Mantis Beamed At The Praise, Her Antennae Perking Up Even More. She Returned The Shoulder Bump With A

His enthusiasm was infectious, Mantis couldn't help but return his grin with one of her own, a sudden burst of excitement bubbling in her stomach. "I know how to defend myself, but I want to be able to prove myself in battle, should I ever need to." Most of her experience had all been in theory, she'd never actually faced a real battle but she was determined. That had to count for something. "I suppose that makes me fresh-faced. But I'm eager to learn."

Thor turned to his new student with a wide, beaming grin. "Friend! Welcome to training," he bellowed, clapping a hand on her shoulders. He remembered to be gentle with her, Jane always cautioned him to be careful with those smaller than himself. "I am always ready. Tell me, new friend, do you have much experience with the glory of battle? Or are you a fresh-faced warrior ripe for learning?" His grin hadn't faltered, not even once. "Either way, it is an honor to work with you. We will have a great deal of fun, I assure you!"

Mantis blinked in confusion, her head tilting slightly. "Inside her head?" she questioned, trying to imagine what the inside of the giant green lady might look like, which only made her wonder if it was rude to be wandering inside of the lady to begin with. Peyton's question about fostering animals pulled Mantis from her thoughts, her heart fluttering with warmth at the idea. "Oh, I've been thinking about it a lot, actually. A cousin for Leia and Luke would be wonderful. I can sense their longing for more family," she mused, her empathic nature attuned to creatures as she reached over to pet them. "Maybe we can fit that into today's plans too, although I did ask Johnny if he wanted to come when I decided... But nothing says I have to decide today! We're just looking."

"Yep." She agreed with a nod, sitting Leia down beside her brother so they could eat the pancake together. "I don't actually know yet, but it's not top secret unless they tell me. And they didn't tell me. So..." Peyton looked up at her and smiled, before snorting at what she said next. "Yes, we can go get a giant pretzel. And go to the Statue of Liberty. You can walk inside her head." She nodded at her. "So, did you think about fostering an animal anymore? I think they could totally use a cousin."

Mantis withdrew her hand respectfully as Loki reassured her, a hint of embarrassment washing over her. Had she overstepped? Pulling her hand back, she tucked her hair behind her ear, nodding at his explanation. "Oh, I see... well, please let me know if I can help in any way. As for my powers," she began, her gaze shifting momentarily as she contemplated how best to articulate her abilities. "To put it simply, I'm an empath, I can sense and to an extant manipulate the emotions of others." Mantis knew how that sounded, her face skewed slightly as she searched for a better explanation. "I can feel what others feel, understand their innermost thoughts and desires, and in some cases influence their emotions. Like with Ego, he would often ask me to clear his mind, make it to where he could sleep." Mantis paused, her eyes meeting Loki's with a gentle intensity, glad to finally have the sort of connection she'd been craving her entire life. "And what of you, Loki? What abilities do you possess?"

"Hm?" Loki glanced up when he saw her reach up. "Oh. No." But he put a gentle, genuine smile on his face a moment later. Loki did like her and it wasn't her. He'd been weird with anything like that ever since Thanos. "I'm fine, darling. I think it's going to be ever present, unfortunately. Thanks to the vast majority of people in this tower." He smirked and reached over for his coffee. "What are your powers exactly? I never asked and now I'm curious."

Mantis wasn't sure what she expected when she hosted her first party on Earth, but so far this party had exceeded all expectations. The outfits were amazing and creative, not to mention colorful, and everyone seemed to be having a good time. It was perfect. Exactly what was needed after a stressful few months. Hearing the comment on glittery wings, Mantis had to stop and turn around, wanting to see them for herself. "Oh, I must have just missed them," she said with a slight pout, but that quickly turned into a smile as she watched Klara's daughter hand off her discarded candy. "Well, she seems to be having fun. How about you? Need a hand with them?"

"I saw this guy wearing full-blown glittery wings and honestly, I am mad at myself for not coming up with this idea," Klara mused with a sad sigh but a smile appeared immediately on her face as her daughter ran up to her to give her the half-eaten glitter cotton candy she didn't want anymore. "Though, I suppose wings aren't too practical with two kids," she chuckled as she watched the little girl run back to her friends.

Me flirting: Your aura is pretty.

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

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?"

She had seen some amazing inventions in her travels around the galaxy, however none intrigued her quite as much as the human device known as a 'smartphone.' All of Earth's knowledge, right in the palm of her hand. Not to mention all the adorable creatures she could stand to watch, probably her favorite part of the device. "He fell into his bowl!" Mantis squealed in delight as she turned her screen to share the video of a puppy tripping into his water bowl with the other.

"Please be careful," Mantis pleaded. "We have no idea what threats are out there."

Mantis was thankful that Loki didn't ask more about her history with Ego; eventually she would open up about it all. But at that point in time it was just too fresh of a wound to go and reopen. She uttered a soft thanks before her smile of appreciation turned into amused laughter as Loki described the happenings of home. "How lucky that she can communicate with them though! At least you'll never have to guess what the animals are thinking? There's probably a lot of people who'd be jealous of that ability. As someone who's thinking of fostering, I am one of those people."

"My father used me as a political pawn. Found out a few years ago." Loki looked up at her. "I get it. I promise. It sucks beyond reason to talk about, so we don't have to." His expression was softer when he said it, but didn't say anything else about it. At the shift in conversation, he scrunched his nose. "Do I not like it? Eh. I don't mind it. But my fiancé enables it, so there's a difference." He smirked, but then shook his head. "I think she can actually talk to animals, funnily enough. Which would make a lot of sense. Apparently her magical abilities manifested in nature, so I'm guessing that's why she's attracting them."