Chapter 64: Give and Take

“Now, the big question, what do you need from me?” Ann asked, fixing Rowena with her best attempt at an intimidating stare.

Rowena took her time to consider the question. It was fair, they’d dropped a lot in her lap very suddenly and Ann was sure the woman’s mind was swimming with possibilities.

“Well, we will need to declare your status,” she started. “I would like you to make some manner of speech about your purpose given by our Lady.”

“Straight to public speaking,” Ann sighed, shaking her head with a laugh. “Yeah, I figured that much. I do want to make one requirement on that front. If I’m going around as a Champion, I want to change my hair and eyes. Before you ask, I’m not explaining how I can do that, but it is part of why Orenous is so interested in me. Just to let me have my own anonymity to some extent.”

“That’s perfectly acceptable,” Rowena answered, nodding, her greying hair bouncing with the movement. “I do see a problem with that plan, though. You are entangled with Katlyn here. She and her party will not be something that can be hidden. If you wish to hide your identity, you will need to act as a Champion independently of your relationship.”

“Shit, you’re right,” Ann mumbled, thoughts churning. “Would that be so bad?”

“Well, I don’t intend tae be involved in all the Temple shite, but it would be nice tae not ‘ave tae sneak all o’er the place,” Kat spoke up. “If ye want, ye can do the whole changey thing, and ‘ave tha’ be yer look while we’re in public, but if we wanted private, ‘ave yer normal stuff. Basically puttin’ on yer uniform.”

“It’d be… weird,” Rosalyn said, voicing her opinion. “I do like how you look, and if that suddenly changed for a long time, that’d be a lot to adjust to and I’m not sure I really like that. If it helps you deal with crowds and people though, and helps us get our goal of the Seeds and all that, then I guess it’s a sacrifice? Just don’t go too crazy with it, maybe?”

Ann laughed, squeezing the Druid’s hand gently. “At most I’m just going to change my eye and hair colour. That’s all I can really do at this point, anyway. We can save the weirder things for later.”

Nodding, Rosalyn squeezed her hand back, silently agreeing.

“I support this as well,” Bren said. “It will offer you means to move freely, and make impressions when needed. When you are out with Katlyn, it will no more increase the attention drawn than it already is. Now, the question is what you will use for your guise.”

“I was thinking purple,” Ann posited. “It’s the colour of all the robes I’ve seen here, and the colour of my Smite, so I was thinking purple hair and like, gold eyes, or something.”

“A regal, and eye-catching colour,” Rowena mused. “You would certainly strike a figure with the purple in contrast with your skin. No ways to change that? It would further allow you to slip away if needed.”

“No, not yet. Frankly, with how the other stuff works, I’m not sure what that’d be like,” Ann said with a shudder. If she shed every time she changed her hair, changing skin had to be something equally awful.

“Very well. Besides the speech, I would like you to do some community work. As the Champion of Orenous, having you be able to speak to the people, hearing their troubles would go a long way towards gaining a level of public support both for the Temple and yourself. A mutually beneficial arrangement.”

“Community service, check,” Ann nodded. She could listen to some people talk about their love lives and give what she had to offer. No biggie.

“Now, if we were another Temple, I would insist on adding a member of our order to your party, however we do not have many skilled in combat,” Rowena continued. “Our Paladins are few and far between, while our order has an overabundance of priests and priestesses. You have spoken of the openness of your relationship. I ask that you consider taking on one of our clergy as, if not a lover, a consultant.”

That raised Ann’s hackles a bit. The implication of tying herself so formally to the Temple, and Rowena being so brazen about the request, did not sit well with her. At the very least, she gave the concession of the consultant option. The Thrundol watched her passively, eyes searching her face for a reaction to the request.

Ann made her wait. This wasn’t a request she could take lightly. Kat and Rosalyn had both stiffened at the proposal, and she could see Bren fidgeting uncomfortably on his couch. Rowena shifted, uncrossing and re-crossing her legs, controlling her breathing. Ann drank in the room with a focus she rarely exhibited outside fighting or the bedroom.

Deciding her course, she spoke. “We will talk about that,” she said evenly. “That is not my decision alone, but my girlfriends’ as well. I also have issues with being asked to take a lover like that. If, and that’s a big if, it were to happen, I want my relationships to be organic. Mutual attraction. No sense of obligation.”

Rowena sighed, closing her eyes and lowering her head. “I thought that would be the reaction. I’m afraid this is a request that is important to the Temple and our connection to yourself. Bonds like this are stronger than words. As the lady says, however, consent is everything. I ask that you try.”

“We’ll let you know what we decide,” Ann said firmly, making sure to emphasise that it was a group decision. “Now, anything else? Donations? Want me to just fuck someone to show I’m committed? While we’re getting everything out here.”

She was lashing out a bit. Ann knew it was immature, but right now, she didn’t really care. She held the cards here, being the Champion of the Temple’s Goddess. Yeah, they had a lot of influence, but she could make do without them. It’d be a lot harder, but it could be done. Also, Rowena just kinda pissed her off by trying to impose on her bedroom.

“I see I’ve crossed a line,” Rowena said softly. “I will amend the final request to simply ask that you take a priestess as a liaison with the Temple. Whether you decide to further your relationship wholly depends on your own decisions.”

“That. That I can work with,” Ann agreed, nodding. “Well, I guess I’ll show you the trick of my transforming. Get your opinion on the hair and eyes thing. Hopefully, the eyes aren’t too uncomfortable.”

Ann stood, stretching before taking the centre of the floor for herself. She triggered Minor Cosmetic Mutation focusing on changing her hair colour to the same bright, rich purple as her smite. Slowly, the itching spread over her body as her hair fell out, coating the floor with dark grey fluff.

Rowena let out a yelp of surprise, crawling up on the desk with alarm.

Ann just grinned at her as the new hair grew in. It itched like hell, but she ignored it in favour of making the woman squirm a little. She deserved it after that last request. Finally, she finished the change of hair, reaching back and pulling some strands of now completely purple hair in front of her to inspect. She also looked down, admiring her fluffy purple paws.

“What in the Goddess’ name,” Rowena muttered, a slightly horrified expression on her face.

“Oh, that was the easy part. I don’t actually know what this next one is going to do,” Ann chuckled. She was hiding her nerves. Changing her eyes was something she’d put off on purpose, and if this hurt, it was going to really hurt.

Once again, she used her Mutation skill and focused on changing her eye colour. Over the following seconds her vision clouded, blurring and eventually going completely dark. Then the pain set in. She grunted, restraining herself from reacting more. Eventually, what felt like flakes fell from her eyes as she blinked. Once the pain stopped, she held up one of the pieces of scale that had covered her eyes. It was thin and broke easily when pinched between her fingers. Looking over at Kat, she saw the woman recoil slightly.

“Tha’s feckin’ spooky,” Kat whistled. “It definitely worked, love.”

“Gold is… odd,” Rosalyn said, tilting her head as she looked Ann over. “It definitely makes you seem otherworldly, though. Grabs attention and all that. Not sure I like it after knowing you for so long, being kinda normal and all. It’s not… you, is what I’m trying to get at.”

“Well, that’s kinda the point, though, right?” Ann said, sitting down. “You all know the real me, but this is an image for the people. When I want to make a statement. Any time we’re out in the wilderness or a Seed, it’ll be good ol’ Annita. Grey wolf.”

“I guess. We’re lucky the servants probably won’t ask too many questions when they have to constantly clean up grey and purple fur.”

“Yeah, that’ll be funny. We could burn it, but that would smell like ass,” Ann thought. “Ideas for later. For now, I want to test one other thing. Maybe make me look even stranger. Bren, just keep an eye on me for this one? Yeah?”

Bren nodded, a flash of concern crossing his face.

Ann focused again, using Mutation for a third time. This time she focused on changing her eyes completely to that of a cat’s.

She barely stifled a scream with her hand as her eyes burned. They burned like nothing had ever burned in her life and her world went black. There was nothing to see, but she heard Kat and Rosalyn beside her. Her toes curled, claws extending to scrabble at the floor. She clutched at the couch, desperately trying not to touch her eyes during the process of the change.

“Feck, Bren, is she ok? Heal her, damnit!” Kat shouted, hands locking on to Ann’s shoulder as she thrashed.

“What in the hells is wrong with her?” Rowena asked, alarmed. The voice was much closer than it was before. Ann’s pain ridden mind guessed she’d jumped up to help.

“Ann! Ann, please be ok, please,” Rosalyn whimpered in her ear.

The pain ran its course, and slowly faded as her sight came back. Blinking, she fell to the couch, sweating profusely.

“That fucking hurt,” she gasped, holding her hands to her eyes, rubbing them.

“Yes, I believe it,” Bren said, aghast.

“What happened? I kinda lost my vision for a bit there,” Ann asked, stopping her rubbing.

“Your eyes fell out,” Bren stated simply.

“Sorry, what?”

“Yes. They fell out. See for yourself,” he reiterated, holding up two wet orbs for her to inspect.

They were glossy, white, with golden irises and wide pupils. Red, irritated nerve endings trailed off the backs, pooling on the man’s palm.

“Oh, that’s fucked up,” Ann said, gagging.

“I must ask again, what in the hells is wrong with you?” Rowena asked, barely restraining herself from shouting. “That is unnatural. A perversion. Abomination.”

“Not going to disagree with you there,” Ann grumbled, sitting up. “I don’t know why I’m able to do this, and neither does Orenous. We have theories, but that’s between us. Pray to her about it. I’m pretty sure she’ll tell you it’s fine.”

“I… will,” Rowena said shakily. “For now, for your own comfort, maybe we can keep it to just your normal eyes?”

“I mean, we can. For the hair, the first time was the worst. Now it’s more of a minor itch all over. Maybe when I change things for the first time, it sets it up to be easier from there on out?”

“An interesting theory,” Bren said, nodding in agreement. “A biological change at the base level.”

“Kinda like when a lizard loses its tail, or something like that,” Rosalyn suggested. “You’re rewriting your body parts to be either regenerated or changed in some way. I wonder if the nerves are adapting to be able to ignore certain sensations during a change, or something like that? Your pain tolerance doesn’t seem much higher than anyone else’s, even though you fight up close. I need to see you do that more, up close, to be able to really tell.”

“Well, if you ever want to poke at me, or let me poke you,” Ann teased, elbowing the Druid, “let me know. Anyway, gonna test that theory and go back to normal me. Sorry about the mess Rowena,” Ann said with a sharp, toothy grin. She was kind of sorry, but also not. The woman would have to get used to this if they were going to be working together.

Two triggers of Mutation later, she was back to her normal fur colour and eyes. Turns out she could do eye colour and form in one go, so that was only ten health for the reversion. All in all, the show cost her twenty-five health. This time, when her eyes had reformed, instead of all-consuming pain, she got what she’d equate to a migraine or a nasty headache. Seems Rosalyn’s theory was holding water.

“That is uniquely disturbing,” Rowena grumbled, eyes averted as Ann went through the mutation. “If the Goddess sees no problems, I will not press, but I advise that you never display this talent in public. Even I cannot stop an angry mob trying to kill you for being a Warped.”

“Got it, thanks for the warning,” Ann replied sarcastically. She’d figured that would be a bad idea. “So, anything else we have to talk about?”

“I would like to ask about one last thing, the matter of any children you may have,” Rowena said. “No, I am not trying to lay claim on them. They will, of course, have the full support of the Temple, but you seem to surround yourself with women. Do you intend to take a male partner?”

“Oh, not a problem,” Ann laughed.

“How so?” Rowena asked, confused.

“Cause I can do that myself. At least giving someone a kid. To be blunt, I’ve got both sets of equipment,” Ann explained.

“Both sets? Really?” Rowena asked. There was an unmistakable light of curiosity behind her eyes. “I… may I see?”

“Um… that’s a bit further than… um, girls?” Ann asked her lovers.

“Feck it, cards on the table?” Kat shrugged.

“Just this once,” Rosalyn allowed.

Ann stood, lifting her kilt and shifting aside her underwear, letting her cock hang free, and giving a good view of her vulva behind it.

Rowena leaned forward, almost seemingly drawn to it. She quickly got on her knees, looking closer, and closer, before she seemed to catch herself. She startled, standing and straightening her robes as she let out a shaky breath. “Good heavens. I… I’m sorry,” she apologised.

Kat and Rosalyn looked at each other, a curious gaze going between them.

Ann tucked herself away again, getting things settled. “Well, that’s not the reaction I expected.” She knew she had an effect on people, but not to that degree. The woman almost seemed enchanted the moment she’d seen her cock.

“I believe that is all I have to discuss for today,” Rowena said curtly, trying to hide a dark blush that covered her cheeks and neck, most likely extending further downward to her chest.  “I will… send for you all if I need more, um, questions answered. Farewell.”

Ann and the rest shuffled out the door. Another priestess, who did not give her name, guided them from the temple.

“I’m not the only one who saw tha’, right?” Kat asked, a dumbstruck look stuck on her face.

“It was like she was enchanted,” Rosalyn mused. “Like she lost her thoughts and just tunnel visioned. I mean, I kinda get that way too around that, but still.”

“As much as I loathe having this conversation, it was odd,” Bren agreed.

“Maybe it was the religious thing?” Ann suggested. “Goddess given body having a greater impact on her followers?”

“Aye, but ye didn’t have, um, the feck was his name, Matthias droolin’ all over ye,” Kat pointed out. “An’ it was only when ye lifted yer kilt that she got like tha’.”

“Guess I should be careful in any public baths,” Ann joked. “Don’t want to accidentally hypnotise the female population into an orgy.”

“Ye’ve got a hell o’ a weapon down there, don’t go sharin’ it. It’s mine,” Kat growled. “An’ Rosalyn’s, but also mine.”

“Moving on,” Bren said flatly, unamused by their usual horny banter. “I believe that meeting went well. Rowena overreached on certain aspects, but corrected herself when she saw lines being crossed.”

“Yeah, I’ll give her that,” Ann said, crossing her arms as they walked, feeling the wind of Eas’ Temple-Lawn ruffle her hair. The concept of the open air, wall-less temple was still fascinating to her. “Honestly, it’s half of why I decided to do the eye thing in front of her. Just to make her squirm a bit. Made her squirm a lot more than a bit, though.”

“As long as Orenous puts in a good word for you, it should be fine, though,” Rosalyn said with conviction. “No reason why she shouldn’t, as far as I know. You’re a pretty good champion from my experience. Really do embody everything she’s about.”

“Glad you see it that way, lambchop,” Ann said with a grin, tousling Rosalyn’s wooly hair.

“It is getting late,” Bren pointed out.

The lights reflecting the sun outside had begun to dim, artificial lights and crystals winking on across the city. It almost sparkled with how dense the illumination was.

“Do we have anything else to do today, or should we find our supper and retire?”

“I’m beat,” Ann decided. “Food and, well, can’t sleep quite yet, but after that, rest sounds good.”

“Nope, no rest for ye until ye get yer workout,” Kat declared, giving her a randy grin. “I need me nightly routine.”

“Same here,” Rosalyn chirped as she leaned up against Ann’s side, subtly slipping a hand up the back of her shirt.

“Ladies, please,” Bren groaned.

“Oh you’ll be like this once we find ye a girl that can keep up,” Kat teased. “I know there’s somethin’ in there. Just gotta find someone who can drag it outta yer proper arse.”

Bren huffed, but didn’t protest, choosing to remain silent.

“Well, since dinner is the plan, let us find a restaurant. We are in the capital, and fine food is plentiful.”

Ann’s stomach grumbled as they walked off into the night.