program that I write has a kill switch in it just in case." She smiled. "Iron Man is pretty cool. He's always been my personal favorite." She shrugged. "But isn't that why we look up to them? That even though they know they could easily get hurt or killed, they still go out there and put their lives on the line to protect those who cannot protect themsevles?"

"My brother loves those games. He's a video game addict in the worst way. It could be a neat film if they do it right." She chuckled. "At least you won't have to worry about facing things like Thanos or Galactus in the movie. Never any fun there."

"Oh! That's awesome. Those are two great actors and Will's a doll. I know someone who would die to get the chance to meet Dwayne Johnson."

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	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-11 08:39 pm UTC (link)
	"Ah think the people who suit up to help others are great people. Ah just wonder if they ever want more than what they get." Austin says. "Ah like video games, too. I'm big on shooters and such." he says. "If Ah can help out your friend, talk to me and Ah'll see what Ah can do." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

anyastark
2010-09-11 09:01 pm UTC (link)

Anya ordered a burger with everything on it. She wasn't particularly hungry, and hadn't been since Steve disappeared, but she would try to eat. "They want the same thing as everyone else. Happiness, love, possibly a family and maybe even a regular job."

"I should introduce you to my brother then. I have to admit, he's pretty darn good. Even with the games I wrote for him to try to trip him up." Anya was proud of James, though she would never admit it. Whatever he set his mind to, he did well.

"Thank you. She would love that and it will be easy since she lives out west with the Defenders."

"So can I ask you, how did you get into acting? Was there anything else you were going to do?"

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-11 09:53 pm UTC (link)
	Austin orders the double-cheeseburger and fries and a large Coke. "Wow, you have some cool friends. The Defenders are pretty awesome. They've got a bunch of goddesses on the team, right?" That's what Ah heard." he says. "Ah started early in school. Ah thought about becomin' an architect, and Ah still do, but right now, Ah'm financin' it with my actin'." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-11 10:24 pm UTC (link)
	"I grew up knowing a lot of the super-set because of my mom." And Dad, but she couldn't say that. Those silly secret identities and stuff. "They do. I think they're down to one goddess now. One joined the Avengers for a bit." "That's great," she said. "What school are you going to?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

nextgen_citizen
2010-09-12 12:22 am UTC (link)

"Oh, Ah'm not going to school right now. Ah don't have the time just yet. Ah'm simply puttin' the money Ah need away so that Ah can go with no troubles when Ah'm ready." Austin says.

"Right now, though, Ah've got ride this wave while it lasts. You never know when people will find that next 'It' guy, so you gotta take all you can when you can." Austin says, glad to be off the subject of his past.

"It must be cool to know really tough people like that. Can't imagine what kind of stories you've got to tell." Austin says, hoping he can lure her into telling one.

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	anyastark 2010-09-12 12:36 am UTC (link)
	"Oh! Sorry," she said and felt a little embarrassed. "I misunderstood." She offered him a smile. "That's a good plan and wise. Not a lot of people in Hollywood ever think about life after acting." She grinned. "I have to admit it's really cool. Life is always interesting." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)