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.

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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?"

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	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)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-02-28 07:34 am UTC (link)
	Syd smiled. "You're welcome. Thank you. I appreciate that. It means a lot." She nodded. "Yes. We should." Deep breath. "Before we do I do want you to know that I don't intend to keep you from Zoey and her from you. You two need to get to know each other." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-02-28 07:49 am UTC (link)
	"I will compose a list of things on the care and feeding of one Miss Zoey Ashcroft," Syd said with a small smile. "We're safe, Avery. We don't go out on missions and we have an escape plan if something happens at the compound. And we have five godlings, one sorceress and one tech head protecting us. I wouldn't put Zoey anywhere dangerous." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-02-28 08:00 am UTC (link)
	Syd nodded. "We do. They have sworn to protect us at the cost of their own lives. It's...an Asgardian thing." Syd shook her head. "Actually Zoey's in private school. I started her there this year. I have the money and she deserves the best. Her grades are excellent." Yes, that was a proud mom talking there. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	word_of_law 2010-02-28 08:13 am UTC (link)
	"Good to know." Avery says about the Asgardians. "I'm glad we agree on private school and her needs." Avery says. He smiles brighter at the mention of her grades being excellent, feeling a bit of paternal pride right there. "So...that manila envelope you were holding earlier? Should we discuss that next?" he asks. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-02-28 08:40 am UTC (link)
	Syd nodded. "The least disruption is best," Syd said. "The details about summer and the holidays can be worked out." Syd didn't like the idea of Zoey going so far away from her. "A weekend in a month sounds okay. Of course visits between now and then." She opened her purse and pulled out a card and offered it to him. "My lawyer's contact information." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sydney_ashcroft 2010-02-28 08:50 am UTC (link)
	Syd nodded. "She loves pancakes. Waffles too. Breakfast, lunch or dinner anytime you have some free time would be fine. Zoey would love it. You must stop by sometime. I'm sure she'd love to show you her horse." She smiled. "She beats me all of the time. Good luck. You're going to need it." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)