Although all the crates are currently splinters, I think I can still demonstrate my abilities to my observers.
There are a few test dummies close by. I could do something with them. Hmm. I could try to make them interact with each other. It'd be something like puppetry! I've never tried to move anything people-shaped with telekinesis, but they are only mannequins. And who knows, maybe if I can get the dummies to move, I might be able to move a real person.
I glance back at the screen quickly. Hawkeye's giving me an expectant grin, and Romanov's expression is neutral aside from the slight quirk of a smile in her lips. They're the only ones who actually seem encouraging in all this. Honestly, I think Tony and Dr. Banner are too caught up in their observation and attempted research to understand my nerves.
Without any further delay, I focus intently on the mannequin to the right, flexing my hand, seeing if I can elicit a response. The dummy waggles around a bit, not moving particularly close to me but still moving nonetheless. I try the same with the left sided mannequin. It runs smoother this time, and I believe that have enough control to operate them both. My arms stretch wide, distancing the two. They hover, awaiting my next direction. I breathe in deeply and bring my arms together again, stopping them a moment before they connect with each other. If I can just bring the right one a bit closer to me and...
"Crap!" I let out an audible yelp as I realize that yet again, I've managed to misjudge the amount of force necessary, and have sent both of the stupid crash test dummies hurtling towards me. I leap out of the way (though it's more like an ungraceful stumble), and the mannequins tumble to the floor.
"Are you always this competent?" asks Data.
"Excuse me?" I scoff in return. What is this woman's problem?
"I've gotten reports that have said that you once managed to suspend a truck in-air. I'm not certain you live up to your legend."
Tony gives her a glare, seeming to mutter something about Data needing to lighten up.
"Well, I did. Once. And even so, it's not like you've done anything of note. I can understand some of the Avengers being here, considering they're actually talented, but what about you?!" I retort angrily.
The agent smirks. "I am on a different spectrum. I have no need to compare your abilities to my own. But if you take into consideration your previous demonstrations, kid, you're lacking. Nothing some intense training can't fix, but I'd hope you would give us your best."
My hands ball into fists. I can't believe this. This whole thing is so incredibly dumb. S.H.I.E.L.D basically kidnaps me, recruits me, and then expects me to be some sort of obedient little trainee? And they stick me with a cocky ass who does nothing but belittle me? Honestly, if I could, I'd get out of here the first chance I got. I would give anything to be back with my friends. I even missed school a bit. I felt somewhat successful there. But no, I'm stuck here for the foreseeable future.
What are they even going to do with me whenever I complete my training? Am I going to be an agent by default? Do I try to go to college? I doubt they'll just drop me off into the normal world after-
"Hey, Alicia. Are you noticing the little hat trick you're doing there? With all the broken things?" Tony interrupts, pointing a pen to the space around me.
I look around, trying to figure out what exactly Tony is talking about. "I don't know-oh."
The splinters of wood and pieces of scrap metal that previously littered the floor are stretched behind me like a spiky barrier, splaying outward, pointy ends inadvertently directed at Data. They are suspended in the air, quivering slightly. I wasn't even thinking about it. Usually I have to direct things to move around me. It almost never happens automatically.
Dr. Banner, Natasha, Hawkeye, and Data are surprised, eyebrows raised. Tony makes sure that my new 'hat trick' as he put it is meticulously recorded in observation notes.
Data is the first to snap out of her reverie. I'm not exactly happy about that.
"I should apologize. I had a feeling your abilities could be linked to your emotional state and also some sort of instinct, so I decided to test that theory."
"What, by trying to get me angry? How kind of you," I retort, arms crossed.
"Well, it appeared to be successful, to an extent. Seeing as you haven't yet allowed those pieces of wood to fall."
"Doesn't make it any more right," I mutter under my breath.
Sensing the tension, Dr. Banner clears his throat and interrupts before Data can reply. "Well, I think you deserve a break, Alicia. You did well, trust me. We'll get the place cleaned up and then go from there."
I nod in agreement, all too happy to get away for a bit.
Out of the corner of my eye, I think I can see something moving. It's not any part of the equipment I just used for training, it could be some sort of insect. A praying mantis, maybe? It looks big enough. And how did a praying mantis manage to get in this place? I crouch to the ground, but it already disappeared. Weird.
"Did you guys see that?" I ask.
Hawkeye cocks an eyebrow at me, perplexed. "See what?"
"That praying mantis that was crawling around. I wonder how it got here."
If he didn't look confused before, Hawkeye definitely does now, and I decide to drop the subject. It wasn't a big deal, anyway.
After I leave the Upper Basement level of Avengers Tower, I'm bombarded by a flood of flying insects.
Okay. What the hell?
Monarch butterflies, swallowtails, ladybugs, bumblebees, they flit around like this place is some sort of garden haven. What's going on? I've never seen so many in one place, let alone the inside of a building in New York City.
I take a quick glance around at the others in the Tower to see if they've noticed the influx of bugs. Nobody seems fazed...it must be just me then. When one gets close enough to touch, I gently grab at it. It dissolves into thin air, as though it never existed in the first place.
Of course, that's because it hadn't. The haze of butterflies is just a hallucination.
Some part of me had hoped the hallucinations had magically gone away. Part of me always does. I haven't experienced one in a while, which is a surprise considering the wildness of recent circumstances. But no matter how long they're gone, they always come back. I'm just glad this isn't one of my more dangerous episodes. I doubt that I could handle one of those right now.
Dr. Banner and the others probably know that I get them periodically. Maybe I could see if Dr. Banner knows some way to get rid of them. It briefly passes through my mind that there's no point in going to him, but I really should try to see if the hallucinations can be addressed.
I can imagine what would happen if a hallucination happened during more rigorous training. It's not a good thought.
A.N: Well, new update! Yay. Thanks to Extended Experience for reviewing, and I'll see you all next Saturday with another update.
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