text

[emet_sulk]

So it seems they do indeed sentence us for our crimes. If we 'atone' properly, the claim is that we will be a step nearer to returning home.

[ He still finds the whole thing ridiculous. ]

I suppose now is as good a time as any to state that if you require a healer, I can be found at the clinic. Don't make me ride out to you in the wilderness.

[ This message counts as doing something beneficial for others, right? (No.) He's part of Ethlyn's Artzenritter though, technically, and he even has a mount now so he can ride out. ]

Comments

text;

[entreats]

Are they forcing you to make up for that entire pile of bodies?

[ She hasn't forgotten, Emet-Selch. Sorry, dude. ]

What did they say you have to do to atone for that?

[emet_sulk]

[ All signs point to 'yes'. ]

Create something beneficial or protect others.

[ His work at the clinic as a healer isn't enough, apparently. Maybe they want him to be more proactive? ]

In short: 'hero' work.

[entreats]

That's getting off pretty lightly. [ ANGE..

Is this really the thing to say right now. Time and place, girl. ]

I thought they'd put us through worse than that.

[emet_sulk]

I wondered what they thought suitable punishment for my misdeed but yes, I am inclined to agree.

[ Look, Emet is a lazy guy who appreciates a (sort of) low effort task. ]

I suppose I may as well ask: do you need any help?

[entreats]

[ ... ]

Do you have any way to stop the more annoying people of this place from ruining the peace for the rest of us, just because they're unable to stop being obnoxious and committing crimes every other day?

[ Look..

It's worth a try? It's practically the only thing Ange needs help with, aside from finding a way home, but the latter doesn't seem like anything anyone could accomplish all that easily here. ]

[emet_sulk]

In the absence of a set of governing laws, you could always kill them.

[ Emet, no. ]

[entreats]

[ EMET, NO.

Except Ange would kind of agree, were it not for-- ]

Don't you think that'd just ruin the peace and quiet even more?

[emet_sulk]

Some would celebrate your actions as contributing to peace and quiet. Sometimes fear is the only way to cower would-be miscreants. It all depends on the theatre you put on with the killing.

Killing during a moonless night in some back alley? Senseless murder.

Guillotining someone's head in the middle of a public square after loudly informing everyone of the accused's crime? Justice.

[entreats]

So let me get this straight.

You're saying I should set up some sort of public execution squad.

[emet_sulk]

Hardly suggesting.

I'm simply providing examples of moral relativism. Who is to say what suitable punishment looks like except in the eyes of the beholder?

[entreats]

Well, I don't even necessarily have to punish them. That sounds like an awful lot of work I don't feel like doing.

I just want them to stop.

[emet_sulk]

[ Aw, fine, boring answer it is. ]

Oh alright. I suppose you could do something to scare them off whenever they act up. Or if you truly want to put in effort, stimulate the night life on the streets. The presence of so many eyes won't deter everyone but it will reduce petty crime.

[entreats]

[ ...

You know, he's being more helpful here than she expected him to be. Not because she thought Emet-Selch was too dumb to help or anything, more.. well, she didn't expect him to try and be helpful even due to a punishment. ]

That doesn't sound like too bad of an idea, I guess.

Maybe that's why we had that casino before. Even though I thought it was really dumb. But other people like that kind of thing, right?

[emet_sulk]

Aye. Offering late night entertainment encourages other businesses to open later to service those patrons, which in turn means busier streets, and busier streets means that those who wish to conduct darker business need to step more carefully.

The tradeoff is that antisocial behaviour may rise in response. But such is life, hmm?

[entreats]

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but we're already experiencing antisocial behaviour even now.

[ So how much worse could it get, right?

.. don't answer that rhetorical question, Ange doesn't want to know. ]

Too bad I don't exactly feel like I'm the ideal night club business owner to try and start fixing this problem.

[emet_sulk]

No, you certainly aren't the type. You seem the sort to prefer working in the shadows. Mayhap you could play the part of a vigilante then. Harass these troublemakers and then vanish before they can catch you.

[entreats]

I've actually thought about that a few times.

[ So apparently she doesn't even take his assessment of her as an insult. Ange will take 'prefers working in the shadows', really. At least it doesn't make her seem like an idiot who impulsively and openly jumps into everything. ]

The chance of getting caught is pretty high though. And the last thing I want is for those people to turn all of their harassment towards me. It'd be a huge pain in the ass.

Still, you're not all that bad at making suggestions.

[emet_sulk]

For better or worse, I have plenty of experience dealing with unsavoury types. If I were feeling even more helpful I would even suggest finding someone to hide your presence. Do put in a good word for me with the Council though, hmm? They cannot say that I haven't tried.

[entreats]

Do you really think they'll care about anything I would have to say to them?

[ It's text, so it's lacking tone - making it a little less obvious that she's not believing that idea very much.

But maybe the context itself, or Ange's general cynicism, is enough to give off that impression all on its own. ]

[emet_sulk]

Of course not. But at least I can claim to have made the attempt, yes?

[ Believe him, he's just as cynical about this whole process. ]

[entreats]

Sure.

[ They do seem to be on the same wavelength about this. So as long as he isn't really expecting all that much out of it in the first place-- ]

I will let them know an attempt was made if they ask.

text

[snowslip]

Hello, this is Marianne from Artzenritter.

[ Emet-Selch has probably seen her around. She's quiet and always looks worried about something but has a gentle bedside manner. ]

Could I trouble you with a patient? I would go myself, but I'm attending to another call.

[emet_sulk]

A patient where?

private

[snowslip]

[ After some fumbling, Marianne sets the message to private for the patient's privacy. ]

He's an elderly man who lives in town. He's bedbound after a fall, and has a preexisting illness, so he'll need to be treated at home.

private

[emet_sulk]

[ A bed-bound elder. Emet-Selch makes a face to himself. He has absolutely terrible bedside manners - and not for lack of trying to be otherwise. He almost refuses out of habit, but as his finger hovers over the command to 'send' his message, he thinks about the slip of paper and his sentence.

With an annoyed sigh, he types a new response. ]

What is the nature of his injury and his illness?

[snowslip]

He has a heart condition. It's manageable with medicine, but he's stubborn and doesn't always take it...

[emet_sulk]

I'm to force-feed him then. Wonderful.

[snowslip]

[ Emet no. ]

Please don't force feed him. I usually try and reason with him. I'm sorry to put this on you so suddenly.

[emet_sulk]

'Twas a jest. I know well the pains and aches of the elderly. But I won't be responsible if he refuses even after all reasonable attempts at persuasion.

[ He says that, but...he will find a way. He always does somehow. ]

[snowslip]

[ Oh whew. ]

Yes, of course. We understand that it's sometimes beyond your control.

I'll send you his location, then. Thank you very much.

[emet_sulk]

Yes, yes. You're very welcome, don't mention it, and so on and so forth.

[breakin_ur_lore]

...did they tell you how to 'atone'?

[emet_sulk]

I'm to either protect or help others to show my sincerity in reformation.

[breakin_ur_lore]

Oh.

That doesn't sound too bad. [Says Mr Hero....]

[emet_sulk]

It's tedious. Once you help someone once, they expect your help again. It never ends.