• Chapter 2
    Sweet Fifteen



    "I don’t wanna to do it! I don't wanna! You can't make me!"
    Ri was crying hard. I was late night, after the party.
    "Ri, we said we'll help! come on!" said Phoenix.
    "Yea, don't wallow in your own self pity." said Leslie, Adrian's other sister. The three of them shared one brother, Remiel, also known as Remi.
    "But-" said Ri
    "No 'buts'. We'll help." said Leslie.
    Ri looked up.
    "I'm sorry," said Ri. "Thanks everyone."
    Remi clapped his hands together. "Alright," he said "let's get you ready for your big day."

    ~********~

    The night before Ri's birthday, she had a sleepover. All the Lunars, plus Tanya and Phoenix were there, as well as Leann, Lauren, and Lorelei. Leann and Lauren were both dark skinned but Leann had short black hair with two braids on either side of her head. Lauren Edgewood was brown all over. Hair, eyes; everything was brown. Lorelei Nocturna was a computer genius- slash - weapon-crazy girl who grew up with Ri. It was known in the group that Lori and Tanya went out, and it was better known that Tanya was whipped; at least that's what Oregano, Tanya's brother, would say.
    "Hey Ri." said Lorelei.
    "Hey Lori"
    "So," said Lorelei, "about tomorrow. Who are you going to put in your Council?"
    "Council?" asked Leslie, confused.
    "Oh, right." said Ri. "You're a Lunari. Well, see, In the Order of Sunna, there's a Council of Heads, who, like everyone else in the Order, follows the Phoenix. The heads are usually chosen by the new Phoenix, but as I'm underage, it goes to the previous Phoenix. Da is... well, gone, so Mai has to do it. I, however, am picking the specialists. Phoenix, of course, will be my second in command-"
    "What!?" said Phoenix, falling off Ri's king size bed. "Me!? I'm only thirteen-"
    "What's your point?" asked Ri. "You have a knowledge of politics and Otherrealm history that I will never have, not to mention you're already my second at Ruby Towers."
    "Fine." said Phoenix. "And let me guess, Lori's the Weapons expert?"
    "And Tanya's doing Communications, and Thyme and Oregano are doing Research and Development." said Ri.
    "Wait 'til they find out." said Leann laughing.
    "Alright," said Ami, now at the door, "time for bed."

    The next morning, Ri was awoken to a chorus of "Happy Birthday!" There was a ton of presents at the foot of her bed. Ri was happy at first, but as the day wore on, she grew more and more nervous. An hour before her initiation, Ri was moved to the Order of Sunna headquarters’. She was put in to a side room and given a red robe with white edges to put on. At this point, Ri was shaking.
    "Come on Ri!"
    "Stop shaking!"
    "I can't- OUCH!"
    "I told you to stop" said Leslie.
    "Yea, but that hurt!" said Ri.
    "Well duh, she hit you." said Phoenix sarcastically. She was to accompany Ri during the initiation.
    "But I'm scared." said Ri.
    "We know."
    Tanya appeared at the door. "It's time." she said. "Come on Les."
    "Ri's still scared." said Phoenix.
    Tanya sat by Ri and said, "We're all here to help, me and Phoenix, and Leslie, and all of us. We're here, so stop being scared."
    "Sure?" asked Ri
    "Duh"
    "Of course"
    "Noooo Ri, we'll leave you stranded." said Phoenix very sarcastically.
    Ri felt better inside. "Alright," she said, "I'll do it, ok? For you guys if not for myself."
    "Well," said Tanya, "gotta go. Come on Leslie."
    They left. Phoenix turned to Ri.
    "Ready Ri?" she asked.
    "As I'll ever be." Ri said.
    "Alright then," said Phoenix. "let’s go."