I'll leave my love hidden in the sun
Seren’s jaw jutted stubbornly, refusing to accept that a knife was the only solution towards hurt feelings. As for the faltering faith… That did make her sigh, but not for the same reasons.
“Do you know why she is wary towards the Abandoned? I am sure you have heard the story, but the Voice used to be one. A mortal woman, just like you. Acquired, they called it back then. When she went against the gods, and used her magic to elevate herself and defy their will and the balance they have created, it cast a shadow over all who possessed that spark. The potential is there for anyone else to do the same, and they cannot forget it.”
Lowering her hands into the lap, to fidget as she spoke, Seren took a deep breath. "I think it’s unfair, to be honest. Mother sees the presence of magic as a blight, something that crept into a soul and damaged it. Whether that’s accurate or not I don’t know, but I don’t think magic makes someone broken.
"It’s beautiful, and has so much potential… But unfortunately, you who possess it have to earn any trust given from the gods. Especially my mother, I think. It’s not something you can be impatient about."
Tension that had temporarily vansihed suddenly returned, and Seren turned herself around somewhat, to face the other woman more directly.
“What I do see as a problem is that you seem to place yourself on the same level as Safrin. A Herald, a goddess of this land. You talk about forgiving her, as if that is something you deign yourself to do, or can grant. I don’t know what your old gods were like, what part they played in your homeland, but don’t you think it’s a little bit arrogant to assume you can ever understand any of their actions enough to actually see the whole picture?” Acceptance was all they should ever feel. Acceptance and faith, because their human perspectives were so short that the larger scope of things would forever be obscured.
“I also worry that you are going to bring this lack of forgiveness into the way you lead Halo. If you should end up the new Warden… what prevents you from repeating the same mistakes as you have in the past? Will you stab another ruler for breaking a promise? Are you going to risk the lives of its citizens the way you risked Atlas - by leaping into action based on your emotions?
If you are going to lead a region devoted to Safrin and the Old Gods… how are you going to change your ways, Hotaru? What am I being asked to help create here?”
“Do you know why she is wary towards the Abandoned? I am sure you have heard the story, but the Voice used to be one. A mortal woman, just like you. Acquired, they called it back then. When she went against the gods, and used her magic to elevate herself and defy their will and the balance they have created, it cast a shadow over all who possessed that spark. The potential is there for anyone else to do the same, and they cannot forget it.”
Lowering her hands into the lap, to fidget as she spoke, Seren took a deep breath. "I think it’s unfair, to be honest. Mother sees the presence of magic as a blight, something that crept into a soul and damaged it. Whether that’s accurate or not I don’t know, but I don’t think magic makes someone broken.
"It’s beautiful, and has so much potential… But unfortunately, you who possess it have to earn any trust given from the gods. Especially my mother, I think. It’s not something you can be impatient about."
Tension that had temporarily vansihed suddenly returned, and Seren turned herself around somewhat, to face the other woman more directly.
“What I do see as a problem is that you seem to place yourself on the same level as Safrin. A Herald, a goddess of this land. You talk about forgiving her, as if that is something you deign yourself to do, or can grant. I don’t know what your old gods were like, what part they played in your homeland, but don’t you think it’s a little bit arrogant to assume you can ever understand any of their actions enough to actually see the whole picture?” Acceptance was all they should ever feel. Acceptance and faith, because their human perspectives were so short that the larger scope of things would forever be obscured.
“I also worry that you are going to bring this lack of forgiveness into the way you lead Halo. If you should end up the new Warden… what prevents you from repeating the same mistakes as you have in the past? Will you stab another ruler for breaking a promise? Are you going to risk the lives of its citizens the way you risked Atlas - by leaping into action based on your emotions?
If you are going to lead a region devoted to Safrin and the Old Gods… how are you going to change your ways, Hotaru? What am I being asked to help create here?”
For when the darkness comes
SEREN
