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Who: Mantis and All!

Broadcast: Yes

Action: Yes

When: Today

Planetside - Action

Libraries. They're repositories of information and a likely candidate for finding information on...just about anything, really. Mantis is therefore very soon distracted by the possibility of entertainment across the many star systems. He's up off his feet, that is to say, in the air and going between shelves with books trailing after him like ducklings. A world of failed dreams ought to have at least one decent novel hidden among the relics of the past. He pauses at several points before setting books down or picking new ones off the shelves. He may yet be a while with all of it.

Iskaulit - Broadcast/Action

In contrast to his grace in the air, Mantis is still struggling to maintain composure and grace upon the ice, but he is trying damn it. The video feed opens up to him doing slow, large spins on the ice, staring down as much at his feet as he is the rink itself. He doesn't stumble or find his knees buckling nearly as often as he used to, although he does visibly strain from all the bending he needs to do in order to turn smoothly. He holds his hands out as he goes into slightly wider spins. Then he rises suddenly, gasping when his feet leave the ice, if only by a small amount. Mantis quickly catches himself before he can spill out on the rink and floats low in the air. He does a small turn in the air, looking down at his limbs before settling back down on his feet.

"Not quite..."

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I think being able to float is cheating when it comes to learning how to ice skate. [He wanted to see Mantis fall onto his butt.]

Oh, it is cheating. It also means I don't break any bones trying to figure out the right angles for getting lift.

[He's going to do a few more turns, staring pointedly at his feet.]

It's about kinetic energy, I think. Moving it from a low spot to a high spot... Kind of like how your cat can probably scale a couple of feet if she decides to jump on something.

She is pretty good at jumping when she wants to get up somewhere. Maybe she can float too.

Is that why you understand cats so well? You both defy logic and can fly?

I understand cats because animals are easier to understand than people. People are understandable because they're predictable.

[He swings his legs around again and manages to clear a good inch off the ice, but the landing comes a little too fast this time, and he does an awkward half-split trying to stick the landing.

He also swears loudly.]

Oww... See? [He gestures to Vash.] Broken bones are easily achieved.

Yeah, no. Broken bones are a pain to deal with. [He knows only too well.] Keep cheating.

Although, a member of my crew actually got the ice rink there in the first place. He's an ice skating fanatic. I could ask him about giving you some pointers or lessons. I have a feeling he'd be thrilled to help.

See? [He points to the camera.] You understand.

[He laughs at the description.] Yuri or Victor? I'm familiar with both of them. They're the reason I'm even trying this god-forsaken sport.

Ha-ha! [He should have known!] It's Yuri! Yuri lives with me on the SS Twin Roses! I admit, the way he talks about ice skating almost makes me want to try it too sometimes!

He is quite possibly one of the kindest people I've ever met. You rarely meet his type over the course of a lifetime between cynicism and tragedy.

Figure skating the way he does it is extremely competitive back home. [He stands up slowly, sort of unfolding his limbs as he does so.] They have medals, point systems, and the slightest shift in muscle can mean everything. Sort of like gymnastics with an added degree of difficulty.

Yeah. He's a good guy. I hope that never changes. [And he wishes that this show would stop trying to show him just how bad things can get at times.]

Because you put swords on your shoes and run around on a slippery surface?

Mmm. Him turning to bitterness would be a loss for the universe.

[Mantis kicks off again, this time opting for lazy circles and figure eights. The slightest shift in his weight helps him pick up a bit of speed.]

Knives, but yes. It's an simple method of traveling across an icy surface. You need something sharp to cut into it.

You know, for an asshole who doesn't want to make friends you seem like a pretty good guy to me.

[He's onto you!]

I am a violently inclined man who was ripped fresh from my boss' world domination plans back home. It was either continue to be my monstrous self or accept that you can't do that here without making enemies of everyone.

[Said as he spreads his arms out to turn slowly.]

If my way of being social is interpreted as being "nice", it is an added bonus.

Edited 2018-04-18 18:01 (UTC)

So maybe you weren't so nice back home. It looks like you're making an active change here. I hope it does you well.

[And you help prove his point that everyone can change if given another chance.]

[He wants to argue, but all that comes out is a deep seated sigh that takes his shoulders down as well.]

It's a struggle. All this peace is unnatural for me. I almost liked that planet with the cannibals.

Almost is not a yes! It's a struggle, but you're also an inspiration! Keep it up!

Don't be mistaken. I didn't like the planet. I didn't say I wasn't happy while we were there. [He does a little pivot on the tips of the skates.] Killing comes naturally. Fighting for my life comes naturally. I came off that planet feeling relaxed.

I think you need a better hobby. Keep up the ice skating.

[He's smiling, but now there's a laugh rumbling from deep in his chest.]

A sport built around gliding on top of knives. You might be right.

And you can cheat and fly around. So extra built for you.

[He shakes his head and does a small spin before coming closer to his camera set up.]

I only cheat when I feel like I'm at risk for breaking a bone. Lately, that's just jumps. This sport is surprisingly easy to get into.

Oh yeah? I suppose if you have good balance it wouldn't be too bad to get the hang of.

You think so? [He turns about in a lazy figure eight.] The rink is open to everyone on the Iskaulit. Last thing I want is to see good work go to waste.

I'm sure they're also glad more people are enjoying the rink besides themselves. I don't think I'd be very good at it. I don't have very good balance. [Lies.]

[Mantis twists and locks himself onto his toes with the tips of the skates.] I thought the same thing about myself. You never know if you're truly bad at something until you try it.

[~~Drink the Kool-Aid, Vash.~~ His legs sweep widely in a circle, carrying him closer to the camera.]

I'll consider asking Yuri to teach me sometime when he's bored. I'm sure he'd probably like that.

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