Along came a spider

Jessica Drew aka Spider-Woman Closed RP account for AARP

[kattebeckett]

[nemfrog]

Fig. 60 & Fig. 61. Zur Entwickelungsgeschichte des spondylolisthetischen Beckens und seiner Diagnose. 1882.

[mydarling]

[spider-jess-blog]

changeyourstature:

The blonde waved a hand carelessly. “And its plenty!” With that the girl turned around walking out of the tent and into the sunlight towards where all the trailers were parked.

spider-jess

Jessica followed after Cassie, shaking her head over the fact that this whole situation could have been saved if those damned monkeys hadn't gotten near her costumes in the first place. Still, Cassie had effectively saved her hide so best not mention any more grievances about Cassie's animals. 

[imjustadudewithabow]

Clint allowed a small grin at her comment. “Well I mean, I guess I wasn’t not looking at it.” he chuckled. Although he supposed everyone in the circus regarded each other as one big, weird, eccentric family, he had never really considered himself all that close to Jess. Sure, they had spent quite a bit of time together in the past, but he wasn’t sure he could say how well he knew her… Then again, so many of the people he had surrounded himself with for most of his life were viewed in this regard. It could be pretty difficult to say which was the true side of a person — the self they showed their fellow performers, or the self they showed the audience.

Anyhow, it was nice to find that she had a sense of humor. Some people in his little “family” had a hard time with this, especially now when so many of them were on edge. He was glad to find he wasn’t the only one who could keep a lighthearted attitude (even if he was admittedly just as worried as the rest of them).

He dropped the cigarette to the ground and stubbed it out with the toe of his sneaker. He looked up at her question, and raised his eyebrows. Did she really not know? “Nothing.” he said quickly. Well, if she didn’t know what was going on, he wasn’t sure he was the person to tell her. “Just… We could always use a couple extra bucks, and a good performance usually means just that. That’s all.”

[spider-jess-blog]

Jessica glanced over her shoulder, as if trying to look at her own ass. "Admittedly it's a good ass," she joked before shooting Clint a bright grin. It was good to be able to joke like this. Sometimes she took things a little too seriously, especially just before one of her performances, so it was good to know she had it in her to make light of situations with one of the other circus workers.

However any mirth that had lit up her features was quickly dimmed when Clint mentioned everyone needing a few extra bucks. His comment further cemented the worries she had whirling around in her mind about parts of the circus being shut down. She could tell by the look on Clint's face that he had the same kind of worries too.

"I'll do my best, that's all I can promise," Jessica said, wishing to not voice her worries out loud right now, not this close to show time. "Although I don't think I could handle shouldering the responsibility of the whole circus. You gotta pull some of the slack too, buddy," she said, pushing her tone back towards being light-hearted and jovial.

[dahliahsiao-blog]

There it was. Anytime the rumors were mentioned her smile disappeared by a fraction.  It was more than just a rumor, especially after talking with their motorcyclist some time ago. “Yeah and I don’t think its just a rumor. Have you seen how everyone is acting lately?” Granted it was only when she wandered around eating an apple  or jumping down from whatever object she climbed up on. 

The tension was there and Dahlia was committing herself more to practicing and eating way too much spicy ramen with whip cream mixed in. Talk about a healthy diet, but she was forgetting the subject at hand. “While we can’t turn good mojo into cash, the least we can do is use the good vibes to at least alleviate the tension that we can practically cut with a butter knife” 

Her eyes glanced around to make sure that no one was really listening to them, but with how busy everyone was preparing for tonight’s show it was ok. Lately, Dahlia was not talking with a lot of people unless she just happened to run into them and it was mostly to get her thoughts together. “I don’t like it at all and I can’t help but worry sometimes. What do you think?” It doesn’t hurt to get the opinions from anyone she spoke to. 

[spider-jess-blog]

The talk about the rumours and everyone worrying about their part of the circus was enough to make Jessica break her concentration and stop her all-important warm-up for the moment. She stood in front of Dahlia, facing her straight on as she tried to compile her thoughts and what she was going to say to try and ease Dahlia's fears. Was it Jessica's place to do such a thing? Perhaps not, it was Viper's job as the boss of this place but she wasn't here right now.

"Listen to me, yeah we're living in scary times right now but all you can do is your best. Our acts pull in good crowds, so I don't think we're in the firing line but even if we are, we're more likely to find work somewhere else, like in another circus or whatever."

Jessica took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, calming and centering herself again. There was no use getting herself all wound up right before a performance. She needed to remain relaxed if she was going to do her very best for the paying audience. "It's good to be a little worried, it shows you care, but you can't let it ruin your focus. One way or another, we'll be OK." Unfortunately that might not apply to everyone involved in the circus.

[callmechamber]

I See Fire || Jonothon & Jessica [Circus AU Event]

[callmechamber]

Jono gave her a small smile, “Thanks…” He always appreciated compliments from fellow circus goers. The people who came to watch his shows- mostly shallow young women with too much time and money- hardly meant a thing compared to the approval of another artist. “You’re not so bad yourself, luv. And considerin’ that you’re one a the most sold-out shows, I guess I’m not alone in thinkin’ it.”

He liked Jessica, she was more down-to-earth than some of the others, and she was talented too. Almost anyone could juggle or balance on a rope but contortion took a lot of practice and time, and Jono had respect for anyone who was willing to spend that. Of course they all worked hard, but Jono relied quite a bit on his -mutation- for his act to work, which he’d always felt rather bad about. It felt like cheating.

"How’s your act goin’?" He asked, "I’m sure you’ve heard the speculation ‘bout shuttin’ one of the shows down? Can’t believe Sarkissian’s actually gonna sell…." Jono never thought that she wasn’t capable of it, but he never thought the director would do it. They’d formed a family over the years and he couldn’t imagine why she’d chose to get rid of one of the shows rather than just combining them. Oh well, everyone had their own method.

[spider-jess-blog]

Jessica gave him a shrug of her shoulders in reply to his compliments. She worked hard to be one of the biggest draws of the circus, and she appreciated any compliments that might be thrown her way but she wasn't going to let praise go to her head. Considering the rumours flying around this place, no one was safe from being chopped from the bill, not even her. So maybe she put a little more time in practicing her routine, perfecting it even more. There was no room for mistakes now.

"I can't complain," she said, "and I heard all about the speculation. It's like the only thing we all talk about these days." She didn't mean to sound like she was complaining about that; it was understandable that everyone would be talking about it. Just as peace and order existed between all the members of the circus, something had come along to disrupt that.

"Does it hurt?" She asked, attempting to change the subject away from the potential upset of someone getting their act axed. She nodded towards his hands that had flames dancing across them only a few moments ago. "It looks like it should hurt but you never seem to be in pain. How do you do it?"

[madeinmcmxcv]

Bowling is fun #bowling #contortionist #flexible #mermaidgrunge

[spider-jess-blog]

changeyourstature:

The blonde only shrugged and picked up the soiled clothes. “Why don’t you come with me and get your costume then? I’ll put these costumes with my own laundry.” She really needed to do that as well.

"Fine," Jessica said with a shrug. Deep down, she was greatly relieved that not all of her costumes had been ruined by the monkeys and lemurs. "Lead the way. I've got about twenty minutes before showtime."

[dahliahsiao-blog]

"And? Always have to be positive about things" While she didn’t know much about contortion other than whoever does it can bend in ways that has Dahlia cringing most of the time. She was not that flexible. Hot damn. Of course, like almost anyone who does acts similar to theirs, it can be dangerous. Rolling her shoulders, Dahlia decided to follow suit in a few stretches to help warm up and maybe a few tricks to get the flow going. But stretching next to Jessica made her feel like a complete amateur. Maybe she should have asked to get the small trampoline she used to practice with before an act. 

Bending at the waist, her arms reaching down to the point her fingers almost touched her toes. “That is true, so that we can make sure not to commit the same mistake again, but smile at least.” Straightening, Dahlia moved away to get some space to do a few flips and movements that could hurt someone if she was close and not careful. Of course before doing them she made sure none of the stage hands were going to have a collision with her feet or head. With the last front flip and completely warmed up for the show, the acrobat walked back and placed her hands on her hips. 

"I still find that pretty cool…Anyway, I just feel like the energy is high tonight. Like good mojo has been released into the air if you know what I mean" 

[spider-jess-blog]

Jessica released her hold on her leg and let it slowly lower back to a more normal angle. She then did the same with her other leg, carefully stretching out the muscles in every part of that limb, preparing herself for anything that might happen in the show. 

She watched as the acrobat performed a couple of impressive looking flips. The corners of Jessica's lips lifted a small smile as Dahlia flipped her body, springing her body off of the ground to give herself enough height to perform the feats of gymnastic spectacles. Jessica had tried her hand (and a lot more of her too) at gymnastics a long time ago when she was still a child but she couldn't perfect the routines. She admired Dahlia's talents, and perhaps harbored a little jealousy too.

"Good mojo?" Jessica questioned as she released her hold on her leg and stood with her hands on her hips, mirroring Dahlia's posture. "Maybe that's what this place needs; some good mojo. Shame good mojo can't be converted into cash. I'm sure you've heard the rumours?"

[callmechamber]

I See Fire || Jonothon & Jessica [Circus AU Event]

Jonothon Starsmore rested against the pole of a tent, watching people go by and twirling a match between his scarred fingers. He was shirtless- no need to wear clothes if they were just going to burn- but the cloth he used to cover his mouth and nose during certain performances- was hanging around his neck. His body was covers in scars, some from his days performing, but many were much older. He’d been born with a type of continental analgesia, and was able to completely disregard pain which was a useful skill, but meant he hurt himself a lot, wether on accident or in rare cases, not. At age nine, he was expelled from his prestigious boarding school for burning down a dorm room and his parents refused to speak to him; of course, wether it was because of the fire or because he’d been caught snogging another boy, Jonothon didn’t know. Raised on stuffy traditional values, Jonothon had decided to do the exact opposite of what he’d been taught and at ten, ran away and joined the circus.

And he’d been here ever since. But now with the impending possibility of being shut down, Jonothon had begun brainstorming new ideas for his performances. The crowds were dying down by the day, but if they could just make it a little longer… Part of the problem was that people didn’t see street shows much anymore. But, ironically, it didn’t stop people from delighting in the strange or gawk at anything out of the ordinary. It was sick, in a way, but it gave him a place to be and the lowest definition of a home. 

He pulled a small tin of wax from his pocket and coated three of his fingers, striking the match on a cinder bock that was holding the tent down, and watched the fire catch on his hand. He passed the flame back and forth over his fingertips, watching it jump around with the excitement of a child on Christmas. He heard someone approaching and blew out the flame, wiping the melted wax on his pants and turning, “I wasn’t going to burn anythin’ down, I promise-” he said, hastily. He’d been told not to “play around” after the exploding car incident, but if Banner was allowed to keep lions around, he didn’t see what a few matches would hurt…

[spider-jess-blog]

Being a contortionist and being able to make her body bend in all manner of ways was all well and good but it wasn't fire. There was something about fire that fascinated her, excited her, and watching the circus's resident fire manipulator guaranteed to give her a much needed boost to her day.

She found him stood outside of the circus's tents, flames dancing around his hand as he manipulated it. Jessica stood a way off from him, her eyes transfixed as the flames flickered and jumped across the fire manipulator's skin. She quickly glanced at his facial features and saw that no pain was registered there. But his face wasn't what had drawn her here (although he certainly wasn't unpleasant to look at).

Disappointment bubbled up inside of her when he realised he wasn't alone and he extinguished the flames. "Relax," she said with a lopsided shrug with one shoulder. "I ain't gonna tell anyone. I actually like watching you work. In fact I probably shouldn't tell you that, in case it encourages you and another car goes up in flames," she added with a teasing kind of smile.

[spider-jess-blog]

changeyourstature:

She loved messing around with people. She was a real monkey like that sometimes. She shook her head, her dirty blonde hair following her movement. “Nope! Not a single speck.”

Jessica continued to stare at Cassie in disbelief for a moment.

"You're forgiven."

Apparently this was as close as Cassie was ever going to get to a thank you.

"Only this one time though."

[despondentparamour]

Avengers #30

Tbh I don’t know what anyone sees in him

[spider-jess-blog]

changeyourstature:

Cassie sighed as she felt Honey curl her soft tail around her neck. The lemur made chittering noises. The young girl shook her head. “No, Honey. Its alright.”

Looking back up at the still very mad contortionist she raised an eyebrow. “Would it be my fault if I said that I was willing to wash all those costumes and that I sneaked away a couple of your costumes because after the second time it happened I decided to take precaution?”

"Wait, what?" Jessica's mouth hung open for a moment as she processed the information the monkey handler had just given her. "So there's no poop on those other costumes?"

[spider-jess-blog]

changeyourstature:

Well you did leave all your costumes out near their cage again. Like you the last time. And the time before that. And the time before that. No wait! That time was Darcy.

"Are you freaking kidding me? You need to get those pests under control and keep them away from my costumes. The show is starting in less than an hour and my costumes are ruined. This is your fault."

[spider-jess-blog]

changeyourstature:

Actually thats lemur poop.

"Fine, lemur poop, whatever! Why is it all over my costumes?!"

[imjustadudewithabow]

Clint was sitting backstage on his break. He had just finished his segment to mild applause, which normally would not have concerned him if it weren’t for the threat of being put out on the streets if he couldn’t perform up to standards. Tensions were high among practically everyone in the group of freaks, even if very few of them wanted to admit it.

He had dropped his bike and “bag of tricks” down next to a crate near the opening in the tent, and pulled a lighter and a half empty carton of cigarettes out of his pocket as he sat. He plugged one of the cigarettes between his lips and lit it, inhaling deeply as he did so. He blew out a large cloud of smoke and sighed. He would have to think up something pretty quick to make his act more engaging if he wanted to help out his little family, let alone save his own skin. As though suggesting an answer to this private thought, Jess walked into the tent.

He watched her carefully as she stretched in front of him. Okay, so maybe contortionism wasn’t the most logical way to spice up his routine: That kind of flexibility took years of practice, and Clint only had a couple of weeks. Still, he could do with being a bit more flexible, literally and figuratively.

"Easy girl." he said, putting his hands up defensively, a smirk resting on his face. He had stuck the cigarette back between his lips, and puffed at it. "I’m just lookin’— Watchin’, I mean. I’m not— I wasn’t being weird about it." Smooth, Barton. "Do your thing. And break a leg out there, we could use it."

[spider-jess-blog]

Usually when Jessica was going through her warm-up routine, she was able to maintain her focus and not let anyone distract her. She could let herself go into a meditative state, focusing more on her body and her muscles than on anything or anyone around her. She only paid attention to what she needed to pay attention to, and during warm-up, she only needed to pay attention to herself and her body.

However Clint's somewhat awkward introduction was enough to make Jessica snort with laughter and break her concentration for a moment. "Admit it, you were staring at my ass, weren't you?" She teased with a smile as she took a moment to refocus on herself before continuing with her stretching.

Clint's last comment gave her pause though. Jessica frowned as she slowly lowered herself into the splits. "Why would we need it? What's going on?" As far as Jessica was concerned, everything was fairly OK. The circus was still doing regular shows and although the audience numbers weren't what they were once upon a time, surely they must be doing well enough to keep going. Still his comment stirred a small feeling of doubt and worry in the back of Jessica's mind; not exactly what she needed right before a performance.