[Multiple Locks]

[forissancta]

[Locked to Wanderers]

You don't know me, and you have no reason to believe me. I'm just one man, with my beliefs and a few like-minded individuals, but this is something which concerns you all. It's my earnest hope that you'll give me a few minutes of your time, to read my words and to consider them.

Listen:

This was not an accident. Your

Comments

[kineticmachine]

Not everyone has been changed, not everyone for the better, and not everyone has received gifts. I would think someone who claims intimate knowledge of the Rift would know better than to extoll the virtues of those lucky enough to be changed, lucky enough to be gifted, and lucky enough to be fundamentally good in the first place without also having something to say about the other end of the spectrum.

So for the sake of playing the skeptic, though many already have: I'm wondering what help you would have for those who don't follow this particular vein of chosen. Other than that this was all part of a plan, or everything happens for a reason, or any other blanket variation religion has been spouting for centuries.

[forissancta]

So, in short, you're asking for religion not to behave as religion? That's something of a tall order.

I won't insult you by repeating myself -- you've read my reasoning already, and the fact that I do believe that even those who don't necessarily qualify as 'good' are part of a greater purpose will neither reassure nor impress you, I know. But as far as what help I would have...

We offer food, shelter, clothing, and medical aid for any Riftcomers that need them, as well as what guidance we can give in coping with and making the best possible use of the changes the Rift has made. All I, or any of my followers, ask in return is that violence and grudges (personal or political) be left outside our home.

[screwattack]

I'll admit to skepticism, so just tell me one thing: just how much do you know about what's going on here, about how and why I got here?

I've been chosen before. Been told I was special and unique and a foretold guardian. It ended in nothing but pain and suffering, not my own, but others at my hands. You can understand why I'm not excited at the possibility of doing it all over again.

I've already been changed too much in my life without my knowledge or consent. I don't enjoy being told it's happening again.

[Locked]

[girlorgun]

I am not holy, Shepherd.

If anything, I am profane.

I wish you luck.

[Locked]

[forissancta]

I truly believe you don't give yourself enough credit.

But I appreciate the well-wishes, all the same. Thank you, Ms. Sark.

[Locked]

[girlorgun]

And I believe you don't know who I am and what I've done.

You can call me April.

[aint_a_shepherd]

It's a dangerous thing to feed a man stories of his own holiness.

I commend your faith -- it seems to be in short supply these days -- but my own tells me I'm no more holy than any other man, and less so than most of them.

I'll leave the hostility to those who are better at it, but I am concerned.

[forissancta]

I understand your concern, Shepherd. But I want to make it clear that I'm not interested in exalting Riftcomers as some sort of master race. But there is a purpose to your presence here, that much I'm sure of. And amidst all the voices that say that Riftcomers are inconveniences, charity cases, or pawns, there should be one that says that you're special, that you're capable of changing the world, and what's more, that you already have.

I have no master plan of my own, Shepherd. Merely the need to see the Rift's will done, and to try and make this world a little better. Changes will come with or without my interference, or belief in my message, but I'd like to see those changes come with a little less pain for all involved.

We're not so different, you and I, for all that we give reverence to different names.