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

[uglybug]

[Someone certainly did and it's not even the guy who convinced her that she's ugly.]

From home? [She hesitates.] I do not have many stories. It was a quiet existence. [Most days, anyway.]

[punshots]

[ MANTIS... ]

Hey, just because it was quiet doesn't mean there aren't stories worth sharing. [ Sometimes, those are the best stories to hear. ]

[uglybug]

Perhaps, then, I could think of one or two. I traveled many places. Would you like to hear about one of them?

[punshots]

Yeah, definitely! Hit me deep.

[ He's all ears. ]

[uglybug]

I traveled once to a place that was all desert. It was so beautiful. The sand was gold and the desert flowers were blooming when we visited. There were so many colors. Everything looked bright and lively.

[punshots]

[ He's no stranger to the desert, but her words are a welcome reminder that for as hot and miserable as it can be there sometimes, there was a lot of beauty to be found, too. ]

Were you working on your suntan?

[ The desert isn't the typical place for a vacay. ]

[uglybug]

Oh, no. Not at all. My master had an errand to that planet and wanted my help. [It wasn't a fun errand.] It was very hot but we did not stay long. I liked it, though.

[punshots]

[ There's a pregnant pause before he responds, cautionary. ]

Your...master? Can I ask about that? I mean - you don't have to talk about it, if you don't want to.

[uglybug]

[Her tone is somber; people have asked her many questions about the things she's says, yet she finds herself hesitating every time.]

What do you want to know?

[punshots]

Oh. Uh... [ He hesitates too, biting his lower lip, uncertain of what to ask. Or what he should ask. ]

What was it like? I mean...[ Geez, this is hard. ] What kind of master was he?

[uglybug]

[She has one hand pressed against her abdomen in a vain attempt to settle the hard lump of anxiety that has formed. Her lips are pressed together and she nods once.]

He found me when I was very young and raised me so that I could serve him.. My abilities were useful to him.

[punshots]

[ The body language is noted, and it tells him one thing: abort. ]

Hey, we don't have to talk about this. Sorry, I - [ He didn't mean to make her feel uncomfortable. At all. ] Wanna talk about something else? Your turn to pick this time.

[uglybug]

[Oh. Oh, now he's being nice and Mantis never knows how to handle that.] Sorry. I am sorry. You have questions and I-- [No. Not going to go there. She's going to cut herself off, take a deep breath, and move on.

Her hand clenches into a fist, still pressing against her abdomen.] What is your favorite food?

[Yes, please, let's talk about something else. Anything else.]

[punshots]

[ Favorite food. That's - safer. Much safer.

He picks up his upbeat cadence again. ] Oh, man, where to begin! It might be easier to say what food I don't like. [ He, uh, isn't going to actually do that. ] You can't go wrong with something spicy, though. The spicier, the better.

[uglybug]

[So much safer. Mantis responds to the upbeat cadence with a tentative smile -- though that's a far cry from already from the near-panic at the question he'd asked.]

I don't think that I have had anything spicy. What is that like?

[punshots]

Seriously? [ Oh man, he's never had to explain spicy food before. Hang on a sec. ] It's...well, it's hot. But not like...hot in temperature. It's the kind of hot that makes your nose run and your eyes water.

[uglybug]

[Her eyes go wide.] Why would you eat something that does that?

[punshots]

Oh, it tastes good! I know that sounds crazy, but it really does! [ A beat. ] W-we, uh - could go try some sometime if you want to.

[uglybug]

[She's going to need convinced.] If you say so. I would be happy to try it with you.

[punshots]

You would? [ He looks genuinely surprised, but he grins, too. ] Great! When, uh...when are you free?

[uglybug]

[Her return grin is a little tentative but hey! She's meeting people! Objective accomplished.] Anytime is fine.

[Pause] Except perhaps the middle of the night. I would not like to disturb Rocket and Peter while they sleep with comings and goings.

[punshots]

Hah - I think we can work around that, yeah.

[ He does recognize one of those names, though... ]

You...live with Rocket? [ HE HAS HAD AN ENCOUNTER ]

[uglybug]

Yes? [Everyone has had an Encounter.

But honestly, Rocket hasn't been that bad around her.] He tried to bite me once but we are friends now.

[punshots]

Really? Oh, I guess I should be glad I got off without any biting, then.

[ He's not...going to ask how one becomes friends with that guy. ]