Author: Kat
Title: First Impressions
Story: Shine Like It Does
Colors: Russet 4 (brushed), harvest gold 4 (raking), zing 15 (you should do some soul-searching, maybe you'll find one) with shadowsong's paint-by-numbers (Not everyone who meets her likes Miranda).
Supplies and Materials: Miniature collection, pointillism, bichromatic, canvas, glitter ("Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within." – James A. Baldwin), glue (one adjustment won't do the trick; make several subtle realignments throughout the day as needed.).
Word Count: 249
Rating: PG
Summary: Five first impressions of Miranda, and one second.
Warnings: contempt, one female-based slur.
Notes: This is shadowsong26's fault, although she probably doesn't know it.


1.
She is tiny, wet and slick and screaming, eyes screwed shut against the light and little fists doubled in rage, and Isobel, panting and in pain, can't believe how beautiful she is.


2.
She's supposed to be the most intelligent girl in her class, and looking at that smug smile and those bored eyes, she definitely knows it: Mr. Spalding pinches his nose, and feels certain she's going to be his headache for the next school year.


3.
She walks into the room like she owns it, props her hands on her hips while she looks around, and announces that it will do; they haven't exchanged even complete sentences yet and Alicia already knows that they're going to be friends.


4.
She gives Peter a compassionate look and tells him not to worry, that they've done all this before and he's in the right and they've got everything covered; and looking up at her, so confident and kind, Peter feels safe for the first time since this whole mess began.


5.
She rakes a glare over him, up and down, and the tiny snort that escapes her makes Robert Omspach feel about ten inches tall-- he hasn't even properly met her and already he loathes her, the bitch.


6.
She lies in a hospital bed, her skin pale as cream, bruises purple against her dark hair, but her eyes are open and she smiles when she sees him, and Peter thinks maybe now he's seeing her for real.