are you ready for it?

"Oh. No," she said in response to the other, with a smile -- though she waved her hand dismissively. "I don't dance. It would be catastrophic, I promise."

"Catastrophic dancing is my favorite," Carol assured her, tugging on Wanda's wrist and winking. "And besides. I'm at least ten times as stubborn as you are, sweetcheeks." She was a little bit drunk already and very little was going to dissuade her now.

Mantis gave a nod at the question, although she couldn't really say why she had picked the name. "I did, it just spoke to me. I can't really explain it, but thank you! I think Carol is a nice name as well. I've heard so many names on Earth, but yours kind of just rolls right off the tongue." The contrast between Carol's firm handshake and Mantis's soft one intrigued her, sensing a subtle charm in the exchange. As Carol expressed pleasure in their meeting, she couldn't help but reciprocate the sentiment. "Yes, I'm new in town, the planet really. I'm still adjusting to the way things are done on Earth, but it's been easier than expected, especially with such warm and welcoming people like yourself. I feel right at home."

"I love it. Of course, I love any species that decapitates the males after they're done with them," she said, with a wicked grin on her face. But it softened as Mantis continued. There was something very sweet about her. "You know, I'm going to be a very bad influence on you. But if you're okay with that, I would love to show you around a little. Not just here, but the city too. I've... been away a long time. Just got back earthside myself. So we can check it out together, take in the sights."

"Oh, I know I am." Jane smirked and sat on the edge of her desk, laughing at the reaction Astrilde gave her. "Honestly? Go for it. It might help them get used to all the travel back and forth. The closest they've done is the bifrost and they hate it. Well." She nodded at Astrilde. "She hates it. And then her sister cries because she cries." She looked back at Carol. "Yes. It's exactly how it sounds. I gave birth to my husband and his brother in baby girl form. It's been great." She walked over and picked Frea up when she reached for her. "I feel like there's some Odinson curse."

"You are the best mom ever. They can't say it yet, so I'll speak for them," she said, grinning ear to ear. She popped Astrilde onto her hip, and the little girl gave her a grumpy frown, but didn't struggle away. Carol laughed, at her and her mother's comments, smirking over at Jane. "Well, there are worse curses.They could've turned out like Odin. Now that would suck as-- " She stopped herself from letting out the second syllable. "Aaa-lot. Ahem. Flying time. Be right back!" She sang, skipping out of the room. She popped her head back in. "Where's the nearest rooftop entrance and-or-balcony, Jane dear?"

Mantis was that much more excited when her enthusiasm was returned, looked up from the screen at Carol with a bright smile. "Screaming goat videos? I shall definitely explore those. Thank you for the suggestion, Carol Danvers," she replied, shaking Carol's hand with a gentle warmth. "I'm Mantis. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"You're welcome, Mantis. That's a sick name, oh my god. Pick it yourself?" she asked, instantly curious about this woman. The handshake was soft and gentle, compared to Carol's firm enthusiastic grip, but she liked it. "Believe me," Carol said, eyeing Mantis up and down. "The pleasure is all mine. You're new in town?" she asked, flashing one of her best smiles. "Don't mind me, I'm a shameless flirt. In fact, shameless is probably one of my best qualities."

"Mm. And making sure my six-foot-plus god of a husband stays in one piece." She smirked, laughing at the other woman's reaction. Jane followed her, smiling at one of the nurses who'd been watching the twins so she could step out. "Alright, come on in then. Meet your nieces." She set her coffee down on her desk, walking over to the girls who were playing on their mat on the floor in her office. "This one is Frea," Jane said, lifting her into her arms when she immediately reached for her. Her sister, on the other hand, was determined to pull herself up to stand without her. "And that little spitfire is Astrilde."

"No easy task. The big guy is... let's say excitable," Carol said, laughing with Jane. "Thor thinks he's all high and mighty, but I gotta say, you are the way bigger catch." They stepped into her office and Carol's mouth fell open. "Oh my gosh, look at these two most sweetest little babies in the whole world," she babbled, kneeling down beside the other twin. "You're my kind of lady, Astrilde," she said, beaming. She held out a hand, but the little girl slapped it away, pulling herself up alone. Carol pumped a fist in the air. "Yes! Way to go, babygirl!" Astrilde looked a little confused, but pleased at the reaction. "Between these two, their father, their cousins and their uncle -- I legitimately don't know how you do it. Have they flown yet? I mean, really flying, because Aunt Carol is ready and willing to take them around the building a few times."

"Oh, I know it." He smirked and teasingly clinked his glass against hers, humming at the remark about him having good taste. Loki didn't get a change to comment further, though, because Carol had already moved past that. He raised a brow and looked over at her, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, darling. I don't think I heard you correctly -- you think I'm more apt to have a raccoon over a cat? Joke's on you then, because I'm still pissed off that damn thing's in the house." But truth was, he wasn't mad at it anymore. It made Eisa happy and relatively out of trouble, so that was always a bonus. He just wasn't allowing any more random animals. Probably. After a moment, he shrugged a shoulder. "Point taken, though." Loki glanced back up at Carol and smirked. "But you're right. The owner attached is really sexy."

"Yeah, because you're weird, Hornsy. You basically are a cat, and everyone knows that cats hate other cats more than anything else. Even raccoons." She snickered, topping off her drink. "I give it a year before she has an actual zoo in the backyard," she warned him, glancing over to meet his eye. "You don't say. I'm totally shocked," she deadpanned, grinning back at him. She leaned forward, elbows on her knees. "Good for you. And hey, double bonus -- now Goose can have a playmate." She took a sip of her drink, watching him for a minute. "So exactly how far gone for him are you? Because I don't think I've ever seen you at the 'I let his cat move in' stage before. No matter how sexy."

"I mean, I can unfortunately be straight enough when I want to. Hence why I'm stuck with a little demon." Loki glanced back at the remark about his horns and gave her another smirk, also leaning back against the elevator wall, arms crossed over his chest. But he smiled at her remark about Eisa and nodded. "Yeah, I know it's not defined by that." He had to be reminded a few times over the years, but he did know.

"I will bitch all I damn well please," Carol declared, raising up her drink in mock toast. She took a long sip, tilted her head to the side, and shrugged. "But not about this. As ever, you have excellent taste," she said, nodding her head towards him. She took another sip, settling back on the couch. "And to answer your question, no. It's the cat," she said, nodding towards the animal sitting on the back of the couch currently. "The snake, the raccoon -- I can see Eisa suckering you into letting her keep them. But a cat? No way. Not unless it came with a very sexy owner attached." She flashed a smirk, and snorted into her drink. "Plus the whole not-taking-over-planets and lack of murder. Those are pretty big hints, just not as big as the cat thing."

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.

"Pause, rewind, and repeat babycakes, because that is the most adorable thing I've seen all day." Nevermind that it was only ten-thirty in the morning, that wasn't important. Carol flashed a grin to her newfound companion. "Apart from yourself, obviously. Carol Danvers," she said, extending her hand earnestly. "Also, if you need a switch-up, try the screaming goat videos. I found those to be very funny."

🥰 ; @higherfurtherfasterr

"Only always. God you're a lifesaver, anyone ever tell you that? I mean apart from when you actually save lives, madame doctor." She smirked at Jane, ducked in to press a kiss to her cheek. "Gee, let me think about it-- uh yeah. Let's go meet the babiessss," she drawled, excitement practically bouncing off her. She took Jane by the hand and tugged her through the halls, until they got to the med wing. "All right, show me these beautiful babies and I'll try to contain myself and not blow a supernova in your roof. Deal?"

"Yeah, but he's Captain America. You know it doesn't matter. I, for one, would much rather listen to you blather on. Much better to look at." He winked at her and walked over to the elevators, reaching out to press the button. "It is phallic, right? I've been saying that this entire time." Loki smirked and nodded for her to step in first ahead of him. "Yeah, yeah. None of the Asgard stuff. Let me just make sure your pseudo niece is settled for the night and not bent on world domination and I'm all yours."

"Damn straight I am. Tragically, neither of us are straight," she said, winking right back at him. "But see, I would never blather. Except about Star Trek, but you would appreciate that show more than you might think, Horns. Which are also very phallic, by the way." Carol skipped into the elevator, leaned casually against one wall. "Pseudo niece? Oh no, that girl is all mine, sweetie. Family ain't defined by blood," she said, giving him a very pointed look.

"You're asking the wrong person, darling. I'm a royal. We have it instilled in us at birth as we can be immoral and indecent as possible, but still hold ourselves higher than anyone else." Loki pulled the file away from her and lightly smacked her shoulder with it. "I thought I'd be a step up from Captain Stick in the Ass." He smirked. "You know I have it at home, so just tell me you're coming over."

"And that's how you wind up with horse children. Horse children with an absurd number of legs," Carol said, smacking him back with her hand. "I'm definitely the superior captain, but don't tell him that. It might hurt his patriotic pride or whatever he's got going on," she said, making a face. She snorted and put her hand on her chest. "Me? Invite myself over? As welcoming and phallic as Avengers Tower is -- yeah that's exactly what I'm doing." She flashed him a smirk and fell into step beside him when the elevator doors opened. "But we're picking up something from this planet. Not just your Asgard stuff, because I can get that on some of the outer planets if I know who to ask."

"It's only noon and you're already trying to get drunk?" Loki mused as he looked over the case file he was actually about to shove off on an intern. "Your welcome wagon that bad?"

"Am I supposed to pretend I have any shred of decency left?" Carol grinned "Especially in the present company?" She nudged him in the ribs and tried to snatch his case file, just to be annoying. "The welcome wagon is vastly improved now that you're here. I'm just saying it will be even more improved with some good booze."