As-Salam Al-Amiri

[Liana Mars]

Liana nodded as she heard the term for the covering, one of the most common visuals of Muslims in the news. There had been a lot of arguments about them as well, although Liana didn't follow them too much. “Thanks.” At least she was slightly less unknowing now, if by only a small portion.

As Khalid started naming numbers that would still be well-below freezing, and as though it was warm, Liana frowned, about to comment on his apparent adaptation to the cold, before she realized that he was probably talking in Celsius, while she had spoken in Farenheit. Of course they would have differences at that point, “That sounds like a nice place to be in the winter. Although snow is fun, and riding in it is amusing, just for a hack. Not so much in competition, but it is pretty.” She had enjoyed it, back home, although she didn't miss it here, since Kentucky hadn't had any snow yet.

As Khalid asked if she wanted to sit down, Liana realized that she'd been standing around talking to him for quite a while, and nodded, “I should probably go and grab my backpack before, though. I left it upstairs, I was only planning on grabbing a drink.” She set down her tea – Karak? - and then stepped away, “I'll be right back.” She walked up the stairs to the academic center and threw her textbook into her bag before she returned downstairs, dropping the backpack next to one of the couches and sitting down, “So, what do you make of the classes now that we've been here a while?” Not very long, but at least they'd started attending classes.

[Khalid Al-Kuwari]

"I've never seen snow."

He had mixed feelings towards experiencing the stuff for the first time. It sounded exciting and new, but the cold here was already far below his comfort level. Temperatures in the desert could be cold, but everyone knew how to keep warm. Setting up fires on campus wasn't permitted, and the farwa wasn't really suited to the climate here. He had many fond memories of curling up in his tan colored farwa with elaborate trim next to his father and listening to stories about the Bedouins. The thick wool offered warmth and comfort, and the fur was soft.

While Liana was off to fetch her backpack, Khalid made himself another cup of karak. He liked his with a lot of cardamom and broke open a couple more pods to add to the sugar. He sat down on the sofa with his tea, pulling off his cloak which was becoming a nuisance. The thought crossed his mind that Liana might actually be a little bit afraid of him considering he was from a Gulf country that, from the American standpoint, funded terrorists. He had familiarity with guns, though he would never consider firing one without the supervision of his father. As far as bombs and explosives, he knew only a little and certainly no more than the average person.

"It keeps me busy, and the school schedule is a lot different from back home. At my old school, I was only in class from seven in the morning until one in the afternoon. On Thursday, school ended at noon. The classes here aren't too difficult because a lot of it is um...repeat of last year. Sometimes the English is hard to understand. What about you?"