They braced for the meeting between Samira and the two women. Jasmine was watching them as they entered the church. Inside, Elsie, Ana, and Samira were huddled around the altar, looking over the ancient language. Samira cautiously looked up, and she was surprised to find new people. Thankfully, the altar hid her lower body, and her portrait was covered.
"Before we introduce you to our newest member," Jasmine said, holding both Heather and Clara back. "She is quite unique."
Clara furrowed her brow; it was odd to see hair like hers. Well, if it was natural and not dyed. Though she could guess it was not her hair. "How so?"
Heather tilted her head. She could feel a strong feeling calling to her. She believed it to be Anka trying to tell her something. She reached for her wife's hand and glanced at her. "Brace yourself, dear."
Clara could tell from the look her wife gave her. This was serious. It was one she'd seen two other times, and all relating to this group of women. The same look that brought them to meet Claire in the first place. Clara calmed herself and nodded.
Claire waited for the two to be ready. "Her name is Samira. We met her when we liberated a village several months ago. However, she isn't exactly human…"
Heather gripped Clara's hand tighter. They watched the woman "walk" around. Except she walked differently. Something about her upper body swaying felt different from how humans walked. It was uncanny, but did nothing to prepare them for what they'd see once her lower half was exposed.
"What the-" Clara's words escaped from her mouth. But her wife squeezed her hand tighter. Clara composed herself as they discovered the true uniqueness of Samira. Her lower half was a snake, red with black streaks running down her tail, matching her hair. It took a lot for the two of them, but they managed.
Samira bowed her head. "I am Samira, from Amora. It is a pleasure to meet you."
There was a brief pause from the duo as the shock set in. Then, Heather bowed her head, followed by Clara. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Samira," Heather said in a shaky voice. She moved so fast that her headdress shifted. Her pink bangs covered her eyes as she stood straight. "I am Heather, a devotee of Anka, and this is my wife, Clara."
"Hello…" Was all Clara could get out.
"Ohh, Anka." Samira perked up. "Toni's Goddess? Have you met him?"
"I-I did." Heather couldn't help but stare at the snake tail coiling behind Samira. "I was able to meet him last time…"
Samira tilted her head. "Oh, maybe he told me about that. I can't quite recall."
Heather felt more at ease hearing that her Lady's Revered got along with Samira. It meant that she was to be trusted. "I doubt our meeting was significant enough to bring it up again."
"Heather." Clara shook her head. "Don't talk like that about yourself."
"Agreed." Samira nodded and slowly slithered closer. "He has told me far too much for me to ever remember it all. Stories, performances, songs, and the people he's met."
Claire and Jasmine slowly relaxed, seeing the two reacting quite well to her appearance. Still, they cautiously watched the three interact. They were quickly joined by the twins, who flanked Samira. There was another awkward pause as everyone exchanged nervous glances, only broken up by Elsie.
"Hello again." Elsie waved at the two. "We never did thank your wife for protecting us so well."
Heather smiled and glanced at Clara. "I doubt Clara would accept any gratitude. 'It was what any martial artist would do' or something like that."
"Hey! Don't mock me." Clara squeezed her hand. "I don't need the gratitude, but thank you."
"S-still, it's best to show gratitude…" Ana said in a quieter voice. She was still glancing between them and Samira. "Even if it's minor."
After a third awkward pause, Claire let out a deep sigh. Then she giggled. "It's okay, Clara, Heather. She won't bite."
The two flinched slightly and gave nervous smiles. "I apologize we aren't-"
"Used to meeting people like me?" Samira finished the sentence for her. She had a warm smile and a jovial tone. "I swear I just had this conversation."
"Cause you did," Jasmine chuckled. "It's a repeat of Elisabeth's."
"Well, as Claire said, I do not bite." Samira bowed once more. "I will admit, my magic is quite dangerous, but I have no intention of using it outside of emergencies."
Clara sighed. She reached out her free hand toward the Lamia. "Apologies for our awkwardness. I guess we don't have to explain it, but it is nice to meet you. I'm sure you are a lovely woman."
Heather followed suit with her wife. The two offered their hands to the bowing woman. Samira smiled and took their hands. "My upper half is indeed quite human, as you can feel."
"A bit colder than most…" Clara tilted her head. Her heightened sense of touch could immediately notice that. "I guess that makes sense? Snakes are cold-blooded, right?"
"They are," Samira nodded. She had a brief flashback to the lessons she taught in her village. "I can also sense temperatures differently. Though it isn't with my tongue like regular snakes."
"Interesting…" Clara giggled. "We have a niece going through schooling at the moment. I vaguely remember her obsessing over snakes."
"Cute!" Samira giggled.
"No wonder Anka wanted me here." Heather moved in closer. "Had Claire's Goddess not claimed you, I am sure She would have…"
Samira blinked, unsure of how to respond. It was Clara's turn to laugh. Then she explained, "It's her way of saying you are quite beautiful. Not only in appearance, but in personality."
"Hey!" Elsie frowned. "How come she never said that to me- I mean, us?"
Jasmine was the only one to really react, slipping next to her and covering her mouth. "Shush. Now is not the time for your nonsense."
Samira smiled at Heather. She let go of the woman's hands and reached out to fix her bangs. The woman didn't even move. She was so enamored by Samira that she couldn't react. She let Samira fix her headdress and hair without even realizing it.
"Honey, you have to say something." Clara squeezed her hand.
"Sorry, I had this overwhelming feeling coming from my Lady Anka…" Heather blinked rapidly. "Clara, dear, we may need to stay here far longer than I thought."
Clara got serious and tugged on her wife's hand. "What do you mean?"
"I-I had a vision, my clearest one yet…" Heather mumbled to Clara.
"Just now?" Clara turned to face her. She studied Heather's pale face.
Heather nodded slowly, her eyes slowly refocusing. "I heard Her voice… Anka said I was needed here as a priestess…"
Clara ran a hand through her hair. She had to think of her immediate family and their village. "Honey, that's a lot to plan for."
"I know." Heather nodded. She was spacing out, still hearing the echoes of her Goddess's voice. "But I'm needed."
Clara shook her head. She had obligations outside of adventuring back home. She'd need to find a replacement or risk being separated from her wife for long periods of time. And she didn't want to do either.
"Apologies," Claire finally spoke up. "Part of the reason I assumed you would visit us is because of this. We need help building our church, Elaine's religious ceremonies and services…"
"No need to apologize." Clara shook her head. Then she furrowed her brow. "A warning in advance would have been nice, though."
"There's more…" Claire sighed. She glanced at her companions. "You'll likely be added to our religion…"
"I don't see the problem. Anka is in favor of Elaine, so there wouldn't be a clash with me joining you." Heather tilted her head. Her face slowly regained its color.
"Right, well, Anka probably didn't tell you about our uniqueness." Jasmine sighed. "Might be an even bigger shock than Samira."
"Is now a good time to explain it?" Samira asked
"Could explain it, then let them discuss for the night or week," Claire suggested. "It is a heavy decision…"
"What could be bigger than a woman that's half snake?" Clara raised an eyebrow at them.
"Best not to show it either." Claire glanced at the two. "It can influence their decision."
"Good idea." Samira nodded. "You two should sit down." She gestured towards the pews, and the confused duo sat down.
"What exactly is harder to comprehend than a human and a snake mixed?!" Clara repeated, bewildered.
"How should we do this then?" Samira glanced back at Claire. "They'll likely want proof."
"Do you think touch will affect them?" Elsie asked. She wriggled free of Jasmine's hand. "They could feel it."
"Not sure if that's better than seeing it…" Claire muttered. "But it might not affect them."
"Can you just tell us already?" Clara asked.
"Clara…" Heather grabbed her hand once more. Another vision and message from her Goddess. Her eyes were unfocused. "It'll be okay. Anka says whatever we decide, She will honor it. It won't be bad, I promise."
"Fine," Clara nodded. She pulled Heather closer, letting her lean against her shoulder.
"Okay." Claire exhaled softly.
She didn't exactly have a plan to explain it, but she would do her best. She started from when Elaine first met her in that dream. Then to Her goals and Claire's mission. After explaining those, she finally got to Elaine's gift. Five minutes of explaining, and she was still hesitant to say it.
After another brief moment of hesitation, she eventually muttered, "Her gift is male genitalia…"
Clara furrowed her brow and blinked a few times in disbelief. "Sorry, did I hear that right? Her divine gift is a penis? A penis?"
Claire just nodded. She could feel her face warm up with embarrassment.
Clara glanced at Heather, who had a serious expression on her face. She gave Clara a small nod. That meant Anka likely confirmed it. Once more, Clara ran a hand through her hair. They were right. It was a huge shock. But not as big as Samira.
"I-I don't think we'll need to touch it…" Heather mumbled. "But we would like to discuss this privately."
"Of course." Claire nodded and backed off. They all did. "It is ultimately your choice. If you decide not to, we'll gladly take your advice and be eternally grateful. We expect nothing more than that."
With that, the two women hesitantly stood up and wandered towards the exit. Their minds racing with the possibilities and all the information they were just given.