Star Beings: Dawn

Dearest Corinna

"Another one of your tests, Cori?" I ask through gritted teeth.
"Just checking your reflexes, Ani!" Corinna yells, throwing a punch. I dodge the strike, and with a flick of my hand send Cori and the ground beneath her flying.
"And what did I do to provoke this little... altercation?" I ask, feigning ignorance in the hopes it will save my ass. Strangely enough, it works. Corinna stands, brushes herself off, and then looks at me as if nothing had happened.
"Dearest, I sometimes test my own brothers. It's just a precaution. Now, sit. I didn't come all the way out here just to try and stab you."

Cori and I have our picnic, occasionally pointing out plants or animals, or making jokes. It's calm and serene, and when we get back to the palace, she excitedly tells me that the seamstress was here. I had almost completely forgotten about the gala, and the fact that it was in two days.
Now, I'm standing stiffer than a mannequin while a seamstress takes measurements for my dress. Cori sits across from me, her ruby eyes scanning my body and my face.
It's as if I'm a statue on display, only for her to see. I don't mind it all that much, and I despise that. Corinna is my enemy, not my lover or girlfriend. But if she wasn't an enemy, if she wasn't absolutely insane and attempting to wipe out everyone else that I care for...
Well, I can't promise that I wouldn't be attracted to her.
And the strangest thing about all of this? I still care for Leigh. Actually, no. Fuck "care for". I love Leigh. I'll finally admit that, enough of being a spineless coward. But... Why do I like multiple people at once? Is this normal? Do I even really care? Should I even really care?
I decide the answer to those last two questions is one simple word: no. Then I move on, once again focusing on Corinna's face. I realize for the first time that her hair is almost the opposite of mine. Black with two streaks of bright red dye right upfront for the world to see. Her hair is chin length, and cleanly cut, as opposed to mine which has grown down to my shoulders, with some chunks being far longer than others thanks to my impromptu haircut from before I regained my memory.
Honestly, I really do need to do something with it. But I kind of don't want to. The fact that it's wild and uneven just represents how I've changed. I don't have to be perfect, my hair doesn't have to be pin-straight and even. I can just... be.
"Ok I believe I have all my measurements, Mrs. Timor," the seamstress says, snapping me out of my thoughts. I thank her quietly before walking over to Cori.
"Well that wasn't pleasant."
"Really? I quite enjoyed it."
"Shut up and go get your measurements done."
Corinna laughs and stands, kissing me softly on the cheek before trotting over to the seamstress.
I watch her go, a smile on my face that's about as real as the so-called "love" my father had for me.

Time flies by. Corinna grows ever closer to me, and eventually the night of the ball arrives.
I stare at myself in the mirror. I stare at my long black dress, at my golden jewelry, at my hair in its complicated braid.
It's like looking into a window to the past, and I hate it. That girl is dead, and yet here she is, staring at me again.
I've never felt more unlike myself in my life.
"Anaideia? Are you decent?"
I glance towards the door, only to find Cassius standing there with his eyes covered.
"Yeah...?"
"Oh. good." he moves his hand away and steps inside.
"Is that your formal hoodie?"
"Oh shut up. I've got on decent clothes under this, see?" the boy pulls off his jacket, revealing a black shirt with a vest over it underneath.
"And now your hair is fucked up. Does hairspray mean anything to you?" I ask, snatching the bottle from my dresser and walking over to the teenager.
"If you even try and spray me with that shit, I will bite."
"I thought you were the bird boy," I say with a smirk. Cassius glares at me before mumbling "peck didn't sound as threatening" and brushing past me. I close the door behind him.
"So, does Natalie know about tonight?"
"She and the other star beings are probably already waiting nearby if they aren't undercover as staff."
"Good. It's gonna be hilarious to watch Cori's reaction to her secret ball being ruined, although I'm sure she'll definitely smell a rat after tonight."
"Considering Natalie already knows Corinna's plans for the next three months, I'm not concerned."
That's a lie. I'm very concerned. If Corinna figures out there's another traitor, with me being the common denominator, I'm fucked. I may just die tonight, if I'm not careful
"Well I'm glad you're confident- put the damn hairspray down- but I'm a bit worried. If She figures out what you're doing... What I'm doing... we're screwed."
"Kid, chill. The last person she'll suspect is her little brother." "Why weren't you included in that sent-"
I smack my hand over his mouth, listening intently.
"What is it?"
"I think your sister is coming this way. Grab your hoodie and go."
He doesn't hesitate, scooping his jacket off the floor and sprinting for the balcony railing.
"See you tonight, Ani," He calls before diving over the side, his arms becoming wings, his nose a beak, and his legs talons. All he leaves behind is a single black feather, spinning around in the breeze.
As if on cue, someone knocks on my door and before I even open it I know exactly who it is.
"Come on in, Cori."
Corinna enters, the trail of her dress flowing behind her. She almost looks angelic... almost. Yet there's that glimmer in her eyes. It's all you need to see in order to know she's far more sinister than she seems. She curtseys, smiling at me.
"You look wonderful, my dearest Corinna," I say.
She takes my hand, stepping towards my door.
"Shall we?"
The gut feeling is back. That pit in my stomach has reopened, once again threatening to swallow me whole. I'm in danger, and I know it. What's worse, I think my visions are dangerously close to finally becoming reality. My death is on its way, and soon enough it will be on my doorstep. Despite this, I grab Corinna's hand and walk into the hall, possibly right towards my doom.

Sorry for disappearing again lol