Annabeth Ryder tucked the last stray of hair in her updo. Normally Anastasia Romanova wouldn't do this, but today her life as Annabeth begun and she had to look the part. She took one last look in the mirror before stepping out the front door. She was a beautiful woman and she knew it. How many times hadn't men whispered those words in her ear before they became the monsters all men were destined to be. Her fiery red hair was now successfully put up in a donut, the makeup was neatly done, her outfit was on point, and she looked all together like an intelligent, successful woman. The part would not be difficult to play. She had done many like this before, just not on her own. Never on her own.
Annabeth walked in to the gigantic building, fumbling with her id card. It hadn't been hard to become a recruit at SHIELD, not with the background she had, it had been almost too easy. She stood next to the scanner and flashed a bright smile at the security guard. Maybe he wouldn't notice her nervousness if she flirted. The scanner flashed green as she swiped her card, and she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She felt relief but quickly bit her chin as a reflex as her lips were threatening to move up. It had been a long time, but Anastasia still found it hard to disobey their orders. Even now, as she had started a new life, their ghosts still haunted her.
"Can I help you miss…?" said a stranger towards her. "Ryder, Annabeth Ryder. Pleasure to meet you" she said with gritted teeth at his obvious flirting as she shook his hand "and no, I have somewhere to be now". She started to turn around not wanting to continue the conversation. "Haven't seen you around here before miss Ryder, are you new?" he said, clearly not taking her hint. "I'm a recruit," Annabeth answered. "Well then I'm the man you should talk to, I'm leading the tour with our second in command Maria Hill. Follow me". She nodded her head in thanks, but she was not grateful. To anyone else it would seem like a friendly gesture, but Anastasia knew better; no one would offer you a service without expecting something in return. She had learned it the hard way and did not feel the need to experience that again.
The man, who had introduced himself as Mike Carter, seemed to really enjoy his own voice. As he walked with her towards the others, he would not stop blabbering about the not so interesting story of SHIELD. Annabeth had read the catalogue and did not have any interest of hearing the story again; she had a photographic memory thank you very much. They reached a group that looked like schoolchildren on a field trip and a very annoyed teacher. Some smiled, or in most cases winked, at her but everyone quickly turned their attention towards the woman Annabeth guessed was Maria Hill as she started the tour after dismissing a high five from Mike. She pressed down the urge to roll her eyes, already starting to think about her bed at home. Had Anastasia only known how interesting this day would turn out to be.