The Sound of Distant Thunder, The Color of Flame

I'm Meredith, but I'll shoot you if you don't call me Mere like everyone else does.

[bravelittlemeredith]

So, what do you think?

[fayemathers]

That’s a shame. What happened this time?

[bravelittlemeredith]

I can't dance perfectly, so Ana hates me more than usual, and I'm still single, and with all the wedding frenzy... my mum's overexcited, to say the least.

[john-andermen]

"Stop right there"

[john-andermen]

"I still remember that time Jasmine tried to teach us how to make cookies, I thought I was going to die that day… so where did you pick up the recipes?"

"Hmm and I always thought ego gave you a big head… not big hair… wait should I duck?" John asked waging her reaction to his teasing. He nodded after she made the calculations, sometimes it was hard to try and make things be enough, but the universe always seemed to give them a hand. "You know these are the kind of skills that we should be able to include in job applications… but how on earth do you explain something like this…" 

[bravelittlemeredith]

"It was only a small fire. Don't be overdramatic," she chuckled, lightly punching him on the arm. "And you didn't seriously think my mum would ever let me out of her house without knowing how to cook something, did you?"

"Don't insult the hair. It'll eat you. I've seen it do it to pens, pencils, combs, and hair ties. Your face would just be a light snack."

She shook her head. Job applications. Like she'd ever be able to get the sort of job she wanted. Like she'd ever really get to have a normal job, or a normal life. It would be days at HQ and nights at the Rabbit Hole until... she didn't know when. She didn't know what after. If there would be anything after. After a pause, she quietly replied, "You don't."

[robertiras-blog]

I know… I know… I didn’t want to… well … I know how hard this is for you, and I know I don’t say this often, but you are doing a great job, and perhaps sometimes we ask too much from you… and I know you will never tell me if it’s too much, but know that … know that you can always… well you know…

Well I like to believe all those years working at the castle paid off, but I still get that crippling anxiety that I’m going to say the wrong thing and all hell will break lose. I appreciate you being willing to spend time with me, specially because I know you probably hate the event as much as I do.

[bravelittlemeredith]

It's no trouble, honestly. I'd be doing over half this stuff even without all this. And... oh. Um... okay. Thanks....? I'm not good at sappy stuff. You know that.

Dude, you're preaching to the choir here. And that sounds about right. You and I hiding in some corner with big glasses of champagne, quietly hating everyone else there.

[john-andermen]

"Stop right there"

[john-andermen]

"Yeah Tanner can get a little too excited with things… with most things…okay okay, I guess I just assumed you survived by eating take out…" John said as he followed her into the kitchen.

"You are a genius," he said looking at her with a smile, "how many servings do you think we can get from this?" he said motioning to the things on the counter. 

[bravelittlemeredith]

"Yeah, well, I figured I wouldn't be a good one to teach him to cook, so I just kicked him out of the kitchen. And you can only eat take-out for so long before it really starts to get to you."

"I know, I know, but do keep telling my so. You'll get no complaints here." Mere then did some quick counting. Two loaves of bread, a block of cheddar, and four cans of soup. "There's enough soup for ten. We can probably make that many sandwiches, too."

[isabellenewtons-blog]

What’s your favorite colour? 

You really think so? Umm nothing special… I just love pretty dresses … even if I don’t get many opportunities to wear them…

[bravelittlemeredith]

"I'm a bigger fan of blues and greens, to be honest. I think they make my hair and eyes pop."

"Nothing special?" Mere repeated, smirking. While she'd never gotten on too well with most girls, she'd learned by observation what a crush looked like. "So, what's nothing special's name?"

[bravelittlemeredith]

So, what do you think?

[fayemathers]

Let me know how that goes darling Mere. 

Business at the club has been great, so I can’t really complain. How about you?

[bravelittlemeredith]

I've been alright, I suppose. My mum and cousin have been getting on my nerves, but that's nothing new.

[robertiras-blog]

Well probably being the center of attention is all she has… we’ve both heard the rumours. Do you know if princess Ana is making us be together for the entirety of the event? 

Because I’m really hoping she does, I definitely won’t be in the mood for socializing. But I don’t want to force you to spend time with me in public.

[bravelittlemeredith]

I know more than rumors, Rob. Remember, I grew up with her. Still... it doesn't really make it easier. Family is family, but family is also difficult, more often than not.

You're not that bad, Rob. Besides, I'm sure we'll have to mingle a bit. But if you must, I give you permission to be a bit of a barnacle for the evening.

[robertiras-blog]

It seems like the wedding is driving everybody crazy… I just want this thing to be over. 

Well too bad that something is going to have to wait until we are finished with rehearsals, how are your dancing skills these days?

[bravelittlemeredith]

You speak for the whole population of this damn town when you say that. Well, except Ana. She loves being the center of attention.

Passable, and I maintain that that's all they'll ever be.

[bravelittlemeredith]

So, what do you think?

[fayemathers]

It’s not your aim I’m worried about. I’ve heard rumors that they weigh down the bottles so that even if you hit them dead on, they won’t fall. But  they could be just that, rumors.”

[bravelittlemeredith]

I'll be sure to throw extra hard, then.

How're you, by the way?

[emma-agnes]

Emma Agnes, pleasure.

I probably should learn to cook. It seems like a necessary life skill.

[bravelittlemeredith]

Well, I'd say stick to the stovetop. It certainly saves me quite a bit of smoke, surprisingly. Easier to keep an eye on things, I guess.

[bravelittlemeredith]

So, what do you think?

[old-finn-bradshaw-blog]

"Well I still can’t raise it over my head."

"Ugh, I can’t do anything around here.

[bravelittlemeredith]

"Nasty. I can't blame you for being so pissy, I'd be going stir crazy too," she remarked.

"Unfortunately.... well, I've been doing some reading, and my best guess is that you're looking at at least three months before your arm's totally back in business."

[robertiras-blog]

It was more of a complain, you haven’t tested my patience in a while…so please don’t take it as a challenge.

[bravelittlemeredith]

There's not much for me to do lately. I'm mostly trying to get by. My mum's in overdrive, with all the stuff with Ana's wedding.

Though now that you mention it... I'm sure I could come up with something...

[john-andermen]

"Stop right there"

[john-andermen]

"True. You are not bad at cooking, you are only a little dangerous to be around while cooking" John said with a small laugh.

"Mmm now that I think about it, the real challenge is going to be coming up with something to make with what we have in the pantry… we really need to go grocery shopping."

[bravelittlemeredith]

"Hey! That last fire was most definitely Tanner's fault. Not mine. I can get by, I swear. I mean, I live on my own, and I don't starve." As she spoke, she walked into the kitchen, assuming John would follow her.

Mere sighed. "I'll add that to the list. But..." she glanced at the fridge, and then back at the pantry. "Bingo! I've got just the thing!" She rummaged around, grabbing the desired ingredients. "Grilled cheese and tomato soup!" she declared, spreading the fare out on the counter.

[bravelittlemeredith]

So, what do you think?

[old-finn-bradshaw-blog]

"I don’t see why not.  What’s the worst that can happen?"

Finn was taking it easy on a bench, doing his best to not aggravate his wounds while at the same time trying to avoid his brother.  He didn’t need Brynn worrying over him and sending him back home.

[bravelittlemeredith]

"I'd say losing a little money, to be honest.  So, not too bad. Speaking of bad... how's the arm?"

[john-andermen]

"Stop right there"

[john-andermen]

"That is true" he said with a soft smile, "you know deep down I think he likes it when you give him a hard time…"

John wondered if he had said something wrong, it was not like her to just let him have the last word, or anyone for that matter. It was then that he felt her thumb against his hand, they had held hands before, when sparring or even when they needed a bit of reassuring, a quick squeeze usually did it. But this was different, and Mere seemed to feel it too as she quickly let go.

He still didn’t know what that had been about. John stood up from his place by the couch, “well Rob hasn’t stop by yet, so unless you want to help me make some food, you should just rest up for a bit…” he said with a smile while trying to look at something other than her. 

[bravelittlemeredith]

Mere shook her head and bounced up off the couch. "No, no, I don't like doing nothing. That's not why I come here. Besides," she said with a grin, "I'm not that bad at cooking."

[bravelittlemeredith]

So, what do you think?

[fayemathers]

I’ve always heard those games were rigged. But that shouldn’t stop you from trying.

[bravelittlemeredith]

Rigged how? Because if there's one thing I trust, it's my aim.

[bravelittlemeredith]