thirteenth rune; frost; video

[deadelfwalking]

[Hello, friends. A cold-eyed elf with a fairly significant skin condition stares at the camera, his jaw set, his mouth a thin, inscrutable line.]

Talk of a council is all well and good, but we have another matter in front of us.

As many of you have pointed out, there is no formal system of law in place. At present, those of you who acted as peace officers have simply continued as you were in your own worlds. If you brought others to justice, if you spoke about justice -- you have continued to see this as your right.

[His eyes narrow, drawing his long eyebrows together.]

But it is not your right. Your laws are not universal. Your morality is not sacrosanct.

We must decide on appropriate conduct as a whole, with consideration given to perspectives outside of our own.

I propose that any code we settle on be simple and direct. For example:

1. Murder shall be abolished. In the case of murder, execution.

2. Theft shall be abolished. In the case of theft, the hand shall be cut off at the wrist. Repeat offenders shall lose both hands.

3. Conspiring with the United Earth shall be considered treason. In the case of treason, suspected or actual, execution.

4. Bodily autonomy shall be respected. Knowing efforts to mind control, telepathically invade, steal, or otherwise forcibly take spiritual or physical authority over another sentient being will constitute assault. In the case of this assault, execution.

And so forth.  These are merely ideas, of course.

[His lower lip twitches, suggesting that he's perfectly aware of the extremes he's recommended. Suggesting that he's just trying to get your attention, to get you to think about how you would define your own terms. What constitutes murder? Theft? Conspiracy? Justice? He's only asking.

Maybe.]

[After several hours, the post is edited with a very carefully recorded text attachment.]

Proposed countermeasures to theft:
public humiliation 
fines
time locked away

Proposed countermeasures to murder:
temporary exile
(where?  to a safe place?  to a random location in time?

General countermeasures
better jail system (?)
compassion (???)
mercy (???)
trials (how?  who receives authority?  who takes what position?  what verdicts should result?)
jail time (general solution?)
punishment via the VR room (?) 

Comments

[theguideless]

Well, no...you don't steal... [but he's still trying to imagine it anyway. hands...lessness. he turns the corner, distracted, staring at one hand while the other one keeps the tablet somewhat up and level.]

But, I mean, I guess if I try to think how it– [he stops, frowning at the tablet.] ...it was when I lived...in...

[he looks up, taking a second to be surprised.

oh.] Huh...!

[deadelfwalking]

[Koltira sets a steadying hand on Martin's shoulder.] And how was it? In your home? What was the law?

[He has a few suspicions.]

[theguideless]

[he smiles, ducking his head a moment, sheepish, as he turns the tablet off. no need for stereo.]

Mmh, so...If it's stealing... [he looks up, squinting while he thinks.] I mean, I don't know if the adults did, but if you were little and you were caught, you had to go without whatever it was for a few days. Food or, or one of the blankets. [tilting his head a little.] You can't really get in trouble for taking someone's clothes...they all look the same.

[deadelfwalking]

And would you recommend that as the law in this place? [gentle shoulder squeeze. It's OK, Martin. This is just talk.]

[theguideless]

[his mouth twists as he thinks about it.]

I...I don't know. That was for Darkovs, and that's different. And I don't really know what's fair for everybody, since...everybody's different. Stronger, or not.

[frowning. slowly, to work it out:] Because it could hurt somebody to go without food for a long time...or be too cold. But if somebody steals food, it's to eat, or blankets because they're cold...right? [looking up again.]

[deadelfwalking]

[Nod.]

Possibly. But I don't think that's a concern we'll have very often among our population. The transports' basic needs seem to be covered.

[He has to moderate his diction, admittedly -- he doesn't share any of those needs, after all.]

[theguideless]

[he thinks about it for a beat, and he nods. he doesn't remember going hungry, himself...]

So it's...stealing other things, right? But everyone here can have a lot more than what I'd think about...[face scrunching up again.] I guess I wouldn't know even how to start.

[tilting his head at Koltira.] I don't think anybody would steal from you. Or me.

[deadelfwalking]

[Feral grin.]

No, Martin. They would never dare.

[theguideless]

[Martin is either a bit dense or too secure in his safety to find Koltira's look threatening (probably both to their own degrees).]

A-ah, So we're safe, regardless of the punishment. I think other people should pick it, then...since they might have been robbed before. Or know what works better, right? Even with people from different places.

[deadelfwalking]

But there are other crimes to consider. More likely crimes. Such as murder, for instance.

[theguideless]

Mmm.... [the sound drags on for a couple seconds. he stops.]

Murderers were executed where you're from, right? But...here, people can come back still. [half-squint. right?]

[deadelfwalking]

In some cases. Certainly that would be the punishment for a knight of the Ebon Blade. What about your homeland?

[theguideless]

Uhm, well...if it's people, you mean? Humans. [wincing a little, putting it like that.] I don't really know. I mean, it never happened, for what I can remember...But maybe it's like if you killed another Darkov.

You get taken away. Away from the compound, I mean. I'm not sure what happens after that, but you're not seen again.

[deadelfwalking]

Taken away, eh. Exiled, or killed, I wonder.

[theguideless]

[frowning, looking downward.] I don't know... [he hopes not.] It doesn't seem right. I mean, what we did was too important to waste resources...[looking back up.] And that's what we were. Even the bad ones.

[deadelfwalking]

[Oh, Martin ... this is getting into something far beyond the scope of his original purpose. He kneels down so that he's eye level with Martin, shakes his head.]

You know now, Martin -- that is not true.

[theguideless]

[smiling, a shade apologetically. he puts a hand on the wrist still at his shoulder and nods.]

Mm, I know now. But that's how it was before. And I don't think it's something that can work here... [a thoughtful pause.] But...everyone came here as a resource, kind of. Right? Except it wasn't to fight monsters like the ones I know. [frowning.] But...we still get to live around people, and that's different, too.

I don't really...have the head for this... [obviously.]