From: byers@cl2.cl.uh.edu (Unbeliever)
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
Subject: Unbeliever fades back in...
Date: 3 Oct 92 18:48:00 GMT
Reply-To: byers@cl.uh.edu
Organization: The Land
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.4-b1

Mike's no fool.  A tall glass of eggnog sits on the counter, waiting.  It
doesn't wait long...

The fade-in is so slow, nobody is sure exactly when he appeared.  But suddenly,
a gasp is heard from somewhere in the room, and all eyes turn once more to look
at the Unbeliever.

Unbeliever reaches for the glass on the counter, takes several gulps, and
places the empty glass next to two quarters that hadn't been there a moment
before.  Mike raises an eyebrow, but says nothing.  The Unbeliever then sighs
and stands up to speak.

"First of all, I want to thank all of the people who have welcomed me back, in
public and in private.  I will admit to having had some doubts about this Place
recently (the mess with Speaker to Minerals notwithstanding).  It felt good to
have those doubts dispelled.  If the VAX lab remains this quiet [Unbe knocks on
the wooden surface of the counter], I hope to get the chance to reply to all of
you individually today."

"Secondly, I want to reassure some of you... [Unbe glances briefly at John
Ockerbloom] ...that I have absolutely no desire to start a fight, flame war,
or any other sort of negative karma here in Callahan's."

A few dispelled breaths are heard in various corners of the room.

"That sort of behavior would be contrary to everything I believe in.  I am
peaceful by nature. I hate violence; I can't tolerate intolerance..."

Unbeliever grins briefly.

"I see no pleasure in hurting living things.  I'm the proverbial person who
thinks meat grows on supermarket shelves.  If I actually had to kill my own
food, I'd die of starvation (especially since I don't like most vegetables)."

Unbeliever pauses briefly, realizes his train of thought has been completely
derailed, and gets out the crowbar to force that sucker back on track.

"It is possible that I >STILL< overreacted in my response two days ago, despite
my every intention not to.  If so, I apologize.  I tried very hard not to."


Unbeliever turns towards John.

"I'm sure StM agrees with your portrayal of Thomas Covenant, and that it was
his reactions to THAT, rather than to me, that started all this."

"The point alot of people seem to miss about the books is that Covenant doesn't
think rape is right or good; when he 'comes to', and realizes what he's done,
he is sick to his stomach.  He spends the next 2 1/2 books trying to come to
terms with it, and to apologize as best he can.  He HATES himself for his
actions.  If ever anyone could honestly claim temporary insanity, it would be
he.  Covenant had had all hope ripped away, and then had it handed back to him
when his defenses were at their lowest.  How COULD he remain sane?  Not that
that was an excuse to him.  Despite his belief that all this was a dream, and
that therefore he was not actually hurting someone by his actions, he spent the
rest of his time in The Land trying to atone for what he did in a fit of
madness."

"Many people do not see this, or recognize the kind of heroism that Covenant 
represents.  I >DO< idolize Covenant, in a way.  This does not mean I agree
with all of his beliefs (especially at the beginning of the series), but I do
respect his struggle (of which the rape was only one small aspect), and the
solution he finally finds."


Unbeliever pauses, and turns towards Speaker to Minerals.

"You have alot of friends here.  ALOT of friends.  And despite your dislike
of my chosen persona, I wouldn't mind being counted among them.  They're
very worried about you, you know..."

Unbeliever starts to sit back down, but then completely spoils the solemn
moment by suddenly turning back to the crowd and starting to laugh.

"I'm sorry; I probably shouldn't laugh, but I can't help it.  UNBELIEVER the
FUNDAMENTALIST?!?"

Unbe completely loses control, and rolls around on the floor, laughing so hard
some of the patrons wonder how he's breathing.

"I mean [Unbe gasps between gales of laughter], I spend most of my time trying
to convince people that despite my title, I'm not a total athiest, and..."

Unbe loses it again, cackling with helpless mirth while the tears stream down
his face.  Finally, after a prolonged period of time, he manages to climb back
to his feet.

"I'm sorry, StM.  I'm not laughing at you.  I hope at this point, I'm laughing
WITH you.  You hadn't seen me before; you had no way of knowing..."

Unbeliever grins.

"So lets let bygones be bygones, and get on with the show.  I heard Liralen's
birthday party starting up clear back in non-virtual space.  Wasn't that MC Ray
and the Two Blu Croo?  YEESH, that was loud, John."

Unbeliever turns to Liralen, concentrates for a moment, and from the Wild Magic
of his White Gold Ring, a beautiful gift-wrapped box appears... with airholes. 
Liralen opens it to find a genuine Warm Fuzzy.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Liralen!  *HUG*  Take care of it, and it will always be there
for you when you need it most."

Unbeliever goes to sit down, and gratefully accepts a hug and a backrub from
Merrigold.  

"MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmm...  How could you tell I needed that?"

While moaning with pleasure, he turns to smile at Danger Mouse, Kitten, Bear,
and Tizrak, and nods once at the small, bouncy form of Didi-Sprite, who winks
back and smiles.


                                             Be True...
                                        -=*> Unbeliever <*=-

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| Internet:    byers@cl.uh.edu   | "First things first, but not necessarily   |
|                  - or -        | in that order!"                            |
|            reed@unkaphaed.uucp |                     -- The Doctor          |
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