The Prompt: A first time for everything ... This is another historical site-write, how well do you know your character?
- Jende of Moon Guard US

Adriestia swallowed, hard. If she did this thing, she was not her father's daughter. Astore Eventide was dead, but she'd heard him questioning her mother in harsh tones when he thought she was asleep:

"... not fit for enrollment in the Farstriders, Coronis, and she failed out of the most basic arcane theory classes. Why is that?"
"I don't know, Astore!" The woman's voice was high and panicked.
"Why," the angry ranger growled, "does she have red hair? Why, when both of her parents are blonde?"
"Astore, please! She's doing the best she can --"
"And why can't she do more?"

It had taken her weeks to reconcile the angry voices she'd heard with the image of her doting father. She'd been too young, then, to understand what he was implying. She grew older. Her hair remained that deep burgundy. She watched the older girls in Sunsail Anchorage marry off and bear children -- blonde babies to blonde parents, and she understood why her loving Father was secretly ashamed of her.

"Don't you want this, Adries?" the older warlock prodded, scowling his disapproval.
"Of course I do," she murmured, not meeting his gaze.
"Then say the words and taste power beyond the grasp of your rivals."
It was easy -- it was far too easy -- to repeat the words she'd been taught, standing in that casting circle her master had scribed for her. It was easy to give in, to feel a spark of energy course through her.
The tiny imp appeared before her, and she blistered her hands as she grabbed him, holding him still as she bound him to her will.
Her master smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Very good, Apprentice Eventide."