Mooncakes (#MidnightSunMovie)

Mooncakes

The alien and the college student sat opposite sides from the small fire pit the latter had set up, the occasional flickers of the embers falling on the foreigner's unruly set of curls and vanishing away with a sizzle.

Witnessing such an event, her human companion giggled, finding it to be an odd but pleasant surprise whenever she learned something new about her.

"I wouldn't've guessed your hair's fire-resistant with how fluffy it looks."

"My hair is not fire-resistant." The alien corrected, gentle tone enhanced by the patient smile decorating her face. "The fire here is just not strong enough to burn me."

Wanting to venture further into the conversation, the amiable alien scooted closer to the girl's side, meeting with the sand as she used her sole finger to trace a drawing.

Her strokes were careful and detailed despite the wet earth's thickness and the little visibility caused by the slowly darkening sky.

"That however, does not mean we do not have our weaknesses."

A pause, followed by the shriek of a bat and for its small body to swoop inches past the human girl's flattened hair.

"My planet is also known for being susceptible towards things humans are tolerant to. . . The Moon, for example."

She signaled at her drawing, pointing at a sphere with many rays coming out in all directions.

"A ray of moonlight is far more dangerous than a ray of sun. If it were not for the invention of moonblock, our species would not be able to go out late in the night."

Enthralled by the alien's storytelling, the girl inched forward, serving as a gesture to make her continue on telling about her home planet.

"Do you, uh. . ." She trailed off, warmth spreading over the back of her neck, being reluctant to ask her next question. "Are you wearing moonblock right now, or —"

"I am." The alien chuckled, her sharp set of teeth shimmering with the soft moonlight that was steadily making its appearance over the night. "MPF 80, to be exact."

The pair shared a moment of silence after that discovery, though the alien continued with her stories shortly after. She continued to scribble various drawings over the cool sand, and told her human companion about the many things that were unusual to her.

Midway through listening to one of her tales, the human girl looked up at the sky, noticing it was almost time for the celebration.

She retrieved a box of mooncakes from the backpack left strayed by a spare pile of driftwood, showing it to the alien.

"My friend from overseas left me these before leaving back to China." She spoke, taking out two and placing one over the alien's free hand — the one that wasn't busy drawing in the sand. "I figured we could eat these together. . . To honour her traditions, and to show them to you, too."

With a curious gaze, the alien reached out for the mooncake and said her thank you's.

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Word Count: 497