A Rival's Interest (Open)

A part of her job was that as people arrived to help greet them. Ethan was a little busy with meetings here and there so she watched and waited. Everyone came into the island of thier own way but this was David Winchester. She did not know much about him but she wanted to make sure he at least got settled in properly. She waved as his plane landed and waited for him to step off. "Mr Winchester?" she called out still looking for him. "My name is Avery and welcome to Ashford Isle."

Hearing someone calling him as he reached the last step of the airplane stairs, David smiled and pointed right at Avery, a forthright yet arrogant manner to it. "That is me, and you must be Avery Ashford," greeting her with a nod and subtle wink. David had taken time to study up on the Ashford family, from the patriarch down the line and for the briefest of moments, cursed his luck. Of all the people they have to send, its the one person least like them, he thought; his manner and English stiffness, however, didn't betray his thoughts. "Its' good to be here; I've heard a lot about Ashford Isle over the years and figured I might as well make the voyage here one day," he said.

And how. If the Winchester name was synonymous with British research and industry, the Ashford name was America's equivalent. He'd seen the immensity of the Island on the flight in and, if nothing else, sought to establish a foothold there, not only to expand Winchester Systems' overall conglomerative footing but also to provide a symbol to any and all British Oddities living on the Island...

....which also, surprise surprise, included his one and only daughter Dana Winchester. A third-year student at Ashford University, she was the heir apparent to both the family business and to Sir David's English peerage, the Marquis of Winchester, one of the 94 Hereditary Peers still allowed a seat in the British House of Lords. David occupied that seat and one day, so too would his daughter. In between touring the Island, he planned to visit his daughter; what a surprise, he thought, it'll be when she finds out I'm here.

Avery Ashford

"I do hope that so far everything is adequate to your liking. I was going to be the last person that you met, was actually going to send my secretary but then I thought that if a man of your stature thought it was worth a trip here, then you deserved to be greeted by yours truly."

Clever woman, David mused, smiling. His initial sentiments weren't far off the mark; he suspected there was more to Avery's words than what the plain meaning of them were.

"What would you like to do first or shall you rest up some first and meet me a little later?"

Maybe I can throw her off-tack a little, see what happens, he wandered. "I was going to ask for a tour of the Research Institute first; Winchester Systems is interested in working with the A.R.I. on certain things of interest. I'll also be needing reasonable accommodations while here but first, a tour of Ashford University. My daughter Dana Sienna Winchester is a third-year student there, a junior in the American parlance, and I figured I might surprise her with a visit while I'm here."

Avery Ashford

"Well lucky for you I work there and I can give out tours," she said as she laughed. Her laugh was actually genuine because she could not remember the last time that she had given out a tour but she also knew from how he was dressed and how he was speaking he wanted on the inside to look and perhaps gather ideas. "I was just going to get some food there, perhaps something to drink so you can come with me and we can get started. As I am sure that you are aware of Mr. Winchester, business waits for no one," she said as she offered her arm. "Any particular area and you know that is amazing about your daughter!" she added.

Taking her arm, they began walking, David smiling a father's smile. Of all the things he loved in this world, the one thing he loved more was his only daughter Dana Sienna Winchester. Even though he'd had to devote tons of effort and time to his various businesses, he always made time for his daughter and her own inquisitiveness. He knew someday that she would inherit both his peerage, becoming Baroness Winchester and Winchester Systems, and so he imparted to her as much wisdom and guidance as he could. I would give everything up to protect her, he often opined, and he meant every word of it.

Thinking of Avery's question, he glanced over, that smile still present and said, "No particular area; now, let us find some fair winds and proceed along."

Avery Ashford

"Well okay let me grab a few folders along the way and I will take you to what I personally see as one of the better spots on the island. You can see what we do here, what visitors get to see and most important take in some of the more important sights, but I must ask."

"Alright," David replied, smiling as she asked him what hobbies he had. "Well, I do enjoy a spot of cricket every so often; I find it a good way to meet people and discuss this and that, kinda like how Americans will take in a game of golf or baseball and do likewise. I also find a good book is something to appreciate - not on a e-reader, but an actual, physical book."

Avery Ashford

"I can do that; cricket isn't a terribly hard game to understand, Ms. Ashford, though it does have its' intricies. Its' like American baseball; there are two teams, equal number of players each side, similar field though a cricket field is oval as opposed to a diamond. A cricket match can run for hours if need be; what makes it special is the strategy involved - every player on the cricket ground has his or her role to play, whether batting or fielding. It can be a gentlemen or ladies' affair or a rabble-rousing time.

"As for teaching you the sport? I can do that as well; granted, I was never very good at it but I know enough that I can give the basics if you like."

Avery Ashford

Once they had reached the doors of the ashford arms she opened the door and waited for him to go in. "After you, business waits for no man of course. Or anyone really."

"Oh, thank you," David replied, stepping inside the ornately-decorated Ashford Arms and holding the door for Avery to enter as well. Always the gentlemen he was, even when he was on ground that was decidedly not his own. Taking a moment to look upwards, he couldn't help but wonder if there was some remote relation between the Ashford and Winchester families. Only the greats build and strive as they do, he thought to himself.

Looking over at Avery, he smiled, a wry smile, and said to her, "Oh, don't mind my wool-gathering Ms. Ashford; its' not everyday you get to visit a beautiful island and be greeted by an equally beautiful person such as yourself..."

Avery Ashford