Areas of expertise
Two closely linked drabbles. Yes, the tense change between them is intentional; for no good reason, but intentional.
"I don't think your brother likes me," Victor said.
"He's just annoyed that he spent a week last year trying to disprove your theories, and couldn't. Before, I had thought you were one of his silly pseudonyms and I just wasn't getting the pun."
"So you think it's professional jealousy, and not just being a big brother?"
"Was a very intense week."
Victor raised an eyebrow at Melissa, but said nothing. "So, do you do that? Publish under pseudonyms?"
"No. I've been working on Mitchell since I was eleven, and I'm not a ridiculous polymath like Artemis, just a biologist."
"'Just a biologist'?" Victor repeats indignantly. "Excuse me, but a very talented biologist who accomplished something nobody else even thought to try before she was thirty. A mother, daughter, sister and aunt. A woman who both my daughter and I have grown quite fond of." He pauses. "And did I mention really pretty?"
She elbows him gently. "You know my work will help more cis-women than trans- ones?" She asks him.
"Only because there are more of them. You know who you did it for."
"Me, myself and I, mostly," she says. "You'll notice I tested it on myself."