This post marks the start of my mission including the following storyboard element:
- Settle a dispute and reach a compromised (4)
Summary:
While in the marketplace, Nana sees a fight break out and steps in to stop it. While she could easily force the men to stop, she tries using words and compromise to solve the problem.
Nana was browsing through the markets when she heard a cry for help, there was some commotions coming from ahead. Some kind of crowd had gathered around to see what was going on and as she approached closer, she could see a market stall go flying out above the crowd. Before it could crash down and hurt anyone, she leapt into action bouncing foward and up, catching it safely as the crowd gasped as she caught the market stall. Placing it down and moving forward she had a better view as the crowd parted showing two older men fighting one on the ground the other on top of him punching his face. Nana was in shock that two of her villagers could break down into a fight in the middle of market but then again she had been going on for such a while that she had no idea the state of what her people were in.
Nana moved forward picking up both men by the collar and pulling them apart, one bloody and dripping over his face from the bleeding with the other having sweat dripping from his brow as she tried to understand what was going on. Nana could easily forcefully hold them apart but that wouldnt stop their fighting once she let them go, something serious had happened here, and Nana needed to use her words to cool the situation and reach a compromise if there was one.
What has happened here? Why are you two fighting in the the middle of the market?
They barely spoke just scowling at each other while the one with the blood dripping from himself spat out towards the other, flecks of blood spraying over Nana's glove.
This coward attacked me from behind, he just wants to hurt me.
Ha! You pick my pocket and think I couldnt tell it was you?
The two men started arguing, insults and profanities being thrown back and forth. Nana sighed, her duties as a Kage werent to babysit children but as this land was under her protection and she was here, she had to intervene, as she vowed to protect all her citizens. The only issue was that she was used to protecting them from other threats, not themselves. She had to solve this without resorting to violence or fighting and using her fists.
Lets start from the beginning here, from what I can gather, you think he pick pocketed and stole something from you so you attacked him from behind?
She looked towards the man sweaty and dusty, somewhat wet and covered in the ice, her right hand holding him back.
Yeah, except I don't think he did, I know he did!
Nana looked towards the other man and asked him gently,
Did you pick pocket him?
He burst out almost as immediately as she finished.
I didnt do anything! All I did was trip and accidentally bump into him then he turns around and punches me!
Nana wondered what to do. She couldn't accuse either of them for lying, each man had their line. Nana thought hard about what her council would do and how they would handle this dispute. This wasnt her forte, she was used to solving problems by physically stopping them.
She screamed inside her head.
Taking a deep breath she spoke a little louder to gain the attention of each man.
ENOUGH! What did he take from you?
I didn't-
Nana shot him a dark look saying
Quiet.
Looking back to the sweaty thicker gentleman she didnt change her look, giving him a dark expectant look.
Well-
He reached to his coinpurse pulling it out and tipping it upside down
He took all my money! And look, am I holding anything? I havent bought anything yet!
Nana spoke quietly but her words could be heard by everyone that had gathered.
We have no way of knowing if you had anything in there to start with.
Her eyes darted back to the bloodied mans waist who has a medium size sack tied to his belt, clearly carrying some coinage.
While the evidence is circumstantial, and with no witnesses here, we cant assume that you had any coin to begin with, despite the obvious fact that he may have coin on him.
She paused, knowing that this aggravater wouldnt be happy with this.
So what?? I am just robbed and nothing is done about it? This is rubbish!!
Nana sighed, she didnt know how to deal with this squabble, she felt like just leaving them be, but she decided against it.
You have no proof that he actually took your money so youre so quick to dish out punishment? Perhaps I should punish you for assaulting this man as well? Youre not getting away with causing harm to another citizen.
It was then the colour drained from his face as he thought about what was happening, potentially being punished for trying to stand up for himself. Nana knew the feeling too well. Upon becoming Kage she had to reel back how much she used to fight first and worry about the consequences later. Now with all of the lands eyes upon her, she had to be the example for everyone, but also to prove to herself that she could be the leader they needed. This was the first step.
All I want to do is go home, I feel dizzy....
Nana was worried she may have gotten there too late as she looked towards the bloodied man, looking white as a sheet underneath the caked blood. She had to solve this fast before he passed out and to rush him to the medics or hospital.
She was starting to panic, hoping that the murmuring around the crowd wasnt about her inability to solve this simple problem.
She didnt want to reward the man for assaulting the innocent untill proven guilty man, by giving him any money which he might have made up in the first place.
Then an idea sprung to mind. Something her sensei gave to her when ever she broke rules.
Because you have assaulted a man, you will need to pay a fine for the damages caused. What ever he stole from you, you will pay.
She turned to the crowd and asked them;
Do you, the witnesses to this incident find this punishment acceptable?
There was a general murmur of agreement with a few disapproving boo's but at overall there was agreement coming from the crowd.
Wh- No! Thats not fair!
You assaulted a man without proof and harmed one of your own. You tried to be judge jury and executioner and will be punished.
The crowd started to disperse as one of the police came forward, seemily hiding while Nana took care of the problem.
We can take it from here ma'am. We also have a medic here to take the young man to the hospital.
Nana nodded to the officer, as a medic in a green jumpsuit walked past. She let out a breath she didnt know she was holding while they took him away and Nana started to walk onwards. She had hoped that she had handled the problem well, or at least to the best that she could have. Surely months ago she would have just walked away or punched both of them and let the police sort it out. But now as the Kage, she needed to be respected and not feared, to show leadership and to show wisdom as well. This was the first step.