Aratreia

My Name: Aratreia, but the other assassins call me Ara. I like that name. It makes me feel sharp. Sharp things are fun.

Gender: I’m a girl! Duh. But not just any girl, a very special one. Assassins always are. The Guild says I’m already good at what I do. I don't know if they mean playing or killing. I’m good at both!

Who I Am: I’m the little spider girl everyone wants to watch out for, but can’t help but smile at when they see. I'm small but deadly! A killer with a heart of… well, maybe not gold, but something shiny. I do my job just like I play — with lots of enthusiasm and no regrets.

What Am I: I’m an Arachne, which means I’m part human and part spider! I was born this way, so don’t act surprised when I skitter by or climb walls like it’s nothing. I have four spider legs on my back! They’re black and shiny, like licorice. I can climb walls and spin webs, though I’m still learning how to use them in a fight. I’ll get better, promise! Sometimes people stare at me and get all scared, but I think it’s because they’ve never seen anyone as pretty as me before.

What I Look Like: I’ve got grey skin, like mist before sunrise. My hair’s purple. It's also silky—just like my webs! My four red eyes are super pretty, and they see everything, even in the dark! Oh, and I’ve got these amazing spider legs on my back. Four of them. They’re great for climbing, running, stabbing... whatever I want, really. They’re like spears if I want them to be, or soft little things that can hug you real tight… sometimes too tight. I think they’re cute, even if everyone else gets all freaked out when they see them. I also have two human legs, but they're boring so I won't say much about them.

What Makes Me... Me: I’m sweet like sugar but prickly like a thorn. People always say I’m cute, with my little voice and wide eyes. They think I’m just innocent, like a little doll. But I can be very naughty when I want to be. I like pushing people’s buttons and watching them squirm. It’s funny! The Guild says I’m "sociopathic" but I don’t really know what that means. I just think it’s fun to be me.

What I'm Good At: I’m really, really good at sneaking up on people! They never hear me coming, even with all my legs. I can climb walls, slip through windows, crawl into spaces most people don’t even notice. I can spin webs with my fingers, too, and they’re strong—stronger than steel, but sticky, so they trap anyone who tries to run away.

What Happened to Me: Before the Guild found me, I was living on the streets. It was dirty and smelly, but I didn’t mind. There were always people to play with—people who didn’t see me coming until it was too late. The Guild took me in after I gutted one of their scouts. I think they were impressed ‘cause they didn’t punish me. Instead, they fed me, cleaned me up, and taught me how to kill even better! I like it here. They give me all the things I need to keep playing my games.

What I Love: I love pretty things. Like ribbons and dolls, especially ones that are a little broken. I like shiny blades too, like the daggers the guild uses. I love it when they trust me with one, even though I’m small. I love when they tell me I did a good job after a kill. It makes me feel all warm inside, like I’m special. Oh, and hugs! But only if I can squeeze reallllly tight.

What I Hate: I hate being bored. When there’s nothing to do, I get all twitchy. I hate when people are too slow to play with me. I also don’t like loud noises unless I’m the one making them. And I hate, hate, hate when people try to tell me what to do. Like, ew, I’ll do what I want, thanks!

What I Want: I want to be the best assassin the Guild’s ever had! I want people to tremble when they hear my name and never see me coming. And maybe... I want a big web, somewhere high up, where I can stash all my favorite toys. Toys that scream and wiggle when I poke them. That’d be perfect.

How I Speak: I talk like a kid! Like, happy and bouncy and all innocent, right? But I also say what I think—no holding back! If I want something, I say it. If I don’t like you, I say that too.