Dro'gan shrugs.
"I might be able to get something out of her, but if it came from another woman in charge of her judgement here, she might be more willing to speak openly."
Seeing that no one else seems to be taking initiative, Chana binds the woman up and sets her in a back room where she can't cause too much trouble if she starts throwing a fit. She fills a mug with cold water and splashes Mag to wake her up.
"Alright, lets see wot she's got ta say for 'erself."
The splash of water almost instantly rouses the hungover thief. The arms of the chair she is propped up in creak as she struggles at her bounds, not fully cognizant yet ready to swing wildly at anything nearby. However, upon discovering that she cannot move, Lucinia eases back into the chair and takes a moment to actually process her circumstances.
She yawns, then hocks a glob of spit upon the dirt floor.
"Who in Cayden's scrotum are you?" she sneers.
"Well! I didn't realize I was graced with the presence of a bunch of highborn bastards and trollops."
Lucinia is unmoved by Olivia's introduction. As you speak with her further, in lieu of a personal defense, all you manage to pry from her are colorful opinions regarding your parentage. She proves to be a supremely grating, disrespectful, and unrepentant woman.
"Are ya lookin' for some sob story? Guess what? That ain't me," she declares. "I don't like these sots, and I ain't about to break my back workin' for their benefit. I'll take whatever I want and have a good time doin' it!"
Stepping out of the shadows from a corner of the room, Dro'gan sees things are not starting well.
"You would do well to listen to these women. They hold your future in their hands. You invoke Cayden? Are you a worshiper of the Happy God?"
Chana laughs "Then you're no better than that big-headed Count. Takin' what you want, is it? How'd you slip out'a gettin' cut up a dozen times already like that?" She's genuinely curious if the cocky woman is actually some kind of genius thief, or if the people of Stachys are just slow to punish. She sits cross legged on the ground near the woman and rubs at her nose behind her veil. "Wot's wrong with the sots anyway?"
Chana's no smooth talker, but she's come across plenty of people in the Narrows with one gripe or another. Most are more than happy to yak your ear off if you let them. So she gives Mag the opportunity.
"Hah, capital! I rarely have an excellent time when I'm bound and at the mercy of a bunch of strangers, but I'd never judge a woman's preferences!". Bartolo chortles sarcastically at Lucinia's response. "So, so far your only virtue's honesty, and only that of the verbal variety." Tilting his head at Chana in agreement, he shrugs. "Were I a betting man, I'd wager she'd been counting on the goodwill and sentimentality of the country folk. Life's not as cheap here as in the big towns."
Amandine favors some sort of community labor, but with a clause for a harsher sentence if the woman should refuse to complete it. But, when Onora mentions the multiple, unsuccessful banishments, she's uncertain what to suggest. Banishment had been the harsher, backup punishment she had in mind and she's reluctant to go further than it.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Amandine is more amused at Dro'gan's backpedaling than bothered by his use of the word 'whore', even though the term could aptly be applied to her. She's comfortable with that, it was how Calix and she got out of the Narrows. It was the means available to her for achieving a good end and she won't feel ashamed for that.
Besides, Amandine considers the term 'whore' to mean something more expansive than the usual narrow pejorative. A 'whore' does something they would not otherwise do, for moral or ethical reasons or because they find it distasteful, for compensation great enough to overcome their qualms. To her that is the crux of it whether or not sex is involved. By her measure there are a lot of whores around in the world, many of whom even the most judgmental person would consider very fine company.
Amandine is a precise thinker though, and she is fully aware there is a certain amount of hypocrisy in all the care she took to keep Calix from knowing the details of her evening job.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Amandine remains quiet and in the background while Lucinia is questioned. She judges herself to be far less relatable for Lucinia compared to Chana, at least without breaking the persona she is presenting in Meratt.
"I like Cayden," she says, her defiant grin taking a more sincere quality. "He does what he wants. I like that."
Dro'gan has his foot in the proverbial door with this woman, but that does not mean there is much behind that door to be found and assessed.
Despite being bound, Lucinia sits up and spreads out upon the chair, clearly striving to remind you of her formidable size. She flexes her muscles, straining at the bonds, simply to make a show of her strength.
"Most of the folks around here are scared of me, even Piscum. Let me tell you, I've been dealing with tribunes and sheriffs since I was thirteen, and I'm damn near forty. Unless you're planning on hanging me, I ain't going away."
As locals continue to flock to the pub in anticipation of the trial, Dro'gan's appeals - combined with the novel presence of nobles - makes them more apt to share details regarding Mag. Ever since giving up "honest work" in her teen years, she's gotten by on petty theft, usually taking what she can from sheds and barns, but not afraid to rough up folks and outright rob them.
For how many times she's been tried in the Wolf's Whisker, there are even more that went unreported, usually because the victims were afraid of Mag. A popular story has it that anyone who seems apt to report Mag for a crime finds a knife planted in their door as a warning.
Sighing, Dro'gan holds up a hand to imply waiting on judgement for a moment.
"You follow Cayden, and invoke him...so you agree with his tents of Freedom, Adventure, Drinking, Fun...and 'Opposing Tyranny' and 'Oppression'. Do you agree with these? At least in principle? He also accepts challenges on principle too...but not frivolously or stupidly. "
Turning to pace a moment, he pauses and lets the seconds slip before turning on his heel suddenly and pointing at the woman.
"Did you know this area was once extremely famous for its wines? It is even possible, with your experience, you might have had a taste of the stuff once or twice since I'm sure there are still a few bottles of the 'good stuff' floating around here and there?"
"Of course I know that," she scoffs. "Back in the day, finding a bottle of Stachys Red was always a rare treat. Of course, that was twenty years back, at least. Before the marsh came creeping back."
She obviously doesn't come right out and state as such, but her boast makes it clear that "finding" such bottles of wine meant swiping them from unwatched kitchens or unlatched cellars.
Smiling slightly now, Dro'gan waves at the ladies in the room.
"Did you know these ladies are here to help reduce the landed nobility's 'oppression' on the area locals...including you? One of their plans to help the area is to try and bring back the wine fields. A lofty goal, is it not? A...challenge...wouldn't you say for such a group? Regardless of their noble blood...how much do they know draining marshes, clearing fields, growing grapes, or making wine instead of vinegar?"
He walks behind her and around, just out of reach. His hands are held in front of him, fingers spread, each finger tip touching it's opposite finger tip. When he gets in front of her again, he looks askance at her.
"One of the tenets of Cayden's flock is the manufacturing of appropriate libations and similar alcoholic beverages for all manner of needs and appetites too...correct? I've even heard of some of his monks that produce some of the sweetest wines and smoothest whiskeys known to human lands."
Chana lets Dro'gan speak. He seems to be getting to something? Trying to lure the cobble-headed woman into productive work?
It reminded Chana of one time one of the gangs had stolen parts for a still and then they started fighting over who would be in charge of making the whiskey. The prestige was allurin' for people in the Narrows, where your rep on the street was worth more than what was in your pockets. Half a dozen people died over the 'honor' before all was said and done. There were good pickings too, afterward. Some of the safest coins her pack had ever nabbed.
She catches herself reminiscing and tries to focus on what Dro'gan is saying. She also watches Mab to see if ANY of this is having an impact on her. She tries to read into the woman's reactions to see if there's any chance of her taking honest work seriously.
Chana recognizes the thoughts at work behind Mag's face. As she listens to Dro'gan's pitch, the religious overtones are completely lost upon her. In fact, the eagerness she shows upon her face results from looking forward to swiping bottles of wine once the vineyards are productive again.
Nodding to the others for a moment for another dramatic pause, Dro'gan turns to the woman once more with a sad and austere look.
"So? Unfortunately, you have been captured committing a crime and these ladies will have to pass judgement. If I had to offer them a suggestion on what to do with you based on your crimes and past reports of your incorrigible nature and lack of rehabilitation? I would say they need to kill you. Immediately. You're a parasite. Nothing more. You seem to offer nothing to this community and you spread misery almost better than a disease. You offer nothing they need here. NOTHING."
Turning suddenly, Dro'gan waves his arms.
"That's just my current opinion, and I have no idea if the ladies would even take my advice. But I'm not seeing much else they can do. Throw you in the stocks for weeks? Months? That's just torture and probably won't prevent you from going back into crime once you get out and rehabilitate yourself so you can walk upright again. Banishment hasn't worked. You just come back like some horrible fart in the breeze. What do you say? Can you even try to rehabilitate? Could you even try to be a productive part of this community rather than a lowly drunkard who can't even properly duck a bartender's right hook? Do you want to die? Tell me! Yes or no?"
Busker Stunts (Su)
*A busker knows how to magically enhance the effectiveness of his physical stunts. He can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + his Charisma modifier. Maintaining a stunt is a free action, but it ends immediately if the busker is killed, paralyzed, stunned, knocked unconscious, or otherwise prevented from taking a free action to maintain it each round. This ability is treated as bardic performance for the purposes of feats, abilities, and other effects that affect bardic performance. Like a bardic performance, a busker stunt cannot be maintained at the same time as other performance abilities.
Patter (Su)
*A busker can engage in brisk conversation that seems innocuous, but actually encourages creatures to reveal secrets to the busker. Each round while maintaining this stunt, the busker can force one creature within 30 feet that is able to see and hear the busker and has an attitude of indifferent or better towards him to attempt a Will save (DC = 10 + 1/2 the busker’s bard level + the busker’s Charisma modifier). On a failed save, the target must answer one yes/no question the busker asks to the best of its ability. Anyone observing this (including the creature asked, even if it succeeds at its save) must succeed at a Sense Motive check (opposed by the busker’s Bluff check) to realize the question was asked or answered. A target that feels threatened or is in combat is immune to this ability. This is a language-dependent, mind-affecting enchantment effect.
Amandine continues to wait for Dro'gan to finish his questioning.
She asks Olivia and Chana "do you think it's really necessary to take this to the manor? It might be better if the trial is public, conducted at a suitable place here in the village."
Chana offers a whispered aside to Amandine and Olivia. "Manor's probably posh enough to impress, an' big enough to host a lot 'a people. Oliv's idea sounds right to me." She scowls behind her veil "I don't know 'bout you two, but I fink I've 'eard enough. Ain't nothin' too bad in stealin' when you need ta survive. But Mag's just makin' people miserable fer fun. Reminds me of the Count."
She peers over to see if Dro'gan's final question yields anything interesting.
The questioning leaves Bartolo with little compassion towards the woman. An unrepentant criminal. And here I thought frontier justice was alive. He furrows his brows, before Dro'gan bursts into his scathing tirade. Harrumphing in agreement with Chana, he shrugs his shoulders. "Truer words weren't spoken! I, for one, care not where we hold this trial, long as we agree on a judgement that takes care of the issue for good. While I don't count myself the final jury on character, madames, I agree that I've yet to spot a redeeming quality in this cad, bar her perseverance and utter lack of shame."
"No...I don't want to die." The words struggle to pass her lips. Either she tries and fails to swallow them, or it pains her to admit this truth. Mag attempts to put on a brave face, but her stiff lip trembles, betraying the fear she suddenly feels.
As news spreads that the trial may be held at the manor, a brief murmur of surprise and excitement precedes a procession of farmers, shepherds, and woodcutters marching up the winding hillside road to the Betony Manor.
Amandine makes no objection to having the trial at the estate.
"It makes no difference to me. I only brought up having in town in case people didn't want to make the walk back and forth."
By the time the crowd begins arriving at the estate, Amandine is fairly sure about the punishment she will recommend.
Nodding at the woman's admission, Dro'gan steps back holding his hands in the air, as if a revelation had been revealed.
"I'm sorry if I was hard on you, but I...we...need to know if you were just driving yourself to suicide by the Law, or a hard-nosed drunk who cannot help herself. You are obviously the latter."
Pausing again for dramatic effect, Dro'gan rubs his fresh grey-colored beard stubble and nods yet again.
"I would ask a favor. I will volunteer to be your advocate at the judgement proceedings if you would let me? Know NOW that I have no formal training or standing in this case, or with the Law, other than what I owe these ladies or they will allow me to have. They are the law, here and now. I would simply try to help you argue for your life. Do you agree? I promise I have YOUR best interests at heart."
I don't. Things would probably be better if she were dead...but the townsfolk might take her death badly...and I can USE her. She knows the area and understands basic stealth. Therefore she is semi-capable, and a disposable resource if needed. Lion's Rule#3: Never pass up volunteering someone else to go with you or do something for you.
Though likely reaching her conclusion a different way from Amandine, Chana is similarly fairly sure. She scratches the back of her neck when Dro'gan continues with his elaborate ploy. Him running his game reminds her of sleazy fast-talkers back home. Half the time their schemes were brilliant. Half the time they got themselves into a bloody pile of shit. They weren't reliable, not the kind of person you'd want on your crew.
With a general sense for what he's trying to accomplish, Chana plays along by saying to Mag "You should take that offer. If nothin' else, maybe its worth some laughs, eh?"
She doesn't stick around to see how Mag decides, instead leaving Dro'gan to his game. She heads outside to join Amandine in heading to the Estate. If she has the opportunity to do so, she listens in and reads the crowd to see the vibe regarding the trial and Mag in general.
Before joining the procession towards the manor, the party pauses to unveil the newest display piece for the Wolf's Whisker - the head of the Iron Lash. The unveiling of the trophy startles the townsfolk who have not yet departed, but when they realize what it represents, they gain a new appreciation for their recently arrived ladies.
It becomes clear that they will be satisfied if she is banished, issued a fine, or spends at least one day in the pillory. The novel idea of public service somewhat surprises them, but they seem to warm to the possibility.
Although a bit more extreme, there also seems to be support for the removal of a hand as punishment, with some of the more hard-nosed residents commenting that it may finally rein in Mag's behavior.
"Whatever," Lucinia spits in response to Dro'gan's offer of representation. "I just want to get this over with."
A sliver of her defiance slips back into her affect, yet she offers no resistance as Olivia secures the shackles.
Nodding sagely, Dro'gan steeples his fingers together and comments as the woman is shackled.
"I will do my utmost to prevent your outright sanction, but there will be a punishment. I guarantee it. I cannot prevent it. You have pushed the local populous too far this time."
He then moves to sideline Amandine, Olivia, and Chana on the way back out to the mansion for the 'judgement.' He waves at the woman in chains out of earshot.
"Thanks for your indulgence here. I see some potential for her rehabilitation, and possible use for our cause, even if it is temporary. May I offer my ideas?"
If there are no objections, he will continue.
"She must be punished. That is beyond doubt. Banishment won't really work and killing, or even taking her hand, seems a bit extreme to me for her petty crimes. I say we use her, and give her the option of 'working punishment' for her crime. I've seen it in Cheliax, and I regret to say there is some sense to it as long as you avoid any semi-attempt at life-time slavery, since that would be illegal here in Taldor. Offer her the option of a severe punishment, such as a 2 weeks in the pillory with minimum bread and water, or even death...or she works off her time with us as a local servant of the people."
He clears his throat, and slows a bit at this next part.
"It would have to be for a set amount of time for her to agree, and she would have to remain at the mansion locked up each night for her and the town's complete safety. She would then submit herself to me each day for me to cast a charm spell on her without resistance. This would be mandatory each day, but I will NOT abuse her, or send her into harms way on purpose without her consent in advance. When not charmed she will be locked up again. Each day I will assign her simple improvement or information tasks to accomplish around town and the local area. If the tasks are accomplished to our satisfaction, she will be offered a chance to have watered wine with her food in the evenings. Once a week or so has passed, and she has yet to fail in her endeavors, she can have full wine with her dinner meal. In a month, without faltering, we can stop with the charms to see how she does. In two months, she will have worked off her debt to society and we can leave her to see if she would prefer to keep working to improve things here in her home, or go back to her old ways and possible further punishment. This last part is tricky: If she breaks the rules or tries to escape, she must understand...we MUST be willing to remove her and keep her from harming the town again."
He scratches the stubble on his chin again, and shades his eyes from the sun to see how far everyone has progressed.
"I know this sounds complicated, but I assure you...I think this woman could be an asset for us. She knows the local area and people, has some ability with stealth, and is strong enough to handle almost any physical labors we give her. I will handle most of the details and tasks each day, and when I cannot I will designate one of you to handle things while I'm gone. We must have a small windowless room we can lock her in each night? The mansion has many nooks and corners. Maybe a large closet at first we can turn into a temporary jail cell? Who knows...if I handle this right we may be able to recruit her into our little group in a way that uses her talents and she becomes a productive member of the populous. If she falters...we can 'pass judgement' and remove her. Nobody will complain later, or probably even ask after her once we do it. Sad really. What do you think?"
Chana looks far from enthusiastic, based on her posture "Wot you're suggestin' is trainin' 'er like some kinda slave, or like you're some big shot lord trainin' a huntin' dog. Tryin' ta make 'er sub- subservient. Makin' 'er an "asset". Lockin' 'er into a windowless room? Givin' 'er wine when she does wot you want? And charmin' 'er on top of that to make sure she likes you durin' the whole gross mess?" She scowls behind her veil in disgust for treating people that way.
"If I reckon 'er right, she's stubborn as all 'ells. You'd 'afta break 'er mind and spirit to turn 'er into your 'elpful little puppet. An' say you failed to change 'er attitude, well, the moment you let your guard down she'd find a way to get 'er revenge." Chana shakes her head. "Treat people like shit. Get shitty prizes, yeah?"
"If you want allies 'round 'ere, then better we find people who want to 'elp us for their own reasons. Not because you've groomed 'em into it." She looks to the rest of the group. "That's my take at least."
"I figga we want ta give 'er an official chance to change 'erself, to do some service ta the town. Out loud so the town knows we gave the offa'. If she doesn't want it, then..."
Dro'gan nods.
"You could be absolutely right Lady Chana. But we need allies. Smart ones and dumb ones. I'm not trying to make her a servant, but I'm hoping to convince her of our sincerity to make things better for everyone, and get her to see if that is something that appeals to her or not. There are worse punishments we can offer her, but I can't guarantee she will accept it either. I'm not trying to break her of anything but bad habits. Its your decision in the end ladies, but I'm just trying to offer you a choice of more than 'kill her' or whatever else that has not worked before. If she could be seen to join our cause, she would make an excellent operative and a productive citizen."
He then shrugs.
"Let me know what you want to offer her, and I will discuss her options with her before the trial if you want. Or you can surprise her at the trial, but that might back-fire. I don't know. This is new territory for us all really."
|
"So a man wants to mind control a woman to 'train' her like a dog. I don't see how that could possibly end badly. Honestly, I preferred your recommendation to execute her." Olivia replies, clearly affected.
"Let's get this show on the road. She gets one more chance to repent, then we can argue about her fate. In the end, it's Chana and Amandine who make the final call. Neither you, nor me."
Throwing up his hands, Dro'gan simplifies himself.
"If you think it is wrong, then say so and make sure the other ladies understand your opinion clearly. However, if you doubt my words or motives, act as her defender. Be part of my plan. Monitor ME as I act as HER monitor. Make sure I am not abusing her or our prisoner/controller relationship. The simple fact of the charm spells, is that we have no one to watch her all the time. Locking her up for crimes is NORMAL. The household Fae would know almost instantly if she were to escape and can alert us quickly if that happens. We have no real guards available yet and we cannot all trade out watching her every day. I'm also more than willing to accept suggestions on how to improve my offer: I'm just trying to guarantee her life is not lived...or died...pointlessly. I'm not the one being close-minded here."
Dro'gan' emphasis leans on his last point is obvious and probably a bit much more than he should be implying.
Challenging a paladin to her face for being close-minded? Brave Dro'gan. Or really Stupid...Lion's Rule#4: Never...EVER...underestimate desperate people. I guess that means me too. But this whole operation is doomed to fail if I cannot obtain the means to help them as much as I can.
Disagreeing sadly, Dro'gan objects.
"For two months? Or whatever duration you put her in there for? Do you have any idea what kind of damage a Pillory does to a person's body? In less than a week, she will either be bedridden for days or at minimum useless for manual labor or even WALKING for that matter, assuming she doesn't catch some fever and die on it. Put her in the Pillory if you want to just punish her and make her hate you and the entire village more. But don't use that for my idea. It's just a slower kind of torture. Moral does not enter into it. This is 'justice' we are talking about here. Nothing moral about justice. How many sentences were handed out by judges or nobles that were perfectly 'fair'? Truthfully? My idea is going easy on her really. Her crimes go back years! This is just the first time the locals have the chance to REALLY punish her. If you are too light on the sentence, the locals will hate you. Kill her...and the locals will fear you. Is that what you want? To rule with fear? No...my idea is far from perfect. But it strikes a balance we may need to win over the local citizen's more."
Bending down to pick up a stone, Dro'gan throws it at a nearby fence post.
He points at the slight mark on the fence the small stone makes.
"M'lady Olivia: This is not the Worldwound. The prisoner is not a deserter, nor has she broken any oaths or slept with demons. She is a citizen of Taldor who has committed multiple petty crimes, and needs to be sentenced fairly with care. That's all I'm really trying to say. She does not want to die! You heard her admission. In so doing, I'm offering a way to hit a possible middle point. Compromise never hits the mark, but it often gets the closest. Either way, please let me know of your decision prior to the trial if you can."
With that, Dro'gan falls back to confer with his 'client.' A worried look on his face.
"Yer a real piece of work, Drogs. Don't know wot 'appened to ya before this, but you got some messed up ideas 'bout wots right an wrong. Or 'ow people work." Chana continues toward the manor, hoping to hear Amandine and Bartolo's takes.
Amandine is more receptive to Dro'gan's suggestion than Chana or Olivia. In fact, her idea is not too far removed from Dro'gan's. She thinks the differences may be enough to bring everyone around to agreement on the direction she and Dro'gan want to go, so she lays out what she's thinking.
"Dro'gan makes some good points, but the use of an enchantment to compel Lucinia's compliance is problematic. As he notes, Lucinia's crimes are minor. The real problem is her stubbornness and repeated recidivism."
"What we need is a punishment that is not too harsh or mild, and which will prevent us from repeating this conversation in a couple of months. I do agree that a period of labor for the community seems fitting for her offenses. The problem is how to make Lucinia actually serve the sentence."
"I think there are ways we can increase the chance she will. While we can't watch her all the time ourselves, Baron Okerra's craftspeople and laborers will be arriving soon. Lucinia would work under their supervision during the day. At night she will be imprisoned at the manor. I believe the stocks would be unworkably harsh if she is sentenced to labor. It's very reasonable for us to require her to spend her nights under lock and key."
"We will be depending on her cooperation in serving this sentence, and so I propose a length or one month rather than two. Still, if we were to do no more than what I've suggested so far, I would not expect Lucinia to succeed in serving her sentence."
"But we are going to break the cycle of reactively punishing her. We are going to lay out a map of what comes next if she fails to complete her sentence. She will know ahead of time what the consequences will be if she does not cooperate. If she fails to appear for work or does not return to the manor at night even one time, her sentence immediately becomes banishment for a period of two years. If she returns to Stachys before the two years have passed, her sentence will become death."
"We would pronounce this entire series of escalating punishments as a single judgement. If Lucinia violates the terms of her milder punishment, the harsher punishment has already been pronounced and will be carried out without any further hearing."
"Which of the punishments is ultimately rendered will be Lucinia's choice. She will be fully aware of the consequences of her actions from the very beginning."
After pausing for a moment, Amandine adds one more thing.
"Before the trial begins I would like to talk to her alone briefly. There is something Onora said about Lucinia that sticks out to me. She's been banished more than once before and she always comes back. I'd like to tug at that thread and see where it goes."
Nodding and bowing, Dro'gan will retreat to allow Amandine her moment.
"Feel free. As always you ladies continue to astound me."
Turning to Chana, he comments.
"Am I? Yes, I guess I am. I'm a product of my choices and experiences as much as anybody else is. I live in the moment. I choose to live for my country above all else. To assume sacrifice for the greater good for ALL citizens of Taldor rather than an individual part of it, which might include myself, that is no longer functioning properly. You may not like my ideas, means, or methods...but you cannot argue the fact that just because you have never witnessed them yourself, such things have been done behind the scenes here and in most every organized country for time immemorial. Places like Cheliax do it overtly. We do not. Citizens tend to be happier to know they are safe, but almost none care to know how that safety was accomplished. In this particular case I offered my opinion and Lady Amandine took that into advisement. That's really all I can ever ask of my superiors in cases such as this. But if you really want to put 'you-know-who' on the throne, you may be faced with choices just as bad or worse in the future in order to guarantee success. Think on that and this moment when you do."
Before the hearing begins, Amandine takes a few minutes to sit down and talk one-on-one with Lucinia. Before she begins, she gives Mags a little mental nudge towards being receptive to her words.
"Miss Lucinia, we know you have been banished more than once in the past. Each time you have returned before too long. I would like to ask you why. It seems to me it might be something you would think of as an opportunity for a new start somewhere else. No suspicious eyes following you wherever you go. People who do not think badly of you. No past to burden you. I don't doubt it would not be easy to start again somewhere else, but surely it would be no harder than remaining here."
"I wonder if you really dislike this town, and the people in it, as much as you claim to. I think deep down you may love this place actually, and would never want to be parted from it. Am I at all right about this?"
Amandine pays careful attention to the woman's reaction to what she says and her answer. She's not really convinced what she's said to Mags is right, but she wants to find out something about what motivates her if she can.
"I don't know!" Mag shouts, throwing her hands up in the air, exasperated. "I wish we'd just get this over with! My back, legs, and head hurt even more than usual, and I just want to take a nap."
Mag's affect is not combative; rather, she is very stressed. Your ongoing efforts to get her to open up may not have exactly borne fruit, but she is less hostile than before - and far more cooperative than ever, if stories of her vindictive exploits are any indication.
Could some injury in her past have left Lucinia with permanent pain that leaves her prone to anger and impulsiveness? What's more, this could explain her aversion to "honest work." Perhaps it simply hurts too much, literally?
While her intuition about Mags gives her a new perspective on the woman's difficult behavior, Amandine isn't sure how it could be of practical use. At least not yet. Amandine knows nothing about the kind of complicated medical judgements that would need to be made, nor does anyone else she knows of at present.
Before she stands Amandine accedes to the defendant's request.
"Of course Miss Lucinia. We will begin as quickly as possible."
"By all means, let's.", Bartolo replies, crossing his arms at Lucinia's answers. "There's no need to shiv verbal daggers at the woman before there's been a verdict! Lady Amandine, you seem to have a grasp on the situation, do inform me of duties I'd need to perform." And to think I'd get out of the courts in this place. Courts, death and taxes, it seems.