"Forgive my musings. My questions are largely unimportant. You are clearly very happy here and that is the only answer that truly matters." The large man's eyes grow less intense and more curious as Abaigeal holds her carefree composure through all of the banter.
"I do not see things in black and white. There are, however, only two possible outcomes. You are either completely correct or you are not. A man is in a tree and tells his two friends down below that he is getting ready to jump. The first friend looks to the second, claiming that the man in the tree will surely land on his feet. The second friend disagrees, arguing that the height is too great and the man will fall into his back into a pile of leaves down below. Finally, the man jumps from the tree. He does indeed land on his feet but finds that the fall was too great. Unable to hold his footing, the man then tumbles backward and falls onto his back on the pile of leaves located conveniently behind him. So which friend was right? They both were from a certain point of view. And yet from another point of view they were both incorrect. Ours is not to judge whether or not what we say is completely without fault. The best that we can do is speak as truly as we know how and hope that our view holds as much water as possible. After all, the desert is a treacherous place, especially when you have nothing to drink."
The armored man watches the woman's reactions closely and gives them careful consideration. He nods his head slowly as he listens to her reasoning. "Too few. What good are ten thousand men if you need ten times that? I have given you no frame of reference, and for that the fault lies with me. You need not be burdened by such things so I will spare you. I also offer my apology. I look for something inside of you that you simply do not need. The world is better for the fact that you do not." His gaze remains locked on her green eyes but it is clearly softened. He eases himself back into his seat with great care, regarding her for a moment longer before speaking.
"I will take the twelfth item on your menu. In addition, I will take whatever you feel is appropriate if you are so inclined." He allows himself the slightest of smiles, nodding his head just a touch as he does so. "You have been the highlight of my day, Abaigeal. Thank you for not being what I expected to find. I would have words with you another time when you are not on duty if it please you. Perhaps we could establish a camaraderie."
"I do not see things in black and white. There are, however, only two possible outcomes. You are either completely correct or you are not. A man is in a tree and tells his two friends down below that he is getting ready to jump. The first friend looks to the second, claiming that the man in the tree will surely land on his feet. The second friend disagrees, arguing that the height is too great and the man will fall into his back into a pile of leaves down below. Finally, the man jumps from the tree. He does indeed land on his feet but finds that the fall was too great. Unable to hold his footing, the man then tumbles backward and falls onto his back on the pile of leaves located conveniently behind him. So which friend was right? They both were from a certain point of view. And yet from another point of view they were both incorrect. Ours is not to judge whether or not what we say is completely without fault. The best that we can do is speak as truly as we know how and hope that our view holds as much water as possible. After all, the desert is a treacherous place, especially when you have nothing to drink."
The armored man watches the woman's reactions closely and gives them careful consideration. He nods his head slowly as he listens to her reasoning. "Too few. What good are ten thousand men if you need ten times that? I have given you no frame of reference, and for that the fault lies with me. You need not be burdened by such things so I will spare you. I also offer my apology. I look for something inside of you that you simply do not need. The world is better for the fact that you do not." His gaze remains locked on her green eyes but it is clearly softened. He eases himself back into his seat with great care, regarding her for a moment longer before speaking.
"I will take the twelfth item on your menu. In addition, I will take whatever you feel is appropriate if you are so inclined." He allows himself the slightest of smiles, nodding his head just a touch as he does so. "You have been the highlight of my day, Abaigeal. Thank you for not being what I expected to find. I would have words with you another time when you are not on duty if it please you. Perhaps we could establish a camaraderie."
