Sharp jabs of pain to the head is what wakes Carina up with a start and she instantly scowls.

More of these blasted headaches which plague her occasionally. She's tried different concoctions, even making a few of her own but nothings worked so far.

She is too proud to bother Andrea with it, who likely would whip up a healing remedy in no time. Poisoners can be great healers after all. That's what Andrea told her once but didn't elaborate much on it. But most, including herself, only bother with brewing and handling poisons.

Why would a queen such as she bother with learning how to heal anyways? No. Poisons are much more helpful, especially with her upcoming Ascension. And she will always have the best healers available once she is queen crowned.

Still, she would like something to cure these dreadful headaches but at the same time she lectures herself not to be weak. Pain should not affect her so much if she had had more poisoner training as a child. But Andrea strangely never insisted upon it. Of course she was educated on all manner of toxics, venoms and poison and how to brew them.

But Carina never really built up her tolerance. Andrea told her that her gift was simply always there so she didn't need poisoner training. Perhaps that was a mistake as Carina's gift is temperamental these days. As much as she wishes she could she can't trust it, she's scared the Goddess will snatch Carina's gift back into her jaws where all of the dead queens gifts lie and their bodies with them.

Taking a deep breath, Carina manages to roll out of bed. Her hideously extravagant and detail four poster bed. Even the sheets and furs on it are black. The queens colours. And Carina snorts at that. Black is hardly a colour at all.

She wraps her dark silk robe around herself, it has a large snake sewn on the back - based of Sheshu and it was specially commissioned for her.

Yet another extravagant possession. Courtesy of the Arrons. Even with their fallen standing they still have years of wealth to fall back on. And they do treat her well. They provide only the best for their own and their future queen crowned of course. But they just like to bathe in their privilege and demonstrate it constantly with everything they do. Their clothes, their food even with the eloquence of their words.

They love to look down on people like the naturalists. But they are good honest people living off the land, they don't need finery or jewels.  Still, Carina would not like to be covered in dirt constantly so some aspects of being a naturalist, like farming, really doesn't appeal. But she thinks she would find a little comfort in being a naturalist, nature always makes her feel calmer.

Andrea tells her to relish in luxury and that it is only appropriate for poisoners. Ah yes. Poisoners do love wearing fancy clothes and pretty jewellery, all to hide to deceit and corruption they truly harbour. But that's the game. And to wear your heart on your sleeve in any way is a mistake.

Sighing, Carina goes over to her dresser and starts brushing her smooth and straight black locks. Her hair never has so much as a wave or a curl in it but the Arrons like that, they say it's neat and refined.

She brushes her hair through a few dozen times before applying some of Klaude's perfume gift to her wrist and sniffing it for a moment. Such a pretty blend of poisons. She doesn't even mind if it reacts on her skin. Who knows with her gift?

She then puts the perfume down and dresses herself; contrary to Arron belief she doesn't need servants for anything. And Carina doesn't want to disturb Selene, she holds fondness for that maid. She's one of the only people who is a genuine person in this house. Or in Prynn generally.

It doesn't take long for her to put on a new dress for the day and she walks over to her mirror as she often does. Her days can often be repetitive, Andrea does not like her going into the town often but she is free to roam the woods.

Carina starts to study herself as she often does, her hair is still loose, falling down in a sheet of black that rests down on her strapless black dress, that leaves her pale arms and her collarbone exposed. 

She supposes that she is like a drawing, as every colour is just a collection of shades. Her robe and hair are the darkest of black but her eyes are depthless pools of obsidian like a spider's eyes or a doll's eyes.

All of those are shades of black and the rest of her porcelain skin is practically white because she is so pale. Black and white, the only colours she ever sees in herself. Her nails and lips are the only exception, her nails are a pale pink while her lips are the darkest of red, like her lips have harboured all the blood within her. 

Without thinking she puts her arm into the cage and lets her black mamba slid up her arm and onto her shoulder; it leaves a cool pleasant sensation wherever it slithers. It is a little live snake bracelet. Pretty but toxic. Completely poisoner. Delightful. She will always favour Sheshu but she still feels at ease with this little creature. Soon Carina picks it up again and lets it curls around her hand.

"You are such a pretty little thing," she whispers to it and its forked tongue flickers out in response, "pretty but deadly and as dark as night, darker than any of the bright stars and constellations which haunt it." 

She smiles as it keeps curling around her arm and hand,  "Scorpius is my favourite constellation," she says to herself, recalling her reading on astrology, "Scorpius seems like a fitting name for you my little pet."

Scorpius seems to hiss in agreement and she sets him down carefully in his cage and shuts it. Not risking leaving him out in the open. He's not trained properly yet and goddess knows how that shadow-loving mainlander fool, Klaude, trained him. Poorly without a doubt. What does he knows of poison and training an animal born with it?  She's not afraid of him biting her though, no snake has ever dared.

She sits in silence for a moment as she starts to study herself once again. Not to admire her beauty but to scrutinise herself, searching for imperfections. She cannot help it, it's a habit.

She is as wicked and sharp as glass but Carina is afraid that it someone presses to hard then she will shatter. That's how she feels inside but on the outside she puts on her mask, fakes a smile and carries on. It's exhausting at times but it is the only way to survive life as life a queen and a poisoner. But still, she feels empty at times. Like a shell of a human. She wonders if her sisters feel the same. But then again, as children of the Goddess they aren't exactly human.

A knock at the door is what startles her from her scrutinising and Carina narrows her eyes irritably as she mutters a reluctant, "enter."

So the door opens and in skulks Amara which instantly makes Carina roll her eyes.

What does the Arron want?

Amara is dressing in a pretty jade green number today, with white patterns covering the bodice, sleeves and hem. Now she has probably been out to the town with Charlotta Vend, her favourite companion. Or perhaps one of the Marlowe sisters. Not really her friends. No Amara doesn't have friends, only associates and a string of boys all left with broken hearts.

Amara is popular among poisoners, both due to her beauty, her strong gift and her cunning. She has no shortage of friends much to Eirene's jealousy though Carina can't help but feel a little sympathy for the forgotten Arron - she doesn't fit into the poisoner society at all.

"What do you want Amara?" Carina questions suspiciously, wanting to get this over and done with.

Amara only sets herself down on Carina's plump little onyx couch, helping herself to a dish of forgotten belladonna berries before she finally deigns to answer.

"Why do you assume I want something?" She questions with a false look of innocence dancing around in her blue eyes, "can't I visit my dear queen out of the goodness of my heart?"

Carina laughs at that, setting herself down on her second couch and faces Amara, "the goodness of your heart? Don't lie to yourself now," Carina says as her tone grows more serious, "I'm really not in the mood for yours games Amara."

Amara simply pops yet another berry into her mouth, opening her mouth so wide she almost looks like a snake unhinging her jaws,  "don't be boring Rina, Charlotta and Maeve were so bland this morning, they're both hungover from our night out yesterday, I thought you at least would entertain me."

Carina rolls her eyes. Of course. Her, Charlotta Vend and Maeve Marlowe. A dangerous trio indeed. The daughters of all the wealthiest poisoner families and since they're all about the same age, they've been inseparable for years. With their scheming and games.

She doesn't mind Amara sometimes. But generally she doesn't trust her and doesn't particularly like her. Ironically, she would prefer more honest friends but there is a shortage in the poisoner city.

"You thought wrong," Carina says coldly, examining her nails and disregarding Amara completely which ruffles the young Arron's feathers.

"Fine, fine," Amara says with a roll of her eyes as she stands up and walks towards Carina, making a small bottle appear from nowhere, a classic poisoner trick, as she extends her hand towards Carina, "here I brought you something to help with the headaches."

Hmm. Carina forget she told Amara that. Interfering nuisance. If she wants help she'll ask.

"You've brought me those before and they taste disgusting," Carina says, going back to examining her nails.

"Don't be such a baby Rina," Amara says with a chuckle that doesn't quite meet her eyes, "I know meals or drinks without toxins taste simply awful but Beltane is the day after next and we can't have you feeling ill now can we."

Carina only smiles so sweetly it's almost sickly, "if I take it will you shut up and get out."

Amara sighs, "goddess you're in a mood this morning," and Carina raises an eyebrow to which Amara sighs again, "but yes, I'll go if my presence is really that unwanted."

Finally Carina snatches the bottle from Amara's hand and as she uncaps the stopper she says, "I know it's a foreign concept to you but not everyone needs your presence."

Amara scoffs and looks down at Carina with a annoyed gleam in her eyes, "ouch."

Carina ignores it. She doesn't care today. Her head hurts and she wants to be alone. It barely takes her seconds to down the contents of the small bottle and she instantly cringes at the bitter taste as she swallows it and then quickly rushes to her nightstand to have a glass of water.

Poisoners often have several drinks and bowls of fruits always on hand. Most are poisonous but sometimes water is the only thing that will truly suffice.

Setting her glass down she turns to Amara and gestures to the door and nods her head. Getting the message Amara let's out a dramatic ohh before she saunters out, her ice blonde plait swaying as she steps.

Carina just goes back to her couch and sits there for another half hour. Occasionally drinking some water and occasionally stroking Sheshu who entered soon after Amara's departure, her stomach full of mice no doubt.

And she is so still and so silent, feeling numb and not really aware of how much time has passed. No doubt Amara has warned Andrea and Octavia of Carina's foul mood today and they've decided to leave her alone. A wise decision.

Eirene is likely in the library, reading is her favourite hobby.

Silas and Adrion are likely in town, still getting reacquainted with Prynn. Those two are barely at the Manor these dats despite their return.

And Niklaus. She doesn't know. Carina hasn't seen him much since he promised that he would be a useful ally to her. Whatever that means. Useless boy.

Almost as if someone had heard her the doors knocks again and opens after a second but Carina can't be bothered to look towards it.

"I'm not apologising," Carina instantly starts and is surprised to hear a confused laugh.

"Apologise for what?" a male voice questions and Carina snaps her head towards.

Goody. It's Niklaus. Seems like every Arron is out to irritate her today.

"Oh," Carina says with surprise shaking her head, "I thought you were someone else."

Niklaus smirks at that, setting himself down on the couch casually in the same annoying manner Amara did earlier and Carina watches him, like he is a deer and she is a wolf.

"Amara perhaps?" He questions with amusement, running one hand through his short pale blonde hair as he spreads himself across the couch.

Amara must've complained to her older brother as well. That was to be expected though. Amara doesn't take any sort of rejection well. And with her looks, it's a rare occurrence. But Carina doesn't care what she looks like, though Amara is beautiful the poisoner queen sees through that.

"So she confided in you," Carina observes with a little bit of scorn.

He shakes his dead, "no but I heard her ranting to Octavia who lapped it up, you know how she is for gossip and ill will."

Carina let's a cold sound of amusement at that. Yes Octavia. Another nuisance. Andrea's sister is neither beauty or brains. Octavia is lucky she has a strong gift because she wouldn't be kept around for any other reason. She could easily become an outsider like Eirene.

But then Carina remembers that Niklaus is here. She wants to know why.

"Why are you here Niklaus?" Carina questions sceptically. She doesn't trust him, not since the woods incident where he purposefully lured her somewhere so he could try and charm her to seeing his alleged 'worth as an ally'.

"Here to see you of course," he says with a smooth smile.

"Don't be coy with me."

"Alright then," he says with another smile irritating smile, "I'm here to help you."

That does pipe both Carina's interest and amusement, "how could you possibly help me?" She questions, leaning back on her couch, still stroking a sleeping Sheshu who is draped across her like a blanket.

"We need to increase your popularity again so you can have good relations with the people which will make your transition to queen crowned easier," he says, serious for once. Seems he has thought about this quite a lot.

"I'm aware of this," Carina says, dismissing him, "I thought you said you were going to help."

"Yes, I meant what I said in the woods that day you know," he says, looking her in the eyes, "I want to be your ally."

"Allies tend to be useful," Carina states coldly, "so you don't qualify as one yet."

"I'm a poisoner, you're a poisoner, we're on the same side here, give me a chance," he sighs, trying to keep his cool at her attempts to provoke and shut him down, "look, there are two main different ways to win people over, bribery and having them put their faith in you."

Goody. He's reiterating lessons that Andrea has already taught her several times. She is not an amateur in politics and games, not growing up in a household such as this.

"We can't bribe all the island's people, even your family don't have enough money for that large a group and we have nothing to offer them all in terms of supporting my rule that they can't get from my sisters," Carina explains, "the people aren't fond of poisoners, we aren't as disliked as we were in our dynasty but we are still not favourites, even less so now when the fools believe I tried to kill my stupid sister early. Even with Beltane approaching the people would not consider it a show of strength, they would view it as crafty and underhanded, they believe I employed someone else to do my dirty work - which is worse," Carina snaps in frustration.

She can't win. She's not even queen crowned yet and the people dislike her already. Not a good start. She can't forget that the last time a poisoner queen was largely disliked it ended in the Queens War. Although Katharine the Undead was possessed by dead fallen queens. Still, Carina worries a little which is against her nature. Makes her feel uneasy.

"Carina, we don't have time to remedy this before Beltane but think about it, everyone will be in Innisfuil Valley, it is a great opportunity to turn people to your side," he says, with an eager excited look in his eye that reminds Carina a little of a puppy. A foolish puppy.

"I understand what you're trying to say but of course I may impress some with my Gave Noir but most wont change their minds, especially as Nalani and Arwen are sure to produce strong Quickening performances as well," Carina says. She doesn't even know what to expect from Arwen, this will be the first time anyone has seen a shadow openly display their gifts for centuries. People will be excited and have great expectations for the Quickening. And all three of them are relatively strong.

They say generations ago that the queensblood grew thin in each generation but since the poisoner dynasty stopped, gifts started growing stronger as if the Goddess was providing them with more power. Even with the last generation, Queen Halia was a competent warrior, she could move things with her mind like the old warriors used to. And now the war gifted have began to regain that aspect of their gift yet again.0

"Not just the Gave Noir, I think we should set something up," Niklaus proposes, "an accident of some sort and have you play the role of saviour to win the people's favour."

"And how do you intend to do that?" Carina questions, not with scorn this time but curiosity.

"I haven't thought about the logistics yet but if we stage a harmless accident to somebody and have you come in and save them in front of plenty of witnesses then they will carry stories of your bravery and selflessness and people will soon forget about the Nalani incident," Niklaus says, with such confidence in his voice she almost believes him.

Carina sits for a minute, considering it. The plan has merit. If it succeeded that would certainly boost her popularity, make her more likeable and have people side to her instead of Nalani or Arwen. But then again it holds great risk, if the potential accident went wrong and people find out that she set it up. Goddess. That will be awful. A mob might cut her head and arms off and throw her into the Beltane fires if she got caught in that scheme. Carina is being a little dramatic. But still.

"It's too risky," Carina eventually decides, "have you even ran this past Andrea?"

His silence gives her an answer. Of course he didn't. Andrea would never approve of such a brash plan.

"I thought not," Carina says coldly, "I know you have all these silly ideas of trying to help me to eventually raise your own social standing but I don't need you help."

Niklaus is silent for a minute again,

"I said I'll prove my worth and I will," he says finally, "I want to be your ally Carina, perhaps even your friend."

"I don't have friends," Carina says, a little amused.

"You will soon," Niklaus says, starting to regain some of his usual energy.

Carina only looks at him a moment more before she gets up. Sheshu had woken up long and disappeared but strangely she didn't notice.

"Where are you going?" He asks as he abruptly gets up as well and opens the door for her.

"To town, I want to pick up some confectionary for the journey to Innisfuil Valley," Carina says simply. She has always had a sweet tooth. And she loves the caramel chocolates in town, especially the ones coated in oleander sugar.

"Can I come with you?" He says almost nervously. Strange to see an Arron behave as such.

Before she has time to regret it she says,
"I suppose but only because I'm bored," Carina says, "if we're going to be friends I suppose we have to start somewhere."

He thanks her and the two head out in the black coach. She doesn't know why she let him accompany her. But she's heard being a queen crowned can be lonely.

And for once, maybe it would be nice to have a real friend. Or at least an ally.