(Meanwhile, outside.)
Thorn (thinking): “Compulsion.”
Now bring up the Ceannic-language version of the page . . .
Compulsion (spell)
A type of bodily function spell, typically ensorcelled on a subdermal microchip.
Compulsions act to change a subject’s behavior. Although the spell cannot directly force a subject’s actions or change their thoughts, it provides an incentive by stimulating pain receptors when a specified condition is not met.
Historically, these spells have been used to manage problems like addiction, compulsive behaviors, and harmful sexual proclivities.
Thorn (thinking): Harsh. I can imagine why someone would choose that method as a last resort, but . . .
Because of the general ethical concerns and the potential for abuse, compulsions are now super duper illegal in Ceannis. Seriously. Don’t even try it.
Thorn (thinking): . . . yeah, that’s what I thought. Different country, very different standards.
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What font does Ceannic Wikipedia use?
All digital text is in Bernhard Gothic BQ. (In this case it really is context that tells you what language it’s in. Translations are readily accessible, so you can assume anyone’s reading it in a language they understand.)
Hrm… Instilling a Compulsion to drive out another compulsion? Seems… Circular.
Yeah…”aversion therapy” doesn’t exactly have a great track record.
Oh shit. Did Thorn not know the translation of this (Sonska) word until just now? I thought he was being polite to Leif when he dropped the subject after the explanation, and that still makes sense- but if he didn’t know what the subject he dropped was and it turned out to be THIS… o/////o
Oh, and bonus points: the article only mentions the medical applications, and Thorn doesn’t know any more about Leif’s compulsions than “from the embassy.” So it’s entirely possible that he thinks this is state-sponsored health care (and Leif has an addiction or a compulsive behavior problem) and has no idea it’s a cattle prod.
And if it were medical treatment, it would imply a condition that is almost certainly Not Polite To Ask About. So someone who thinks that’s the reason for the chip would want to avoid the subject (out of consideration!), and therefore avoid discussions that would lead to them finding out they’re wrong… ><
Thorn saw a compulsion in action back during the tentacle storyline, so he knows they’re to stop Leif from breaking rules. That said, the rule Leif broke at the time was about touching children without permission — it’s easy to imagine why that would be treated harshly, and (knowing that Leif’s intentions were good) to be sympathetic to both sides.
Beyond that, Thorn is trying to appreciate cultural relativism, and not jump straight to being upset by something just because it’s awful by Ceannic standards.
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