![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Sorry, that's... pretty weird to say, isn't it.
[It takes Meryl a second to glance up. In that time, her imagination runs off in the worst of ways. She's sure that Night Sky has backed off in horror. She's certain that she's about to laugh in her face. Yet when Meryl glance up, wincing as she does, she finds only warmth.]
Someone like me? I'm not that special. Honest. [Not compared to the people she knows, and certainly not compared to the rest of those who'd come to call this world home.]
[It takes Meryl a second to glance up. In that time, her imagination runs off in the worst of ways. She's sure that Night Sky has backed off in horror. She's certain that she's about to laugh in her face. Yet when Meryl glance up, wincing as she does, she finds only warmth.]
Someone like me? I'm not that special. Honest. [Not compared to the people she knows, and certainly not compared to the rest of those who'd come to call this world home.]
No, it's not. Because I have absolutely been dreaming about you. ( And a few other people, truth be told, but Meryl had played a very prominent role in her dreams recently. And her daydreams, for that matter.
She reached out to brush her knuckles softly over the other woman's cheek. ) No one ever thinks they're special. But there is something about you, Meryl, that just makes me want to know you more. I just need to know if you'll let me.
( she tilted her head, lips quirking at the corners. ) You can put your gifts down and stay a while, you know.
She reached out to brush her knuckles softly over the other woman's cheek. ) No one ever thinks they're special. But there is something about you, Meryl, that just makes me want to know you more. I just need to know if you'll let me.
( she tilted her head, lips quirking at the corners. ) You can put your gifts down and stay a while, you know.
[Not unlike a cat, Meryl leans so bodily into the touch that she nearly stumbles when her balance begins to slip. A faintly nervous titter leaves her before she can gain proper control of herself. Unfortunately for them both, that control means that the husky whisper of of course I'll let you is choked back, but only barely.]
It's not that I don't want to... [She exhales. Unfortunately, for all her thinking, she hasn't gotten very far. She knows that she wants Night Sky to some capacity. The problem is that Night Sky isn't the only person on her mind. And unlike the dryad, Meryl hasn't found a way to reconcile that with herself yet, let alone anyone else.
For now, she focuses on the second command. A toothy, if slightly false, smile is offered.] Maybe I don't want to yet. [The smile does diminish, but only down to something both genuine and shy.] Maybe I... want you to help me put this necklace on. How about that?
It's not that I don't want to... [She exhales. Unfortunately, for all her thinking, she hasn't gotten very far. She knows that she wants Night Sky to some capacity. The problem is that Night Sky isn't the only person on her mind. And unlike the dryad, Meryl hasn't found a way to reconcile that with herself yet, let alone anyone else.
For now, she focuses on the second command. A toothy, if slightly false, smile is offered.] Maybe I don't want to yet. [The smile does diminish, but only down to something both genuine and shy.] Maybe I... want you to help me put this necklace on. How about that?
( If there was one thing she had learned from the whole situation with her and Red Son (beyond needing to communicate certain things better) it was that some people needed more time than she did to parse their feelings. Night Sky had lived for such a short time initially, had only been given the briefest of chances to love and touch others before she had to distance herself. And even when she returned, hee duty had been to the forest. She was lonely and desperate and needy, but she could not demand attention or reciprocation from the people she wanted it from. She had to earn it. She had to let them want it, too. And if they didn't - that was fine. )
I know. ( it was pretty obvious that she wanted to, given how easily she leaned into her touch and all she had said thus far.
She smiled and cocked her head slightly. )
I can do that, sweetness. ( She dropped her hand and presented it instead with her palm up to receive the necklace. She wasn't just going to take it - it was Meryl's now. She'd have to give it to her.)
I know. ( it was pretty obvious that she wanted to, given how easily she leaned into her touch and all she had said thus far.
She smiled and cocked her head slightly. )
I can do that, sweetness. ( She dropped her hand and presented it instead with her palm up to receive the necklace. She wasn't just going to take it - it was Meryl's now. She'd have to give it to her.)
[For the time being, Meryl does set the rest of her gifts down. The only thing that remains is necklace, which she carefully places within Night Sky's palm. She turns her back to the woman, using a free hand to try and sweep some of her hair out of the way. Short as it is, it just falls back into place. Whatever.
The benefit of this position, at the very least, is the fact that she doesn't have to look at Night Sky. Not that she doesn't want to stare at the woman β she could probably spend hours doing that. The problem is that her brain gets fuzzy when she looks into her eyes, and right now she needs a clear head.]
I like you. I do. You're absolutely beautiful. And you've been kind and understanding, too. It's just... [She uses the tip of a nail of one hand to pick at another on the opposite side. Her teeth sink into her lower lip for just a brief second, before she releases to keep speaking.] That night at the masquerade, I met someone else too. And maybe there's even someone else beyond that.
I just don't feel right, you know? It doesn't feel fair to you.
The benefit of this position, at the very least, is the fact that she doesn't have to look at Night Sky. Not that she doesn't want to stare at the woman β she could probably spend hours doing that. The problem is that her brain gets fuzzy when she looks into her eyes, and right now she needs a clear head.]
I like you. I do. You're absolutely beautiful. And you've been kind and understanding, too. It's just... [She uses the tip of a nail of one hand to pick at another on the opposite side. Her teeth sink into her lower lip for just a brief second, before she releases to keep speaking.] That night at the masquerade, I met someone else too. And maybe there's even someone else beyond that.
I just don't feel right, you know? It doesn't feel fair to you.
( Night Sky untied the cord and looped her arms around Meryl's head, pulling back so the wooden pendant rested against her clavicle. As she tied it again, she listened intently to everything Meryl said. A part of her was - not jealous, not really, when she mentioned the others she might be interested in - unsurprised. Meryl was beautiful and endearing and anyone would be blessed to have her attention. If it was a debate on who to choose, if Meryl was inclined toward monogamy, Night Sky was long out of the running. No one picked her first. Not even her current paramour - sort of. )
I wouldn't mind. ( Words murmured as she finished tying the necklace. And when she was done she let her fingertips brush the sides of Meryl's neck, across her shoulders where she squeezed once in reassurance. ) You deserve to be adored by more than just me, I can promise you that. But... if that's not your thing, I understand. I won't push.
I wouldn't mind. ( Words murmured as she finished tying the necklace. And when she was done she let her fingertips brush the sides of Meryl's neck, across her shoulders where she squeezed once in reassurance. ) You deserve to be adored by more than just me, I can promise you that. But... if that's not your thing, I understand. I won't push.
Is that... actually a thing?
[The problem with living in a society with such a profound basis in the idea of Gods, angels, and salvation is that it all tends to come back to a very monogamist view point. Even if that wasn't the case, it's not like Meryl has ever done much exploring outside of her own comfort zone. Maybe she's heard whispers of polyamory in passing but... never something so normalized.]
It's not like I'm opposed. [Her sigh is soft, accompanied by a shudder that runs through her as those fingers scrape over her skin. She looks down at the pendant on her neck, then thumbs over its carefully carved form.] I just don't want anyone to get hurt.
[The problem with living in a society with such a profound basis in the idea of Gods, angels, and salvation is that it all tends to come back to a very monogamist view point. Even if that wasn't the case, it's not like Meryl has ever done much exploring outside of her own comfort zone. Maybe she's heard whispers of polyamory in passing but... never something so normalized.]
It's not like I'm opposed. [Her sigh is soft, accompanied by a shudder that runs through her as those fingers scrape over her skin. She looks down at the pendant on her neck, then thumbs over its carefully carved form.] I just don't want anyone to get hurt.
Mhm. I told you before I'm with someone, right? He encourages me seeing other people too, since I'm kind of greedy and desperate for affection. ( Hell of a thing to admit, but Meryl might as well know. As if it wasn't obvious.
She leaned into her from behind, hands dropping to rest on her hips. Night Sky was familiar with polyamory long before Somnius. Sylvan weren't exactly known for their monogamy out in the wilds.)
So long as everyone involved is aware of it, no one should. That said, it's only if you want something like that, and if you're not going to get hurt.
She leaned into her from behind, hands dropping to rest on her hips. Night Sky was familiar with polyamory long before Somnius. Sylvan weren't exactly known for their monogamy out in the wilds.)
So long as everyone involved is aware of it, no one should. That said, it's only if you want something like that, and if you're not going to get hurt.
[And a few days later, a message from Meryl comes through!]
Hi, Grog! You needed information about Galo Thymos right? I've got some stuff for you! He likes Pizza, but... Um? Margherita Pizza I guess? And he likes that spicy! He's a big fan of cake it looks like, and prefers to drink, er... Not? Spicy? Water. Weird.
Also he said he'd like more clothes, but to be mindful of the fact that he has to wear a burn sleeve? So basically things with no sleeves at all. That should be easy for you, right?
Hi, Grog! You needed information about Galo Thymos right? I've got some stuff for you! He likes Pizza, but... Um? Margherita Pizza I guess? And he likes that spicy! He's a big fan of cake it looks like, and prefers to drink, er... Not? Spicy? Water. Weird.
Also he said he'd like more clothes, but to be mindful of the fact that he has to wear a burn sleeve? So basically things with no sleeves at all. That should be easy for you, right?
What if we want to cook? Can we help? Or make something ourselves?
I mean, Luca doesn't really cook much, but he helps ME now, and we both helped our friend Giulia before, and I helped my boss back home, so we basically know what we're doing by this point.
[ Despite presenting sound evidence, something about the way he underlined "basically" makes it seem like they... don't "basically" know what they're doing... But bonus points for wanting to be helpful? Good kids? ]
OK that's all good to know at least.
So you're from hundreds of years in the future for me, huh? Incredibile, wow!
HA! you know as far as we know I could be your great great great great great great great great great great great GREAT grandpa!
Β»Γ-ΓΒ«
'Γ'
^(he has glasses. and wrinkles. See? Little Nonnino haha)
[ A chilling thought made worse by the illustration... ]
I mean, Luca doesn't really cook much, but he helps ME now, and we both helped our friend Giulia before, and I helped my boss back home, so we basically know what we're doing by this point.
[ Despite presenting sound evidence, something about the way he underlined "basically" makes it seem like they... don't "basically" know what they're doing... But bonus points for wanting to be helpful? Good kids? ]
OK that's all good to know at least.
So you're from hundreds of years in the future for me, huh? Incredibile, wow!
HA! you know as far as we know I could be your great great great great great great great great great great great GREAT grandpa!
Β»Γ-ΓΒ«
'Γ'
^(he has glasses. and wrinkles. See? Little Nonnino haha)
[ A chilling thought made worse by the illustration... ]
[Oops. Busy as she is, she forgot the issues of sending a message versus audio calls. She quickly corrects that with an audio message.]
It sounds like a good plan, Grog. Do you need me to repeat any of it, just in case?
It sounds like a good plan, Grog. Do you need me to repeat any of it, just in case?
[ Oh, thank the gods... Writing is still so hard. Just talking is much easier. ]
No, if I forget, I can make my Oracle lady read it to me.
[ Text to speech is his friend... Though he may be under the impression that there's a magic lady who lives inside his Oracle who is reading his texts to him. ]
No, if I forget, I can make my Oracle lady read it to me.
[ Text to speech is his friend... Though he may be under the impression that there's a magic lady who lives inside his Oracle who is reading his texts to him. ]
We could always do a potluck?
That's when everyone brings a dish and you have a big meal of it all?
[She's a little worried about his cooking but... It's fine, she won't vocalize it. She trusts him! Totally! :')]
It might be a feeeew more greats than that but. Yeah! I suppose it could be possible! Just keep an eye out for any volunteer missions to space in the next. Er... Few hundred years.
(It's very cute. You're very good at this!)
[What's more horrifying is the fact that Meryl can see the similarities when it comes to their stubbornness... It could be possible. It could be!]
That's when everyone brings a dish and you have a big meal of it all?
[She's a little worried about his cooking but... It's fine, she won't vocalize it. She trusts him! Totally! :')]
It might be a feeeew more greats than that but. Yeah! I suppose it could be possible! Just keep an eye out for any volunteer missions to space in the next. Er... Few hundred years.
(It's very cute. You're very good at this!)
[What's more horrifying is the fact that Meryl can see the similarities when it comes to their stubbornness... It could be possible. It could be!]
Good! If you do need the help though, just let me know!
[She won't question the logic. She's learning not to pick these fights!]
[She won't question the logic. She's learning not to pick these fights!]
I do! They've already worked well so far. I've done a bunch of writing and everything!
[She sends over a quick picture of a very full page. There's a sketch of what looks to be a building layout, as well as some notes here and there.]
[She sends over a quick picture of a very full page. There's a sketch of what looks to be a building layout, as well as some notes here and there.]
Oh! It's a business I'm thinking about opening here soon β a publishing company. I'm mostly just thinking about a newsletter for now. Little updates for people, maybe stories about some of our comrades here? We'll see, though.
You? Fond of affection? [Meryl's laugh is gentle as she turns to face Night Sky. She knows that whatever strength of will she has will fade fast in the face of the Sylvan woman, but she turns all the same. She needs to have this conversation face to face. Sky deserves that much.]
I don't... know exactly what I want, if I'm honest. [As she speaks, she continues to stroke the pendant. It's weight already feels comforting. Like it's giving her strength.] But I do know I want to be around you more. I enjoyed kissing you, but I also - [She pauses, searching for her words. When she finds nothing, the air in her lungs comes out hard enough to puff out her cheeks.] I like how I feel around you.
I don't... know exactly what I want, if I'm honest. [As she speaks, she continues to stroke the pendant. It's weight already feels comforting. Like it's giving her strength.] But I do know I want to be around you more. I enjoyed kissing you, but I also - [She pauses, searching for her words. When she finds nothing, the air in her lungs comes out hard enough to puff out her cheeks.] I like how I feel around you.
Hard to believe, right? ( Especially when she was invading the other woman's space the second she turned around. Night Sky watched her curiously, her eyes drifting down to the pendant and how Meryl's fingers continued to toy with it.
She looked up again, raised her hand to cup Meryl's cheek. It was so hard not to touch her, honestly. So she took every opportunity to do so unless the other woman pushed her away. )
You don't have to figure out what you want now. We can take our time - I need to learn a little more patience anyway. ( She chuckled, more to herself than anything. ) But I feel the same way - so you're welcome here anytime you want. If you need me, just call me, okay? Not that - I'm not trying to shoo you away now, of course. ( She fumbled for a moment, her eyes softening to something almost... sad. ) Unless you need to leave. I know my call was kind of sudden.
She looked up again, raised her hand to cup Meryl's cheek. It was so hard not to touch her, honestly. So she took every opportunity to do so unless the other woman pushed her away. )
You don't have to figure out what you want now. We can take our time - I need to learn a little more patience anyway. ( She chuckled, more to herself than anything. ) But I feel the same way - so you're welcome here anytime you want. If you need me, just call me, okay? Not that - I'm not trying to shoo you away now, of course. ( She fumbled for a moment, her eyes softening to something almost... sad. ) Unless you need to leave. I know my call was kind of sudden.
[Meryl can only laugh, delicate and bubbling, as she tilts herself forward. She lets her forehead come to rest against Night Sky's shoulder, and not just because she's trying to hide her face, either.]
I didn't know what to expect, so I didn't tell anyone where I was going. I... shouldn't stay out too late. [Translation: no falling dramatically into bed with one another yet.] But... [She peeks up, just a little shyly.]
I can stick around a little while longer, if you'll have me.
I didn't know what to expect, so I didn't tell anyone where I was going. I... shouldn't stay out too late. [Translation: no falling dramatically into bed with one another yet.] But... [She peeks up, just a little shyly.]
I can stick around a little while longer, if you'll have me.
( Bold of you to assume Night Sky even has a proper bed. Granted, the nest of pillows and blankets in her indoor castle room would still be pretty suitable to fall onto together - but she, genuinely, had not anticipated much beyond what was happening now given their interactions thus far.
Night Sky wrapped her arms around her and held her close, glancing down as she looked up and smiling.)
Gladly, sweetness. ( She tilted her head. Paused. ) Can I kiss you?
Night Sky wrapped her arms around her and held her close, glancing down as she looked up and smiling.)
Gladly, sweetness. ( She tilted her head. Paused. ) Can I kiss you?
[At least when Meryl laughs this time, it's a little bolder and hell of a lot more giddy. She doesn't even bother with an answer, just pushes up on her toes and steals the kiss before Night Sky can ask twice.]
Page 5 of 21