trans_9 | Day of Hugging, All for Nothing [wide open]

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.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"As you wish," Cassie responded with a shrug, her eyes focused on Howard. She'd hoped that he might allow her to come along, but she certainly wasn't going to force the issue. Maybe one day when he trusted her more. She chuckled at his joke. "You mean you don't miss it?" she teased.

The thought that Howard had heard worse was actually more sad then comforting to Cassie, although she knew that he meant it as comfort and so she accepted it as such. Still, she couldn't help but feel for her new friend at what he must have suffered through already.

"Thank you," she whispered, although the words themselves felt inadequate. Still, she truly meant them. She was grateful for his concern. Cassie shook her head at the offer of alcohol though. "I... don't often drink and I'm not sure that it would be a good idea to start now. But thank you. It was kind of you to offer. And... thank you for listening." It hadn't cured her of her own insecurities and the wounds of the past were far from healed, but it had helped to just be able to share with someone else.

"I hated school," he says with a laugh. "Like, every single minute of it. I think I spent more time in detention than I did in class."

That was the best thing about the FAYZ, after all - no gym class. In some ways the FAYZ made him miss the normalcy of the life that came before it, but he will never, ever miss locker rooms.

He snorts derisively. He doesn't know how to respond to this outpouring of emotion. He can complain with someone about things until the cows come home, but sincerity is foreign ground to him."God, you're practically dripping sap. Don't get it on my floor."

"I wasn't the biggest fan of school myself," Cassie admitted. "But, it is important. My dreams are going to require that I be in school for a fair amount of time." She actually kind of missed it. As the war had raged on, she and her friends had been able to attend their classes less and less. There had been a sense of normalcy in going to school, even if it had been a false one most of the time as well as often feeling like an added burden.

Cassie just smiled at Howard's response, taking no offense at it. He wasn't the first person that she'd met who wasn't a big fan of sharing emotions. "I'll try not to, Howard."

Her eyes went back to Emergency Rations now and her smile widened. "You and Emergency Rations seem to be getting along well now," she complimented.

"You want to be a vet, right? I mean, as much as you're trying to be a therapist right now, that's your real goal, isn't it?" Howard's not so much a fan of Cassie's style of comforting and candid friendliness yet, but he knows a few people who could use that unconditional understanding and empathy.

He looks back at the cat and a genuinely delighted little smirk crosses his face. "Yeah. I guess so. I just...like I said, I never had a cat before. Or any pet. Mom was allergic and then in the FAYZ we ate them all a few months in." He bites his lip and looks back at Cassie. "Thanks. You can visit her, you know. We're usually here or at the Inn."

Cassie nodded and smiled. "Yes, I'd like to be a vet. I admire my parents a lot for what they do... all the animals that they were able to help. I'd like to be able to do something like that as well." To heal rather then hurt. That had always been her goal.

She was happy to see Howard looking so pleased and she was thrilled that he and Emergency Rations seemed to be on better footing now. "Animals can change your view on a lot of things. It's a wonderful feeling to have a special connection with one." Cassie smiled. "I'm glad that you and Emergency Rations have one another. And I'll be sure to visit both of you soon. If you ever have any questions, then I'm easy to find. I'm staying at the farmhouse with the barn towards the outer parts of the City."

She stood up and looked at Howard. "I enjoyed meeting and talking with you, Howard." Turning to face the cat, she added, "And you as well, Emergency Rations." With another smile, she said, "Thank you. I hope to see you both again soon."

He gives her a little wave as she leaves, then, once she's gone, goes back to his door and redoes the four locks. Can't be too safe. He's not sure how he feels about Cassie visiting him, but she was nice enough. Kind of came across as a sucker, or maybe so superlatively sincere that she was hiding something, but she's pleasant. And she really did help with the cat. Maybe he should give her something next time she comes around, as a thank you.

"It's really silly that she talks to animals," he says to Emergency Rations, then curls up on the couch to take a nap.

Day of Hugging, All for Nothing [wide open]

Re: Mingling

Re: Mingling

Re: Mingling

Re: Mingling

Re: Mingling

Re: Mingling