[Oct / Nov Catchall] lay her down in her gingerbread coffin

[joyfuljulie]

WHO: Julie Joyful & Friends!
WHAT: Various shenanigans!
WHEN: Throughout October & November.
WHERE: All over!
WARNINGS: Open prompts here, closed prompts in individual threads as needed. Feel free to throw down extra prompts in a comment if you I don't cover a quest you want to do with Julie!



CITY QUESTS

[Fashion Flavors]

[Julie is practically vibrating here she's so excited. All she needed were the words 'fashion' and 'style' alongside the 'randomly' and her mind instantly latched on to the notion of this as a game. A game involving fashion no less!

So here she is with her bounty of blonde hair swept up into a high bun that looks absolutely huge against her petite stature. She's also got a cute little sewing basket already all packed up for her fashion endeavors!

Anyone she meets who even vaguely looks to be be here for the event will get a big bright smile and an eager wave from the 3'3" tall little blonde in her standard pink dress with a rainbow apron overtop.]

Have you gotten your random style yet? I can't wait to see what everyone gets!

SPRING SEGMENT

[Rabbits Need Scritches]

[This morning Julie had set out on a search -- a search for giant rabbits! Reading the missive on how much they needed scritches almost made her tear up right then and there. She knew she had to go help them!

So here she is, hair up in a high ponytail this time and she's come dressed in shorts for the occassion! And what's this? With some effort Julie appears to be lugging a basket as big as she is!

Before anyone can answer the question she answers in a bright chipper tone:]

It's for the fur!

[Knock Knock Knocking on Monster Doors] CW: Potential Horror & Narrow Escapes

[Julie isn't quite sure what to make of it. She's sitting here in a bush, her head barely peeking out as she takes in the sight of this particular house. It's yellow exterior makes her think of Frank's home and it looks cheerful enough.

It's windows are glowing bright save for the obvious dark "pupils" it uses to look around the area with. Apparently that doesn't disturb Julie in the least though as she continues watching the house, her expression flitting between something unsettled and something longing.

Her voice is low as she murmurs in a tone of obvious disappointment.]

It figures not all houses are quite like Home.

AUTUMN SEGMENT

[Go Team Pumpkin Spice!]

[Julie is of course dressed for the occassion and absolutely laden with jars. Or as laden as someone of her size can be. Amusingly enough the bag crossing over her body despite being packed with jars doesn't seem to be weighing her down a whole lot. Even when she starts filling them!

And somehow in spite of being on the trail for a bit considering how many filled jars she seems to have, the blonde is happy to stop and take in the scent again.]

It smells ... cozy!

Comments

[demondelic]

[... Okay, yeah, even they can admit they'd probably look kind of cute sitting on a teensy sofa with Julie. Even if they'd take up at least 80% of it.]

Unfortunately, having tea with you would consist entirely of me watching you have your tea... but I see no issue with joining you in your apartment, "you"-sized or not.
If I do not fit on the furniture, I will simply seat myself upon the floor.

It would be unfair to you if I forced you to acclimate to an apartment that is "me"-sized without doing the same for you, don't you think?

[joyfuljulie]

[Oooh, that's right. She forgot that Purple was much like Wally when it came to food. Maybe? She had never really seen Wally eat but she always thought he must be shy about it. Purple straight up couldn't.

She blinks at them a moment and then she quite dramatically throws her arounds around their neck, pressing her cheek to theirs as she stands on her tip toes on her stool.]

Oooh, you're so sweet!

[demondelic]

[Of course, the suddenness of her throwing her arms around their neck gets them to startle - they almost teleport away out of reflex, even fading out of sight for a second, but they're quick to keep themself in place and fade back into view despite it.
Though, they can't stop the way they give her a few big, wide-eyed blinks.]

S-sweet? I am just thinking about what would be fair, considering our relative heights... do others not treat you in such a way?
Are others not respecting you as they should?

[joyfuljulie]

[Julie doesn't even notice the near fade out. Who'd run from hugs? Frank certainly endured hers and Wally went limp but seemed pleased so it never entered her mind others might not be as happy to get them. Or used to it.

At Purple's questions she blinks back, expression curious.]

No? I don't think so? I mean ... I think they're respecting me?

[Not that she knows a great deal of people here yet. She looks skyward and starts ticking off things with fingertaps against Purple's chest. She's just sort of casually hanging onto them now, cheek backed off of theirs but close by.]

Let's see ... well Barnaby and Poppy are both bigger than you. And I go over to Poppy's barn a whole lot. Oh and Howdy's store too! Sometimes when we go there I give Wally boosts so he can look at the apples better.

[Which is to say she grabs him under the arms and he ragdolls.]

I'm usually at Frank's house though and his house isn't quite as big as theirs.

[... Wait, what was her point again? Oh!]

I'm used to big spaces though!

[demondelic]

[Thankfully, it's not the hug or closeness that got to Purple any - they're getting more and more used to it, the more time they spend with Julie - but rather, the suddenness.
They've got enough reflexes to teleport out of the way of being headbutt by someone they didn't even know was there, and anything like that gets a similar response if they don't catch themself in time.

They're already calming back down, though! Even settling into the hug a little bit.]

... Hmmm. I see.
I still feel as though forcing you to become used to "big spaces" is, in itself, disrespectful... but if that is not how you feel, then I will leave it be.
It is not my place to decide your feelings on such a thing, after all.

[A pause.]

... I am going to start getting smaller furniture for my own apartment, however.

[A short coffee table that's the same height as their sofa would work perfectly for a chair that's her height, for example!
Accommodation is important when it comes to maintaining friendships. In their eyes, anyway.]

[joyfuljulie]

[D'awww. Julie gives them an affectionate pat on the chest and then a little squeeze before she slips away to finish up their hair.]

That, my dear Purple, is because you are considerate.

[Even if they were evil once upon a time. At the idea of them getting little furniture though she giggles and says with a singsong note of amusement to her tone:]

And I'll get a much bigger armchair just for you.

[demondelic]

[They're technically still a little evil deep down in there, considering they had that change of heart just minutes before showing up in Ellipsa -
But they're working on it! And Julie's easily become one of the reasons why.
(Especially when she does things like hug them out of nowhere and sing because she feels like it and take their hands just because they're there and kiss their cheek on a whim and--)]

If you are serious about that decision, tell me so I may help you move it into your apartment.
It wouldn't do to have you carry something like that on your own just for me, whether you have the strength for such or not.

[joyfuljulie]

[Details, details.

She pauses a moment as she finishes up the second side, moving to that bigger and looser middle brain. Her face is nicely pink as she pauses to now press a kiss to the crown of their head.]

See, that's what I mean by sweet. It's not about others respecting me or not. It's just that you doing that is sweet.

[demondelic]

[Unsurprisingly, that kiss to their head gets them to squeeze their eyes shut for a second, before they look over their shoulder to blink up at her where she stands on that stepstool.]

... This strange little thing which you keep doing to me with your mouth - that is a kiss, correct?
What is the purpose of them? I have seen others do this many times, but I have not yet seen a common reason behind it...

[They've seen friends greet each other with kisses, they've seen parents kiss their children, they've seen couples kissing under streetlamps... there's nothing linking all of these things together, as far as they can tell!!
(Yes, there is. Purple just can't see it very well, not having experienced love much themself.)]

... Is it because you believe me to be sweet?

[joyfuljulie]

Oh, to show affection!

[She says that easily as she finishes off Purple's last big braid, running her fingers over each one just to double check it as she talks.]

It's like ... when you do something 'sweet' it makes me feel a little warm inside. So I share some of that warmth with you! I kiss you, I hug you -- things like cuddling and touching can be affectionate too.

[She leans forward. With them leaning back and her on this stepstool she can tuck their head under her chin, up against her neck and chest.]

I want to share that affection with you because I like you!

[demondelic]

... "Affection"...

[They look forward just a bit as they parrot that, sounding as if it's strange and novel - because, also just as unsurprising, it is to them - but soon enough they lean back a little more into that sort-of-embrace, against her chest, to look up at her even more.
It smooshes their braids a little bit, but it's probably fine.]

You feel such a thing toward me?

[joyfuljulie]

[It must be fine because in the next moment rather than rest her hands on their shoulders or such Julie reaches forward to brush a few stray hairs out of their face. It's a comfortably familiar gesture.]

Of course! We're good friends, aren't we?

[demondelic]

[They squint, blinking a bit as Julie brushes their hair away from their face, but it's safe to say that if they could... they'd be smiling up at her, at this point.]

Ah - is that part of affection as well? I suppose it would not surprise me to learn I have misunderstood it for so long...
I have only heard the term used in regards to lovers, so I am sure you could imagine my confusion.

... Well, no. I have also heard it used with pets.
But that would be even stranger, if you were to consider me a pet.

[They're pretty sure they're not even small enough for something like that? Sure, the sentient crocodile that Brown Mage kept as a pet was a lot larger than they were... but it was also paralyzed, which made it dependant on Brown for care!!
You know, like a pet!!!!
(It's as fucked up as it sounds, yes. Everhood was not a good place.)]

[joyfuljulie]

[Julie looks startled, blinking more than a few times.]

Oh gosh no, you're not a pet! Never!

[She leans back a little to set their braids to rights if needed but doesn't seem rushed to declare them done just yet. It's the first time she's gotten to pet on them like this and she's missed being able to do this with someone else. It helped that she somewhat suspected Purple could really use more of this type of affection.]

Mm, lovers are affectionate with each other but so are friends. It's just lovers are more ... intimately affectionate.

[She does flush a little at that but she doesn't look awkward about it. Frank had been pretty thorough in discussing the differences in non-intimate and intimate activities when it had come up.]

[demondelic]

Intimate... I see. Yes, I suppose that makes sense, with what little I know of the topic.

[Said as they lean back a liiiiittle bit more. Almost as if they're, you know, getting comfy. Putting their weight on her like they're looking to be held.
It's not done purposefully, of course - they don't even notice they're doing it at all.
But her guess about them needing this type of affection seems to be more than correct.]

So, then... we are to show each other such affection due to being good friends, yes? Do I have that right?
I must admit, I do not know how to do that beyond what you have shown to me... but I will try my best, should that be something you wish for.

[joyfuljulie]

[Julie would like to giggle at least a little but them settling in more comfortable makes her want to smile more. She might not have experienced the hard times Purple had in their life -- unlife? -- but she's at least acquainted to being comforting and looking for comfort herself.

So she loops her arms around them again, a hand against their chest to gently pat them now and then.]

That's right.

[Now she does giggle just a little.]

You know, I have a friend at home who can't quite figure out how to hug. Oh he likes being hugged, I'm pretty sure of that. He just can't quite get how to give a hug back.

[She checks a few of their side braids now, idly petting more than anything.]

He'll learn eventually though. And so will you. If you want to copy what I do that's fine but do what makes you feel comfortable, okay? Because part of showing affection is the other person wanting that affection.

[She clears her throat and humorously uses an overly serious tone.]

So don't you be afraid to say, "Excuse me, Miss Joyful, I'd rather not be hugged today." Or something like that.

[demondelic]

To be frank with you, I do not foresee myself having to say anything of the sort.

[Said with just a touch of humor in their tone.

There's a pause, here, of some internal debate, but after a moment... Purple allows themself to softly lean their head against Julie's arm - whichever one isn't being used to play with their hair.
It's such a light little thing, as if they're worried about maybe hurting her arm somehow, but still. It's there.]

You know... this reminds me of something. I have recently begun meeting with a doctor, here in Ellipsa -
He suggested that I be open to physical displays of affection as a part of my "care". To help my mind become healthy once more.

At first, I could not see how such a thing would help... but spending time with you leads me to believe he may have been onto something with such a suggestion.

[joyfuljulie]

[Julie is very careful not to move said arm now.]

Oh golly, being close to others definitely helps you feel better! Or it does me anyhow. Sometimes Frank and me could spend a whole day together with him reading and me coloring -- sometimes we would sit side by side or back to back.

[She giggles a little.]

With me and you though it would probably be easier to have me in your lap.

[Ah yes, Purple's own personal Julie to cuddle!]

[demondelic]

[Good, because it's their arm now. She's not getting it back. It belongs to them.
(By which I mean, they've gone ahead and started to lean on it in earnest, almost like it's a little pillow.)]

What do you mean by "coloring"? I have not heard the word "color" used as a verb, before...
Nor have I ever held someone in my lap, either. It sounds a bit strange - would you be comfortable sitting upon me?
I am not very soft.

[Of course, they're more worried about her comfort than their own. What if they're bony and weird and uncomfortable??? Surely that's worth worrying about.]

[joyfuljulie]

[Julie doesn't miss a beat, brightening up quickly.]

I'll come over some time and we can try coloring together! It's real easy! You can use pencils of different colors or crayons or markers ... you can draw your own pictures or buy books of black and white ones to color in too! Those are called 'coloring books'.

[She brushes away a few more errant strands and then sets to just stroking the side of Purple's face not buried into her arm.]

I ought to come over more anyhow. It's nice in your apartment!

[And well frankly she's far too used to visiting others through the course of her day. Here in Ellipsa she doesn't have a gaggle of neighbors to visit quite like she did before.]

[demondelic]

It is also empty in my apartment, but I am glad you enjoy visiting all the same.
You are free to come over anytime you desire, of course.

[They just, yknow. Need to actually bother decorating it more. It's still mostly just the starter apartment, but with weird knickknacks on whatever surfaces they've got.
Yes, this includes the bed. The whole place looks like it's owned by an alien that's never lived in a building before.]

... Perhaps I could use such things to cover the walls. I have wondered what to do with them, as of late - my own attempts at painting have left much to be desired, and I have yet to afford the artwork of others.

[joyfuljulie]

Mine's pretty empty too.

[No, no it isn't. He's is pink and yellow and there's flower-shaped pillows, for goodness sake!

The thought of decorating up Purple's walls makes her flap that free hand just a moment.]

Oh I'm nowhere near the artist Wally is but painting is an awful lot of fun too!

[Now she pats Purple's shoulder.]

We'll do some artwork together and have them covered in no time! We can decorate up your apartment too! I bet once you get to going you'll find a style that you really love!

[demondelic]

I have been attempting to paint as a form of self-expression, admittedly... I am not good at it. Not nearly. But... I do enjoy it, regardless.
However, I think I would much prefer hanging anything that you make upon my walls, if I were to be entirely truthful.

[They have fun and enjoy doing it, but man. They really hate the shit they've painted so far.
(She'll understand why the next time she's over and gets to see them. It's mostly a lot of very angry-looking paintings of places in Everhood - so nothing but obnoxiously bright colors slashed over a lot of black skies.)]

... Perhaps we could go out somewhere together to paint what it is that we see? I wouldn't mind having flowers upon my walls.

[joyfuljulie]

Oh! Like a landscape! What a good idea!

[Now she takes a moment to hug herself around their head. Cheek pressed to the fluff of that top braid, her free arm wrapping around the other side. She's not leaning her weight against them exactly but she's relaxing up here.]

We could go back to that field with the catnip in it.

[demondelic]

[Oh - an outright hug, now! They're still warming up to things like this, being cuddled and all, but...
Something about it being from Julie makes it very easy to roll with. So much so that they find themself placing a hand on her arm without even thinking about it too hard.]

The Creaturenip Meadow? I see no reason why not.
I am certain the flowers there would enjoy being the subjects for artwork.

[Added bonus: showing the sunflowers paintings of themselves is like, guaranteed praise. Purple thrives on praise, man.]