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[notsonewbie]

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derringers#1225

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ABOUT ME

Meryl Stryfe, at your service!

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(Unless it's about something Vash did)

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[notsonewbie]

[It's probably a bad time for Meryl to start scoffing and laughing. She knows that Night Sky is broken up about it, this, and she can't really blame her. But the idea of the council being made out as anything more than it was was ridiculous in her mind.]

Sorry, sorry. I was just... there. And it really isn't anything like that. [She takes a deep breath.] Let's start with the easy stuff, right?

No one is making any plans. Not really. They just get together and talk from what I could tell. They shared information, like about the dragons that everyone took care of, and the vision we all had. Some people got worked up but - but no one is trying to force a single choice on anyone else.

All everyone really agreed on was writing up a little guide for the new people that come around.

[wildwarden]

( Silence. Again. Only this time it was somehow more... annoyed? If silence could project annoyance, this was fucking it. )

What? ( is really the only thing she could say. ) So why - why does it seem like some big special thing only certain people can be a part of? I always felt like if I walked in there they'd try and shoo me out for not being important enough.

( what the fuck!! ) Loki even suggested I get on the Oracle and try and get opinions myself when I complained about it. Then I'd look like an asshole if I did though!

( that said... going to the council meeting probably wouldn't be smart. She knew how she was - too emotional. Way too emotional.) Okay, the council isn't a bunch of assholes, that's... good to know. Unfortunately, there's still people out there who want to fuck the rest of us over if given half the chance and I don't know who any of them are.

[notsonewbie]

I don't think they would. I didn't have any issues walking in. They didn't even give me trouble for taking notes. [Which, reminds her. She swears under her breath.] I should have brought my laptop. I could have let you read everything I kept track of.

[She begins her pad her way down the road leading toward Emberglow. The Oracle is kept cradled to her ear as she goes.]

I think it'd be better if you went. You can come with me. Hold my hand. And if any of it gets uncomfortable, you can squeeze it. Or leave. I'll make sure no one makes a big deal of it.

[Emberglow swiftly comes into view.]

Even if people did want to kill Vaeros, I don't think they'd have a shot. None of us are powerful enough for that, and I think we all realize that without him, we would all be in trouble.

[wildwarden]

( Of course Meryl took notes. Really, when she thought about it, she had at least three close sources she knew attended the meetings now. She could ask any of them. Although Meryl might be the best option, given her diligent notetaking. Nothing would be missed. )

I'll — I'll think about it. ( it sounded fucking terrifying and intimidating, but she had to get her voice in there somehow. Even if she had to use her girlfriend's voice to do it. )

People do stupid things in desperate situations. I would know. ( She did not elaborate yet.) How close are you?

[notsonewbie]

[And now that Meryl knows there's a discomfort here, nothing else will be missed going forward. She'll make sure Night Sky has whatever information she needs.

In any case, she doesn't answer the question right away. Mostly because, as she approaches, she can see the pacing, antlered figure of her girlfriend in the distance. She closes the Oracle with one hand, pocketing it, while the other lifts up and waves. The rest of the distance is crossed in a near sprint, her arms throwing around Sky's shoulders when she reaches her.]

I'm here, I'm here.

[wildwarden]

Meryl? ( She almost panicked. almost. but she caught the hint of movement in her periphery just before her anxiety spiked, and instead sighed in relief. Her own oracle was shut and tossed aside into a bed of moss just as Meryl reached her. She wrapped her arms tight around her and buried her face against her neck, careful, as always, of her antlers. )

Sorry.

[notsonewbie]

[She... probably should have offered more of a warning than she did. Oops. However, what's done is done, and now she's firmly enveloped within Night Sky's arms, and vice versa. She keeps the dryad anchored there, head tilting just enough to whisper in her ear.]

It's okay, Daeleth. I'm here.

[wildwarden]

( Night Sky closed her eyes and tightened her grip just a touch more, fingers curling into the fabric of her clothes. Was she sleeping when she called? Gods. What a piece of shit she was. She didn't deserve Meryl. )

Thank you, my heart. ( she sighed and just let herself flop down on the ground, pulling Meryl along with her. ) All of this made me realize that I haven't told you a lot... or anything, I guess, about my situation back home.

[notsonewbie]

[Thankfully, Meryl wasn't sleeping. Getting close to it, but not so tired that it was difficult to rise from bed.

Still, she does willingly go with Sky, curling up on whatever moss bed they've fallen into. She curls a little tighter against her — her sleepwear usually consists of little more than a tank-top and shorts. She might have had the sense to throw a jacket on, but her legs are chilly.]

We can talk about it now, if you want?

[wildwarden]

( Hopefully, tugged into Night Sky's lap with both arms and legs enveloping her, Meryl would not suffer the cold long. The branches of the tree they sat under were bowed low to block the wind too, and the ground was oddly comfortable thanks to all the dryad's landscaping. Night Sky stroked her fingers through Meryl's hair. )

I died. A long time ago. ( a brutal way to start, but oddly the easiest part to speak aloud. ) I was sick. I knew it was coming. I was okay with it. And I took a lot of risks because of it, too. I'd go into the Forest of Dreams and help out the Fey, keep people out of their shit, make sure no one wandered in to die because it's fucking weird in there.

And one day I pissed off a very powerful archfey that had been banished from the forest. He demanded I give something back that wasn't even his to begin with - but you know how powerful people are, I'm sure. Just because they're stronger and higher up the ladder, you always have to do what they want. ( She sighed. ) I didn't, and he decided that, as a Sylvan, all Sylvan were at fault for my actions. So he started attacking settlements to punish me.

( a pause to let Meryl register all that first before continuing. )

[notsonewbie]

[Oh yes, much better. She buries herself just a little further against Night Sky, just to make extra sure of her warmth, but it's definitely far more comfortable now that they're tucked away.]

All those innocent people, just to get back at you?

[Okay, sounds familiar. Like, "that's what my boyfriend(?) sorta did" to draw his brother out sort of familiar. She doesn't say this, because she isn't about to go blabbing his story to Night Sky. Nor is it her turn to talk. Not when there's something so important on the table.]

So... what did you do after that? What happened?

[wildwarden]

( She nodded solemnly. Unfortunately, that was exactly what happened. A being that rivaled god like powers had a tantrum, and innocents suffered for it. )

I went to see the Green Knight. He was an ally of mine - sort of. Fey don't usually meddle in mortal affairs, but he had helped me before and he was... good. Better, I guess, than most. He dealt with the Horned God before and I didn't have a lot of time.

( She bit her lip and nuzzled in a little closer, fingers fiddling with the back of Meryl's coat. ) So I went in to find him, asked him for help, and he said no. I decided to try and save my home myself then - but I didn't make it back. I died in the Everwood, where the Green Knight's keep is.

He decided then that I had dedicated myself enough for him to help then. So he brought me back, made me what I am now, and bound me to his service to fight the Horned God for all of eternity. Because he's too strong for me to kill him - but I can keep him at bay with the Knight's gift. ( she paused. She could have just left it there. But this wasn't even the point she was trying to make. )

I was with him for centuries, and the longer I stayed, the more I forgot. The more I became... I don't know. A servant? And I worshiped the Knight. I did everything he said- I killed trespassers, I fought the Horned God. I did everything he asked and after a while I didn't even remember who I was, or who I had been. Not until I was pulled into the Feywilds. Then here.

[notsonewbie]

Some ally. [Meryl mutters, but otherwise she tries to keep her commentary to herself. This is Night Sky's world, and she knows there's much she doesn't understand. There are politics to everything, as she quickly had come to learn back home.

What she does do is squeeze her beloved that much tighter. She can't imagine the grief of dying in the midst of an important duty. She keeps that grip tight until Night Sky lapses into silence. Only then does she lean back, just enough to study her face.]

I can't imagine what it's been like. Fighting a war like that for so long, and... not making any progress. And not even being yourself -

I'm... glad you're here. That you have some will of your own again.

[wildwarden]

( Meryl wasn't the only one who might have opinions on the Green Knight. And at this point... Night Sky's respect and faith in him had started to wane. The more she heard outsiders perspectives, the more royally and absolutely fucked she realized she was.

She met Meryl's gaze and, for a moment, said nothing while she stared at her, looking ready to burst into tears. She swallowed that urge back thickly, and leaned into brush her lips against her lover's. )

I'm so glad to have met you, my heart. ( whispered. Her voice low to hide the tremble. ) My entire point, too, is that I need this wish to be fulfilled. If I can have the ability to move between worlds on my own - I won't forget. I'll be able to see you even once it's all said and done. That anyone wants to risk ruining that not only for me, but for everyone... is monstrous.

[notsonewbie]

[If Night Sky sheds a single tear, Meryl is at the ready. Her hand rises higher, cradling her cheek as gingerly as possible. She thumbs beneath her eye, gentle as she can. She'll catch anything that falls and wipe it away.]

And I'm glad to have met you, Daeleth. [She tilts her head to press a kiss to the side of her nose.]

I... don't know if I believe in what Vaeros has to offer. But I also don't believe in shutting down the opportunity until we know. Especially when people like you have so much riding on something like this. [Her head shakes.] Anyone willing to act on their own like that, to put their distrust above everyone else... I don't agree with it, either.

[wildwarden]

( Night Sky sighed. )

I'm just banking on him being some kind of Fey creature. They might be awful sometimes, but they usually hold true to their deals. ( her fingers gently traced down Meryl's side, curling into the fabric again as she held her close to her. ) I just wish I knew who it was, so I could talk to them. Loki wouldn't give me names.

[notsonewbie]

I'll hold out hope for you. For that. [It would be nice to know that the wish would mean something. That she could put things right and see the people she loved safe once more.]

No one made any threats at the council, so I can't say I have any information there. [Out of her control though it is, it still makes Meryl feel guilty.] But I'll keep an eye out. I think I would like to talk to them too.

[wildwarden]

Thank you, my love. ( She would just continue clinging to the hope that if it could happen for Tayrey, it could happen for anyone.

Night Sky nodded. )

I'm glad for that, at least. I can't imagine people would be too vocal about it - although they sure are to certain people. ( Said with a touch of anger in her voice that she quickly shook away. )

I should probably let you get back home, huh?

[notsonewbie]

We'll make sure it doesn't happen. That we're all - acting rationally, or something.

[She knows it's a bit idealistic, but whatever. It's just Vash rubbing off on her all over again, or something.]

In any case, I'm not going anywhere tonight. There's no way I'm leaving my girlfriend after she's had such a horrible time. [She nudges Night Sky playfully.]

Who do you think I am?

[wildwarden]

( Night Sky had almost asked her to stay, but didn't want to impose. It was bad enough she had called the poor woman here to comfort her when she had clearly been planning to rest and relax. )

You're too good to me. ( she leaned in then, pressing her lips firmly to Meryl's and yet not trying for much beyond that. She just wanted to kiss her, to feel the soft brush of her lips against her own. The dryad sighed as she pulled back. ) I have somewhere warmer we can stay, with a bed and everything. ( a laugh. ) We'll have to get up though.

[notsonewbie]

[It might have delayed the resting and relaxing, but clearly Meryl isn't bothered by that. The only thing that does bother her is the idea of having to get up. She clearly grapples with this for a moment, before finally stretching out and forcing her body to uncurl from their little vantage point.]

Lead the way?

[wildwarden]

( Equally as reluctant, the dryad unwound herself from around Meryl and stood, taking her hand to lead her to a rather unassuming spot in the corner of the garden. She pulled open a hatch half hidden by greenery, revealing a set of stone steps leading down into an underground room. )

Nice, right? Red Son got it for me - made most of the stuff in it, too. ( she motioned toward the bed. ) Make yourself comfortable, love. Promise not to get too handsy tonight. ( She, weirdly, wasn't much in the mood.)

[notsonewbie]

[Hardly weird, when Night Sky has all but bared her soul. She makes her way down the stairs and looks around. It's very comfortable, every bit the image of what she would have expected of Night Sky.

The bed is plopped down onto, but she doesn't get too comfortable yet. Her arms open for Night Sky.]

Don't keep me waiting. Come here.

[wildwarden]

( She wouldn't have to tell her twice. Night Sky turned the lights down to a dim glow and headed toward the bed, blankets tugged up and over them both as she snuggled into Meryl's waiting arms, head on her chest and tilted so she didn't gore her with her antlers. ) Thank you again, my love. You have eased my mind more than you know.

[notsonewbie]

That's all I can ask.

[She angles her head, chin coming to rest within Night Sky's hair. No need for antler harm here.]

It will be okay, I promise.

[There isn't much she can do, but anything she can, she'll put her all into.]