Allea woke breathlessly to the sound of her alarm.
For a moment, the young woman allowed the alarm to continue its insistent beeping, her blue eyes staring blankly up at the ceiling above her as she reminded herself to breathe. Chest heaving in a deep breath, she paused to hold it in, and then released the breath with a sigh. Sitting up, she pressed the dismiss button on the alarm without bothering to look at it, the annoying pitch of its beeping dying immediately at the command.
Swinging her legs over the bedside, Allea made her way to the bathroom, grabbing a uniform out of the closet before entering. Peering into the mirror for a moment, she scanned the face that returned her gaze, glancing at the photo that perched on the counter. The likeness was beginning to grow uncanny, and Allea felt somewhat proud about that. There was certainly something pleasing about knowing she carried her mother's memory on.
And yet, at the same time, something eerie about it.
Turning from the mirror, Allea began her daily morning routine, thoughts still lingering on her mother. There were still a few years to go before Allea reached the age her mother had ended on, but already Allea could see they shared the same blue eyes, and the same features, save for the more oval face, more rounded cheeks, and slightly defined cheekbones which were given to her by her father. Frankly, it was like seeing a ghost sometimes.
Those were the times when she hated her similarity and reflection the most.
Finishing up, Allea turned on the faucet, watching the water eagerly leap down towards the drain. Pursing her lips, her hands darted forward, quickly splashing water on her face. With a shiver at the feel of the cold liquid against her skin, her right hand reached out, turning the faucet off as soon as it had been on, causing the flow of water to cease. Without another look at the faucet, she stepped out of the bathroom.
Moments later, as she finished folding her sleepwear, her intercom buzzed. Fingers dancing over it, Allea pressed it at the second buzz, accepting the call.
"Agent Chruch, I need you to come into the control room. Urgently." Eyebrow raising slightly, she recognized the voice with some surprise.
"Of course, Director Fury." Without another word, she switched the device off and made her way out of the room that accommodated her during her assignment on the helicarrier. Not bothering to get breakfast, she beelined to the control room, making her way inside with a short nod to other agents as she passed. Breakfast was simply a leisure she could deal with later. If she was being called in, she certainly had something more pressing to attend to.
"Agent Church." Greeted immediately as she entered the control room by a shorter man with a kind smile, she stopped immediately, turning her attention to him.
"Agent Coulson. Good to see you, sir."
"Director Fury had to attend to a situation, but he left me to give you your assignment." Handing the young woman a file, he gestured for her to scan it over. Allea moved to open it, brows furrowing as her eyes flickered through its contents. Taking her silence as an opening for him to elaborate, Coulson continued. "We took a prisoner into custody last night. Director Fury requested that you be posted as a guard for extra security." Smirking slightly, he added, "And Fury wishes you'll accommodate him nicely."
"'Loki of Asgard?'" Allea shifted her gaze to meet Coulson's. "The Loki of Asgard? Brother of Thor? The Trickster?"
"The one and only."
Gaze returning to the file, Allea rested her index finger on her lips, a subconscious habit she sometimes had when thinking. Loki of Asgard was certainly no common S.H.E.I.L.D. prisoner, not that any could be considered 'common.' But in regards to most, Loki was of the more dangerous category. And from that thought Allea couldn't help but wonder: why her? She was a good agent, yes, and recognized, but certainly not the best. "What is he doing here?"
Coulson smiled apologetically. "That's above your clearance level to know."
Regrouping her thoughts together, she removed her hand from her lips, nodding and handing the small file back. "Of course, sir, I apologize for prying."
"No need. I understand the curiosity." Taking the file, he turned towards the monitor behind him, gesturing towards where she was meant to go. "I trust you can make your way on your own?"
"Of course, sir."
"And no wondering off," Coulson spoke, tease laced in his tone. Allea returned the smile.
"You're not going to let that go, are you? Sir?"
Turning back around to face her, he pat the young woman's shoulder. "Not a chance, Church." Grinning, he added quietly, "How did you describe quarantine again? 'Dull…? Shameful…? Embarrassing…?'"
Taking some liberty, Allea nudged the superior agent in the arm. "Alright, enough."
"What? Can't handle that I told you so?"
"I have a job to get to," she reminded him lightly. Removing his hand from her shoulder, he nodded.
"Right. Good luck."
Backing away, she shrugged with a grin. "I don't believe in luck, sir."