MANTIS.

"If I touch someone who is sad, I can ease them into contentment for a short while. I can make a stubborn person compliant."

[multiverseofmiracleshq]

For the whole history of MANTIS please click here.

Keep reading

[itsmntis-archive]

rocketngroot​:

“mmm.” rocket let out an uncomfortable, unconvinced hum. he stayed leaning against groot, trying to look casual even when his stomach felt like it was twisting into knots. mantis was all about feelings. rocket tried as hard as he could to stay away from them. even so, they were friends. he hoped that the team knew that he would do anything for them— he just didn’t want them to confirm it out loud. putting words to feelings meant confronting them, and confronting them meant being vulnerable.

his attention went to groot’s hand as the sentient tree smiled and waved back to mantis, and then he cleared his throat. “i don’t either.” rocket somehow survived five years without them. he and nebula were of the same breed— hurt, defensive people who had just lost everyone they cared about. while they would never admit it, they clung to each other to keep afloat. then bruce snapped his fingers and everyone was back. well, almost everyone. he wasn’t sure he could survive losing someone again. “but i ain’t goin’ nowhere. the pay is too good. and..” he hesitated. vulnerability was hard. “and we are friends, mantis. i don’t got a lot of those. but you’re one of ‘em.”

They’ve entered new territory. This isn’t anywhere that Mantis and Rocket ever venture together. Although innocent in some ways after living a sheltered life under her father, Mantis is attuned to the full spectrum of emotions. She doesn’t always have to lay her hand on that of another to sense what they are feeling. She watches sorrow weather face of Peter and joy light up Groot’s. Mantis sees — and she aches. There are times she wants to help and she can’t. Instead, she has to watch her friends — her family — face their emotions head on. It can be hard to see.

The smile that crosses her face is genuine. It lights up dark irisless eyes and her antennae sway slightly. A little validation goes a long way, and Mantis has never asked for much. “I am honored to be your friend, Rocket.”

[itsmntis-archive]

spiderxling​:

Peter tensed, but he kept his hand where it is. “Uhh.. right—” He didn’t know it, but there was a scowl across his face. “I’ve been dying to ask this question.. do you lay eggs? Some aliens have to lay eggs, and you look like you do.”

“I look like I lay eggs?” That’s news to her. Mantis remembers this boy. She remembers him begging her to not lay eggs in him as well. “I came from larvae. We are insectoid. I do not want to lay any eggs.” Her desire to reproduce is low. “But I could.” 

[itsmntis-archive]

kitchensdevil​:

The joy washed over him in waves, getting less intense as the woman finally removed her hand and Matt was able to get himself to stop outright grinning. Maybe it was just so heightened because of his other circumstances, but he wasn’t upset with her for doing it. Not at all. “Overstep? No, no you’re okay. Maybe a little bit of a warning next time would be good.”

"Warning. Yes. Warnings are good. It gives people time to prepare.” Not everyone likes surprises, it turns out. Mantis sighs. “Why were you so sad?”

[itsmntis-archive]

coulsonbot​:

“That’s pretty rad.” He pauses, thinking for a moment. “I’m a machine. Does it work with.. non-organic beings? Feels weird to call myself that.”

"Rad.” That’s a fun word. Mantis tries it out one more time. “Rad.” Her subsequent frown is one of contemplation. “I do not know. I have never tried. You are a machine?” Huh. He looks like a man.

[itsmntis-archive]

spectormcrc​:

Marc considered it for a moment, the idea of someone else actually being able to feel his emotions more than unsettling. But she seemed harmless enough, and like she actually wanted to help. Maybe his curiosity got the best of him, but he decided not to let himself question it as he slowly reached out and awkwardly placed a stiff hand on top of hers.

Her other hand comes to rest on top of his, effectively sandwiching the man in between cool palms. Tears well briefly in her eyes. He is guilty. He is frustrated. The force of his emotions briefly take the breath from her chest. “Oh.” Her voice is soft before the antenna begin to glow once more. “Peace. I will help you find peace.”

[itsmntis-archive]

frenchxie​:

As her hand found a place on top of his, Jean-Paul glanced to it and then back up to her face. “Feel.. what exactly?”

"I don’t know. What do you want to feel? Sleep? Calm? Happy? I don’t like to make people sad.”

[itsmntis-archive]

rocketngroot​:

“what?” rocket casually leaned himself against groot’s head, not really sure how to answer the question and wondering why he was being asked. to him it was pretty obvious that they were friends. the guardians were the closest friends he had, they were family. stating it out loud didn’t make it any more real. it was just a fact. “..why are you askin’ me that?”

The word Mantis is thinking of is reassurance, but she doesn’t say that. She doesn’t know how to articulate the anxiety that has been bubbling in her ever since they lost Gamora. Still, she knows that Rocket cares for her. He just shows it differently than Quill or Drax. Mantis thrives on the physical, but it’s not the same for everyone. She won’t make Rocket speak her love language. Instead, she’ll meet him where he’s at. “I don’t know.” She lies before offering a tiny wave to Groot. She never worries if he’ll like her or not. “I just don’t want to lose any more friends.”

[itsmntis-archive]

pquills​:

peter softens and takes a slow, deep breath, “i don’t know. i’m just worried about gamora, i guess.”

“Because she is a Ravager? Or because she is alone?”

[itsmntis-archive]

pquills​:

peter welcomes the contact, moving his own hand ever so slightly so that he can gently brush his thumb against hers. a gesture he hopes is somewhat reassuring despite the guilt eating at him, concern weighing heavy in his chest, “ - what if they can’t help her?” he’s vague in his questioning, but he knows mantis understands what this is about.

His touch warms her. Mantis thrives on contact. Life with Ego had been cold and lonely. The worst part was, she hadn’t even realized that. It wasn’t until the Guardians that Mantis had realized what she was missing. “They are good witches.” She’s heard about the evil green witch with the wart on her nose that had attacked the little girl and her dog. “Good witches help people, just like we help people. Until then, we can stay on Earth. Oh, maybe we can see Kevin Bacon again!” That would make Quill happy, wouldn’t it?

[itsmntis-archive]

draxtheliteraldestroyer​:

“Yes, you are wise.” Drax gagged as he inhaled. “But oh so foul. It is okay, I still love you. Even if you repulse me.” He replied placing a hand on her shoulder and giving her a very serious and heartfelt look.

“I love you, Drax.” He’s one of her closest friends. “Thank you for loving me even though I am repulsive. Did you know that Quill said I am not? He said you were full of it.”

[itsmntis-archive]

lovesthunder​:

“I did not have a daughter when I was traveling with you. But no— though I am not sure how her species reproduces, she was reincarnated from Eternity. She was born of cosmic energy after dying tragically. It’s a second chance for her.” Thor blinked, and then his face twisted in confusion. “Kevin Bacon— the human that Quill often spoke of? You met him?”

“That would make sense, because I never saw her. She would have to be a very small daughter or invisible like Drax.” Mantis pauses. “Yes, he is actually an actor.” The last word is all but spat. “But he is a good man. He sang Christmas songs. Do you like Christmas? I do.”

[otgw]

(creativity challenge) graphic request from @neebbles: mantis!

[itsmntis-archive]

pquills​:

peter doesn’t want to say yes, but it’s the truth. she’s the only thing thats been on his mind at all lately, and it’s begun to affect his life in worse and worse ways. “no, it’s okay - i’m not,” peter hesitates, “i don’t know, mantis.”

His words conflict each other. Before, Mantis would have been confused. Now she knows it is just a sign of humanity. “It is okay, Peter.” Maybe not today but one day. “That is what I believe. That it will be okay.” Her hand falls to rest over his, but she won’t do anything without permission. Instead, she just hopes he knows that she’s there for him.

[itsmntis-archive]

rocketngroot​:

rocket turned away grumbling, ears still plastered flat against his head. he felt a bit guilty for snapping at her, but wouldn’t admit to it. “i ain’t much for talkin’ neither. besides, i’m perfectly fine. nothin’ to talk ‘bout.” he set down what he had picked up to work on only seconds ago and opted instead to climb up onto groot’s shoulder. “don’t you ever get tired of feeling everything that everyone else feels?”

“Tired? No, not tired.” Mantis’ head tilts far to the side. She never grows tired from using her powers. If anything, it recharges her. “There is always something to talk about,” she hums before waving at Groot; there’s a grin when he returns the gesture. “We are friends, Rocket?”

[itsmntis-archive]

pquills​:

peter instantly wants to slip out of her grasp, if only to keep mantis from feeling what he was experiencing deep down at the moment, but he knew if he let go, it would only make things worse. “noo,” he shrugs it off, “i just - stubbed my toe, that’s all.”

“No, this is different.” She knows how to differentiate between types of pain. Mantis is no novice with her gifts. “Please, do not lie to me. We are family. Family is honest.” Ego hadn’t been, but Mantis is determined to forge something new with Peter.

[itsmntis-archive]

draxtheliteraldestroyer​:

“You smell foul. Is that so that predators will think you are dying and diseased so they won’t eat you. That is very wise.”

“HA.” The laugh that comes out of her is loud and Mantis slaps a hand over her mouth. Drax never fails to make her laugh. He’s taught her so much about herself. Without him, she’d never know that she was ugly. “Foul. I smell foul but I am wise.” That’s a good thing. “Thank you for telling me.”