Day of Hugging, All for Nothing [wide open]

[starbolts]

Once everyone had had time to read her announcement, Starfire started preparing for the day. There were signs to hang, streamers to wave, and plenty of people to greet with her usual affection. Language would not be a barrier, so the signs simply consisted of drawings of two happy blobs coming together and embracing each other. Arrows below the pictures pointed any visitors to the right place in the city's park, where Starfire's cheerful calls could be heard. She floated above the crowd, that wide smile ever-present on her face.

"I welcome you all to our offering of friendship! Please join us!" She was not going to give up easily, no. "You do not need to embrace us or each other to participate today. Your kind words of support and open ears are more than enough, but I would like you to open your arms if you are able. Offer your affection to your friends and extend your kindness to new ones!"

That said, she pointed to the arrangement of signs attached to several big trees. One had a rather deformed picture of a smiling Starfire in front of it, and others were left blank for volunteers to draw their own pictures. Those wishing to receive hugs or friendship would walk through the appropriate tree to stand behind.

It was a simple setup, but one that she hoped would be effective. Love for everyone!

((Subthreads are up! Similarly-inclined volunteers can take their own hug tree, and everyone is welcome to visit any of the trees. Tags from Starfire will be sporadic while I am at school, so you may wish to thread with others at first.))

Comments

Mingling

[starbolts]

Welcome one and all! Those who were happy to be here, embarrassed to be here, and unfortunately dragged here could all wander about the field, wondering just what the hyper alien girl could be thinking.

Re: Mingling

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Zouichi didn't look particularly eager to hug anyone, but he was here, nonetheless. He was sure that many on the ship felt loneliness of some kind, separated from their worlds by an impassible expanse of space and time.

He'd brought Alan (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56712133@N04/5669471968/in/photostream) along, too, because Alan seemed to like meeting new people (the Doctor aside). The parrot was occupying himself with tugging a few strands of Zouichi's hair with his beak, but otherwise behaving.

Re: Mingling

[starbolts]

"Hello," Starfire greeted Zouichi, more reserved than usual. She had promised not to hug him, and so she did not, but all that excess energy went straight into the size of your smile.

"Your bird is beautiful," she cooed, unable to resist him. So colorful, so pretty. "Do they usually consume hair?"

Re: Mingling

[caringcassie.livejournal.com]

Cassie had decided to come, although not necessarily for the hugging. But she approved of an event intended to draw all those on board the ship together in a positive manner, so she had come with the intention of supporting the endeavor and to hopefully meet some of the others who had arrived at the event. She hoped dearly that things would go well today.

She walked slowly, clearly a bit nervous, but she had a welcoming smile on her face as she surveyed the area.

Re: Mingling

[iselldrugstothecommunity]

Much like a bloodhound, Howard can sense fear. Or, at least, he can get a good enough read on body language to pick up on a little social anxiety. Which, for all his casual demeanor, he's feeling a little of himself.

So he finds the nearest also-looking-nervous person and starts gravitating towards them.

"Hey. You new?"

Re: Mingling

[iselldrugstothecommunity]

Usually the idea of a hug festival would send Howard running for the hills (or possibly hiding under the bed), but he's made it a point to show up at social gatherings lately. He keeps to himself too much, and certain people have been getting worried.

Just watching Starfire makes him feel tired, though. How can someone be so peppy so consistently?

"So how many people have you hugged so far?"

Re: Mingling

[starbolts]

"Only one," Starfire admitted, but she did not seem deterred. "I have patience, though. They will come if they need us."

And speaking of! She turned to smile at the newcomer. "I do not believe we have met before. I am Starfire, and it is wonderful to meet you!"

As she's learned, it's wisest to start with a handshake first.

Re: Mingling

[puny-parker.livejournal.com]

"You went kinda all out for this, didn't ya?" Peter said, slightly amazed at the work Starfire had put into this as he walked over with Bronx at his heels.

Re: Mingling

[starbolts]

"Yes," Starfire giggled, zooming right at Peter for another hug. She definitely didn't need to ask him. ""And hello!" She offered her hand to Bronx too, delighted to see him once more.

"I hoped that everyone could find some comfort, even in our situation."

Re: Mingling

[mylittlelolny.livejournal.com]

Where there's streamers, there's Pinkie Pie. The pink explosion was skipping from person to person, bombarding them with greetings and questions. In fact, she might be skipping up to YOU right now!

"HI! Are you here for hugs? I LOVE hugs! They're like eating a big, gooey, chocolate chip cookie that just came out of the oven. Oh, wow, I haven't had a chocolate chip cookie in AGES! It's a good thing I'm here for hugs, huh?"

Re: Mingling

[morphitudinous]

Billy was just passing through, intending to take a look at what the friendship-minded members of the crew had set up. Some of his friends tended to be involved in these activities, so perhaps he could say hello. And maybe trade hugs, if they were offering. Sometimes he felt that he needed one.

Nothing about the proceedings startled him more than the sudden arrival of a bouncing pink pony, though. Almost all active crew members could talk, no matter their shape, so that wasn't a surprise. What was a shock was the pony's wild energy, and that she ate cookies. Ponies ate cookies?

Interested, he decided to lend his ear. "Actually, I'm here to see how all of you are handling this. You're just hugging anyone who asks?"

Better late than never!

[everdistant_utopia]

Saber had not had the benefit of hearing Starfire's announcement, which resulted in her complete surprise that people seemed to be gathering in the park for... well, something.

After a few seconds of befuddlement, the King of Knights simply inwardly shrugged. Although, she had to admit that her curiosity was slightly piqued.

Re: Better late than never!

[appletastic]

Applejack had trotted off to make sure everypony was okay after she'd caught the tail end of Pinkie bouncing off in this direction. It could only mean trouble for the population.

She trotted into the clearing, head turning this way and that in an attempt to figure out what was going on. Streamers, balloons, drawings of people hugging...yup, it had Pinkie's name all over it.

Saber's was the first familiar face she saw, so she headed on over. "Howdy! Would you happen to know what the hay's goin' on here?"

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae was truly as oblivious to the situation as Saber, having come to the park to relax and maybe even play her flute. But for now, she left it tucked neatly in her backback as she approached the area.

She wasn't going to stay, never being one to feel comfortable in crowds, but something caught her eyes as she was about to leave. As she turned, she noticed someone familiar and a small smile rose on her lips as she made her way towards Saber.

"Lady Saber~!" she greeted cheerily. "How are you today?"

Starfire's Hug Tree

[starbolts]

Behind the first tree was Starfire, eagerly anticipating greeting friends. She was making an attempt to calm herself, but there was no suppressing the happiness that ran through her at the thought. Whatever the problems were, she hoped she could ease their pain.

[saint-sami.livejournal.com]

Sasami had seen the message Starfire had put out, but decided not to post to it. Not out of apathy, mind you, but she wanted to visit the tree. Spotting the giddy Starfire, she approached her and tapped her arm, a big smile on her face.

"Star-neesan!"

[starbolts]

Tap, tap. Who was there? Her head turned, eyes searched, and immediately her mouth stretched into a smile.

"Sasami!" Starfire nearly yelled, sweeping the girl straight into a hug. She didn't need to ask this time. "Welcome! I am very glad to see you. Is everything well?"

Re: Starfire's Hug Tree

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

And there was an adorable kitty!

Or a Puppy!

Or a Lama!

Beastboy was offering as many kinds of cute animals as he could shift into for hugs and cuddles to sooth and support! Any requests?

[starbolts]

Ah, she knew who this was! Starfire clapped her hands in delight, watching and waiting for the perfect animal to cuddle. "The kitten, the kitten!"

Always her first favorite.

Wakka: The Wakkaning

[guardian-wakka.livejournal.com]

Where was he this time?

Wakka had spent... several weeks... in a blitzball stadium.

Eventually he found his way out.

And then he wandered into a forest, somehow. He disliked this place.

Oh, wait there was a girl. Maybe she knew, uh... anything at all. Wakka decided to walk over to find out.

Punchy's Hug Tree

[masterofnun.livejournal.com]

Punchy has a hug tree. He also has a sign with a drawing of himself on it (or, at least, a version of himself that is five inches taller and with several muscles novel to most humans, conveying Punchy's poor handle on drawing the human figure).

But he's game for hugs! That's the important thing. Possibly for making out with shawties but he won't push that. Starfire seems like a nice chick, and he wants to help her out on cheering people up. People are way too gloomy around here and while Punchy can totally get down with some righteous anger and paranoia, wallowing in self-pity is something he sees as best reserved for right after funerals or right after the end of the school year.

He sits under his tree with a big, very stupid-looking grin.

[indeliblepast]

Sumeragi couldn't quite say why she'd decided to wander out for this 'free hugs' thing - sure, hugs weren't bad, but she didn't feel a burning lack of them in her life or anything. But there was something about that cheerful idealism and the thought of people coming together to care about each other, even if they were strangers, that drew her in. She had to go at least see, anyway.

There looked to be people scattered through out, but one caught her eye - it was that kid she'd run into in the Sensoriums. Looking about as dopey now as he acted then. Still, nobody else seemed to be hanging out by his tree. She grinned, and gave him a wave.

HUG A PONY

[mylittlelolny.livejournal.com]

Pinkie wasted no time in claiming a hug tree (she picked the one with the most streamers, of course) and decorating her sign with the most obnoxiously bright colors she could find. Written over the scrbble of her face was "PINKIE'S HUG TREE" with so many exclamation points that they crowded the corner of the sign. Once she was satisified with her masterpiece, she set to work attracting potential huggees by skipping around her tree and singing at the top of her lungs:

"If you're down on your luck,
And you're stuck in a funk,
Hey! Don't feel bad,
You've got a reason to be glad!
Come on down and pick a tree,
Get a hug, they're for free,
And if you're lucky you'll get one from yours truly, Pinkie!"

Re: HUG A PONY

[guardian-wakka.livejournal.com]

At some point after escaping Starfire, Wakka probably accidentally walked past the tree with a singing pink pony at it.

He froze in his tracks and stared, slackjawed.

Re: HUG A PONY

[iselldrugstothecommunity]

A singing pony. With curly pink hair. And a helium-addled voice. Who apparently writes with more exclamation points than the average Miley Cyrus fan.

Howard wastes a solid two minutes just staring at Pinkie before speaking up. "How do ponies even hug?"