Mantis is tested

"Excuse me," said Mantis. "I don't know what's going on. Can you explain, please?"

"It is simple," said the skull. "My purpose is to test your capacity for shame. I have been granted the power to look deep into your soul and find your greatest insecurities, which I will then exploit to humiliate you. That is my purpose."

"But why?"

"Question not the ways of the universe, young one."

Mantis bit her lip. She was at a fancy party. She didn't know how she had arrived at the party, but there she was. The ballroom floor was crowded with attractive and interesting people, dancing and chattering among themselves. Mantis didn't know anyone. She felt terribly out of place. Especially since she didn't have any clothes on.

"But I don't know any of these people," she said.

"Yes. Your greatest insecurity is that you are uncomfortable in complex social situations, and feel that people are laughing at your awkwardness. Here is a complex social situation for you to feel very uncomfortable in."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Go out and mingle. Make conversation."

"I don't want to."

"Every ten seconds, if you are not attempting to make conversation with a stranger, your bottom will recieve an electric shock."

"Ow!"

"Have fun out there,"said the skull, and disappeared. Mantis was left to face the milling crowds alone. They looked like they were having fun. Quite a few people seemed to be glancing her way and snickering.

She screwed her eyes up tight. This couldn't be happening. It was like a nightmare come true. Even with her eyes closed she could hear the giggles, and feel all the eyes on her bare body. She clasped her hands across her breasts and pussy, feeling small and pathetic and utterly exposed. They were all looking at her. They could all see her for the nervous little girl she really was.

"Ow," she said again, as another shock stung her posterior, this one more powerful than the last. More giggles in response.

Opening her eyes again, she picked someone at random out of the crowd. The tall, handsome, violet-skinned woman in a golden cocktail dress regarded her with amusement as Mantis walked up to her. "And what are you supposed to be?" she said.

"Um. Hello, friend."

"Hello, friend? What an awkward and ridiculous way to approach a total stranger. Don't you know anything about how to make conversation with people at parties?"

"Uh. I am fine. How are you?"

"Well, I've got all my clothes on, that's for sure. Unlike some people I could mention."

"What do you think about... uh... this party?" said Mantis, her face flushed bright red as she squirmed before the woman's piercing gaze. "Do you think it is... a good party?"

"Oh, absolutely. Come along, dear, I'll introduce you to all my friends."

"That would be very nice. Thank you."

"They love to laugh at stupid little naked girls who don't know how to talk to strangers. Maybe we'll even play some party games."

-

"This is ridiculous," said Valkyrie, looking out at the sandy horizon. "Where could she have gone? There's nothing out there."

The wind whistled across the dunes, tantalising her bare skin. Other than that, there was nothing but silence.

"What do you think, Nebula? Should we look for Mantis some more? Or should we go back to the ship and come up with a new plan?"

More silence.

"Nebula?"

Valkyrie turned her head. Nebula wasn't there. She was standing all alone in the middle of an endless plain, with nothing around but her own footsteps. The other woman had been there only a second ago.

"Damn it," she said. "Not another one."