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 2010-09-14 04:43 am UTC (link)
	"All Starks are bastards and my Dad is the king bastard so her shooting him is inevitable. We're all taking bets when it will happen." Anya shrugged. Her family was weird and she knew it. "Depends on the situation. They give and take on a lot of things. Neither are the type to just take orders from another person." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-14 04:57 am UTC (link)
	"You seem pretty certain that she wouldn't shoot him any place important. That's love, though." Austin says. "Yeah, two independent people getting together can be good or bad, but if they love it each other, it'll work no matter what." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-14 04:59 am UTC (link)
	"Oh she won't kill him. She'll only shoot to wound. Which is bad enough given that he doesn't have a healing factor." "I hope so. Neither of them are really the type to settle down, but they've grown up a bit so hopefully it will work this time." "Are your parents still together?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-14 06:43 pm UTC (link)
	"Well, yes and no. My dad died when Ah was a kid, and my step-father stepped in and filled the void. They've been together for almost thirty years, though." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-14 06:47 pm UTC (link)
	"Oh. Sorry if I seem to be prying," she said. "Sometimes I just keep going and don't think before I speak." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-14 07:17 pm UTC (link)
	"No, it's okay. You're the first person in a long time who's asked me about myself without a tape-recorder or a notepad at the ready." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-14 07:30 pm UTC (link)
	"If I get too nosy, just say so," she said. "Do you get along well with your mom and step-dad?" Anya grabbed a fry and dipped it in ketchup before eating it. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

nextgen_citizen
2010-09-14 07:51 pm UTC (link)

"Well, we did when Ah was younger, back when Ah thought Ah wanted to go into the family business. My dad and my step-dad were best friends and partners in a mechanic shop. Ah'm actually pretty good at fixin' cars and motorcycles. They also worked in a distribution company of sorts. My brother and Ah were supposed to take their places." Austin says, taking another bite of his burger as he tried to decide how much more he could safely tell Anya before things got weird.

"Mom is really protective, but she means well. My step-dad was always much cooler and showed me a lot about bein' a man and how to handle my responsibilities. Neither of them really took it well when Ah chose to go to Hollywood." Austin says.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-14 08:02 pm UTC (link)
	"Oh. Did your brother go into the family business or did he go into something else?" Anya asked. "Do you ever regret your decision to go into acting? Seeing how it soured your relationship with your parents?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

nextgen_citizen
2010-09-15 01:24 am UTC (link)

"My brother went into the family business. He's always been really loyal and ready to do anything necessary for our step-dad. Ah regret that my parents can't be happy for what Ah've done, but not for doin' it.

Someday, Ah hope they'll understand why, and we'll all be able to get along again. But Ah had to follow my dream." he says.

"Do you think your parents would be cool with you doin' somethin' else with your life if you weren't doin' what you're doin' now?" he asks.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

anyastark
2010-09-15 03:23 am UTC (link)

"Well we have brothers into cars in common. My older brother is a car junkie. He loves classic muscle cars."

"That's a good question. They encouraged me to do what I wanted to do and not feel like I had to go into the family business. I've always wanted to run the company one day and go into the family business." That included being an Avenger. "The only thing that was discouraged was being a spy. Mom didn't want me to do that."

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	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-15 03:29 am UTC (link)
	"Spies lives hard lives. Ah could see why she wouldn't want that for you." Austin says. "We're all car and bike junkies. The first thing Ah did with my first paycheck was buy a classic Harley Davidson. Ah love my bike more than any Academy Award or Oscar Ah could win." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-15 03:31 am UTC (link)
	"Yeah, though running a company isn't much easier," she said. Neither was being an Avenger or Thunderbolt. "Oh? What kind? I have a Harley," she said with a smile. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

nextgen_citizen
2010-09-15 03:40 am UTC (link)

"You do? See, Ah knew there was a reason Ah liked you, Anya Stark. You have ink, you're good-looking, and you love motorcycles. Men everywhere wept the day your boyfriend met you. This Ah know." Austin says.

He pulls out his wallet.

"Ah actually have some pictures of her right here. Her name is Gemma." he smiles. The bike is definitely one of the nicer choppers out there, though by no means top of the line.

"Ah wanted to get somethin' older and work on her myself, rather than buy somethin' with all the bells and whistles already added." he says.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

anyastark
2010-09-15 03:47 am UTC (link)

Anya blushed of course. "We've known each other since we were toddlers. His parents were Avengers as well as my Mom. Us kids all grew up together."

Anya looked at the pictures. "She's nice." She smiled. "Another one who names his vehicles. My brother does that too. His car is named Darlene and he had a bike named Annie. I don't know if he named his two Harleys."

"I did not name mine."

"What year? I have a '62 panhead. Dad gave it to me in parts and I had to build it."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

nextgen_citizen
2010-09-15 04:34 am UTC (link)

"Vehicles are like babies; they all need names." Austin says, adding a sage nod to this wisdom.

"She's a '65. Ah keep thinkin' Ah ought try buildin' one from parts, or restorin' one, but Ah don't know if Ah'm quite ready for that. It's a worthy idea, though." Austin says.

He takes a few more bites and finishes the burger, then goes back to his Coke.

"What's your favorite holiday?" he asks.

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	anyastark 2010-09-15 04:37 am UTC (link)
	"See? I'm not that emotionally tied to my bike or my car to give them a name. Now my computers are a different story. They all have names and the AI as well." "Christmas. I love shopping. It's genetic. What's yours?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-15 05:33 am UTC (link)
	"Hm. Ah've never thought to name my computer, but Ah might rethink that on your account." he grins. "Ah love Devil's Night in San Antonio, personally. It's...a biker rally. But if Ah have to choose actual holidays, I'd go with Thanksgiving. So much good food, but so little time." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-15 05:41 am UTC (link)
	"Maybe you can help me come up with a name for my bike and car. But I guess you would have to meet them first." She smiled. "Thanksgiving is pretty awesome. Jarvis makes an incredible Thanksgiving dinner. I like Christmas because I like to shop and give people gifts." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-15 12:39 pm UTC (link)
	"Is that before or after Ah meet the parents?" Austin jokes. "Christmas is all right, too, but I've spent the last few by myself, so Ah've learned not to get too worked up about them." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-15 07:36 pm UTC (link)
	Anya chuckled. "Before. I save the parents for last." "I'm sorry to hear that. No one should spend Christmas alone." Anya went quiet for a moment as she thought about something. "Well if you find yourself alone this Christmas, give me a call. We always have a big bash and the more the merrier." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-16 01:21 am UTC (link)
	"It's not so bad, once one gets used to it." Austin says, sipping his Coke. "Still, Ah'll keep your invitation in mind if Ah'm not workin' or some such." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-16 02:20 am UTC (link)
	"Still, you shouldn't have to spend it alone," Anya said after she finished the last of her burger. "The offer is open, as well as the same for Thanksgiving." She sat back and a yawn escaped her. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_citizen 2010-09-16 04:11 am UTC (link)
	"Ah thank you for your invitation." he says. "Should Ah be gettin' you home now, Miss Stark? You've been goin' a mile a minute since you spilled that drink on me." he smiles. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	anyastark 2010-09-16 04:17 am UTC (link)
	"You're welcome and please call me Anya. Miss Stark makes me feel like I'm in trouble for something," she said with a smile. "It is getting late and I haven't been sleeping much lately." Though about two to three hours a night was the normal around now. She woke with nightmares about losing Steve just about every time she slept. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)