Better 'til Best

Hi, Meredith here. I'm a Pokemon Trainer, following my dad's footsteps. I love my family, my Pokemon, and learning. So long as you don't stand in my way or bother my family, we can be friends.

[meredith-ketchum]

Okay, Winter Weather

[meredith-ketchum]

I’ll stick a whiteboard outside of my office and write down the forecast for the week. Unless it’s grim, no one wants bad news of cold weather flashing in their face every day. So long as you don’t feel the need to buy your own space heater, you should be good.

Here’s to hoping! I’ve never been able to get the whole ‘plan ahead’ thing to work. That’s good to hear! Taking any particularly interesting classes?

That will be very handy, thank you! And I also appreciate your thoughtfulness. Nobody wants bad news... Haha, there have been a few of those dark moments, but not enough to commit yet. Nah, it could be far worse.

Well, I think you’re making improvements! You remembered to get everyone’s gifts this year at the holiday gathering. If that’s not planning ahead, I don’t know what is. Hmm, well definitely a few with a Professor Oak that I’m looking forward to! What about you, looking forward to any classes in particular?

[meredith-ketchum]

Okay, Winter Weather

[meredith-ketchum]

Ew, gross. No. The fluffy powder stuff. Slush is good for absolutely nothing.

That’s the only way winter is tolerable.

Agreed. Except for throwing at your worst enemies...

You can say that again... Hey, I’m Meredith. I don’t know that we’ve met yet.

[meredith-ketchum]

Okay, Winter Weather

[meredith-ketchum]

I’m checking with Xatu and Absol at least twice a day to see if they feel like predicting any warmer weather in the near future. Good, I remember when I studied here, we’d occasionally have bouts of, ah, brisk indoor weather.

I’m doing well, all things considered. Trying to prepare lesson plans in advance, so we’ll see how that goes. How are you, Meredith? Did you have a pleasant break?

Oh please keep me up to date on their answers. I’m desperate for a silver lining. Ah, good to hear that it’s improved a bit at least. Although, it always depends on the night.

That’s good to hear! I’m sure that’ll end up paying off nicely for you. I’m doing-- well! Break was pretty great, all things considered. And now I’m just looking forward to a fresh new term!

[meredith-ketchum]

Okay, Winter Weather

[meredith-ketchum]

That’s the best kind to race through! Or lie in. Or gaze at pensively through a frosted window. I believe it.

Only if they come along with hot chocolate and fireplace de-frosting.

Slush...is fun to lie in? Or did I hear you wrong? I can get with you on the ‘gazing at’ part. Not so much the others.

Okay, yes. I’m good, there. We can agree on that.

[meredith-ketchum]

Okay, Winter Weather

[meredith-ketchum]

You don’t like the snow?

Why?

Oh I like the snow... when it’s fluffy and new and perfect. After Christmas, I think some evil power makes it slushy and awful.

You do like having numb toes?

[meredith-ketchum]

Okay, Winter Weather

[meredith-ketchum]

It always seems to overstay it’s welcome.

Are they at least keeping the dorms at a livable temperature?

It certainly does. Oh, yes, most of the time. As long as I have an extra blanket and a good pair of socks at night, I’m golden.

How are you, Professor?

[meredith-ketchum]

Okay, Winter Weather

Christmas is over... Your services are no longer required.

[elliot-oak]

Hm...

[meredith-ketchum]

Nope, I feel like they could have done much better.

Me? I suppose I have. Nothing unusual has happened recently–fingers crossed–so I’ve been great. You? How are classes going?

Well that’s good at least. Tame semesters are never something to complain about-- as long as we remain prepared for the worst. ‘Cause that’s typically what follows in this school.

Classes are pretty good, actually! No complaints here, either.

[elliot-oak]

Hm...

[meredith-ketchum]

Ask me to remember a twenty-character password and I can do that no problem, but hold onto a little plastic card? It’s madness.

Haven’t is probably the better question. It’ll show up eventually though, you don’t need to worry yourself, Meredith.

Well-- little plastic cards never were the best invention for something that’s supposed to be important. I wouldn’t blame yourself.

Yeah, I’m sure it will. Have-- you been having a good term so far, Professor?

[elliot-oak]

Hm...

[meredith-ketchum]

Well, I needed it to scan into the library earlier this morning. Other than that, though, it could be anywhere on the road from my apartment to the library, or the library to the labs, or the labs to this tree that Ringo likes to climb, or possibly in one of my books…

I have Houndoom on the trail now. We’ll have this figured out in no time. Or at least until I have to purchase a new one.

Oh.... dear. Um...

Well, while Houndoom is on the search, let’s-- start with your books. Which ones have you been reading? ...Or is the better question which ones haven’t-- you been reading...?

[elliot-oak]

Hm...

I seemed to have misplaced my ID…

[meredith-ketchum]

Where was the last place you had it?

[subtleelevation-deactivated2018]

Jane Levy

[adelaide-ketchum]

Yeah!

[meredith-ketchum]

Oh, happy day!

Orthopedic shoes, too. I bet they have some lift. You’re starting to worry me, Mere. Because I’m two cents short of broke. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but close enough. Good! You’d better not. Will do!

Oh yes, those shoes are all the rage now. Can’t be without ‘em... Don’t worry, I’m completely fine. Just tired. Been a long few weeks.

Haha, I sincerely doubt that! But have Mercer start paying for more stuff, you’ll save up right away! *smirk* I won’t! Promise! I’ll see you soon, Birthday Girl!

[adelaide-ketchum]

Yeah!

[meredith-ketchum]

Yeah you do, I’m really disappointed in your recent performance, to be honest.

Age won’t bring me down, nope! Maybe I’ll even get taller! I’ll call it that. You? Drunk? I’d pay legitimate money to see that. And anyone would’ve needed to get drunk after that visit, yuck. You know it! We’re very reasonable. Thanks, sis. You stay away from Oak.

Not anymore than I am, sis. From here on out, I’ll be the regular task master you’ve expected me to be.

Well good, just don’t forget your walker. Well if this semester is anything like the last, you better set some money aside... Yeah, definitely not going back at any cost. And good! That’s all I ask...And no problem there, I most certainly will. Go have fun! Happy Birthday, Ade!

[meredith-ketchum]

[adelaide-ketchum]

Yeah!

[meredith-ketchum]

You clearly haven’t been doing a very good job at it.

I’d hate to think I’ve slowed down. Good! You did what? You visited him? What? Gross, Mere. Well, that’s the plan. Doing twin things with Gus, hanging with Lola, it’s a chill birthday. And I like it.

I have given you far too much leeway in recent years... I need to shape up.

Well, you are old now, Birthday Girl.... Yes, yes I did. Call it a moment of complete stupidity. Maybe I was drunk-- or was it that I needed to get drunk after that visit? I forget. Well that sounds like a good time! Nothin’ too crazy, you kids get home at a reasonable hour. Ya know, all the stuff Mom says... *smile* But also have fun.

[meredith-ketchum]

Mere’s Music

Fight Song -- Rachel Platten

Human -- Cristina Perri

Little House -- The Fray

Brave -- Sara Bareilles

Slow Me Down -- Emmy Rossum

Bad Day -- Daniel Powter

Outside -- Calvin Harris ft. Ellie Goulding

The Heart of Life -- John Mayer

The Middle -- Jimmy Eat World