003 Video

[incompletemania.livejournal.com]

Tell me, what does it mean to be friends? Are there some sort of tests of loyalty involved? To what extent would you trust one another? Is it ever enough? Do you find yourselves doubting the other, your friend, when things become harder than what you're comfortable with?

It sounds like nothing but a poor excuse for a family you don't have. Just a game you play with eachother to make you feel as if you matter to someone! It must be sad. I couldn't possibly understand. So, please, tell me what you think.

Enlighten me!

Comments

[Video]

[mountain-sage.livejournal.com]

People become friends when they bond for common goals or interests, and they remain loyal to one another. There will be times when friendships are tested with life's challenges, but to overcome these challenges will strengthen the friendship and the trust between them.

What is far sadder is being alone, without family or friends. One cannot overcome certain burdens alone.

[Video]

[incompletemania.livejournal.com]

Friends are just one means to an end? Is that what you mean?

What's so sad about being alone? If they're alone, they weren't worth anything to begin with.

[Video]

[mountain-sage.livejournal.com]

That's not what I meant. Friendships aren't meant to end at all. Friends will help each other overcome life's challenges.

I was referring to oneself mainly. So if you are alone, would you believe that you aren't worth anything?

[Video]

[incompletemania.livejournal.com]

But if it's common goals that bring friends together, the reasons are purely self-centered.

I would. And if I or anyone else couldn't overcome those burdens, that's their own fault.

[Video]

[mountain-sage.livejournal.com]

Not at all, when the benefits are shared between them.

Perhaps, but there's no shame in turning to others for help.

[ Video ]

[unyieldingwater.livejournal.com]

Some people might consider friends to be like a second family - I know I consider my friends as such. We have similar interests, and we enjoy each other's company - and we'd defend each other to the death if any of us were in danger - and I've never doubted any of my friends.


I have a family, but I'm still proud to call my friends as honorary members of that family too. It's sadder to think someone doesn't understand what it is to have a friend that's so close to be family.

[ Video ]

[incompletemania.livejournal.com]

You too mentioned similar interests. Does that include goals? If it does, then friends are nothing more than people who use one another. They don't have the same bond of a family, so they're much quicker to betray you. Yet you don't doubt them?

Sad? To you. What do you think makes a family?

[ Video ]

[unyieldingwater.livejournal.com]

There's a difference between friendship and people just using each other to further their own goals. Real, true friends have that bond because they care for each other. People who are just using each other to further their own goals are rarely held together by compassion. They might stab each other in the back as soon as that goal was completed.

Other than blood relation? I'm sure it's different for everyone, but for me, it's the fact that we get along - we care about each other, we've fought for each other and been through and experienced so much together that it's hard to imagine a time without them. There's nothing that could tear us apart. It's like I said - we have faith in each other, we rely on each other - even if we're not all related, we're family still.

[ Video ]

[incompletemania.livejournal.com]

Then why bother with separating friends and family? Just call those people your family. It won't stop your family from stabbing you in the back later, because compassion rarely exists, but it would still make more sense.

In other words true friends are family?

[Video]

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

My friends and my family are different. Both are very precious to me.

[She speaks clearly, no trace of her occasional shyness or hesitation.]

[Video]

[incompletemania.livejournal.com]

Which is more precious? If you could only save one, which would you choose?

[Video]

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

Both are equally precious. Both are bonds of love and caring and respect.

[Video]

[incompletemania.livejournal.com]

Do they really respect one another?

[Video]

[aangin-loose.livejournal.com]

Well... I don't have a family anymore, so my friends are my family. [He grins.] But I wouldn't test their loyalty. I know they'll be there for me and I'll be there for them.

[Video]

[incompletemania.livejournal.com]

They might test yours. They might not trust you as much as you trust them.

[Video]

[aangin-loose.livejournal.com]

That's okay. [No, really, it's okay.]

[Video]

[incompletemania.livejournal.com]

That makes them more likely to betray you.

[video]

[formerasgardian.livejournal.com]

You think comeraderie with those not of blood constitutes some sort of compensation?

[video]

[incompletemania.livejournal.com]

Doesn't it? If someone has nothing to give, why should anyone care at all? They'll only be in the way.

It's better just to kill them, when that's the case. Friends already share a weak bond. It takes very little to break it.

[video]

[formerasgardian.livejournal.com]

[To someone who was basically raised to believe in fellowship, this is practically blasphemy.]

Are you mad?

[video]

[incompletemania.livejournal.com]

[He tilts his head, giving Thor a half-smile that doesn't meet his eyes.]

Would madness make me any less right?

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[restorehonour]

[Zuko studies the man on the feed carefully. Silver hair... For now, though, he won't jump to any conclusions.]

Not so long ago, I didn't see the point in having friends either.

video

[incompletemania.livejournal.com]

[He stares, interested in the different answer he gave.]

What made you change your mind?

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[restorehonour]

It's... complicated. Back then, I was so focused on a certain goal, nothing like that mattered to me. I was proud and selfish; I looked down on others as less than me, and thought relying on other people made a person weak.

...Then things changed. I changed. People I would have treated like dirt before showed me kindness when I needed it most. Even when I didn't deserve it, and even when I had nothing to give in return. And eventually, I joined a group of people who needed me. They didn't trust me at first, and with good reason, but once I proved myself they accepted me as a friend. We had a common goal, but more than that, we cared about each other. Even when we achieved what we set out to do, our bonds had become so strong that we're still friends even now.

I don't know what else I can tell you. Everyone's experiences are different, and friendship is something you have to experience for yourself to really understand.

video

[incompletemania.livejournal.com]

Relying on others does make a person weak.

You're right. I don't understand it at all. I can't possibly understand how anything good could come from people taking pity on you when you become pathetic. It sounds stupid, and pointless. The only reason I could see anyone going along with it is so that they could throw them away in the end.

So I don't get it, at all.