Great Mage, may We speak once more?
@he-who-abstained
[Vanus takes a while to respond. When he does, his voice is hoarse and exhausted.]
I suppose. Though I doubt I will be a very good conversationalist at the moment.
That is fine, it's not why I came here. You recall how I mentioned before that I felt when You were upset because of Your unstable Magicka?
... yes, I recall.
It was worse this time. I realized that while I had shown You ways to disconnect Magic from emotion, I failed to take into account that emotions cloud a person's judgement, preventing them from using said strategies...
... that is a very nice way to tell me that I messed up.
Perhaps, though I should have been able to predict this outcome.
What caused these emotions this time around?
I... found out that my partner's sister was doing terrible things. She had recently decided that two Thalmor were her "pets." She... killed one of them, cooked them, and then fed him to the other. She sounded so proud of herself, too. I'm no fan of the Thalmor, but nobody deserves that kind of treatment. I guess I just... became blinded by my own rage.
Why did You feel like it was Your responsibility to do something about it? It's awful, yes, but worse things happen every day.
I don't know. I guess... she reminds me of Mannimarco. In the worst way possible. I consider myself responsible for Mannimarco... so, I guess I feel somewhat responsible for Niryna, too.
You shouldn't have to be responsible for other people's atrocities. Especially if they are someone who cannot be reasoned with.
[He sighs and nods.]
That makes sense...
Still, I understand how You may feel. Do You know who My eldest son is?
I... do not know. The name eludes me.
Mehrunes Dagon.
He's... your son?
Not My greatest creation.
I made Him to be a Prince of good, imbued with Oblivion's most precious asset, hope. And He was, at first. Though His methods were violent and it turned a direction I had not imagined it would.
...how could one created to be good fall so far?
I... do not know. Perhaps it is My fault, in a way. Too much ambition leads to unsavory tactics. It must have corrupted Him far beyond His initial purpose.
... I am sorry. I cannot imagine how it must feel to watch a child become... like that.
He's not the only child of Mine to become a Daedric Prince, but He was the first I felt disdain for. Watching someone with so much potential, someone You are supposed to love, do what He does...
My point is... You can do everything right, try Your hardest, show empathy or anger; despite this sometimes people close to You will do horrible things.
... and there's nothing you can do.
No, there isn't.
You can try. I've tried countless times. But unless They Themselves want to change for the better, Your efforts will be fruitless.
[He looks down and sighs.]
Then, I suppose I should just focus on doing good, myself, rather than trying to stop others from doing evil.
Everything is still situational, of course. You shouldn't sit back when something can be done, but You shouldn't hope to be and to get Them to change on a whim either.
What's important is to enter these kinds of situations with a clear mind, not with anger.
Yes... you are right.
Next time You feel angry, try to take a moment to reflect on it. Think if it's rational, if there is anything You can actually do, and if there is think of how You are going to do it. If you're unable to calm down, use the strategies I've shown You so You do not hurt someone on accident.
I will do so. Thank you. I am in your debt... again.
[He smiles slightly.]
It's no issue, You do not need to repay Me in any way.
Regardless, I appreciate it.
