markofthebrave | [ Action, Voice ] .029

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[ Action, Voice ] .029

[For no very specific reason at all, Katara is happy this late afternoon. The air is getting colder, and the very fact that it's nipping at her face is enough to make her smile. Add to that the glorious storm of yesterday, that it is still drizzling...

It's started drizzling as she runs her errands in town, and she puts a hand up to bend an 'umbrella' above her head as she walks along. She forgets herself, though, as she comes to some large puddles in the road, and dropping her hand, stares at them for half a beat.

Well, she's already wet.

So she jumps in. Not bending at all, simply splashing about in the puddles along her way.

Feel free to catch her in this rare display of immaturity and glee - or even join her! Hopefully she won't catch a cold.

Much later, as she prepares dinner for her house, she makes a voice post.]

Anyone else looking forward to the change in the weather?

[OOC: I know notifs are so so down. Please ping me on AIM if it's been a while and I haven't tagged!]

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[Michael takes a casual half-step closer to Katara- putting them both under the shelter of his umbrella. He had a strong hunch the gesture was unnecessary- but he knew quite well that didn't necessarily render it less significant.]

I actually seem to be having problems at the other end of that spectrum. [He laughs.] I've got to watch how much I cook, or I'll end up having to eat the same thing for days- and occasionally I'll luck out, and not end up sick of it halfway through.

[She blinks up at him, grateful for the gesture, and even edges forward a small half-step herself to bring her more thoroughly under the umbrella's covering. Dry is nice. And warm is nice. And Michael is nice, and warm, and tall--

--TALL? Where did that -- what did that have to do with anything?

Katara almost visibly wrenches her attention back to what he's saying.]

It's got to be hard to cook for only one person... I guess you could always try cooking a bunch of a staple and then just making it with different things, like chicken or fish...

[And then she gives him a quick smile.] And you could always come over and eat with us! We have dinner together every night, and that way you could meet everybody. Just let me know in advance so I know when to make extra.

[Katara is of the firm opinion that dinners are communal and no one should have to eat them alone.]

It does pose challenges- I've had plenty of practice at it though.

[losing your parents to be raised by your sister who also dies leaving you all alone tends to promote skill sets that include things like cooking for one. Though he rarely ate alone- there was lunch at school, and occasional meals taken in the mess hall on the Macross Quarter- those totally count as communal dining events, right?]

However... I'm never one to turn down an offer for dinner. But I do have one condition- you'll have to let me make dinner for you sometime.

[Blink. What?

What is this.

Seriously?]

Oh, no! You don't have to do that. [Waving her hands in front of her now and smiling as she leans back the slightest bit.]

I mean, that's really sweet of you, Michael, but I make dinner every night for the house. It's really no big deal.

[Oh, he won't be defeated that easily.]

Every night? That's all the more reason to let me treat you some time then. And if the rest of your house can't fend for themselves one night, it wouldn't be to hard to put together something to keep them sated too.

No, it's fine, really. I don't mind it. [Even though she is now cooking TWO meals a night. One vegetarian and one with meat.

...although there is a definite flicker across her that says she's considering the possibilities. She could make them their dinner in the afternoon and they could just warm it up...]

[As long as we're talking vegetarian and not vegan, Michael can handle both of those with one word: quiche.

Little known fact, real men DO eat quiche, and the smart ones make it on a regular basis. It's delicious, (somewhat) nutritious, ridiculously simple, and is one of the few dishes that actually shines as leftovers. But best of all, because of it's deceptive reputation, it's an amazing way to impress people.]

You deserve it... and I can tell you could use a break. I can see it in your eyes.

[And can he ever. Those pretty green eyes of his are staring STRAIGHT into hers.]

[Blink, blink. So much focused intensity... but she's not sure where this is coming from. It's not as if it's had a chance to get that bad yet, like when Zuko randomly took over dinner all those months back. And this 'You deserve it?' What is that? She's just doing what she's always done. And she doesn't appreciate being told that she needs a break, that he can see it, when she's feeling fine.]

It's really not that bad. It's kind of nice having a full house to cook for again instead of just me and Sokka, and it's not as if I really have to prepare anything. The grocery store has it basically ready to go.

[Says the girl who is used to waiting for the hunters to bring the meat home, then dressing, curing, and preparing, and cooking it.]

[Oh and one last thing. The whole "real men don't eat quiche" thing? No man in his right mind should turn down something that has that much cheese in it. EVER.]

At least keep it in consideration for when you feel like a change of pace then? I can sympathize with you on making dinner for others, after all.

[Change in tactics then. Katara is nothing if not a challenge. And that annoying voice in the back of his head likes her too. It says it's proud of him for putting forth this kind of effort for a girl with substance, for once.]

I can do that. [She smiles at him, fully intending to never bring it up again. But he's managed to pique her curiosity.] You're used to cooking for a lot of people?

[He shakes his head.]

No, just myself plus one for the most part. [Like his sister who's been dead for years, or the dozens of girls he's dated back home. But no need to mention any of them, right?]

I do understand what you mean, though. There's a certain satisfaction to be had in seeing people enjoy something you've put that sort of work into.

[He meant that to be a bullshit line. But at least part of the sincerity was kind of not faked. Funny, that.]

[Her smile softens into the closest thing to real appreciation since this exchange about dinner began.] I guess that's true. I never really thought of it like that.

[That smile... That left him off guard for once. He had decided not long after arriving here to live how he knew best- alone. When he threw himself into the fight that cost him his life, Michael had come to terms with a lot of things. But waking up here... he couldn't help feel like it cheapened the feelings he gave his last breath to speak. Feelings that smile reminded him of.

He was oddly silent for a moment, reminding himself he didn't need to let people close. Flirting and dating was fun... friends too, and they could save your tail in a pinch... but getting too close was just inviting grief. Especially considering either one of them could simply be gone one day. He wouldn't put himself through losing someone close to him again.

...But no need for any drastic action, especially if it might put her feelings at stake.]

I suppose it's something like how a craftsman or artist feels, don't you think?

[Still smiling, inside he was reassuring himself that he could keep the status quo while that voice in the back of his head laughed.]

...And I also suppose we might want to find someplace else to talk... unless you've got to get home soon, of course.

[Oblivious to the depths of Michael's internal struggle, Katara's gaze had still turned concerned during that pause. But when he smiles, she smiles back.]

If you want, I wouldn't mind sharing your umbrella to the grocery store? I can hang out for a little bit after that, but everyone comes back to the house hungry.

[She was totally making her way through the puddles in an orderly and timely fashion, hush. >>]

[Of course she was. It was clearly a case of testing the puddles to make sure they were not deceptively deep, enough so to pose a risk to other passers-by.]

As you wish. [Oh thank god it's doubtful that either of them has ever seen The Princess Bride.] That was my next desination anyway~

[She beams up at him happily.] Thanks. Cold and wet are never a good combination.

[And stepping slightly closer to him, she moves to walk alongside him.]

Though they are usually a good excuse for a hot meal and a comfortable seat right next to som- ...next to a fire.

[And sharing an umbrella at least made it into the top five.]

So how are you settling in? Enjoying the new paint job?

The whole place is immaculate. And in no small part thanks to the paint job~

[As they arrive at the grocery store, He takes a step out from beneath the umbrella to leave Katara sheltered while he opens the door.]

All the more reason for you to come by and see it sometime, of course.

[She looks up at him when he steps out into the rain and gets the door - one of these days, she's going to have to ask someone what the big deal is about that. But she steps into store quickly so he doesn't get too wet.]

Did you change it all that much?

[He shakes his head as he ducks through the door, closing and propping the umbrella by the door.]

Set up the main area with a couple couches and a love seat. A bookshelf I'm slowly working on filling too. Got the bedroom set up nicely too~

-Not that you'd probably care about seeing that.

[Oh he did not just slip like that. Hey, look at that zucchini. That's totally an awesome zucchini.]

[At that last line, she gives him a bit of a weird look. What's the big deal about his bedroom? It's not like she wasn't in it to paint it before. ~~S-sob.~~]

Why wouldn't I? I'm glad you've got the place set up.

[And she goes for that zucchini. It will taste great chopped up with spicy noodles.]

[Oh god. He's not going to answer thaaaat~ Especially since our boy here is still at least barely clinging to his v-card.]

Haha, looks like I'll have to think up something other than stir-fry tonight... keep an eye open for spinach? Been a while since I had quiche.

((Damn I'm good.))

[The whole bedroom reference was weird to her anyway, so she's just as satisfied to let it drop. Searching for a good eggplant now.]

Sorry, did you want this? [A beat.] What's quiche?

((Yes! Well done.))

[Action] what did I say? No. <3 teal deer.

[Action] LOL, then there will be herds of them, I'm afraid ^^

[Action] Looks like we're having venison tonight!

[Action] 1/2

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[Action] oh, she's so doomed. ;;

[Action] if you can't tell I'm a fan of quiche, you may need to see an optomitrist.

[Action] I may be detecting that subtle vibe XD Sadly, Katara does not know this dish exists

[Action] Oh, she will.

[Action] She'll love it. ...especially if it means cooking just once a night for a while >>

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[Action] Time for his own tl;dr

[Action] Delicious tl;dr

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[Action] 50 points for movie reference \o/

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[Action] TV doesn't exist here, does it?

[Action] It can be asked for if you know it exists! No TV shows, but DVDs and the like, sure.

[Action] He'll probably have a home theater before too long then~

[Action] Cool! Just make sure Michael asks 'Catherine' for 'em (checked with a mod to make sure >>)