Mantis Listened Intently To Loki's Revelations, Completely Understanding The Complexities Of His Familial

SHAY MITCHELL photographed for Tommy Hilfiger December 2023 campaign

Mantis blinked in confusion, her head tilting slightly. "Inside her head?" she questioned, trying to imagine what the inside of the giant green lady might look like, which only made her wonder if it was rude to be wandering inside of the lady to begin with. Peyton's question about fostering animals pulled Mantis from her thoughts, her heart fluttering with warmth at the idea. "Oh, I've been thinking about it a lot, actually. A cousin for Leia and Luke would be wonderful. I can sense their longing for more family," she mused, her empathic nature attuned to creatures as she reached over to pet them. "Maybe we can fit that into today's plans too, although I did ask Johnny if he wanted to come when I decided... But nothing says I have to decide today! We're just looking."

"Yep." She agreed with a nod, sitting Leia down beside her brother so they could eat the pancake together. "I don't actually know yet, but it's not top secret unless they tell me. And they didn't tell me. So..." Peyton looked up at her and smiled, before snorting at what she said next. "Yes, we can go get a giant pretzel. And go to the Statue of Liberty. You can walk inside her head." She nodded at her. "So, did you think about fostering an animal anymore? I think they could totally use a cousin."

"Well, I have been here for a few months now, it's about time I start acting more human." Mantis teased with a smile. As she focused, a gentle, glowing energy flowed from her fingertips, intending to ease the tension and soreness, replacing it with a feeling of relief. "There," she said softly, "feeling better?"

"Oh, damn. Look at you. Turning all human on me. No sympathy." But Johnny was smiling up at her as he said it. He raised a brow when she lifted her hand and shifted to look up at her. "Wait, seriously? Where have you been all my life? Yes, do it."

Wrapping her arm around his, she rested her temple against his shoulder. The thought of walking out with twelve animals sounded like a dream, like those videos she'd seen of famous people playing with an entire litter of puppies while they answered questions. Mantis had only watched those videos for the puppies, of course; she had no idea who the people were, but they looked quite happy. "I think we'll start with one and see what happens with that. Maybe two..." she paused, biting back a smirk. "Okay, three tops! But really, I can't go too crazy."

Johnny laughed and grabbed her hand, running alongside her as if they actually were running from someone, and not just skipping out on a mandatory meeting. "Mission accomplished. Good job, agent." He smirked and gave her a wink as he dropped her hand, holding his arm out for her to take instead. "Oh yeah?" Johnny led her across the street, in the direction of the ice cream shop. "I think it'll be really good for you. Well, maybe," he added, teasingly. "You might come out with twelve instead of one."

She had seen some amazing inventions in her travels around the galaxy, however none intrigued her quite as much as the human device known as a 'smartphone.' All of Earth's knowledge, right in the palm of her hand. Not to mention all the adorable creatures she could stand to watch, probably her favorite part of the device. "He fell into his bowl!" Mantis squealed in delight as she turned her screen to share the video of a puppy tripping into his water bowl with the other.

Mantis withdrew her hand respectfully as Loki reassured her, a hint of embarrassment washing over her. Had she overstepped? Pulling her hand back, she tucked her hair behind her ear, nodding at his explanation. "Oh, I see... well, please let me know if I can help in any way. As for my powers," she began, her gaze shifting momentarily as she contemplated how best to articulate her abilities. "To put it simply, I'm an empath, I can sense and to an extant manipulate the emotions of others." Mantis knew how that sounded, her face skewed slightly as she searched for a better explanation. "I can feel what others feel, understand their innermost thoughts and desires, and in some cases influence their emotions. Like with Ego, he would often ask me to clear his mind, make it to where he could sleep." Mantis paused, her eyes meeting Loki's with a gentle intensity, glad to finally have the sort of connection she'd been craving her entire life. "And what of you, Loki? What abilities do you possess?"

"Hm?" Loki glanced up when he saw her reach up. "Oh. No." But he put a gentle, genuine smile on his face a moment later. Loki did like her and it wasn't her. He'd been weird with anything like that ever since Thanos. "I'm fine, darling. I think it's going to be ever present, unfortunately. Thanks to the vast majority of people in this tower." He smirked and reached over for his coffee. "What are your powers exactly? I never asked and now I'm curious."

Mantis's eyes widened with excitement at the mention of puppies, her antennae quivering with anticipation. "Puppies? I would love to meet them!" She'd only seen a few dog-like creatures during her travels through space, but to actually meet one? It was an actual dream come true, as they'd quickly become one of her favorite creatures of Earth. Second possibly only to cats. Leaving her pillow fort behind, Mantis jumped up with a happy squeal, ready to greet her new best friends. "What do you call them?"

Johnny laughed when he walked inside, shaking his head at her antics. "You're actually so adorable it's ridiculous." He smirked at her. "I could join you, but I brought two someones for you to meet and I think they'd go crazy with the teddy bears." He nodded to the door. "I told you I had puppies way cuter than the videos."

"Crack the eggs, crack the eggs!" Mantis happily sang to herself, attempting to avoid making a mess as she cracked open the shells. Unfortunately, she missed the bowl and she left a yolky mess on the counter as her attention shifted to the toast popping up from the toaster. "Oh, yay! Toast!" she cheered, smothering her overdone toast with butter before turning back to her abandoned attempt at pancakes. "Okay... so now I stir this and pour it into the pan." Mantis carefully dipped her mixing bowl over the skillet, dumping a rather large amount of clumpy batter into the center. Her attention was drawn away once again as her roommate joined her, a bright smile crossed the alien's face as she greeted the other warmly. "Hi! I'm making breakfast!"

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With how badly she was craving ice cream now, there was no way she would let anybody stand in their way. As Johnny looked around cautiously, Mantis poked her head around the corner, observing the surroundings with heightened awareness and anticipation. "The path is clear for now," she whispered. "We can make a run for it! Come on, Johnny! Ice cream awaits!" Mantis didn't hesitate to take the lead, darting towards the door, her movements quick and agile. As they reached the exit, she shot a mischievous grin at Johnny before slipping through. "Freedom tastes as sweet as ice cream," she remarked with a satisfied smile, happily twirling in the sunshine. "We make a great team, you know. This was a very successful mission, and we've definitely earned our treat. I think I might get rocky road..." Although she was never really sure what flavor she was getting until she was in front of it. "Oh, by the way! I've decided it's time for me to get a pet of my own. Peyton has cats at home, and I really enjoy their company. Plus, having a pet is all part of the human experience, right? That's what I'm here for!"

"Right? They're the best kind of missions. Super spy mission." Johnny smirked when she got down and made herself as small as possible, only trailing after her when she gave him the green light to do so. "Mhmm. Safe zone is totally the ice cream shop. And everyone here is our enemy because they're going to keep us at work and from going to the ice cream shop." Johnny looked to the door and back again. The path was clear. He knew the place was full of cameras, but whatever. The safe zone was calling. He'd deal with it later if someone caught them and actually thought it was worth it to raise hell about. 'We can make a run for it?" Johnny looked back at Mantis, completely serious. "Think we should risk it?"

Mantis thought that would be a very short game, as she had seen some very uncoordinated moves from humans in her short time on Earth. "So, how is it fun, then? If everyone is falling over, what is the point?" She tried so hard to understand the ways of Earth; this one, however, escaped her.

Ella laughed fondly, remembering playing the game when she was younger. She couldn't remember the last time she had played this game with someone who didn't already know how to play. "We aren't, that's what makes it fun! You have to try and put your body parts where it tells you without falling over."