>Do we know anything about the maidens of the other shrines; in particular anything that would suggest they are less than stellar people?
>The eastern shrine, devoted to the Blue Wood Dragon, boasts Tenshi Hinanai as its chief miko. That shrine operates under the auspices of the Hakurei group, as have all the head mikos there since Mayoiga was rebuilt, so common wisdom says that Tenshi is connected to them in some way, even though you've never heard any details beyond rumor. Reimu would probably know for sure.
>You've been up to that shrine twice, and have met Tenshi before. You would describe her as blunt, almost tactless, and rather proud for someone serving as a miko. She also carries a sword, which is a bit odd for a miko in general. She wouldn't be what you'd describe as a sterling example for other miko to follow. However, the time you were there with Reimu, you saw Tenshi try, as best as she could, to keep her ego in check and think before she spoke. This obviously wasn't easy for her, but she was trying. She may not be the best of people, but you would describe her as 'unpolished', at worst.
>The southern shrine, devoted to the Red Fire Bird, is led by one of your schoolmates, Youmu Konpaku, a third year like yourself, whom you are acquainted with much better than Tenshi. Much like the eastern shrine, the shrine of the Phoenix, as it's known, is operated by the Saigyoji group. You often see Youmu and Yuyuko together in school, as the Konpakus have been attached to the Saigyojis for generations. Yuyuko described the relationship between the two families as follows: "They used to be our servants. But we grew out of that, and now we're best friends!" As you recall, she promptly gave Youmu a glomp after saying that. Much to Youmu's embarassment.
>You would describe Youmu as a very serious individual, very devoted to her duties and her studies. She's very young to be a head miko of a shrine, and a samurai on top of that, as she's known to be, but as near as you can tell, she handles her responsibilities very well. Perhaps too well, as you've often heard Yuyuko talking about some convaluted plan to get Youmu to loosen up a little. Youmu also seems to be a little naive, at times, about the world around her. Like mastering her responsibilities has come at the expense of world-savvy. Despite being a skilled swordsman, a studious student and chief miko of the southern shrine of Mayoiga, she seems rather innocent, at times. The effect is rather endearing, and while you're not especially close, you each consider each other friends.
>You've never been to the northern shrine, which is devoted to the Black Water Tortoise, nor have you met its head miko, but you know her by reputation. In fact, she's a very well known figure around town, and very well liked as well. She is Suika Ibuki, a little oni with a big heart and a bigger ale keg, her shrine is one of the best known party spots in Mayoiga. She's reputed to be one of the most pleasant people in the whole city to be around, and doesn't have much of the usual Oni roughness about her. She's also been known to gad about town helping people that need, offering her hands on construction jobs, walking someone's dogs, buying groceries for the elderly, just about any good deed she can find to do. She also encourages those that work at her shrine to do the same. Miko miko Suika, as she's known to some, is truly a boon to Mayoiga and its people.
>She's also the subject of some rather odd rumors. Some theorize that she's actually centuries old, despite looking no more than 14 or 15, and while it is true that gauging a non-human's age on appearance isn't always easy, you've always found these rumors a bit hard to believe. Suika may be decades old, but she can't possibly be as old as rumors claim.
>"More than simple demons?"
Oops. Should've been 'simply' there.
>
The demons are a plague upon this world, and those touched and corrupted by them will oppose you at every opportunity, but they are not the only seeds of evil in this world. There are those who would use your power for their own purposes. Those who would slay you for having the power you do. Those who would slay you for being touched by One such as I. Those who would possess the power you weild. Those who would possess you for your beauty and charms. And these can even be found in Our houses, for the children of our Mistress forever walk the line between light and dark.
