Politely, but firmly, Thera pushed Rosen out of the way. She got tired of watching Rosen stutter like a nervous child. Staring directly into Sam's Sapphire eyes, she curtsied like a proper lady of the court.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance. Samantha, I presume? I am Theratreen Gracewood, at your service. If you need anything." She lowered herself to show off her chest and licked her lips. "And I mean anything, just give me a call."
Sam did not respond. Not even so much as a blink in surprise. Thera stood there awkwardly. She wanted a yes, could have probably lived with a no, but did not expect nothing.
"Fraid you won't be getting an answer." Ther driver spoke as he headed back to his seat. "A vow of silence is customary on occasions such as this with the Vestiala Church. They say it's a time for listening, not speaking. Vow should be completed by tomorrow morning. Now if you will excuse me."
With that he was off. His horses carrying him back into the horizon.
"Samantha, did you not have any other luggage?" Rosen asked.
Sam shook her head in the negative. She surveyed the people before her without expression. There were a few moments of awkward silence.
"How about we go have breakfast?" Plip spoke up.
"That's a wonderful idea." Rosen perked up. "Come, let's show you the Church."
Rosen took one of Sam's arms and Thera took the other as they led their guest to the Church. The rest followed, somehow more confused than before. Sugar could be heard muttering under her breath.
"I wanted a boy."
Walking through the Church full of travelers, Sam stayed silent, stone faced. Many of the patrons stopped to stare at perfection. Mesmerized by the shining beauty which had blessed them with their presence. Rosen made sure to seat Sam where all could continue to see, a privilege many made sure to use.
Nash handed out a morning meal. A sweet oat porridge with honey and stewed apples. Nash must be looking to impress giving the expensive Cinnamon sprinkled atop. Some leftover fish pies were reheated and a fresh salad of varied greens covered in a tangy dressing rounded out the flavors. It was a tempting feast as always. Still, everyone waited with baited breath for their newest arrival to have the first bite.
Lifting the wooden spoon, Sam seemed to push around the toppings. As if examining their worth, and finding them lacking. Digging below towards the bottom of the bowl, Sam manages to excavate a single, small scoop of oatmeal lacking any fruit or spices. Taking the smallest of bites, making every person in the room envious of a wooden spoon, Sam finished breakfast. The rest was lifted up in gloved hands and carried over to a nearby traveler. Wordlessly, Sam offered the rest of the meal to the man, who took it in confusion.
Rosen swears she could hear Nash's blood pressure rising at this site. If not for his vow of nonviolence he may have gone berserk. Instead he stewed in his anger, basted in irritation and threatened to boil over in utter rage.
Sam simply sat down in the same seat. Motioning with one hand that the rest are allowed to continue eating. As if they could. They poked at their food as if an actual Angel was watching them, judging. Except for Joizz. Joizz went back for seconds.
After the first meal Nash ever made that they didn't enjoy, Rosen did her best to carry on with the tour. Taking Sam to the Eastern wing.
"So here are the living quarters. You will be responsible for cleaning it yourself. Make sure to put the sheets in the laundry room every Monday. We encourage personalization so feel free to make this space your own. This is my room, if you want an exa-"
"FUCK! Are you actually trying to give me kittens? We are going to miss breakfast."
"Just one more time, I'm so close."
"You said the three shots agooOOHHH!"
An eager Man kin unloads inside an adorable Orange Cat Kin in front of them. Too engrossed in each other to notice their audience. The kitten's arms and legs wrapped around tightly across the man, etching another layer of scratches across his back while he pressed into her with the whole of his body. Then the tension fell, loosening their grips as heavy breathing filled the air. The Cat kin began unraveling herself, when the thrusting resumed.
"Again? Y-you sai- aaAhheDd-"
"Just one more just one more just one-"
Rosen closed the door as quickly and quietly as she could, her face tomato red. Sam, however, was still stoic. Not even a hint of embarrassment or discomfort in those sapphire eyes.
"H-how about I show you your room? This way, please."
Rosen practically dragged Sam to a room near the end of the hall. Inside was a modest amount of space currently occupied but a small desk, a small dresser, a single chair and a bed big enough for two. A simple glass window let light in. A bouquet of flowers was strewn across the bed.
"It's still pretty bare but after you unload your… oh, right. Do you need to borrow some clothes?"
Sam shook their head.
"Well, if you insist. We can go to the stores in a few days to get you a fresh wardrobe."
Leaving Sam's still bare room and hastily stepping past Rosen's still very occupied one, they made their way to the Garden. Showing off their prized herbs.
"This is something rather new. Blush calls them Dragon's Claws. Our crop is still small, it's taken some experimentation to get them growing just right. In a few years we might be able to go commercial."
Sam clutched one of the small red peppers still on the vine. Seemingly admiring it's ruby skin.
"Careful. Whatever you do, don't touch your eyes after you touch them. Learned that the hard way."
There was a loud crowing, drawing their attention to the Cockatrice den. Four feet high with bodies like that of chickens and the tail and wings of a dragon. A rare breed to have anywhere. Their feathers were steely blue which bleed almost seamlessly into their shiny scales. The rooster's comb was like a golden crown surrounding a black beak. Sam watched them carefully, showing what looked like genuine interest for the first time today.
"Beautiful, aren't they? Legend says even a quick glance will kill you. It's not true of course, just an old wives tale. Their eyes are totally harmless. Just their eyes, though."
The gate opened, Sam standing at its entrance.
"Wait, hold on! They aren't tamed. Let me get Moo or Nash!"
Sam ignored Rosen's pleas. Walking into the den, surrounded by draconian fowl. Hissing and crowing in anger at the intruder. Still Sam stood, refusing to show fear. Flame erupted from the Rooster's nostril as it racked dagger-like claws through the dirt. Daring Sam to make the first move.
The monk habit lowered, Sam revealed golden locks flowing down past Sam's shoulders. Shining in the light, perfectly kept despite the hood. It was as if a second sun had risen. Even the Cockatrice were moved, Their aggression melting away instantly. The Rooster stepped towards Sam, its head slightly lowered. Sam held out a hand, and the Rooster placed its cheek within, rubbing against it. Soon they had crowded around Sam, begging for pets. Rosen had helped raise many of the creatures from the moment they left their eggs. Yet they had never once been so loving.
"By Eros, how did you do BWAAAH!"
A female Cockatrice leaps onto Rosen, pinning her down with its claws. It's toothy beak mere inches from her tan face. As she felt a flaming breath upon her face, there was a whistle. One songbirds would weep in envy of once heard. The hen jumped off and ran back into Sam's embrace. Rosen wasted no time crawling away from the den. Still panting on the ground when she heard the locking of chains. Sam stood above her, unharmed and offering a hand up.
Back on her feet, Rosen couldn't help but stare at Sam's hair. Even more golden up close framing that perfectly sculpted face. She fell into the ocean of Sam's eyes, unable to look away. They were far more dangerous then any Cockatrice gaze.
There was a tap on her shoulder.
"Whah? OH!" Rosen realized it was none other than Sam trying to wake her up. "Sorry, I just never saw someone so… erm, so good with Cockatrice. Yeah, that's it."
Silken fabric touched Rosen's right hand, or at least she thought it was silk. Sam's hands were just that soft. Bringing Rosen's own hand, which seems so leathery and rough by comparison, up to Sam's left cheek. There was a moment where she thought they were finally bounding.
That was until Sam then pushed her hand away briefly, then brought it back. Gently flinging her hand into Sam's own face. It took a while to process what was being asked.
"Are… you asking me to hit you?"
Sam nodded.
"What? Why? Was this because you whistled? That was for my sake, I can't-"
Silk across Rosen's lips, and another mock slap across the most unslappable face to ever exist.
"If.. if that's what you want."
She wound up her hand, shaking in disbelief at the situation she found herself in. Sam leaned forward, presenting a perfect cheek for punishment. Rosen took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and swung as hard as he could. She heard the sound of slapping flesh before she felt it. She felt worse than if she had stomped a puppy. Sam lay on the floor, being sent entirely off balance, face red with an imprint of Rosen's hand. Rosen hurried to offer help, until she was shoved away.
"How DARE you lay a hand on Samantha!" Thera's voice was full of genuine disgust.
Sam did not take Thera's hand. Instead rising unaided, and walking past Thera without a second look. Sam came to Rosen, wrapped silken hands around tan, pressed golden hair against red, and silently thanked her. Leaving with a genuine smile across that perfect face. Rosen was left even more confused than Thera.
"Was… was that a moment?"
"I hate you so Goddamn much right now."