A Squeal Of Delight Escaped The Tiny Alien As She Put Her Hand In His. "Well Then, Let's Go," Mantis

With a serene expression, she joined Peyton on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest while she contemplated the advice Peyton had given. "You make a point," Mantis said softly, thinking about how much of her life had already been dictated by a man. She had vowed as part of her experience here that she would do what she wanted. "I do really like their donuts... especially their cheesecake donut. I have no clue where'd I'd find something like it." Her focus shifted to the cats and their discarded leashes. "Did you want me to calm them down for you?"

Peyton made a scrunched up face -- both in distaste at the whole catcalling situation and her actual cats who decided to mutiny against her apparently. She gave up on the cat leashes and looked up at her friend. "Or," she said, sitting crosslegged on the floor. "You could keep going to your favorite donut spot and ignore them. Give them like a big screw you." She shook her head, "Babycakes, if you let gross guys dictate where you go in life, you'll literally never go anywhere."

Mantis beamed at the compliment, her antennae perking up slightly. "Thank you, April. I'm so glad you had fun and got some good content." She answered softly, her delicate fingers wrapping around a cup of tea. "I'm actually feeling really happy," Mantis continued, her eyes reflecting her genuine excitement and joy. "Seeing everyone enjoy themselves made me feel warm inside. It's probably the first time since I've been here that I've felt fully integrated, you know? It's been a crazy adjustment, but I think I finally got the hang of this human stuff."

April snorted and sat at the table, smiling fondly at the display. "You're too adorable. And yes, I did. It was amazing. You did a good job, babe. It was a lot of fun and I got a lot of good content, so that's always a plus." She picked up a pastry. "How are you feeling after it?"

“She wears sunshine like a halo all over her and she has a sky of stars in her eyes. And when she gives you just a half smile, somehow you just cannot take your eyes off of her.”

— L.W. // Something lovely about her half smile

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emotions

😡 for an angry starter

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plot-themed

👀 my muse catches yours in a shady situation

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texts

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muse

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🖼️ to see the last pictures taken on my muse’s phone.

🎭 for a gif moodboard of my character ( or a + character name )

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hope — my writing

She couldn't help but chuckle at Peyton's sleepy protest. "Sorry for the early ruckus. But you see, pancakes wait for no one!" Mantis grinned, her eyes sparkling with joy. As Peyton scooped up her curious cat, Mantis's smile widened. "Hello, Luke! Would you like some breakfast too?" she asked, her voice filled with warmth. Peyton's compliment about the smell made Mantis's heart flutter with pride, even if the appearance of her breakfast creation was a tad unconventional. "Thank you! I promise they taste better than they look," Mantis assured her with a playful wink. At least she hoped it did. "And there's coffee too! You know, this cooking thing is pretty easy once you get the hang of it." Mantis paused to take a bite of her toast, leaning against the counter while waiting to flip the pancake. "So, any plans for the day?"

Peyton padded into the kitchen, making a noncommittal noise when she heard her roommate already moving around like it was a normal hour of the day. "Bruh. It's 8 am. It's basically illegal to be this awake at 8 am." She pouted a little, about to say something else, but one of her cats was on their way over to the pancake mix. She scooped them up -- Luke, she realized once he was in her arms -- and returned the other girl's smile. It was annoyingly infectious. "Hi. It smells good." She hopped up onto the counter, Luke on her lap. "Lowkey looks kinda weird, but smells good."

"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!"

@stvrlcrd

"Of course," she replied softly, her eyes radiating warmth and understanding as she offered her hand. "Just stay close to me, and we'll find our way out together." Despite the chaos surrounding them, Mantis remained composed, doing her best to keep them both out of harm's way. As they reached the the hallway, Mantis turned to Cuyler with a gentle smile. "I don't know how many of those suits there are, so we have to be careful, okay?" She bit her lip, glancing down the hall before stepping out, in case there were more suits around the corner. "I wonder what made them go crazy..."

He wasn't skilled in magic or special abilities like that, but he'd grown up around it and there was something about her. He could tell as soon as he was in her presence. Which was why he immediately schooled his thoughts and feelings, putting a feigned, but authentic-looking, smile of appreciation on his face. "Thank you," Cuyler started, nodding at her question. "Yes. I guess i got turned around in the commotion. I'm not familiar with this place, I'm afraid. Lead the way."

It had been an adjustment, although anything was better than her life back with Ego so Mantis couldn't complain. "I've gotten lost around the tower a couple of times, but other than that, it's been quite pleasant," Mantis assured the other, face lighting up at the question. "There's so many things to love about Earth, honestly. The food has been very interesting. I've been trying so many new things. I also really like the animals the most, especially the babies ones. There's still so much I know I haven't experienced yet though, so maybe that part's my favorite. That there's just so much to do and love about it."

"Well, that's good," Wanda said with another smile, sitting down beside her. "I know this -- " she gestured vaguely around the space in the tower they were in " -- can be a lot at first. It was for me, at least, and I'm from Earth," she added, teasingly. "What's been your favorite thing down here so far?"

SHAY MITCHELL photographed for Tommy Hilfiger December 2023 campaign