Mantis Blinked, Her Large Eyes Widening With Amusement As She Tilted Her Head, Considering The Peculiar

"It's easy, Peter! Just let the music guide you. Feel the rhythm and let your body follow. You don't need to worry about your hands, they'll find their own groove. Trust me, dancing is like tapping into the universe's heartbeat." She extended her hand towards him, a hopeful smile lighting up her face. After a while, dancing on Earth didn't seem all too different than dancing anywhere else in the universe. "Come on, just one dance won't hurt!"

"Look, I'm refusing for your benefit, I swear!" Peter insisted, laughing. "I have no idea what to do out on a dance floor. Like, what do I even do with my hands?"

The bustling sounds of the city outside were an annoyance to some, but Mantis found some comfort from the noise as she diligently tackled the task of spring cleaning. It was rather odd that humans only cleaned once a year, but it was a tradition she was willing to embrace. Thankfully, she'd have help understanding what was quite possibly the most boring holiday that humans had come up with. "So what do you do in between spring cleanings? What if everything becomes too dirty to wait until the next cleaning? Do you just suffer with the dust?"

@isab3lla-mills

She wasn't good, but she did her best to put on a smile and nod at the question. "Oh, yeah, I'm fine," Mantis said, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I've just been on edge since the whole thing at the gala. I'm worried whoever did it is still out there, and since we don't know who they are...." she trailed off with a slight sigh. "It's just nerve wracking."

"Uh." Johnny stopped at the door and looked at her. And then he looked out into the hall. "I was just going out for coffee..." Johnny turned back at her. "You good?"

"Oh, come on! You have to come dance with me! Please?"

Me flirting: Your aura is pretty.

SHAY MITCHELL photographed for Tommy Hilfiger December 2023 campaign

Mantis returned the warm smile, her antennae twitching slightly. "Yes, thank you," she replied with genuine appreciation. "The transition has been smoother than expected, and everyone has been incredibly welcoming, and it's been rather fascinating learning the ways of humans. The internet has been very useful in learning Earth customs, too so I've been watching a lot of videos on that."

Wanda had her mouth open ready to say something, but the other woman cut her off before she could speak. She laughed and nodded, reaching out for the bubbles. "I was going to ask you how you were doing, but you seem to be doing alright." She blew some herself, before turning a warm smile to Mantis. "Are you, though? Settling in? Everyone being okay?"

Mantis watched Kwannon with wide, curious eyes, sensing the depth of his emotions. She tilted her head and took a step closer, her voice soft and filled with empathy. "Your words, they carry weight. This must have great significance for you," she commented with a warm smile, wanting to let the other know that they could speak more freely, should they choose. She smiled warmly, reaching out a gentle hand towards Kwannon. "Have you been by the stage yet? There's a dance floor and everything!"

No one quite grasped how monumental these celebrations were. For Kwannon, anyways. The narrower the world had become; in terms of connection and information, the broader acceptance and living in wholeness had become. Just within his own cultural difference, they weren't allowed to display such intricate and intimate moments. Then again, he was raised to be a blade and refined like Damascus. Pressurized and resilient like diamond. "I'm sorry," he pauses. The faux glasses pushed upon the bridge of his nose. Mouth certainly ready to collect the sweetened confection of American cotton candy. He anticipated the over-saturation of sugar and wanted nothing more in the moment. His tongue hefts as he freezes where he stood. "I don't think you all understand how pivotal this parade is. I encourage you to celebrate and ...," Eyes shift down to the myriad of spun strands, immediately breaking himself from the impulse to count each one. "...Me to enjoy my sugar rush."

Mantis cocked her head to the side, her antennae twitching with curiosity. Her large, dark eyes sparkled with interest as she considered Ella's invitation. "It sounds like it could be quite amusing," she replied, her slender fingers twirling the stick of the spinner. "Maybe we can play this another time, and for now maybe you can show me other games and things people do to pass the time?" From her observations so far, it seemed as though humans never ran out of ways to keep entertained.

Ella smiled at that, enjoying to know that different species had things in common. "Yeah! That's totally a part of the fun- wondering when someone's gonna fall over!" She was glad that Mantis seemed to understand. "I mostly only know humans so I can't really speak on other species but it's cool how that can be funny for everyone. Do you think you want to try playing or maybe another time?"

Mantis giggled softly, setting her water bottle down. "What's that saying you humans are so fond of? No pain, no gain? Wasn't this the goal, then?" Holding her hand up, she tilted her head to one side. "If you want, I can help. Easing discomfort is kind of my specialty."

@guardianmantisx asked: 💤  for  a  lazy  starter

"I can'tttttt do anything else," he complained as he crossed the gym to where she was sitting. Johnny plopped down beside her and laid his head in her lap, pouting up at her as he said, "I hurt in places I didn't know existed."