video | un: mantis

[uglybug]

Hello. I am Mantis. [With that abrupt greeting comes an equally abrupt (and not at all awkward, really!) smile. She's trying. There's a bit of a pause here, as her smile fades a bit, to be replaced by a genuinely contrite expression.] I apologize. I know I have a hideous face. I will not show it here again. I wanted to meet all of you, though.

[And that means face-to-face, you poor unfortunate souls.]

Some of you have asked such interesting questions. I am afraid that I do not have any to ask of you. I wanted to meet you all and introduce myself. [Cue the friendly awkward smile again. She is getting better at it, at least.] Oh! Perhaps you could tell me something about yourself. [A pause, as she tries and fails to think of a more specific question. Then, a little defeated:] Anything at all will do, I suppose.

[She glances downward for just a short moment, uncomfortable and anxious at the attention she's calling toward herself. But it's just that: a short moment, easily mistaken for wandering attention, perhaps.]

Comments

[winddaughter]

Your friend is a jerk. People have different opinions, sure, but he doesn't have to be rude about it!

I think you're very pretty.

[uglybug]

No, no. I think he just speaks whatever is on his mind. He was very kind to me.

Thank you.

[winddaughter]

[well his mind sucks, as far as Anemone is concerned]

If you say so.

[uglybug]

I did say so? I am sorry?

[winddaughter]

[....wow]

Ah. You're right, you did. Don't worry about it.

[uglybug]

[An uncertain pause.] This conversation is not going well, is it?

[winddaughter]

[Anemone really doesn't know how to deal with this.]

No--it's--! It's going as well as it can expect between strangers! You're Mantis, right? I'm Anemone! See, now we're less strangers, and the conversation is going fine! [She doesn't even know why she wants to reassure this... woman (?) so much.]

[uglybug]

Oh. Yes. I am Mantis. And you are Anemone. Hello. [She's doing so bad at this whole conversation thing.] I am not used to this. I should not apologize again, right?

[winddaughter]

[Why this.] Please. Stop apologizing. [fff that's probably too harsh] People are going to walk all over you if you keep doing it. [Wait no.] Not literally walk over you.

[uglybug]

I would hope not. [People are heavy. Mantis sighs.] I have heard the expression before. It means that I would let people do whatever they want and never speak up for myself. I am learning how to do that.

[winddaughter]

Well! If anyone gives you a hard time, you let me know, alright?

[uglybug]

I will. So far, people have been kind. Very kind.