Cato begins to respond, smiles, and then laughs.
Once, a wise man who forsook everything worldly carried only a bowl to drink from. He threw it away when he saw a child drinking from a fountain with cupped hands and said, "In the practice of moderation a child has become my master."
He chuckled.
Take no offense at the comparison, Ajax, but you have taught me. I have indeed taken for granted this iron in my mace...
Cato drops the mace to the ground and begins to strip his armor off,
...and the iron of my armor. I have enjoyed too much the pleasant chai while seated in the shade of Jehna's sanctum. No more time for that now. Now is the time to teach and to build, not because I am a slave, but because there are those that might rest easier through my labor.
Cato's armor falls to the ground.
But I cannot do it alone. You are right. I should not demand when I should ask. I do so now. Please, help me.
Picking up his gear, Cato's face is solemn as he places it at Ajax's feet.
I have nothing else to offer you in forgiveness, but it is much that I ask. Please, help these people. Help them the way you wished someone would help you when you were in similar straits. I am sorry I did nothing for you or your friends in your time of need; I was idle. I am sorry that I did not speak out against Seha Nefrat publicly, and only argued with Sanctist Naraka about this Sindi practice in private. I am sorry to have seen so much death.
Standing up straight again, Cato puts his hand on Ajax's shoulder.
But being sorry now will not help. Nor will our division. I ask you as a friend, please. Please help these people. My people. For you can help them. Where you might afford the trappings of those who wear the stones you mined from the earth, you could also afford the love and gratitude of those you assist. Which is more valuable?
I promise you: neither He nor I will forget that you sacrificed what was yours that others might benefit.
Will you help me?
Once, a wise man who forsook everything worldly carried only a bowl to drink from. He threw it away when he saw a child drinking from a fountain with cupped hands and said, "In the practice of moderation a child has become my master."
He chuckled.
Take no offense at the comparison, Ajax, but you have taught me. I have indeed taken for granted this iron in my mace...
Cato drops the mace to the ground and begins to strip his armor off,
...and the iron of my armor. I have enjoyed too much the pleasant chai while seated in the shade of Jehna's sanctum. No more time for that now. Now is the time to teach and to build, not because I am a slave, but because there are those that might rest easier through my labor.
Cato's armor falls to the ground.
But I cannot do it alone. You are right. I should not demand when I should ask. I do so now. Please, help me.
Picking up his gear, Cato's face is solemn as he places it at Ajax's feet.
I have nothing else to offer you in forgiveness, but it is much that I ask. Please, help these people. Help them the way you wished someone would help you when you were in similar straits. I am sorry I did nothing for you or your friends in your time of need; I was idle. I am sorry that I did not speak out against Seha Nefrat publicly, and only argued with Sanctist Naraka about this Sindi practice in private. I am sorry to have seen so much death.
Standing up straight again, Cato puts his hand on Ajax's shoulder.
But being sorry now will not help. Nor will our division. I ask you as a friend, please. Please help these people. My people. For you can help them. Where you might afford the trappings of those who wear the stones you mined from the earth, you could also afford the love and gratitude of those you assist. Which is more valuable?
I promise you: neither He nor I will forget that you sacrificed what was yours that others might benefit.
Will you help me?
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