(Untitled)

[peaceful_rise]

There's a bright spot on an otherwise drab street corner in the form of a little boy in orange robes.  He sits crosslegged on the concrete, smiling and watching people expectantly, a little wooden bowl set out about a foot in front of him.  There are a few pieces of spare change in there, but he hasn't been begging for very long today

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[peaceful_rise]

The child directs his peaceful smile at the white-haired stranger, and looks like he might laugh for a minute.

"No," he says, in careful, accented English. "Lots of people are here."

He points at the people walking past.

[peaceful_rise]

The kid just looks kind of confused. The problem with being mean to a kid with less than perfect English is that most everything but the tone goes right over his head. He mostly only got the last part because he's already heard it a lot.

"No. Becky is in Rehab." Pause. "I am travelling on spiritual journey. Do you have change, please?"

He still looks hopeful. Mean people can be generous!

Re: Back at the apartment.

[peaceful_rise]

"We're not supposed to."

The vegetarian lasagna is GOOD. Ang has already gobbled down half a plate and is slowing down. He can control hunger. He can get past it. But being hungry for a long time, while travelling a long way, while being a growing boy figuring out new mutant powers adds up.

"Milk makes it harder to -"

He thinks a moment for a phrase he learned early, for talking to Becky.

"Attain Buddha nature."

He licks some veggie sauce off his fingers and looks satisfied with himself.

Re: Back at the apartment.

[peaceful_rise]

"Popcorn is great! Thank you!"

Ang puts his saucy hands together and bows over his almost-finished lasagna.