04/voice

[flightlessbird]

We have found the— [ A pause, and quieter, to the side: "What is the word?" A heavy sigh from further off, which sounds kinda like Loki. "It is vandal." ] —Vandals! Who ruined things. We found them, even though Roslyn would not help.

I have named them stump for hands, because stump means not to have a hand. [ she sounds so pleased with her own cleverness. ]

If anyone needs to find and punish someone, then you should ask Loki. He is very good at it.

[ And in the back again, from Loki: ] But not without a price.

Comments

[withouthumanity]

I have punished the wicked—is that not a noble deed?

( wow somebody is... sarcastic... )

[bratworth]

Absolutely not. For starters, it was not your place to do so.

[withouthumanity]

Was it not?

Yes, perhaps I was—showing a bias.

[bratworth]

... And that is precisely why justice should only be meted out by practitioners of an impartial infrastructure, such as that of the judiciary!

[withouthumanity]

( So skeptical, his expression. )

I'm sorry?

[bratworth]

Are you not understanding, or are you apologizing?

[withouthumanity]

I'm afraid I don't follow your earlier words.

( He does—a little. )

[bratworth]

Quite simply, you are just one person and have no right to decide the punishment for criminal behaviour alone. [ Because he agrees that thieving should be punished - but not like that. ]

[withouthumanity]

I should not decide the punishment for what is done directly to me?

I should think that is the simplest of approaches.

[bratworth]

No. Certainly not. You are, as you said yourself, biased.

[withouthumanity]

And who else should share my own encounter with this wrongdoer, so that they may make an appropriate decision in my stride?

It is obvious that there is no-one qualified to do so.

[bratworth]

Yes, there is. Impartial third parties. A judge. Lawyers.