Owner	Pose
Tara Tsabedze	A ice cream parlor... where else would a feline be? Sitting at a table near the windows, watching people passing by, Tara is supping on a vanilla shake and practically purring. She sports a tighter fitting top with short sleeves, the color similar to lilacs. On her legs is a pair of white capri pants, and her feet sport a pair of sandals. She looks comfortable, which is something rare, as if she's been here her entire life, but her golden eyes are watching everything that goes on around her.
Laxmi Mallick	When Laxmi enters, the young woman is jingling with every step. She's brightly dressed in silks, with a large skirt and leggings, and a matching blouse that exposes her midriff. She also wears a golden matha patti pinned to her hair - a chain running down the center of her head and more chains dangling at the edges of her hairline, while a pendant is suspended on her forehead. She pauses for a moment to take in Tara's appearance - something the felinoid woman is no doubt accustomed to - but she smiles pleasantly at Tara and offers a nod of greeting before continuing to the counter.     "I could really go for something tart. Do you have mango, or maybe something with fresh cherries, or raspberries today?" she muses as she studies the menu.
Tara Tsabedze	With each jingle the woman makes, Tara's left feline ear twitches slightly, the right one turning away from the sound. After about the tenth step, golden eyes turn to watch the woman as she moves. A smile is offered to the musical walker, and a slight nod of her head. "Fresh raspberry," she offers softly, her voice touched by an East African accent. "I had that one first." She indicates the empty, small cup, on the table.
Laxmi Mallick	"Ah - thanks for the recommendation. Raspberry if you could - with just a little chocolate sauce." Who doesn't like berries and chocolate? Laxmi offers over a credit card to pay for the order - and accepts her drink once it's complete, gratefully scooping some of the thick milkshake out to enjoy, and letting out an appreciative sound. On a hot day, and after a dance performance? This is exactly what she needed.     "You were absolutely right" she says brightly to Tara as she moves back towards the woman once more - setting down her drink so she can press her palms together. "Namaste. I'm Laxmi."
Tara Tsabedze	A small gesture of Tara's hand to the chair across from her invites Laxmi to join her, and with the greeting offered, one is returned. Laying her left hand to her right shoulder, by the heart but not over it, she bows slightly and offers a soft, "Salamu, I am K'tara Tsebedze, please call me Tara. Would you like to join me?" Her hand returns to her lap, the other picks her cup back up for a taste. She had clearly been there a while, as her second shake was able to be sucked through a straw, but she also didn't look like she was in any hurry to leave.
Laxmi Mallick	"I'd love to, Tara," Laxmi replies readily, slipping into the offered seat with a friendly smile. She scoops again at her shake, letting out a satisfied sigh, and being noticeably careful to avoid spilling any of the concoction on her dance attire. Getting stains out of silk was such a bother. "You probably get asked this a lot - but have you been in New York very long?" she asks curiously.
Tara Tsabedze	Tara blinks once, right ear twitching and then she laughs, a soft, melodic sound. She sets her cup down, raising one hand in a 'one moment' gesture before catching her breath and collecting herself. "Forgive me, please," she begins, reaching up to wipe her eyes. "That is not the questions I was expecting following the first part of your sentence. However, to answer the question you asked, and not the one I was expecting... I have been in New York for only a week. It seemed the sort of place that could use one more oddity added to its populace."
Laxmi Mallick	An amused smile crosses her lips - as she can just imagine the other sorts of questions Tara must frequently recieve. She doesn't ask any of them, though. Not yet, anyways. "Only a week! Gracious. I hope you're adjusting well to the change. How do you find it?" she asks curiously. "I've always lived in America - but being raised by a strictly Hindu family - I know a little of how it feels to be at odds with the rest of the culture."
Tara Tsabedze	A broad smile crosses her face, the motion revealing more clearly her split lip, but also the extended canines. "I have had the pleasure of visiting many cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, and after carefully looking over the options available to me, I decided that New York would be the best option. Although I grew up in Kenya, I have always been honored with the ability to go where I wish, when I wish, but there is something about this city that drew me to it." Finishing off the vanilla shake, she offers a nod to the women behind the counter, then slides the empty small cup over by the other one. Apparently, she has a standing order waiting for a third small shake. "I know very little about the Hindu culture," she comments, her right ear turning toward the counter as the sound of the mixer begins. "Is it something you can teach others about?"
Laxmi Mallick	"Does that mean you can teleport in some way?" Laxmi asks curiously. "That //must// be handy." She takes it all in stride - after all, this is Bushwick. It's better if you just take peoples' quirks in your strike. "And I certanly can if you wish to learn. Essentially, the Hindu faith teaches us that there is a piece of the divine spark within each of us. We are reborn again and again in this world - refining ourselves, striving for perfection and compassion. If you live well, you are born in better circumstances. If you live poorly, you will be reborn into worse circumstances - or even as a lower life form. But the hope is that we will all one day be rejoined as part of the divine whole, once perfection has been achieved. And since we each contain the divine within us, we must strive to treat each person we meet as divine."
Tara Tsabedze	Tara sits back as the waitress sets another shake on the table, this one appearing to be some sort of chocolate as it is a darker color. It is picked up and a spoon taken to it for a taste. "That is... an interesting way of looking at the world," she offers, licking the chocolate of her upper lip. "What I do is similar to teleporting, yes... but it is a specific location to, and then from there anywhere I wish. It is difficult to explain, unless first you understand more about what I am, but teleporting is the best simple explanation."
Laxmi Mallick	"It's what I know," Laxmi answers with a shrug of her shoulders. "And I think the teachings are difficult to argue against. The need to be kind, and do good works, and treat others with respect..." How much better would the world be if everyone truly believe in Hinduism?     After another spoonful of her shake she asks, "What you are? Would it be rude of me to ask what that means, precisely?"
Tara Tsabedze	Tara chuckles softly while shaking her head, "No, not rude at all. Most look at me and see a mutant, and I accept this, but I am not a mutant." She adjusts herself in her chair, crossing one leg over the other before tapping her claws lightly on the surface of the table. "I am Kivuli, a being of moon magic, born of a human mother touched by Goddess Moon. My people worship Her as the light and the shadows, and from Her comes all that is good for the tribe. You are right in that your belief, easily accepted. All life is sacred, to be protected and respected."
Laxmi Mallick	"In our faith, there is also a moon diety who we revere. His name is Chandra, and he is the God of the moon, and the night, and plants." Amusement twinkles in her eyes as Laxmi adds, "He falls in love with the Goddess of the stars. And her name... is Tara.     "It is a strange contradiction of the Hindu faith - that ultimately we believe there is only one divine whole - and yet so many Gods, and so many paths to self improvement."
Tara Tsabedze	Another spoonful of chocolatey goodness disappears before Tara sets the cup down for a small break, instead reaching for the bottle of water for a sip. "The other tribes of our origin believe in many different Gods and Goddesses, and there was a time when the Paka ya Mwezi were a part of them. It is taught that a young woman, having miscarried her child, sought a place by the water under a full moon to cry for the loss of her child. Goddess Moon heard her crying, stretching her light across the water to touch the young woman. The woman looked up into the face of the Goddess and wept, "I have lost my only child, and my husband has cast me out.". The Goddess Moon comforted her, whispering sweet words of love into her ear, and nine months later the first Kivuli was born. Those who heard her story and saw her child, believed the Goddess had blessed her, and from then on those touched by the first Kivuli were able to call on the magics of the moon."
Laxmi Mallick	"Do //you// believe in other Gods and Goddesses? Or only your Goddess Moon?" Laxmi asks curiously, after listening to the tale - a small, sad smile on her features. It was a bittersweet story, after all. "Are these women - like your mother - believed to have been remarkable in some way? Or perhaps simply fortunate, to have a child blessed in such a way? And are these Kivuli children - like yourself - always daughters of the Goddess Moon - or does she bless sons as well?"
Tara Tsabedze	That was a lot of questions, but they bring a huge and broad smile to Tara's face. Most people aren't interested in the story of her people. Just another African tribe, why bother learning anything about them? "There are many Gods and Goddesses out there," she says with a nod. "I do not worship them of course, but they are there and worshipped by others as is their right to do. I pay my respects to them, do not deliberately attempt to insult, that would be rude to them and Goddess Moon." She takes a moment to run over the other questions before continuing, "Njeri is my mother's name, it is believed that she comes from a long line that connects back to the first Moon Touched, but we do not attempt to keep tabs on such things as Goddess Moon loves us all equally. The Kivuli is only born once every ten generations, and can be male or female, as the Goddess decides. We are considered children of the moon Herself."
Laxmi Mallick	"Njeri is a lovely name," Laxmi offers in response - and seems to genuinely mean the sentiment. "Once every ten generations? That's only once in - what? Two or three hundred years? That makes you practically a being of legend, for your people. As Kivuli born at times of need? To guide or save their people? Or it's just all part of the cycle of the centuries for your people?"
Tara Tsabedze	Now it is back to the shake, chocolate apparently not a problem for felines. The spoonfuls are quite small, the roof of Tara's mouth exceedingly sensitive so brain freeze is a real concern. "The birth of Kivuli marks a hundred years of good fortune for the tribe, which thus far has been true every time. Good crops, healthy cattle, more children born," she smiles brightly at this, as if proud that her presence offered these things to the tribe. "The longest the tribe has been without a Kivuli is thirteen generations, however that seemed to be due to moving the tribe to a safer location, or so the Elders of the time wrote. Other wise it seems pretty consistent that one will be born."
Laxmi Mallick	"I hope I don't sound ignorant," Laxmi offers cautiously. "But I wasn't aware that there were writings in most tribal cultures. I thought stories and histories were largely memorized, and transmitted through spoken word. Am I mistaken?" she asks curiosity showing through her caution. After all - if you're wrong about something, it's always better to learn the truth of the matter.     After one last scoop with her spoon, she puts her straw into her shake, as it seems to have loosened up considerably.
Tara Tsabedze	Tara watches a young couple enter and head to the counter, left ear turning to listen to them as her eyes shift back to Laxmi. Behind her the long black tail flicks once, as if it just woke up and has places to be. "It is true that most tribal cultures of Africa maintain their lore and history through stories and songs," she nods. "Ours used to, until the Elders of the religious caste discovered that writing it down made it easier to remember and teach, and since them they have done so."
Laxmi Mallick	"Well then - I don't feel as woefully ignorant as I thought for a moment," Laxmi remarks with a measure of relief. "I wondered for a moment if I were being mislead by a racist stereotype. So your people must have lived in permanent settlements for centuries, then? Otherwise carrying around tomes - or however it is that your elders store their written word - would be rather encumbersome. ...wouldn't it?"
Tara Tsabedze	Tara hmms softly, that right ear still turned toward the couple at the counter. "The bulk of the tribe live on the moon," she says plainly, not bothering with further explanation. "They take turns living in the village in Africa, but it is permanent, near Lake Turkana. The tomes are kept on the moon though, so they do not have to be carried around." "It is common expectation when people look at a true African, to expect them to be ignorant, uneducated barbarians," she then says, a wrinkle of her nose that causes her whiskers to wiggle. "That is merely the lack of interest in learning the truth."
Laxmi Mallick	"On the moon?" Laxmi repeats with surprise. Whatever answer she anticipated - that wasn't it. ...huh. "If I find I have been mistaken about something - I am very much interested in the truth. Though - I would not dare to call cultures with oral traditions as 'ignorant' - and certainly not barbaric. There is much knowledge they possess that I would never have. They are just as intelligent, and just as capable - but the skills and knowledge pertinent to their lives are simply different than what I grew up accustomed to."
Tara Tsabedze	Tara lifts a hand, "Oh, no, no, no, not you... you have been nothing but considerate and kind. I refer to most American's," she then gestures to the room. "Many in the tribes to lack a formal education, but they do not need one. They live their lives with the tribal education and that is all the need, as you say, simply different than what most are accustomed to. I was able to learn so much more, and attend schools when I wished, as I was meant to move out into the world and offer my talents to make it a better place for all." She didn't miss the part about the moon, she merely needed a moment to decide how to explain it. "Since the day Goddess Moon touched the First, the Paka ya Mwezi have been able to step through the shadows of this world and onto the moon, and then back again as they wish. This is what I meant when I attempted to explain my 'teleporting'," she makes air quotes with that. "I can step the moon from anywhere I wish, return to my tribe, be at home with my people, then step out again where I wish to learn something new about a new place."
Laxmi Mallick	"So you do not serve your tribe - you serve the world? On behalf of the tribe, and your Goddess?" Laxmi asks with curiosity before sipping at her straw. Got to be careful with straws if you don't want brain freeze.     "So - there is life on the moon? A colony? Plants, food, oxygen? How?" Can you blame Laxmi for sounding utterly baffled by this idea. "Do you use technology to achieve such feats? But this is something that has been going on for centuries upon centuries?"
Tara Tsabedze	Although Tara welcomes questions, she has begun to notice that Laxmi is really good at the rapid question fire technique. Thankfully her English is good enough that she can manage to catch them all. "I serve the Paka ya Mwezi and the world, representing the tribe and the Goddess. Yes, there is life on the moon, though will tell you that I am wrong, there is nothing there but rocks and a Watchtower, they are ignorant to the full complexity of the world we live in." Two down, two to go. She takes a sip of her water, then another of the shake, not mixing them just taking that long to enjoy before continuing. "This is not done through technology, no computers or alien devices, it is achieved through magic offered to us by Goddess Moon. Perhaps some time, if you are interested, I can escort you to the moon. We welcome visitors from all over the world," she then remembers one last thing, "Oh, and yes, there are plants, cattle and oxygen on the moon."
Laxmi Mallick	"I would be both fascinated, and honored to see where your people live," Laxmi replies with genuine warmth - and some excitement showing in her eyes. "I get the impression that I can learn a lot from you, and your people. I've always known there's much about the world I don't know - but you've made it eminently clear just //how// much."
Tara Tsabedze	Tara smiles broadly, once again revealing the extended canines. "There are many wonderful things out there, waiting to be seen or experienced," she offers, then her right ear twitches as the couple at that counter start arguing. It was rude to listen in, but with ears that size she really couldn't help it. "For all the wonderful things however, there are always people who try to ruin it. I realize that I do not blend in, but there is simply no reason to treat me like..." hmmm, the word escapes her. "Well... like, badly. That is not the word, but I think you get my meaning."
Laxmi Mallick	"Unfortunately, too many people have been taught poorly, and raised poorly. They do not see the beauty and divine nature of the people around them, and they walk around in a far uglier world. I feel badly for them," Laxmi replies - with seeming sincerity.     "In my homeland of India - my skin tone marks me as someone to be pitied and ridiculed. My family, we are Dalit - 'Untouchable.' Even here in America we face discrimination and mistreatment because of it. It's a contradiction, that in a nation with so many of the Hindu faith, they set that aside where the Dalit are concerned. So even though my own gift is invisible - I know in a way how it is to be treated so poorly."
Tara Tsabedze	Both of Tara's ears turn forward and perk up straighter on her head, "Oh? Do does this mean you are mutant like many this this area?" She tilts her head slightly, feline eyes looking Laxmi over for the first time really. She had looked /at/ her, but not really at all there was too her, because sometimes that was considered staring and thus rude. "That was rude of me to ask that way, but I do not know another word for it. I am not fond of the term 'mutant'. The gene that offers gifts and powers is a mutated gene, but that does not make the person a mutant, it makes them special and gifted."
Laxmi Mallick	"I am - and I do not mind the term. 'Gifted' is so generic - and so over used. 'Special' even more so." Laxmi begins to gesture with her hands - graceful gestures that flow from one mudra to the next. As she does, a shimmering, transluscent image of a blossoming tree appears - and the petals begin to fall from it, and through them, for as long as Laxmi's hands continue to their dance. As she settles on a final mudra, the images fade from view.     "That is part of my gift. Though I can also influence emotions with my voice, when I wish. That's not a skill I demonstrate without invitation, however."
Tara Tsabedze	Tara actually claps, "That is so beautiful!" she exclaims. "You see, /that/ is a blessing, at least that is how my people see such things. I wish more could accept it for what it is." Now she glances toward the couple, their argument getting louder then quieter, apparently something about another girl, whose a cousin not a lover, then why all the petting... then turns back to Laxmi. Lifting both hands up in front of her, "Allow me to show you a piece of the magic." She makes a small gesture with her right hand, then repeats it with her left, as she does this both of her hands begin to glow with a silvery white light. Once the light appears, her fingers move and dance within the light, their actual movements difficult to see with in the light, but slowly it becomes clear that she is using the light itself to create something solid. After only a few moment, she wraps the light around and into her hands, holding them together before opening them, the light gone, and in her hand is a small, delicate looking pendent that looks like a tear drop of the moons light wrapped in pure silver with a silver chain. "For you." she offers it over.
Laxmi Mallick	Even Laxmi glances towards the pair - with sympathy and concern in her expression before she draws her gaze away once more. It would be rude to stare - and not her place to intervene. She knew neither of them, after all. Instead, she focuses her attention on Tara's demonstration - curiosity and wonder reflected in her eyes. She accepts the pendant, while carefully avoiding physical contact with Tara. "This is absolutely lovely," she murmurs. "What a kindness - thank you. I'll treasure it, Tara."
Tara Tsabedze	Again Tara's right ear twitches, then her tail starts flickering. She leans a little more toward Laxmi before asking quietly, "Is this common in public places?" She gestures her head toward the couple, who have picked up their shakes and are moving to a table together, still arguing rather loudly, but still moving together like a couple. It's almost like the argument they are having is one they've had before and already know the ending, them together.
Laxmi Mallick	"It's not uncommon," Laxmi confides quietly. "I think my family would die of shame if I ever behaved like that in public, but- well. Mainstream American cultures differs significantl from how I was raised." As she talks she's putting on the pendant Tara had created for her. "I take it such public disagreements are not common amongst your own people?"
Tara Tsabedze	Tara nods a few times, then scoots her chair a little closer so that she can speak without being over heard, it would just embarrass her to no end for that couple to hear her talking about them, but it had to be done because they were so loud. "In the tribe there are three levels of disagreements," she says quietly. "In the tribe, there are to ways to deal with disagreements. Work them out privately, or speak to the kiongozi wa tabaka. If you take it to the kiongozi wa tabaka, he or she will collect the next two highest ranking member of the caste and hear both sides. They then decide who is correct, and the matter is closed." She glances to the couple a moment, noting they are starting to quiet a little more now that they are eating the shakes. "Only once did I ever see such a thing in public, and it was brief."
Laxmi Mallick	"Well - I have been taught to keep them private as well. But also - we're taught to respect our elders. And so often - I am assumed to be simply by virtue of being the youngest child," Laxmi explains with a quiet, wry tone. "I've learned I must be persuasive - if I'm ever to get my way. Though there have been some things I simply stand my ground on. Such as my desire to share my gift and use it in performances."
Tara Tsabedze	Looking back to Laxmi, Tara's brow lifts, "Your parents, or community, do not wish you to use your gifts?" She seems genuinely surprised by this. "I do not know for certain the full extent of your powers, but what I did see was amazing. Why would they not want you to share this with others?"
Laxmi Mallick	"There is stigma against mutation - a great deal of prejudice. And there's stigma against being Dalit as well. My parents and family think my lot in life is difficult enough already, without willingly admitting to another 'burden.' That's simply not how I see it though. I think our gifts should be welcomed, shared, and delighted in. They must have been given to us for some purpose. We only must find the way to best put them to use," Laxmi explains with a smile.     "My illusions? I only use them to delight and entertain. But my voice? I've used it calm tense situations before. Who knows how things may have turned out otherwise? It has the power to save lives, used properely. And what greater gift can there be?" She takes another sip at her raspberry shake before letting out a quiet, satisfied sigh. "This really is very good."
Tara Tsabedze	This seems to both make sense and surprise the feline woman at the same time. Colling her shake in hand again, she takes another spoonful of the chocolate dreaminess, considering what Laxmi said carefully before speaking again. "I oft forget that the gifts mutant's are given are disliked, mistrusted and unwanted in society," she finally says. "I was born to be what I am, and yet what most see is a mutant. I accept this, but forget that for some that means a bad thing, and instant dislike. I understand your parents hesitation and fear, but like you, do not agree with it."
Laxmi Mallick	"My parents only want what's best for me. They speak out of love - but out of fear, as well. I hope there comes a day where such caution is a thing of the past. Until then - I have my voice to keep me safe."     Laxmi certainly hopes so, anyways. She's yet to have to try to calm her own lynch mob. But seeing as it stopped a jewel thief once... She's willing to try.     Curiously she asks, "So you can make things with your gifts - you can travel with them. What else do your gifts grant you?"
Tara Tsabedze	The couple have finally shut up entirely, and just as predicted they are still together. Whatever he might have done with the other woman was apparently not enough to end the relationship. "I can heal others," she offers as the first thing on the list of her talents. "I have two other forms that I can assume, one designed entirely for fighting, the other is my direct connection to Bast and the Goddess Moon. I regeneration from wounds I take as well... I believe that is the extent at this time, but I am constantly learning new ways to use my magic."
Laxmi Mallick	"Well - it's certainly not bad. It's far more than I can achieve, but I'm not a- well, the Kumari is the nearest analogy I can think of, but that isn't right..." Laxmi shakes her head slightly before she continues. "And healing others is a miraculous blessinng!" She wears a broad smile as she adds, "Is there a more tangible way to give to your fellow man than to give health and life?"
Tara Tsabedze	Tara cants her head, the braids on her head falling to the side as she does. "Fellow man," she repeats, blinking her large cat eyes once. "Yes, I suppose they are my fellows, though many would not think so. May I.." she pauses for a moment. "Do you have a scar anywhere on your body, no matter how small, from a childhood injury or a surgery perhaps?"
Laxmi Mallick	Holdout her hand, Laxmi shows a scar on the palm of her left hand - but she holds her hand nearer to her own body, rather than close to Tara. "You can heal scars?" she asks. "I'm sure for many, that's a blessing. But this - I consider it part of my story. I cut my hand while helping prepare for my Auntie's wedding. Even on a day when everyone was so hurried - so rushed, when there was so much to do - everyone stopped, and made sure I was alright and made such a fuss about me - I felt loved. And I remember having to go to the wedding feast with a bandage over my hand, hiding most of the mehndi that had been painted onto it... I'll never forget that day," she explains, as she closes her hand over the mark.
Tara Tsabedze	Tara nods, a soft smile touching her lips, "That is a good scar then, but yes, I can heal scars. I can regrow limbs, though only at night when the moon is in the sky to empower me. I can cure disease, remove toxins. The silvery energy of the Goddess Moon, channeled through me, can to these things. I am a channel of Her power."
Laxmi Mallick	"Re-grow limbs?" Laxmi asks in an awed voice. "Even if the injury were old? Even if it had happened years before? Or does it have to be a recent injury?" Her shake seems forgotten for the moment as her gaze remains locked onto Tara.
Tara Tsabedze	Another spoonful of the shake disappears, savored over her tongue before she swallows. "The Goddess grants me the gift to regrow a limb even if someone was born without one," she answers soft. "Those who are born completely blind or deaf I cannot yet restore, unless it is from a simple thing, other wise it is a complex injury in the mind that I am not yet able to heal." She finally scoots her chair back, giving Laxmi back her space. "The mind is a mysterious thing, and I am still learning about it. I would not risk making something worse by trying until I know more."
Laxmi Mallick	"Wonders like I'll never achieve - but we each have our place, I suppose," Laxmi replies - seemingly without any real jealousy or ill-will in her words. "We each have a purpose to serve. I only hope I serve mine as best as I'm able. With gifts like yours, though - it must be a unique challenge. You'd never have the time or energy to help all of those who can be helped. I can't imagine how difficult that must be."
Tara Tsabedze	For a moment Tara hangs her head, looking down at the hand she had in her lap. "Children always come first," she says quietly. "But I cannot help everyone. I wish that I could, but it isn't possible." Slowly, she looks back up. "Goddess Moon knows I will help all that I can, deserving of it or not, but I would prefer to find those deserving and offer my skills to them. I could easily wander the streets and find people in need of aid, I have done so, and will do so again, but if there is a place I could offer my help to, I think that would be less tiring."
Laxmi Mallick	"There's a clinic here - in Mutant Town," Clarice offers. "But - I mean, it usually doesn't see very serious cases, generally. I'm sure they'd welcome any help. I'm afraid, though, that knowing where to go to offer medical assistance... well. It's just not something I has experience with."