5280/The Mantis and The Quill

The Mantis and The Quill
Date of Scene:	20 February 2021
Location:	Common Area - Milano
Synopsis:	Quill has an assignment for Mantis!
Cast of Characters:	Mantis, Peter Quill

---

Mantis has posed:
Mantis is holding on to the back of a chair in the common area, dragging her feet back and forth in a diagonal motion, which Quill might know is simulating 'ice skating' movement. The rest of the crew might find it simply odd. Then again, who doesn't find Mantis odd?

Peter Quill has posed:
Quill slides down the ladder from the cockpit with his earbuds plugged into the Zune he picked up from Earth. His walkman still had its place of pride in his quarters but who could argue with 300 songs! Despite being over earbuds bits and pieces of Earth, Wind and Fire's 'Shining Star' can be heard as he grooves into the room, singing. "You're a shining star, no matter who you are. Shining bright to see, who could truly bee."

He comes to a stop and pulls out his earbuds as he sees what Mantis is doing, "Didn't know they had ice skating where you came from," he says as he makes his way to the cooling unit for a drink.

(Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPtSPJK8rx8)

Mantis has posed:
When the music is audibly notable, Mantis stops what she was doing and looks up, a sheepish smile takes over her lips as she pretends like she wasn't doing anything at all. Standing straight with her arms crossed infront of her stomach. But then Quill asks his question, signaling he absolutely noticed.

"Oh, no, this I was taught on Earth by the Elder Groot! It is quite fun!"

Peter Quill has posed:
Quill pauses for a moment pulling out his earbuds. "Wait. Did you say you met an Elder Groot on Earth?" he asks her suddenly curious. "Where?"

He continues to the cooling unit to pull out a bottle of Fizzy Glug and holds up another for Mantis. "Want one?"

Mantis has posed:
"Oh yes!" Mantis says excitedly, her antennas light up in a bright glow at her excitement, "it was at the Center of The Rocker and The Feller! It was huge! But it didn't talk to me! I tried! Everyone was worshipping the Elder Groot with the Skating On The Ice! Hank taught me to do it rightly, I would like to do it again."

Peter Quill has posed:
Quill brings over two bottles of the fizzy drink and lets the cooling unit door close behind him as he does, he pops the tops and offers one to Mantis. "Wait, Rocker and Feller? Do you mean Rockerfeller Center?" he asks after a moment of piecing Mantis' words together. "There's a Groot at Rockerfeller center?" then it clicks. "Wait, was it, uh, he, all covered in lights and had a star at the top?" he asks gesturing with his bottle towards the top of his head.

Mantis has posed:
Mantis' eyes grow wider, as she's offered a fizzy drink, and reaches to hold it with a touch of awe, "I am offered a fizzy drink by The Quill! Thank you for the generous offer!" She says with delight, holding the drink like a prized possession not quite taking a sip yet, watching Peter closely at first. "Yes, yes, the Rockerfeller! Was he a feller that rocked? Like in your music? I didn't know Earth valued music so highly to make a whole center for it!" She nods in excitement as Peter knows exactly what she talks about, "yes! That's the one, the Elder Groot! Everyone gave it offerings and covered it in jewels and decorations! That star was pretty! I wonder if wearing a star on my head will make me pretty too..."

Peter Quill has posed:
"Sure," Peter says uncertainty as Mantis gushes over the offer of a drink. "And you can call me Peter, or Star Lord, if you want. The Quill makes me sound like I'm the only one," which okay fair he might be in space? Maybe back home he didn't go check on his grandparents when he went back to Earth? "And yeah, that'd be a fashion statement alright," he says about the star, before letting out a breath trying to decide on how best to explain things to Mantis, he hated to crush anyone's enthusiasm, though he does explain about Rockerfeller Center. "Nah, he's just some rich guy who had a lot of money so he got to put his name on the place," he says. "But that Elder Groot you saw," he says putting in an earbud in and pulling out his Zune. "He's got a name. We call him a Christmas Tree and he's even got his own song," he says pulling up one of his Christmas playlists on the device and finding Boney M's rendition of 'Oh Christmas Tree' offering an earbud to Mantis to listen in.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3dK8EVo3So

Mantis has posed:
"Ohhh, I'm sorry for that, Star Lord!" Mantis is quick to follow on Peter's request, grinning a bit as she notes, "Star Lord sounds very impressive indeed!" But she does ask, quite cautiously, "are you not the only one?" When he casts doubt in the title she gave him. She smiles at the support for her suggestion, "next time I will look for a starry hat!"

When Peter explains the true nature of Rockerfeller, Mantis does look quite disappointed, "...oh...that is so very, ordinary." The dark pools that make Mantis' eyes widen even further as she learns a new secret! "The Christmas Tree! That is such a longer title than just Groot! He must be ancient indeed!" When Quill plays the song of the Elder Groot, henceforth named The Christmas Tree, Mantis listen attentively. "It is a very lovely reverent song, Christmas Tree is clearly very important, it is nice Earth people pay him such respect."

Peter Quill has posed:
"Don't worry about it," Peter says with a smile. "And thanks," he says. "Wish more people would think so," he adds with a shake o his head. "And um, maybe in space? I did have family back home on Earth but I'm not sure if they're around anymore, I know my mother's not," he says, and really she was the only one that counted. Though the talk of the Christmas Tree brings him out of his funk for a moment as he smirks. "Yeah, we're like that, us Terrans," he says. "And Christmas is a very special time of year for us, where we sing songs and give each other presents," he smiles fondly at the memory. "What about your people? Do they have any days like that?"

Mantis has posed:
"What do most people think...?" Mantis asks, somewhat confused, apparently unable to imagine a different sort of reponse. "Do you want to go back to Earth in the Search For Star Lord Family?" Mantis readily offers her assistance, apparently quite eager to please Peter.

Mantis seems pleased to learn of the Christmas tradition, so much reverence for a tree is special! But then when asked of her own people, she pouts a little, and in embarrassment, she notes, "...I don't really know, I am the only me people I have ever met...I was..." she wonders how to even say, or if it's possible, and then, if Quill learns the truth. Oh no, that would be too terrible. Even if she choose to protect him. "I guess, maybe I was lost when I was a baby?"

Peter Quill has posed:
"Oh some people think it's lame and call it a codename when clearly it's an outlaw name," he says shaking his head at those sorts of people. "Clearly they don't understand a good name when they hear it." As for the offer to help, Quill puts up a hand. "I-I know where they are but not sure they want to see me, or I really want to see them. They were sort of jerks to my mom and well...anyhow, it's complicated."

There's genuine sympathy for Mantis though when she tells him her story (even if it's the abridged edition) "I was the only me person I've met in a long time too. My mom died when I was ten and the same night Yondu picked me up and took me to space, haven't seen another Terran until we went back to Earth just now. So I guess you could say I was lost when I was a baby too. What happened with you? Do you want to go home and find your people?"

Mantis has posed:
"It sounds like a very important distinction!" Mantis is all for Peter's explanation. "So is there a specific Star you are the Lord of? Or is it all of them?" Mantis looks crestfallen when she hears of Quill's family, "why were they so mean to your mom? That is...cruel! We don't have to see them if you don't want to, we can stay far away from them in space!"

"Wow! We're more the same then I thought! I didn't know you were also the only you that you knew!"

When Quill asks her if she wants to find her people, Mantis looks flustered, "...I honestly don't know where my people are, or where I am even from, all I remember is this nice man who took me in as his servant."

Peter Quill has posed:
Peter's eyes glimmer with amusement. "Pretty much all of them," he says boastfully. "More or less," he adds for future wiggle room.

Though the switch back to his family has him frowning. "My mom never married but she had me, which is a big deal where I'm from, they weren't happy thought my mom should be married if she's got a kid, she didn't need a husband though, she was an awesome mom on her own," he says with heartfelt conviction in his tone. "Anyhow, sorry you don't know where your people are but what about the nice man? What happened to him?"

Mantis has posed:
"..." Mantis looks truly impressed, at a loss for words, as she calculates just how many stars Quill is the lord of "that is...A GREAT MANY!" She spreads her arms wide, fingers spread out for further emphasizes, "I didn't know you were THAT awesome!" Mantis celebrates with a drink of the fizzy drink handed to her earlier. "But why? If two people love each other enough to make a child, isn't it more important?" Mantis wonders, not familiar with Earth societal norms. "Oh...he has sent me away...to experience more of life I assume? It was rather lonely just me and him...I think he is well."

Peter Quill has posed:
Quill nods, grinning, "Well, I am, and it's good to see someone on this ship recognizes that, Mantis," he says before having a long sip of his drink. "Glad you're on board," he adds with a further nod. "That's a very good question, basically comes down to them having sticks up their butts about love and sex and all that stuff. He shakes his head. "I don't really get it, but you're right that's the only thing that matters. Wish I knew my Dad though," he says. "But other than that, mom was all I needed."

"Wow just the two of you? Where'd you live? We can always come back and visit, between taking these passengers, and the crystals we got on Eskeem-6 we got plenty of money for fuel, you can tell him about meeting the Elder Groot and all our adventures, show him you're experiencing all sorts of life out in the galaxy."

Mantis has posed:
Mantis straightens her posture, and switching to hold the fizzy drink with one hand, uses her other to salute Peter, "of course, Star Lord, you're our Captain for a reason!"

She nods at the explanation about 'sticks up their butts', but looks very much confused by it, "...Star Lord...? Why would they put sticks up their butts? Wouldn't it be painful and very uncomfortable? How do they even walk like that?" She grins and offers, "I hope one day you will get to meet your dad!"

"Mmmm....maybe it's best to keep it for a later time...it will also be hard to find, I mean, the planet we were on was kinda...mobile?"

There's a rather unintentionally creepy smile on Mantis face, as she attempts to appear elated, "yes, I can tell of my adventures, one day!"

Peter Quill has posed:
Peter smiles at the salute. "Thanks Mantis," he says nodding. "I hope the others come to see it your way," he offers with a thread of humour in his tone. He doesn't think it's all that likely but a guy can dream right?

As for the sticks up their butts thing..."It's a meta-" he begins to explain but given Drax's trouble with those he stops. Also, he thinks of something much funnier. "Actually better to ask them yourself if we meet them, I am sure they'll be happy to explain."

He smirks into a sip of his soda before he lowers it, "The planet you were on moved? Like more than just," he motions with his bottle. "Around it's sun?"

Mantis has posed:
"I will be sure to explain to them how important you are as our Captain, maybe they will understand," Mantis offers optimistically, although it's quite clear to anyone familiar with the crew, it's not likely to do much. "Ah! Clever! Let someone explain their own things! I like that approach..."

Mantis nods, "curious isn't it? Not too many planets behave that way, but yes...it went where it willed, like it was bored being in the same place too long."

Peter Quill has posed:
Peter for his part doesn't have too much confidence it'll work either but he's willing to let Mantis give it a try, "Glad you're on my side," he says putting up a hand for a high five.

Though he's quickly distracted by what Mantis says next, "Wait, it got bored? Your planet got bored?" he asks. "Like for real got bored?"

Mantis has posed:
"I think that's how it was explained to me..." clearly, from the casual manner Mantis mentions this, it had never occured to her how supremely odd it was. "Thank you for the fizzy drink, it was delicious," she tries to change the subject as she places the empty glass on a counter.

Peter Quill has posed:
Peter lowers the hand, "Okay, not a high-fiver, I can dig it," he says playing it off as no big deal, and it wasn't aliens and human gestures didn't always jive. "Anytime," he says about the drink. "And that's a really cool planet then if it's flying around by itself, I hope we can find it someday, I'd love to see that, and like we said, you can tell your old boss about your adventures. Might make a nice little break after we're getting tired of these passenger runs," he offers knocking back his drink as well and setting down the glass.

Mantis has posed:
"What is a high-fiver...?" Mantis asks curiously, before blinking in surprise, "oh! I was supposed to do the same?" She holds up her hand for a high five just like Quill did moments ago, "is that the high of five? For the five fingers?"

Mantis giggles nervously at Peter's expressed hope to find that planet, "I'm sure we will...some day, yes." Oh, opportunity to change subject again, "I like the passengers runs, we meet new people! Some funny ones, some cool ones! And we make some money too!"

Peter Quill has posed:
Peter grins, "No, well, yes, you do that then I do this," he puts he claps her hand with his, likely with a sense of genuine good natured amusement and joy being readable on contact. Safe to say Mantis has made a friend. "And true, you weren't around for the call, but this next group should be fun, they're mostly people from Krypton but there will be some Terrans too. We're picking them up next week, there's a reporter with them as well, so we may all end up famous. Also they paid us in diamonds which is cool. Even if they're hard to find a buyer for out here."

Mantis has posed:
Mantis still doesn't seem too sure, but entertains Peter by keeping her hand up, until he moves his hand to connect in a high-five with her, albeit somewhat one sided version. "Ah! It's like the shaking of hands, only the clapping of different hands! A friendship clap!" Mantis looks quite pleased with the news, excitedly noting, "we'll be rich through friendship and transports! It was a real genius idea, Captain."

Peter Quill has posed:
"Exactly, a friendship clap," Peter says liking the phrase. "And yes, I'd like to think it was a pretty genius idea if I do say so myself," he says grinning broadly. Okay it might have been Rocket's idea but he's definitely taking credit for it. "If you want, I can put you in charge of passenger relations, you can welcome people onto the ship, show them around and generally tell then how great we are," he says. "Besides, you're one of the few people on this ship besides Groot I can see being nice to our guests."

Mantis has posed:
"I get it!" Mantis grins like a child at the experience, and holds her hand up again, "high of five!" She announces and looks expectantly at Quill, trying to be a more eager participant of the 'friendship clap' this time. "I can do that!" Mantis is thrilled with having an assigned role in the whole thing. "I am very nice! Being nice is important, if you're not nice, people don't like you."

Peter Quill has posed:
Grinning he holds up his hand for the second 'friendship clap' or 'high of five'. "Well you're really good at being nice, so I'm sure all our passengers are going to like you," he says with a nod of assurance for Mantis. "So thanks for taking the job," he says. "And if you need any help ask..." Rocket? No. Nebula? Hell no. Gamora? Maybe...Groot... better than nothing. "Groot," he settles on. "He's hard to understand but he's a nice guy deep down."

Mantis has posed:
Mantis looks mighty pleased to more successfully perform a 'high of five' with Quill, bouncing a little as their hands connect, "we did it! We are now best of friends!" Maybe she didn't quite get the meaning behind a high-five, but hey, it works. "Oh I know he means well! I can tell emotions very well!"

Peter Quill has posed:
Quill seems to take the best of friends things in stride, grinning, "You bet," he says with a chuckle. "Right you can read those can't you..." he says. "You ever pick up on any of Gamora's feelings..." he begins. "You know...when I'm around?" he asks lowering his voice to a whisper checking over his shoulders as he does.

Mantis has posed:
"I can!" Mantis says cheerfully, before looking very quizzical, "ohhh? Do you have feelings for Gamora? Do you want me to tell her?" Mantis is more than ready to play matchmaker, "...oh, and I haven't, I can try next time you're in a room together!"

Peter Quill has posed:
Peter's hands come up in a stop motion. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, let's not go telling her, besides, I don't know if I really have feelings for her... but she's nice, and I'm sort of curious what she's feeling about me," he says. "So if you could maybe, subtly, /very/ subtly check, that would be awesome."

Mantis has posed:
"Why?" Mantis asks, confused, "if you like her, the best way to go about it is to let her know! If it's a secret, she'll never find out!" Mantis urges, as if to convince Peter her suggestion was the best approach, "I can go tell her right now!" She offers excitedly. She nods her head at the follow up, several times over, "okay, okay, I get it! I'll be super discreet! Like Drax!"

Peter Quill has posed:
"Sometimes it's best if you play it cool, I mean, I don't even know what I feel about her yet it if I just come out and say it it would be awkward... Not to mention her and possibly Nebula might just stab me. No, I need to be sure she's feeling something too before I figure out what I'm going to say-"

He holds up a hand again. "Whoa, what did I just say, let's not go telling her huh and Drax? Not that subtle. Be more like Groot, nobody knows what he's talking about, so be like Groot about this okay, just let me know if you feel something, okay?"

Mantis has posed:
Mantis nods several times, making a 'bring it down' gesture with her hands, "I get it, I won't be super direct at all. You'll be fine!" She does look surprised when Quill suggests Drax isn't subtle, "Drax told me he's the best at sneaking about quietly." She thinks about it a moment, "like Groot...? Mmmm...I can do that!"