Paddy still felt in way over his head. In-depth discussions with members of his congregation about moral dilemmas didn't usually go in directions like this, directions Paddy knew nothing about. It wasn't often he needed to think about what to say, as opposed to just thinking about the best way to phrase it.
But what about when he simply took away the idea of magic? Was it any easier to understand then?
In a way, it was. "Encouragement is never a bad thing, Solomon. Advice, encouragement, nudges in the right direction - it should all occur in all of us without a second thought. Your capabilities are just more... direct than most. What you did just now was the same sort of thing I try to do, except you accomplished it much more quickly."
Which was fine for Paddy, because he would have gotten there himself eventually. It wouldn't work in the same way for someone else, and therein lied the problem. "The thing is, sometimes the process is more important than the end result. It depends on the person. And, of course, the instant you actually change anything, even temporarily... I wouldn't do that, even with permission. Any sort of change in the soul has to come from within, not without."
Giving water to ferns was one thing. Changing the way a web was woven was something entirely different. Hardship was part of the struggle. You could ease someone's burden; you couldn't take it away. That would defeat the purpose.
"As I said," Paddy continued, "case-by-case basis. If it feels wrong to you, then it probably is." And it certainly wasn't something Paddy would want to see played around with, making him ever gladder Solomon was the one who had developed such powerful abilities.
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But what about when he simply took away the idea of magic? Was it any easier to understand then?
In a way, it was. "Encouragement is never a bad thing, Solomon. Advice, encouragement, nudges in the right direction - it should all occur in all of us without a second thought. Your capabilities are just more... direct than most. What you did just now was the same sort of thing I try to do, except you accomplished it much more quickly."
Which was fine for Paddy, because he would have gotten there himself eventually. It wouldn't work in the same way for someone else, and therein lied the problem. "The thing is, sometimes the process is more important than the end result. It depends on the person. And, of course, the instant you actually change anything, even temporarily... I wouldn't do that, even with permission. Any sort of change in the soul has to come from within, not without."
Giving water to ferns was one thing. Changing the way a web was woven was something entirely different. Hardship was part of the struggle. You could ease someone's burden; you couldn't take it away. That would defeat the purpose.
"As I said," Paddy continued, "case-by-case basis. If it feels wrong to you, then it probably is." And it certainly wasn't something Paddy would want to see played around with, making him ever gladder Solomon was the one who had developed such powerful abilities.