"It is officially the Ascension," Andrea says with a red lipped smile. Cosmetics all over her face as is the trend with all her dinner guests. All in finery with happy expressions at the notion of hope that Queen Carina brings to their futures.

They all celebrate their possible prospects, especially as Andrea is eager to put Beltane behind her. And she doesn't have to worry about Cierra's little plan to assassinate her anymore, Ebony told her that Cierra put a hold on her plans after all the chaos. So, Andrea did the same. It is an interesting game her and Cierra play. To see who kills the other first.

But for now everyone is focused on one thing. Carina killing her sisters.

In fact the people around this table are so ambitious and ruthless that Nalani and Arwen may find themselves with a poisoned blade at their throats held by one of the Arrons. Ambitious yes but also hopelessly desperate - Carina knows they will do anything to ensure her reign, even cheat during the Ascension which is a crime punishable by death. Except the Arrons wouldn't get caught, not when their sleight of hand is masterful - a little poisoner trick they were all taught as children.

Tonight however is just a family dinner. With the exception of one guest, Melinda Marlowe - a spy of Andrea's who has infiltrated Umbra. Not that there's much to report expect Queen Arwen and that dory suitor's obvious affections for each other.  Andrea wonders faintly if she can use that to her advantage. Always working an angle is how she operates.

The dinner itself is also to discuss plans, strategies and celebrate this landmark in history - the first steps to Queen Carina's reign. To restoring poisoner power.

They will take back their positions on the Black Council and take back their city of Indrid Down. It belonged to them for generations. Andrea still remember the tales that her spiteful great grandmother, Genevieve, always spoke of when Andrea was a little girl.

Recalling the days of both Queen Camille, Katharine the Undead and Queen Arsinoe. The old crone technically lived to see three queen crowned sit on the island's throne and sat on the Black Council of both Katharine and Arsinoe. Even if Katharine's reign was only short.

Nobody even speaks of the assassination attempt and Carina is glad. It is best to move on. Especially since the perpetrator has been slain by Carina's hand. She took that responsibility as a queen.

Funnily enough people are more sympathetic to Carina and dislike her a little less now her own assassination attempt overshadows the one of Nalani's, people were quick to blame her but now the people reconsider, perhaps thinking that some are determined to paint the poisoner queen in a dark light.

And they respect her as she chose a quick death rather than handing the girl to a poisoner mob. And of course her initial Gave Noir was a success, her performance made a lasting impression with that night's event especially since Carina had more poisons in her dish than any poisoner queen's Gave Noir before her - extra additions that she ordered Andrea to do. To set a legacy and a record both.

The immediate family is here today in Prynn Manor at their sprawling dinner table, with a beautiful intricate table cloth of emerald, purple and gold. Andrea instructed the kitchen to make everyone's favourite meals and to bring out their grandest and oldest silverware set. All ancient and expensive, bought in the years where they profited and controlled the whole island. The glory days.

All her children are sat today. Amara. Niklaus. Silas. Adrion. And Eirene. A rare occasion to see all of them together. Especially as the brothers are rarely around, they stay with the Vends usually, their family on their late father's side. The children are all clothed in various emeralds and purples as Andrea instructed with the colour theme of tonight.

Purple, so the traditional colour of the poisoners is represented but some also wear green to honour Carina personally, the same shade of bright green of Sheshu's scales. Traditionally, green is considered the colour of the naturalists but since there is no naturalist queen they see no harm in claiming the colour for themselves.

Various snakes and deathstalker scorpions drugged to their finery, perfect accessories for a perfect poisoner gathering. And of course her sister Octavia sits to her left and Queen Carina at her right, Sheshu wrapped around her pale bare shoulders, a vibrant accessory to her pretty sleeveless dress, queens blacks of course as is tradition.

Her brother, Vincent, also sits further down the table
along with his wife, Madeleine Bethal, who has made a rare appearance along with his two children, Lydia and Kol - his daughter, still very young and already looking bored at this grand family event. Kol is older, around sixteen and his gift has fully developed as is expected; Lydia's has still barely developed, although it has started to a little quite recently much to Andrea's delight. Her niece is a favourite of hers, reminding her of when Amara was a child.

Since Lydia is still a small child, she is the only one with taintless dishes of roast duck, parsnips, parsley and potatoes with gravy, though the gravy itself has a hint of crushed foxglove. Disgustingly plain but she is only a child, hence why she only has a hint of poison in her dish. No need for her to sicken and stain the dinner cloth, it is rather expensive.

Everyone else at the table has poison soaked in every meal, every bit of seasoning and in every wine glass. Except from Eirene, her food is only slightly seasoned with poison - her gift can't handle the amount of poison in each dish.

But only Andrea knows that, they can't have everyone knowing how weak Eirene is compared to the rest, especially not Melinda. An ally though she may be she's still a Marlowe. Anyone who is not an Arron is not to be trusted with key secrets that could threaten the stability of the family and their reputation among the poisoners.

However, for the rest of the brood, even though the last queen was a war one, their power has not faded from the generations of poisoner queens before them. So poison is in every meal they eat. But if they fail to get a poisoner queen on the throne that will fade, the oracles are proof of that.

"It is the start of the rise of our queen Carina, where we will take back what is ours and restore our family's glory and legacy," Andrea says which gets murmurs and claps of agreement. Everyone, even sour Eirene, is excited. This is their opportunity to rise again. Melinda smiles politely, she is more excited to have the strength of poisoners rejuvenated than the Arrons to rise again.

Andrea raises her glass of wine, tainted with mistletoe berries and all her guests follow suit.

"To the Ascension and to Queen Carina," Andrea says smoothly with a smile.

"To Queen Carina," they all echo, having a sip from their wine glasses.

After Queen Carina begins to eat, they all begin their meals as well. It is only etiquette to allow the queen to eat first. Everyone tucks in using their hands as usual for the meats in particular. Strange table manners considering the poisoner's eloquence in all other matters. However they use their silverware for the rest of the food, mostly the soups and potatoes. A few servants sit at every point of the enormous dining room, handkerchiefs and wine at the ready, waiting to be called on at a moment's notice.

Everyone digs in to the various feasts. It is so grand that it could almost be considered a Gave Noir. There are stacks of dark belladonna berries coated in pure sugar. Venison stew with rosary peas where the meat has been seasoned with oleander and roasted duck stuffed with hemlock with wild fried mushrooms as a side dish, coated in butters and salt.

And potatoes seasoned with poison oak of course with various castor beans, roasted jimsomweed, bloodroot salad including crushed rhubarb leaves and a white snakeroot sauce coating the lot. Deliciously morbid. These meals could kill an entire legion of soldiers. But to poisoners it is nothing. What means death for others provides them with life. It is rather poetic, if a little morbid. Their gift is unique and special.

Queen Carina isn't that hungry though and is wary. Her gift has been getting stronger again lately. Slightly. Still not enough to demolish the whole feast. She doesn't know why the Goddess abandons her at times. Perhaps even the divine high-being has grown tired of poisoners winning. It isn't fair, odds are stacked against her simply because of her gift and due to her Arron upbringing. She didn't choose this life but she wouldn't change her gift for anything. But she admits it would have been nice to have been raised by a kinder family but that's a foolish dream.

Carina subtly stays clear of the oleander venison and rosary pea stew, so high in its toxicity. Instead she goes to the roasted duck with its toxic stuffing in the centre, she will eat a bit of the poison in it. Build up her strength again. Do her own poison training. Octavia would be the first to volunteer if Andrea allowed her, Octavia used to be like that to Carina when she was a child. Horrible. Spiteful. Cruel. Though in recent years the tables have turned, especially with Sheshu growing so large - Octavia now fears Carina a little.

No one can know that she is not at her full strength and if anyone does she will kill them, that information in the hands of her enemies could be detrimental. She cannot afford to trust anyone or to be soft hearted. To survive she must be strong and ruthless, make it so no one will dare rise against her.

After the initial demolishing of the feast people started to slow with the consummation, starting to chat. About all their business affairs and various ventures. And of course the three queens, people always like to gossip about royals, especially if the triplets cycle is particularly interesting.

Adrion is particularly animated as he recalls his travels, one of three Arron sons who mainly grew up with governesses from their father's old household, the Vends. Andrea was not a good mother, completely prioritising her daughters and she had always hoped Eirene, as the oldest, would show potential or that her gift was just late. But alas her expectations were never fulfilled.

Funny how Eirene and Niklaus are twins but were essentially raised separately and Niklaus is a male yet has a stronger gift. Embarrassing for both Andrea and Eirene in the eyes of the upper class of Prynn. Poisoners can be harsh and unflinching.

Carina doesn't notice the stare of Silas Arron, the quietest son yet equally as cunning, until she looks up from her potatoes.

"So Carina," he begins, setting down his glass of may wine, "we're all desperately curious to know of your plans."

"Plans?" She says as a few conversations at the table stop as they turn towards her. They are all interested in gossip about their queen most of all, naturally. Their gazes are all a little cutting though, it makes her feel pressurised.

Silas raises an eyebrow with one of those cunning smiles of his, "yes plans, for killing your sisters of course."

That makes every single person at the table have their eyes on her completely. Now everyone is entirely intrigued. Even sullen Eirene. Even Madeleine, Vincent's wife, who is sharp as anything and notoriously hard to impress. She barely comes to family events, only going with her husband and children today for Queen Carina. Madeleine is a Bethal, not as prominent as the Arrons, Vends or Marlowes but they still have relevance.

"I think that perhaps I will concoct something peaceful for Arwen, something quick and efficient so it will look like she has simply fallen asleep," Carina explains and she means it.

Arwen may be a rival but she is an outsider and Carina can sympathise to that. And Carina sees the way that Cierra Raduron acts, she suspects Arwen's life hasn't been easy so she will be merciful and give Arwen an easy death at least.

"And what about that rather popular Fire Queen in Rolanth," Amara pipes up, with a challenging stare in her pale eyes. Her use of words is so purposeful. As always. Referring to Nalani as "Fire Queen" and "popular" just to remind Carina how unpopular she herself is. It makes Carina want to throw a butter knife between Amara's pretty eyes.

Such a caring ally, Carina resist to urge to roll her eyes at that bitch and instead gives her a Cheshire Cat smile right back.

"Ah yes Nalani," Carina muses, not letting the rage she feels towards the elemental queen meet her eyes, "perhaps a poison that will feel like she is burning from the inside, perhaps a few burst blood vessels to make her look truly grotesque, a fitting end to the so called Fire Queen don't you agree Amara?"

Amara only nods stiffly, sipping her wine while Eirene stares at her coldly; Adrion chuckles with approval, Silas smiles as he paints the image in his mind. While Niklaus looks at her with an emotion Carina can't place, she's not sure whether she likes it or not.

Amara watches that look between them as well with keen eyes and on the inside she smiles. Her dear brother looks at Queen Carina as though she is the bejewelled centrepiece of his world. How strange. But while she observes the queen she does not quite return the sentiment, Carina looks wary but Amara still notes it mentally, perhaps she can use it later.

"Do you plan to poison those other wretched queens within the month?" Madeleine pipes up and people turn to her surprised, even her own husband, everyone knows she is a quiet yet strict one. For some reason Andrea likes that about her sister in law, she doesn't put on facades like everyone else, you know what to expect from Madeleine.

Carina considers it for a moment and wonders if she can actually pull it up. A few months ago she would have said yes with such certainty and confidence. But with her gift this temperamental it feels like a set back and she is less self assured. But she can't let them see that, especially not the Arrons. No one could see how weak she is truly becoming.

But a month? That would be a feat indeed. Only the strongest poisoner queens do that, she would be revered and worshipped by the poisoners and perhaps others if she could pull that off.

So Carina puts on a mask as she gives one of her arrogant, wicked, serpentine smiles,

"Of course," she remarks, her voice so smooth and dozing with confidence, "they shall be easy prey for me, none of you need worry, I will find ways to infiltrate their homes with some special poison treats or I will simply arrange a duel, a hunt, an event where I can bring them down, for my reign is approaching and our power will soon be restored."

Madeleine nods sharply, seemingly satisfied as she inclines her red hairs head towards her, "well that is good news, the last queen we got was weak but you, you're different," she remarks, pointing at Carina, "you are strong, I look forward to the restoration of the poisoner era under you my queen."

"Hear hear," Adrion calls out, raising a glass which prompts others to do the same as everyone smiles and laughs, falling back into conversation as they fill their stomachs with toxins and delicacies.

And the flow of mistletoe wine never stops as everyone is merry. Well as merry as poisoners can be. Save for one. Eirene as usual. The bore.

After a few more moments Carina excuses herself, though no one pays much mind as everyone is observed in their own jokes and superficial conversations. She intends to freshen up a little and take Sheshu off her shoulders as after all the snake is rather heavy and is making her neck ache. She sets the snake down in the halls and carries on to one of the many large Arron bathrooms

She didn't expect to be interrupted and almost jumps out of her skin when Eirene opens the door to the bathroom and enters. At that Carina puts her powder away in her pocket as she sees Eirene staring at her in the mirror and she turns around.

"Eirene," Carina says warily, facing the other poisoner, "what do you want?"

"Why would I want anything from you?" Eirene asks with her usual impassive expressions which makes Carina raise an eyebrow.

"You followed me in here so naturally I assumed you wanted something," Carina says, starting to scowl at Eirene being so aloof. What does she actually want?

Carina feels uncharacteristically uncomfortable, she hasn't spent any time with Eirene alone since they were children, the times when they were very close - like sisters in fact. But times have changed, Amara came between them creating cracks that couldn't be mended and Carina at the time was too naive to spot that. But it is too late now.

"Well this is my house as well, as equally as it is yours, if not more so," Eirene says, "so I can move around it as I like, I remember the times when we would explore the Manor together, play games and the like."

Carina crosses her arms, not wishing to reminisce on her childhood memories,

"If you actually have a point to make other than recalling irrelevant childhood memories can you just make it?" Carina says feeling odd. If Eirene wants to make her feel guilty for forsaking her as a child and replacing her as a friend with Amara then can she just get it over with.

"I just wanted a conversation to reflect, things are rather going well for you at the moment, you survived that assassination attempt and dealt with it fairly, winning a little of the people's favour, my family and this whole city are in the palm of your hand and yet, you have a secret, a weakness," Eirene says, just a hint of smile appearing at her face as she looks at Carina who actually looks a little unnerved,

"I've been watching you see, though I doubt you or anyone else noticed, for who would notice me?" She says, tilting her head, "The irrelevant Arron, the weak Arron, the broken Arron. No," she smiles coldly, "No one bothers to look in my direction but that's precisely why I can pay attention so very well as I quietly observe everyone, learning their secrets as they themselves give it away without realising," she says, pausing, "much like you Carina, your behaviour tonight confirmed it."

Carina just laughs, letting her mask fall upon her face as the venomous and confident side of her protects her,

"All I hear is the ramblings of a lunatic," she remarks coldly, "you claim to know a weakness yet you haven't specified anything, you claim I myself gave it away which is preposterous, you know nothing of me Eirene so I suggest you stop pretending as if you do."

"Don't I?" Eirene challenges coldly, "the way you ate your food tonight was very carefully planned, you conveniently ate the parts of the feast containing the least amount of poison, every time, and I know you've been having headaches recently, feeling a bit under the weather which makes me wonder a little and begs the question," she pauses, raising an eyebrow dramatically,

"has the Goddess abandoned you at your time of need, has your gift deserted you just at the time you need to be strong, I wonder what would happen if your sisters found this out, that wouldn't be very good for you, if the whole island found out that you are easy quarry, a sitting duck ready to be slaughtered, that kind information in the wrong hands could be detrimental to you."

At that Carina snaps and she whips out the small knife she carries on her at all times and presses it against Eirene's throat which sparks a glimmer of fear in her eyes but not a major reaction. Ah so Eirene is trying to shield her true emotions. What a game player she's become, so fast to reveal her true colours.

"Don't you dare try to threaten me Eirene and if say a word about my gift to anyone I will slit your throat you in the dead of night, I don't care who are you, I don't care what we used to be best friends as children, I will kill you without blinking, think on that," Carina snarls, barely resisting the urge to draw blood.

She is furious. Eirene the bore? More like Eirene the manipulative bitch, she's proven to be even worse than Amara. A wolf in sheep's clothing.

After years being raised by the Arrons and being told it is kill or be killed, Carina doesn't care about anyone really. Eirene is a fool indeed if she thinks Carina won't kill her if she dares try and control her. She is a queen. She will not be manipulated by lesser beings and she stopped giving a damn about Eirene long ago.

At that Eirene just starts laughing maniacally, it is uncontrollable and brings a glimmer of fear to Carina's enraged onyx eyes.

"What are you laughing at?" She spits, her tone so venous that it makes Eirene pause.

"Well what I said before was just a theory but your outburst just confirmed it," Eirene says cruelly and Carina lowers her knife, backing away with a stony face, "see I told you that your behaviour tells me everything I need to know," she taunts and it makes Carina scowl even more. If Eirene wasn't careful Carina would cut out her tongue to make her shut up, "for someone who is rather manipulative you're not very good at seeing when you yourself are falling victim to it."

Taking a deep breath Carina doesn't have another outburst and just leans back on the wall, smiling,

"Well well Eirene do you want a round of applause," she says mockingly, "do you want to be praised on your only skilll, observation," she sneers, "it's a pity the Arrons don't value your mediocre talent otherwise maybe you would actually be loved by your family," she says, taking some twisted delight as Eirene's face falls a little,

"maybe Amara wouldn't be standing to inherit the power that is rightfully yours as the oldest and maybe you would actually some degree of relevance to well anyone, but we both know one truth," Carina says softly, so swept up in her rage that she has no qualms about any of her words,

"no one cares about you Eirene and you've carried a grudge for years because I chose to replace you as my friend with Amara all those years ago, I am at fault a little for that but it turns out you have quite a manipulative little sister, as it turns out you both share that trait," she pauses, looking Eirene in the eye,

"perhaps you are bitter because I once cared about you, viewed you as both a friend and a sister but you still weren't enough, you probably ask yourself why, why, does everyone like Amara better, well it's simple really, she has strength that you have never possessed along with an actual personality," Carina remarks, letting out a wicked little chuckle,

"but go ahead, tell my sisters of what you believe, it's only a theory, little more than chaff in the wind without concrete proof, the people saw me at the Gave Noir at Beltane, saw my strength, no one will believe you and anybody, even your own flesh and blood, would take my word over yours."

"So go ahead, try and blackmail me or bring me down, give it your best shot I dare you," Carina croons, "because you will inevitably fail and then I will turn this entire family against you, barely having a poisoner gift in your family is a disgrace enough, but if you tried to bring down their only hope of getting restored to their former and then got thrown out on the streets then that would be a pity though not for your family as they will likely thank me for providing an excuse to get rid of you," she finishes smiling sweetly,

"was there anything you wanted to add dear?"

Eirene shakes her head stiffly, tears staining her face as she stands in silence for a few moments.

"You're right," she admits coldly, "and you're a cruel heartless bitch Carina," she spits, wiping her tears.

"Good," Carina responds, "Thats how I need to be to surivive, perhaps thinks were different when I was young, when I was kind, but I am not a child anymore and neither are you, don't hold on to a childish notion of our past friendship because it will get you nowhere with me."

"I see that," Eirene says and slowly admits her defeat begrudgingly,"and I won't reveal your secret."

"I know you won't," Carina says, "because you know what I do to people who go against me, Kaya Milone is proof of that, I know you were probably excited about having a weapon against me, power over a queen but you nor anyone else will ever have any jurisdiction over me."

That is true. Carina has no cares for anyone of them, she doesn't particularly care about anyone. And that makes life so much easier. No weaknesses for anyone to exploit. No one who can persuade her away from her beliefs or decisions with emotions and guilt trips.

Eirene nods, opting for her usual silence but before she leaves she turns to Carina,

"I miss the girl you were," she says, with such regret that it makes Carina drop her mask for a second.

But she casually shrugs,

"many will," Carina says cooly, "she was easier to kill."

With that Eirene spun on her heels, leaving the large bathroom, slamming the door as she did so and Carina scowls.

Apparently she faces threats even from within her camp. From even the weakest of them all, Eirene for Goddess' sake. Is there no one she can trust? Or even pretend to trust?

She knows the answer to that. It is without a doubt, no. Carina knows the only person she can trust is herself, especially as she weakens. The only person who would look out for Carina is Carina. A lesson she learns over and over again with everyone around her.

The poisoners all want something from her, her to win so they can gain more power. Andrea wants to be Head of the Black Council under Carina. Amara wants to gain more respect and wealth, by worming her way closer to Carina presenting herself as an ally when she's just as superficial as the rest. Eirene is a bitter loose canon. Adrion and Silas are just excited at the prophecy of their side winning.

And Niklaus. Pff well.Niklaus has been trying to charm her and make her trust him. But surely he just wants the prospect of political power when Carina ascends to the throne.

No one cares about her. Not truly. Carina would be fully glad if only that did not make her feel so utterly alone and helpless. And she despises it. But she has learnt to live with it and it has its benefits.

But it's so much easier to have them fear you than to love you. Like Eirene for example, she surely hates Carina now and is terrified of her. But that ensures she will not rise against Carina ever again. And Carina had secretly been terrified when Eirene revealed her secret, but acting confident and self assured is more convincing than anything. Showing the other person that she will not be bullied, threatened or manipulated. And that any information anyone has on her she can turn around to her favour, show them that she can hurt them more than they could ever hurt her.

It is all she knows. What else is she supposed to do? Reason with Eirene? No. Eirene just wanted a taste of the power her family has, the power she could get by holding a sword over a queen poised to drop at any moment. Carina does not reason with her adversaries she goes straight for the kill, either metaphorically or literally. Fast. Efficient action.

But again. What else is Carina supposed to do? Pretend she knows anything about love, kindness and family? She knows nothing of that. All she has is herself.

Carina has been surrounded by snakes her entire life so her only option was to be pray or to become the biggest and most deadliest snake of all. She chose the latter long ago. And she will stick to it.

Through her reign. Through her life. Until she dies. Because that is how she has survived all this time. Survived. Not lived. She hasn't truly lived at all, just had a miserable existence that she cannot walk away from. She is now a monster, made that way by her environment.

Born into a crown that she has to fight for along with her life. Perhaps it would all be easier if she simply allowed herself to be killed. Solving her problems by stopping them completely. A cowards way out. But still, for a second she considers it as she reflects on how desperately alone she is and will always be.

And that makes a single tear fall from her eye. Followed by more tears.

Until she can't stop crying at all.