Hearth's Links
Funny that Hope turns to him, so predictably, whenever we have a spat. So very funny. I am the one who broke the Well, of course, not Caiche's ill-begotten experiments. And of course we'll gloss over what Caiche did to Leren I. Anything to make me the bad guy, of course. And I must smile and wave the entire while....
Hearth serves well as the linchpin to the Arcanas, in part due to his ever-present need to be lovingly involved in everyone's business. Now, whether he serves his position as leader of Viira or the entire galaxy well? Hahaha.
Kicked while down... I have always been there during new births from the Well, and now I am forced to sit as one of the rabble during their first anniversary celebration instead. Too weak to protest this disgrace, my planet in shambles, my people's faith waned. And then to be denied this, after everything? I fear what else Parsle will herald, in this destitute new world.
Our local menace destroys my planet, shreds my government and authority, and escapes without a trace. Of course, no one bothers tracking him down, and he escapes free of responsibility. Such is the hand I have been dealt in life - playing the graceful authority, the polite loser, restrained by others' fear of my power and forced to watch the true evil frolic about.
Hearth? He's a narcissistic pencil-pusher, meddling in everyone else's business and acting like he's got the authority to do it just because he's old. He's not even the eldest! If the Well wanted him to lead, wouldn't it have made that more obvious? Ugh, I can hear him now - "You just can't see my grace and poise, Mercy! Blame yourself, not the Well!" Get a fucking life!
Alas... the grace of gods is oft lost on mortals, especially ones who have persisted far beyond their natural lives. It is truly a shame that Ailia sees herself above the Arcanas' decisions.
Saying no to Hearth has probably been the most exhilarating moment of my life. Getting to spit on the very idea that the Arcanas knew what they were doing, that they deserve their godhood - *good*. Let them feel insulted and weak.
I love him so very dearly, despite everything. A good authority looks after their ward, of course, and understands the ward's feelings may change and shift over time. They should remain steadfast, a place of love and safety for their ward, even if only hatred and resentment fill what should be a loving bond. Though... in a moment of vulnerability, I wonder and fret... I wish I knew how to forge a bridge between us. I wish I knew why he hates me so deeply. I wish we were as close as I imagined, when I first held him, the flecks of the Well's magic dripping down his face... but I will remain steadfast.
Hearth is...a decent man, despite everything. He's been more willing to own up to what happened to the Well of Creation during my birth. I appreciate that. I don't appreciate being kept like property, denied my rights to creation as an Arcanas, being named, or the fact that he won't let the inner planet be, but I suppose that's asking a lot of one as old as he is.
I can appreciate his efforts to enforce a sort of morality on us. When I look at Mercy, for example, I can perfectly see why boundaries must be drawn, even for gods. His frustration towards me leaves a sour taste, of course - have I not done all that I have for the good of the Well and the galaxy? But I accept his judgments, nonetheless.
Hearth has, for the most part, made reparations for the destruction of the Well. While I have doubts about his "Ownership" of Hope, I have no horse in that race. I've heard naught of Hope trying to leave, so I assume he's satisfied with his lot. He's still contentious about the status of Inner Viira, one of my final complaints at this time. Evidently his actions have led enough to doubt him after the attack from Mercy that he is now faced with a divided populace. It is their decision, but I would defend it.
Aernin is deeply involved in the politics and the economics of almost every planet, and takes great pains in knowing all of the other Arcanas' business, mine included. When I was younger, I feared this - expecting him to stage a coup, or destabilize the galaxy. With age I've learned that it, in a way, is his way of expressing himself and his Well-given purpose - to love, obsessively, though he'd not admit the latter. I can't fault him for following his place in life, but it speaks volumes that everyone resists his advances so diligently. At what point does his Well-given drive overwrite ours, hm? Questions he will not answer satisfactorily.
Hearth is so...distant. Sure, he's at every meeting, most events, but only as a politician. I want to be closer to *him*, take some weight off his shoulders. He pretends it isn't there but the age is showing, and he could really use three things. A sauna, a masseuse, and either a wife or to be wifed.