>>“Wow, that certainly must be a life, living as a living goddess for so many people. Does it, you know, every get boring or lonesome? Listening to everyone’s prayers?”

The Goddes blinked, her arms freezing their constant flowing movement for a moment out of sheer surprise. That... was not one of the questions people normally asked her. Most people she directly spoke to did not address her as anything else but a goddess, literal or figurative. She was not exactly used to being addressed as... a person.

"It is what I am supposed to do" she said slowly, considering her answer and realizing even herself was not sure about what the answer was "One cannot speak of deities like people. Loneliness is for people. I have... people who believe in me."

In a manner of speaking, anyway.

>> "It is what I am supposed to do…One cannot speak of deities like people. Loneliness is for people. I have... people who believe in me."

Akshay tilted his head. So, she really did believe that she was a goddess. This was not just some type of act that she was trying to stay with. She really was not trying to not break character…because she actually lived this role.

The young wordsmith was actually quite amazed. In this modern world, he really didn’t think that anyone in a society grounded by science would still believe such things. Though it is easy to see how mutants could be misidentified as gods, he was still more surprised by the fact that people still could make that mistake these days. Then again, Mahadevi did say that she was from a small village, maybe in her locale it was more believable?

But still…doing tours of America and nobody said about her just possibly being a mutant. He had to admit that he was still surprised by that. But he nodded as he listened to her closely. Apparently she had been quite shocked by his question. He actually thought that he was speaking pretty plainly.

He smiled but nodded at her response.

“Then I guess I’m mistaken,” he smiled warmly. “Just, I guess it seems like quite a burden to carry by yourself,” he said as he looked around him. All around he saw absolutely no signs of life. Only the gifts that she had been brought. He actually wondered when was the last time that she had an actual conversation with someone. Was this the first? “I guess my curiosity just got the better of me,” he nodded. “I apologize if I offended you in any way.”

>>“Then I guess I’m mistaken. Just, I guess it seems like quite a burden to carry by yourself. I guess my curiosity just got the better of me. I apologize if I offended you in any way.”

The Goddess tilted her head, looking, for the first time since he walked through the door, really looking at the young man in front of her. He was... different. She could sense scepticism from him, she had been sensing that a lot since she arrived to the USA, but what was truly amazing was that he did not show it. He was respectful, and honest, and even though she knew he had doubts and his gift was more courtesy than devotion... he still treated her like the goddess she was. In his own way.

Rising from her throne, grateful she got to stretch her legs, the Goddess descended gracefully down the steps to stand in front of him. One hand moved, reaching under his chin, while the others held their shifting position, framing her delicate figure.

"You are a kind sould, Akshay Malik" the Goddess announced with dignity "I would have you as a lover."

Akshay had fully intended to make his exit after his last statement. After all, what else was there really to say? He really did believe that she was little more than a mutant who got lumped in with something that was not entirely correct: a mutant mistaken for a goddess. Granted she was pretty and she had an elegance about her that, when mixed with her mutation, would make one think that she was a goddess (especially considering where she was born), but Akshay was not swayed to think that she was a living, breathing, goddess.

Still though, he did offer her that respect that she was used to. He was skeptical, but that did not mean that he needed to disrespect her or anything like that. It was obvious that she was used to a certain way of life so who was he to rock that boat?

The man was nice, exuded his kindness, and made ready to leave.

But…before he could even make a gesture of goodbye, the woman stood up. She definitely had the graceful movements down to a T as she stood up and slowly made her way down the steps until she was standing before him. Akshay was a little unsure of what to do right now so he remained silent as the young woman, whose arms continued to sway and move with a gentleness that reminded him of a soft, summer breeze.

He titled his head, suddenly, as she carefully placed one of her hands underneath his chin and turned his head. Akshay…was really not used to being manhandled in such a way but he did not immediately pull himself away from her grasp either. Might have been rude. Besides, maybe she was just curious about him?

>> "You are a kind soul, Akshay Malik…I would have you as a lover."

Jaw.

Floor.

Collide.

Akshay was completed at a loss for a second there as his brain tried to wrap around exactly what this woman was saying to him. Did this goddess…really just proposition him right now? He blinked once…twice…then a picture of a wolf-tailed, redhead popped into his head. God…what was her name…?

“Durhehe, ahem!” he shook his head as he tried to refocus himself and not at all think about the talents of a eight-armed once. A silly and extremely flattered grin came across his face before he finally stopped. “Um…t-thank you? I’m flattered, really! But…I’m…kind of…seeing someone…right now?”

Oh…my god! Why couldn’t he remember her name!? Jewel? Onyx? Diamond?

Akshay had fully intended to make his exit after his last statement. After all, what else was there really to say? He really did believe that she was little more than a mutant who got lumped in with something that was not entirely correct: a mutant mistaken for a goddess. Granted she was pretty and she had an elegance about her that, when mixed with her mutation, would make one think that she was a goddess (especially considering where she was born), but Akshay was not swayed to think that she was a living, breathing, goddess.

Still though, he did offer her that respect that she was used to. He was skeptical, but that did not mean that he needed to disrespect her or anything like that. It was obvious that she was used to a certain way of life so who was he to rock that boat?

The man was nice, exuded his kindness, and made ready to leave.

But…before he could even make a gesture of goodbye, the woman stood up. She definitely had the graceful movements down to a T as she stood up and slowly made her way down the steps until she was standing before him. Akshay was a little unsure of what to do right now so he remained silent as the young woman, whose arms continued to sway and move with a gentleness that reminded him of a soft, summer breeze.

He titled his head, suddenly, as she carefully placed one of her hands underneath his chin and turned his head. Akshay…was really not used to being manhandled in such a way but he did not immediately pull himself away from her grasp either. Might have been rude. Besides, maybe she was just curious about him?

>> "You are a kind soul, Akshay Malik…I would have you as a lover."

Jaw.

Floor.

Collide.

Akshay was completed at a loss for a second there as his brain tried to wrap around exactly what this woman was saying to him. Did this goddess…really just proposition him right now? He blinked once…twice…then a picture of a wolf-tailed, redhead popped into his head. God…what was her name…?

“Durhehe, ahem!” he shook his head as he tried to refocus himself and not at all think about the talents of a eight-armed once. A silly and extremely flattered grin came across his face before he finally stopped. “Um…t-thank you? I’m flattered, really! But…I’m…kind of…seeing someone…right now?”

Oh…my god! Why couldn’t he remember her name!? Jewel? Onyx? Diamond?

>>“Durhehe, ahem! Um…t-thank you? I’m flattered, really! But…I’m…kind of…seeing someone…right now?”

The young man responded as most young men did; with confusion and a whole lot of blushing. There was nothing wrong about that. It was normal. Natural. Expected. After all, how should young men react when a goddess declares her interest in taking them to her bed?

They do not even know what they are in for. Grace, pride and eight arms translate well into India's less often discussed arts.

He said he was seeing someone. Was that English for a wife? A betrothed, maybe? Another goddess? Doubtful.
The Goddess smiled a kind smile.

"I did not say I would keep you." she clarified for the sake of the young man who obviously lost control of his native tongue "I am not allowed to marry mortal men. But I would take you to my bed. As a compliment to you, and your chosen."

Because, clearly, what woman would not be honored by a goddess bedding their man?

Akshay was still flabbergasted. This had to be the most direct any woman has ever been with him without him having initiated anything. It really was probably the most flattered he’d been in a LONG time. And, if, you know, this happened just a few months earlier, Akshay probably would have been quick to jump onto the bandwagon! After all, really, who says no to a self-proclaimed goddess? Especially one as pretty as this young woman here?

But Akshay such a scuzbag. Instead, he just blushed and tried to remember that he did the right thing. He told the woman no so he was free of her attentions. Right?

>> "I did not say I would keep you…I am not allowed to marry mortal men. But I would take you to my bed. As a compliment to you, and your chosen."

Blink.

Yeah, he seriously needed to join this religion! Ahem! Akshay mentally shook that thought away as she tried to think of what to say next. His throat had clamped shut and it felt like he had not blinked in a little while but at least he was still retaining his consciousness! He was not going to lose his resolve right now. He cared about Emerald too mu—

EMERALD! That was her name! Mentally he sighed in relief.

A warm smile on his face, one that exuded how flattered he was, Akshay took a steady breath before he replied.

“I…I’m NOT[/b] entirely sure she would be that flattered, but it is a lovely offer nonetheless,”[/color] he beamed. But he held out his hand for her to shake. “But…maybe we can at least be friends? I know a lot about the city, I can show you around if you ever need guide.”

>>“I…I’m NOT entirely sure she would be that flattered, but it is a lovely offer nonetheless. But…maybe we can at least be friends? I know a lot about the city, I can show you around if you ever need guide.”

The Goddess just got friendzoned.

Of course she did not know that; she had never been in that territory of human relationships before. It was completely uncharted.
She looked at the hand the young man offered as a gesture of... frinedship?

Maybe he did not quite understand what he was being offered. It could be a language problem; or it could be simply cultural, he just has been in the USA too long to fully comprehed the significance of a goddess offering him her affections.

The hand moved down from his face to take his in a graceful handshake.

"I look forward to meeting you again, then, Akshay Malik." she nodded. Even goddesses know when to take a step back "Next time you visit, bring your chosen with you. Maybe I will like her too."

Wow…that had to be sacrilege or something, right? He just friendzoned a Goddess! Though he didn’t know in what particular scripture or book he would find such a rule but he had a feeling that it was true. Who actually did that? Who, when presented with a very beautiful goddess (and who wanted absolutely no strings attached!!), would say “No” to her? Akshay Malik would tell you “who”, a man in a happy and stable relationship! Sure he and Emerald had not reached…you know…that level of their relationship, but still!

The man was not such a complete and utter scumbag who would attempt to justify sleeping with another woman. That was just not his way.

But still, that did not mean he could not be nice to the young goddess. She seemed sweet enough, and she definitely needed a little bit a grounding, but he was only too happy to offer her a friendly hand (even though she already eight!).

Thankfully, she seemed to take his words to heart and did not push the issue of sleeping with her much farther.

>> "I look forward to meeting you again, then, Akshay Malik…Next time you visit, bring your chosen with you. Maybe I will like her too."

He beamed. That sounded more friendly…he hoped.

He nodded as he bid his goodbye to her; more than likely there were probably more worshippers who wanted to offer her their prayers. Even if she was just a mutant, she did have a job to upkeep.

“Good bye, Mahadevi,” he said with a friendly grin. “I’ll be sure to do that.” He turned to go but paused as he snapped his finger. “I almost forgot,” he said as he slipped his hand into his wallet and pulled out a small business card. A wide smile and he handed it over to her. “That is my business card to my comic shop. Maybe you will grace it with your presence one day?” Once she took the card, Akshay smiled again and waved as he left the room.

This was certainly and interesting afternoon…

One hand moved gracefully and took the card; another slipped it into one of the many folds of her shining dress. She considered it as an offering, and a sign of respect; the man gave her his name, written down, and names had power.
Also, he was not too hard to like.

>>“That is my business card to my comic shop. Maybe you will grace it with your presence one day?”

"Maybe I will" she said with the faintest of smiles in the corner of her lips, and waited till he was gone before walking back to her throne.

The young man did not know the first thing about worshipping a goddess.
But still, for the fist time since she arrived to this godforsaken country, Mahadevi felt like she might not have a terrible time.