un: aquila

[leitstern]

Name: Jasper
Date: 12/21 [Forward-dated]
Format: Text

[Come the evening of the 21st, a message pops up in words and sentences. Not a single letter is out of place. The script is formal and almost designed for an audience.]

It is a truth unfortunate that joyous times bring out those villainous souls who prey on the citizenry.

Bandits and cutpurses. Thieves who steal and contribute nothing. Should it be illegal to transmogrify those vermin into forms more suited for their crimes?

[The message falters for a moment; its sender considering his own question. Would he curse such boorish people? Yes. Would he were it illegal? Well, he ignores the fact he might have done so and continues.]

Rats, perhaps?

There is poetic justic in such literal representation if nothing else.

[This is all hypothetical. Clearly.]

Comments

text; un: nibelung

[sonnestark]

[Right. Hypothetical.]

Poetic justice, maybe, but I don't think it would work out well for you otherwise. Wouldn't that be an abuse of magic?

[The question is rhetorical. Yes, it would be, Jasper.]

un: username; text

[fuelingfire]

Thieves deserve the retribution they earn through their hard work and effort. Your method is less harsh than that of many other places, which would happily cut off hands or even execute outright.

But increasing the breeding population of vermin might not be wise either.

[leitstern]

Depends on whom you ask, of course. I would hardly think teaching a lesson is so unlawful as to be a crime.

[His emotions - disgust and anger and disappointment - hardly register any bit of guilt.]

text; un: ajc

[sparkofgoodness]

Nothing wrong with rats. Known plenty of good rats, myself. Got a bad name after the whole plague thing, but they're a smart lot.

[leitstern]

It would certainly be a predicament requiring firm oversight. But can you imagine the alternative? Living amongst foul and obnoxious filth? I would consider it a fault of any government to leave people of inferior grace to spread rot and infestation.

Scour the slums of their depravity if nothing more. If they do not change their ways, starve them and let them learn, lest they devour each other.

[fuelingfire]

How unexpected. I am in complete agreement on the principle, though the fine points of application may need more thought to prevent an outbreak of vermin.

Mayhap consider flies instead of rodents. Or swine, that may be fed the refuse of the city and by doing so unwillingly help clean it instead of fouling it further.

[leitstern]

On the contrary, I have known them to be clueless fools.

I hardly believe prosperous relationships can be found with such craven crowds, personally?

[sparkofgoodness]

[ Bit rude about the rats, but he can let it go. Not everyone is as chatty with them as he is. ]

Dunno about prosperous. In my experience, end of year celebrations normally turn everyone aggressive -- all too stressed and in a hurry.

[ Season of good will and all that. Puts everyone in the mood for murder. ]

[leitstern]

Perhaps there is a case to be made for enforcing some contribution to society instead of enduring their infection of the same. But should the rulers of this city listen and endorse such punishment? That is the burning question.

Alas, I fear awaiting their ruling should prove inefficeient. There are few people in government who are entirely competent.

[leitstern]

[This is a man who has enjoyed plenty of occasions where there is wine enough for the most law-abiding man to turn criminal. The words he is given are turned over repeatedly and analysed.

How funny, he thinks.]

In your experience? Sounds like you have been to plenty a New Year's soiree, friend.

voice; un: crow

[crowsfeat]

[ A snort. ]

That depends on if you're targeting the actual thieves of the world.

Pickpockets and cutpurses take very little, and often only out of desperation, compared to those who steal from the tables of the masses, after all. Would you dare turn your curses upon the ruling class, I wonder?

text, un: filament

[omnicrafter]

One cannot give what they do not have. If you're looking at things from the perspective of an idealist or someone who's never been in a place like that before, it must seem heinous, yes. But the crime committed really depends on the circumstances of the people involved, and the society that they come from.

[fuelingfire]

Should? Yes.

Will? Unlikely. The vast bulk of those in ruling positions are interested only in what affects their lives directly, and these thieves and pickpockets by and large predate on the lower classes. What concern is it of theirs, safe in their gated homes?

Consequences beyond meager fines and brief stints behind bars may do well as a deterrent.

[sparkofgoodness]

Oh yeah, tons. Office parties, firework displays, any excuse for it and they're all drinking themselves into a stupor and kissing all the wrong people then waking up to it all on facebook.

[sonnestark]

Duration would likely be an important factor, too, although I'm not sure the Coven would look too kindly on it overall. Couldn't say for sure, though, not being a witch.

[Her moral compass is pointing decidedly at Dubious, either way.]

text; un: styx

[tothemetal]

[Styx's typing style is in stark contrast to Jasper's, almost comically so...but his inquiry had struck a surprisingly personal chord with him. no matter how long it takes his massive thumbs to laboriously text out an answer, he's determined to give it.]

i actually did that once
it was a mouse though but
thats pretty close i guess



dont really think people should be able to do it just cause

[leitstern]

[Fortunately one cannot see him grit his teeth.]

Absolutely. I hardly considered it incompatable with my office to bereave the gentry of their delusions of grandeur. It was my duty to uphold order, though I cannot pretend I punished them in similar fashion.

I hope that answers your question.

[leitstern]

[What the hell kind of grammar is that? He is appalled.]

It would wipe the streets clean which is all some care about.

But in the grand scheme of things, I certainly agree with you. I dislike people running amok myself.

[tothemetal]

[would you believe me if I told you this is a big improvement from his texting habits at home]

i mean
i guess ?
not like you could be everywhere at once though
and
like
basically what you said
if people did that all the time i dont really think itd make them any better than the ratpeople

[leitstern]

[Not without evidence!]

Oh, do you believe adherence to laws and prescripts makes some people better than the rest?

Each individual is generally no better than the next, I should think.

[Jasper is not... a fan of people in general.]

[tothemetal]

i dunno about like
law laws
all that shitty stuff in dorchacht used to be legal too right ?
being in charge dont make you nice or nothing
kinda more like
i dunno
dont feel right deciding shit for people like that
you know ?

[leitstern]

Oh, I should not permit that to sour your mood. For all my word is worth, I cannot say whether the Coven would look kindly on it either.

[His moral compass is pointing decidedly at I don't care.]

[leitstern]

I dare say I understand. You seem an incredibly empthatic person. Cautious of your impact on people, I dare say. If you will forgive the observation, friend.

[tothemetal]

haha you dont have to be sorry for anything :)
plus your right!
uh
back home ive always been way bigger than everybody else
kind of even too big honestly
so im always thinking about how im gonna hurt somebody if im not careful

its kinda the same here with magic and everything
just different things to look out for i guess

[leitstern]

The allure of hedonism often encourages sin, in my experience. But in the spirit of understanding I simply must ask...

... Facebook?

[What is that?]