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

[gekkajuu]

That's true...

Ah - not that he should have gotten rid of you! I just mean, if it hurt, then -...

[uglybug]

He would not have invited someone to live there if that person did not serve some purpose. [Shruuuug.]

[gekkajuu]

That... is also true.

[Somehow this conversation has turned incredibly awkward.]

Then, what was your purpose? Ah! Something like pollination?

[uglybug]

P-pollination? Oh, no. [She shakes her head.] No, not at all. I was there to serve him.

[gekkajuu]

I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT, it's just... there were forests, right? Forest mean plants, and plants mean -...

[Somebody kill him now, what did he do?!]

I-I'm sure you served him very well, even without pollination!

[uglybug]

Bugs. And bugs pollinate, I know. [She will try to alleviate the distress that she caused.] I served my master in different ways and I did it well enough to survive. I suppose that counts as 'very well.'

[... That doesn't alleviate distress in any way, does it? She tried?]

[gekkajuu]

[It probably says something about Atsushi that his first reaction is simple agreement - and only then do the implications start to sink in.]

... Your survival depended on how well you did?

[uglybug]

He would not keep anything around that did not serve a purpose. [It's stated matter-of-factly.]

[gekkajuu]

That's no way to treat another person.

[uglybug]

Be that as it may, that is how it was.

[gekkajuu]

In that case... I hope you don't think me rude for saying this, but I'm glad you've ended up somewhere better.

[uglybug]

That is not rude at all. Thank you.

[gekkajuu]

Are you getting used to things here okay?

[uglybug]

I suppose so? I will need to get a job, I think. I have never had to do that before.

[gekkajuu]

It's easier if you know a lot of people, but none of us have that benefit here... Still, at least that means the competition is equally handicapped!