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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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.

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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?"

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	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)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-12 04:04 am UTC (link)
	"Actually, all Ah ever think about is my life after acting. Ah have an idea of where Ah wanna go and be when Ah'm done, which is not where Ah came from." he smiles. "So, what's the craziest thing you've ever done?" he asks. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-12 05:11 pm UTC (link)
	"You are a rare individual in Hollywood," Anya commented. "Where did you come from? What was your childhood like?" "As for that crazy thing...I would have to say it was the world wide club tour that ended up with a tattoo around my ankle." That one seemed the most normal out of all the crazy things she had done in her life. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-12 06:35 pm UTC (link)
	"World wide club tour, huh? You have ink? Ah don't think Ah would have pegged you for an ink type of girl." Austin says. "Any other ink you can talk about?" he asks. He pointedly did not answer the questions regarding his past. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

anyastark
2010-09-12 06:43 pm UTC (link)

Anya nodded. "We hit four or five cities across the globe. It was a friend's goodbye bash. I do. Around my right ankle. It's an

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Anya nodded. "We hit four or five cities across the globe. It was a friend's goodbye bash. I do. Around my right ankle. It's an <HREF ="http://unfoldingdestiny.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/19_aris-ouroboros.jpg">ouroboros.</A> It's the only tat I have."

She noticed he didn't answer the question about his past and she wasn't going press.

"Do you have any ink?"

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nextgen_citizen
2010-09-13 12:24 am UTC (link)

"Ah have a couple of tattoos. One between my shoulder blades, and another on my right arm. Ah got them in my 'young and wild' phase, but Ah keep them for the reminders." Austin smiles.

The food arrives not long into the conversation and he smiles at Anya as he munches on a french fry.

"Ah usually have 'em covered up for my roles, though Ah'm considering gettin' another one on my left arm." he says. "My agent would love that."

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	anyastark 2010-09-13 01:48 am UTC (link)
	"What are they?" Anya asked as she stole a fry from his plate. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

nextgen_citizen
2010-09-13 02:27 am UTC (link)

"Ah would have to take off my shirt to show you my tattoos, Anya. That just wouldn't be seemly in a public place, no matter how late the hour." Austin grins.

"And no, you may not spill your drink on me again to facilitate this." he teases.

"Maybe Ah'll find another way to see that tattoo of yours sometime. You said it's on your ankle, didn't you? Lots of ways for that to happen." he says.

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	anyastark 2010-09-13 02:38 am UTC (link)
	"Rats! You're on to my dastardly plan!" she said and then laughed. It felt so weird laughing. She hadn't had much to laugh about in the past few weeks. "It is on my ankle. I would show you right now, but with this dress on I don't feel like giving the whole diner a show when I put my leg up to show you." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

nextgen_citizen
2010-09-13 02:45 am UTC (link)

"Well, since Ah wouldn't want to share a view like that with anyone, let's consider a compromise. Ah will wait until such a time as it is decent for you to show me your tattoo without embarrassment or without possible discovery. In return, Ah'll use that same time to show you my tattoos." Austin offers, chuckling with her.

"Ah wasn't able to say so earlier, but you look great, Anya. Ah was lucky to catch your attention, what with all the people who must have wanted a moment of your time tonight." he says.

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	anyastark 2010-09-13 03:04 am UTC (link)
	"Deal," she said. "Later or some other time we can play I'll show you mine and you show me yours." Anya blushed a little. She always did when she received a compliment. "Thank you. You look great too." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

nextgen_citizen
2010-09-13 03:09 am UTC (link)

If Austin was a lesser man, he would make a comment of some kind about how he looked forward to that. As it was, he simply smiled at her and at another fry.

"Thank you, Anya. Ah have a great many people who make it their mission in life to make sure Ah don't wear anything that lands me in the 'Worst Dressed' section of the tabloids." he laughs. He only wishes he was joking though.

"So, what is the meaning of Anya, in Russian?" he asks.