[Zhongli... laughs, but it's a distant and hollow thing. Has he ever felt that way?
The heaviness is something he could have expected of this conversation, and as she speaks, he thinks he can see what Barbatos saw in her. Why he wanted so desperately to give her something else, something past her responsibilities.]
... I believe it is a measure of clarity, feeling that way. [Lifting a hand out in front of him, the consultant holds it palm-out, staring off into the greenery as it disappears into the distance.] In life, we are - for the most part - allowed only one decision for each step forward. One misstep could have a cascade of results you could never have expected, and there still are the effects of others on those steps.
Even so, what is most important is that you continue to take those steps. One can take a look at any text and see how hotly debated the actions of any Archon is, for example. The number of those who believe that Rex Lapis is worth worshipping nearly matches the number of those who believe he nearly ruined their country. But if I were to say so... I would guess that he was just a man trying to do the best for the people he so loved. We all make decisions, and we will see loss for some of them. That is part of living.
Reliance is a heavy burden to bear... but our actions speak for ourselves. You are still the person you will always be, and that is more than enough.
Do not let the fear of losing stop you from gaining.
no subject
The heaviness is something he could have expected of this conversation, and as she speaks, he thinks he can see what Barbatos saw in her. Why he wanted so desperately to give her something else, something past her responsibilities.]
... I believe it is a measure of clarity, feeling that way. [Lifting a hand out in front of him, the consultant holds it palm-out, staring off into the greenery as it disappears into the distance.] In life, we are - for the most part - allowed only one decision for each step forward. One misstep could have a cascade of results you could never have expected, and there still are the effects of others on those steps.
Even so, what is most important is that you continue to take those steps. One can take a look at any text and see how hotly debated the actions of any Archon is, for example. The number of those who believe that Rex Lapis is worth worshipping nearly matches the number of those who believe he nearly ruined their country. But if I were to say so... I would guess that he was just a man trying to do the best for the people he so loved. We all make decisions, and we will see loss for some of them. That is part of living.
Reliance is a heavy burden to bear... but our actions speak for ourselves. You are still the person you will always be, and that is more than enough.
Do not let the fear of losing stop you from gaining.