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]

I am sorry to hear that. I wish it were different for you.

[scarecrowed]

Thank you.

Where are you from? Does... everyone look like you there? [ He asks that delicately, not wanting to offend her, only curious. ]

[uglybug]

Only my master and I lived on his planet. I have never met any of my people, so I cannot answer that question to your satisfaction. I am sorry.

sorry this is late, I've been away (feel free to ignore)

[scarecrowed]

[ Lucas hears the word 'master' and frowns. ] You're a slave?

[uglybug]

[He is not the first to ask her that question, though she still recoils at it.] Perhaps. I don't know. I think perhaps 'pet' might be a better way to describe it?

[Not that that's any better.]

[scarecrowed]

[ It doesn't sound much better, no. But if she's happy, who is Lucas to judge? ]

And you are comfortable being called that? The way someone would call a dog their pet?

[uglybug]

[There's a hesitation before she answers, but the answer itself is firm.]

No. I do not think that I like it much.

[scarecrowed]

[ That's a start. ]

Is your master here?

[uglybug]

[It's been a long time coming.]

He sleeps above. I saw him there.

[scarecrowed]

You asked for him to be saved. [ Of course she would. He's her master. ]

Do you wish for him to wake or stay sleeping?

[uglybug]

[She shakes her head.] He needs to stay asleep. I hope he stays asleep.

[scarecrowed]

Needs to? [ That sounds ominous. ] For what reason?

[uglybug]

He wants to remake the galaxy in his image. He would destroy life to do it.

[scarecrowed]

He wants to kill life to have a galaxy to himself? [ Lucas shakes his head in dismay. ] I know you must feel a sense of loyalty towards him but he sounds like a monster.

[uglybug]

I know that he is. I have known for a very long time. [Mantis worries at her lower lip for a moment and, though it may not be immediately visible, she is nervously fidgeting, her thumbnail pressing into the side of her index finger.] I could do nothing about it until recently. He is very powerful.

[scarecrowed]

[ Lucas wonders what kind of power he has... He might as well ask, although he's asked enough questions. Just one more and he'll stop bombarding her. ]

Does he possess magic?

[uglybug]

I suppose, in a way. He is a god. He creates and destroys on a whim. [She's subdued; she will answer whatever questions he has, but she doesn't like it much. It does not annoy or frustrate her but it is difficult to speak freely, even knowing there will be no repercussions here.]

[scarecrowed]

[ Lucas decides that's enough. ] Thank you for answering my questions... even though you were the one who asked for information.

[uglybug]

It is only fair, I suppose.