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Record in hand and done up in loose, comfortable clothes, you stepped up to Julie's house and rapped your knuckles on her cheerfully yellow front door. You only had to wait a second before it was flung open, an enthusiastic smile on your neighbour Julie's face.
"Oh! You're early!" she said, smile growing no dimmer as she bounced on her toes. She wore a loose, flower patterned bell sleeved tie top and a high-waisted flare cut pair of dark green jeans. Her hair was up in a high ponytail, bangs transitioning to braids halfway down and pulled back into the hairstyle.
"Uh, I think I'm on time, actually." you said, stepping through as she ushered you in.
"You said you were available before lunch?"
"Oh! Right!" she replied, making a face before knocking her forehead with the palm of her hand.
"Duh! Anyway, my player's in the living room. Come on!"
She skittered down the hall, and you followed behind her with a wry smile.
Julie was somewhat like Wally-- she knew a fair amount of things already, compared to his seeming eternal thirst for knowledge, but she also lacked a fair bit concerning "high" society and manners. It made sense-- she was a rainbow monster from the mountains, who had their own culture and lived much closer to, and amongst, nature. They didn't have a need for things like "clothes" or "excessive hygiene" or "dining ettiquette". Of course, moving to Home meant that there was a need for those sort of things (at least, clothes and hair care) that she had been without.
Frank had taught her a lot over the course of their friendship, but in this case you wanted to be the one to teach her how to waltz after Sally had insisted upon the rainbow monster learning it for a scene.
("It's absolutely necessary! Positively imperative!" Sally had exclaimed upon Julie asking what "a wal-teaz" was during a script reading and if she really needed to do such a dance on stage.
"Your character is a princess-- a debutante-- a prim and proper socialite! Why, however will the luxury and opulence of the Winter ball be conveyed to the audience without her gliding across the stage in her ballgown! This is unacceptable. Inadmissable! You!!"
She had pointed at you-- Julie's co-actor, the other half of the proposed dance--
"Please tell me you aren't lacking in beau monde civility!"
At your confirmation that you knew how to waltz, Sally grinned and slapped the back of her hand on the script in her hand.
"Excellent! Then I, as your director, bid you to teach your co-star how to perform the dance! Tout suite!")
That conversation is what led to the moment at hand-- Julie waiting expectantly as you walked over to her record player. You lifted the needle and slid your vinyl from out of its sleeve, setting it carefully on the peg before fiddling with her player a moment. All the while she stood behind you, quietly humming to herself.
Finally, you flicked the machine on so the record started to spin, and set the needle upon it. The sounds of blues flowed through the speaker, filling Julie's living room with the smooth tunes.
"Ooo, I like this!" she said cheerfully, swaying to the music. You giggled.
"It's quite lovely, right? Swaying is important in a waltz. Most waltz music is in 3/4ths time signatures, but this is fine for now."
You swayed along with her, making each lean to the side a slow, long movement, laughing along as she giggled again. You looked around for a second, eyeing the coffee table before walking over and pushing it up against the couch for space.
"The dance is pretty simple, really. We just make boxes with our steps. Here, let me lead."
You gestured for her to come closer, and she did. You took her hands and stepped forward, draping them on your shoulders. She squeezed your shoulders, eyes crinkling at the corners with her smile as you placed your hands gently on her waist.
"This alright?" you asked. She nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes! Now, show me!"
"Alright then, I'm gonna step forward with my left foot, while you step back with your right..."
You directed her through the four steps of the waltz slowly, counting under your breath to help her keep rhythm. Julie looked down at the ground, squinting slightly and sticking her tongue out of her mouth as she focused. You, used to the steps, simply watched her instead, a warm feeling hovering in her chest at the cute expression.
You snapped back into focus as you felt her step on your socked foot before jolting back.
"Oopsie! Sorry." she said with a wince. You shook your head.
"It's alright, bound to happen. At least you aren't wearing shoes right?"
The two of you chuckled, and you let go of her waist, holding out your hand.
"Now, there's usually some rotation in the boxes. Like this..."
Julie let go of your left shoulder, and you were quick to lace your fingers together. You stepped out, turning slightly to the left. Julie followed, and soon the two of you were gently rotating around the room; you now had to focus on making sure the two of you didn't crash into anything.
Julie's hand were warm-- she always ran warm, somehow. Maybe it was due to the kind of puppet she was. Her hugs were always nice and toasty, and she was always up for you pressing yourself up to her to leech some of that warmth.
You slowly sped up your steps, and she followed easily. The two of you spun around the room, and Julie laughed as her hair started to lift up. You finished one last box step before lifting your raised arm and stopping suddenly. Julie let out a startled sound as she twirled, sticking out one leg to stamp down.
"Wow! It's kinda like feeling weightless!" She said, shaking out her jitters and giving you a smile as she combed her fingers through her ponytail.
"Yes! There's a reason it's been popular since the 17th century." you said, moving to pull the coffee table back out.
"There's more stuff, like the twirl at the end, but I'm sure Sally will be satisfied with what you've learned.
As you stood up and turned around, you suddenly felt her hands on your face.
Julie leaned in, pressing her lips to one cheek, then the other, making an exaggerated kissing sound.
"Mwah! Mwah! Thank you so much! It really means a lot that you came over to teach me."
Your fingers grazed the back of her hands as she pulled back. You hiked your shoulders up, sheepish.
"It's nothing, really."
Julie frowned and shook her head so hard her ponytail whipped her jaw.
"Nuh uh! It's soooo something! We're gonna knock Sally's socks off with that lil twirling! Come on, show me how to do it to you!"
You laughed as she grabbed your hands and placed them on her shoulders, before her hands came to your own waist.
"I'm leading now! Get ready!"
Her pink felt tongue stuck out again as she tried to flip around the steps she had took. You couldn't help yourself-- you moved your hands to her face, cradling her jaw like she did your own before pressing your lips to her cheeks, one after the other. She made a soft sound, somewhat like a churr, leaning in as you pulled away.
"Let me reset the record, okay?" you asked. Her eyelashes fluttered, and Julie let out a rolling chirp, nuzzling against your palm.
"Fine, fine."