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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]

It usually doesn't come up, because I don't trust people enough to tell them. ( Sylvan names were well kept secrets. Everyone that had ever known hers back home had been dead for centuries, and she had never told anyone when she was in Faerie. There was, of course, Red Son now, who had learned when her fears had manifested months ago and she unconsciously let him hear it. But she trusted him, knew he could keep it secret, wanted him to know it.

And she felt all of that with Meryl, too.

Night Sky laced their fingers together and ran her thumb absently across the other woman's knuckles. )

So. Sylvan Elves have two names. Our public names are like the one you know - Night Sky, Frost Hand, Fletcher, things like that. But we also have private names. It's an old tradition, back when fey were even more of a problem, and it's less about not having it stolen so much as it is a symbol of who we trust the most. Only family and close friends and partners know our private names. People we love and know they won't hurt us with it.

( she felt herself shaking. No doubt Meryl did, then.) I want to tell you mine. I don't know what's going to happen here- if one day one of us wakes up and we're gone, or, I don't know- I just want you to know it. But if it's too much, if it's too soon- I understand.

[notsonewbie]

[This is a culture nearly beyond Meryl's understanding. She'd listened intently when it came up, but there was so much beyond her ken. It felt like even years of learning would do little to bridge that gap But that's all the more reason to listen with rapt attention, gaze locked on Night Sky as she takes in what information is given to her. Whatever is about to happen, Meryl may not understand everything, but she at least knows the gravity of the situation.]

Are you sure? I - [Her smile wobbles just a little.] It's not that I don't want to know. I'd be honored. I just want to be sure that you're, well... Sure about it.

[She underlines this by lifting Night Sky's hand and kissing the back of it.]

[wildwarden]

I am sure. ( She trusted Meryl, she knew that much for certain. And it was better that she tell her now while they were safe and alone and happy in her bedroom; unhindered. No threat of death lingered, and no one else - especially not her subconscious- could steal the moment from her. )

You're so important to me. ( her cheeks flushed, fingers flexing in Meryl's grip. ) Just promise me you'll keep it secret. Right now, only Red Son knows it, and no others should ever hear it spoken. Can you swear that to me?

[notsonewbie]

I know reporters have a bit of a reputation for blabbing but... [A small smile cracks across her lips, clearly teasing herself. The fact is, if it's a secret, if it's that deeply important, then she has no choice but to protect it. The last thing she could ever want is to let Night Sky down. And so she won't.]

I promise, Night Sky. No one will ever know.

[wildwarden]

( She took a breath, deep and steadying, and nodded. Speaking her own name aloud felt odd these days, given how infrequently she heard it and how she had very nearly forgotten it back home. )

My name is Daeleth. ( and she very nearly choked while saying it. )

[notsonewbie]

Daeleth.

[Meryl practically whispers it, treating it as the very secret it was. She won't deny that it sounds beautiful, or that the fact that she knows it sends a very powerful thrill through her.]

It's perfect. Just like you.

[wildwarden]

( Hearing it repeated back made her breath hitch. Night Sky always wanted to deny being called perfect - because she was anything but - and yet could not think of ruining the moment with such negativity. )

Even more so when uttered from your lips. ( and speaking of. Night Sky cupped Meryl's cheeks and kissed her, leaning her weight into the other woman as if urging her to lie back. )

> NSFW

[notsonewbie]

[It's hard to say no to that, and that's begging the question that Meryl would even want to. She goes easily into the touch, falling back against the bed and letting Night Sky take the lead. One day, she'll summon the confidence to turn the tables. She's getting closer, at least. But for right now, she wants to savor that mouth on every inch of her.

There are a few times where she has to cover her mouth, and others where she has to cover Sky's. And only in the softest of whispers, does she croon Daeleth, the secret shared between them.

In the end, she lays their half-dazed and fully delighted. She curls up, still nude as she buries her face into Sky's shoulder. Her fingers slide upward, coaxing through the Dryad's hair with a lovelorn sort of sigh.]

I'm spoiled...

[wildwarden]

( While her preferred lovemaking location would always be outdoors and, ideally, under a sky full of stars, she was growing rather fond of beds and the comforts they offered. It was always easier, too, to steal away to a room and lock the door, as opposed to praying someone would not walk into the clearing she had decided was a suitable alternative.

All that to say - she had a wonderful time. Meryl tasted as sweet as the last time; sounded as beautiful when crying her name - her private name, too - in fits of pleasure.

She wrapped her arms around her and hugged her close, eyes shut and head tilted into hand tangling in her hair. )

You deserve to be. ( she planted a kiss upon her temple.) Spoiled, worshiped, adored.

[notsonewbie]

Like you don't deserve the same in kind. Ten times over, even.

[She could argue, maybe even make it convincing. But right now her mind feels like it's been smothered in honey and her limbs dipped in syrup. She wants nothing more than lay her head over Night Sky's chest and linger like that — not asleep by any means, but content.]

'm sorry you had to come all this way for me. I really need to make it to your place more often.

[wildwarden]

( Likewise, Night Sky could easily argue that she didn't deserve any of it, but there was no point. She was content and happy and saw no good in trying to spoil the mood. )

It's okay, I don't mind. ( She knew Meryl was busy with her business, and surely with Livio as well. Night Sky would get her time with her when she could - even if it meant sneaking into her window on occasion. ) So long as I can see you, that's all that matters. I hope everything is going well in the meantime.

[notsonewbie]

You should mind.

[She gives Night Sky a bit of a shove, though really it's more of a gentle caress of the shoulder than anything. She follows it up with a careful kiss to the corner of her mouth.]

You deserve all the attention in the world. From everyone! At all times.

[Unrealistic, maybe. But Meryl still believes it.]

[wildwarden]

( She laughed and shifted dramatically, rolling back just in time to tilt her head and catch Meryl's lips in a proper kiss. )

From everyone? ( a playfully curious quirk of her brow, knuckles brushing across Meryl's cheek. ) But then they would steal my precious time away from you- and we can't have that. Your attention is what I want the most. ( well. Her and Red Son. But it felt a little odd blatantly mentioning him while cuddling naked with her girlfriend. She adored them both in equal measure though, and would gladly take up as much of their time and affection as they allowed. )

[notsonewbie]

[Given the conversation, bringing up Red son wouldn't have been the worst. Meryl knows she shares, and she doesn't mind it. It's a natural part of their relationship.]

I would allow it. I could probably schedule it and everything. 10am to 11am, worship Meryl. 11am to noon, be worshipped by everyone else. It wouldn't be so bad.

[wildwarden]

( True, but this was Meryl time.

Night Sky turned her head to laugh without spitting all over Meryl's face. )

I'd need more than an hour to worship you properly, love. Also, what about the rest of the day? Free for all?

[notsonewbie]

More than an hour a day? You're awful greedy, aren't you?

[Is Meryl rolling on top of her? Absolutely. Is she also sticking her tongue out as she teases Night Sky? 100%]

What then? Two hours? Three? And then all afternoon to do whatever you want?

[wildwarden]

No one ever said I wasn't...

( oh no what a terrible tragedy to have her adorable girlfriend on top of her. Night Sky booped her nose and then promptly draped her arms around her again, sighing dramatically. )

Three is... better. But why does it have to be in the morning - is there no Night Sky time available at night? Seems more fitting, doesn't it?

[notsonewbie]

[Well, guess Meryl has no choice but to literally sink to her level. She nuzzles beneath Night Sky's chin, pressing a few little kisses there.]

I haven't gotten to our evening schedule yet, obviously. So impatient, Daeleth.

[wildwarden]

( She hummed, fingers absently tracing up and down Meryl's spine. She shivered a little at the utterance of her name - a pleasant little tingle running through her that would probably happen for a while before she got used to hearing it.)

My mistake. Please, go on.

[notsonewbie]

Nights, for the record - [She continues on with only the most playful of scowls. She even administers a scolding tap to her nose.] Are for me to worship you, actually. Fair is fair, you see. And I need a handful of hours to tell you how much I love you.

[Does it occur to Meryl that she's never explicitly said these words? Not in the moment. She's too busy being smug about her corrections.]

[wildwarden]

( Save for the occasional 'love' endearment Night Sky tacked onto the end of her sentences, nothing so explicit had been uttered. And it was enough of surprise that the dryad was momentarily stunned, her golden-toned cheeks now blooming with red and her pulse pounding.

Calling direct attention to it might fluster Meryl - and while she didn't think she would take it back or deny it, she didn't want to risk anything. So she said nothing for a long moment so she could just stare up at the other woman, a hand reaching to grasp hers if she let her so she could pull it toward her own cheek and nuzzle into her palm. )

You're right, it is only fair. Although I'm not very good at keeping to a schedule- so what happens if I want to worship you at night instead?

[notsonewbie]

[The way Night Sky's cheeks darken isn't lost on Meryl. She can only assume, however, that it's her blatant charms, rather than anything specific that she's said. Were she to be called out on it, though, the story really wouldn't change. She did love Night Sky. Maybe it was the first crush jitters speaking, convincing her that a deep crush was something more, but as far as she was concerned? It was the truth.]

Well, I suppose we could flip things around in that case. I could take the morning worship. I'm flexible like that.

[wildwarden]

( She chuckled, the sound lilting and nervous, her cheeks still red. She sounded far more emotional than the conversation would suggest. )

Seems you have everything all figured out. Until I sneak into your window again mid-afternoon and start smothering you with affection. ( She's a wildcard. )

[notsonewbie]

[Well, the tone of Night Sky's voice does manage to convince Meryl's brows to furrow. Her head cants, just slightly.]

Is something up? Did I say something wrong?

[wildwarden]

What? No. ( Spoke hurriedly and insistent, arms wrapping tight around her. ) Gods, no. I just-

You said you needed time to show how much you loved me and I- I was surprised, I guess. To hear it.