One Dark Destiny

Queen Ariadne

Queen Ariadne is the Oracle Queen; she has 3 foster sisters.
Astra (19)
Indira (14)
Viviana (6)

Her foster mother, Cyrene.

Sunpool

Ariadne's hair twists in spirals around her as she races through the trees. The light splits and pools again in the gaps between the trees and Ariadne wonders if there is someone - or something - spinning, weaving the light in such a way. The Goddess, a voice whispers inside her. But what use is that voice, it knows nothing really. Ariadne prefers to wonder for herself, instead to listen to her mind. She calls it her queen voice. It does not like her mind, and often they fight. She darts out of the trees and scrambles up the rocks, towards the top of the hill. Ariadne's smile widens, looking out over the city, the Oracles' city. Her city, or so Cyrene says.
Either way, it matters little. Ariadne does not see the difference. They are all just cities, really fennbirn owns them all. The city looks so shiny and glowy from here, crystal white and full of sparkle. New, pretty. Sunpool probably isn't the most technologically advanced city. She has heard stories of the capital, the architecture, all so modern and futuristic. She would love to go there... How much you could learn... Ariadne almost wonders if it would be worth being queen just to be able to live there. Not that she doesn't like Sunpool. Plus, the other girls are here, which makes things substantially better. The city is busy, filled with people, all just doing their normal things below her. It's funny - Ariadne often looks at people and wonders if... If there is really any difference between them and her. Yes she is a Queen, yes her hair is jet black and her eyes are dark, shadowy ebony, because her blood is queensblood, filled with... Goddess? But...
"Ariadne? Ari!" Astra's honey soft voice cuts through her thoughts. She just cannot wonder in peace. Her foster sister stumbles out of the trees.
"Ari? Mom says-"
Ariadne spins and dashes to Astra's side.
"I'm here!" she says, grinning.
Astra gasps, saying:
"I always find you here, Ari."
"Yes, well you interrupted me. You should know when not to disturb me. I was very busy," Ariadne replies.
"Well mom has been busy preparing for the celebration. It's all she's been doing all morning," says Astra, heading back into the forest, Ariadne next to her.
"Aaaaaaand what exactly should we be celebrating today?" Ariadne says, eyes fixated on the sky.
"You mean aside from your birthday?" Astra asks sarcastically.
Ariadne hesitates.
"My birthday..." she replies, and then adds:
"My sister's too. The beeeeaaauuuuuutiful poisoner, the powerful elemental-"
"Mom had better not hear you talking like that," Astra warns, pushing on Ariadne's shoulder.
"Addy!" the call comes from ahead, where her youngest foster sister, Viviana, emerges from the crowd.
"Hey there Viv," Ariadne calls, smiling.
"You guys are just in time," Viviana says.
"Mom wants you."
"So I've been told," Ariadne replies, watching the crowds. The city is busier than usual today. She follows them through Backstreets and side roads to wind across the city. Astra advised that they should stay off the high sreet, and Ariadne doesn't mind. There will be lot of people to see at the party.
Astra, with her sister in her arms, signals for the guard to let them into the square, which has been closed off for preparations. Inside the square, everything is cloaked in the colors of Oracles, and the colors of Queens. Black and yellow banners hang from every surface, the pillars are wrapped with string bunting and in the middle is a huge, long table, for eating at. Ariadne can imagine why it would take so long to do all of this. But... It is a shame that it must be so... Monotonous?
"You girls are late," says Cyrene, waving them over. She turns to Ariadne.
"What do you think?" she asks, adjusting string.
"Wow," Ariadne replies.
"It's amazing, Cyrene."
Cyrene nods in appreciation, and Ariadne wanders towards the long table.
"Although, it could be a little more... Colorful," she whispers to Astra.
"You are a queen," a voice cuts in from above them.
"It is not supposed to be colourful."
Ariadne gasps.
"How did you get up there?" she asks, seeing Indira pinning up a banner from the roof.
"Indira, are you sure you should be up there?" Astra asks, concerned. Her sister ignores her.
"The celebrations start at 5. Astra, could you get Ari ready?" Cyrene asks.
"Of course," Astra replies, taking Ariadne's arm.
"I am ready-"
"What are you wearing?" Cyrene asks, returning to her work.
"You don't like it? Because I thought-"
Astra cuts her off, leading her towards the house.

In her room, Ariadne slumps onto her bed. Astra pulls out a knee-length dress cuffed with fur. Ariadne raises an eyebrow.
"Won't I be cold?" She asks, thinking of the evening chill and how cold the nights have been lately. It is winter, and even in sunpool, where it is usually warm, the weather is frosty.
"The fur will keep you warm," Astra says, and Ariadne nods, and reluctantly changes out of her trousers. She only owns one pair, which are faded and a little tight, as Cyrena refuses to buy her trousers. She cannot remember where they came from. Ariadne doesn't mind too much, but prefers them for comfort.
The dress is quite tight, but Astra remarks how good it looks on her, so Ariadne agrees to wear it. Astra examines the plait that she wove into the queen's hair earlier, complaining that it has come loose.
"Sorry," Ariadne replies,
"But thank you for the flowers. They shall at least add something colourful."
Astra repositions the flowers, and tucks a strand of hair behind Ariadne's ear. She smiles.
"You look beautiful," she says.
Ariadne sighs.
"What do you think the other queens have heard of me? What do the stories say? Am I strong, or weak, or pretty, or-"
"Ari, don't worry what they hear. It does not matter. I know you are powerful, and clever, and pretty, and you have nothing to worry about. The other queens are no match for you," Astra says.
Ariadne smiles.
"Okay, if you think so," she replies.
"But now, we need to find you some shoes."