[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

[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.]

[joyfuljulie]

Oh they definitely would. Some of them are a little more vain than others though.

[They already have met sunflowers so --]

Sunflowers like to praise others but aren't very vain themselves. Flowers like Daffodils though -- oh they love to be praised! And to talk about how beautiful they are! They're a little boring to talk to.

[Who would have guessed flowers in the narcissus genus named after Narcissus would love themselves so much!]

[demondelic]

...

I will keep in mind that those are boring subjects of conversation, then.

[Look, at least Purple's self aware about it. Right??]

[joyfuljulie]

[A moment of pause and then Julie gasps dramatically.]

Oh for flowers, yes! Not for you though!

[Here, she will pet the side of their face to soothe them.]

You can talk about yourself all you want, dear. I'll listen to every single word!

[demondelic]

No, no - you needn't correct yourself for me.
It is better that I know these things; there are many topics that I am still learning to either embrace or avoid for the better of others.

[... They're not gonna do anything to turn down those pets, though. Attention's attention; plus they're starting to figure out they really do like the little displays of affection they've been getting, too.
Especially from Julie, for some reason. Mysterious!!!]

[joyfuljulie]

[Julie gives a gentle little huff.]

I'm not! I do like hearing about you, you know.

[She looks askance.]

I admit some of it's a little ... rough but it's all part of who you are. And I love you a whole lot so obviously I want to know all about you! If you want share it with me then I'll always listen to you.

[demondelic]

[- Hold up.]

... You love me?
Did you... intend to use such a word?

[Because surely that was a mistake. And since it is so obviously a mistake, it must be one of the vernacular kind.
That's all they can imagine, so it must be right. Right??]

[joyfuljulie]

[The blonde tilts her head a little.]

Yes?

[What wrong with what she said? Julie looks puzzled for a moment but then decides perhaps like with other things in life Purple isn't used to hearing that sort of word directed at themselves. She props her chin up on the top of their head, watching Purple in the mirror.]

I love all of my friends.

[demondelic]

[She is right on the money with that guess, honestly. In fact, it might be even a bit sadder than that -]

... I see. I was... unaware that such a word could be used for friends.
From what I had gathered, it seemed to be reserved...
"Love" was not a common word in Everhood.

[So, yes, they're not used to hearing that word directed at themself. They haven't really ever heard that at all.
They've only heard others say "love" at just about everyone else.]

I suppose this is proof that I ought to be more open-minded about these things, if nothing else.

[joyfuljulie]

[Understanding dawns quickly on her face. Once more she squeezing their head, now moving to press her cheek against that top fluffy braid.]

There's all sorts of love out there. The kind I think you mean is romantic and reserved for lovers, partners and spouses but there's love for friends too.

[She tries to catch Purple's gaze in the mirror as she asks gently:]

Would you rather I not use that word? I mean ... unless ...

[A flush grows in her cheeks. Slowly her face sinks into Purple's hair. Some of her words come out muffled.]

I'm not saying I'm definitely going to -- this isn't a confession or anything! It's just ... you never know what may happen so ... I could always wait and maybe if one day I do mean it like that...

[demondelic]

[They're quiet as Julie tries her level best to eke all of that out, blinking a bit at the thought of it all...

But once she finally trails off, they turn their head to look up at her properly this time. Not just looking at her in the mirror.]

No, you may use that word if you truly feel it. I would not want you to stifle yourself and how you feel just because I am unused to hearing something in particular.
I'm sure that... if, someday, you do decide you feel something different behind it.
I will be able to tell.

[joyfuljulie]

Oh I'm sure I'll tell you! I wouldn't want anyone to have to guess about that sort of feeling!

[She moves to set right some stray strands from Purple's biggest braid after hiding her face against it.]

[demondelic]

That is good to know - admittedly, my words were a bit of a bluff.
I would be able to tell, but it would take some time to get there...

[Aaaand they're looking away again, slightly embarrassed in having to admit that.
But look. They're learning they can just say things with Julie, and no matter what it is, she'll roll with it.
It's nice having a chance to just project what's going on in their mind out loud instead of metaphorically kicking it under the rug.]

[joyfuljulie]

[There isn't much more Julie can say to that than to give Purple a soft little smile. She's glad if things worked out that way they would at the very least have some hint before she told them. Not that she wouldn't confess regardless but ... well, she might need some time to word it right.

By now she's finished with their hair and steps back to look them over. She must be pleased because her smile is big and bright.]

Perfect! That's just how I thought it would look on you!

[She has to rapidly clap her hands to let out some of that overflowing joy, don'tcha know.]