I must attribute it to my abilities. Camelot was in a state of chaos when I came to the land. Nobles battled for control and dragons terrorized the people. I became king only after conquering.
I suppose it's something like Angel said once. Champions exist to live as though the world were what it could be, in order to show it what it ought to be. I thought for a long time that my destiny was to follow my father and be a watcher, but it was actually to be a warrior of sorts instead. Only now, with what I've lost, it's hard to believe I still have a purpose back home. I'd be happy remaining here with Fred for the rest of my days.
So you are under the impression that you have lost your purpose entirely in your own world? ...Do you intend on seeking out a new "purpose" for yourself in this place, or are you merely content to be here with the person that you spoke of?
[...o-oh, but that makes him pause.] Why do you believe it invites disaster? I was under the impression that most beings believed that "caring about something" was "good", as opposed to it being disastrous.
Because by caring for someone you're setting yourself up for a nasty fall. Something bad will happen - and when it does you'll wish you never cared to begin with.
I suppose most...'beings' [That's an odd way of putting it] would like to think that, but they're just fooling themselves.
The two questions might not be as unrelated as you think.
A man can have many purposes throughout a lifetime. Sometimes life leads us in directions that we would not have expected.
And to care for someone... [He's truly feeling sorry for you if you don't know what this means.]
It means that you share their joy and their pain. You try to ease their burden and comfort them when they need it. You are there for them no matter what.
So it is not unheard of to cease having one purpose and to gain another? ...is something like that common among living beings, or is it only under certain circumstances that it occurs? ...and for that matter, if something like that is possible, are people capable of having more than one purpose at a time?
I believe that people can choose their own paths-their own purposes. It's not uncommon for a person to change the course that their life is on. And yes, I do think it is possible to have more than one purpose at a time.
[Iroh pauses and his tone changes a bit. It's just full of compassion for you, little one.]
Sometimes. But people who are very different can still care for each other a great deal.
[oh, he was hoping Zelman would reply. 8> always hears the best stuff from him. really, if he hadn't been hoping for more than one opinion on the matter, he would've just asked the guy about it outright.
alas though, that doesn't stop him from sounding just the teeniest bit confused.]
I am afraid I do not entirely understand what you mean, Zelman. Do you intend to imply that your blood literally gives you orders?
...I am uncertain about your "species", for lack of a better term, but I am quite certain that is not common amongst human beings. Unless it is simply something that I have not been informed of, which I suppose could be entirely possible.
[he likes talking to Pharos about these things, so he doesn't mind explaining.]
It's a little difficult to put into words, but... My bloodline is more like a guiding force. A voice of reason. It's the source of everything that I am, and I was given the task to protect its existence and act on its behalf.
...I believe that I understand that, actually. If not the exact sentiment, then something similar. [though admittedly, he doesn't sound entirely happy at the thought.]
If it does not seem too peculiar a question, what do you think you would do if you ceased to have that guiding force, for whatever reason?
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[And Arthur, if you make any comments about him being 'fair and just', he'll let you have it. Verbally, anyway.]
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Do you believe this purpose was something that you were meant to do with your life? Or was it something you brought about with your own abilities?
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And to care for someone is to invite disaster.
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[...o-oh, but that makes him pause.] Why do you believe it invites disaster? I was under the impression that most beings believed that "caring about something" was "good", as opposed to it being disastrous.
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Because by caring for someone you're setting yourself up for a nasty fall. Something bad will happen - and when it does you'll wish you never cared to begin with.
I suppose most...'beings' [That's an odd way of putting it] would like to think that, but they're just fooling themselves.
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...I am afraid that I am somewhat confused, however. When you say "a nasty fall", just what is it that you mean?
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A man can have many purposes throughout a lifetime. Sometimes life leads us in directions that we would not have expected.
And to care for someone... [He's truly feeling sorry for you if you don't know what this means.]
It means that you share their joy and their pain. You try to ease their burden and comfort them when they need it. You are there for them no matter what.
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But what inspires someone to care for another being? Is it because they might have things in common, or be similar in some ways that others are not?
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[Iroh pauses and his tone changes a bit. It's just full of compassion for you, little one.]
Sometimes. But people who are very different can still care for each other a great deal.
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[he's very proud of this. :> not touching the second question.]
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alas though, that doesn't stop him from sounding just the teeniest bit confused.]
I am afraid I do not entirely understand what you mean, Zelman. Do you intend to imply that your blood literally gives you orders?
...I am uncertain about your "species", for lack of a better term, but I am quite certain that is not common amongst human beings. Unless it is simply something that I have not been informed of, which I suppose could be entirely possible.
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It's a little difficult to put into words, but... My bloodline is more like a guiding force. A voice of reason. It's the source of everything that I am, and I was given the task to protect its existence and act on its behalf.
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If it does not seem too peculiar a question, what do you think you would do if you ceased to have that guiding force, for whatever reason?
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