Sometimes, when her head got too full of thoughts, Dolly just paced back and forth in her room. She would abandon whatever she was doing for a couple of minutes at a time to walk from her window to her bathroom door - the larger upstairs bedroom had an in-suite which Dolly had all to herself. Sometimes she would stop to look at herself in the mirror, adjusting her hair, making sure that her makeup wasn't faded or smeared. Long ago, years ago, her parents would sometimes come up to her room to see what she was doing, but the rest of the family had well gotten used to the occasional sound of muffled footsteps creaking back and forth from Dolly's bedroom.
She said that it helped her focus, but it might have been more truthful to say that it helped her get her mind off of things for a minute or two, clear away all the cobwebs before she could return to whatever she was actually supposed to be doing.
Today, of all days, she certainly couldn't abide any cobwebs. Dolly didn't often get nervous, but that seemed to be the only fitting word to describe her current mood.
Everything was set up already, of course. It was mid-afternoon, long enough after lunch that people might start feeling peckish (other people might, at least; Dolly didn't have much appetite at the moment). There were pitchers of lemonade and iced tea waiting in the fridge and assorted trays of baked goods and finger sandwiches cooling on the kitchen countertop. She had pulled the lace tablecloth that they used for parties out of the hall closet and spread it over the patio table in the backyard, and she had even made sure that the umbrella that went with the table was dusted and clean.
Maybe she was going overboard with all the preparations, but Dolly didn't do things by halves. Her mother had remarked with laughter that Dolly was introducing her girlfriend to the family, not announcing their wedding. Maybe there had been an edge to her laughter. Had there been? Her parents had accepted it with grace when Dolly casually responded to an inquiry about boys that she wasn't in the market, and had gone on to explain exactly why. It hadn't been planned, but she had no intention of hiding. Fortunately, Marceline was on the same page.
Well, somebody here was in too deep, be it Dolly or her parents. Dolly didn't intend to be the one who caved, if anyone was going to. She had made too many fancy tea sandwiches.
Satisfied by the seventh or eighth review of her makeup, Dolly turned away from the mirror before she could start picking out flaws which might not really exist and paced back to her bedroom window, trailing her hand over her bedpost, then her desk chair, and then the wall next to the window. She peered out to find that the street in front of the Uptons' house looked just as it had a few minutes ago, as did the houses across the street. Marceline still wasn't here yet, but it was early.
Dolly wished that she would hurry up, though. She could readily remember her parents jokingly warning her that she was going to wear a hole in the carpet with all her pacing.
Queen of Hearts
Summer 2017;Tagging VoltTurtle~
Queen of Hearts
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
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VoltTurtle
- Posts: 801
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:10 pm
- Location: Dreamland
Marceline crept up towards the Upton's front door from around the side of their house, preparing to surprise her girlfriend by ringing the doorbell after remaining out of sight.
She knew that Dolly was the type to incessantly check for her arrival, so she thought that it'd be more fun if she came up from out of view. Once she got close enough to the Upton's house, all she had to do was sidle into the neighbor's yard and approach near the bushes that were out front.
Given that her girlfriend had not already opened the door by the time she got up to it, it seems her plan worked. After a dramatic flick of her wrist to celebrate a victory that nobody else would know about, she rang the doorbell, the noise from it sounding out as clear as day.
Marceline ran her fingers through her hair as she waited for the door to open, checking her makeup in the reflection of the Upton's doorknob. She was uncharacteristically nervous–meeting up with Dolly was never a problem, but meeting her girlfriend's parents was a new experience. Most of the time Marceline succeeded just by acting like she always does, she was a free spirit that didn't see the need to act differently depending on the present company. However, she couldn't help but feel that her normal behavior might be off putting to people like Dolly's parents. She couldn't have things go badly, especially since they were likely to be her in-laws in a few years time–
Before she could finish her thought, the door opened in front of her, and she soon found herself in the welcoming embrace of her girlfriend.
She knew that Dolly was the type to incessantly check for her arrival, so she thought that it'd be more fun if she came up from out of view. Once she got close enough to the Upton's house, all she had to do was sidle into the neighbor's yard and approach near the bushes that were out front.
Given that her girlfriend had not already opened the door by the time she got up to it, it seems her plan worked. After a dramatic flick of her wrist to celebrate a victory that nobody else would know about, she rang the doorbell, the noise from it sounding out as clear as day.
Marceline ran her fingers through her hair as she waited for the door to open, checking her makeup in the reflection of the Upton's doorknob. She was uncharacteristically nervous–meeting up with Dolly was never a problem, but meeting her girlfriend's parents was a new experience. Most of the time Marceline succeeded just by acting like she always does, she was a free spirit that didn't see the need to act differently depending on the present company. However, she couldn't help but feel that her normal behavior might be off putting to people like Dolly's parents. She couldn't have things go badly, especially since they were likely to be her in-laws in a few years time–
Before she could finish her thought, the door opened in front of her, and she soon found herself in the welcoming embrace of her girlfriend.
Marceline still hadn't appeared in the window's view, and Dolly resisted the urge to reach for her phone and send a nagging text. She knew that Marceline wouldn't hold things up intentionally today, but that just made Dolly worry about what might be keeping her if she didn't turn up.
Maybe she should have burned some of that white sage Violet gave her to "clear away negative energies" or whatever. Dolly wasn't exactly a believer, but it couldn't hurt, right? She believed in practicality, but there was something to be said for luck - or for the placebo effect.
She had just paused in the middle of her room, absently chewing her thumbnail to consider this, when the doorbell finally range, making her jump. Dolly let out a sigh that was half exasperation and half relief; of course Marceline would turn up when she had her back turned. Still, she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as she hurried out of her room and down the stairs to throw the front door open and pull her girlfriend into the foyer and into her arms.
"Hey," Dolly said, squeezing Marceline's waist more tightly than necessary. "I hope you're hungry, because I made way too many snacks."
That was a good thing to start with usually, the food. Pretty much everyone she had ever invited over liked having food provided to them, and starting off greetings by pointing out that Dolly's parents were milling around in the music room pretending that they weren't milling around and waiting for Marceline's arrival just like she was would only make them both nervous.
Instead, she gave Marceline one last squeeze and stepped back with a smile, pulling her in by the wrist so that Dolly could shut the front door behind her. "The table on the back patio is all set up, I'll bring the food out." She raised her voice slightly so that her parents would be sure to hear in the other room and could make their way out accordingly.
Maybe she should have burned some of that white sage Violet gave her to "clear away negative energies" or whatever. Dolly wasn't exactly a believer, but it couldn't hurt, right? She believed in practicality, but there was something to be said for luck - or for the placebo effect.
She had just paused in the middle of her room, absently chewing her thumbnail to consider this, when the doorbell finally range, making her jump. Dolly let out a sigh that was half exasperation and half relief; of course Marceline would turn up when she had her back turned. Still, she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as she hurried out of her room and down the stairs to throw the front door open and pull her girlfriend into the foyer and into her arms.
"Hey," Dolly said, squeezing Marceline's waist more tightly than necessary. "I hope you're hungry, because I made way too many snacks."
That was a good thing to start with usually, the food. Pretty much everyone she had ever invited over liked having food provided to them, and starting off greetings by pointing out that Dolly's parents were milling around in the music room pretending that they weren't milling around and waiting for Marceline's arrival just like she was would only make them both nervous.
Instead, she gave Marceline one last squeeze and stepped back with a smile, pulling her in by the wrist so that Dolly could shut the front door behind her. "The table on the back patio is all set up, I'll bring the food out." She raised her voice slightly so that her parents would be sure to hear in the other room and could make their way out accordingly.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
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VoltTurtle
- Posts: 801
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:10 pm
- Location: Dreamland
Marceline's stomach fluttered as Dolly squeezed her waist, wanting nothing more than to stand there with her until the end of time.
Unfortunately though, they couldn't actually stay that way forever, and Dolly eventually let go. Marceline smiled, her voice jubilant. "You know I'm more than happy to eat anything that you've made, your cooking is fantastic." She glanced around Dolly's house, mentally taking note of the locations of every room visible from the entrance. She always had to know her surroundings in order to be able to feel comfortable, otherwise she could never actually relax.
She turned her attention back to her girlfriend and gave Dolly another hug, pulling her close until their chests were touching, taking in the delicate lemon scent of Dolly's hair. She felt warm, whenever they were embraced. This is where she felt like she most belonged, right here with the girl she loved. She let her head affectionately touch the side of Dolly's own. Dolly was the only thing she really lived for, the other parts of her life just didn't compare to the amount of joy she got from being with her girlfriend.
"I love you," she said, before she pulled away. She sheepishly grinned and began to rub the back of her head, letting out a small laugh while she did so. "Sorry about that," she began, "I just can't help but want to be close to you when we're together."
She put her hands on her hips and cocked her head to the side. "After all, you're preeeetty hot."
Unfortunately though, they couldn't actually stay that way forever, and Dolly eventually let go. Marceline smiled, her voice jubilant. "You know I'm more than happy to eat anything that you've made, your cooking is fantastic." She glanced around Dolly's house, mentally taking note of the locations of every room visible from the entrance. She always had to know her surroundings in order to be able to feel comfortable, otherwise she could never actually relax.
She turned her attention back to her girlfriend and gave Dolly another hug, pulling her close until their chests were touching, taking in the delicate lemon scent of Dolly's hair. She felt warm, whenever they were embraced. This is where she felt like she most belonged, right here with the girl she loved. She let her head affectionately touch the side of Dolly's own. Dolly was the only thing she really lived for, the other parts of her life just didn't compare to the amount of joy she got from being with her girlfriend.
"I love you," she said, before she pulled away. She sheepishly grinned and began to rub the back of her head, letting out a small laugh while she did so. "Sorry about that," she began, "I just can't help but want to be close to you when we're together."
She put her hands on her hips and cocked her head to the side. "After all, you're preeeetty hot."
Dolly had her own burst of butterflies in the stomach at Marceline's words. The follow-up was more or less expected, as was its ruining of the genuinely sweet moment between them. Dolly laughed a little, waving Marceline's words away. "I love you too," she murmured, voice low, before she resumed her previous, slightly elevated volume.
"Come on, this way." She took Marceline by the wrist once again, pulling her through the foyer, past the kitchen and downstairs rooms, and to the back door.
Dolly's parents met them there. They both looked professional and put-together like always, though Dolly had a suspicious feeling that her dad's smile was more genuine than her mom's. Not that Dolly was going to be the one to point that out. She had planned all of this out, just short of writing a script for her parents to follow. Despite the ample opportunity any such meeting had to turn ugly, it was really getting Marceline and her parents together in the first place that was the hard part.
"Mom, Dad," Dolly began, "this is Marceline. My girlfriend." More butterflies, probably equal parts nerves and affection this time. Dolly wasn't able to completely keep the smile off of her face the edge.
"Come on, this way." She took Marceline by the wrist once again, pulling her through the foyer, past the kitchen and downstairs rooms, and to the back door.
Dolly's parents met them there. They both looked professional and put-together like always, though Dolly had a suspicious feeling that her dad's smile was more genuine than her mom's. Not that Dolly was going to be the one to point that out. She had planned all of this out, just short of writing a script for her parents to follow. Despite the ample opportunity any such meeting had to turn ugly, it was really getting Marceline and her parents together in the first place that was the hard part.
"Mom, Dad," Dolly began, "this is Marceline. My girlfriend." More butterflies, probably equal parts nerves and affection this time. Dolly wasn't able to completely keep the smile off of her face the edge.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
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VoltTurtle
- Posts: 801
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:10 pm
- Location: Dreamland
"Hellooooo, Mr. and Mrs. Upton!" Marceline said, as she gave a little wave. "Like Dolly just said, I'm Marceline, and I'm her girlfriend."
She smiled, her anxiety at meeting Dolly's parents melting away now that she was in the moment. She was always at her best when she was improvising, planning ahead had never been her forte.
"It's a pleasure to meet both of you." She said, her ecstatic grin growing even wider. "Dolly and I met a while ago and I think we're a really good match for each other. We've got lots of things in common, including things you might not expect!"
Her smile turned slightly mischievous, as she hoped that Dolly would understand the true meaning of those last few words, where her parents might not.
Marceline extended her hand towards Mr. Upton, intent on getting a handshake. "Regardless... I'd like to think your daughter is in good hands with me, so you don't have to worry."
She smiled, her anxiety at meeting Dolly's parents melting away now that she was in the moment. She was always at her best when she was improvising, planning ahead had never been her forte.
"It's a pleasure to meet both of you." She said, her ecstatic grin growing even wider. "Dolly and I met a while ago and I think we're a really good match for each other. We've got lots of things in common, including things you might not expect!"
Her smile turned slightly mischievous, as she hoped that Dolly would understand the true meaning of those last few words, where her parents might not.
Marceline extended her hand towards Mr. Upton, intent on getting a handshake. "Regardless... I'd like to think your daughter is in good hands with me, so you don't have to worry."
Dolly exhaled slowly as Marceline started chattering, watching her parents' expressions. If they picked up on any innuendos, real or imagined, they didn't show it. Dolly was thankful for that. She loved Marceline, but even she was still sometimes thrown off by Marceline's... candor.
Fortunately, her dad stepped forward to keep the situation moving before anything untoward could escape from Marceline. He smiled warmly at the both of them and grasped Marceline's hand, shaking it firmly.
"We're very pleased to meet you too. You can call my Christian, if you like." He glanced over at his wife, who stepped up to offer a handshake as well after a moment of hesitation.
"And I'm Dominika. It's lovely to meet you."
Good, good, this was all good. Dolly smiled at her parents over Marceline's shoulder with a little too much intensity. "Great! Now that we're all introduced, all of you go out to the back patio, and I'll bring the food." She gave Marceline an encouraging nudge towards the back door and had already turned towards the kitchen when her mom spoke up again.
"I'll help you, sweetheart." She moved past Dolly before Dolly could protest.
...Right. Was there an ulterior motive here? She couldn't be sure. But damned if Dolly was going to be the one to make a scene if there was.
She waved Marceline and her dad towards the back patio again and followed her mother to the kitchen.
Fortunately, her dad stepped forward to keep the situation moving before anything untoward could escape from Marceline. He smiled warmly at the both of them and grasped Marceline's hand, shaking it firmly.
"We're very pleased to meet you too. You can call my Christian, if you like." He glanced over at his wife, who stepped up to offer a handshake as well after a moment of hesitation.
"And I'm Dominika. It's lovely to meet you."
Good, good, this was all good. Dolly smiled at her parents over Marceline's shoulder with a little too much intensity. "Great! Now that we're all introduced, all of you go out to the back patio, and I'll bring the food." She gave Marceline an encouraging nudge towards the back door and had already turned towards the kitchen when her mom spoke up again.
"I'll help you, sweetheart." She moved past Dolly before Dolly could protest.
...Right. Was there an ulterior motive here? She couldn't be sure. But damned if Dolly was going to be the one to make a scene if there was.
She waved Marceline and her dad towards the back patio again and followed her mother to the kitchen.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
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VoltTurtle
- Posts: 801
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:10 pm
- Location: Dreamland
Marceline's absentmindedly raised her hand towards Dolly as she left, before lowering it. As much as she wanted to hold her girlfriend close and never let go, there were better times for that. Right now was about Dolly and her parents, not about Marceline.
She turned back towards Dolly's father and the Upton's patio, letting out a sheepish chuckle at her affectionate display being witnessed. "I uh... guess it's just us, Mr. Upton," she said, before sitting down at the patio table.
Few words were exchanged between Marceline and Dolly's father while they waited for Dolly and her mother to return, with small talk being used to clear the air of any tension that was being built up in Dolly's absence. Marceline soon found herself absentmindedly fidgeting with the utensils that Dolly had laid out for her. Normally by this point she would have pulled her phone out of her pocket, the feelings of the adults in the room at her constant need for stimulation be damned, but she felt that this special occasion necessitated that she reign in some of her usual behaviors, at least for a while.
Eventually, the silence between the small talk lasted too long for Marceline to bear, and she decided to speak up. "You know uh..." She paused, taking time to think about what she wanted to say. "Your daughter is a really good person, she makes me so happy just by being herself. So... I think you guys did a good job raising her."
Dolly's father smiled in response, thanking Marceline for the compliment and complimenting Marceline's demeanor in return.
Silence returned after that, and Marceline began craning her head back towards the Upton's backdoor, wondering why it was taking so long for Dolly to get back.
She turned back towards Dolly's father and the Upton's patio, letting out a sheepish chuckle at her affectionate display being witnessed. "I uh... guess it's just us, Mr. Upton," she said, before sitting down at the patio table.
Few words were exchanged between Marceline and Dolly's father while they waited for Dolly and her mother to return, with small talk being used to clear the air of any tension that was being built up in Dolly's absence. Marceline soon found herself absentmindedly fidgeting with the utensils that Dolly had laid out for her. Normally by this point she would have pulled her phone out of her pocket, the feelings of the adults in the room at her constant need for stimulation be damned, but she felt that this special occasion necessitated that she reign in some of her usual behaviors, at least for a while.
Eventually, the silence between the small talk lasted too long for Marceline to bear, and she decided to speak up. "You know uh..." She paused, taking time to think about what she wanted to say. "Your daughter is a really good person, she makes me so happy just by being herself. So... I think you guys did a good job raising her."
Dolly's father smiled in response, thanking Marceline for the compliment and complimenting Marceline's demeanor in return.
Silence returned after that, and Marceline began craning her head back towards the Upton's backdoor, wondering why it was taking so long for Dolly to get back.
Waiting in the kitchen were a platter of little finger sandwiches -- cucumber and egg on one side of the platter, smoked salmon and crème fraîche on the other -- and two trays of baked goods. One was cupcakes; vanilla cake with dried strawberry, to be exact. Those were specifically for Marceline (not that Dolly was going to stop anyone else from trying them; she'd worked hard on all the snacks). The other tray held lime bars with powdered sugar. A little more exotic than lemon bars in Dolly's opinion, a little extra kick of tartness.
Dolly's mother was already in the kitchen, taking the pitchers of lemonade and tea from the fridge. And yes, there was a tension in the air now that they were alone together, but you know what? Dolly wasn't having it. She wasn't going to argue or fight with Marceline here. This was going to be a nice afternoon with her girlfriend meeting her family, everything was going to be perfect, and Dolly wasn't going to allow anything to intrude on it.
With that thought in mind, she busied herself with the trays. She really was pleased with how her baking had turned out; she wasn't much for cooking most of the time. As Dolly was debating on whether to bring the desserts out first and risk someone indulging in them before she got the sandwiches out, just because she only had two hands, Dominika spoke.
"Marceline seems like a nice girl."
"She is," Dolly replied blithely, not turning to look at her mother.
Dominika heaved a quiet sigh, and Dolly made a concentrated effort to keep her shoulders from tensing.
"I just think that you're a little young to be making decisions. That's all, sweetheart."
Oh, that was a laugh. Dolly felt a hot and sudden flash of annoyance, reined in and sealed away just as quickly as it arrived. Perhaps she was young, but it didn't stop anyone from bombarding her with college applications, career advice, and questions about where she saw herself in five years. Most of the time, she couldn't even answer truthfully. She didn't know what the world would look like in five years, or whether she herself would still be around. Things happened. Accidents happened, disasters happened. A meteor could come by and knock the Earth off its axis, and then what good would all of that future planning be?
Dolly might have been a bit young for life-changing decisions, but she was happy in the present. That was what she wanted to focus on.
"Well, we haven't set a wedding date quite yet," she said in the same light tone. "Now let's not keep them waiting on the snacks any longer. You know how Dad gets when he's hungry." Christian Upton was as levelheaded as they came, and his moods ranged from "mellow" to "easygoing" for the most part. He wasn't one to get cranky when he was hungry, and Dolly knew that if anyone was going to say something inappropriate, it was Marceline. Her point was that the conversation was over, for now.
Dolly settled on bringing the dessert trays out first after all, accompanied by a warning not to delve in before she went back for the sandwiches. The sweets were what everyone looked forward to, anyway.
Dolly's mother was already in the kitchen, taking the pitchers of lemonade and tea from the fridge. And yes, there was a tension in the air now that they were alone together, but you know what? Dolly wasn't having it. She wasn't going to argue or fight with Marceline here. This was going to be a nice afternoon with her girlfriend meeting her family, everything was going to be perfect, and Dolly wasn't going to allow anything to intrude on it.
With that thought in mind, she busied herself with the trays. She really was pleased with how her baking had turned out; she wasn't much for cooking most of the time. As Dolly was debating on whether to bring the desserts out first and risk someone indulging in them before she got the sandwiches out, just because she only had two hands, Dominika spoke.
"Marceline seems like a nice girl."
"She is," Dolly replied blithely, not turning to look at her mother.
Dominika heaved a quiet sigh, and Dolly made a concentrated effort to keep her shoulders from tensing.
"I just think that you're a little young to be making decisions. That's all, sweetheart."
Oh, that was a laugh. Dolly felt a hot and sudden flash of annoyance, reined in and sealed away just as quickly as it arrived. Perhaps she was young, but it didn't stop anyone from bombarding her with college applications, career advice, and questions about where she saw herself in five years. Most of the time, she couldn't even answer truthfully. She didn't know what the world would look like in five years, or whether she herself would still be around. Things happened. Accidents happened, disasters happened. A meteor could come by and knock the Earth off its axis, and then what good would all of that future planning be?
Dolly might have been a bit young for life-changing decisions, but she was happy in the present. That was what she wanted to focus on.
"Well, we haven't set a wedding date quite yet," she said in the same light tone. "Now let's not keep them waiting on the snacks any longer. You know how Dad gets when he's hungry." Christian Upton was as levelheaded as they came, and his moods ranged from "mellow" to "easygoing" for the most part. He wasn't one to get cranky when he was hungry, and Dolly knew that if anyone was going to say something inappropriate, it was Marceline. Her point was that the conversation was over, for now.
Dolly settled on bringing the dessert trays out first after all, accompanied by a warning not to delve in before she went back for the sandwiches. The sweets were what everyone looked forward to, anyway.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
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VoltTurtle
- Posts: 801
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:10 pm
- Location: Dreamland
Marceline's mouth began to water as she reached up to grab one of the cupcakes that Dolly had brought, only to put her arm back down when Dolly–almost on cue–told her to wait.
Thankfully, she didn't have to wait long for Dolly to come back out with the afternoon's distraction-from-the-sweets meal. At least the distraction was pretty pleasant, in this case. Lots of little fancy sandwiches, all adorned with olives stuck through toothpicks, a bit of flair Dolly probably couldn't avoid having. While half of the sandwiches seemed to contain some kind of seafood that she wouldn't like–at least judging by the smell–the other half were sandwiches filled with sliced hard boiled eggs and cucumber, both things Marceline loved to munch on. Dolly always seemed to know what she would like, even without Marceline needing to tell her.
Swiping one of the cucumber sandwiches off the tray as Dolly and her mother got seated, Marceline plucked the toothpick out of it, quickly devouring the olive before happily taking a bite out of the sandwich proper. Dolly's father made a joke about Marceline being hungry, to which she responded with a happy nod.
Sticking the rest of the sandwich she had grabbed in her mouth, she glanced over at Dolly, only to notice that Dolly's usual demeanor looked significantly stiffer than normal as she ate, the look in her eyes just barely suggesting that something was wrong.
She stopped her chewing as her eyes narrowed, only to peek at Dolly's mother, who was paying her no mind. She looked back down at the table, thinking for a moment, only to shake her head, swallow, and reach for another sandwich.
It didn't take long for the sandwiches to all be eaten, Marceline having devoured four of the six cucumber sandwiches that had been laid out. She poured herself a glass of lemonade–Dolly's mother had brought a pitcher out–quietly sipping at it as Dolly placed the desserts gingerly on the main platter.
Barely able to contain herself, Marceline snatched one of the strawberry cupcakes the moment she was given the go ahead, giddily pulling off the actual cup the cake had been contained in, only to enthusiastically munch on the soft dessert found inside. Strawberry and vanilla were her favorite sweet flavors, and the fact that Dolly had remembered that specifically for her sake made her feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. She was definitely going to make out with her the moment she got the chance.
Sighing happily as she finished the last cupcake, she smiled as Dolly's father made another joke about her appetite. She bantered back at him about his apparent love for lime bars, and both of them laughed, Dolly smiling off to the side, presumably pleased that her father was getting along so well with her girlfriend.
As everyone stood up from the table, Marceline quickly found herself clinging to Dolly's arm, happily resting her head on Dolly's shoulder as Dolly lead the two of them back inside the house.
Thankfully, she didn't have to wait long for Dolly to come back out with the afternoon's distraction-from-the-sweets meal. At least the distraction was pretty pleasant, in this case. Lots of little fancy sandwiches, all adorned with olives stuck through toothpicks, a bit of flair Dolly probably couldn't avoid having. While half of the sandwiches seemed to contain some kind of seafood that she wouldn't like–at least judging by the smell–the other half were sandwiches filled with sliced hard boiled eggs and cucumber, both things Marceline loved to munch on. Dolly always seemed to know what she would like, even without Marceline needing to tell her.
Swiping one of the cucumber sandwiches off the tray as Dolly and her mother got seated, Marceline plucked the toothpick out of it, quickly devouring the olive before happily taking a bite out of the sandwich proper. Dolly's father made a joke about Marceline being hungry, to which she responded with a happy nod.
Sticking the rest of the sandwich she had grabbed in her mouth, she glanced over at Dolly, only to notice that Dolly's usual demeanor looked significantly stiffer than normal as she ate, the look in her eyes just barely suggesting that something was wrong.
She stopped her chewing as her eyes narrowed, only to peek at Dolly's mother, who was paying her no mind. She looked back down at the table, thinking for a moment, only to shake her head, swallow, and reach for another sandwich.
It didn't take long for the sandwiches to all be eaten, Marceline having devoured four of the six cucumber sandwiches that had been laid out. She poured herself a glass of lemonade–Dolly's mother had brought a pitcher out–quietly sipping at it as Dolly placed the desserts gingerly on the main platter.
Barely able to contain herself, Marceline snatched one of the strawberry cupcakes the moment she was given the go ahead, giddily pulling off the actual cup the cake had been contained in, only to enthusiastically munch on the soft dessert found inside. Strawberry and vanilla were her favorite sweet flavors, and the fact that Dolly had remembered that specifically for her sake made her feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. She was definitely going to make out with her the moment she got the chance.
Sighing happily as she finished the last cupcake, she smiled as Dolly's father made another joke about her appetite. She bantered back at him about his apparent love for lime bars, and both of them laughed, Dolly smiling off to the side, presumably pleased that her father was getting along so well with her girlfriend.
As everyone stood up from the table, Marceline quickly found herself clinging to Dolly's arm, happily resting her head on Dolly's shoulder as Dolly lead the two of them back inside the house.
Everything went well after that. There was no need to ask whether Marceline enjoyed the snacks, and both of Dolly's parents seemed partial to them as well. Her dad joked around, and nobody made any inappropriate comments on any end of the scale, and after a little while, Dolly settled back into relative contentment.
She had intended to stick around to clean up, actually, but her dad waved her away and told her and Marceline to make themselves comfortable hanging out inside for a while, so Dolly didn't argue. She didn't know if her parents were just going to clean up, or if there was some sort of discussion that was going to happen once she and Marceline were out of earshot. She resolved not to worry about it.
"So," she said once she and Marceline were inside, "do you want to go hang out upstairs for a while?" She deliberately didn't specify her room as the destination; they also had a TV and games room upstairs that Marceline might like, and anyway, suggesting her bedroom would probably just get a sneaky grin and a joke in response.
Not that Dolly would complain that much about the reply, of course. It wasn't like they hadn't fooled around before, but there would be none of that while her parents were here. Dolly was in love, not reckless.
She had intended to stick around to clean up, actually, but her dad waved her away and told her and Marceline to make themselves comfortable hanging out inside for a while, so Dolly didn't argue. She didn't know if her parents were just going to clean up, or if there was some sort of discussion that was going to happen once she and Marceline were out of earshot. She resolved not to worry about it.
"So," she said once she and Marceline were inside, "do you want to go hang out upstairs for a while?" She deliberately didn't specify her room as the destination; they also had a TV and games room upstairs that Marceline might like, and anyway, suggesting her bedroom would probably just get a sneaky grin and a joke in response.
Not that Dolly would complain that much about the reply, of course. It wasn't like they hadn't fooled around before, but there would be none of that while her parents were here. Dolly was in love, not reckless.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
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VoltTurtle
- Posts: 801
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:10 pm
- Location: Dreamland
Marceline happily leaned on her girlfriend as Dolly walked them both back inside.
"Ooh yeah. That sounds good," she said, in response to Dolly's question. "You wanna snuggle in your room? I could go for some snuggles right now."
She wrapped her arm around Dolly's side, gently feeling her girlfriend's curves as she seemingly wordlessly agreed with Marceline's idea.
Nuzzling her head against Dolly's shoulder and sighing contentedly, she spoke up again as they went up the stairs together. "And, you know, if you have a TV in there, we could try watching something together while we cuddle. Netflix maybe? There were a few shows I wanted to watch, actually."
"Alternatively," she began, a mischievous grin creeping onto her face. "I'm still a little hungry, do you think you have anything else I could eat?"
She stood upright and looked at Dolly, her grin growing even wider, only to receive a firm tap on the head in response. "Haha, point taken. Not while your parents are here."
It didn't take long for them to reach Dolly's bedroom after that, the two of them enjoying each other's company without the need of words. Marceline quickly threw herself onto Dolly's bed as Dolly searched for her TV's remote, taking the chance to roll around on it as if she was a young child full of boundless energy again.
"Ahhhh, Dolly, your bed is so nice..." She sat up, her hair now slightly messy from her actions, locks dangling in front of her eyes. "My bed isn't terrible but yours is a lot bigger and is this like... memory foam or whatever?"
She leaned back again, mattress enveloping her, her muscles almost instinctively relaxing as she sunk into it. "It's just... really soft," she said, sighing happily afterwards.
"Plus, it smells like you, so that's a bonus," she said, Dolly laughing in response, and Marceline smiling as a result. Dolly's laughter had to be her favorite sound, it was something she always wanted to hear more of, since it meant that her girlfriend was happy.
The TV finally flicked on, Dolly coming to the bed remote in hand shortly thereafter. Marceline wrapped her arms around her girlfriend as she laid down in front of her, Dolly gently pressing back into her as Marceline held her close. Not long after they settled in, Dolly finally asked what Marceline actually wanted to watch, Marceline pausing for a few seconds to consider. "Wait, you like thrillers, right? You might actually like Daredevil then! The second season came out a little while ago. I know you don't like superhero stuff that much but... I think you'd like it."
Dolly let out a little laugh in response, replying "Okay, if you say so."
"Neat!" Marceline responded, "we can start from the first season then. And, you know, if you don't like it, we can always watch something else."
She gently nuzzled the back of her girlfriend's head, her voice turning soft. "No matter what we do, I'm just happy to spend time with you."
"Ooh yeah. That sounds good," she said, in response to Dolly's question. "You wanna snuggle in your room? I could go for some snuggles right now."
She wrapped her arm around Dolly's side, gently feeling her girlfriend's curves as she seemingly wordlessly agreed with Marceline's idea.
Nuzzling her head against Dolly's shoulder and sighing contentedly, she spoke up again as they went up the stairs together. "And, you know, if you have a TV in there, we could try watching something together while we cuddle. Netflix maybe? There were a few shows I wanted to watch, actually."
"Alternatively," she began, a mischievous grin creeping onto her face. "I'm still a little hungry, do you think you have anything else I could eat?"
She stood upright and looked at Dolly, her grin growing even wider, only to receive a firm tap on the head in response. "Haha, point taken. Not while your parents are here."
It didn't take long for them to reach Dolly's bedroom after that, the two of them enjoying each other's company without the need of words. Marceline quickly threw herself onto Dolly's bed as Dolly searched for her TV's remote, taking the chance to roll around on it as if she was a young child full of boundless energy again.
"Ahhhh, Dolly, your bed is so nice..." She sat up, her hair now slightly messy from her actions, locks dangling in front of her eyes. "My bed isn't terrible but yours is a lot bigger and is this like... memory foam or whatever?"
She leaned back again, mattress enveloping her, her muscles almost instinctively relaxing as she sunk into it. "It's just... really soft," she said, sighing happily afterwards.
"Plus, it smells like you, so that's a bonus," she said, Dolly laughing in response, and Marceline smiling as a result. Dolly's laughter had to be her favorite sound, it was something she always wanted to hear more of, since it meant that her girlfriend was happy.
The TV finally flicked on, Dolly coming to the bed remote in hand shortly thereafter. Marceline wrapped her arms around her girlfriend as she laid down in front of her, Dolly gently pressing back into her as Marceline held her close. Not long after they settled in, Dolly finally asked what Marceline actually wanted to watch, Marceline pausing for a few seconds to consider. "Wait, you like thrillers, right? You might actually like Daredevil then! The second season came out a little while ago. I know you don't like superhero stuff that much but... I think you'd like it."
Dolly let out a little laugh in response, replying "Okay, if you say so."
"Neat!" Marceline responded, "we can start from the first season then. And, you know, if you don't like it, we can always watch something else."
She gently nuzzled the back of her girlfriend's head, her voice turning soft. "No matter what we do, I'm just happy to spend time with you."
They settled in comfortably, and Dolly let herself relax, lacing her fingers together with Marceline's. She could have teased Marceline for actually pulling the "Netflix and chill" shtick, but she was happy enough to just be like this for now.
Daredevil wasn't bad. Dolly wasn't much for action or superheroes, but she found herself drawn into the parts of the show that did appeal to her tastes, accompanied by Marceline's occasional commentary on the characters. She felt tension that she'd hardly realized was still there slipping further and further away.
For a moment, Dolly just closed her eyes and smiled. Maybe her parents were having a discussion (or Discussion) downstairs. Maybe they were cleaning up in silence. Maybe nothing was happening at all. Whatever was going on downstairs, outside, or anywhere else in the world didn't matter right in this moment.
Daredevil wasn't bad. Dolly wasn't much for action or superheroes, but she found herself drawn into the parts of the show that did appeal to her tastes, accompanied by Marceline's occasional commentary on the characters. She felt tension that she'd hardly realized was still there slipping further and further away.
For a moment, Dolly just closed her eyes and smiled. Maybe her parents were having a discussion (or Discussion) downstairs. Maybe they were cleaning up in silence. Maybe nothing was happening at all. Whatever was going on downstairs, outside, or anywhere else in the world didn't matter right in this moment.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."
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VoltTurtle
- Posts: 801
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:10 pm
- Location: Dreamland
Marceline shifted herself against Dolly as the first episode neared its end, pressing her body into her girlfriend as she gave her an affectionate squeeze.
Not long after that, her hand slowly slid up Dolly's body, before gently resting on one of her girlfriend's breasts. Dolly was so soft and huggable, every part of her deserving to be cherished and appreciated. Marceline closed her eyes for a bit, drinking this moment in. It had been a while since they had snuggled like this, and she was treasuring every second of it.
They held like that, Dolly shifting against her, for what felt like a beautiful eternity. If Marceline had a choice, she would spend the rest of her life like this, with her girlfriend at her side. She was pulled back to reality by the episode finally ending, however, but Marceline smiled anyway, since now they had a free moment.
"Hey... Dolly..." Marceline said, her voice tinged with an inquisitive flair. She sat up slightly on the bed, gently relinquishing her tight hold on her girlfriend. Dolly turned to face her, answering Marceline's silent question with a simple "Yeah?". Without needing to answer, Marceline leaned in towards Dolly, a kiss soon being silently shared between them. No words were needed, only this moment and getting lost in the presence of each other.
Another eternity seemed to pass, as they held the kiss, before Marceline gently pulled away, finally taking a moment to breathe.
"I love you," she said, her eyes betraying just how much she meant it when she said that, how vulnerable she was.
She laid back down next to Dolly, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend once again. As Dolly reached for the remote to start the next episode, Marceline went over the events of the night in her head, and how perfect everything was. She had met Dolly's parents, everything went well between them, she got to eat some nice food... though, it occurred to her that earlier, Dolly's mother had forced her way past Dolly very suddenly, almost as if she had been trying to get some distance between herself and Marceline.
Something about it didn't sit right with her, and as Dolly started the next episode, she felt the urge to ask about it. "Hey, Dolly-Doll, what was that thing with your mother earlier tonight about? She was acting sorta weird."
Not long after that, her hand slowly slid up Dolly's body, before gently resting on one of her girlfriend's breasts. Dolly was so soft and huggable, every part of her deserving to be cherished and appreciated. Marceline closed her eyes for a bit, drinking this moment in. It had been a while since they had snuggled like this, and she was treasuring every second of it.
They held like that, Dolly shifting against her, for what felt like a beautiful eternity. If Marceline had a choice, she would spend the rest of her life like this, with her girlfriend at her side. She was pulled back to reality by the episode finally ending, however, but Marceline smiled anyway, since now they had a free moment.
"Hey... Dolly..." Marceline said, her voice tinged with an inquisitive flair. She sat up slightly on the bed, gently relinquishing her tight hold on her girlfriend. Dolly turned to face her, answering Marceline's silent question with a simple "Yeah?". Without needing to answer, Marceline leaned in towards Dolly, a kiss soon being silently shared between them. No words were needed, only this moment and getting lost in the presence of each other.
Another eternity seemed to pass, as they held the kiss, before Marceline gently pulled away, finally taking a moment to breathe.
"I love you," she said, her eyes betraying just how much she meant it when she said that, how vulnerable she was.
She laid back down next to Dolly, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend once again. As Dolly reached for the remote to start the next episode, Marceline went over the events of the night in her head, and how perfect everything was. She had met Dolly's parents, everything went well between them, she got to eat some nice food... though, it occurred to her that earlier, Dolly's mother had forced her way past Dolly very suddenly, almost as if she had been trying to get some distance between herself and Marceline.
Something about it didn't sit right with her, and as Dolly started the next episode, she felt the urge to ask about it. "Hey, Dolly-Doll, what was that thing with your mother earlier tonight about? She was acting sorta weird."
Everything was nice, and soft, and warm. Dolly couldn't even be bothered to scold Marceline, even playfully, when her hands started to wander a bit. Fortunately, Marceline continued to mostly behave herself.
I love you.
It had been unexpected, the first time she'd heard it. Really, she'd never put much thought into whether she might be interested in girls before Marceline asked her out. Getting asked on a date was a surprise in itself, but the bigger surprise had been that when she stopped to think it over, Dolly hadn't wanted to say no. She'd gone with the flow of her emotions as usual, and it had led her here.
She was happy.
"I love you too," she said, winding her fingers into Marceline's. They settled back down and Dolly picked up the remote again to start the next episode of the show, but Marceline spoke up and everything screeched to a halt.
"Oh," Dolly said, "it was nothing." Her tone was more stilted than she'd wanted, but there it was, her not-quite white lie. "I think my parents were just kind of surprised that I sprang this on them, honestly. They didn't know I was dating, and I've never invited anyone over to meet them like this before."
Honestly, she didn't think that Marceline would believe her, but maybe she would let it lie.
I love you.
It had been unexpected, the first time she'd heard it. Really, she'd never put much thought into whether she might be interested in girls before Marceline asked her out. Getting asked on a date was a surprise in itself, but the bigger surprise had been that when she stopped to think it over, Dolly hadn't wanted to say no. She'd gone with the flow of her emotions as usual, and it had led her here.
She was happy.
"I love you too," she said, winding her fingers into Marceline's. They settled back down and Dolly picked up the remote again to start the next episode of the show, but Marceline spoke up and everything screeched to a halt.
"Oh," Dolly said, "it was nothing." Her tone was more stilted than she'd wanted, but there it was, her not-quite white lie. "I think my parents were just kind of surprised that I sprang this on them, honestly. They didn't know I was dating, and I've never invited anyone over to meet them like this before."
Honestly, she didn't think that Marceline would believe her, but maybe she would let it lie.
"Art enriches the community, Steve, no less than a pulsing fire hose, or a fireman beating down a blazing door. So what if we're drawing a nude man? So what if all we ever draw is a nude man, or the same nude man over and over in all sorts of provocative positions? Context, not content! Process, not subject! Don't be so gauche, Steve, it's beneath you."