The Joy of Giving

[cadet_amara]

Amara wasn't sure exactly what had possessed her to do this. She hadn't even mentioned Diwali since she was a little girl, and even then as a kid they'd barely celebrated. She remembered the fireworks, and the lights, and the excitement. She didn't quite remember the origins or how to celebrate Diwali properly. She supposed she was having something of a cultural identification crisis. She hadn't been back to Mumbai, or India even, since she was seven, and after that she lived in so many places it was hard to form any type identity. She'd never really given much thought to her culture, besides the fact that she loved the old Bollywood movies. However, since she decided to have a new attitude, and be a more positive person, she started to look more at her own background, searching for some good that she could have from her past, and the good included festivals.

She didn't want to be extremely obvious or overboard about it. Honestly, she didn't like attention, and she certainly didn't want to answer questions (she probably wouldn't know what to say anyway), so she planned to be covert about it all. Besides, the gifts were her way of saying thank you to everyone. She didn't want anything in return. 

First she went to the mess hall early in the morning, in the hopes that it would be relatively empty. She was in luck. Just the odd crewman getting his morning coffee. She set out the plate of sweets she had made for all to enjoy. Next to it she put a sign: "Happy Diwali. Enjoy." She made no attempt to claim any of it, and hoped people would just eat the food without questioning where it came from. 

 Next were the personal gifts. Each one was wrapped with a card that only said "Happy Diwali", again, she hoped people didn't put too much thought into where these things were coming from.

First she stopped by Admiral Pike's office. Luckily, the Admiral wasn't there yet. She very carefully set the beautifully iced cake on his desk with the simple card beside it. She had enjoyed icing the cake, even though it had taken her most of the night, it was worth it. She hoped he enjoyed it.  

Next, she went to Christine's quarters and set her present outside her door. Blue looked good on Christine, and she imagined she would like jewelry. She hoped she'd done a good job picking out the set.

Finally, she stopped by Frank's and left his gift. She hoped he would find it... informative. She smiled a little as she left. That one might benefit her in the end too. 

She then went about her duties, just like always. However, today she felt rather good and was smiling a great deal more than usual. It had been fun, playing the Diwali Fairy... or Santa... or whatever. Amara had a nice warm and happy feeling that she was unaccustomed to, and it made her feel giddy. It felt good. She would have to do it again sometime.

Comments

[christinechapel.livejournal.com]

Christine had gotten up and went about her morning routine as normal, walking out right before work and nearly tripping herself to not walk on the present left there. She picked it up and eyed it curiously. Did Leo leave it? No...the note wasn't his handwriting. And, what was Diwali?

Curiosity got the better of her and she opened the package. She gasped, picking up one of the earrings and turning it back and forth to inspect it. It was beautiful! Laughing happily, she quickly made her way to work and ran into one of the small bathrooms to try it on.

Coming out, she looked over the note again. It wasn't signed. She spent the next hour researching Diwali. On her break, she sent a quick message to Amara on the girl's PADD:

Hey. Thanks for the present! :)

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

She smiled a little when she got the message. She supposed it wasn't that hard to figure out who sent the presents. She sent Christine a quick and simple reply.

You're welcome. I hope you like them.

[christinechapel.livejournal.com]

I LOVE them! Leo's been giving me the 'eye.' I think you made him jealous.

She couldn't help but laugh out loud. That made some of those sitting around her look at her strangely, especially Leo, but she just waved them off. Leo huffed and went back to eating his lunch, grumbling about presents and never letting her drink that much without him around again.

So, who else was graced with presents this morning? She quickly typed to Ama as she shoved a bite of food in her mouth. Ama was really a sweet girl, and secretely Chris thought that the girl was shy.

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

She laughed a little. Poor Dr. McCoy. Was he really jealous? She shook her head, amused.

Frank... and Admiral Pike. I also left a tray of sweets in the mess hall for everyone. But don't tell it was me.

[christinechapel.livejournal.com]

That's what they were for! Those are almost gone, you know. Might need to do this more often.

Chris snorted and giggled as she sent the message off. On her plate she'd taken some of the sweets.

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

Diwali isn't an all year thing... but there are other festivals... there's one where people throw paint at each other.

She laughed at the idea of throwing pink powdered paint on Commander Spock. She'd never have the nerve to do that to anyone, but the mental image was funny.

[christinechapel.livejournal.com]

Paint?! Chris laughed loudly again, getting her own mental image of an Enterprise who's halls were bombed by rainbow paint and everyone blending in.

Paint? Oh, that's funny. What's the paint for? But, you don't need to do every holiday. Maybe just...special occasions on the Enterprise or something? Or maybe they should throw more parties? Chris wanted to type that out, but last time she mentioned a party Ama looked like she was going to bolt. Baby steps!

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

I don't know exactly... I think it has something to do with making people equal... when everyone's covered with paint you can't see who's rich or poor... or castes or anything like that. It's called Holi. And I'll admit I had fun doing this. I like making food.

As long as people didn't know it was her. She really didn't want the attention.

[christinechapel.livejournal.com]

Ah, good idea for a festival. Chris smiled at the PADD. She ate some more food before she finished the message.

Well, thanks, Ama. It's so thoughtful. I really love it.

How are you doing with the staying positive thingy?

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

Today I seem to be doing much better than usual at it... though all the attention is making me nervous Truthfully it was only Christine and Admiral Pike who had said anything to her, but that had been enough to make her a little uncomfortable. She considered getting Frank's gift back before he opened it, but dismissed the idea as ridiculous. Besides, she wanted him to have it.

[christinechapel.livejournal.com]

Well, enjoy the attention. I won't tell anyone, promise. However, this is a really nice thing you've done. Just revel in the good vibes you're getting today and brush off the negative energy.

She smiled and sent the message off. Ama was coming around. It was going to be a hard road, but Ama would get through it. Chris was sure of it.

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

I'll try. She sighed a little, sending the message. She really hoped people wouldn't question where the treats in the mess hall came from.

[no-dryer-box.livejournal.com]

Another cake, this was really starting to freak him out a little. If he ate as much cake as was appearing in his office, he'd start putting on weight like there was no tomorrow.

This cake was however, beautiful. He recognized the time and effort required to make something this detailed. When he saw the card, he immediatly knew who it was from.

He sent Amara a message as soon as he had a minute,

Thank you for the cake, it's beautiful. Too bad I have to eat it by myself.

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

Amara blushed when she got the message. Perhaps the cards had been a bad idea... they made it too obvious it was her. She hesitated, considering playing dumb, then decided that was a stupid idea. Instead she responded

You're welcome sir. And you can always share it with Yeoman Barrows. Happy Diwali.

[ace-of-spades00.livejournal.com]

(ooc: I hijacked. Because I felt like it. Bitch. And Peter's not Buddhist, Hindu, a Sikh or a Jain, so... have someone new. Omg, you've discovered a hidden character of mine)

Happy Diwali, my dear.

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

Thank you. And I don't believe we've been introduced.

[ace-of-spades00.livejournal.com]

Sadly, we haven't. Greg Harris, it's a certainly a pleasure. *offers his hand*

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

Amara Smith. Nice to meet you, Mr. Harris.

[ace-of-spades00.livejournal.com]

Please, call me Greg. Mr. Harris always sounded too stuffy to me.

Are you actually from India, Miss Smith?

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

Amara, please, or Mara. People used to always call me Mara and now they all call me Amara, it's strange. And yes, I was born in Mumbai and lived there until I was seven.

[ace-of-spades00.livejournal.com]

I've been there a few times when I've gone to India. I must say, I haven't been back in some time, I do miss it. Do you have family there?

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

Probably. If they're not dead or something. I went into foster care when I was seven. Haven't been back since.

[ace-of-spades00.livejournal.com]

It would be a difficult place to grow up. I think that the country is beautiful, but all places have their dark secrets. Will you ever go back?

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

I'd like to. Despite everything it's still home. What about you? Where are you from?

[ace-of-spades00.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm from London. I was born there--my father still lives in the same flat.

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

I can't say I've ever been to London. I did live in Scotland for a couple of months, but that's not the same thing.

[ace-of-spades00.livejournal.com]

Not entirely, though Scotland is very nice. Whereabouts did you live?

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

Fort William. I can't say I was very fond of it. It was a little too cold for my tastes.

[ace-of-spades00.livejournal.com]

Well it is fairly north in the hemisphere. London is a bit more reasonable, though if you don't like the cold, a rainy island is really not for you.

[cadet-amara.livejournal.com]

Probably not. My dream vacation would be a tropical island, not a cold and rainy one.