Chinese Flower

“Thank you.” He grinned softly at the praise. He was proud of the little shop. “You read a lot?”

Paige nodded. “Mostly books on languages, but I do read other things. I love the written and spoken word.”

“I appreciate it.” She nodded, debating whether to keep her for another second longer before continuing. “How are you? Adjusting well?”

Paige nodded. “Yes. I love it here.”

“Two -?” Carter pursed her lips, having wanted it sooner. But it was much faster than their previous translator had been, so she nodded. “Fine. Thank you.”

“At most,” Paige added. “I will probably have it done sooner than that.”

“Yes.” He answered softly, trailing his fingers along the spines. “Well, co-own. I have a business partner that actually does most of the work.”

Paige nodded. “It is nice.”

“That’s a fact,” Silvia nodded in agreement. “You ever have a snowball fight?”

“No,” Paige admitted. “Why?”

“You and me both. For an English speaking language, it’s like they’ve got their own version of it.”

“They certainly do.”

“Well that’s a fair point. And a lot better than my pollution idea,” Silvia chuckled quietly.

“Snow does look beautiful, no matter where you are, though.”

“Huh. Maybe it has to do with pollution levels,” Silvia shrugged. “I’ve never felt Chinese or Japanese snow, so that does sound kinda out there to me. I mean, I just thought snow was snow.”

Paige just shrugged. “Or maybe it is the difference in elevation?”

“Uhhh,” Ben looked around. “I actually have no idea. I’m not from here so you might be better off Googling it.”

“Oh,” said Paige, feeling a little foolish. “Sorry for bothering you, then.”

“It does!” Silvia smiled, watching her friend. “It’s so sparkly- I love it.”

“I know this will sound strange, but snow feels different in different countries. American snow is not like Chinese snow or even Japanese snow.”

“I have no idea,” Lizzie shook her head with a laugh. “Maybe I misheard before coming here, maybe it’s the land of the Bee, not land of the free.”

“Americans are so strange,” said Paige, shaking her head. “I do not understand half of the things they say or do, even though we are speaking the same language.”

My single characters: Paige Zhao

Age: 25

Occupation: Translator for the Department of Magical International Cooperation at MACUSA.