Cuddle Party

[ysabetwordsmith]

Everyone needs contact comfort sometimes. Not everyone has ample opportunities for this in facetime. So here is a chance for a cuddle party in cyberspace. Virtual cuddling can help people feel better.

We have a cuddle room that comes with fort cushions, fort frames, sheets for draping, and a weighted blanket. A nest full of colorful egg pillows sits in one corner. There is a basket of grooming brushes, hairbrushes, and styling combs. A bin holds textured pillows. There is a big basket of craft supplies along with art markers, coloring pages, and blank paper. The kitchen has a popcorn machine. Labels are available to mark dietary needs, recipe ingredients, and level of spiciness. Here is the bathroom, open to everyone. There is a lawn tent and an outdoor hot tub. Bathers should post a sign for nude or clothed activity. Come snuggle up!

Comments

Cuddles!

[fuzzyred]

Fuzzy J walks in wearing a long sleeve teal shirt and black jeans under her fuzzy red robe. She floats a container of double chocolate marshmallow cookies to the table, then pulls out her finished pillow (!) to sit on. Once settled, she pulls out some blue yarn and begins trying to crochet a square.

Absentmindedly, J puts out a sign that says "Cuddles please" and "Will stop crocheting to play", before focusing on her work again for the time being.

Re: Cuddles!

[redsixwing]

Six, in gryphon form, rumbles a greeting to J and flops down with a contented sigh, providing a fluffy side to lean against or a quiet presence to keep company.

Re: Cuddles!

[fuzzyred]

"Hi Six!" J leans against the gryphon, snuggling in and taking a moment to pet them before picking up her little square of crochet again.

Re: Cuddles!

[redsixwing]

"Hi," Six says, and nuzzles J. "Your pillow looks really good. What's next?"

Re: Cuddles!

[fuzzyred]

"Thanks, I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I made a pair of mittens for a friend; first time knitting in the round so it was interesting to learn and they turned out well. I'm now crocheting squares of blue and cream yarn. The plan is to make enough to sew together into another pillow, though I haven't decided on the size yet. It'll be somewhere between 15 and 30 inches square." J nuzzles back and gives a few extra pets, enjoying the soft feel under her fingers.

Re: Cuddles!

[redsixwing]

"What a great thing to do. Is it very difficult to knit in the round?" Six is curious, ears pricked forward.

"That'll be a nice pillow in any size." Setting chin on foreclaws, Six lays just behind, a warm and fuzzy bulk ready to be leaned on.

Re: Cuddles!

[fuzzyred]

"It was surprisingly easier than expected. It takes a little getting used to, because you have four needles holding stitches, and a fifth needle to knit your current row, but the stitches are the same as knitting in the flat. I did resort to youtube for casting on and joining the first round though, since I had never done it before. I also had to look up for to use a place marker, then improvised my own. But I now have a new skill." J grins widely, pleased at having learned something new, and having made a gift for a friend.

"Thanks, I'm enjoying expanding my skill set, and am looking forward to adding to my collection of soft fluffy things." J leans back into Six's warmth, enjoying the support and companionship.

Re: Cuddles!

[redsixwing]

"That's a lot of needles to hold all at once." Six blinks, big owlish eyes. "I'm glad you have a new skill. It sounds really useful."

They relax as J cuddles, tail unwinding slowly to rest on the ground.

Re: Cuddles!

[fuzzyred]

"It is, but once you have a few rounds on, you can get away with just holding three needles, the two current ones and the one that just finished getting knit. The others will just kind of hang out, and you can rest them against a knee or something, depending how you are sitting. It should be useful; in theory it will let me knit lots more kinds of projects. Mastering a new skill also helps me feel more confident and capable."

J makes a happy noise and snuggles in more. Relaxing with friends always feels good, so does helping friends relax.

Re: Cuddles!

[ysabetwordsmith]

Yay! Cookies and cuddles.

Re: Cuddles!

[fuzzyred]

Yay, cuddles!

[redsixwing]

Six enters in gryphon form, the enormous black-and-grey avian decorated already with a lanyard and stickers. These read "I can talk," "Pet me!" and "Cuddles welcome." They beeline for the nest bed and climb delicately in, settling their wings to make a hollow space suitable for a person to shelter in.

They'll preen until someone else arrives, tending their foreclaws with focused care.

hiya!

[(Anonymous)]

Scuttles in under wing tent "hey Six!!" Cuddle gloms *purr purring purr* *flopgloms*

Re: hiya!

[redsixwing]

Hiya, friend!

Six rumble-purrs softly, their whole side vibrating with the sound.

*enters, pulling a fair-sized box on casters*

[ng_moonmoth]

Two long rods run through the bottom of the box, protruding at each end. A length of rope is lashed to one end of each rod, and is being used as a handle to pull the box. Inside the box is a collection of house specialty Passover goodies.

A pot of matzo ball soup goes on the stove. Three large bowls and some other items are temporarily set on the counter, and then back on the lid of the box after it is closed. One large bowl holds chopped liver, another charoset. In front of the third bowl are three smaller bowls labeled "Hot Sauce", "BBQ Sauce", and "Yogurt Sauce". The third bowl is filled with piping hot golden-brown spheres a couple inches across, and is labeled "Sinai Mountain Oysters".

The last thing out of the box is the project bag. A large spool of mostly orange yarn with some brown and red strands, topped by a work in progress using the yarn, peeks out of the top.

*stops by sticker table, hacks up a yellow sticker to cover the hips and upper chest of a green sticker, writes "Shannon//xe/xyr/xyrs/xyrself" on the sticker, and sticks it on*

*grabs enough pillows to extend the nest Six and J are cuddling in, and sets up to work*

The work in progress and the yarn spool come off the top. Our host's commission is underneath. I am finally getting back to it after a few weeks off for necessaries, cleaning up a bit around the fasteners. Pics today if I'm lucky.

*sends cuddly thoughts, especially to those who don't share their home with anyone or anything else they can cuddle*

*picks up leftover yarn from commission and a tapestry needle, and starts weaving circles in around fasteners that need it*

Re: *enters, pulling a fair-sized box on casters*

[ysabetwordsmith]

*squeal* Oysters! :D

Re: *enters, pulling a fair-sized box on casters*

[ng_moonmoth]

Well... not exactly. To start with, oysters are not kosher under any circumstances. Search instead for "Rocky Mountain Oysters". Now that you have found that, think of the refugees from Egypt, traveling through the wilderness in Sinai with their herds of matzos that they successfully domesticated from the wild matzos they encountered early in their ordeal. As with most domesticated species, matzos are much more tractable if one maintains a relatively small number of intact males in the herd. So they are in the habit of dealing with this in the usual fashion, leading to the usual excess material.

Being frugal by nature, and also in an environment where all food is precious, they naturally sought ways to make this material palatable. When it was discovered that they are quite tasty when quickly shaken in a bag of starch (potato starch is commonly used today, despite potatoes not having been available to the Israelites on the march), dipped in an egg wash, rolled in seasoned matzo meal, and deep fried in oil, a new recipe was created. And this is how they are eaten today.

So: no meat, dairy only if one uses milk rather than beaten eggs as the dip so the balls will pick up the matzo meal, and pretty much a tasty way to construct a piece of fried food for dipping into things. Enjoy!

Re: *enters, pulling a fair-sized box on casters*

[fuzzyred]

J gets a bowl of soup, then says hello to Shannon.

"It's nice to see you again, and seeing your projects is always fascinating. Would you like cuddles or some kind of contact today, or just nearby company?"

*sends cuddly thoughts back, complete with fuzzy blankets and stuffed fuzzies*

Re: *enters, pulling a fair-sized box on casters*

[ng_moonmoth]

Let's do the back-to-side thing again for now. I want to do a few more bits on the project I'm finishing before taking a more serious cuddle break. Thanks for the return thoughts.

*picks up a stuffie, gives it a hug, and sets it beside xyrself*

Re: *enters, pulling a fair-sized box on casters*

[fuzzyred]

That sounds good to me. I can use the time to make some more squares. You're quite welcome; we could all use some good thoughts right now.

*J pets for own stuffy before picking up her project again*

Re: *enters, pulling a fair-sized box on casters*

[redsixwing]

Six stretches out to make it easier to join the cuddle pile, chirruping a happy greeting.

The delicious smell of soup is tempting... they'll have to get some in a bit, and some liver and some of the 'oysters' too! But cuddles come first.

"Hello Shannon. Your project is shaping up!"

Re: *enters, pulling a fair-sized box on casters*

[ng_moonmoth]

"Thanks, it is. Spouse would like a top for their birthday a couple of months from now, suitable for the summer weather. This one knits from the bottom up, and I'm doing it in the round. Just got past the first decrease on the body, and now have somewhat less than I've already done until the next decrease. And then we check the fit, and I knit up to where their armholes are, find the appropriate place to start those, and finish it off."

Re: *enters, pulling a fair-sized box on casters*

[redsixwing]

"I'm so used to heavy knits for winter, I forget they can be cool, as well." Six settles their chin on their foreclaws to watch.

"It's so nice to know exactly where you're going with a project."

[we_are_spc]

The usual treo walk in (Trausio, Kae and Craimar) all in their winged elven forms, and Trausio grins at Six, waving enthusiastically, then whoops a greeting at Shannon.

Jay, comfortable in tiger form, trots in, carrying his tiny squeeling daughter on his back. She wanted to come color in a place where people wouldn't bother her, but where she could see nice people; Jay thought this would be a good place.

He is followed by Jamal and Del, the latter pulling a large wagon full of arious goodies, Among which is perched a bobcat, looking for all the world like a mysterious forest spirit: Clarien has chosen to ride today.

Last of all, Errol comes, bringing the baked goods, and accompanied by Sh'lainn who seems a bit more relaxed this time, and marvels at the gryphon: she has not seen any outside the inn she frequents, so shestill thinks them a rare an' wonderful treat.

From somewhere outside near the tent come the sound of pipes, obviously toned down: Nadine, the Satyr musician has come too, her first time out in a long time, and she plays a merry, happy tune, hoping to lighten the mood a tad bit.

-SPC~

[redsixwing]

Six sits up and trills to Trausio, ears and crest rising with the greeting. They wave a foreclaw to Sh'lainn, letting her come as close as she wants without pushing.

The pipes get the gryphon's immediate attention and curiosity, and shortly, they go outside to get a better listen.

[we_are_spc]

Trausio grins at the greeting, satesfied now that she's said hi to most of the friends she can see here. Except maybe dialecticdreamer. She leans against some pillows, pulling out a tunic she is working on for s love of hers. She isalmost done...and the hem is the hardest part as it is to be made to fold up for ship-duties...and a sailing deal. She closes her eyes and immediately loses focus of everything else around her.

Nadine grins around her pipes at the gryphon-and then it grows a tiny bit as she watches Sh'lainn shily follow them outside, leaning against their side if the gryphon chooses to let her.

[redsixwing]

The gryphon is entirely happy to be leaned on, fascinated by the music, but also willing to make new friends.

[we_are_spc]

Nadine, with the skill of long practice, weaves in a greeting "Hello by Lionell Richy), into her melody before returning to a song her first pipemaster taught her.

She grins at Sh'lainn's giggle: The banchee-child has heard her do this several forms (Times) before, and is always endlessy fascinated by it.

Nadine, able to multitask extends a 'hand' to the gryphon, politely waiting to see what they will do next.

PS: Nadine, during her music speaks in 'forms' which is her word for times: Each set and/or concert of hers is a different 'form.' If she switches catagories in the concert, that is the end of one 'form'. Her shows ar concerts are known as 'grand or 'Archi' forms, especially if there is more than one music form in a show. Classical is on 'forme, baroke another, etc.

Saying all this because she may speak in that fashion in onversation with peoples.

[redsixwing]

The gryphon nods along with the music, quite clearly enjoying it - and the tufted ears perk at Sh'lainn's giggle as well.

Taking the mental hand, Six seems pleased. "Hello; I like your music," they say at what seems an opportune moment in the set.

Fascinating, thank you!

[we_are_spc]

Nadine is pleased by the acceptance and sends a mental 'grin'. "Thank you. If you want to hear again, there are inns at which I play. Unfortunately you must be able to 'travel' (They are not on this physical plane) to get to them. The are quite well appointed, though, and will enjoy having you, I do think."

Clarien, this time in elven form, his first-nation features hinting at something 'more' in his lineage wanders out to listen to his dear friend play her magic. he leans on a staff made by his own hand with a small animal's skull at its tip with turquoise chips where eyes should be. His grey eyes take in the suroundings, landing briefly on the gryphon before returhning to Nadine's hands as she expertly plays her pipes, making the notes seem to dance on the air itself.

[redsixwing]

"I am not skilled at 'traveling,'" the gryphon replies. "But it's been a pleasure to hear you today." They settle in, making sure not to bump Sh'lainn on the way to assuming loaf pose. Feet tucked under, wings tucked in, tail straight out behind with its fan of feathers laid smooth.

They make a nod to Clarien, but the tufted ears stay trained on Nadine.

[we_are_spc]

Nadine smiles around her pipes once more, "Perhaps I shall come again, then. It has been a pleasure to pla here."

Sh'lainn adapts herself to the gryphon's new position, curling up companionably by their side, and letting her eyes drift half-closed. She's still awake, but is now drifting with the music, letting it take the tention from her, as it so often does.

[redsixwing]

"If you do, I'll come and listen." The gryphon settles a bit further, folded foreclaws disappearing into the fluffy breast feathers.

Shortly, the gryphon begins to purr, a deep rumble more felt than heard.

[we_are_spc]

...

That does it for Sh'lainn: she drifts off to nap, a small sigh escaping as her awareness slips away into dreams of sea and sky, and lush forests full of life.

[fuzzyred]

J waves to Trausio, Kae and Craimar, inviting them closer but also sending out the thought that she can come join them after this square is done, if they prefer that.

J waves to the tiger and his daughter, before concentrating briefly to make a shift. Moments later, J is still sitting knitting but Kitty J has bounced over to the little girl colouring. She stops a safe, not-crowding distance away, then decides to sit and watch the little hoo-man make pretty things.

Kitty J twitches an ear and sways toward Sh'lainn, before plopping back down to watch the child. A few seconds later, Fire (Fuzzy J's horse form) flickers in front of Sh'lainn before disappearing. **grumble grumble can't do three forms at once yet grumble grumble** J floats a very gentle thought to Sh'lainn **Hello, it's good to see you again. I'm not sure Kitty J is going to move any time soon, but she might be enticed by toys, and I'm sure she will come say hi when she's ready. If you like horses, I'm almost done here and then I can shift to Fire again.**

J gives a final wave to any of the SPC she may have missed, then returns to her project for the time being.

[we_are_spc]

Tamya finishes the top of the doggies head she's drawing, then squeals "Kitteee!" Grinning, she bounces in place, "Cun Ah pet kitty? Daddy says 'sgood to ask fuhst."

Sh'lainn giggles at the try, ~Ye too. I can wait. Need to get drink first anyway.~

Clarien 'grins' and offers J a tiny bet of energy to keep the form if she needs by floating a tiny bubble in the air. He will not teach her, since she is already almost there, but he will give her the help she may need to &*get* there.

Kae, Craimar and RTrausio wander closer, Errol stretching out on a couple of pillows to watch as he tries to puzzle out a recipe his wife wants him to try on the night he is to cook. The directions, written in some language he has not seen before, make no sense to him, and he is frustrated by it. It's an odd sort of flowery script-reminding him of an elven dialect...but it is one he has not seen yet in his short time being around Trausio and her lot.

[fuzzyred]

Kitty J stretches and says, **Yes, pet kitty! Ask is good and NOT pull, kay? Gentle.** That said, Kitty J rubs herself against Tamya's leg, looking up as if asking what's taking so long.

~That's a lovely sound. I promise to visit soon, in one form or another.~

Kitty J notices the bubble and pounces towards it, before snapping it up and "eating" it. The cat sneezes and shakes herself, before Fire appears again, this time sticking around for a minute or so before fading again. "Blast it all cat, I was going to save that energy boost for when I had more focus. Three forms requires more concentration than I can maintain right now, but the energy might have helped if it was at the right time. Silly thing." Fuzzy J gives her kitty a scratch behind the ears to take the sting out of the scolding, the shoos her back towards Tamya.

J finishes up her square before setting the project down and drifting closer to the trio. She glances at Errol's recipe and wishes him luck; J finds languages fascinating, but the one on the page is absolutely foreign to her, so she'll be no help there.