Challenge #01896-E072: The Big Challenge — Steemit
Stopping violence with more violence is easy. It involves very little thought, and a mindset that makes the punishment more brutal than the crime. Stopping violence before it starts is more of a challenge. Especially when you want to avoid looking like a hypocrite.
The kids called him Mr Tough. He could physically lift any kid at Elementary but only if they asked him. He never dropped a one. And what he was opposed to above all other things was violence against others. Physical. Verbal. Passive-aggression. He didn’t tolerate any kind of meanness. He endorsed talking it out. Between the kids. Between the adults. And most importantly, between the kids and the adults around them.
It didn’t go well for lots of the adults, who clung vociferously to the concept that they were the grownups and their decisions had to be final. Or that children existed to be controlled.
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Challenge #01642-D181: Reformation
[Soldier]:“[Mage],” said one. “What the fuck?”
[Mage]: “I don’t have to start another war,” they said. “This is a good thing. I can go be happy somewhere else if it bothers you.”
[Soldier]: “Uh,” said the other.
[Soldier]: “Yes,” said the first. “Please.”
They left. – @recklessprudence
Urtax the Fearsome was talking to herself in the study again. “Schools. Yes. Must have schools. Teach ‘em all how to read of course. Best learned early, that skill…” She hummed to herself. “Teach th’ teachers how to recognise a blooming mage, of course. Progression. Yes. Can’t have people learning death spells before twenty-one… Hum.”
Urtax the Fearsome was, of course, the most powerful mage of the kingdom and, for a change, perfectly willing to let Artor the Brave rule instead of becoming the usual magical despot. As so many had before her. What she was doing now, instead of plotting to take over the throne, was plotting to reform magic.
“Harmless stuff for the unskilled, yes,” she continued to mutter. “Levitation, transformation. Some helpful potions. Check and see if any have any scrying skills… Thaaat requires… hm! Crystal balls, tea, tarot and I-Ching. Best leave some of that for… uh… sixteen. Yes. Need to have an ego for scrying.” Urtax fell to muttering, “Get ‘em early,” over and over again.