Carina's blood still boils with anger over that stupid elemental harlot queen. She doesn't feel fear in the slightest. Though she probably should, Queen Nalani's power is immense. But a little girl who plays with fire can easily be extinguished and though her flames may be powerful they aren't immune to a snake's bite. And that's exactly what her younger sister will get soon, when the Ascension begins. 

So soon. Her time will come. So soon. She will reign. Then perhaps this raging storm of loneliness, rage and darkness. Carina hates it but it's all she knows now, something horrible has festered in recent times, inside her very soul. Perhaps the Goddess cursed her.

But thinking back to her sisters, Carina feels slightly apprehensive about Arwen, more so than with Nalani, but honestly Carina wasn't paying much attention to her shadow performance. Which is foolish of her she can admit but still. Carina will have to ask about it later.

It seems though, that Arwen's very gift is death incarnate. And that terrifies her.

Carina didn't watch most of Arwen's performance, for she just started overthinking in her own rage. The island is far too enthralled with Nalani and they already dislike Carina because of that stupid assassination attempt on her a while back.

A idiotic weak cousin of the Arrons who actually declared that the attempt on Nalani's life was in the name of Carina - so naturally people blamed her. They saw it as underhand and sneaky - just like they stereotype all poisoners to be these days. The fools.

Carina may not be perfect but she wouldn't try and kill her sisters before Beltane, before it is time. She will play these treacherous games by the rules of the island.

And now Nalani has them in the palm of her hand. Carina hates it. She wants them to look to her. She wants that power. So she will take it.

Perhaps she will try and change, to vanquish the stereotypes of poisoners, that mainly stem from the Arrons rather than the actual poisoner queens. Even in Queen Arsinoe's time the people grew to love her, perhaps it was said it was because she was raised by naturalists by mistake. The people hated Katharine the Undead though, the triplet in the cursed cycle who was indeed raised by the Arrons.

For a moment an image flashes into her mind, a pretty poison picture of anarchy. One of both of her sisters near death on the ground. Nalani, the foolish whore, is foaming at the mouth, her dark dress stained with vomit as she convulses, twitching uncontrollably, cold on the floor with no fire to be seen. While Arwen, that insufferable bitch, is drenched in her own blood that has pooled from her mouth, nose, eyes and ears and if the poison didn't kill her, she is drowning in a pool of her own blood. A lovely fantasy, a symphony of poison and death. 

Her thoughts make her blood red lips curl into a sinister serpentine smile, she imagines the feeling of victory she will feel once she kills them, for they are her enemies - for queens the bonds of sisters do not really apply. They are only her rivals to the throne.But quickly her smirk disappears as she winces in pain as an aftershock of one of her horrible migraines suddenly hits her.

She shakes her head and grimaces slightly - this is the worst time for it to appear. Carina needs a clear head for the upcoming Gave Noir.

She must ask Amara for more of her tonic, it may be useless as it usually is or it may soothe her more frequent headaches. She has had many of late. It is truly inconvenient. It can't be poison, it would be a waste of time due to her gift, even with its strange temperament of late. 

Just as her pain fades she feels scales nestle into her palm and looks down at Sheshu in gratitude as the snake comforts Carina in her own little way. The queen strokes the viper's neon green scales in return. She is grateful for Sheshu's presence. Sometimes it feels as if Sheshu is her only friend, the only one she can rely on while trying to cope with how alone and numb she feels constantly - it is almost unbearable.

But then again, Carina lost true emotion long ago, how was she expected to ever really be completely good. She has been raised for one purpose. To kill. And to rule. It's practically the way her brain is programmed now. Maybe it will be easier once the killing is out of the way, maybe her people will love her and that will give her a reason to not just exist but live.

Andrea wasn't as tolerable as she is now. She used to be much harsher with Carina, back when her poison gift was weaker. Octavia tried her best to ruin Carina's childhood initially since she couldn't interfere with poison training and she didn't like Carina being an outsider to the Arron brood.

It is strange to think that an adult like Octavia would behave in such a way but she never really had to take responsibility for anything much, being the second sister, the one who wasn't the heir but had so much wealth from her family she could do anything she wanted. And that nasty attitude of hers was never really dealt with by Kasdeya Arron, but Octavia was probably never in the limelight as Kasdeya was raising a poisoner queen herself at the time as well as Andrea, Octavia and Vincent.

But Queen Halia slew that poisoner, whatever her name was. No one speaks the names of fallen queens after their deaths, it is frowned upon and particularly forbidden in the Arron household if their poisoner queen died - they didn't want their losses remembered.

Sad for those forgotten dead queens though, no one seemed to truly care for them or view them as a human. Perhaps they aren't, perhaps Carina isn't. Queens are regarded as something different, something not mundane though no one really knows what to call them apart from daughters of the Goddess.

But in Carina's childhood, Amara was similar to Octavia, jealous that someone else was getting the attention. Amara has always had a strong poisoner gift since birth and to see Carina, who was weaker at the time, getting more attention than her made her have a snide disposition towards the young queen. Even as a child Amara had a superiority complex, only surrounding herself with those she deemed worthy and strong - the qualities she believed reflected her own character/gift.

Surprisingly, Carina and Eirene used to be friends as children, when they had the notion of being an outsider in common and Eirene was the nicest one, welcoming from the beginning even if she was shy at first. But as Carina got older Amara broke that friendship apart bit by bit through months of manipulation and essentially inserted herself in Eirene's place - she suddenly found Carina more interesting when her gift increased. And to somewhat keep Eirene in her place - to show her how easily Amara could take anything she had with ease.

Carina regrets that slightly. But times have changed. For years her and Eirene have essentially been strangers. Now she is in a snake pit with no real way out.

Carina has never experienced true love, Andrea only 'loves' her because Carina is an opportunity for them to restore their power and legacy. But love is not a treasure reserved for queens she has found. She doubts she will love her king consort. But it doesn't matter. She will do what she must, rule and eventually carry the next heirs.

Do her duty and be ruthless - that is what she has learned from an Arron upbringing. It would almost sadden her if she didn't know any different. But such thoughts and niceties are for another world.

For now all she needs is power and poison - that can be her intoxication.

Still portraying her mask of confidence, Carina stands content/relaxed as she waits patiently to be called up. Though her eyes quickly skimming over the last bits of the Gave Noir poison feast, even grander than the one at her birthday celebration, that are being assembled by nervous servants with trembling hands.

That makes Carina smirk a little, but she doesn't blame them, for it is likely that none of them have the poisoner gift. None of them want Andrea's anger either.

And if any of them were foolish enough not to clean their hands thoroughly afterwards then that would be unfortunate. Yet entertaining. Carina hasn't seen a good poison death in ages and things are beginning to get rather dull. 

Speaking of the devils, Andrea and Octavia have both managed to slither beside her, almost flanking her like guards.

Carina turns her head to Octavia first and does her wicked little smile as she beholds how Octavia is literally dripping with jewels, they accessorise her neck, arms, fingers, ears and thousands of light pearl droplets are assembled in her hair and her dress is covered in them. Octavia even has the droplets around her eyes. Ridiculous.

She is almost like a human chandelier, similar to the ones in Prynn Manor's ballroom, and everything about her screams for attention. Octavia has always failed to realise that wealth doesn't always equal class.The jewels even manage to outshine the drugged sunbeam snake, coiled around her left arm as an accessory, it's famously
iridescent scales shining in the light of the torches. It is only a small one though. Strange.

Octavia probably means to be beautiful and refined but the excessive amount of jewels distracts from the beauty of her true face may hold. And Carina has to begrudgingly admit that if Octavia's face didn't resemble a constipated goat in heat all the time then she could've been quite pretty but her own disposition ruined it.

But still, Carina would love to put a knife right through that pretty exposed neck of hers, watch the terror bloom in her eyes as the blood spills from her.A sort of payback for Octavia's old behaviours.

Initially, Octavia viewed Carina as a new toy, one she wasn't fond of and tried to break as most of the house's attentions centred around Carina as a child. The Arron has always been a spoilt brat, childish and vindictive when it suited her.

Bur that was all back when Carina was afraid, she is not now and she will never be - it is them who should be afraid. Oh how fate is cruel to the weak and the roles are reversed now, it is Carina who holds the power now, the ability to hurt her.

Carina turns to Andrea next and a genuine smile makes it upon her face as she looks at her guardian in rare awe.

With her long loose locks of blonde ice, with pearl droplets woven into them and those piercing eyes of unflinching steel, Andrea's beauty is a sight to behold. But she is so cold that she is too intimidating for most lustful men to approach her, no mostly the ones who approached her were either the bravest of men or lustful women. 

Seemingly to enhance her regal beauty, Andrea has light cosmetics applied, rouge to coat her cheeks and a pale pink to coat her lips. She wears an extravagant jade green gown with chiffon sleeves and pearl droplets coating the bodice, even a few ruffles here and there. It suits her perfectly and of course she wears jewels, not as many as Octavia who has no shame, but enough to assert her superior status.

Andrea seems to have gone for a pearl theme today, ironic that they are a pure white, but perhaps they are covered in poison to dampen the purity of the white. For Arrons are many things but none are saints. 

If the jewels weren't enough to entice then people could turn their attention next to the enormous albino python wrapped casually over her shoulders like a simple shawl  for the evening. The creature is beautiful and perfectly suitable for the cunning evident in Andrea's pale eyes
as Carina's performance approaches. 

The rest of the Arron horde stand beneath her stage, eagerly awaiting her triumph. It is a sea of icy heads and sharp assessing looks.

Niklaus, Silas and Adrion all look handsome, their blonde hair all styled to perfection and they all wear an array of drugged deathstalker scorpions on their lapels, ranging from the brightest of green to blue. The brightness of the venomous creatures marks how toxic it is, so of course the Arron boys wear the brightest scorpions amongst the poisoners - they stand out like beacons of light in the night. Niklaus is the most handsome, Silas the most striking and Adrion the most charming.

Then Amara stands looking bored but striking as ever in appearance with a sleeveless dress of blood red, with many rubies sparkling on her at every turn and a scandalous slit on both sides of the dress, showing off her impressive lovely long legs that many males have a hard time looking away from. But they should stare because she is beautiful, in the way a serpent can appear beautiful before it closes its jaws around your arteries. Charming indeed.

Amara for once, isn't noticing the male attention she is receiving and instead keeps giving Eirene a certain look and then rolling her pale eyes. Perhaps it is because Eirene wears a pale grey dress without much decoration save a few pearls on her dress with a greyish tint, but she is painfully plain in comparison to her sister both in dresses and beauty.

It should be Eirene who will inherit Andrea's power but Carina knows that Amara will never let it happen, even if Amara has to get her own sister out of the way to claim power. Power favours the strong in the Arron family. 

Everything about Amara is bold, her scandalous bright dresses, the gleaming jewels, her beauty that is so strong it radiates of every pore and even the cosmetics she wears, particularly the blood red colour that coats her lips, drawing much attention to them, mostly from males though a few women give her looks as well.

Amara is bold, beautiful and a born seductress. It gives her power over many, particularly men. She is the woman who will always leave an impression and she knows how to control others, using her looks to her advantage.

Eirene mostly won't, a few will admire her pretty yet plain almost delicate face/features for a few moments before their eyes wander over to the siren that is Amara. Then they will forget about Eirene instantly and go to pursue the more striking younger sister. 

It is because there is nothing about Eirene that instantly pulls you in the way Amara does and for a moment as Carina watches the two sisters and notes the hint of resentment on her face as Eirene is now watching Amara with a stony face, as Amara has now acknowledged the attention she is receiving.

It makes her feel a little pity for Eirene, despite Carina's own distaste for her. It also makes Carina feel odd as well, pity is not something she has felt in a while. Eirene is the forgotten Arron sister, Carina secretly thinks Eirene wasn't meant to born to this family. The oldest Arron sister would likely have thrived in different circumstances, being an Arron certainly isn't for everyone.

But while Carina's mind has been focusing on the minor things of her surroundings, she has neglected to note that the trembling servants have finished assembling the poison food. And the fact that Pele is staring at her, her eyebrows raised almost waiting for an answer.

"Are you deaf?" She hears Octavia hiss angrily in her ear, "Pele called you up, it's time." 

Carina resists the urge to strike Octavia and automatically turns to Andrea for confirmation, dismissing Octavia instantly causing her to let out her usual scowl at the poisoner queen. 

Andrea only gives her a small nod and a casual tilt of her head towards her stage so obeying, Carina walks to her stage, Sheshu slithering in toe. It is an odd sight, such a large beast next to a small girl. The contrast only makes Carina that more impressive and intimidating.

The entire island sees it and so do the suitors, who all lean a little further forward, their eyes gleaming with anticipation at this beautiful strange girl, completely in sync with her slippery companion hissing quietly at her side. 

She ignores a few insults spat at her in hushed whispers from either Arwen or Nalani loyalists, they can talk about her all they want - when she is queen she will have their tongues ripped out, perhaps she will file her teeth down into fangs like Sheshu's and do the deed herself. The thought makes her quietly cackle a little. That would be a suit indeed - a poisoned queen with fangs, perhaps she would have them coated in poison as well. To be a true Viper Queen, as they all call her.

Carina now concentrates instead on the delicious smells wafting from certain dishes, with the different meats, drowning in gravy and herbs but instead keeps her face completely neural and cold as ice as she sits, a queen on her throne already from her manner and steel. 

She looks to the crowds of people, all different on colouring and attire. So many faces, so many cultures, so many differences yet so many similarities. The poisoners with their pale faces, sharp gazes and the bright venomous creatures covering them. The shadows with their harsh faces and their silver, white and black hair colours which are shades rather than true colours, blending seamlessly into the darkness.

The naturalists with their sun kissed faces from the labour to provide food and their familiars, ranging in size and power. The few oracles with their darting eyes and mystical expressions, a few have a single one of their braids coloured white as some oracles choose to do. Unusual but fierce in a way. The elementals with their fierce eyes and usually calm dispositions. The war gifted with their agile bodies and their many assortments of weapons.

Carina smirks at one brunette warrior who has a beautiful dagger strapped casually to her side. It is so pretty and makes Carina long as she occasionally does that she had been born war gifted, forged with steel and blood. 

These are to be her people. She has never fully realised until now that she will one day rule the entire island and be responsible for every last man, woman and child. The responsibility makes her feel heavy inside.

A warm feeling spreads through Carina, almost a desire to protect. She is not sure. But it is very strange. She's only thought about all the death so far, her having to kill her sisters but she has never thought about what's she's gaining - a throne, a queendom but also thousands of subjects. 

As the realisation settles on her Carina realises that her sleeve has nearly gone into the sauce while she's been staring into space and jolts her head a little as she now pays attention to the feast of poison is front of her and Carina then listens patiently as the priestesses take the lids of each dish, reading out the names and the poisons in them. This is the boring part.

It's almost identical to her birthday Gave Noir, mostly the same meats, only with a higher poison content in the entire feast to make it more impressive. 

There are hemlock hens drowning in gravy, surrounded by several small toxic mushrooms and many castor beans. Dark wine laced with belladonna, making it sugary sweet yet famously fatal. Hunks of beef with white snakeroot traces in the meat, the poison having been fed to the cow while it was alive, tainting the meat of the cow and its milk. There is also more meat, slabs of chewy lamb that has been glazed with an oleander sauce and surrounded by mandrake roots. Familiar scorpions lay on the table, with the venom trapped in their tails and they even have some monkshood on them to make them even more toxic. 

There's also a rosary pea soup which even has a little of Sheshu's own venom for extra seasoning. Carina will save that dish for last, it has the most poison and she will relish it. The chefs for the poison meal have out done themselves with this, she must find out their names - they will have to cater her meals in the Volroy when she finally takes her place as the rightful queen crowned.

Carina doesn't realise Andrea has come to stand next to her seat until the matriarch stars to speak the familiar words, 

"Are you hungry Queen Carina?"Andrea asks, with a smug smile of her face as if she already knows how much of a success the feast will be. 

Carina only smiles, a wicked gleam in her eyes,  "I am ravenous." 

— 

Niklaus watches Carina from the front row below her stage, she has been doing perfectly and going at a good pace. Ripping the meats apart with her bare hands rather than cutlery, the sauces streaming down her face and hands, staining her pretty black dress.

But nobody looks on in disgust; the poisoners look gleeful as she goes through each poison dish and the suitors eyes are wide with awe at this girl, with a monstrous beast as her companion and how she eats the amount poison fit for killing hundreds with as much ease as breathing. 

In the beginning many looked apprehensive about Carina's performance, many with distrusting eyes as they had looked for any cracks in Carina - they found none much to some of their displeasure. Many of them hoped the Arrons ward would fail, many still resent the poisoners from the time of their dynasty, such long reigns, so many poisoner queens. And Katharine the Undead even caused the Queens War by being an incompetent and ruthless ruler.

It doesn't surprise Niklaus that the people find no cracks in Carina in terms of power, he has always known her strong she truly is, if only she didn't hide behind her wicked games.

But he will save her and help her become queen crowned. He hasn't known her long but he fancies her, even cares about her a little. It is hard not to love queens, they aren't like anyone else. There's something about a queen that draws everyone in, but liking or even loving a queen is a dangerous game indeed. Carina is far more dangerous than any girl he's ever encountered.

A smile find its way onto his face widens as Niklaus watches her move onto the rosary pea soup, flavoured with Sheshu's own venom; he knows that Carina's performance will end soon and will have been a roaring success.

He looks to the suitor's again as all of the foolish foreigners have started smirking, watching Carina with the same hunger that swims beneath his own icy eyes.  He himself, stares at his queen the most intensely, for Carina is magnificent.

However, everyone had been so fixated on the queen that no one noticed the small girl coming closer to Carina's stage like a snake in the shadows, like a ripple in amongst stationery waves. 

The small girl with sun-kissed skin moves through the crowds seamlessly, without creating any disturbance as her agile body weaves in and out of the islanders with ease.

Soon she is beneath Carina's stage, then she leaps onto it and even as the first of the poisoner guards start to react the girl is already upon Carina like wildcat; only a flash of colour as she hoists herself up on the Gave Noir table, knocking the sauce/food residue flying everywhere, clearing her path towards the poisoner queen. 

A flash of silver is all anyone sees, as the tanned girl slides a hidden knife out from her sleeve, gripping it as she brings the weapon across towards Carina's unprotected heart.

There is blood.

Then the screaming begins.