"I just write down what I'm thinking so it doesn't - move or change while I'm thinking about it, to decide if I like and want those thoughts or want something about how I arrived at them to change."

"And you consider this self-improving to a considerable degree? And effortful?"

"I have enough practice with it that it's not very effortful, and it'd probably get less so with all the quickness of mind, but I do think it improves my self, yes."

"I think this would count, because it is improving."

"Okay. But resting, even if I am in a situation where I need rest in order to accomplish things, doesn't count; but I can kind of bank work and take a longer vacation as long as I'm not working weirdly short hours."

"Accurate- To an extent, at least. A week, two weeks at the outside. Not months."

"Yeah, I think that's fine. And can you do the same thing about Honesty so I can double-check it?"

"Honesty is about not saying things that are lies. You can be wrong. You can be overconfident. You can be cheeky and sarcastic. You can say nothing or claim secrets. You can joke around. You can even imply false things by omission. If someone asks if you're an angel- 'Do I look like I have a halo?' That's fine. 'No, I'm not', is not. 'Let me just bring out my wings, oh wait', 'plead the fifth', or a shrug are fine. Hypotheticals are fine. Shaking your head no, clearly and unambiguously, is not. The same applies to things you write unless you mark it somehow as fiction. Context matters and this restriction is a slightly soft one."

"I think I can work with that. I don't even like lying and when it comes up I do prefer the not literally false kind of misleading."

"Compassion, diligence, honesty, then? And perhaps Charity? Or the vow of Hospitality may be workable. It means you must feed, house, and not harm those who come to you, should you be capable of such. It would oblige an Empire to take refugees, but would not force you to live with a freeloader forever. A single night and reasonable assistance is the minimum. Hospitality is about kindness to those who need shelter. And being someone who even your enemies can come to under flag of truce and trust they will leave unharmed."

"...I think I like charity better than hospitality, I'm kind of introverted. I don't mind taking refugees, but in my actual house not so much."

"Should I list the remaining Vows in case any seem shiny?"

"Yes please."

"Chastity- You seemed possibly interested, it means no casual sex. Only with someone you consider yourself in a relationship with. Justice. Protection. Fidelity. Mercy. Honor. Law. Faith. Humility. Temperance. And greater versions of the previous."

"Temperance? Also the problem with chastity isn't that casual sex is appealing, it's that long term relationships when we won't reliably be able to see each other in the hereafter aren't very."

"Temperance means that you don't dwell on gluttony. Eat when you're hungry, and no more. Drink alcohol lightly or not at all, and use similar drugs sparingly."

"...can I go teetotal and still snack?"

"Yes, I had also developed a Vow of Teetotal. It is not standard, but does work. No drugs or alcohol save for small amounts for social purposes- Say, if you would drink Communion wine, or take a sip of koumiss as a nomad greeting, but not going for drinks socially- And the restriction on food would be mostly lifted. The Vow of Teetotal produces two virtue to temperance's five, however."

"Is taking communion actually important in some way? I haven't been getting a very specific religion vibe here."

"It's not important to God except as a sign of faith, and virtue, and a thing that people like. Some people find it very comforting. I believe it had its roots in the Christian churches providing food and alcohol to parishioners on Sundays in times past. I think many religions had at least an inspiration in the reality of angels."

"It kind of makes sense, yeah, if different ones met different angels with different powers and vows... I'll take Teetotal, for sure, but probably don't want to give up snacking, I'm giving up many things and cutting out lots of things all at once might be demoralizing, y'know? While I'm trying to adjust to a new world especially."

"That makes sense. I was planning on warning you off more than four. It's kind of a lot."

"Which ones do you have?"

"I'm a heaven born angel. It's not exactly comparable. I effectively have most of them, including peace, honor, mercy, compassion, pacifism, and advanced forms of the above. As well as abstinence, Fidelity, and several more."

"Abstinence isn't just chastity but moreso?"