Gilzra gets close

The confrontation over, the five of you head out on your way. The clouds from the evening storm still hung in the air, the contrast of the bright blue sky creating a picturesque scene with the trees. There's a few carts on the road both ahead and behind you, led by merchants having finished their business in Letia. Kharn and Gilzra were in the front of the group, side by side. They seemed to be enjoying the conversation, but were also working to keep the conversation private. The elder orc wrapped his arm around her, showing a more personal relationship than you were aware of. That big green hand slid down and squeezed her ass, showing a much more personal relationship. Neither of the other men made any outward remark on it, though Rhian seemed to make a point to look to the side.

Your attention went inward, daydreaming. Suddenly, in your mind, you're naked, your hands down covering yourself, a cloth blinding you, as those strong orc hands explored your body. Your breath quickens, and your mind shudders. Snapping out of it, you begin to wonder if this is a new you. Your sexuality and desires were so subdued and controlled before, but now you seem excited by so much. You push the thoughts out of your mind completely as the elder tiefling hangs back to speak with you.

"Hey there, darlin. How ya feeling?"

"Great, actually." Your enthusiastic response is news to you, but it feels true as it hits your ears. "I don't think that could have gone better."

"I agree" She replied, having a single armed hug "I'm so proud of you Demetria, and sorry for having my doubts. You held your ground, and stood up for what you believed in. I wish I had been as strong at your age."

"Thanks. I was so scared, knowing it could have gone badly. Even deadly."

"Can't wrangle a bull without risking the horns. Was thrilling though too, wasn't it?"

"Ya!" You try to temper yourself "I mean, I've never been in such a dangerous situation. I've never been this far from home. It's like I'm a new person."

"Pa always used to say you don't really know yourself until you face a challenge. This lifestyle, the adventuring and the constant travel is nothing but challenges, but it's got some perks too. I think you'll find the longer you're in it, the harder it is to get out."

"What kind of perks?" You ask.

"Well, this" she motions to the men accompanying you "you'll never know better people than the ones you risk your life with. You get to know these people better than your family."

"That's easy, considering I don't have one" your melancholy mood swing finds an ear, but Gilzra is nothing if not optimistic.

"You've got more family than you know. I'll bet that Doolyn fella loves you like his own daughter, and I know your parents still think about you every day."

"It's not the same" You refute, unsatisfied

"No, it's not" She agreed "I'm not an actress, so I ain't gonna tell you I know what that's like. But I'll tell you what Demetria, you got three great fellas who'll march into the Hells for each other, and now you."

"And you?" You ask, remembering the words of your demonic mother.

"I'd take out my own heart if it kept you safe. For now, I'd like it to not be about me. I'd love to hear more about you."

"There's not really much to tell. I was an orphan who grew up to be a Phoenician Sister. That's as far as it goes."

"Oh come now, Demetria" her verbal prodding was gentle. "There's more to you than that, surely. Did you like the Sisterhood? Did you chafe under the rules?" The questions quickly get more personal "were Rosita and you ever a thing?"

"No!" You proclaim defiantly, in a way that you quickly get the attention of the others. You make an apologetic shrug that turns their focus elsewhere. You relax slightly, finding the words to best let the truth out. "She came onto me in the library one day, tried to pull me into depravity. I think from the beginning she only wanted to exploit and **** me. I just wish I could see it than."

"Sorry" she puts her arm around your shoulder. You feel suspicious, but don't pull away "I know what that's like. I wish I had beem around to help show you what to avoid."

Her words confuse you "I appreciate that, but how could you have? You're not part of the church.."

"I know, but a lady can still wish things were different, even if it was impossible" Even in her red skin, there was a flushing in her face. There's something strange about her. Maybe it's just your mother's warning, but you feel like she's keeping something from you. Still, her questions seem innocent enough.

"Before Rosita, I hadn't been much of a rule breaker at all. Biggest part of my routine was being in charge of teaching the orphans."

"Was that hard for you?" She asked "working with kids like that? I'm sure they were all little reminders of your own past"

"They were, but that didn't make it hard. Working with the children was easy. The hard part was saying goodbye."

"You were momma to all of them. That idn't easy." She smiles gently "I knew you were different when I first put eyes on you, Demetria. No way I could have known just how special you really are."

"Gilzra, are you flirting with me?" You ask abruptly. The elder woman pulls her arm away, with a shocked look.

"What? No. Heavens no. You're a beautiful girl Demetria. I'm pretty open, but I can't bring you to bed with me."

"Than why help me?" You ask "this is a lot of attention for someome you've only known a day."

"Cause you deserve it. Surely a woman of the cloth can understand altruism"

"Ya, sure. Just, seems strange for someone not in the church to practice that."

There was a smug grin "I'm sure the more time you spend outside the Cathedral, the more you'll see the world isn't as simple as they make it seem."