Two women followed him in. The first stepped forward before Fury could even gesture. She moved like someone used to entering rooms, chin lifted, smile already in place.

Fury didn't acknowledge the eagerness. He simply opened the folder in his hand and began.

Peter offered an awkward wave. Yelena stared at her, expression unreadable. Pietro leaned toward Wanda and whispered something, earning a barely suppressed smile from his sister. Bucky stayed quiet, studying the two newcomers with the stillness of someone who'd learned to watch before speaking. Loki simply watched from his chair at the far end, looking like he'd been waiting for entertainment to arrive.

But as the room relaxed, Elle's attention kept drifting back toward Y/N. It was subtle. Almost imperceptible. A flicker of her eyes here, a slight tilt of her head there.

She was already measuring her competition.