no, they didn’t know… because all of their life, that’s all kareem had ever known, but obviously, they could at least try to understand that such big changes were hard getting used to. they had heard other people’s stories and they had talked to tourists who have visited the country around the full moon. of course they weren’t used seeing news about the full moon being broadcast or how the government was doing this, this and that to ensure everyone was safe throughout the moon’s peak and all that (especially on months were the peak was during broad daylight). “i guess it must take a little getting used to, but i’m sure you’ll figure out the best way to do so. i mean, everyone’s got their own rhythm, so don’t force yours.” they shared, offering a smile in return. “you’ll see, sooner or later you’ll be acting like a true astorian: complaining about the full moons and grabbing a pint while you’re at it.” they teased, to make things less serious.
it was, however, a nice stroke to their ego to hear how mai considering their work to be fascinating. most days, in so many ways, they did too. “i don’t mind it, no. and if you’d like to see my ego inflated, you’re more than welcome to stop by more often to see me work.” again, they teased, tossing around all the charm their mothers had ensured their three kids had, because, you couldn’t be a politicians kid without having lots of charm in you, even if you would fake it. “but in all honesty it’s basic alchemy and chemistry knowledge, you know? granted, hints of magic here and there, but everything is perfectly measured so that the clients can get exactly what they had asked for.” and that’s why rue botanicals had survived rebrandings and market downfalls and expansions.
as mai explained more about her job, kareem was glad to have that pint glass in their hands, which also kept their lips occupied sip after sip, or else, they would probably keep asking questions and not everyone liked talking about their jobs. some people already had to deal with it all day, the last thing they needed at the end of it, was to keep discussing their job. “you know, i’ve always found the project fascinating. one of the heads of the project actually grew up with one of my mothers, so i always found it intriguing whenever she brought it up.” they shared, before taking another sip of their beer. “have you tested other beings to see how their bodies react to things? because i think that in studies like these, you’d like to have a vast gamma of information to compare?” they asked out of curiosity, mostly. seeing as the game had finally ending and their moping season was over, they figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask. “hey, do you feel like eating something? there’s a burger joint a couple of blocks down if you want to keep talking? they have vegan options, too.”
Maybe it was because Mai had been in the same place for so long before she moved to Astoria. Maybe that was what made certain things a little harder to get used to than others. She couldn’t be sure. Possibly, it was simply that this place was so different to any other. Mai had to keep reminding herself that people here weren’t like they were back home, and it was probably better that they were so different. “Oh don’t get me wrong, I love it. Being around people who are so different… it’s everything I wanted.”
My grinned at the invitation. She did see some of the chemistry in the work that he was doing. But, there was a bit of magic involved. The chemistry caught her eye. It wasn’t exactly her area of expertise, but it was fascinating all the same. Seeing it being mixed with magic just made it that much more interesting. “That’s what’s so exciting about it. You do things that I can completely understand, but then there’s magic. It was a bit new for me to see someone mixing science and magic.” Granted, Mai had seen it on occasion during work, but even then it seemed to be very rare.
Mai was the kind of person who loved to talk about her work. She was lucky enough to get into the field of her dreams. She got to do the thing she was most passionate about. When people asked her about what she did, it was difficult for her to stop talking. Even when she wasn’t asked, it was hard for her not to mention things in passing about her interests in the supernatural. It had been her whole life for so long, it was difficult to stop herself talking about it. She only hoped it wouldn’t alienate her in Astoria. “I haven’t personally, but I’m hoping to maybe get the okay to see how werewolves reactions compare to vampires. I keep thinking maybe there’s something there. Vampires with the sun, werewolves with the moon…” Mai got lost in thought for a moment, looking back up from her glass with a smile, “That sounds awesome, but are you sure you don’t have better things to do?”
