What does Freedom mean to us?
Ask the average person in the west if they have freedom and they'll probably say they do. And, in a sense, they're correct. They're not imprisoned, enslaved, or restrained, so they must be free. Right?
Yet most of those people still have to go to work and pay bills. They have to keep appointments and follow schedules. And, they have to obey rules and laws. Deadlines, scripts, expectations, traditions, cultural norms, trends, adverts, pressure. In most of what we call civilisation, most people are beholden to numerous restrictions and constraints and barriers. But, they'd still argue - some vehemently - that they are, in fact, free. So. What is freedom? And, why does pretty much everyone have it very wrong?
Freedom has several official definitions. The one most people default to when considering it is:
“personal liberty, as from slavery, bondage, serfdom, etc.”
Basically, not physically restrained or dominated. And, sure. That's usually true. But, what about this definition:
“The state of being without something unpleasant or bad.”
In other words, not just unbound. Unburdened. Unencumbered. Many simplify freedom as simply having a choice and being allowed to pursue that choice without permission. Thing is, choices have consequences. Some are inherent. You jump off a bridge, you're gonna hit whatever's below. (Unless you have a MobiGear like Mira! Lol) You have the choice to jump. But, it carries a pretty obvious downside. Other consequences are imposed. This is where the rules, laws, traditions, and all that other shit I mentioned in the second paragraph come in. Because, while you have the personal liberty to jump off that bridge, it's probably against a handful of laws, breaks social norms, and might even hurt someone. If caught, you're almost certain to face punishment. IF you survive. So, are you actually free to jump?
Most people still would say yes, because they take those laws and conditions for granted. It's intuitive to the uninitiated. But, some of us like to consider the full spectrum of a concept. What would TRUE freedom look like? What would it mean to be truly unbound? To not be beholden to any structures, expectations, or consequences? In a word: chaos.
True freedom would mean, if you have the means and opportunity, you could eat all the apples off a nearby tree. You could paint during your every waking hour, stopping only to sleep or eat another apple. You could dance naked in the streets, singing the Pokémon theme song at the top of your voice. You could tell everyone in earshot that you're the living embodiment of time. Or, you could take a pipe wrench and go pay your schoolyard bully or local politician a brutal visit. True freedom is not just the ability to choose, but the ability to choose recklessly. And that kind of freedom, left unchecked and allowed to spread, can be devastating to any semblance of civilisation. So, for the sake of a society, lines must be drawn. But, where is that line drawn. And, who gets to draw it?
That's one of the questions Mira Holt seeks to answer.
Mira's whole deal is the pursuit of her personal and social freedom. Star Callers were outlawed by the At'aasi-Avenir Unified Council three decades before she was born, making her very existence illegal. So, first and foremost, she just wants to be free to walk the streets without fear of being arrested. Or worse.
But, it's more than that.
She doesn't just want to be allowed to exist. She wants to be able to explore. She was raised in secret before running away to the city; raised by people who KNOW what she is. Yet, no one ever taught her how to use her power, nor did they allow her to learn it, herself. This is an intrinsic, essential part of her being, and she's only ever been taught to hide or suppress it. It's no wonder she befriends Aaron, the first person to dedicate time just to helping her learn what she can do.
Most people's desires fall within the realm of the accepted. Some may be bolder than others, and some may be a bit unorthodox in their approach or understanding. Most generally want things to which others can at least relate. However, Mira Holt is not most people. She's not even like most Callers. For, while Gate, Plant, Beast, and Storm have all been cataloged and their capacities are generally understood, none have truly explored the upper limits of the power of a Star Caller, for none have ever had the freedom to do so.
Mira Holt seeks that freedom, which could either enlighten the continent of Rin, or be its demise.
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