Post by Holly Hock on Dec 11, 2020 20:10:41 GMT -5
“A society should be judged not by how it treats its outstanding citizens but by how it treats its criminals.”
Squatter Square is the central hub for the Sewer Stranglers. Within it you could find some amount of comfort within the otherwise unforgiving systems of tunnels under the Wind District. But as with every place that offers warmth and kindness, there are those who unjustly think they deserve more, or that the rules set in place do not apply to them. Every punishment, save one, can be executed by one of the caste leaders to their own caste. The Caretaker may punish all, just as she provides for all. [break] [break]
Most of these rule-breakers either need to give a public apology and admit their crimes, or get community service in Squatter's Square. Most can repent through admitting their mistake and through the sweat of their brow. Some of the more heinous actions get punished through corporal punishment, or in certain cases exile. Some need to learn through pain, or loose the protection of the community. A few crimes that especially harm the community get the penalty only the Caretaker can perform.[break] [break]
It is called The Green Wall.
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[attr="class","RDcontainer"] [attr="class","RDcontent"] Holly was seated in her own personal throne room, thinking about what she needed to say. The circular room was covered from floor to roof in vines, leaves, and flowers of different shapes and kinds. The only exception was a single opening in the middle of the roof from which natural light illuminated the room during the day. Under this light, in the center, was a throne made out of the same living material, connecting Holly fully with her surroundings. On most days, she sat there for some parts of the day when not performing tasks vital for the community. it gave clarity. Today, she sat there to decide how long two criminals would spent in the wall.[break] [break] When she had decided, she stood up. She walked forward and with a small wave of her hand a small opening appeared in the circular room through which she exited. Strolling through a small passage still covered thickly with greenery, The Caretaker stepped out into Squatter Square. The denizens of the atrium were all gathered, though in silence. Attendance for this punishment was mandatory. No exceptions. Chief among those gathered today were the guilty. A young man and a middle-aged woman were placed on their knees, near the entrance to the Caretaker's throne-room. Facing the crowd who all stood at a distance. Tunnel-Chasers flanked them both, and they also ensured that the gathered people kept their distance when the sentencing was done.[break] [break] The Caretaker's arms were covered in vines, and didn't even ended in what you could call fingers. Her dress was a blue fabric, reaching to her knees, and adorned with living flowers. Her face stood adamant, and her gaze fell upon the crowd. Those who knew what was about to happen looked mostly on in silent acceptance. A few seemed to nod appropriately among themselves, and those who never actually witnessed this punishment before seemed to be mostly confused. The Caretaker began to speak, her voice the sole sound amidst the ever present background noise of the sewers.[break] [break] "I have given this community its life, and through my will, I can restrain its growth. Through me this garden can thrive, or it dies. Most of you know this, and have pledged yourself to our community with this understanding. Most of you follow its rules, only set in place to ensure that our community will continue to grow and thrive. Some need further guidance on this path. Today, as your mother and caretaker, I will enforce a punishment to let these wayward members see the errors of their ways and remember the care a community provides."[break] [break] The vines that lead all the way through Holly's throne-room connected to the wall the crowd was facing. They spread across most of the flat surface till the corners. Different types of vines all intermixed and running over each other. Before it became a punishment, it was already called the Green Wall. When Holly was pleased, flowers would grow from that side of the atrium. When she was charitable, sometimes berries to be plucked freely outside of the rations. Today, now that she was displeased, a different kind of fruit would hang on the wall. She walked over towards one of the criminals and stood beside him. The young man was crying softly, keeping his head down as The Caretaker addressed the crowd.[break] [break] "We know Alba, for he is one of us. A Tunnel-Chaser who lives among us, and has performed his role admirably till four days ago. A writer of stories, and someone who even graced my own throne room to tell them. He decided that his desire for a nap during his watch was more important than safeguarding this community. Through his tunnel one of the invaders from above got into our territory. A non-important cretin who was caught later on by a patrol. She was scared off, without learning of our true home. Still, what if she was not found before she got evidence of our home here? Saw Squatter Square with her own eyes, and shared it with others. Through Alba's inaction, he could have ruined us all. The guilty may make his plea now."[break] [break] The man looked up, and instead of facing the Caretaker, he faced the crowd. "I...I know I made a mistake. I was tired. I had been up to late the night before as I was writing. You...you all know my stories. I was writing about a dragon...befriending a mouse... I wanted it to be finished before Amber's birthday. I...I named the mouse after her... You all know me...This...this will never happen again! I swear it!"[break] [break] It was all he could say, before his words failed him and he remained silent.[break] [break] "Six hours."[break] [break] Without another word, the Caretaker extended her arms towards the Green Wall. Tentacle-like vines illuminated in a magenta glow crept out from it and grasped around Alba's limbs. When they were covered, his body was slowly brought towards the wall that seemed to give way for him. Thick creepers grew around his body, till he was suspended in the living wall. His arms and legs were held tight, but his chest had enough room to easily breath. His head was also clear to move around, and was about 6 feet of the ground. Though it appeared to be uncomfortable, he didn't seem to be in pain. The Caretaker explained to those who didn't knew yet.[break] [break] "For six hours Alba will remain in this wall, without the ability to move his limbs. Though not helpless, for one is never truly alone in a community. Most of you know this man, and heard his words now. Will you share some of your food with him if he asks? Will you visit him to offer comfort? Will you provide him with something to drink when he is thirsty. Will you be mad at him, and air your displeasure. All of this is in your hands now. In six hours he will be released, and his punishment served."[break] [break] Alba spoke out a last time. "Thank you Caretaker...for...this mercy..." He didn't sounded sure that it was.[break] [break] The Caretaker walked over towards the next offender. The middle-aged woman.[break] [break] "This woman's name-"[break] [break] The middle-aged woman spit at Holly's feet, causing one of the Tunnel-Chasers to bash the butt of his club at her head. She gave a slight scream, before looking at the crowd before her who looked on in slight shock.[break] [break] "YOU OBEY A FUCKING CHILD!" She screamed. One of the Tunnel-Chasers was about to hit her again, but The Caretaker's green arm intervened and was placed in between the loyal guard and the woman. "SHE IS INSANE! SHE TREATS US LIKE TOYS! FEEDS US WHEN SHE WANTS TO! BREAKS US WHEN SHE WANTS! THIS IS NO LIFE! WE USED TO BE FREE! WE-"[break] [break] The woman's scream was finally interrupted when a green vine slithered around her mouth. Holly had already touched the wall, and dozens of green creepers were crawling already over the woman's body while she kept ranting. All the while she screamed into the green restrained, she was being dragged to the wall. Higher than Alba. About 10 feet high, and around halfway up to the ceiling. While Alba had been given ample room to breath and move his head, the woman was not given this mercy. Creepers restricted almost every movement of her body, till the point that it was clear to all that every breath would be hard for her. The only spot that was deliberately clear were her eyes. Caught in a mixture of rage and horror, they both concerned and pleaded to anyone in the crowd to act against this injustice.[break] [break] Nobody dared to stir.[break] [break] "The crime is dissidence. Now, three counts. The sentence is 48 hours."[break] [break] No effort was made to even uncover the woman's mouth, or give her even the mildest of comfort. Alba looked horrified in front of him, too afraid to even move a muscle to displease their leader right now. They all knew the chances that this woman would survive for that long were slim at best. She wouldn't have been the first to go this way. Her followers would claim it was justice, and that the woman brought it upon herself. Had she pleaded for mercy, the community would have provided for her even in this state of stagnation. She insulted the Caretaker and the community in her plea. This was her own fault.[break] [break] They all knew that breaking her free was punishable, as harming any plant displeased the Caretaker greatly. Not that the Tunnel-Chasers who stood guard near Her door would even let you if you tried. Those who watched over her door were her most devout followers.[break] [break] The followers who dragged the few bodies away from those very few who didn't survive.[break] [break] Would this woman be one of them?[break] [break] The Caretaker looked out over the crowd a last time, before she took a few steps forwards and gave one simple closing sentence.[break] [break] "Strive to be better than her."[break] [break] That was all She said before turning her back on them and heading back towards the entrance of her throne room. The crowd was still spellbound, looking either at Her or towards those who had been sentenced to the Wall.[break] [break] There was one who spoke up. A small girl not even 10 years old with blond pigtails. She did a small step forwards, and shouted after the pretty queen who had given her and her mother a home, food, and the safety of this community. Her mommy had called this punishment by this word, and she wanted the Caretaker to hear them.[break] [break] "Justice!"[break] [break] As the vines closed after Holly, she could faintly hear her the little girl's opinion being echoed by other voices. Some with conviction, others merely to play along. Holly didn't truly care if it was justice or not, to be honest.[break] [break] It was her will, and that was enough.[break] [break] |
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[attr="class","RDwortag"] Words: 1655, Thread Total: 1000 (Max for solo) | [attr="class","RDwortag"] Aura: 94% |
[attr="class","RDnotes"] Semblance: B, Strangler: E, Gardening: D, Scroll-usage: F, Martial Arts: E, Healing: E, Acrobatics: F, Stamina: E, Greensense F | |
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