6930/The Dharma of Giving

The Dharma of Giving
Date of Scene:	14 July 2021
Location:	Chinatown - Founder's Island
Synopsis:	Laxmi meets Maya - and feels compelled to share what she has with another, inviting Maya to find community in Bushwick.
Cast of Characters:	Laxmi Mallick, Maya Caldwell

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Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    Laxmi has not often been to Gotham - despite it's proximity to New York on the hyperloop, but the lure of work was more than enough to coax the proverbial 'starving artist' away from her usual haunts to explore new territory. Her bright, colorful sari silks stand out as she wanders some of the busier streets in China town - gazing up at some of the more impressive gothic-style buildings in the neighborhood. Eventually she finds herself in front of a tiny, narrow shop advertising their vegetarian dumblings in multiple languages. She steps inside, holding tight to large instrument case in one hand, and comes out with a large dish filled with a baffling array of dumplings in the other.
    There doesn't seem to be anywhere to actually sit and eat the food she's acquired, much to bemusement, but the dark skinned woman manages to find herself a place next to the entrance of an alley - her sarod case set by her feet as she leans back against the building behind her and tries her first bite of a chive dumpling. //Not bad//.
    

Maya Caldwell has posed:
A small pile of blankets next to the woman suddenly shifts. A cold breeze blows through the alley, and a pair of light blue eyes suddenly peek through, then a few locks of black hair. It's not an animal, but another woman! Those cold eyes glance down at the dumpling, but she remains otherwise silent.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    Surprise registers on Laxmi's features as what she mistook for a pile of refuse moves, revealing Maya form. Concern and sympathy are quickly on the heels of that surprise - before she tames her expression into a polite smile instead. "Namaste," she greets the other woman politely - offering a nod of her head rather than the more traditional gesture of pressing her palms together. "I hope I haven't distrubed you - please forgive the intrusion," she offers rather formally - and she seems to sincerely mean the sentiment.

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell blinks a few times. "Oh, uh, n-no, you're fine." She chuckles weakly, a small plume of frost escaping her mouth, as if it were freezing out. "I can move, if you want." Her eyes briefly dip toward the instrument case.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "No, no," Laxmi replies hastily. "I wouldn't dream of driving anyone off. In fact, I'd be glad of a little company. I don't know Gotham very will, if I'm being honest, and this city is rather overwhelming." She flashes Maya a bright, friendly smile. "I'm Laxmi," she offers simply by way of introduction, her gaze remaining trained on Maya, and both hands now holding to her plate rather than eating anymore from it.

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell 's eyes flit back to Laxmi's. "Uh, are you sure? I mean, t-taking advice from a stranger? I-In Gotham? And I'm...homeless. How can you be sure I'm not...ah, dangerous?" She looks down to the outstretched hand and pulls her blankets tighter around herself.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "What's do be gained by mistrusting everyone around oneself?" Laxmi counters gently - her expression, if anything, growing concerned for Maya in response to the woman's words. "I've been raised to believe in the divine spark that each one of us carries within themselves, and the necessity of treating each person with the respect and dignity they deserve as a result," she explains. "I see no reason why my surroundings, or the indignities that society chooses to heap upon certain individuals should at all alter my own fervently held beliefs."

Maya Caldwell has posed:
"Safety," Maya replies quickly, but she does slowly extend a hand to shake the other woman's. It's ice cold to the touch, like touching...well, ice. "Maya," she offers. "I'm not, uh...like Joker's gang o-or anything."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    The offered hand is not taken, however, as Laxmi offers an apologetic smile instead. "I've also been raised to believe that physical contact is only for members of the family - in private," she explains, before gesturing towards the busy street - and the people passing them by. "I have a hard time believing I would be in any serious jeopardy in such public surroundings. And there's little to be gained by walking through life constantly afraid of your fellow man."
    Peeling off a layer of two of the cheap, then paper plates on which her dumplings were perched she adds, "I think my eyes were larger than my stomach when I ordered all of this. I don't suppose you'd like to share with me?"

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell slowly withdraws her hand back into the blankets. "Oh, um. Sorry. I-I know, my hands are cold. You don't have to make excuses." She looks down at the dumplings. "Uh, s-...sure, yeah. I mean, I wouldn't mind." There's a clear excitement in her voice she's trying to surpress.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "I assure you, it's not an excuse. It's simply a part of Hindu culture - I know most Americans view it as strange." Laxmi offers Maya an understanding, though slightly embarrassed smile. She's lost count of the number of times people have found that claim unbelieveable - or even insulting.
    "Here, if you'll..." She hands off the plate she'd peeled away - which frees her to start transfering some of the dumplings onto the plate. She splits the meal evenly between herself and the other woman, and Maya would soon find herself with an assortment of vegetable and tofu based dumplings to try. "They also gave me several packets of sauces. I believe there's soy sauce, vinegar, some spicy... siracha-like sauce?" she offers. "But no extra utensils - my apologies."

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell brings her hands out again and holds the plate. "Uh, n-no thanks. Everything tends to...taste a bit bland to me, anyway." She smiles weakly, then shuffles the blanket off of her head, fully revealing her face. The air around the pair is immediately a couple degrees cooler from this little gesture. "But thank you, anyway." After a brief pause, she speaks up again. "I, er, don't know much about Hindu culture, but I'd imagine it's a lot different than American culture. Less...ah, what's the word? Overconfident? Brash? Gregarious?"

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "It's pretty different," Laxmi admits. "And it's a bit odd - being raised by a Hindu family, in America, but given how many people immigrate here it's not like I'm alone in that sort of struggle." A faint shiver runs over her form as the chill air reaches her. She expects it to be a passing gust - but as it lingers, and without much wind to account for it, a puzzled look grows on her features between bites.
    If she suspects Maya to be the cause of it, however, she doesn't give voice to it - yet.
    "I don't believe I've ever had dumplings like this before - I think the chive ones are my favorite so far."

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell holds out a hand just over her dumpling, as if warming her fingers with it's heat. "Is that a good thing, or a bad thing? A-Again, my sense of taste...isn't what it used to be. I've never really been picky, anyway, so..." Frost begins to form along the dumpling. She isn't warming her hands, she's cooling the food down! She picks one up in her hands and starts nibbling into it, frost and all.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "I like trying new things," Laxmi answers. "So it's a good thing." She nibbles again at her food, watching curiously as faint hints of white creep over the plate of dumplings. She takes another bite, chewing thoughtfully, and swallowing before she asks, "You have gifts? Forgive me if I'm being too forward - I have gifts of my own," she explains - lifting her free hand. Her fingers form a symbol, and as she shifts and weaves her hand, the position of her fingers changes smoothly and gracefully, almost as if she were using a form of sign language. In response, the shimmering image of flakes of falling snow seems to appears out of nowhere, falling around herself and Maya - and through them without making any impact, before disappearing.

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell instinctively draws her hands in closer at the mention of "gifts", but relaxes at Laxmi's words. "Yeah, something like that. I-It's just...not something I can turn off." She watches Laxmi's strange hand movements, then the illusory snow drift down. "People in Gotham don't...tend t-to like people that, uh, stand out. Scarecrow, Joker, Bane...You know them, right?"

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "I've seen some news reports," Laxmi replies - her hand going still, and the snow fading from view. If anyone on the street stares at her for her diplay, she shows no sign of noticing. She takes another bite from her food, chewing slowly and swallowing before she asks, "Would it be rude if I asked the origins of your gift? Are you a mutant, like myself?"

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell finishes off a dumpling and shrugs. "I don't know, i-it just...happened one day. That usually means someone's a mutant, right?" She lifts her gaze back up to Laxmi. "How, uh, how did you find out?"

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "I was performing one of my dances," Laxmi explains with a wry expression, "and as I mimed plucking flowers from the ground, and putting them into a basket, the flowers just... appeared before me. It was actually... I don't know. I loved it, my parents weren't as thrilled. They feel I should my gifts, and while I normally respect their wishes... It feels wrong to act as if I'm ashamed of what I am. Because I'm not."

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell shuffles a little within her blankets. "Can you...hurt other people with your...um, 'gifts'? I know a lot of mutants can, and that's...why people don't really like us. It would be a lot safer if...i-if mutants...weren't mutants. Right?"

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    Laxmi shakes her head at that. "Even if I could - I wouldn't. But no - my illusions don't manifest physically - they can't be used to commit harm. I can also affect people's emotions when I sing - so I supposed I could use it to bring more dangerous, 'negative' emotions to the fore? Most often, though, I use it to calm, or comfort, or soothe. It's useful for crowd control - to keep people from panicking when there's trouble." She lets out a sad sigh. "I know there are people who fear us - and there are mutants whose actions feed that fear. But the majority of us are harmless."

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell shuffles again. "Not...all of us, though. We -would- be safer without mutations, right? Even if only a small percentage of us can hurt others, and even a smaller percentage -want- to, it's...still safer, right?"

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "It might be safer, I suppose," Laxmi agrees. "But I don't think of things in that way. I love my gift, and I find each gift we have been given unique, and fascinating. I think... I don't know. We were destined to have these abilities. I think there's a way in which we're //meant// to use them. A purpose we should be fulfilling - it's just a matter of finding it for ourselves. But it sounds as if your gift has lead you to hardship. I am sorry that people have been so... intolerant."

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell sighs, letting out another frigid breath. "Maybe there is a purpose to our...'gifts'. I haven't found mine yet. I...think I have more pressing matters right now than self-fulfulment, though." She smiles wryly, but keeps her gaze on her single remaining dumpling.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "I suppose that you do," Laxmi agrees quietly. "I'm afraid I don't know much about Gotham, Maya, but... in New York, we have a neighborhood called 'Bushwick' - but some call it 'Mutant Town.' There's a shelter there, that provides housing for mutants in need. There may be something similar here - I'm afraid I wouldn't know." She smiles encouragingly at the woman.

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell looks back up at Laxmi. "New York? Where? I-I grew up in New York City. Haven't been back there since I was a kid." She chuckles again, this time, much more genuine.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Bushwick?" Laxmi repeats. "It's part of Brooklyn," she explains. "And the shelter there is called Hope House. They have rooms with bunks, and storage chests for your things. There's an entertainment room with foosball, and air hockey, and snacks. Basketball court out back, and a soup kitchen and food pantry... It's run by this fellow named Nicholai Codona. It's a good place - safe, and very welcoming," she encourages. "They try to help people get back on their feet. Give everyone the chance they deserve, you know?" She offers an understanding and encouraging smile, before taking a bite of her last dumpling.

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell slaps her forehead. "Bushwick! Oh, I thought you said Brunswick! Hope House, right, I...I'll look into that. It's...a-a bit of a walk, though. I might be able to take public transit, depending on the driver. Maybe." Maya, too, finishes her last dumpling. "Mmh. Thank you, again."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Oh, I'm happy to share. I always feel awkward eating alone, to be honest." Laxmi's silent for a moment, then lets out a sigh before adding, "I wish I could offer you a ride but - you know how it is. No car." Who needs one in New York? "I came on the hyperloop."
    Reaching into her pocket, though, she pulls out her wallet - and from it removes a business card. It advertises her services as a performer or tutor for sarod, kathak dance, and vocals, and it's offered over to Maya. "If you find yourself in a bind - you can reach out to me," she offers. "If I can't help myself, I may be able to find someone else who can. Everyone needs someone to rely on. Right?"

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell gently reaches out to take the card, frost slowly forming over it. "Oh, uh...thanks. I-I appreciate it." She smiles. It's easily the warmest thing she's done all day. "I'll look into that...Hope House thing. I'll...see you around, maybe?"

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "If you make it to Bushwick?" Laxmi asks. "Then yeah - you'll see me there. I actually practice my music in one of the parks there quite frequently. It's nice to get outside, and have a space to practice in. My flat's pretty small," she explains - before abruptly a little color rises to her cheeks. "Not - that I'm complaining! I know I'm fortunate."

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell smiles. "I-It's fine, I understand. If I see you performing, I'll...ah, drop by!" She pauses, then, "This...was also my first time really talking to another mutant, s-...so thank you."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "The first time?" Laxmi repeats with surprise. "Oh that's... that's awful, to be honest. We all need community - that's what Bushwick is for, really," she remarks. There's some hesitation on her features before she offers, "I think I have enough cash to cover a bus ticket up to New York," she offers. "If you need a way to get up there. But as I said, there may be something like that here, as well. And I wouldn't want to take you away from your support system - if you have friends here, or..."

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell perks up a bit. "Oh, uh...sure. I-I mean, if you wouldn't mind. I can get there myself, just fine, but...it'd be appreciated." Again, she smiles.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    Laxmi smiles - relieved that she'd caused no offense, and pulls out her wallet once more. Digging into it, she pulls out a pair of twenties - which should be more than enough to cover the fare, and a few meals to boot. "I don't carry a lot of cash," she remarks almost apologetically. "But I think this'll do?"

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell 's eyes widen. "Wha--that's plenty! Um, thank you! Are you sure?" She shuffles up to her feet, dropping the blankets around her. No longer bundled up, the entire alley is now chilly. Her clothes are simple: a faded t-shirt from a concert that can't be made out any more, and a pair of ragged jeans. Her feet are covered in a thin layer of ice for protection.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "I'm absolutely certain," Laxmi answers. She smiles at Maya as she adds, "I believe we all have a purpose to fulfill - remember? To support one another, to spread joy, to lift up all of humanity - and to acknowledge that spark of divinity that resides in each of us.
    "Perhaps this is why my path has lead me here, today. And someday, you will be in the position to do this for someone else."

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell stares down at the cash, then up at Laxmi. Her eyes begin to moisten, before a few tears slide down her cheeks, carving a path in the frost on her face. "Thank you. I'll head there soon." She holds her arms out to hug Laxmi, but catches herself. "Oh, right, n-no contact. Sorry." She sheepishly takes the cash and stuffs it into a pocket.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    The way Laxmi takes a small step back also serves as a visible reminder of Laxmi's beliefs - even as her features show regret, and concern. "I swear, it isn't because of you. I hope that you believe that," she says fervently. "Aside from my parents, and my siblings, and my little nieces and nephews..." She's touched very few people in her life.

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell still looks a little defeated, posture slouched. "No, no, it's--I understand. But really, thank you. M-Maybe I do have a...a greater purpose, and maybe this is the start of it." She goes quiet forna moment, unsure where to go from here. "Ah...thanks for the dumplings."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "It was my pleasure to share, Maya," Laxmi answers with sincerity. "Anna dana - sharing food with others - is an essential dharma for Hindu people. I would be disgracing myself, and my family, to behave any other way." With her hands freed of her food now - the empty plate having been folded up and suspended from the bag on her wrist - she presses her palms together, giving a nod to the other woman.

Maya Caldwell has posed:
Maya Caldwell does her best to mimick the gesture. "Be safe! I...ah, I guess I've got a bus schedule to look at." She kneels down and grabs her blankets to re-bune herself up in.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Goodluck on your journey - I hope we meet again soon," Laxmi answers. After another warm smile, she retrieves her instrument case and continues on her stroll through Gotham. Perhaps she'll hit a museum - before returning home to New York.