Ariadne

Not long after they were grown, her chicks began to speak of exaltation. Not with fear, but with curiosity and wonder. They pestered Zuriel for tales of the gods and of those in their service, and he indulged them.

To everyone's surprise, Ariadne encouraged them.

They thought she would want to hold them close, clutch them tightly, keep them home. After all, her mate was gone, her other children gone to the gods to to lairs far away.

But this world, Ariadne knew, was harsh. In this world there was struggle, and hardship, and fear. In this world, there was death.

Better to serve the gods.
Paimon, it seemed, was not so much of a child as she had thought.
I am ready once more to breed, and I find that I desire to have children. I wish to tend a nest; I wish to look into the eyes of a chick and see unconditional love.

I went to the matchmakers to ask for their recommendation -- I thought they could find, as has been done before, a suitable stud with whom to lay a clutch.

Instead, they brought home Paimon.

His colors are rich and autumnal, like mine. No doubt we will make beautiful children. But he is a child -- a timid child, and I am a dragoness grown, made old by the weight of my grief.

If I clutch with him, will I hurt him? For I fear the whole time I shall think of you.

Oh my love, my love....I am so alone.
Ariadne lays the strips of linen down in front of Calliste. She doesn't speak - in fact, has spoken very little since her arrival in the Singing Lair.

But Calliste knows what she would like done - although it would cover her shining, shimmering, glorious red, and Calliste can hardly stand it.

Still, she goes to get the black dye.
Ariadne knows about the lair by the sea; many of her clanmates have come here, from Enveri's allied wind clan. It wasn't in her plan to end up here, but it didn't distress her either. She finds everything about the clan very interesting; accepted with graciousness the gifts of clothing and a companion, and a place to sleep.

But then Tyndareus arrived.

Ariadne definitely no longer thinks of going back. No matter how wildly colored Tyndareus is, he carries himself like a force of nature, like a wild laugh, and it's impossible not to find him attractive, if you're that sort of girl.