The Graveyard Shift ;; Phoenix + Loki
And to think, she was just beginning to like the guy.
Very few people outside of S.H.I.E.L.D. commanded the authority to drag Agent Evelyn Phoenix into the blustering winter cold. Unfortunately, Tony Stark was one of them, and he'd placed the call himself. After all, this was partially her jurisdiction now.
She'd only transferred into Account Services last week, but she'd been working for them informally for some time now. She'd put in considerable hours with the Stark Industries liaison team while still back in Administration. Unsurprisingly, this meant that the transfer had promised her name on the Stark account -- which was fantastic, of course! -- but it went to the more qualified personnel for a reason.
"I get why you're keeping him at the Tower," she'd explained into her office phone, a hint of despair clinging to her tone. "What I don't get is why you think I qualify as back-up."
The two had built something of a professional relationship over the past few months -- something Evelyn hadn't seen coming, quite honestly. But this also meant that he knew her personality. She was a tad abrasive and unorthodox to say the least. If one of the agents needed to clock out early, there were several other names more suited for coverage than her.
It seemed that Stark trusted her for whatever reason. Better not to fight it, she thought, somewhat defeated. This is the stuff promotions are made of.
All that had led to here. Evelyn had relieved the other agent of his duties, which was probably for the best given how wrecked he looked. It'd been a while since she'd put in nocturnal hours. It's a change of pace, I suppose. Even if it's babysitting duty.
This was the first time she'd seen Loki since the Battle of New York. And even then, it'd only been on monitors in the Helicarrier. There was never a physical crossing of paths. Like most at S.H.I.E.L.D., she harbored sizable resentment towards the would-be king. Clint Barton was one of her best friends. That alone spoke volumes.
Still, there was a time and a place for such malice. Now wasn't one of them. The non-hostile contract barred them both from any homicidal episodes. She could desire him dead all she wished, but it was best to keep the snark to a minimum. Yeah, she thought with a roll of her eyes, that'll pan out about as well as Hulk in a china shop.
"Hey." A simple greeting filled with minimal enthusiasm. Her dark eyes met Loki's for just a moment. "I'm relieving Agent Anderson for the evening." Instinctively, she motioned towards the doorway from which she'd entered. "I think he's got the flu or something. Not that it matters, but--"
A sigh, a crossing of the arms; this was going to be a long night. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s on-site staff was a small, recurring ring of faces, and Evelyn was bluntly new. Her flaming orange hair, often a feature she felt fond of, also served as distinguishing. It was easy to zero her out, for better or for worse. Someone as perceptive as Loki was bound to notice the new addition.
"Looks like I'm your best friend for the next several hours, so-- just, behave I guess." She'd been on the clock since early morning. Staying awake would be hard, but imperative. "I don't wanna be here. You don't wanna be here. But hey, can't change life." There was a struggle to suppress a small yawn, but it still came out anyhow. Evelyn had to be on alert around him. This wasn't the time for fatigue. "Let's just make this as painless and uneventful as possible, for both our sakes."