View source for 6573/Art in the Park! With Laxmi!

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2021/06/15
|Location=Bushwick <Mutant Town>
|Synopsis=Laxmi and Lydia meet in the park - and marvel at each others' unique abilities.
|Cast of Characters=2919,2338
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:2919|Laxmi Mallick (2919)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's afternoon in one of the few parks in Bushwick. It's not much - a bit of grass where a small group of children are kicking around a soccer ball, and a sandbox with only a slide, and a swingset. One of the swingsets hang from a broken chain, but a child has gripped onto it anyways, and is attempting to swing like Tarzan. <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not far from them, in the shade of a lonely tree, a young woman with dark, dusky skinn and black hair, wearing a brightly colored skirt of sari silk and a blouse which bares her midriff and back, is dancing with a broad smile on her features. Her feet tap with precise rhythms, causing the bells tied to her ankles to jangle with each movementment. Her hands move in complex movements, forming different symbols that convey specific meaning - to educated viewers. A cellphone set ontop of a large musical instrument case produces the music she dances to. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2338|Lydia Dietrich (2338)}} has posed:'''<br>Lydia just got off patrol with the Watch, and is walking back to where she parked The Toaster, her little silver Vespa. She's dressed casually, in a pair of jeans, with a floral blouse with peekaboo shoulders, and her hair is tied back into a thick braid that falls down over a shoulder. Always with her is the glowing green mists of her ectoplasm, but since this is so called Mutant Town, nobody really pays it any mind. <br><br>She hears the music first, before she ever sees the dancer. The traditional Indian music isn't something one exactly expects to hear on the streets of Bushwick, so Lydia decides to investigate. Crossing the street to the park notices Laxmi as the source of the music, and walks up to her and stands to watch a respectable distance away, grinning at the dancer to show her enjoyment of the performance so far.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2919|Laxmi Mallick (2919)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Laxmi spots her small audience - she flashes the woman an even broader smile before turning her attention back to the dance. Her hands seem to reach up and pluck something from the air, depositing them in a 'basket' mimed by the way she holds her other arm. After the first plucking movement, the faint, shimmering images of blossoms begin to appear in the air before her and each one is plucked, one by one, to be deposited in the invisible basket. Once she has gathered them all, the flowers are spilled out before her - and she reaches down, cupping her hands as if scooping water. Water and blossoms pour from her hands in a glittering, transluscent tumble, as she mimes using the water to wash her face. <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Finally, she mimes pulling on some sort of coat - its golden, glimmering form is hinted at for a moment, before fading from view, before she spins a few times, tapping her feet, and ends her dance in a pose on the floor, one leg splayed out, and the opposite arm lifted above her head. She holds the pose for a moment as the music fades out - before she relaxes with a quiet, satisfied smile, her gaze going to Lydia. "Namaste," she greets her - hands pressing together. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2338|Lydia Dietrich (2338)}} has posed:'''<br>Lydia gasps in delight as a visual display accompanies the dance. She watches intently, her smile growing broader as the dance continues. When it's over, she gives the dancer an enthusiastic standing ovation. (Is it a standing ovation if you never sat down in the first place?) <br><br>"Namaste," she repeats. "That was beautiful. I've never seen anything like it." She shakes her head, "The visual display was especially lovely." She steps forward a couple of steps with her hand outstretched. "I'm Lydia. I'm part of the Watch now, so you'll probably see me around."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2919|Laxmi Mallick (2919)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the hand is offered, Laxmi climbes to her feet - but simply presses her hands together once more rather than take the offered hand. "A pleasure, Lydia. I am Laxmi. I hope you'll forgive me - it's considered rude in my culture to touch public," she offers in an apologetic tone, before dropping her hands. "I'm glad you enjoyed my gifts." <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At the mention of the watch, her head cants slightly to the side, a curious expression on her features as her gaze goes to the armband the woman wears. "I saw the flyers, but... I'll admit, I didn't sign up. None of my gifts are very useful for that sort of thing, I think. But it's good of you to look out for your fellows." <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2338|Lydia Dietrich (2338)}} has posed:'''<br>Lydia takes her hand back, trying not to look awkward about it. "It's alright. I understand." It's a new custom that she's not used to, and it's something she'll file away for later. <br><br>When Laxmi's eyes go to the armband, her eyes follow and she blushes a little bit. "Oh right. This thing." She takes the band off and secures it in a pocket. "I'm not supposed to have it on when I'm not on duty," she explains. <br><br>"I don't think you have to have any relevant powers in order to join," Lydia says. "Just the desire to help and keep an eye out on things. You work with a partner or two so you're not alone, and they offer self defense classes, which I'm going to be taking." She shakes her head and admits, "It's not for everyone, though." <br><br>She puffs out her cheeks and nods. "Yeah. I... grew up very privileged and I kind of feel that I owe it to the community to help keep an eye out, you know?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2919|Laxmi Mallick (2919)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It's an admirable outlook," Laxmi answers with a warm smile. "We all have to do our part to support one another - don't we? The world doesn't make it easy for people who are 'other' than the norm. It's an unfortunate truth." She sighs, and shakes her head, then gestures towards her instrument case. "For my part - I just hope I can prove that we're not a threat, and we do add value to this world. Hopefully it won't be a hard sell." <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2338|Lydia Dietrich (2338)}} has posed:'''<br>Lydia laughs lightly, "Yeah, I'm not much of a threat either. I'm just some Jewish Princess from Brooklyn, not a mutant terrorist." She shrugs. "But some people just see this," she says waving a hand in the air to make the phosphorescent motes swirl and eddy about it, "and think, 'Oh, she's radioactive, I'm getting cancer just by looking at her!'" She chuckles at the thought. "But it's harmless, I swear."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2919|Laxmi Mallick (2919)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I take your word for it," Laxmi agrees with a smile that shows hints of amusement. "I mean - you obviously care for your community. You put us at risk if your gift were dangerous." There's a curious expression on her features as she asks, "I hope you won't think it too forward - but can your gift be used in other ways? Or is it simply a glow?" <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2338|Lydia Dietrich (2338)}} has posed:'''<br>Lydia shakes her head. "Not forward at all," she says. "I can do a bunch of stuff with it." She holds out a hand, and the green haze contracts until it's all in her palm. She puts her other hand over it, and makes a pulling motion, and an emerald spider emerges hanging from a thread between her fingers. "I can make constructs with it," she explains. "For practice I make little animals like this and try to animate them." <br><br>Her brow furrows in concentration, and the spider begins to move. It's a bit jerky, at first, but once it gets going it climbs up the string and walks across Lydia's hand. "Spiders have so many moving bits, you have no idea."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2919|Laxmi Mallick (2919)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I can imagine," Laxmi answers - the expression on her features fascinated as she takes a step forward to study the spider - but she still keeps a couple feet of space between them. It was rude, after all, to invade someone's personal space. "And they can move away from you? Do you have to continue to concentrate on them? And they're able to interact with the physical world - you could send one up a tree to pick a plum, for example?" <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2338|Lydia Dietrich (2338)}} has posed:'''<br>Lyida chuckles at the myriad of questions and answers them as best she can in order. "Yes, I've got a range of about thirty feet or so. I've never actually measured it just eyeballing distance. And, yeah. I have to keep concentrating. Simpler shapes need less complication." The spider contorts and expands out until it's an orb about the size of a softball. "Like spheres. I barely have to think about spheres." She shrugs. "They're solid enough," she says, tapping on the sphere with a fingernail the sound is much like tapping on plastic. "And yeah. I use it to hold pencils and stuff all the time." <br><br>She extends her arm with the ball in it (making sure to keep a respectable distance away. "Do you want to hold it?" she offers.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2919|Laxmi Mallick (2919)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I would like that - thank you," Laxmi answers - her smile brightening as she holds out both hands to accept the offering. She inspects it curiously, turning it over in her hands, and both tapping and rubbinng at the material. She even gives it a light toss - throwing it only a foot or so up from her hands before catching it again. "It's amazing how different each gift can be. So few of them are alike." <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2338|Lydia Dietrich (2338)}} has posed:'''<br>When the ball touches Laxmi's bare skin, it tingles and cools, like somebody rubbed mint on it. The texture is smooth, almost glass like, but is entirely opaque. When Laxmi is done inspecting it, instead of taking it back she just dismisses the construct with a wave of the hand, causing it to lose cohesion and dissipate into the air. Not long after, Lydia's green aura is back. <br><br>She smiles, joining in Laxmi's delight at handling her construct. It's so refreshing to see somebody wonder at the marvel of it like she does. "It is," she agrees. "I've rarely seen any two mutations be the same. It's as varied as the people who have them."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2919|Laxmi Mallick (2919)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the ball simply disappates and vanishes, Laxmi actually lets out a quiet laugh of delight. "Well, I think your gift is marvelous. And you're always dressed for the club scene, or a rave," she adds in a lightly teasing tone. "It certainly seems more functional and practical than my own talent. But that's part of the challenge we've been gifted with - to find out how to apply what we have." <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2338|Lydia Dietrich (2338)}} has posed:'''<br>Lydia is grinning from ear to ear, "Thank you! There aren't many people who would find it so wonderous. Most when they find out it's ectoplasm just kind of go 'eww' and leaves it at that." She shakes her head. "Don't sell yourself so short. You bring wonderful things to the world through your dancing and your gift. The only way I bring delight to the world is through my writing, and I don't need my powers for that."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2919|Laxmi Mallick (2919)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ectoplasm?" Laxmi repeats. She doesn't seem put off by this revelation - she sounds more puzzled than anything else. "Like... in the Ghostbusters moves? Do you call it that - just because that's what it resembles? Or is it somehow tied to ghosts and the paranormal?" <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As for the words about her talents - she offers a nod of appreciation and replies, "I hope that will be the case - if I can find an audience. What sort of writing do you do?" <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2338|Lydia Dietrich (2338)}} has posed:'''<br>Lydia nods with a heavy sigh. "Like the Ghostbusters movies," she admits. "Though, as you can tell, it's not goopy at all." She rubs the back of her head as she explains, "When I first displayed my powers my mom kind of went into a panic and did everything she could to figure out how to stop it so I could lead a 'normal' life." A shake of the head, "Once all the medical options were ruled out, she turned to the spiritual. That's when we found out what it was. But in the end, I had to stop her.' She shrugs. "You just can't turn off the x-gene, like you can't turn off the gene that gives you red hair. You would /think/ that one of the world's top surgeons would have figured that one out."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2919|Laxmi Mallick (2919)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You would think," Laxmi agrees, though she still seems puzzled - perhaps even intrigued. "I didn't realize that mutant powers could even give one some measure of control over the paranormal. I guess we're capable of even more than I realized," she decides, giving Lydia another smile. "And I do hope I didn't offend, it simply isn't something I have a lot of context for. You must hear that a lot..." <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2338|Lydia Dietrich (2338)}} has posed:'''<br>Lydia nods. "I know, and, honestly, I don't know how it works either." She looks thoughtful as she admits, "I've been delving into a bit of the occult to see if I could find any answers. So far I haven't found much beyond doing some party tricks, but I haven't been looking into the really scary stuff." She gives a helpless shrug, "Hey. At least I can do impressive magic now like lighting candles with my mind."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2919|Laxmi Mallick (2919)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Is that because of your powers - or simply because of your study?" Laxmi asks in a curious tone. Not that she would be studying the occult herself - her family had enough to say about the life choices she had //already// made. It's probably best not to give them more cause for alarm. "I've honestly never looked into the supernatural much - but then, my studies have been rather focused most of my life." She gestures towards her instrument case as proof of that. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2338|Lydia Dietrich (2338)}} has posed:'''<br>Lydia shakes her head. "No, my powers wouldn't be able to do that. I had to do a /lot/ of research before I could even figure out what was bunk and what was real." She shrugs, "I have to test out what I'm reading /somehow/ so.... poof!" When she says that she holds open a hand and a green flame puffs into existence for about a second before dissipating back into the mist. <br><br>She chuckles in empathy. "I know what it's like to dedicate yourself. I went to a very elite private school and threw myself into college to get my degree. But now that I have it and I can't find a job with it..." she shrugs. "I fill it with my writing, and research and this."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2919|Laxmi Mallick (2919)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm in the same situation," Laxmi admits. "I just graduated from Juilliard - but how many places can you show up and say 'Hi, I have a Bachelor of Music,' and get a job?" she asks - letting out a frustrated sigh. "I'm hoping I'll find something - but in the meantime, it's and odd performance here and there, and a waitress job to make ends meet." <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2338|Lydia Dietrich (2338)}} has posed:'''<br>Lydia nods and sighs, "I better get going. It's getting a bit dark." She raises a hand in parting, "Good luck in trying to find a job! I'll be seeing you around!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2919|Laxmi Mallick (2919)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I hope so, Lydia. It was such a pleasure to meet you," Laxmi says with warmth, flashing the other woman a broad smile. "And I wish the same for you. Good luck," she urges the woman. She stands with her hands folded in front of her for a moment - watching as the other woman departs - before she'll turn to retrieve her instrument and cellphone. Really, she'd better get home. She was supposed to watch her nieces and nephews tonight... <br> <br>
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