"I still don't know. I don't remember any of it. All I know is that I've never seen that moon start to wane. It's been full all week."
Alisa pursed her lips, pondering what that could mean.
Ilynda had watched Renee and Alisa inconspicuously as the women discussed their evening. She could smell the effect of the family receipe wafting from Alisa through the morning odors and the scent of the food itself. She could sense that Renee did not need the spices for her changes anymore. Ilynda watched Renee drag her almost clawed toes through the dirt and felt all her senses arouse at the thought of initiating new mates into her band.
Ilynda overheard Renee's comment about the ever-full moon. She also noticed the silence afterwards between the two girls.
"I hate to intrude on your conversation, but we don't call the town 'Moonflow' for nothing," interjected Ilynda, "We consider the moon an important part of our town's energy, so the town elders cast a spell long ago keeping it always at it's strongest. We simply like to see the moon always shine full."
"Well that explains the temple of Artemis in town," Renee replied, "and the coin that I found my pocket."
Renee pulled out a platinum coin clearly stamped with moon-like crates and an ivory colored inlay of a hunting bow.
Ilynda smiled with white, sharp teeth as she looked sensuously at Renee. "Many guests on their way to Moonflow receive the blessing of the moon goddess. All those gifted can experience the town's traditions to their fullest extent if they have the instincts and desire to."
Alisa felt hypnotized looking at Ilynda's eyes as she focused on Renee. Suddenly, Alisa felt the urge to reveal her Pelor medallion. "I received this on my way into town. Why would someone coming to a town of Artemis receive the blessing of Pelor instead of Artemis?"
Ilynda's nostrils flared when Alisa opened her palm to the golden image of the sun. It was no wonder anymore to Ilynda why Alisa's changes had not progressed faster. "I can't answer that question except to say that not everyone has the same experience in our town. Every visitor to this land has a different destiny, and simply visiting Moonflow does not make you automatically a child of Artemis."
Alisa nodded, still suspicious of the events happening around her. "Well, I know that I definitly ditched some friends to come to your town. I probably should get back to the hotel to see if any of them have come here looking for me."
"I understand," said Ilynda, "You both would probably feel fresher with a bath. I might come over later to see about your evening plans."
Renee quickly agreed to the idea of freshening up. She gave Ilynda her room number at the inn to find the girls later as her and Alisa thanked the group and took their leave.