Warren gaze lifted and he observed the lalafell's introspective moment. His words were spoken out loud but the paladin couldn't help but feel they happened regardless of his company. Chachanji was speaking words for himself to hear, and Warren just happened to be around and near enough to hear them.
He let the young man alone with his thoughts for a moment before breaking the silence that hung heavily between them.
"There's something noble about wanting to protect people sight unseen from the dangers of the world, of wanting to help out those who need it without knowing their name. The real question you've got to ask yourself is who you're doing it to help, though. Are you wanting to protect people because seeing them harmed hurts you too? Or are you doing it because helping them makes you feel good about yourself?"
Warren made sure to keep his tone soft and unguarded. He wasn't intending on lecturing by any stretch of the word.
"That's something I had to confront recently myself. I got good at protecting her, you know. I worked with sword and shield every night. I started working as a hammerer in the Bloodsands' pits just to watch the folks who did it for a living up close. I watched and practiced and committed myself to doing what they did. I've fought on those 'Sands, back when that meant something. She, uh... She didn't like that too much, but she did come watch." Warren again allowed himself a small, guilty smile.
"But I don't know if I was doing it for the right reasons. Things happen in this world, and she'd get hurt. When she got hurt, I'd get... difficult. I didn't want her wandering around without me, I didn't want her risking herself. As time went by, I became more and more protective, and when I'd finally pressed the issue too far, she decided maybe she didn't need me protecting her anymore." Warren's smile this time was matter of fact and empty. It was an understanding smile.
"I realized I wasn't protecting her for her, Chachanji. I was protecting her for me. I didn't learn that until it was far too late."
He allowed the words to hang in the air again before turning his gaze back in the lalafell's direction. "Do you think that made me less of a paladin, then? The man who did that back then is the same one who sits before you now. Does that change the fact I did manage to protect her?"
He let the young man alone with his thoughts for a moment before breaking the silence that hung heavily between them.
"There's something noble about wanting to protect people sight unseen from the dangers of the world, of wanting to help out those who need it without knowing their name. The real question you've got to ask yourself is who you're doing it to help, though. Are you wanting to protect people because seeing them harmed hurts you too? Or are you doing it because helping them makes you feel good about yourself?"
Warren made sure to keep his tone soft and unguarded. He wasn't intending on lecturing by any stretch of the word.
"That's something I had to confront recently myself. I got good at protecting her, you know. I worked with sword and shield every night. I started working as a hammerer in the Bloodsands' pits just to watch the folks who did it for a living up close. I watched and practiced and committed myself to doing what they did. I've fought on those 'Sands, back when that meant something. She, uh... She didn't like that too much, but she did come watch." Warren again allowed himself a small, guilty smile.
"But I don't know if I was doing it for the right reasons. Things happen in this world, and she'd get hurt. When she got hurt, I'd get... difficult. I didn't want her wandering around without me, I didn't want her risking herself. As time went by, I became more and more protective, and when I'd finally pressed the issue too far, she decided maybe she didn't need me protecting her anymore." Warren's smile this time was matter of fact and empty. It was an understanding smile.
"I realized I wasn't protecting her for her, Chachanji. I was protecting her for me. I didn't learn that until it was far too late."
He allowed the words to hang in the air again before turning his gaze back in the lalafell's direction. "Do you think that made me less of a paladin, then? The man who did that back then is the same one who sits before you now. Does that change the fact I did manage to protect her?"
![[Image: yEROfKO.png]](http://i.imgur.com/yEROfKO.png)
