[Locked to Residents]

[malnosso]

My goodness, has it really been so long since I've contacted all of you? Well, let's not be parted for so long again. I do miss our conversations, after all. You're all such terribly interesting people! But before all that, I'm going to have to ask you all to calm down first. I'm sure you all are fired up about that dreadful love business. Yes, yes, it's quite necessary, I'm afraid. I wasn't involved this time, but rest assured, the data collected will be of incredible value to those finding a way to increase the understanding of Shifts. The more we know, the less time you're here!

Now then! I do have exciting news. After all, I wouldn't prattle away about nothing, would I? Ho ho, of course not. Now then, I'm sure many of you have often wondered what becomes of people born in this world. After all, how can they return to their original world if they have none? Well the answer is: they can't! There's nowhere for them to go! Or at least, that's the problem that has stumped us all for decades! Well. That problem is no longer a concern. As some of you may recall, my last experiment of this nature was... ahem, disastrous. I do apologize for that, but I am absolutely certain it will work this time. After all, the Great One has been most generous in assisting me with my work.

Of course, I am not merely telling you all this for your own excitement. Now that I'm no longer the leader of the organization, I don't quite have the ah, resources I once had. I need volunteers to test it. Now, none of you were born in this world- save for our dear little Sophie, adorable little thing, but that doesn't matter! What I require is for pairs of people to volunteer. One person shall offer their own world as a destination. The second person shall be Shifted so that their 'anchor world' will be the same as their partners. The two will then be sent off to that world for a full day. It's not a permanent trip home, mind you. It's tricky business, that. But it shall be enough to ensure the project's success! And perhaps do a little sightseeing while you're there!

I do hope you'll be able to put behind you some of your unfortunate feelings towards me so that we might work together. This benefits more than just the many, many poor souls born to this world. There are, after all, many people within Luceti and the world outside that simply have no home to return to. Returning to be dead is dreadful business, wouldn't you say? Imagine the possibility of choosing a new life after death, in some other new and exciting world! It may very well be a reality some day! Perhaps not in our current lifetimes, but certainly within our next!

Ahem. In any case, trials shall begin next month. Please do consider it! If you remain interested, you shall be contacted then!

Comments

[i_speak_softly]

[The second person shall be Shifted so that their 'anchor world' will be the same as their partners.]

[This idea does a lot to clear the lingering fog in Don's brain. After staring at it, re-reading it, for several minutes, he finally asks:]

Is... is the Shift itself permanent? When the partner is sent home for good, will they go to the other world?

[malnosso]

Oh, goodness no. The moment you return, you would be anchored to your own world again. Goodness knows the trouble that might happen were it permanent!

[i_speak_softly]

[Crush his sudden hopes why don't you.]

But - if the experiment succeeds. Then later you'll be able to Shift someone permanently?

[malnosso]

Oh, certainly. But only responsibly! We wouldn't want to send someone to another world if they had one to go back to already!

[i_speak_softly]

[Another long silence, before:] How much would we have to pay for that?

[malnosso]

Pay? Whatever do you mean?

[i_speak_softly]

Pay. People come back from the dead here, but it isn't free. How much to change where someone goes home to?

[malnosso]

Goodness, you make it sound like we're charging you for dying! But I'm afraid that the answer is there is no price. We can't allow it.

[i_speak_softly]

You just said it could be done!

[malnosso]

Just because something can be done, doesn't mean it should. My, that's downright unethical! Heavens, it goes against the very ideas of the organization. Imagine the damage that would happen to your world by taking you from it!

[i_speak_softly]

[As much as Don prefers to resolve disagreements through rational debate, sometimes the only counterargument that will suffice is a solid punch to the face. Too bad he can't reach you.]

Unethical? But all the other things you've done to us are okay?

[fearless_leader]

You should take this chance to go home, Donny. You haven't been home in two years. [Never mind that Leo hasn't been home in a year.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Leo...]

[When Don looks up, there's water in his eyes. How did that get there?]

[fearless_leader]

[Leo just puts a hand on his shoulder. He's worried about you Donny. You barely remember home anymore.]

[i_speak_softly]

I want to go...

I need more sympathetic icons.

[fearless_leader]

Then go. This is a chance to do so.

[i_speak_softly]

What about you? [Are you planning to go also?]