The Phoenix Project

You called me a babysitter, now it's personal

[ 14:15 ]

P.O.V. from Valkyrie

I had come to Midgard two or three times in my life, in the days I was still in Odin's army, but still, those were quick times, on matters related to Valhalla. After so many years in Sakaar, nothing seemed familiar to the realm I knew a lot of years ago.

Texas, so far, seemed good. Still, with a climate similar to what I witnessed in the last few visits here, I haven't identified anything on the landscape I had already seen before, except for some parts of the city that seemed older. Being honest, I don't even remember the existence of the name United States from the last time I came to this planet!

After last night, and already early in the morning, Stark gave us what would be our uniforms for the rest of the Project: a green shirt and dark blue pants, that resembled jeans, with two bands by the lateral extension of the legs. All of us were using distinct colours: Thor used a dark wine, and Loki used a dark blue one, practically the same colour as the pants, maybe a bit lighter. He said he would explain better about the uniforms when it was our official first day of the project, but that basically "they're made to distinguish each student". With that, I haven't worried about that at the moment.

We didn't take us more than three hours to get to one of Stark's bases across the US territory, so landing, and leaving to Candice's house in a van. In all the short way, I felt nervous and anxious about all the experience. It was weird to know I would have to "take care" of a half-goddess, and I didn't like the idea either. It may only be an intuition, but I think it will take me a long time until I get along with Candice, for the little I know about her persona.

As soon as I had heard Stark's idea, I thought I would refuse, but by the way he dealt with Loki's refusal, I decided to keep silent. Who knows, later on, I can get rid of this service and get back to living with the Asgardians? It is likely that Thor and Loki will want this opportunity as much as I do, only to end this mission soon and return to theirs, or rather, our equals.

The minutes passed and we arrived at Candice's house. It was a small neighborhood, but close to what was downtown. From what we saw in her records, she lived alone. I just left the van, following the entrance and, hesitantly, knocked on its door a few times. The little noise that could be heard seemed to be from a TV. After a few seconds, the noise ceased, and footsteps came toward me, and without delay, the door opened.

— Hello, can I help you? — Candice said, with a confused look, but a sympathetic countenance. 

— Hello. You're Candice Accola, right? — I asked, and she frowned, but she shook her head, opening the door wider, with a faint smile, still, showing her confusion.

— I'm Valkyrie. Pleasure. — I held out my hand. She shook it back, she really has a strong grip. — I'm here to take you to the Phoenix Project.

— Wait, wait. Now? In this exact moment? — She asked.

— Uhm, yeah, now. — I answered, confirming. Didn't she already know?

— Oh, my God, wait, just a minute, I need to get my...

— You don't need to take anything, Candice, we'll have everything that you need inside the Project. — I interrupted. 

— Sorry, but really, there are some things I need to take if I'm staying out of home, and that are not clothes or whatever they have in there. — She countered, arching her eyebrows.

This girl is going to give me a lot of work this way.

I bit the interior of my mouth and glanced the van. I sighed

— Right. Take whatever you think is necessary. But don't get too excited, just a few things. — I reinforcer, seeing the girl already more cheered up than a few seconds ago, almost running out of the place she was.

— All right, I'll be right back. — Candice quickened her pace and, after taking a few steps upstairs, she looked at me, the door open still. — You can, uh... Come in, if you want.

I glanced at the van once more. Stark lowered down the car window and gestured something like hurry things up.

It's alright. I'll be waiting. I answered entering, closing the door. I had hardly turned around and the girl was already on the floor above us.

I observed the surroundings of her house. It was an organized, normal place. I don't know the normality of humans, but I have a little notion of what they call American way of life. The walls were totally white and had almost nothing hanged up, just a few pictures of Candice, her father, and other biology students. Otherwise, there was just plain furniture and simpled color decorations.

After a few minutes, listening to loud noises and beats of drawers and doors, she came down with a backpack that barely seemed to have weight. But now, at least, she seemed more prepared after taking such a decision.

— Done. I didn't need much. From what you told me, they seem to have enough to live well there.

— That's what they told me too, so I can't guarantee you anything. — I shrugged, following her to the door. She turned and, again, frowned.

— But, after all, who are you, Valkyrie? — She questioned.

— They will explain better when we get there, but until there, but basically, I am going to follow you throughout your time in the Project.

— Oh, really? Do we need babysitters now? — She questioned almost like a mocking,  Something kinda hidden in her voice tone, despite the blatantly rude phrase.

— I'll only babysit if you act like a child. — I answered when we were already outside the house, by impulse, and without hesitation.

She turned, arching an eyebrow. I looked and smiled at here with some disdain, making her tilt her head a little, squeezing her eyes.

— Okay, it seems like we have a long journey to come. — She replied with a rapid head shake, walking faster to the van, which opened as she approached.

And what a journey.

[ 18:09 ]

— Valkyrie, what purpose for? — Thor questioned, perplexed.

— What did you want? She offended me, I offended her back.

— You're going to enter in a crisis like that. — Loki replied from his bed, above Thor.

— I hope not. Candice seems to want to tease me, but I promise, it won't happen.

— That's not what you've proven to. — Said Thor.

— Whatever! I'll try and make it work. This girl just needs to help me too that this will all be solved.

— I think it must start with you. — Pronounced Loki, again.

— You think that because it should start with me, for you and me to be nice to each other?

He hesitated.

— Maybe.

— Okay, okay, forget about it for today. Just don't keep treating the girl that way, you are already way older than Candice and you're aware of it.

— Christ, you are sounding like your father, Thor, with that mature posture of being. — I said back, not as an insult, but as a reality, turning to sleep, then reflecting on the words I said. I didn't see the face he did, but I could feel his worried energy turned into longing, from a brief sigh. — Thor, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it.

— No, I agree. Maybe it's the instinct of protection. I just hope things stay in place. — And so, he turned, going to sleep.

I sighed heavily, covered my body with the blanket and closed my eyes.

Things will stay in place.