The Rising - Ennead 2

Scene 10.2: What the Heart Wants

Journal Entry #5

It's been a while since I wrote an entry. Not by choice - this journal has been missing for a while. I found it in the most obscure spot, wedged in the space behind the drawers in the old dresser.

The previous entries are... cute. It makes me remember all the things that have changed since I joined the Fifth Society. All the things that have changed about me, and all the things that have changed about the world - especially the true world.

Two months ago, the Socialist Cabal managed to put pressure on the Council of Seven during regular Synod. Now there will be no wards or guardians - no new acolyte of the societies shall come from outside the families of members already in it. They say it's a victory of some sort. It makes me glad that I was granted the privilege to join when I did.

I am much better than the others in my set. I have been jumped forward twice over the others. Now my Rank is that of a Seventh, the youngest Seventh in the world I think. I don't have the so called facility that others have - I put in hard work, a lot of it.

The Archon, my guardian, expects a lot of me. I can't let him down. I know a lot of the others expect me to fail, he's one of the few who doesn't. He tells me so all the time. You'd think he'd be more distant, considering his Rank but he isn't. The weight of his office weighs on him, and I know he only has the best interest of the Pacific Diocese in mind.

Tomorrow we move to Manila. I hope too much doesn't change. The world has already been... difficult, since father died. I hope this move makes things better, for Mom.

Journal Entry #6

Last night was super interesting. Levi introduced me to a friend of his, she has the funniest name - August. I can't recall her surname, but seriously, who names their daughter after the name of a month?

August is a genius in Society terms. Super facility, but not as snooty as I've heard they should be. I can't really tell if she's really that innocent, but she seems to be. Quirky too. She said she was researching on the roots of Facility, whatever that means.

She fumbled through a dozen questions, incapable of meeting my gaze. Levi said it's because I am intimidating. When I pried he just laughed and said that my seriousness could be scary. He's silly that way sometimes. How can my seriousness be scary? I'm just focused that's all.

He's my brother, so he should understand, at least more than I do. I'm only the ward of the Archon, Levi is his son.

Levi is quickly growing taller than I am. We've been about the same height for so long, os that kind of sucks. Mom says I have a little bit of height left in me, so I hope I can catch up soon.

Levi is 14, only a year older than I am. I've always been grateful to have him around. It doesn't feel so lonely in the world when you have a goofball older brother to make you smile. I hope tomorrow is as interesting as today was.

Journal Entry #8

I want to crawl up in a hole and die. How is it that teenage boys are so cruel? Not only boys, the girls too. No... the world is cruel and wicked.

My mother... It's so humiliating. And stupid Levi had to jump in and try and save me! HE DOESN'T GET ANYTHING. I woke up out of the training hall so quickly that my head is pounding like crazy. Why would mom do something like that?

The Archon says that the Societies are the greatest calling anyone can ever be given. Why would she do something as disgraceful.... no more than disgrace, shameful. It was like their words were burning, needles cutting into my heart. My Mom the quitter.