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[notsonewbie]

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derringers#1225

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Meryl Stryfe, at your service!

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[wildwarden]

Wouldn't be a surprise if I warned you though. ( She turned away from her just long enough to rifle around the area she clearly used for a bed - soft moss and a few blankets tossed into a pile - and pulled out a small box and a bouquet of chrysanthemums. She offered all of it to Meryl when she turned back toward her. )

Being able to see you again is enough for me. That you came here without any odd magic or influence tells me a lot. ( Inside the box, whenever Meryl did open it, was an assortment of blue toned rocks and a hand carved wooden crescent moon pendant with a black cord attached. )

That wood is from my homeworld. More specifically it's from the Everliving Tree. It's... very important to my people. It's what the entire forest sprang from and what we pray to so. Keep it safe, okay? No one else should ever have it.

[notsonewbie]

[In those few seconds, Meryl seems to forget how to use her hands. She holds them out limply, not quite shaking, but definitely loose in their posture. Vacantly, she stares at Night Sky, confused and awestruck all at once. She doesn't deserve gifts of this caliber, not ones that are so obviously thoughtful and catered specifically to her.]

Night Sky - [Finally, she remembers how to move her body. She takes the box first, in favor of opening it. It doesn't help matters, considering how she was already reeling from just a passing glance.]

This is... so much. [She closes the box in favor of holding it close to her chest with one arm. The other hand takes the bouquet and then does the same. Maybe if she buries her face in the flowers, it'll keep Sky from seeing how flustered she's become?]

[wildwarden]

( Night Sky hadn't been nervous while thinking up the exact gift she wanted to give, nor the entire process of finding the right colored stones that reminded her of Meryl's eyes, not even while she was carving the pendant from the strong wood of the Tree. But watching Meryl and hearing her speak, she felt almost nauseous. )

Too much? ( Said softly, her eyes glancing down to the box and flowers, back up to Meryl's face while she tried to hide it. ) I know we just met, and a lot of magic shit was messing with us, and if it's too much I won't - I understand. I just... thought about you a lot since that night and I wanted you to know.

[notsonewbie]

No. No, no, no! [She doesn't have free hands to wave about, but the waver in her voice certainly implies the level of flailing that she wants to put forth. She settles for shaking her head furiously, to the point that she almost stumbles from the dizziness.

Or maybe that's just all the blood in her face.]

I just - how can I ever get you something as well meaning as this. Something carved from a tree that means that much to you? I don't see how I deserve something like that.

[She looks down to her feet, watches as her shoe presses a little furrow into the earth.]

But I like it. It's perfect. And - you're not the only person that's been thinking of someone. Pretty sure I might have dreamed about you. [Wait. She should not have said that outloud.]

[wildwarden]

( Night Sky could safely say she had never seen someone shake their head so aggressively, and stayed close in case the poor woman did actually fall over; a hand hovering just at her shoulder. )

You... dreamt about me? ( Sorry. She would have to circle back to the gift giving bit, because that last part was what really stuck out to her. Night Sky felt a fluttering in her chest and that same nauseousness, only for an entirely different reason now; a blush creeping along freckled cheeks and up to the tips of her pointed ears. ) The fact that someone like you would even think twice about me is gift enough, I think. What more could I ask for?

[notsonewbie]

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.]

[wildwarden]

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.

[notsonewbie]

[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?

[wildwarden]

( 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.)

[notsonewbie]

[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 — 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.

[wildwarden]

( 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.

[notsonewbie]

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.

[wildwarden]

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.

[notsonewbie]

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.

[wildwarden]

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.

[notsonewbie]

[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.

[wildwarden]

( 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?

[notsonewbie]

[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.]

[wildwarden]

( Despite being the one to ask for it, Night Sky still exhaled a soft noise of surprise when Meryl beat her to the punch; her brain backfiring for a split second before she leaned in to return the kiss properly. Her grip on her tightened, just a touch, to keep their bodies pressed together.

At least this time there was no mistletoe nor some magic manipulating their emotions to doubt that Meryl was actually, genuinely into what was happening. )

[notsonewbie]

[Meryl crowds in, content to not leave any space between them. It probably contradicts what she'd only just said, but to hell with it. She's missed the rush of energy and warmth that came with Night Sky's presence. It's nice to know that it's of her own free will, that even without Vaeros's magic, she'd have wound up here.

And even though she should know better, she threads a hand up into Night Sky's hair, then thumbs teasingly over the tip of her ear.]

[wildwarden]

( Night Sky nearly collapsed the second she touched her ears; a soft moan exhaled into Meryl's mouth as a shudder ran through her. It was a dangerous game to play, especially with the earlier suggestion that maybe they shouldn't be fooling around much if Meryl wanted to get home relatively early.

Oh well. If she wanted her to stop, she would. Night Sky shifted her weight and rocked backwards, aiming to seat herself on the ground and drag Meryl into her lap - easier than standing if she was going to tease her like that. )

[notsonewbie]

[Okay. Okay. She slides into Night Sky's lap without any protest. One arm drops, so that it can loop loosely over the span of her shoulders. The other lingers, even though it does have the good sense to not continue to fondle the poor woman's ears. Without much space between them, Sky can surely feel the way her breath comes quick, or how her body shudders under the kiss.

A small noise even escapes her, before Meryl finally scolds herself enough to pull back.]

A-ah. I'm sorry -

[wildwarden]

( She certainly could feel everything with how close they were; that quickening of her breath, the way she trembled, all of it only fueling the fire burning in the dryad's belly. A fire even she knew she should quell given Meryl's earlier admonishment.

And when she finally pulled back, Night Sky gasped herself, her cheeks rosy and her eyes only opening just enough to look at her when she spoke; pupils dilated and vision hazy. She smiled and gently smeared her thumb over Meryl's lower lip, her other arm having hooked around her waist.)

For what, beautiful?

[notsonewbie]

[As if prompted by the touch alone, Meryl juts her lower lip out into that touch. It's a hell of a pout she fixes on Night Sky, as if she might have been the one begging for more. She knows she should pull back, given all she had just said, but the dryad doesn't make it easy.]

Keep - saying I can't do much, but here I am.

[Night Sky's lap is a very nice place to be, you see...]

[wildwarden]

( How precious... and how tempting it was to just kiss her again. Night Sky carded her fingers back through Meryl's hair, seemingly unable to stop touching her for even a moment. The grip she had on her waist was loose enough the other woman could just get up and go without any issue. )

I want you to stay. ( an honest reply, if nothing else.) but I understand, really, if you need to get back. We can pick up another day, when I can have you to myself for longer. ( There was a hopeful little lilt in her voice. )