Originally posted by Dexx
"then we'd best be on our way" adds Rade(i doubt my question was 'why'...i think it's pretty much 'how' )
That is simply your error then, Rade, and that does not bode well. The Oracle wasn't overriding what you were planning to ask her, she was telling you what your question SHOULD be if you wanted to learn anything useful.
You came here for answers (actually, you were told to come here to ask for her help in finding Jericho, ironically enough, but it was always a cert that you would try and find out more, and why not?) but you don't know the relevant questions to ask- the Merovingian would be highly contemptuous at your lack of power. As the Oracle says, you THINK you do, but you do not. And so you think asking 'How?' would give you useful information. The Oracle disagrees and has told you the question to ask. You can always disagree with her if you want!
I hope you Philo guys are up for this kind of thinking...
"These are also things best learned whilst finding Jericho," the Oracle tells you. "Though that Agent was probably just following a target priority list, which was just as likely to have them on top as you."
(Incidentally, Jedi earlier suggested someone ask a question about how Jericho knew the USB device was there. No-one asked this in the end, but I will point yiou guys back a little earlier to what I said about coincidence and the amount of things that made it you people here, and not someone else)
"Well," the Oracle says. "I can see we could spend all day trying to work out the details of this little conondrum. But time is a little short for you, and my programme starts again soon. So find Ni Zahn- he will lead you to Jericho. But be careful. Understanding all this will not be easy. Especially for you, Rade. I know how difficult it can be for you to make hard decisions sometimes. You are just going to have to plunge in on this one, I am afraid." She smiles one more time. "Goodbye," she says. "And maybe we will meet again."
As you turn to go, she adds something. "And remember," she says. "You always have a choice."
The adverts come to an end, and the soap on the colour tv screen starts up again.
"I don't know why I bother watching these things..." says the Oracle, as you leave. "I always seem to be able to guess what will happen next..."
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Ok, you guys are done. I dunno if you were talking this over or not, but you already had two vehicles as Celsius and co drove here also. Anyway, you may have the dice.
If anyone wants to go over that conversation with a fine tooth comb... feel free....
And so, off to the Lon Wa! Any preperations or plans first, or shall we crack on over there?
That's good thinking- though the Oracle might have said that is a very machine way of looking at it (a human might be more fuzzy on this being anything to do with a set 'purpose'. Or you might not- it depends on your philosophical outlook).
Also, the Oracle was not tying down anything specific- she was deliberately vague with her 'why'. So you suggest "Why is Jericho still alive?" and this is a pertinent question but the Oracle was more meaning- "Why has this happened?" because that question doesn't assume anything (for example, Jericho MAY be dead and still here somehow- she did not rule that out, and that would make asking why he is still alive moot)
And because she has told she has specified that only Jericho can tell you why, and because she has clearly hinted (as was obvious anyway) that this is something that was done, that must be understood (rather than something that just randomly happened), we can actually refine that question one more step, and ask:
"Why has Jericho done, whatever it is that has been done?"
And then if the Oracle is right, if you understand the answer to that you will have everything you need.
Incidenally, I make no promises for any of this. We all know from the films that the Oracle is not always straight with you. I don't think she ever actively lied to anyone's face but she often intentionally leaves things open to be mis-interpreted. On the other hand, sometimes she IS straight. It's up to you to decide. But there you go, that's enough help for now.
Burn did you mean two Deagles, or one and lots of clips?
Just to add a reminder- she's not saying How and What are irrelevant- far from it, of COURSE you need to know that. She is saying that these things aren't any good without a Why. And she said that if you have your Why, you will have your What (and presumably your How) also.
In fact, there are a number of sentences that some of you would do well to bear in mind.
Heh... well, you're on the Path now...
Mors, and his buddies on the combat Path- you don't have to worry about ANY of that, of course...
Don't bake your noodle too much trying to work things out, I am not intending to make this some horribly obscure genius level exercise. This has just been a starting point.
So then, the Lon Wa. Your vehicles, whatever they are, dice and guns and all, have to pull up a couple of blocks away, as there is no parking outside the Lon Wa itself. I asusme all of you are coming- anyone who stays behind with the vehicles will simply not take part in any of what follows, so you had best come.
The Lon Wa looks, from the outside, to be a cheery Chinese restaurant. Coeus, Fire, Celsius and Mors- what is making you nervous is that you do not like this part of the city. It is disreputable. Of course, you are the biggest fish around here, these are only coppertops.
Castor, who was riding shotgun, got out from the vehicle and made sure all his stuff was in check, two barrettas and 4 clips. Check. He then waited for the rest of them to come on. The Restaurant looked pretty nice, he had always liked chinese food, but still it had an air of mystery. Not uncommon to any place the Oracle might suggest.