[Action/Video]

[uglypet]

[Yesterday, Mantis had found a replacement for her broken lamp at long last. It took a while given her meager paycheck, and while a lamp would have been a nice personal touch to her dingy poorly lit motel room, it wasn't a necessity.]

[It was sheer luck that she happened to pass a garage sale, and once she learned that it was not the garage but the items on the tables next to the garage, she found the most beautiful lamp she had ever seen. The shade was fashioned out of tiffany glass in greens, blues, and purples, with little dragonflies patterned upon it. She fell in love with the lamp and bought it, carried it home, and set it up next to her bed so she could look at it when she fell asleep.]

[Then the Paperboy CAME IN THE NIGHT.]

[She awoke with a start at the sound of shattering glass, twice: once as the newspaper crashed through the dirty motel window, and again as it collided with her lamp, knocked it over, and shattered the cunning glass work. Mantis sat up in bed with a jolt, and when she saw her lamp, her antennae drooped sadly. :c]

[Outside, she can hear the hotel manager bellowing in rage. 'BUG LADY! Did you break that window?! You'll have to pay for that!']

[And just like that, Mantis is in debt. She's swept up what she could of the lamp and placed it into a paper grocery bag. Perhaps she can get it fixed. She carries it with her up and down the streets in search of a repair shop, but no one seems able to fix it. She's told to just throw it out, but she can't bring herself to do it. Where else is she going to find a lamp with dragonflies on it?]

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[VIDEO]

[Mantis looks dejected, but she's smiling as hard as she can. It...doesn't look great. The dissonance is probably a little creepy.]

I would like a temporary job to earn more money. My skills are limited, but I will do my best for you.

[She will try. She will try so hard. Success is not guaranteed.]

Comments

[uglypet]

[Ah yes, she understands. Mantis brightens, for she knows about this thing.]

You are under the covers.

[She nods sagely.]

Do you have a code name? I would like to know what it is I should be calling you.

[sanguine_kismet]

[There was a soft smile that came from the masked youth. The way how Mantis worded things was odd but also funny.]

You may call me Marth, I believe I missed your name as well if you don't mind me having it.

[uglypet]

I do not mind. It is Mantis.

[She lowers her voice conspiratorially as she smiles.]

My code name is also Mantis.

[She says it as if she expects to be praised for her cleverness in choosing a code name that no one would ever suspect. Who uses their real name for a code? No one. And she is pleased to have thought of this strategy.]

[sanguine_kismet]

['Marth' almost laughs when Mantis told them their code name was also their real name.]

I would have never guessed. Alright code name Mantis, let's quickly find some jobs for. Being in debt is never fun.

[uglypet]

I agree.

[She states this emphatically. No one likes the feeling of owing somebody, Mantis least of all. Her gaze strays to the corkboard where people have posted notices of clubs, meetings, volunteer opportunities, and want ads. One of them is neon pink and very attractive to the eye...especially because it advertises 1,000 RB.]

--What about this?

[She points at it and beams back for approval. It looks to be a flyer advertising a tryout for a commercial to sell a new cleaning product.]

[sanguine_kismet]

Hm?

[Marth moves closer to inspect what was written, looking over the flier carefully before looking back at Mantis. It seemed like a good opportunity if any.]

If you believe you can, let's give it a shot. It looks like tryouts are going to be happening later on today too.

[uglypet]

[Whether or not Mantis can is anybody's guess. But she can try, and that appeals to her.]

Will you try out the audition as well? They may wish for someone of mystery.

[sanguine_kismet]

[There was some hesitation at that. While it's true that mystery had its appeal, they just weren't sure. But they also did not want to be discouraging in this situation.]

I will try as well, that way if I somehow get it I can give you the money from it.

[uglypet]

[Mantis smiles warmly, and shakes her head.]

My debt is my own. I will gladly pay it. It is the first time I have begun to accumulate and pay bills.

[She rests her hand on Lucina's shoulder to convey her gratitude. Naturally, she doesn't activate her empathy for this, there's no need.]

I am very much enjoying the mundane trivialities of a normal mortal existence.

[sanguine_kismet]

[It's too late Mantis, 'Marth' already decided on it. Though they wouldn't press to issue verbally.]

I'm glad you're enjoying them, they can be hard sometimes to deal with.

['Marth' started making their way slowly to where the tryouts were, signalling Mantis to follow them.]