"Oh, Malaria is one of those things that's a big problem that's comparatively underfunded because it mostly affects poorer countries and populations."

"Yeah, but it's a very cost-effective way to save lives."

"It's really more of a logistics problem than a research problem at this point isn't it? Which means with enough money and hard work we can put it in the ground."

"Yeah! It's on the horizon. I'll throw a party."

"It's an event worth throwing a party for. Honestly as testaments to human achievements things like smallpox eradication day and the moon landing should be international holidays."

"I put on the Ballad of Smallpox Gone every May."

"Honestly studying history is great for noticing how big an achievement that, and medical science generally is! And being frustrated when people take it for granted."

"Before I awakened, I wanted to be an epidemiologist."

"You did say 'med school' i think but not which specialty, that's neat. Unfortunately I lack the math chops for that kind of thing. I understand basic statistics but calculus made my eyes glaze over a bit."

"I never actually got that far either, since I was still in high school when I awakened."

"I did decently well taking biology as a high school and college science elective but I always did do better in the humanities."

"Me too, I wasn't going to be a doctor because it was my best subject in school."

"I admire your dedication then. Well, even more so."

"Don't get me wrong, I wasn't planning to heroically overcome dyscalculia, I did fine, just, my best subject was English."

"I did okay at algebra and stuff and statistics as I said, I just hit my limit a bit at calculus. I do think history and history education is important, as they say 'Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it.' By say, refusing to vaccinate their children against measles."

Nod nod.

Om nom. Takeout.

She goes home a little while after that. Carrying the suitcase is much easier now!. She assures her landlady she's not planning to move out this month. She emails professors apologizing for he absence. She makes a shortlist of agents who look like they might have the right vibe and sends emails to feel them out on their willingness to co-operate with an NDA. (She's not going to try arguing anyone into it, if they're not cool with it they're probably not the right vibe). She updates Haru via text about this progress.

The next day (Friday) she goes shopping. She replaces all her bras and a portion of the rest of he wardrobe. (The clothes that don't fit anymore go to the nearest thrift store) She buys some scarfs and bandanas in a few different colours. She goes to a sports store and buys some sturdy hiking shoes and a few sturdy pairs of pants with deep pockets. She buys a pair of tinted glasses (she'll buy more if they work out well.)

Midmorning Saturday Haru gets a text

Are you busy right now? I want to do a few tests with a friend to see if I have projective powers as well as receptive and don't want to sit on backlash if the answer is yes and you're busy or going to be busy.

I was actually just about to ask you if you're available if I go into a dungeon, something popped up in Ottawa they want to teleport me over for - does ~3h from now work for you?

Wow okay. Yeah that woks for me. I'm not expecting this to take long and don't have anything else planned for the day. I can uber to your place in about an hour-ish. I want to pick up a few things from my place first.

I can have Cricket unlock the door for you on the assumption I'll still be in the dungeon by then?

Yeah that works. I'll read on my phone or something til you're done.

She's found a slope near her place with a cool view from the top.She holds he friend's hand and focuses on what she can see from here and - pushes. Her friend yelps in surprised delight. It's more expensive than the receptive part but not enormously expensive. She's come up with a potential use case for this and they spend a few minutes wandering between buildings talking quietly She does not need to project constantly for this - only when she wants to say something and they aren't going far apart so the level of backlash stays reasonable.

 After that she thanks her friend, buys her an uber home and gets her own uber, runs into her suite, grabs her sunglasses, and new shoes for vetting purposes and ubers over to Haru's place just short of an hour after he last text. 

Cricket can open the lock from inside when he hears the doorbell and confirms it's her through the window.

"Thank you. I'll just be on the couch."

"You do that." Back to his catbed where he is watching Farscape.