7829/Then Suddenly: A Spider

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Then Suddenly: A Spider
Date of Scene: 11 June 2019
Location: Unknown
Synopsis: Jessica offers her friendship to Adam Brashear, but is told he doesn't want it.
Cast of Characters: Spider-Woman (Drew), Blue Marvel




Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica hasn't interrupted anyone's day in at least...a day. So perhaps it's time. She has made the arrangements ahead of time, but there is one minor detail left to iron out. So she scrolls through her contacts looking for Adam Brashear, and makes the phone call, sitting cross-legged on her couch, still in pj's in the middle of the afternoon.

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam exhales when his phone rings. He looks up from the stack of papers in front of him on his kitchen island. When the number comes up as blocked he initially considers ignoring it, but then reaches for his phone. He takes a gulp of lukewarm coffee and then answers.

"Hello?"

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Hi, Adam. This is Jessica Drew." Her tone is professional and courteous. "Long time fan, first time caller." Well, there went /that/. "I hadn't had a chance to talk to you since you got out, and I was hoping maybe you'd consider dinner tonight. My treat. I'd like the chance to talk to you and see how things are going. Are...you busy this evening?"

Blue Marvel has posed:
It takes Adam a moment to place the name but when he does, he frowns.

"Jessica, this is a surprise," he says, thinking on the fly. He purses his lips causing just a momentary pause.

"I'm not busy. Where should I meet you?" he asks, politely, cautiously.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Wherever you want," Jessica replies. "Your choice. Your turf. This is more a social call than a business one. Like before. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. What sounds good?"

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam frowns, even more confused and cautious.

"The Blue Reef is casual and does great seafood. They have a great craft beer selection, if you're into that."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Craft beer...Well, I can't say I have ever really given it a shot, but is can't be much different than the mead Thor flows through the dining hall, right?" No, probably not right. Definitely not right. "Sounds good. What time's good for you? I'm...just finishing things up here, and free just about anytime this evening..." Finishing up, in her pj's.

Blue Marvel has posed:
"You drink with Thor..." he trails off. "How about 7? I'll phone ahead."

Once they finish the call, Adam taps his phone with one finger, unsure what game SHIELD was playing now. But there was only one way to find out.

He spends the rest of the afternoon going through the War and Peace sized package of legal paperwork from LexCorp. Closer to time, he gets cleaned up, puts on dark jeans, a white shirt, a brown blazer with elbow patches and loafers. He calls an Uber and makes his way to the Blue Reef about 15 minutes early. Adam gets settled to wait and tries to keep his mind wandering down unhelpful paths into his history with SHIELD, or what had happened at the Watchtowe earlier that day.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica laughs. "I /try/ but I can only ever finish half of a stein, no matter how hard I try. Seven sounds perfect. I'll be there!"

Jessica proceeds to go through every outfit in her closet, then goes home to go through her clothes there, until she finds something simple. A dark blue sundress with a hint of a black shimmer. A black satin sash circles her waist, and ties in a bow at the small of her back. Paired with sensible low black heels, she feels ready for whatever Adam went for. Casual or more business-attire, she hopes to just fit in. Except that she isn't used to wearing a dress, even a short one, so she keeps finding herself swishing the skirt when she walks. She arrives at the appointed time, and seeks out Adam at the Blue Reef.

Blue Marvel has posed:
The Blue Reef has a flat, darkened glass front. The large wooden door reveals a restaurant with clean lines, dark metal, light wood, glass and the uniquitous young women who labour as servers in black dresses. The restaurant is full but not loud.

Adam waves when he sees Jessica come into the restaurant. He feels self-conscious when the beautiful young woman walks over, forgetting as always that nobody sees how old he is and feels.

His smile comes more easily than he would have liked. He stands.

"You look wonderful," he says, a touch awkwardly. He gestures for Jessica to sit, and cannot help but notice the men who turn to look her way in after she passes. No few of those looks flick to him with faint displeasure when she stops at his table. Adam sits after Jessica does.

"Did you find it alright?" he asks after clearing his throat.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Oh absolutely," Jessica replies, either unaware, or quite used to, the reactions around her. She /is/ fully aware of why they respond the way they do.

"And thank you," she adds. "I wasn't sure how fancy to go..." She flushes self-consciously, now. "I could tell you were a little apprehensive. I don't want you to be. But I know it comes with the territory, for both of us."

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam smiles politely.

"It does," he agrees. Their server comes by and introduces herself then takes their drink orders. Adam waits for Jessica to order, then asks for a pint of a Bavarian-style ale from a micro-brewery in Brooklyn.

"Do you actually drink with Thor?" he asks Jessica curiously once their server is gone.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica picked something from the craft beer list that had a quirky name. She has no idea what it will taste like. "I do, sometimes. But there's no way in the world I can keep up with him. Besides, my...abilities...sort of negate the affects of alcohol, and there is not much point to imbibing, unless it tastes good," Jess explains. "But I'm fond of the mead. So it isn't an altogether unpleasant experience." She smiles, turning her gaze from Adam to the restaurant in general. "You have good taste in restaurants, seems like. I like it here. Kind of unique."

Blue Marvel has posed:
"Imbibing?" he asks, amused. "I've had grad students your age and I've never heard anyone use that one."

Adam looks around as well.

"I only know a couple of places in New York. One the faculty in... Well, my old department, had a birthday thing here the week I started."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Ohhh..."Jess looks thoughtful, furrowing her brow. "Don't you go out and do stuff like this sometimes at various spots, just to check them out? Seems like something a normal guy would do. Or a normal girl..." But who is she kidding? Neither of them is normal..

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam shrug. He smiles politely to the server and thanks her. He takes a sip of his drink and makes an appreciative face before setting it down.

"When I was at JPL, sure. I had a lot of good friends there. I've only been New York a few months," he points out. "And most of the people I would call aren't interestes right now. I'm sure you know all the hot spots though."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica smirks, and lifts her niftily-named ale to her lips. She sips it, furrows her brow, and sets it down again, considering the flavor. "I'm afraid I'm not much one for hot spots. If I go out, it's usually to find somebody. And it's almost never anyone that I really WANT to run into." She leans back and grins more easily. "So how /have/ things been going for you? Good, I hope? Since last we spoke?"

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam looks a touch distracted and struggles to keep his eyes where they belong. He reaches for his drink then looks at it a touch suspiciously. There is a barely perceptible warping of light appears just above his skin. It is hard to pin down if there it is really there or not, it evades focus. Adam takes a breath. Whatever was bothering him seems to pass.

"I doubt that," he says with a bit of a snerk, drinks from his beer and puts it down. "Things are changing, at least. The university found a way to cut my tenure and I doubt half my peers will talk to me again," he says ruefully. "But, I am negotiating with LexCorp for a position there running my own lab. The pay will be better than CUNY, which is nice."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Ugh..." Jessica groans, but she is still watching Adam with as much nonchalance as she can muster. She's certain she saw....something. "Well, anyone who doesn't talk to you isn't worth the breath you'd waste talking to them. Screw 'em all. You'll be better off without them. A lab of your own sounds fantastic. I'm sure Lexcorp is a totally legitimately benevolent corporation with a strong code of ethics. They can surely value you for what you do."

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam smirks and rolls his eyes. "I ran a government lab for the Marines, remember. I'm used to working for The Man. Like you," he says dryly. The non-shimmer disappears, noticeable more for its absence than any real change. Adam looks up when the food comes and thanks the server.

"That looks good," he comments on Jessica's dish while he drops his napkin in his lap. "It's a good opportunity for now, anyway. I can keep working on my projects, and don't have to worry about teaching undergrads. I'll miss the grad students and postdocs, though. They make it all fresh again."

Adam takes a first bite of his seafood jambalaya and nods approvingly. "What about you? Saved the world recently?"

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Oh all the time. Three times before lunch, and I figure I'll whip one more out before bed," Jess quips. "What's more. important is...Will you be joining. me in saving the world anytime soon? Or are you relegating your efforts solely to the Man?"

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam washes down his food with more beer and his brow knits again. The same shimmer happens.

"Social, hmm?" he tries to say pointedly, looking over his glasses at Jessica. But it loses its bite and his eyes wander. "Strange you ask, actually. I was invited to the Justice League yesterday."

Adam waves down their server "There is something wrong with this," he says and hands back the beer. "It's... Off. I'll try the Railhouse Lager instead," Adam says. The server apologizes, looking confused, and takes the drink away. "That was... An experience. But I will get caught up on what I've missed quickly enough with them. Even if.." The last all but slips out and he bites it off, covering by putting more food in his mouth.

"Do your people deal with them much?"

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"We don't, to be honest," Jessica replies. "I feel they are really only interested in their own little sphere, and not at all interested in getting involved, even when we put out a call for assistance." Jess sips her fancypants ale and sets it down again. "Even if...what?"

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam waves it off.

"Nothing," he says with a smile. Adam takes another bite of his food and nods.

"I'm surprised, you would think the world's two greatest hero groups could work together. Petty rivalry?"

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"I don't know...I think it might be a level of distrust. It could even be a level of faith in one another. Like believing 'They've got this,' or something."Jessica tilts her head and looks Adam over. "Are you all right? What was wrong with your beer?"

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam looks a bit surprised at the idea of the two groups not trusting each other are capable.

"It just wasn't a problem in my day," he says as much to himself as Jessica.

Adam takes another drink just before Jessica asks about his drink. He inhales to speak and then stops, frowning. The glimmer returns and vanishes again.

"You know, I'm not feeling very well. I thought it was the beer," he says, looking at his new drink. Adam puts the beer down, picks up his napkin from his lap and dabs his mouth.

"I'm sorry, I should go. I'll pay for everything," he says apologetically.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica rises, looking concerned. "No, I told you it's on me. But I'm a little worried. Can we go someplace where we can speak freely?" she asks, motioning for the check.

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam frowns just slightly but acquiesces instead of arguing with a lady in public. He cannot help but notice the brazen oggling of Jess from men at nearby tables, and the seriously displeased women at some of those same tables.

"Do you mind if I wait outside?" he asks. Unless she objects, Adam makes his way out onto the sidewalk.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica agrees, but fully expects to be ditched by the time she pays the check and excuses herself. A few moments later, she emerges from the restaurant, already bracing for the likelihood that she will be standing there on the sidewalk alone.

Blue Marvel has posed:
It seems to be an evening for subverting expectations.

Adam is there and looks faintly embarassed. He gestures to invite Jessica to walk with him.

"Would you like a coffee? It might clear my head."

If she moves to go with him, he leads the way to a small coffee shop just up the street that serves coffee through the window. Adam offers to buy Jessica a coffee and gets a black dark roast for himself.

He explains there is a small park nearby that may be quieter, and if Jessica wants to go there, it is only a block and a half away. Green grass, a few trees and a bench they can take.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Of course," Jessica replies. She is game for the coffee. And she follows his directions, taking him to the small bench in the park. She seats herself, sipping her coffee and watching him expectantly. "So...are you all right?"

Blue Marvel has posed:
"I feel much better now," Adam admits, still embarrassed.

"Fresh air, maybe. I'm fine. Sorry I cut dinner short."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
" Don't apologize for that. Please. But I wanted to ask you about something here where we can..." Jessica still struggles to make sense of what she has seen, much less put it into words. "In the restaurant there were times when you seemed as if some sort of..a protectuon? Maybe...It appeared as a faint shimmer but it disappeared shortly after."

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam looks over with a raised eyebrow. "You don't miss much," he says. He studies Jessica's face for a heartbeat. "Molecular control. I can break down and re-arrange things at that level. I thought there was something in the beer, so I broke down anything in my blood I didn't recognize."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica sighs with exasperation. "That still leaves me confused, Adam. What made you think there was something in your beer? Did you suspect the waitress? Someone in the restaurant staff? Was someone acting strangely? Did the beer taste off? We're you feeling ill?"

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam frowns and shifts slightly. "The staff? No, it was probably nothing, I just felt... Flushed. I'm fine," he says and drinks from his coffee. "Whatever it was is gone now."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica frowns. "Do you usually drink? Does alcohol affect you that way, perhaps? I'm still worried. I want to help, but I don't know how." Jessica shrugs a little, uselessly. "I'll do whatever I can. I am not here as a SHIELD agent, Adam. I'm here as a friend."

Blue Marvel has posed:
"Don't worry about it," he says earnestly.

"Is that really why you're here? What is this about?"

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"I'm sorry..." Jessica sips from her cup of black coffee and keeps watch on it, not lifting her eyes. "I just...I told you would help you however I could. I wanted to be someone you could call upon. I wanted to be someone you could trust, while you're trying to find your way on a new path. It seems like all I have managed to do is screw up your evening and make you uncomfortable."

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam looks confused.

"Thank you.." he says cautiously. "That's thoughtful, but I'm fine. I have a new job, I'll be working with the Justice League. SHIELD and I can go our separate ways. I'm moving on."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"All right," Jess replies, with a small nod. "I'm glad you've found new opportunities. And I'm glad you're happy moving on." Jess smiles faintly as she stands. "Well then I thank you for meeting with me, and I wish you all of the luck in the world with your future endeavors, Adam. Thanks for sparing me a bit of your time."

Blue Marvel has posed:
Adam stands up as well and transfers his coffee to his off hand.

"Likewise," he says and offers a hand. Once shook, and unless interrupted, he makes his way out od the park and back home.