Arc 1, Thread 1: Forbidden Sanctuary (Jess)
"The definition changes from person to person." Jess agrees "The quality of person does not. Whether they are born to wealth, or with every odd against them, they inevitably shine apart from the rest of the world. A hero's triumphs are epics, their failures tragedies. Where so many are ground into the expected shape, the hero is inevitably more." Her tone becomes excited, nearly manic in fact. "People like you, Lucifer, Lyla, Red, Brahe, and even Oeguso, you're all set apart from the world's story as something special. Someone like Michael Florentine perhaps even more so."
There's no bitterness here. Just utter certainty mixed with wonder.
"It doesn't end with Exalts, either. People like Chupacabra, and Axehead, for example. We're overflowing with heroes from our engine rooms to the unsung marksmen sitting in the gunnery chairs. To me, I think, maybe everyone on the Last Refuge is more."
She shifts uncomfortably in her bonds.
"It's not just power, either. Any worm can be given strength. The common denominator is the quality of parts making up the mind, the body, and most importantly, the soul. Heroes are born to be heroes. Or villains, I suppose, according to their nature."
Jess realizes how insulting that might sound. "Please don't misunderstand! I think the world of people like you, and I know it's not easy being what you are. Gods and kings suffer just the same as everyone else, and I know it doesn't simply happen without effort."
She calms herself down, noticing her heartbeat had climbed. The next words needed to be chosen carefully, and spoken evenly. "After all, even the Unconquered Sun had his failures. His moments of blindness, or carelessness."