As she prepared herself to once again commence the briefly dismissed dance, a hand came up to slip under her chin. The unfamiliar contact made her entire body tense as if she had been burnt by an open flame. This was... What was this? It was a move she often did with unsuspecting prey, yet never had she viewed it at this angle. So used to touching was she, but not quite accustomed to the aspect pf being touched; even mutual physical contact was foreign to her.

With no where to go, the frozen blue orbs were forced to focus on the other's face. For a fraction of a second, they made direct contact with the other's colorful gaze, frosted over with malice and possessing a guarded, not quite transparent core. Eyes were the window to the soul, or so it had been said. That was why she kept hers guarded. For what lay underneath wasn't the most prettiest soul to have.

Then, before she had a chance to swiftly pull away herself from the contact, the soft hand withdrew from her face. Was it trembling? The snowy white spider assumed so. No doubt the action had stirred Jessie's nerves. Alice had lost a little of her natural drive to flirt at the moment - her energy had been sapped slightly by the sudden round of anger - but seeing the boyish girl's nerves reawakened, and the fact that she seemed to be struggling to keep herself from blushing was enough to jump start it again. Was there little game still going? She wondered. She pondered over the girl's words a little before choosing to speak.

"A wise rule to obey." She offered in her regular monotone voice. Alice wasn't one for following rules unless need be, but she figured she could make an exception for this one. It did speak the truth, or so she was coming to find.

Curious as to see if she could make the girl blush, the spider raised her other lily-white hand in preparation to rest it in its proper place on Jessie's shoulder. However, instead of immediately settling down, she let a few teasing fingers brush ever so gently against the side of her exposed neck, interested to see what kind of reaction it would provoke. Moving her hand into its rightful place now, she once again adjusted herself to be light on her feet. It was pure habit, really, from her experience in the field of ballet. Similarity, spiders had to stay light as well as to move across their web and get away quickly should the need arise.

She'd been defeated, at least that's how she felt as her cheeks burned red. The icy fingers had trickled down her neck to find there home on her shoulder. She had not expected for Alice to return a teasing gesture so soon,after all it was the only reason she was brave enough to touch the others chin.

She circled her neck, as the icy touch trickled across her spine. Rendering her to freeze for a moment. A breath had escaped her lips for she knew there game had began again.

She took her first step gliding it across the stoned floor she had now the leading hand gripping Alice side, she led them first to a twist,or turn as some may say. It wasn't usual to add to the beginning but she wanted how much power she really had.

Once this was do e she finally found her voice as they started to find a flow again. " Why don't we test a few things out, after all, you need that spark to make a dance capturing. I-if that's okay "


Suddenly a wave of annoyance hovered over her, it was made for her self, but she never was upset with her studded before?why now? Was it truly that of wanting to be the best for the icy spirit before her ?

Alice masked a triumphet smirk as she saw a bright wave of blush wash across the other's face. The reaction pleased her. It appeared as if she had gained the upper hand as well in their game, too, for now. Satisfied with her newfound position in their game, she was determined to try and hold into it. Flirtatiousness, whether little fleeting touches or more daring, bolder moves, was the spider's defining forte after all.

Soon her partner had taken the first step. Alice followed suite, mindful that the other was shoeless. After an unusual turn, Jessie offered a suggested. A spark, huh? The snowy spider tossed a graceful nod her way in silent agreement. Experimental things were alright with her. That was, if one was okay with a little bite should they catch her too off guard.

"That is perfectly alright, miss McKnight." She finally decided to use her vioice. It came out in its usual monotony.

The boyish girl seemed annoyed. Not with Alice, but herself. She could sense it. Maybe it was because of her stuttering? In truth, the snowy spider found the little occasional stutter a bit endearing. Characteristic of the girl, to be more specific. Flowing with her partner, she awaited whatever would come next, poised and curious, though like all times before, guarded and prepared. Alice still could and would bite.

Closing her pinked gaze. Jessie wondered through her memories, she had gotten a thumbs up so to say for her idea. She remembered one of her mothers dance videos it was one of her mothers favorite acts.

She twirled Alice so that like before she had Alices arms stretched out her head found a spot between the young ladies neck and shoulders the intimate stance was not long lived,just long enough to speak a word or two . " time to test you. Now lean into me and be ready to be light as a feather,trust me I have you. "

She used her shoulder to lift the girl, her hands glided across Alice's cool body as both hands held her waist she lifted more she twisted as she felt Alice slide over her shoulder. Hands and grips loosened as her own body turned to catch the girl. Something like a flip and twisting of bodies happened it was unsure how it was done so well but Alice was now gel close, feet finding a spot over Jessies.

A breath escaped, she had never done this and it was harder then it was when watched. Her body trembled as she breathed she gripped Alice's sholders,which they now laid.

" forgive me if I frightened you..."

Jessie breathed out. She had done what her mother had.

Oc sorry for the power play and I hope my description was alright I tried to get it in writing but had a hard time .

The spider found herself being twirled, once again ending up in the same intimate pose as before. Jessie spoke a few words next and she obeyed without any visible form of protest. Obeying wasn't something Alice did naturally either. She often enjoyed being in control. Most times to a manipulative point. Though this situation was far from that case. Dancing was neither of control nor obedience, but of sync and mutual trust. Did she trust Jessie? Maybe a little, but that was all for the sake of their partnership in dancing. And spiders didn't instill trust in others too easily.

Letting her tensed body relax, she was lifted next by her waist. Alice didn't fear too much about being dropped. She wouldn't be able to feel it anyways. Though the jolting impact would certainly be unpleasant. Similarly, the new form of physical contact desired to make her tense again in slight dislike, but she kept herself loose and fluid. She wouldn't bite. Not yet at least, as that would be ungrateful of her at the moment. The snowy white spider flowed with the move, adding her own elegance to it while finding herself being caught after sliding over the girl's shoulder. Again, Jessie had kept her word and caught her. That earned some of her respect.

The new move having put her remarkably close to her partner, Alice could tell that it had worn her out significantly.It had been a while since she had been this physically close to someone. She was sure she had seen that move before. Somewhere in the past but she couldn't quite draw on a conclusion as to when and where.

"That was interesting, miss McKnight." She offered. "And there is no need for apology."

It hadn't so much frightened her. Rather, it just kind of caught her off guard a little. The spider hadn't predicted that nor could she have really. But it wasn't quite enough to make her bare her fangs, fortunately, for Jessie. Ducking slightly out of her partner's grasp on her shoulders as to allow herself a bit of free movement, she assumed her signature analytical position, crossing an arm over her torso and resting her chin on the other that had been propped up onto it. That had certainly been interesting. A bit uncomfortable maybe, but that would all dissipate within time and practice.

Icy blue orbs shifted up to look at her partner. Now that she actually took time to analyze her, the lack of the white heels had made a significant difference in her height. Thinking for a moment, she flicked an ivory hand and added, "Quite an intriguing move."

(It's alright~ No worries~!)

She felt as Alice tore away, she didn't mind as she slide to the floor. Jessie held her ankles breath escaped ger once again. She listened to the others words. She had found it interesting, this pleased Jessie. Only nodding as a reply at first she then caught the snowy spirits gaze for a moment.

" we ...we can add that and a few more to the dance if you wish, though I will admit I'll have to start working out though."

She finally had enough momentum to stand again. Wide smile appeared across her lips. " thank you it was one of my mothers favorites, I am glad you thought of it as interesting. "

Ah to much talking, it had caused her to loose her breath again. Yes the gym maybe a fantastic idea.

A rare, single chuckle of amusement shudders from the snowy spider's throat. Regardless, Jessie had to already be pretty strong to be able to do that. Not that Alice thought of herself to be very heavy in the first place. Tilting her head to one side like a bird, she thought about the other's suggestion. It would certainly be an interesting addition to the dance. Yes, that could work.

"That would certainly make it intriguing. That is, if they do not wear you out too badly." She managed to swallow a Spoonerism before it could be unconciously projected and corrupt her sentence.

With how with out Jessie seemed after this one move, she was curious as to how the boyish girl would hold up with more. White ribbons of hair were tossed in the breeze as she listened to what the girl had to say next. A favorite of her mother's, huh? An intriguing bit of information. The boyish girl's mother seemed like quite the dancer. Or at least that was what the spider could conclude. So far the style had seemed familiar. Perhaps...had she maybe one time seen Jessie's mother perform before? The internal inquisition threw her mind into a faint flurry. With the various dance showings she had seen when she was little, it was certainly possible, if so, fate had the strangest way of working. That is, if the spider believed much of fate at all.

"Your mother was... is quite the dancer, I can admit, from what I have seen so far." Remembering really, she hadn't really meant to revisit the subject. But such things couldn't be helped and she stuck with her complimentary statement. It was genuine too, which wasn't too common of the malice prone spider.

Alice had chuckled, this was a rare sight and it had already happened twice. Jessie watched this and listened closely this time, though it was faint , she had a lovely laugh. Jessie was happy they both seemed in better spirits as of now.

She finally managed to regain her strength making a mental note to start working out tomorrow. Cooking didn't seem to be counted as a physical activity to most.

She heard the word mother leave Alice's lips, her tone was as usual but her words were dusted in kindness. The mentioned of her mother had her grin slow to ha happy smile." she really was, I... Hope this isn't to much to ask of you, but... I know this is for you, this practice, but since we have the next few years to do this and perfect the dance. Do you mind if we enter one companion?"

She knew of only one that she wanted to do it was a show for all skills, one her mother only won once ,though all the times she had tried for it. Alice would be someone that could make it possible for them to win . She hadn't thought of it until this moment. Now all she waited for was for the snowy spirits thoughts.

A competition. Her partner had asked if she would be interested in entering a competition. Alice thought heavily on it. That would be taking a step out of the comfort of her web. A rather large on at that. Under any normal circumstance she would have brushed the suggestion off. Spiders weren't meant to grace the stage. No, they were meant to dwell in their webs away from prying eyes. Coming out only to conquer and prey.

Yet the snowy spider figured whatever competition Jessie was thinking of was probably one of sentimental meaning to her. Perhaps one her mother had entered at one point. Really, she didn't know why she quite cared, but she felt refusing it wasn't really an option. Though something like a competition... That was something she surely had not been prepared to be asked. Skillfully keeping her composure and guard up, she dropped her analytical stance, letting it melt into a thoughtful sweep of a slender arm as she answered.

"I suppose it is of no objection to me. Though a poisnous widow isn't quite fit for such a stage." She had accepted it for the most part, despite the contradiction at the end. Spiders weren't fit for the glamour of the stage. Especially venomous ones.

Jessie had made a point. There was still plenty of time left before her deadline. What would be the harm of one competition?

The agreement had ultimately set another aspect into play. With it concluded that the two would defiantly be partners. Alice felt more or less alright with Jessie and their current partnership so far, so she couldn't really protest. Though still, with this in line, the spider would remain guarded; nearly impossible to get close too even after hours of dedication. Months even. Cocooned in the ice of her heart and web.

Deep thought, entered the air like a thin sheet of ice. She waited patiently as the girl before her made her decision. It was a yes, though even with the monotone of the girls voice she seemed to be tempted to not agree. Alice defiantly was a mysterious girl.

Truth be told she had never met such a person. Yet it was slightly unsettling to Jessie she wanted to know this girl and she wanted this girl to feel comfortable with her. Would she ever see that in the other ? Wonderment of that question filled her mind.

Jessie had to keep positive, after all she had agreed. " it would be this time next year, if we did it . It comes every two years, I hope to still be your partner then. "

She took a moment to think then she decided to add to her previous spoken words. " Alice if I do fall from your web, or if you indeed bite me one day, I thank you...you reminded me of why I danced."

The air had become serious now, she hadn't exactly meant it to but she felt it was needed to be known. Alice was hard to speak to, which she guessed Alice liked . This was a girl whom was a ice carving,lasting in a ever lasting winter.

The next few years will be a very interesting twist of a wintery cold and a new warm breeze. It lead her to come back to the demon and angel still, who was the demon in this storm?

Alice listened to the information, moving an idle hand up to brush away a wind-swept cobweb of white hair. Next year, if they were still partners. That was what it came down to in the end. Would they still be partners? The snowy white spider had never let herself get attached to anyone before, so she couldn't quite say nor predict. To her, almost everyone was just dispensable prey. Mere insects absentmindedly fluttering through the air, unaware of the malicious spider lurking just behind their reach. She'd never felt the pain of longing, heartbreak, friendship, companionship, or love of which she had faked and manipulated with so many. Because to her, since she couldn't physically feel pain, she was automatically numb to it all. That was her thought process at least.

Then came a serious statement that drew the conflicted snowy spider's attention. Jessie was thanking her... Even at the risk of falling or being bitten. As for reminding her of why she danced... Had she really had that much of an effect on the girl? The whole gracious, serious statement struck a chord briefly in her web. The boyish girl was certainly an interesting one.

Letting white lashes fall thickly over her icy blue orbs, the snowy spider crossed her arms and produced a soft sound. Shadowed white serpents of hair fanned out on either side of her head in the breeze.

"You're quite welcome, miss McKnight."

She wanted to leave it there. She honestly did. But the wind stole the additional words up from her throat and dispersed them traitorously into the rosy atmosphere: "Before a spider bites -- before it bares its fangs or watches another slip from its fragile, silken home. Know that it reflects before excuting any such action."

That ultimately seemed like a better position to leave it. Alice had, though incredibly out of character for her, stated the overall course of action for those outcomes. A form of hope for the boyish girl perhaps. Spiders took time to reflect on the part for choosing a route of action. If that time came -- if she bore her fangs and bit or watched the girl fall from her web -- would she, too, reflect on her partner?

The decesive question was lost in the flurrying snowstorm of her mind.

Alice took welcome to her thank you, though the air was still stiff with indecisiveness at the beginning of Alices words. Yet she new that was a lot from the other girl, she understood Jessie's point, at least a little.

The next thing the snowy white haired girl spoke out seemed pulled out by the wind around them, or maybe an inner storm of which had already began. She had told Jessie that reflection would accrue before any decision. Hmm so she does take photos after all. Memories may have been a better word for it but she realized that to her they were one of the same. This interested Jessie , and reminded her of something.

Walking to where she had placed her bag she grabbed her camera. " why don't we both have a thing to reflect off of ."

Her words echoed against the breeze. Holding her camera she smiled,hoping to brake the stiff feel with in the air. " please ."

A smirk caused her lips to tingle. She new a bit more of the frozen angel now. She wanted to remember this moment.

"Why don't we both have a thing to reflect off of?"

Icy blue orbs slid open to find Jessie holding her camera. That same camera as before. Spiders and spirits weren't meant for its artificial eye. To be immortalized in a photograph; an everlasting tangible memory. Fixing a loose strand of her hair, she thought for a moment.

Rather than scowl, the faint start of her own smirk found their way onto pale lips. It was slight, but there had been an obvious lift of one side of her lips.

"Jeez." The soft sound usually catering to one of annoyance came out playful amongst her monotonous tone. Assuming a more composed position and tone, she looked to the girl again. "So be it. Though as before, a spider is not the prettiest thing to immortalize."

And that was correct. Who stopped to snap a picture of a spider anyways? Maybe the rare few that found them intriguing or studied them, but did such an arachnid deserve to be immortalized? That was up to the photographer and the photographer alone.

Alice crossed her arms as she awaited the girl's next course of action. The breeze crested her white hair into strange, shadowy figures. A few rose petals swirled into the air with it. This rosen web was holding. It wouldn't break even if the lightest steps were not exactly taken. Though one decisive move from the spider could destroy it at any time. But Alice for once felt relatively at a slight calm with the other. She wasn't sure why, and it frustrated her so, but the more she thought about it while in her natural element - this flowery web...

It was enough to once more that day crack her icy guard ever so slightly for a brief moment.

"There it is"

Jessie whispered out, weather it carried in the wind or not she didn't let time vanish to think on it . She ready her camera bending at one knees to held it , her eye looked at the sight before her and smiled, she was at her utter most happy at this point,besides dancing this was part of her soul which very few got to see. She may take a lot of photos but very few were asked.


*click*
"Beautiful"


The first photo was finished, she took yet another one to make sure , but she new the first would have something special about it. Yet another word and lingered into the wind as it was whispered out. Maybe she saw what few saw of them self's but at this moment , a so called Spider was far from nothing to care about.

Covering the lens she found her self before Alice meeting her face she noted how close the were. She hadn't a clue what caused this movement, at this point she was utterly calm. Something when she looked threw her camera's window interested Jessie.

That what caused this sudden closeness ' crack...' was what she thought, pulling away she traced her fingers through her hair spinning on toe so not to face the other. It was light at the girls lips but a smirk had laid there , yet shed seen it before,how odd,why was this one different?

What it from the crack of ice shed found?