Pursuit of the Sun 1.2

- A mutual exchange is never a waste of time, so I propose that in exchange for a potion, you answer a few of my questions. - He picks up writing implements, as is his habit. - So... If someone in your presence spoke very disrespectfully about the Void, would that offend you, or not? What is your attitude towards betrayal - are you capable of forgiving it, or do you consider it unacceptable? There could be many examples - a comrade who strikes from behind, an unfaithful spouse, a quest giver who deliberately deceives. How do you plan to raise your children if you have them in the future, or perhaps you already have them and can share your current experience? Is there a color in the palette of life that warms your heart more than others? - He glances at the mug of beer in his interlocutor's hand. - In your opinion, how would your existence change if alcohol and any alternatives to it were no longer available in the world? How many times can you do push-ups from the floor? If you're interested, I can do about five, but with great difficulty. Hmm... I suppose you don't care about appearance or social status, so we won't talk about that. Then, the last question - have your views ever changed radically? If so, please tell me what caused it.

Hargen looks at the journalist with an unblinking gaze for a while. It might seem that his gaze was directed through her, through the heavy doors of the tavern, into the frosty street cold, winding through the squalid streets and alleys towards the torchlit city gates, and then beyond them, finally finding refuge in the silence of the night. Shaking his head, he thoughtfully scratches the back of his neck, taking a sip from his mug:
-...An exchange is an exchange. It wouldn't offend me. Why should I be offended by something that exists in our world? The Void awaits everyone, regardless of their personal opinion. I have no attitude towards betrayal. I would even be surprised if it doesn't befall me in the near future. I don't plan to raise children, and if I do have them, it certainly won't be from a happy family marriage. There are many colors, but they all fade under black, because there is no color stronger than it. Take away alcohol and Tournaments, and my existence will not change in any way. I will fill the useless daytime hours with something else. I can do thirty push-ups, or maybe more, until my chest is wracked with coughing. I have a lot of strength, but my endurance will quickly run out. ...What else is there? ... My views have changed, yes. Once, I too was a foolish, sunny young man, dreaming of ambitions and prospects. Fortunately, the truth of our existence quickly opened my eyes. There are too many specific reasons to recount them all. The higher the soul strives in its futile hopes towards the false Sun, the longer and more painful the subsequent fall will be.