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Who: Mantis (

uglybug) & anyone
What: April catch-all. March event aftermath especially.
When: April
Where: Wyver
Warning(s): Could be frank discussion of death and/or torture

i
[The courier had greeted her with a bow before bestowing her gifts upon her: a ring, an invitation, and apparently the undying appreciation of Wyver itself. Left stunned, Mantis had only managed to mutter a 'thank you' before the courier was gone. The ring itself not really in her taste, but it is finely wrought and given with gratitude (and imbued with magic) so she slips it on.

Of course it fits perfectly.

It isn't until she's attempting to run a few errands (or simply just enjoy the city) a few days later that she realizes it's significance.

And, really, she could have done with a first gift given her to be something other than someone's freshly hunted carcass. It is, at least, nicely field-dressed. They are very adamant, nearly shoving it into her arms as she tries to lean away from it and she's left holding it at arm's length while two young men shower her with compliments and flattery as they leave her there, in the middle of the street.]

Oh.

[Help.]

ii
[There are other, better perks to this whole thing. Her favorite drink is sitting in front her, given to her freely by the bartender who hailed her a hero of Wyver as she stared wide-eyed at him.

She's had to be just as adamanat as he about the mountains of food he'd tried to bring her.

She's not paying any attention to whomever might come toward the table, so if someone so much as pauses next to her table, she'll automatically give the answer she's beeing giving for the past hour.]

The drink is all I want. I'm really not hungry.

iii
got something else in mind? feel free to shoot me a PM or hit me up at n0teworthy Or just leave a comment here and I'll roll with it

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[Even if it's a little more expensive than to make his own dinner, Riku eats out every now and then – with Sora asleep, he needs a little company outside of work. He's just finishing his meal when he notices the woman that's getting regular attention from the waiters… and almost every other person in the tavern.

Huh… come to think of it, he thinks he recognizes her… hadn't she been part of the group that had come to their rescue?

He shakes his head faintly when she automatically tries to turn him away; she won't have to worry about that with him.]

I'm sure… I just came over to say thank you.

[Proper manners and all that.]

[She looks up, a little startled, at the comment. It takes her a moment to place him, if only because things had been somewhat hectic up on the mountain.]

Oh. I'm sorry. Hello. [She gestures across the table, to the empty seat.] Please, have a seat.

Uh… thanks.

[Riku may seem a little startled too… honestly he'd just come over for a quick word of thanks. But well, if she's offering then he might as well stay for a moment.]

Say… what's your name? I never got a chance to ask.

[Unsurprising, considering what happened on the mountain, but well…]

[She smiles at him. Exchanging names had not been a priority up on the mountain and she had honestly not been sure how often she would see any of these people again.

But she is happy to make an acquaintance today.]

My name is Mantis. I didn't catch yours either.

I'm Riku.

[He smiles back faintly, then nods at the ring she's wearing.]

Maybe you should think about concealing that, if you don't want the attention.

[It does seem like she is a little tired of it at least, given how she's greeted him.]

[She offers him a quick smile and then shrugs.]

I think it's too late, here and now. I like it here and the bartender knows who I am, whether I'm wearing a ring or not.

[Riku nods in understanding, he sees her point.]

Still, it might be a good idea for the future.

[Anyway…]

You come here often?

[She nods and offers him one of the untouched drinks sitting near her elbow. It's nothing special -- just the house brew -- but she sets in front of him anyway.]

Whenever I can. I like it a lot. [Wryly:] Suddenly, they seem to like me here, too.

[Riku tilts his head at the drink before he thanks her and takes a sip – he makes a bit of a face; this may or may not be his first time actually drinking. Anyway, he nods.]

It’s kind of weird how the locals react to just seeing the ring. I definitely don’t feel anything like a hero.

[He got himself caught after all… and was powerless until rescue had arrived.]

[She notices the face, but has no idea why; it doesn't occur to her that maybe he's never had alcohol. She leans her chin into her hand and briefly toys with her glass as he speaks.]

You are a hero. What you did and endured makes you one. [A brief pause.] I did not what would happen when I put the ring on. It's... weird.

[Rocket did not not want credit for being rescued, so while some victims may have gotten those rewards, he's glad to not be one of them. It's unseemly to him.

That said, he will happily utilize his friendships with people who did to get his own type of reward. So while he is rescuing Mantis by stepping in (and ignoring the smell of freshly field dressed kill) because he wants to be a good friend... There's a little something-something extra to be gained from it.]

Gentlemen, Gentlemen. The lady has other business to attend to. You can feel free to leave all gifts at our home. [He winks up at Mantis. With his wrong eye, of course. Not that anyone seems to notice.]

[Why is he winking at her? With the wrong eye, even? She stares at him for a long moment before deciding that it doesn't matter which eye he's using or why he's doing it, so long as she can get out from under someone's freshly hunted thing.]

Yes, please. I have so many other things to do. [Not really. What a bald-faced lie. She shoves the carcass right back at them, emboldened by Rocket's back-up.] Do what he says. [A pause.] Please?

[The men almost look convinced. Almost.]

[The urge to go for the gun is so strong. Guns always make a point. But guns also mean less free stuff.

He pushes on Mantis's leg, urging her to just keep walking, while they seem even a little bit likely to relent.] C'mon, Mantis. We have that appointment with, uh... The guy. That real important guy. Over this way.

[He calls over his shoulder.] Remember! Gifts at the door to the mansion! [with a lower voice, to Mantis.] Go, go.

Oh. Oh! Yes. That appointment. [She is the worst liar. She does keep on walking, but not without looking back at the men.] It's a very important appointment. With, uhm, that guy that my friend knows. Because I made the appointment with my friend who knows that guy, so that's why we have an appointment.

[She waves, smiles, and answers Rocket's urging with:] Going.

[Oh my god, she's so bad at this, but she's also endearing, so that's probably for the best. Once they're out of their line of sight and earshot, he bursts out laughing.]

Are you kidding me? That guy was just gonna hand you a dead animal in the street. Is that how you flirt in Wyver or something?

Flirt? [With her? That obviously had not occurred to her. It's just weird and slightly unsettling, but flirting? That's a new one.

Despite her confusion, though, she laughs along with Rocket -- though her laughter is far less raucous.] I wonder what kind of gifts they might leave?

You gotta be someone's type. I dunno. I ain't here for any of that weird, depraved shit. [These animals and their sex pollen. Rocket gives a little shudder of disgust.] But I hope it's money and booze and more than just their declarations of undying love.

Oh, I don't think so. That doesn't seem... right. [Despite people having told her differently, Drax still echoes very loudly.]

Declarations of undying love seem kind of useless.

And yet it's somehow currency here. I was with Sanzo in those shaman's dens, and they make a big deal outta those pacts. Maybe some of these losers are trying to get you to make one with them.

[It's such a hilarious image- desperate saps falling all over themselves so awkward little Mantis can rub some of her awesome off on them.]

[Her look of disgust probably says all he wants to know about that. A pact? That involves undying admiration and love?

Ew..] I would rather that they just buy me a drink.

See? That's sensible. Or maybe hand off some well-earned silver so you can buy yourself something nice. Or buy your pal Rocket something nice.

[What? Did you really think he wasn't going to say it?]

[She smiles at that; yes, she'd been expecting that eventually. She's spent a lot of time with Rocket. She's not surprised.]

What sort of nice thing, Rocket?

Y'know, now that I've said it, I don't even know. This place has nothing like I'd usually buy and it looks like Evras and Cree are hoardin' all the good tech, the jerks.

[He is a simple raccoonoid with simple tastes.] I've stooped to making bombs out of things I probably should not be making bombs out of.

[That actually gives her pause and she draws up as her steps slow.]

What are you making bombs out of? Should I know?

Very cheap alcohol, for starters. [He shrugs, completely unfazed by how sketchy his work is.] Those are less bombs and more like highly imprecise grenades.

[There's probably Molotov cocktails in space, but they are not called that, and leave it to Rocket to find a way to make them ten times worse.]

That sounds... interesting. ['Interesting' is not the word that she's looking for.] Maybe they will leave gifts of more expensive alcohol.

[And then he can just drink it instead of making it explode.

Here's hoping.]

That would be ideal. [Well, not in the "fun" sense, but in the "I spend more silver on alcohol than I do on anything else" sense.] I just one frickin' good thing out of all this shit I've been through.

[She frowns, just for a moment, when reminded of just why she's getting all this weird attention. Mantis spent half the time coming down the mountain apologizing for being too slow, for not catching things soon enough, for not being fierce enough in the fighting.

(She had been, though. She knows that.)

So instead of apologizing, she forces the frown aside and replies in a firm, chipper voice:] Then I will start asking for it.

[Considering Rocket would have dismissed her and probably gotten snappish, it's for the best, and he can't help but feel a little surge of pride that she's self-assured that she did her best now.]

There we go. You're good people, Mantis.

[Kale has a ring as well, and has been finding the experience of being randomly praised and handed gifts surrealistic, to put it mildly. She doesn't think of herself as a hero. She just wanted to help get some people out of a bad situation.

But she'll accept the gifts of food readily enough, if nothing else. She does have a big appetite. Her arms are so full that she can't clearly see where she's going. What she can do, however, is small when people are close, and she picks up on a familiar scent. A pile of gifts with legs and a pineapple shaped black ponytail approaches Mantis.]

Um...Mantis? Is that you? I can't see very well.

[Well, that's a familiar voice. Mantis turns around and smiles, then plucks one of the packages off the top of the pile.]

Yes, it's me. Hello, my friend!

[Kale smiles, happy to see her friend again. A lot has happened, so she's glad for the company. ]

Looks like you're getting the special treatment for being involved in rescuing people, too. I-it's a little weird, but also kind of nice.

[Mantis takes another package, just to try to even out the load a little. Her smile is a little sad; it's kind of nice, yes, to be recognized, but the reasons for it haunt her.]

I never expected this.

Me neither.

[Kale is very appreciative of having the load taken off, not so much for the weight - she can handle this and more with her pinky finger. It's the balance and visibility that's the issue. Especially when she hadn't anticipated having this many things to bring home with her. If she'd had any idea that this might happen, she would have at least brought a couple of bags with her.]

I guess they appreciate that there are refugees who will step up to help others despite us not being here all that long?

Perhaps. I do not know what else we might have done. Many refugees were taken, after all. [Who wouldn't fight to protect their own people?]

Where are you taking all of this? Can I help?

Edited 2018-04-15 04:19 (UTC)

They were, but so many refugees are from different places. So um...we kind of are going to rescue total strangers in a lot of cases. Maybe that's it.

[Both Wyver and Olympia seemed to have some appreciation for bravery and warrior spirit, at least, which suits Kale just fine. Those aspects of society, she can fit into. Fancy balls, not so much.]

Back to the apartment I share with my friend Misa.

[She's lived with Misa for a while. It's been nice. Misa's cheerful demeanour does wonders for Kale's self-esteem, as does being the "tough" friend. She'll leave being the brains of the operation to Misa, though.]

Do you want to visit for a while and have some juice?

[Mantis makes a noise of assent; Kale is right. There are so many of them that, yes, strangers met each other even as refugees.]

I would like that very much.

[Kale smiles pleasantly and tilts her head in the direction of her apartment.]

It's this way. Don't worry, it's not too far.

[She can handle the weight of all these things, but it's still awkward to walk around carrying. This is not a natural position to hold arms in for an extended period of time.]

Oh. [She falls into step, uselessly hovering a bit.] Do you need me to take anything else? That looks... heavy.

Oh...um.

[Kale doesn't want to sound boastful by saying this isn't heavy at all to her, but it's really not. She could have lifted something this weight when she was a toddler without difficulty.]

I can handle the weight. It was just hard to see over it all, and you've helped me with that already.

[There's nothing boastful about it, at least not in Mantis' mind. People should be confident in their abilities. (Except, somehow, that doesn't quite translate to being confident in her own abilities.)]

I'm glad I could help. [And so she falls into step with Kale, carrying her part of the load. It's a lovely day for a short walk.]

[It really is a nice day for a walk, and if not for the fact that they have plenty in their arms to carry and she doesn't want to chance more being added to it, Kale would suggest a longer and more scenic route. Perhaps after a snack.

For now, she leads the way to her front door, propping everything on one arm and balancing it on her hip as she unlocks the door.]

After you.

[Mantis is quick to open the door and hold it for Kale after she unlocks it; Kale is the one with the bigger load, after all. After Kale steps inside, she quietly shuts the door -- out of respect; this is not her home, so why even accidentally slam a door? -- and turns to her friend.]

Where do you want this?

[Kale leads the way to the small kitchen, setting everything down on the table carefully. Weird as this experience has been, she's mindful that these are gifts and she treats them with due care and thought. ]

Just over here on the table is fine, thank you.

[Mantis follows direction and carefully places her (small compared to Kale's) load on the table. The gift giving is so odd to her that she takes a moment to actually look at them, peering at them without actually touching them.]

So many people seem very grateful.

They are, and it's nice, but I'm not sure I understand why they're being so generous. Maybe because we volunteered to help without being paid for it?

[She mulls it over a little longer as she looks over the gifts. She's happiest about the gifts of food - those will definitely be used.]

The Guard in Olympia and the Knightryders in Wyver have orders on who they're allowed to help...whereas we don't.

I don't know. Maybe? [Being paid for it would never have entered her mind.] I went because a friend had gone missing and I couldn't let someone else look for him. That's selfish, right? I should not be getting gifts for that.

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