The group sat there in silence for a long moment, digesting what was said. The mayor was the most baffled by the entire situation, given she hadn't seen Claire channel the Goddess before. She looked conflicted and stressed.
"Well, I guess we should focus on deciphering this." Lily tapped the book. "Does one of you want to get Silkie's journal?"
"I can." Ana nodded. "Elsie, w-want to walk Elisabeth back?"
Elsie extended a hand towards the mayor, already knowing what Ana was going to suggest. She helped the mayor to her feet. "Come on, granny."
"I'm not that old, missie," Elisabeth growled at her. "I have a lot to think about, so don't piss me off."
"Yeah, yeah." Elsie gave her a smug smile. "What are you gonna do? Can't assign me extra homework anymore."
"Watch it." Elisabeth shook her head. "I bet Jess would love a week off. I could suggest you take over the inn."
"Mmm," Elsie pulled her along. "I doubt it. Last time she did that, it didn't go very well."
With that, the older twin guided her out the door. There was a small silence before Ana spoke up. "Elsie's a-already got her mind off all of this… It's a special talent of hers."
"She's so annoying that you forget about the stress." Jasmine nodded in agreement.
"It does seem to be her special talent," Samira giggled.
Claire was still lost in thought, though. She wasn't listening to what they were saying. She was more curious about how the Goddess could use the others as mouthpieces. And how she could hear her Goddess within this church now.
'Saints have always been able to hear and speak the Gods' words. It is not uncommon.' Her divine voice reverberated within Claire's mind. 'I will admit multiple people at once is rare.'
'Can you speak to them like you are to me?' Claire furrowed her brow.
'No. For them, I can only use them to speak. It is their connection to you that allows that. But enough of that. I am glad there are no lasting effects from channeling me.'
'Nope!' Claire smiled as she stared off into space. 'Just a 2-week nap.'
Her divine laugh brought a warm feeling to Claire. She didn't even realize how goofy she looked to the others. She was far too distracted by being able to talk with the Goddess while conscious. It took Jasmine pulling her into her lap to finally wake Claire out of her thoughts. She blinked rapidly and looked around in confusion.
She found herself sitting in a pew now, with Lily and Samira focused on the spell circle. Ana went to grab the journal, leaving Jasmine alone. "Hey? You okay?" She whispered to Claire.
"I am." Claire leaned into her. "Why?"
"Claire. You just spent almost two weeks unconscious from channeling the Goddess." Jasmine shook her head in disbelief. "Are you sure speaking for the Goddess didn't affect you?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Claire tilted her head. "Did it affect you?"
"No, but like…" Jasmine sighed and shook her head. "Never mind. As long as it isn't affecting you."
"No, but I can hear Her in my mind now." Claire smiled brightly. "I can talk directly to Her outside of my dreams now."
"Does that really matter if She's so cryptic?" Jasmine teased.
"I like talking to Her." Claire shrugged. "She's more fun to talk to when it isn't so serious."
"Can I talk to Her?" Jasmine tilted her head.
"Not like me," Claire began. Then, partially through her sentence, the Goddess took over. "But like this. Yes."
"That is so strange." Jasmine was baffled. Hearing Her voice come from Claire felt so off to her. "But you're sure this doesn't affect her? Cau-"
"Jazz. It is okay. I am not drawing on her power for this. It is my own."
"Fine." Jasmine let it go. "There is one more thing I want to ask about."
"Ask away."
"What can you see? Can you verify information for me?"
"Depends. If it conflicts with another Gods' plans or domain, no. Can I tell you where a person is? Maybe."
"There's a resistance group, one that intercepts the transfer of men between nobles…" Jasmine could see Claire react to that. Her smile faded and her green eyes became conflicted. "I want to know if their contact is telling the truth. I have a hard time believing her words."
Claire took a deep breath. She was talking about her former party member. Claire's heart ached upon remembering what Jasmine went through because of them. She could even feel the Goddess had similar feelings.
"You can." She said after a long pause. "I understand why you would not trust her. But, from what I can tell, she has changed drastically since you left the party."
Jasmine cringed. She didn't need to or want to know that last part. She just wanted to know if she could be trusted now. "That's one relief… I just hope they are successful. Then we can get Ryley out of that hellhole."
"I pray they are." The Goddess spoke, but Claire nodded in agreement. It felt weird not being able to use her voice at this time. "Though I fear if they are too effective, then nobles will add to their security."
"We'll leave that up to them." Jasmine shook away the thoughts of her old companion. "We just need them to succeed once."
"Indeed. But I would prefer if they always succeeded. It pains me to see what the boys are going through all over the nation." Claire found herself able to use her voice once more. "I would hope they can save as many boys as possible. But, selfishly, I agree with Jasmine…"
"Well, it is your brother." Jasmine hugged her tightly. "It's okay to be selfish in this case."
"Maybe. But I also hope they continue to succeed. Show the nobles that we are over this way of life." Claire kept going. She could feel her Goddess agreeing. "I hope the same."
"Sure, but I'd rather not deal with them any longer than we need to. For obvious reasons, I do not want to communicate with her any more than I have to." Jasmine shrugged.
"That is fair."
Claire remembered something. Talking about Jasmine's previous group and with the Goddess reminded her of an important promise she made. One just before their fight in the fort. She leaned back into Jasmine and whispered to her. "You know, technically the Goddess is our child."
Jasmine was bewildered. To her, this was coming out of nowhere. It took her a moment to even comprehend what Claire had said. "Is She?"
"Yeah, remember?" Claire giggled. It wasn't too often to see Jasmine this bewildered. "You got pregnant that night, and the Goddess was 'born' in our world…"
"I do." Jasmine nodded along, still quite confused. "But what does that have to do with anything?"
"I promised Her that we would give Her a name…" Claire glanced at the other two, who were still busy examining the book. "And She is our first daughter. Would it be ok-"
"Yes." Jasmine cut her off. She knew where this was going. She glanced at the depiction of the Goddess. While she wanted that name to go to her human daughter, it just felt right for Her to have it. "But… I still want the name to go to my first mortal daughter, too."
Claire leaned into her. She took a moment to really contemplate what she was about to do. 'Is that acceptable to you?' She asked her Goddess.
'More than acceptable.' She could feel the warmth of the Goddess envelope her, almost as if She was hugging Claire too. Even Jasmine felt the warmth. Though she thought it was Claire's aura. 'I would love to share a name with my sister.'
'And grandmother.' Claire replied. It seemed like the realization was quickly dawning on the Goddess. Claire glanced towards Her depiction in the center of the church. She was growing tired of using only pronouns and 'Goddess' to refer to Her. It was time to properly name Her.
"Would you like to do the honors, Jazz?" Claire whispered to her.
Jasmine hesitated, feeling the divine weight thrust upon her. She felt the swirl of magic around her as wisps of glowing red light danced in the air. She took a long, deep breath as she soaked in the divine magic around her. With her mind clear and heart set, she said aloud.
"Elaine."
The divine magic swirled faster, finally catching the attention of Lily and Samira. The two watched as the radiant light spun around Jasmine and Claire. The whirlwind of light shot straight towards Her depiction, slamming into the blank inscription. After a moment, it dissipated. Leaving the entire church in silence.
Claire was the first to move. She walked straight towards the depiction. She leaned forward to read the previously blank piece of brass. She was quickly surrounded by the other three as they read the newly engraved description.
"Elaine, the Scarlet Light."