Ava Sanchez (Heart)

Ava Sanchez is Rose's little sister, and is introduced in *Heart.*

## Background

Ava is two years old in Heart, where Rose is eighteen. Her role in the story is to show how Rose is responsible. This is particularly important, because earlier in the story Ms. Sanchez gave birth to a boy, who died shortly after at two years old; Rose was seven when he was born and nine when he died. The reader sees Rose's sentiment to want a baby brother, and then her surprise when this wish is granted, but then the sadness of his death. When Ava is born she has a different point of view at sixteen and is more protective.

In Heart when Rose is in the car crash, Ava is in the car too, but she shields her body with hers and dies. This brings to question how Rose prepared for this--and later it's revealed that Rose already knew this was going to happen because it involved things surrounding her family... family, which is a central topic in the Face Of God, from the Popov's to the Sandersons in *Gems,* to the dynamics of the Monners and the Manns in *Heart* and *Hand* respectively, as well as the backdrop of Stanley Long's relationships, and James Shumaker's and Alysa Peters' love interests, the Face of God includes the sociological, economic, and historical backdrop of its characters to understand why people make the choices they do.

## Life and Upbringing

Ava was born in the Sanchez family after Rose, and only doesn't remember much of Rose from her childhood. Growing up in the early 2020's, Ava's influences are a cross between incredibly modern culture, and a speculation of culture in the future, seeing as this article is written in 2023. Considering her personality of an ENTJ as well as her horoscope sign as a Libra, we can imagine her interests. Her music interests include artists like Ava Max, Khalid, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and DMX, reflecting her floaty idealism that contrasts her passion for perfection and excellence.

When entering adolescence, Ava follows the resurgence of Punk culture, which is recycled from the late 90's early 2000's era, and dresses dark, getting a few piercings. Part of this is due to her feeling like she doesn't belong in her family as well as frustration and confusion about things in her family, such as what exactly happened to Rose.

Stacey has conversations with Ms. Sanchez that are hidden musings on whether she should show Ava her power, and explain what happened to Rose. Currently, the plot doesn't specify if Ms. Sanchez found out about the nature of Rose's death. Regardless, before Stacey shows Ava her power, Ava starts manifesting hers. Note that, Ava possesses the Fire of God trait, an ability that is spurned into existence when someone who already has a power nurtures or cares for the person with the Fire of God power.

Under a moment of stress, maybe a test, a hard decision involving peer pressure, or during a first time being intimate with someone, Ava unintentionally uses her power. It manifests by showing her the intention of someone she's near to. This trait, which is basically "burning the chaff," allows someone with the Fire of God power to see the intentions of others, as well as reveal that intention to the person, helping to guide them toward a truth. When this happens the first time, Ava doesn't imagine anything of it, but when it happens again, she spends hours and hours trying to actually control it; her focused effort is more palpable than Stacey's attempt at trying her power, so Ava actually learns how to use it quicker.

As an alternative story point, it may be that Ava's power initially manifests as sparking a flame; this is an idea regarding having each power first manifest in a purely physical way. For example, Stacey's power manifests as growing plants first, and eventually it involves emotional healing, wisdom, etc.

Ava's experiments culminate during a Christmas scene (possibly during the plot of *Heart of Hearts*) in which she and friends tell scary stories; one of them mentions the Frozen Vagrant, who is a myth in world, but is also one of the 16, Amos Hemmingway. Ava meets Amos, and he tells her what happened to Rose. There is a connection between Amos and Ava, as Ava represents the Fire of God, while Amos represents the Light, which is actually a false light, similar to Lucifer being able to pose as "an angel of light." Basically, the true light (Ava) versus the false one (Amos). Amos isn't actually a false light or a true antagonists, but the Light of God power allows him to manipulate matter, so he can create illusions.

When Ava finds out about Rose, she is frustrated, and she eventually talks with Stacey. In a touching scene that reflects their adopted sister bond, Stacey grows a sunflower, and Ava creates a source of light that it turns toward, and now each is aware of the other's ability. When Ava tells Stacey about Amos, she has no idea who this is, but her initial thought may be to tell Eli.

### About Amos Hemmingway

Amos Hemmingway is the first person in human history to reach beyond the veil of their universe. Essentially he has transcended. This is because he mastered his power enough that he was able to understand where he originally came from.

In Universe, the power system is based on a combination of the 7 Chakras found in Eastern Spirituality, as well as movement based spiritual practices such as Tai Chi. In short, power is absorbed through one chakra, and if you expel it through the chakra connected to your specific power (in Amos' case, it may be the Root chakra since he can manipulate physical matter), you are able to use your Face of God ability. When adequate balance of all chakras, i.e. the ability to control the flow in and out of each, you are able to transcend and/or see the alternate universe where the Dreamers live. Amos was the first to do this, and thus he is the one to tell everyone of the 16 who they actually are.

Amos has the ability to change his appearance; he does this by taking off or putting on an article of clothing, a detail that's reflected in the myth of the Frozen Vagrant. Really he doesn't have to do this, it's just his style.

Sometimes he changes into a rainbow butterfly. Although this doesn't appear in the plot anywhere yet, this is to reflect his mastery of all chakras, since the chakras kind of make up a rainbow in color.

## Stacey and Ava

Stacey likes Ava and vice versa; when Rose dies, Stacey sort of starts to protect her too. This develops in her story.

## About Her Name

The name Ava means "birdlike," however the Hebrew word that is similar to Ava means "life." Although not intentional, this naming description plays into the plot. In the plot line regarding the Aggregate involves a idea where Ava will be killed to "return the life force of the attached individual back to the universe." Basically, if anyone causes someone to manifest their ability, that person is spiritually connected to the person.

Stacey's ability is life and death. So, the Ag priests were going to kill Ava to return her energy to the Silent called Death. It's fitting that Ava's name is life, because she gave Stacey her power to resurrect or give life. Stacey's name is also interesting, being it is combination of Anastasia and Eustace; Eustace means fruitful or bountiful, which could be connected to Stacey's relation to plants, sort of hinting at the idea that Stacey is like Artemis. Stacey also hunts, which is a further connection. The name Anastasia means "resurrection" or "to resurrect," which is incredibly fitting.

Another plot idea is that Ava will have the same ability as Stacey, and Stacey could be a mentor to her. At that point in the story, those with abilities will understand how to manifest them and will be able to help others manifest them.

## Ava the Fire of God

After the events of Gems, Ava at some point manifests her ability due to the fact that Stacey learns exactly what causes powers to manifest. She isn't the only one either, others such as Eli, Thames etc. do as well, so much so that they can teach others if they want.

Subconsciously and by observation, Ava learns how to use her powers like Stacey. One idea for this is that, similar to learning how to walk, Ava simply observes Stacey and learns how to use her power because she is near her so much.

This idea is from another possible concept about how the abilities work. They are similar to muscles, in that if you use them they develop strength; however, the user must first become aware of the muscles, which is where the first learning curve is.

The Fire of God is the trait best described by passages in the old testament that describe God as a consuming fire, like a spirit that consumes impurities.

More than likely, the Meyers Briggs associated with this trait will be the ENTJ.