Into the Woods - In Character Discussion List
"Hey kid, so you're like, what, 13?" asked Vee, nonchalantly. She squinted at Jericho, trying to see if there was even stubble on his face. "Only child? Orphan? Bullied as a kid?"
She shook her head, shrugging lightly. "Either way, it's pretty clear you're a new initiate trying to make a name for himself and impress others. Just another small cog on the giant wheel that is the Keldorian Church. Rather than being a tattletale to the church or making up fake decrees that are far above your station, how about you watch your back? Newbies like you... the church doesn't think twice about sending you into danger that may be more than you can handle."
With a nod towards Bredin far ahead leading them, Vee continued, "He knows that which is why he told you to bring your "friends" with you. Maybe you have talent in healing, but you're still learning. You're just a kid. I just hope you're in it for the good of helping people, not to use that talent to wield power over others and manipulate them to your will."
"My mother's a cleric in the church, you know," said Vee, with a sidelong glance. "She could easily run circles around your tiny, low circle. As she told me as a kid when she had to patch up drunk sailors after brawls, 'Do no harm' and that means not letting others suffer needlessly."
"Your choice, of course," continued Vee with another shrug. "But some food for thought. You remind me of my idiot little brother is all. And anyways, I'm not kidding when I say you need to watch out for Lirtimya. She's the best witness anyone could ask for, and anything you attempt to claim against us, she'll easily disprove. She's great with magic, you'll see that soon enough, but man, she'd be a phenomenal lawyer if she ever got tired of magic."
Reality Rejected
"Were you talking to ME this whole time? Sorry, I was focused on things like, I don't know, the Chupacabra up ahead. And, you must be mistaken; they don't call me to fight; they call me to HEAL the fighters. I don't fight. And, if it makes you feel better, I don't particularly care what circle I, your mother, or even the Highest Priest have. I care for no one's opinion but Locrins; he will tell me otherwise. "Fake Decrees?" is rich from Drunk and Disorderly conduct. You are correct, "I" don't have the power to levy fines against Alcoholic disorder in the local tavern, but if you think back on my words, I first claimed I would issue a Citation, which can mean a fine or a Caution that the establishment is doing something not well approved by the church. Which I understand no one gives a shit about it, but is a bureaucratic tool to track troublesome instances on paper."
"Next, I then threatened to BAN alcohol from the premises, which I don't have the power or authority to do, but I can dedicate every resource I have, Including a Witness of a Priestess who a drunk man harassed, and Official Church Security personnel who was almost robbed of church tithes to issue a credible report that would likely result in the same thing. Third, I threatened to BAN anyone from my clinic. Which I will do and have standing permission to do if I feel they present an unsafe presence in that environment, especially with an unwillingness to personally engage in active combat."
"But, even if everything I said is complete and utter bullshit, you might consider two things. First, the one who pisses off the medic usually won't live long enough to do it again. I know not what oaths your mother has taken for healing without disregard, but should I ever take such an oath, I'll be asking Locrin what exactly I should understand about that oath. Even at my angriest, I've usually kept an asshole from bleeding out, but I wouldn't test my limits with bullshit. Second, I care for no one's opinion except my own and my faith because they have earned that from me. If they decree I've done wrong, I will accept responsibility for my actions."
"I refuse to be chastised by a woman engaged in a....what's the term?..."Bar Brawl." Congratulations, you "own" a bar in a Tavern that will not give you anything but a reputation that you can take down drunk dipshits while also arguably being involved in the first place. Enjoy that triumph, but don't expect me to particularly care about it. If any assholes stop by the clinic tomorrow, I'll also report what they cost the church if they cannot pay. I know one of the men had no money, and your friend over there took the rest from the other."
"Do not presume to lecture me, but feel free to have fun along the way if you wish."
Reality Check, Continued
"Man, I bet you're a fun drunk," replied Vee, grinning as she smacked him on the back before giving him a wink. "Just remember, you aren't the only member of the church here. You're just a tad more invested than the rest of us."
