Mm. Perhaps. Certainly there are some who would say so.
[But there's nothing inherently wrong with callousness. He traces his fingers lightly against Lorenz's palm, studying the scar there, before glancing up at him.]
But not, I think, cruel. Nor selfish. There's no guarantee that any action you take in this world will carry to the next, and so to spend your time and effort on something that may ultimately not make a difference would be . . . foolish, at the very least. Exhausting, as you said. And ultimately a poor way to spend your time.
[Lightly, he tugs their joined hands together, brushing a kiss against the back of Lorenz's.]
Isabela is here, as I have said. And she is from years earlier. Perhaps I would do well to warn her in detail of what is to come. I could give her all the things she needs to change the future, but to what end? Perhaps she will succeed, and perhaps not. Perhaps by meddling, I would lead Kirkwall to greater ruin, because there are thousands of factors I cannot control, nor wish to.
I think you intelligent, Lorenz. And not callous, but practical-- and there is a difference. A boon, when blind optimism would have you constantly at this woman's doorstep, throwing hours of your days away for nothing.
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[But there's nothing inherently wrong with callousness. He traces his fingers lightly against Lorenz's palm, studying the scar there, before glancing up at him.]
But not, I think, cruel. Nor selfish. There's no guarantee that any action you take in this world will carry to the next, and so to spend your time and effort on something that may ultimately not make a difference would be . . . foolish, at the very least. Exhausting, as you said. And ultimately a poor way to spend your time.
[Lightly, he tugs their joined hands together, brushing a kiss against the back of Lorenz's.]
Isabela is here, as I have said. And she is from years earlier. Perhaps I would do well to warn her in detail of what is to come. I could give her all the things she needs to change the future, but to what end? Perhaps she will succeed, and perhaps not. Perhaps by meddling, I would lead Kirkwall to greater ruin, because there are thousands of factors I cannot control, nor wish to.
I think you intelligent, Lorenz. And not callous, but practical-- and there is a difference. A boon, when blind optimism would have you constantly at this woman's doorstep, throwing hours of your days away for nothing.