Prospero arches an eyebrow. "Indeed. Though who is to say that we mortals are not the instruments of the divine? Such has always been the aim of judge and jury, to be the eyes of blind Justice and bear her sword and scales on Earth."
"But there seems to be some kind of contradiction somewhere about being an agent of ineffable divinity, cognizant of that fact, and also a finite being."
He pauses thoughtfully.
"Our justice systems, eventually, are usually found to be lacking by the societies that come after us."
"We do what we may in the time we have. We cannot forestall action because the unseen future looks back upon us as a child looks upon his parents. The world turns whether we will or no; if a man stays still as the tide comes in around him, he drowns."
"If it is in our power to mete out justice, should we not? Oh, the smaller slights we might let slip, for the working of the world all too oft requires such. A father daily commits a dozen small offenses against his children, in their eyes, and so it may be with master and servant, teacher and apprentice. But there are hurts that cannot be salved with a word or a shrug and the knowledge that they lead to our betterment -- the sudden hurts like a cliff in a darkness and the slow ones like the encroaching winter."
"Ah, yes. Natural justice, divine justice -- such as we shall all face, one day, no doubt."
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Prospero arches an eyebrow. "Indeed. Though who is to say that we mortals are not the instruments of the divine? Such has always been the aim of judge and jury, to be the eyes of blind Justice and bear her sword and scales on Earth."
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"But there seems to be some kind of contradiction somewhere about being an agent of ineffable divinity, cognizant of that fact, and also a finite being."
He pauses thoughtfully.
"Our justice systems, eventually, are usually found to be lacking by the societies that come after us."
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"We do what we may in the time we have. We cannot forestall action because the unseen future looks back upon us as a child looks upon his parents. The world turns whether we will or no; if a man stays still as the tide comes in around him, he drowns."
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"Well, I can't exactly knock revenge. I've never tried it."
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This time, Prospero's brows draw down.
"And I hope you shall never have need to."
Not everyone, is the subtext, is so lucky.
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He sounds mostly thoughtful.
"But in general ... what do you think merits non-divine intervention?"
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"If it is in our power to mete out justice, should we not? Oh, the smaller slights we might let slip, for the working of the world all too oft requires such. A father daily commits a dozen small offenses against his children, in their eyes, and so it may be with master and servant, teacher and apprentice. But there are hurts that cannot be salved with a word or a shrug and the knowledge that they lead to our betterment -- the sudden hurts like a cliff in a darkness and the slow ones like the encroaching winter."
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"And the hurts that leave scars ..."
He can make ironical references too.
"Those are of the wintry variety?"
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He gives Matt a sidelong look.
"Aye, mayhap."
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"Is that why you've gotten Ariel involved?" he said.
"To ... stave off the hurt? Or get yours, or keep the cold out, or whatever?"
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Prospero is rarely surprised, these days, but that -- that is a surprise.
"Involved?" he repeats. "Pray, Master Jamison, what do you think I have involved Ariel in? And what business may it be of yours?"
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"Well from where I'm sitting it sounds like a lengthy period of indentured servitude," he says.
"It's ... not my business any more than anything else is, but I have to admit I was interested in hearing your thoughts."
And given how they now apparently clash on the topic of justice, he's betting those thoughts will be scintillating.
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"A time of service it is, surely -- one he freely entered into, out of gratitude, and the terms of which he agreed to willingly enough."
He reaches out to steady his staff with one hand.
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"I'm not saying there was anything wrong with the contract."
Matt looks pretty dry, even though he's wondering if there's about to be a rumble. He did not come prepared for a rumble.
"I'm sure it's soundly designed, or it wouldn't hold."
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