It started. Vera looked green and Ariana could see why she wanted her to leave. "We heard so many different variations of what they story is really about and someone said that there is one person who actually knows the truth." The fair skinned girl asked as she placed a gentle hand on Vera"s shoulder. She looked proud of her words but Ariana didn"t take the bait."So we asked Vera is she knew anything about it." The girl continued. "Is it that important? It"s just a story. Who really cares." Ariana said with a small shoulder shrug to try and pa.s.s off the conversation. Another girl with bright red hair spoke up. "See we think it has a deeper meaning." A frizzy, brunette haired girl spoke up right after. "Yes and others think it might be that meaning too especially when you hear the truth."
"Yes. I would like to say that almost all of us think it"s the same meaning but some are reluctant." The fair skinned girl said as she applied a small amount of pressure to Vera"s shoulder. Ariana narrowed her gaze at the girl while Vera put on a brave face. "So what is this meaning? I would love to hear your opinions." Ariana answered in a somewhat deadly tone.
It shocked the girls and they dropped their gazes almost immediately, feeling foolish for some reason. The fair skinned girl instantly released Vera"s shoulder while Vera"s eyes grew round from horror.
"W-w-e thinks it"s related to the priestess." A pet.i.te dark haired girl called out with a small stutter. Ariana eyes flashed with ridicule. She now knew why Vera wanted her to leave. Vera knew she had strong feelings about the church and what better way to set her off by thinking a story she remembered from her past life as something that the church made up.
"In what way?" Ariana asked in a silky voice, making sure that her gaze never faltered on the girl who answered. Vera paled. The girls walked into a deadly game and there was no turning back. Vera sat quietly back down and watched the show.
"Easy. The story is about how the priestess quietly watches over us with her good grace and.... I"m sorry what"s so funny?" The pet.i.te girl asked in utter confusion. Ariana had started laughing hysterically when she heard the girl"s answer. "Oh my G*d! Oh my G*d! Oh my G*d! How in the world could you ever come to such a conclusion!" Ariana laughed. She stomped her foot once trying to control her laughter but instead she started to cry.
"I"m sorry, I don"t understand?" The frizzy haired girl asked. "Oh course you don"t! Let me ask you, who came up with this conclusion?" Ariana asked as she laughed but there was a bitter undertone to her question that made the girl feel wronged. The six girls all turned to look at the fair skinned girl. She had glossy dark blue hair that fell to her shoulders and eyes that resembled red trout. She was far from a beauty but she maintained herself. "Keiran did." The pet.i.te answered as she looked at Keiran with confused and hurt eyes.
"That"s right. I did." Keiran replied with her head held high. Ariana walked up to the group and allowed her hand to glide over the upholstery. She pulled her hand back when it got close to one of the girls. Her gaze softened and her smile was small but cold. "I would love to hear how you came to this conclusion." Ariana said in a sweet but chilling voice.
"Every line hails the priestess." Keiran began. Ariana couldn"t help but chuckle. Keiran stopped talking immediately and stared at Ariana. "Oh you"re serious? I thought you were joking." Ariana replied without a hint of sincerity. Keiran"s gaze intensified as anger started to build up. "No. I am very serious." She spat each words with more force then she needed too. "Go on then." Ariana said as she extended a hand out, gesturing for Keiran to go on.
"The priestess has been with us since we were children, even before we were even born. She modestly accepts us with open arms like branches that extend around our spirits. She feeds the poor, heals the sick, nurtures her believers and provides for us all with her very being. She gives us miracles like the tree gives the boy apples so that we can live on. How can this story not be about her love for the people?" Keiran said emotionally. Almost all the girls started to applaud Keiran except Vera and Ariana.
"Really? I would have forgotten this conversation if it was a joke but now I don"t think I can let you off." Ariana said harshly as the applauds started to die down. "Excuse me?" Kieran replied. "That"s right excuse you and your lack of intelligence." Ariana scowled. The girls gasped as they quickly turned to look at Kieran. "Are you call me stupid?" She gasped. "Your words not mine." Ariana scoffed. The other girls started to protest as Kieran gawked at Ariana.
"No you"re the one that"s stupid!"
"How dare you say that Kieran is wrong!"
"You"re unbelievably pig headed to think it"s not about the priestess!"
"I should slap you silly for your words to Kieran!"
"You need a good beating to be shown your wicked ways!"
"If it"s not about that priestess than what is it about?" Keiran asked with her nose still in the air. "Not about her, I can guarantee you that." Ariana said before she turned and started to walk towards the door. She stopped about a foot away and turned. She smiled brightly and held up 4 fingers.
"Firstly, you say she gives us her arms or branches to protect us but what has she protected you from? In what way? As far as I can tell the priestess is a ghost like woman who only appears sporadically. So to say she accepts your spirit, hardly! I bet she has no idea who we all are. She"s never seen anyone of us but in the story the tree begs for the child to be with her. With someone who chooses to appear and compare it to someone who begs? Is that really a valid comparison? Can you see the priestess standing before her people begging for your love, adoration, attention? Just for a single moment of play time?" Ariana gave a loud but short laugh.