‘Tis time for the PR Revival!
*}*Ariana and Christian*{*
The World Shrine was a large resplendent building painted white—the color of purity. The instant they walked through the entrance, Ariana felt the spiritual energy swirl around her.
“This,” she said turning in a circle, “is where I belong.”
Christian smiled. “You’re in a better place than last night Lady Ariana.”
“Don’t talk about what happened last night Christian,” she said quietly. “They utterly rejected me. Ha-ha…and I thought we could be friends. But that’s ok,” she moved her hair away from her face, “I’m used to not having friends.”
Their footsteps echoed in the empty hall. It was early, and most people who worked there hadn’t arrived. However, there was at least one person who she knew worked here full time…
“Arianaaaaaaa!”
She turned around just in time to be attacked by a hug. “Whoa!” she laughed a little and hugged the mysterious person back, “Hi, Kuan-Yin.”
Kuan-Yin broke away and grinned. He was sixteen years old with light skin, ebony hair tied in a ponytail, and grass green eyes. He wore traditional Chinese clothing of bright green brocade with golden piping and an amulet with the Chinese symbol for “mercy” around his neck.
“Hi Ariana! Christian told me about last night.” He scowled. “Those kids don’t deserve to have you as a friend if they themselves have paranormal abilities and they rejected you.”
“My curse took over last night.” Ariana looked down. “I’m not surprised that they did.”
“Heeey, come on now, happy thoughts!” he pointed to his own grinning mouth. “Anyway, I’m glad I caught you. I was meditating a few moments ago and I received word from an air spirit that a demon has taken up residence in a human girl’s house.”
Ariana played with her staff. “How serious?”
“It can hurt the girl and her family if something isn’t done.”
“I’ll handle it Kuan-Yin.”
“Are you sure?” worry creased his young face. “After all, you were taken over last night. You could be more sensitive to demonic energy.”
“It’s only one demon, not an army. And besides, if anything happens, I have Christian.” She nodded to her demon butler, who turned in the opposite direction.
“I know the demon Kuan-Yin is talking about Milady. Shall we go?”
“Yes.” Ariana turned to Kuan-Yin. “Kuan-Yin, take care of the ritual shrine cleansing today and tell the others when they arrive that I’m taking care of a case.”
Kuan-Yin grinned enthusiastically. “Of course Ariana! I’ll see you when you get back, all right?”
The young priestess nodded in an affirmative and she and her butler promptly left the premises.
Christian smirked as they started walking. He knew where the demon was all right—next door to the house where Ariana’s curse had taken over. And if he wasn’t mistaken, the same people who had cruelly rejected his mistress were there trying to take care of the problem as well.
Oh, the surprise that’s in store for all of them… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Introducing Kuan-Yin! He’s a side character of mine and an apprentice priest at the shrine and learning Chinese deities and traditions. I pictured Aiba when I came up with him, so expect him to be…enthusiastic. As if we need another one in PR.
Kuan-Yin and Aiba: Hey!
