Circus

<infobox> <title source="name"><default>Circus</default></title>

<image source="Image"></image> <image source="image"></image> <group><header>Basic Information</header> <label>Civilian Name</label> <label>Aliases</label> <label>Gender</label><default>Unknown</default> <label>Death</label> <label>Age</label><default>Unknown</default> <label>Post-timeskip</label> <label>Ward start</label> <label>Relations</label> <label>Family</label></group> <group><header>Professional Status</header> <label>Occupation</label> <label>Classification</label> <label>Unique Features</label> <label>Alignment</label>

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<label>Location</label> <label>Teams</label> <label>Previous Team(s)</label> <label>Base of Operations</label></group> <group><header>First Appearance</header> <label>Worm Debut</label> <label>Ward Debut</label></group> </infobox> Circus was an independent villain<ref>Comment by Wildbow on Spacebattles</ref><ref name="6.7"/><ref>Comment by Wildbow on Reddit</ref> and a classic example of a Grab-Bag Cape.

Appearance

Circus appeared to be a man while in civilian clothes, and an older teen/early-twenties girl while in costume.<ref name="R1">Comment by Wildbow on Reddit</ref><ref name="16.10">Monarch 16.10</ref><ref name="6.7"/>

Circus' costume, makeup and color scheme were different every time they went out, but the theme was always more or less the same.<ref name="6.7">Tangle 6.7</ref> On one occasion, they wore a costume and makeup of red and gold.<ref name="7.11">Buzz 7.11</ref> Another, Circus wore clown makeup and a jester’s cap, with a teal and orange skintight costume complete with coattails, and bells jangled from the tips of their cap, their coattails, their gloves and boots.<ref name="6.7"/>

Personality

Circus was described as a "genderfluid cross-dresser"<ref name="16.10c1">Comment by Wildbow on 16.10</ref> by the author. This made it impossible for Tattletale to determine whether they were "a guy posing as a girl when in costume or a girl who poses as a guy when in plainclothes",<ref name="16.10"/> because both suppositions are essentially correct.<ref name="16.10c1"/>

Circus' identity was further complicated by their trigger event, a multitrigger that involved facets linked to male and female personalities. As a result Circus can reflect slightly different body language and skillsets between their Civilian and Cape identities. This might best be described as an 'alter ego' and is not a particular secondary power but simply a result of Circus' deeper connection to their passenger.<ref name="R2">Comment by Wildbow on Reddit</ref>

Circus was one of the more successful solo villains around Brockton Bay, working as a thief. Their powers made them both quick and versatile enough to win or slip away if they crossed paths with a hero. At some point, they were offered a position on the Undersiders and vehemently refused, although they were willing to work for Coil alongside his other agents.<ref name="6.7"/>

In exchange for a great deal of money, Circus agreed to leave Brockton Bay, and never work under the same costumed identity again.<ref name="16.10"/>

Abilities and Powers

Circus' power granted them superhuman reflexes, balance and coordination,<ref name="Cast1">Cast (spoiler free)</ref> enhanced aim,<ref name="16.10"/> spatial sense,<ref name="Cast2">Cast (in depth)</ref> minor pyrokinesis,<ref name="6.7"/> and an extra-dimensional storage space, which they used to store a variety of items,<ref name="6.7"/> potentially including disguises.<ref name="R1"/> They were considered a "grab-bag cape" give their wide spread of minor but related powers.<ref name="6.7"/>

Circus' aiming skills are sufficient to hit a horsefly out of the air by spitting,<ref name="16.10"/> place throwing knives only in nonlethal areas,<ref name="16.10"/><ref name="16.8"/> and hit their targets without looking or line-of-sight.

Circus is highly practiced at effecting a quick change into costume aided by their pocket space.<ref name="Draft">Partial text of Circus and the Elite</ref>

Equipment

Circus habitually carries a large, colorfully painted sledgehammer, colored streamers trailing from it, which they could make disappear after each hit, and reappear in a raised position or while spinning to speed up assaults.<ref name="6.7"/><ref name="16.8">Monarch 16.8</ref> They wielded throwing-knives, which benefited from their enhanced aim.<ref name="16.8"/><ref name="16.10"/><ref name="6.7"/> Further they carry road torches and and slimier for a base from which to summon massive fire-balls with their power.

History

Background

Circus likely triggered as part of a group event, given their mix of powers.

Coil claimed to have recruited them over a year before the events of the story.<ref name="16.10">Circus and Chariot were hired nearly a year and a half ago, their actions and development in the public eye carefully orchestrated. --Excerpt from Monarch 16.10</ref>

Story Start

Made a reputation as a cat burglar in Brockton Bay.

Fought Dauntless and Armsmaster when the Undersiders' backer revealed themselves.

Post-Leviathan

Circus was seen in Coil's base being kept in reserve for the fight against the Slaughterhouse Nine.

Post-Slaughterhouse Nine

They attacked the mayor debates with Coil, later being seen out of costume with Thomas Calvert. After Coil's Betrayal, they were found by Echidna while laying low. Alongside Uber and Leet, they were used to create the first wave of her clones.

Post-Echidna

They went missing shortly after Echidna was defeated.<ref name="Cast2"/>

Post-Timeskip

Circus entered a relationship with Uber, but they split up later.<ref>Mr. Calle answered for Glenn. “Attempted murder. Bit of a loose cannon, but not so loose they’d stick him in the Birdcage. Shacked up with Circus for a while, but it didn’t take. Relationship-wise or as a partnership. They stood to lose more than they could ever gain if he got loose again, so they made it a secure facility. He hasn’t escaped.”--Excerpt from Cockroaches 28.6</ref>

Trivia

• Circus was the protagonist of several early stories that eventually became Worm, including one called "Circus and the Elite", where they faced a Slaughterhouse Nine-like group<ref name="I20c1">Comment by Wildbow on Interlude 20</ref><ref name="14.8c1">Comment by Wildbow on Prey 14.8</ref>.
• Copies of Circus made by Echidna are called Carnie's, mirroring how Circus's name is used to describe traveling shows.

References:

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