9051/Happy Birthday Laxmi

From Heroes Assemble MUSH
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Happy Birthday Laxmi
Date of Scene: 12 December 2021
Location: Logan's Room
Synopsis: Logan gives Laxmi a special birthday gift.
Cast of Characters: Laxmi Mallick, Logan Howlett




Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    It's later in the evening, the time quickly approaching ten at night when Laxmi finally returns to the school, dropped off by a Lyft. She's been gone since the night before, staying with her family so they could visit a temple for 4am prayers, and had spent the day with them - celebrating, and receiving the prayers and well wishes from her family members. The young Hindi woman is dressed in a new, brightly colored lehenga today - as it's always auspicious to wear new clothes for your birthday, and a smear of something bright pink decorates the center of her forehead. In her hand, she carries a small package filled with extra sweets her mother had insisted on sending home with her. It's been a long day, and she's tired as she allows herself into the school, closing the door and locking it behind her. She leans back on the door for a moment, letting out a sigh, before starting across the entry hall towards the stairs.
    She's been up for nearly nineteen hours, and honestly sleep sounds like a wonderful idea - but it has been a lovely day.

Logan Howlett has posed:
Learning about Laxmi's birthday had been an exercise in ninja skills. Logan had in fact broken into the school records to get the date, and nothing more, he wasn't that nosy. That was a few weeks ago, and he had spent the time since finding what he thought would be the perfect gift, well really gifts. Not wanting to intrude on her time with her parents and family, not did he want to seem pushy, he'd keep the presents in his coat pocket throughout the day, not knowing when she would return to the school.

With the hour reaching later into the night, he had decided to head up and get Rogue or one of the female students to put the gifts in her room for when she got home. So it was that he happened to be passing through the foyer when she came in.

Surprise lights his eyes, brows lifting slightly. He had not expected her to just be there. "Evening," he offers almost hastily, then looks over the new lehenga... he has almost memorized the other's she owned. "You look lovely as ever," is then offered. "Did you have a good day?"

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
r    "Oh," Laxmi greets the man - her own tone of voice making it clear she hadn't expected to run into him, either. "Logan, good evening. Yes, I had a good day. It's always nice to spend time with family, after all." Well, almost always.
    "How was your day? I hope things were uneventful at the school. Hanna's powers didn't act up again, did they?" she asks - a measure of polite concern creeping into her voice.

Logan Howlett has posed:
A smile touches his lips the second he hears her voice. It's not a conscious action, it's a subconscious reaction and Logan doesn't seem to care.

"Nothing bad happened today," he offers with a soft voice that matches his smile. "She managed to keep it together today, even when she accidently sawed her shelf board in half." A quick glance to the stairs, then back to Laxmi.

"I know you've had a long day but uh..." Now he fishes into his coat and removes a wrapped box, no bow, and a envelope which he offers over. "These are for you. Happy Birthday."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    Surprise registers on her features first, followed by a pleased smile, even as she gently protests the gift. "Logan, you didn't have to go and get me anything," she claims. "I- that's so thoughtful of you."
    Laxmi steps forward to accept them, though - taking them with both hands, and lookings down at the box and envelope for a moment, before returning her gaze to Logan. In India, it would be rude to open them - but this far from India. "Would you rather I opened them now, or wait?" she asks.

Logan Howlett has posed:
Logan blinks. In spite of the fact that her appearance always screams her heritage, he still manages to forget. He sees past it perhaps, or maybe he's just a moron.

"Go a head," he finally says with a smile. "Western birthday customs and all."

He won't admit that he wants to see her face when she opens the gifts, that's the only way he'll know if she really liked them. If she opened them in private and hated them, she'd have time to adjust herself and lie to him later about it.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    Laxmi nods, and opens the envelope first - expecting a card, or some sort of letter. What she hadn't been expecting, clearly, was the gift certificate to a spa. "Oh," she remarks quietly, studying it, and the brochure about their facilities - a faint flush of pleasure coloring her dusky cheeks. "It'll be wonderful to have a chance to relax like this, Logan. Thank you, it's very thoughtful."
    After giving him a smile, she turns her attention to the small box, opening it to reveal an enameled torque. "Oh... wow," she breathes quietly, using her fingers to lightly touch and trace the designs. It's possible she likes it a little.

Logan Howlett has posed:
The expression on her face, the catch in her voice, the sparkle in her eyes, that's all Logan needed to see and hear to know she liked the choices. Normally he'd keep his own reactions to himself but for her, he smiles.

"I'm glad you like them," he offers quietly, almost shyly but not quite. "I just thought of some cheesy line I could offer, but I'll stick to the truth... you're prettier than any jewel."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    It's clear she isn't quite sure what to say to that, as she looks up at him with an embarassed smile. She glances at the necklace again before deciding to say simply, "This is really lovely. I can't wait to have a chance to wear it. In fact..." She fumbles a bit with the catch that holds the chain across the back of the open torque in place, but she manages to free it, before sliding the necklace into place. Greatly daring - at least for her - she asks, "I don't suppose you'll help me with the catch?" After all, her hands are too full to manage it on her own.

Logan Howlett has posed:
He probably should have hesitated a little, but instead he just steps over to where she stands.

"Of course," he replies quietly, suddenly very aware that they are alone in the foyer. It was still a public place, but still, they were alone.

Very carefully takes the two ends of the necklace. His eyes keep close watch on where his hands are, right there by her lovely neck and shoulders... okay, ignore that. He attempts to clasp the torque in place around her neck without actually touching her, now that is an art.

He pauses a moment right there, holding the necklace without moving, then slowly moves to clasp it as if she is made of the purest crystal and very breakable, definite no touch fragile.

Once he has it in place however, his hands hover there a moment longer as if he might touch her, but he gets that thought in check and steps back. "What do you think?"

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    Laxmi stands perfectly still, one hand lift to her throat to hold the necklace into place until it's secured - the other holding the box, envelope, and small container of sweets from her family. She doesn't move again until he steps away, amusement flickering on her lips at his question. "I was going to ask you that. After all - there's no mirror." She does, however, have a cellphone tucked into a pocket hidden in the lehenga's skirt. Sne pulls it out, turning the selfie-mode on so she can examine herself. "I think it's lovely. I'll have to wear it for some of my performances."

Logan Howlett has posed:
For her sake, Logan takes one more step away but that smile remains locked on his face. Something between sweet and goofy, it's just there and making his eyes glitter.

"I think it looks good," he comments with a half chuckle. "But then again, I'm bias." Then he blinks. "Wait, you'd wear that on stage?"

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Why not?" Laxmi asks - letting out a quiet laugh. "It's a dramatic enough piece to be noticeable, even from a distance. I'm sure it'll be perfect on stage."
    She shifts the items in her hands so she can open the box she came in with - showing small ball-shaped treats inside, showing flecks of nuts and dried fruits. "Would you like a laddu?" she offers. "One of my aunties made them."

Logan Howlett has posed:
"So that's what I've been smelling," Logan comments with a grin, then carefully reaches to take one from the box. "They smell really good." He doesn't add that she smells better, instead he pops the sweet into his mouth to enjoy.

Memories are a funny thing, they come and go for the man. The sweet reminded him of something from his past which brought a bright smile to his face, the smells, the taste, the sounds of a city he'd been in a long, long time ago, but nothing more. It was enough, given the number of things he'd forgotten.

"I'll have to convince your auntie to make more of those," he chuckles. "They are really good."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "It usually just takes a few words of praise," Laxmi admits with a wry smile. "She's so proud of her cooking, and she loves to share it. Plus, I think she feels pity for me and my ability to burn water," she explains. A yawn escapes her, prompting a look of embarrassment from the young woman. "I'm sorry. It's just been such a long day..."

Logan Howlett has posed:
Logan steps back one more step, "I have a patrol to get to, and you need to go rest." He really wanted to say more, but he knew it wouldn't do any good for either of them. "Perhaps some time I'll get to compliment your auntie, but for now go get some rest."

He glances up the stairs then back to her. "I hope you sleep well, and I'm glad you had a good time with your family."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "I hope your patrol is uneventful," Laxmi replies - one hand touching the necklace again as she adds, "And thank you again for my gifts. They're both lovely, and you really didn't have to go to so much trouble..." But from her smile, she's glad that he did.
    She starts towards the stairs, making it partway up only to stop, and smile back down at him one more time. "Goodnight."