Side-Write: Interview with Justice

We're nearing the end of this series, and things are getting a bit intense. I expected this one to be pretty tough, but at some point getting ready things just clicked and this mostly came together on its own. It might help that this is a subject that is, in a way, closer to my heart than some of the others we've explored. Just one more to go after this!

As always, this is not meant to be a canonical scene so much as an exploration of what may be in the world behind Project Wild One. I hope you find it an interesting read!

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Q: I'm recording now.

A: Good. We can discuss your punishment afterward. For now, how do you start these?

Q: Well, usually we have a bit of a preamble where we--

A: Proceed, then.

Q: ...Alright. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me today. I know you're very busy.

A: It's fine. My aura is still being used in the chambers around us. Our work is not impaired, and I hope your publication will better prepare your people for encounters with me.

Q: I must admit, I did... I didn't expect you to seem so... relaxed?

A: Mm, yes. Many, especially among your kind, seem to expect a stern judge, or a vicious enforcer. Something like that?

Q: I suppose.

A: There's a fair number of those here, but that sort of approach is only necessary for people that do not have my effect on others. You've seen firsthand how unnecessary any measure of force or stern rebukes would be, for me.

Q: I... have.

A: Perhaps you should describe for your readers what you experienced?

Q: ...Well... As they brought me closer to you, I started to feel... a tremendous sense of guilt. I remembered things I've done that I haven't thought about in years, or even little moments I never even thought twice about that surely must have hurt others... It was... overwhelming. The regret, the sense that I've... been such a monster.

A: Do you feel that I've forced anything on you, that I've created guilt where there was none?

Q: No! Or-- well... there have been so many things I should have felt more guilt for, but I let myself look the other way, or reasoned it away. Which just made it easier to do more and worse things... I wish I could have had this clarity years ago. I've done so much to...

A: All will be well. For now, continue the interview.

Q: I... yes. Yes, I must. Well... let's get into proper questions, then. You said this interview doesn't get in the way. I think I can understand how just bringing criminals near you can make justice very... straightforward. Do you just spend most of your time letting people use your aura, then?

A: I do speak with those that need justice, as well. Almost all of them want to speak with me directly, but I mostly handle the more difficult or complicated cases directly. Many times, questions of right and wrong are so complicated that people need help understanding the best path forward. For this, I hold interviews and hearings.

Q: Has anyone failed to repent their crimes in your presence?

A: No... but the crimes they acknowledge are not always those expected by the enforcers that bring them. Many people like to believe justice and morality are universal and straightforward, but the truth is that it varies wildly from culture to culture, and sometimes person to person.

Q: You hand out justice to each person according to their own sense of justice, then?

A: That is an important part of it. But the needs of the people around them must also be considered. Also, I do not hand out justice, precisely-- I do not act as a judge or any other such officiate.

Q: You don't? I hear many stories about the people you've imprisoned, or worse.

A: Many punishments have been carried out because of things said in my presence, but I command no legal power directly. My relationship with the governments of this world is a little more complex.

Q: Right. While this city is your home, you tour many different cities regularly, yes?

A: Correct. Often, my aura is more accurate to the needs of the people if I am physically in the area where the lawbreakers in question live, surrounded by the people that might be affected by their actions. If someone comes here from far away to seek justice, they will largely receive the justice of this land, not of their own.

Q: So... what does happen when a criminal is brought to trial before you?

A: Let us take one step back on that. Many people are brought to stand before me when they are suspected of crimes, whether because they have been accused or simply were in the wrong place at the wrong time. When they enter my aura, they experience intense feelings and generally will ask for my help and guidance. If they can't see me, they may accept the guidance of my attendants, those I've taught the proper method to more or less imitate me. I'll ask them about what they feel they deserve, and in some cases I'll help guide them to a less self-destructive, more productive punishment. We come to an agreement, and often they will want to form a binding agreement with their government before leaving my presence.

Q: So, criminals literally sentence themselves?

A: Usually, yes. I try to guide them to accept sentences that benefit the people, especially those that they've hurt. My understanding is that they are afraid that after they leave, they will resume their old ways and keep hurting people. They usually seem to hope that through punishment, they can be physically prevented from continuing as they have, and will have time to change their ways.

Q: What about those who are suspected of crimes but innocent?

A: Often they will be preoccupied with other wrongdoings in their life, as you were. We talk it out and they go on their way with some small punishment to help them better theirselves.

Q: ...What about people who commit crimes, but believe they were right to do so?

A: An astute question. Yes, sometimes lawbringers see a very different result from what they may have expected or hoped for. But even freedom fighters or the like face a difficult trial. If the people they fight for are a small minority, then they must feel the weight of all the people they may hurt in their struggles... as well as how their own people may suffer if they do not act. If they fight for an oppressed majority, then they may well feel even greater conviction than they did before. Those tend to be some of the most interesting hearings I oversee.

Q: I think I'm beginning to see why you seem more like a philosopher than a judge. But... can you truly bring justice if it is so... varied, so complicated and... unreliable?

A: That is a difficult question with a few different answers. On the simplest level, the truth is that what I bring people with my aura is not directly justice so much as it is something people need in order to clearly see their own justice. I bring perspective: the ability to see yourself as others do, and as others could, both emotionally and morally. I make you aware of the weight your every action has, of the consequences, the very power every one of you has over the lives of all those around you. This, in itself, leads to a second, larger answer.

Q: ...What is that?

A: That my function in this world, in every place that strives for order and civilization, is not to act simply as an arbiter of morality or a judge. My function, and perhaps to some extent the function of all organizations seeking to enforce justice in this world... is the redistribution of fear.

Q: ...Fear?

A: Yes. Fear is fundamental to every species, and possibly your most powerful motivator. In a world without law and order, every creature fears for their life constantly, and fears what may come tomorrow. Every day is a struggle. One of the fundamental goals of a civilization is to take away this terrible fear and allow people to live in safety. For this to happen, the fear must be taken from the weak and the victims, who can do little to stop terrible things from happening to them, and it must instead be given to the powerful and the vicious, those who would hurt others. Those who hurt others need the perspective to see and appreciate the pain they've caused, and to fear it just as much as their victim would. Those who are inclined to hurt others are those who should feel the fear, and use it to curtail their own behavior. My gift of perspective helps each of you see how connected you are, how precious every person in this world is, and how terrible it is to hurt another for your own gain. In my presence, the cruel fear themselves, and seek some way to become less of a threat, so that they can live without guilt or worry as a better member of society.

Q: ...So... your role is to strike fear into everyone that meets you?

A: Fear can be a necessary part of life, but its role is more complicated in a society. I help people fear the things they should fear, for the better of all. I put their fear on things they can actually do something about, and make it a beneficial part of their life. That has been, in my experience, how these things have played out.

Q: I... see. Well... It sounds like this can be very beneficial for the people at large, when dangerous people in the area are brought to you. But it sounds like your effects might not necessarily align very precisely with actual law?

A: Indeed. Any set of laws is imperfect and riddled with its own problems, so lawmakers are often not entirely pleased with the effect I have. For a time, many lands were closed to me, where those in power rejected my influence. They wanted total control over their people, without outside contradictions. But these days, many lands have opened to me as the people call out for better justice. It is beginning to look a little more like it used to... where nations can be very aware of each other's qualities and standing simply by looking at how much they cooperate with me and my attendants. Whether they abide by the decisions reached in my hearings. Whether they allow their own enforcers, their officials, even their leaders, to enter my area of influence. Feel free to take the latest publication with you for a full list of known nations rated by their level of cooperation. I hope that with time, all governments will again feel the need to answer to justice, even if their laws are not fully consistent with the justice their people wish for.

Q: I certainly will. Thank you.

A: We don't have much time left. Is there anything left to address for your interview?

Q: Well... I suppose that's up to you. Is there anything else you would like the people of the world to know?

A: Hm. I believe we've covered the important points. However, knowing that my aura can have a strong but temporary effect on people, I imagine that some of your readers may suspect you are giving a skewed account of the experience of meeting me, given you are still under my influence as we speak. Will you be publishing this couched in some sort of greater explanation to make it clear how you feel about our meeting after you've left?

Q: I can add a note to talk about that, yes. You really are concerned about how people perceive you, aren't you?

A: It has been quite difficult to change that perception that I am myself someone to be feared, and I think it might not help that I speak of bringing fear to people, nor that you have such a strong reaction to my presence. I think every person in this world would benefit from being in my presence at least once, but many flee when I approach. I hope that your publication will help allay people's fears.

Q: I will do my best to help in that matter, then. Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with me.

A: Indeed. You may stop recording now, and we may discuss your personal matters in brief.

(Note: I've been reflecting on my visit with the God of Justice for about a day as of this writing, and while my feelings from the encounter have lessened, I still feel a great sense of remorse for my own misbehavior in the past, and a great concern for how my actions may harm others in the future. However, I've made arrangements to atone for some of my own past actions and force myself to build better habits. I cannot say it was a comfortable experience, being in the God's presence, but I can say that it was beneficial, and even something I would recommend to others. I feel like I can be a better person now than I used to be. More importantly, I hate to think of what person I might be tomorrow if I had not made this visit yesterday. The perspective I gained was, in itself, a tremendously important gift. If you are in a position with any measure of power, or even if you're just a person that is large or strong, I implore you to find a chance to stand in the presence of the God of Justice. And even if not, you may well benefit from the experience. It is better to understand and prevent, than to live with regrets the rest of your life.)