Difference between revisions of "Wayfarer"

From ShadowHaven Reloaded
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m
 
(33 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
|title = {{PAGENAME}} <!-- Do not change this!!! It is supposed to say PAGENAME, the wiki will automatically replace this. -->
|title = {{PAGENAME}} <!-- Do not change this!!! It is supposed to say PAGENAME, the wiki will automatically replace this. -->
|image= [[File:Wayfarer.png|200px]] <!-- You can change the filename to whatever you like, and upload a picture of your character to be displayed on the wiki. -->
|image= [[File:Wayfarer.png|200px]] <!-- You can change the filename to whatever you like, and upload a picture of your character to be displayed on the wiki. -->
|header1= Physical Adept
|header1= Adept
|header2=  
|header2=  
|header3=  
|header3=  
Line 16: Line 16:
|data8= 0
|data8= 0
|label9 = Notoriety
|label9 = Notoriety
|data9 = 1
|data9 = 0
|label10 = Public Awareness
|label10 = Public Awareness
|data10= 0
|data10= 0
Line 23: Line 23:
|label12 = CDP  
|label12 = CDP  
|data12 = {{CDP|  
|data12 = {{CDP|  
|Expenses=0
|Expenses=32
|Bonuses=0
|Bonuses=22
|}} <!-- The above will automatically add +2 CDP for each AAR your character is tagged in. You can note expenses and any bonus CDP you gain above to adjust your current CDP total. -->
|}} <!-- The above will automatically add +2 CDP for each AAR your character is tagged in. You can note expenses and any bonus CDP you gain above to adjust your current CDP total. -->
|label13 = D.O.B.
|label13 = D.O.B.
Line 40: Line 40:
|label17 = #Max IGs/Ascension
|label17 = #Max IGs/Ascension
|data17 = {{IGTracker| <!-- Leave this line alone, enter the month, day, and year of the first run below in numeric format. Set the awakened status to 0 if you are mundane, 1 for Mage/Mystic Adept and 2 for the other awakened. If you are a techno you may just delete this part from label17 to the delete pointer.-->
|data17 = {{IGTracker| <!-- Leave this line alone, enter the month, day, and year of the first run below in numeric format. Set the awakened status to 0 if you are mundane, 1 for Mage/Mystic Adept and 2 for the other awakened. If you are a techno you may just delete this part from label17 to the delete pointer.-->
|Month=  
|Month= 04
|Day=  
|Day= 29
|Year=  
|Year= 2085
|AwakenedStatus= 2
|AwakenedStatus= 2
|}} <!-- delete until this line if you are a techno. -->
|}} <!-- delete until this line if you are a techno. -->
|label18 = Initiation Grade
|data18 = 3
}}
}}


Line 53: Line 55:
===Summary===
===Summary===


An infected once-soldier-now-runner working as an employee for another runner named Manashoe at the Arcane Eye PI firm.
An infected once-soldier-now-runner working <s> as an employee for another runner named Manashoe </s>  at the Arcane Eye PI firm.


===Goals===
===Goals===
Line 65: Line 67:
==Background==
==Background==


Born in San Francisco, California in 2062, Marcus Yoshimura would be the fourth child of five - the second son - of Hideo and Emily Yoshimura. His childhood was relatively well, with his father being part of a mercenary company and his mother working as a seamstress. While not always around, his father would make sure to shower both his wife and his children in love, hoping to keep them safe and instill them with a sense of values he himself wish he'd learned when he was their age. Otherwise the majority of child raising would be placed upon his mother. She would say it wasn't difficult, yet the bags under her eyes betrayed those words. Still, she possessed great patience and resolve, teaching the children what she could as they grew.
Born in San Francisco, California in 2062, Marcus Yoshimura grew up a relatively normal life (for an oni) until a few days before his seventh birthday. Awakening as an adept, he was entered into a program meant to educate those like him what it meant to be what they are. While not always on the best of terms, his father called his sister for help. She was an adept like Marcus, and for a few years she taught him outside of school. Upon reaching maturity, Marcus chose to enter the military.


Four days before his seventh birthday, Marcus's life would change. He would awaken, and soon be enrolled in courses and programs designed to educate him on what it meant to be an Adept. His father was thrilled, though wary, while his mother seemed almost saddened by it. It was not that they feared or hated him, but rather that they were worried for his future. A couple calls and within the week his aunt on his father's side would show up. Aunt Kotomi, like him, was an adept. And though it was clear that his father and aunt were not always on the same foot, he trusted her enough to teach his own flesh and blood what the schools wouldn't or couldn't.
Years passed, and eventually Yoshimura and his squad was tasked to neutralize and secure a terrorist cell and its cargo during the midst of night. The situation changed. Communication was down, and his squad found themselves under attack by an infected. During the conflict, it tore into his neck and he went unconscious. Waking up, he found himself back at base in the medbay infected with vampirism. Fearing what would happen, he fled. Upon losing his pursuer, he stole a truck and a commlink and called his aunt.


It was difficult. Rather than baby him and him not truly understanding what it meant to be what he was, she trained him strictly and without much leniency. That wasn't to say he never had a day off or that she didn't care for his health physical or otherwise. If he was sick, she'd force him to stay in bed. If he had a bad day, she took him out for ice cream or spent time playing video games to help cheer him up. Marcus learned how to fight, how to hold back in a fight, and how to truly "feel" as a mundane couldn't. He also learned how to use his powers. When he eventually graduated school, Kotomi had decided it was about time for her to pack up and go elsewhere. The sedentary lifestyle was never much her scene, and she originally only did this because her little brother asked. With Marcus being more or less finished with his training, it seemed good a time as any.
Meeting her in person, he explained the situation and asked for help. Now married, she couldn't afford to get as hands-on as she might've once done, but she knew people who could help. Old friends of hers. Burning his SIN and adopting a new identity as Eric Aoyama, he made way for Seattle to hide out and stay low. Months passed before he found himself in a rough spot. He hadn't been consuming essence, barely even drank blood, when a group of thugs in an alleyway had cornered him. Frenzying, he killed them, but was near death himself. A runner named [https://shreloaded.net/wiki/Manashoe Manashoe] found him, had him taken to Farraday's Clinic, and over the next few months befriended him, employed him, and helped him find housing.
 
Upon reaching maturity, much to the chagrin of his parents, he'd decided to enter into military service. While the rest of his siblings seemed more than comfortable to stay in the civilian lifestyle, it did not give Marcus the sense of belonging that he had hoped for. So off he went as well, leaving the state and joining the UCAS Armed Forces. Hideo blamed his sister for this, even if he knew it likely wasn't all her fault.
 
Years later, Marcus found himself part of an operation against a terrorist cell manufacturing arms and ammo. It was to be a simple op. Get in under the cover of night, capture or neutralize targets, secure the containers, and wait until evac. Halfway through, the situation changed. Yoshimura's team found corpses that they didn't cause, some of which were utterly drained of blood and essence. He barely managed to contact the outside and inform them before comms went down. What ensued soon after was a flurry of movements, shots fired, blood spilled, and violent death throes. The last thing Marcus saw and felt before unconsciousness was the beast, a woman, tear into his neck with her fangs.
 
Next he awoke he was on a medical bed, alone in the room. On the other side of glass he saw medical personnel talking amongst themselves, though was unable to hear their conversation. A few minutes later, they spoke over the intercom and informed him of his new situation. He felt his blood freeze over. He was infected with the HMHVV 1 strain, also known as vampirism. That was practically a death sentence. It sounded like there was more being said, but at this point Marcus didn't pay attention. He busted through the door, already the "gift" of vampirism enhancing his strength. Sprinting as fast as he could, he made his way outside and eventually managed to lose his pursuers in the woods.
 
After nearly ten hours of trekking through the woods, he found his way to civilization once more. Stealing a truck and a phone, he made his way on the road before calling his aunt, asking for help. Hearing the panic in his voice, especially after all this time, she felt no reason to turn him away. There was a hunger to his stomach, one he didn't quite understand. He's heard the stories of vampires. Knew what it meant, but... was he really one of them, now? It didn't seem real. Yesterday didn't feel real either. He could still hear as the... thing... tore into Tucker. Ripped him in half. Tucker, Hernandez, Smith, Chen, Gallagher, and Castillo... all gone.
 
Ignore the hunger, Yoshimura told himself. It wasn't the first time he had gone without eating for several days. He could last, he assured himself. Just had to get to California. His aunt. She could help. She always knew what to do. Part of him wanted to contact his parents and siblings as well, but he decided against it. The possibility of endangering them was too great. No doubt by now there was a bounty on his head. That, and his condition.
 
Finally reaching her house at the crack of dawn, he knocked and waited. A few minutes passed and she greeted him, inviting her nephew inside. Just as Marcus was about to explain the situation, he noticed someone else. An elf seated on the couch, reading a book in braille. Upon noticing Marcus, the elf closed the book and turned his head in the general direction of the oni. Questioning who the unknown face was, Kotomi introduced the two to each other. The elf, Fionn Astor, was her husband.
 
Assuring her nephew that it was safe, and that he could share whatever it is he wanted to share, he sighed and relented. Explaining the situation, he noticed Fionn's growing worry, but continued on. He'd heard certain things about her, in his youth. Never painted in a good light, but now neither was he. He needed her help. A new name, a new identity, and to go somewhere far, far away. The safest place, she convinced him, would be in Seattle. While still within UCAS borders, it was a proper hodgepodge and he could lay low. As for a new identity, she knew a few people. But first, he needed blood, he needed essence. Somewhat violently, Marcus refused. He was a killer, yes, but not like this. Not an innocent life. She assured him that that wasn't what she meant. She knew a guy who could get him a bit of both blood and essence, enough to tide him over until he got to Seattle at least. Cautiously, he accepted.
 
Now named Eric Aoyama, he would start making his way to Seattle. The doctor friend of his aunt told him there was a clinic over there that could help him out if he ever ran low. Eventually reaching Seattle, he made his way into the Ork Underground, hoping it could shelter him from the light above as well as from anyone who might possibly recognize him. For the first month, he worked odd jobs, squatting in abandoned buildings and stealing blood bags from hospitals. The second month, he finally approached the Farraday's Clinic and began to use their services... at least for blood. The idea of taking essence, even if "ethically sourced," was a sickening idea to Aoyama.
 
Eventually, he'd have to give way. Roughly four and a half months in, it had begun to tear at Eric. He felt empty, weak, and paranoid. He took the wrong turn into an alley after work one morning, where some thugs were making their hangout. Thinking they could get an easy one over an obvious junkie, they took to harassing the man. The irritation and hunger had reached its peak, and he frenzied. He became the same as the beast that tore apart his own squad. And now he was dying. Though he was able to kill all of them, they got good shots and stabs into him. His blood and theirs washed over one of the streets as he tried to make his way back to the doc, Farraday. Giving up, he accepted death. Until the unlikely appearance of a passerby, a runner named Manashoe, came across him and saved his life.
 
W.I.P


That wasn't all Manashoe did, however. A job went wrong, and a group of Cutters tracked the runner back to his PI firm where the two worked. After they dealt with the threat, Aoyama convinced Manashoe to let him join. Taking the alias Wayfarer, he began to run as well. Over the next year the crew grew to be larger than just the two of them. In large this would be due to Wayfarer's hope to "pay it forward," signing on his own [https://shreloaded.net/wiki/Oracle financially-troubled uncle], a [https://shreloaded.net/wiki/Miut SURGED stray], an [https://shreloaded.net/wiki/Weevil internet troll rigger], and a [https://shreloaded.net/wiki/Ronin battle-crazed warrior] in an attempt to give a bit of that kindness he received at his lowest point.


== Narrative Significant Qualities ==
== Narrative Significant Qualities ==
Line 97: Line 80:


Infected (Vampire): A blessing and a curse.
Infected (Vampire): A blessing and a curse.
The Warrior's Way: I will do whatever it takes to keep those close to me safe. This is my way.


===Negative===
===Negative===
Line 102: Line 87:
Day Job (Arcane Eye PI): Though I can never truly pay him back, I am truly grateful to Manashoe for giving me another life and allowing me to work for him.
Day Job (Arcane Eye PI): Though I can never truly pay him back, I am truly grateful to Manashoe for giving me another life and allowing me to work for him.


Flashbacks, Insomnia: Sometimes, when I close my eyes, I see my comrades all over again. In that brief encounter. Their blood. The smell of iron. The smell of fear. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me.
Flashbacks, Insomnia: I'm haunted by the memories of my being turned. Seeing my squad, my friends and family, all die around me before IT tore into my neck.


Wanted (UCAS - 50,000 Nuyen): When it came out I was infected, I fled in fear of what I was, and what they might do to me.
Wanted (UCAS - 50,000 Nuyen): When it came out I was infected, I fled in fear of what I was, and what they might do to me. It seems they want me back, though I don't think I want to find out why.


==Run History==
==Run History==
Line 131: Line 116:


{{HasContact|
{{HasContact|
|Name= Hideo Masamune
|Name= Ghostwire
|Loyalty= 1
|Loyalty= 1
|Chips=Even
|}}
{{HasContact|
|Name= Raytheon
|Loyalty= 2
|Chips= 1
|}}
{{HasContact|
|Name= Ashen Hand
|Loyalty= 2
|Chips=Even
|Chips=Even
|}}
|}}
Line 144: Line 141:


===Organizations===
===Organizations===
<!-- See: Template:GroupContactTable for the group contact template. -->
 
{{GroupContactTable|
 
{{GroupContact|
|Group= Arcane Eye
|Position= Owner
|RepBonus=0
|RepExpense=0
|DateJoined=2085-12-25
|}}
 
}}
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Faction Reputation
!Faction!!Reputation
|-
|Lakewood Giants
| +3
|-
|Cutters
| +2
|-
|Yoshinaga-Gumi
| +2
|-
|Streets of Redmond
| +1
|-
|}


===Allies===
===Allies===
[[Oracle]]
[[Miut]]
[[Manashoe]]
[[Ronin]]
[[Weevil]]


===Enemies===
===Enemies===
Line 158: Line 193:
|LowResult= An employee at Arcane Eye PI.
|LowResult= An employee at Arcane Eye PI.
|MidResult= Has only lived in Seattle for about a year and a half.
|MidResult= Has only lived in Seattle for about a year and a half.
|HighResult= Marcus Yoshimura. UCAS Sergeant gone AWOL.
|HighResult= Images and trideos matching the appearance of one Corporal Marcus Yoshimura.
}}
}}
==Shadow Community Table==
==Shadow Community Table==
Line 165: Line 200:
|LowResult= Physical Adept. Lives in the Ork Underground.
|LowResult= Physical Adept. Lives in the Ork Underground.
|MidThreshold=3
|MidThreshold=3
|MidResult= Served in the UCAS. Rumored to have had a bad mission before he left.
|MidResult= New runner, seems to be a hooder.
|HighThreshold=5
|HighThreshold=5
|HighResult= Infected with the HMHVV 1 strain (vampirism).
|HighResult= Ex-military.
}}
}}
==Assensing Table==
==Assensing Table==
{{AssensingTable|
{{AssensingTable|
|Result1= Healthy (aside from an inoperable, but non-fatal, disease), calm, Awakened.
|Result1= Healthy, calm, Awakened.
|Result2= No cyberware.
|Result2= No cyberware.
|Result3= No alphaware. HMHVV Infected.
|Result3= No alphaware. HMHVV Infected.
|Result4= No bioware or betaware. 6 Essence, 6 Magic.
|Result4= No bioware or betaware. Compare Essence and Magic.
|Result5= No deltaware, gene treatments, or nanotech. Not a technomancer. HMHVV 1 strain (vampirism).
|Result5= No deltaware, gene treatments, or nanotech. Not a technomancer. HMHVV 1 strain (vampirism).
}}
}}
Line 180: Line 215:


==SINs==
==SINs==
Marcus Yoshimura (Real SIN - Criminal)


Eric Aoyama (Fake SIN - Rating 4). Licensed Adept (Rating 4), Private Investigator (Rating 4), Bodyguard (Rating 4), and Bounty Hunter (Rating 4).
Eric Aoyama (Fake SIN - Rating 4). Licensed Adept (Rating 4), Private Investigator (Rating 4), Bodyguard (Rating 4), and Bounty Hunter (Rating 4).


==Appearance==
==Appearance==
A 6'8" oni with light red skin, amber eyes, and white hair carrying a calm and disciplined expression.
A 6'6" oni with light red skin, amber eyes, and white hair.
 
===Clothing===


=== Clothing ===


===Matrix Persona===
===Matrix Persona===
An oni with the same general build and appearance, although lacking a mouth, nostrils, hair, and other obvious identifiers. Additionally, the oni's arms and legs gradually disappear the further from the torso, disappearing fully at around the heels and wrists.


==Character Plot Hooks==
==Character Plot Hooks==
Line 229: Line 264:


[[Category:Player Characters]]
[[Category:Player Characters]]
[[Oracle]] - Smart and discreet, with a mean right hook to back it up. If theres one man I can count on in a pinch, it's Wayfarer.
[[Miut]] - I was thinking of coming over soon to crash and hang out- surface is feeling a bit too.. "spacey" you know?? Also uhhh, I think a bat or something laid eggs in my vents so can you visit soon and help me take care of it?
[[Manashoe]] - One of the only people in this world I can respect, he's not like anyone I've met. He stands to contradict everything I know about people, and all I can do is thank him.

Latest revision as of 05:04, 25 December 2024

Wayfarer
Wayfarer.png
Adept
Discord@Greenthing
Reddit[1]
MetatypeOrk (Oni) (Vampire)
Street Cred0
Notoriety0
Public Awareness0
CDP8
D.O.B.10/13/2062
Age23
Folder[2]
PriorityMetatype - C
Attributes - A
Magic/Resonance - B
Skills - E
Resources - D
#Max IGs/Ascension7
Initiation Grade3


Character Information

Summary

An infected once-soldier-now-runner working as an employee for another runner named Manashoe at the Arcane Eye PI firm.

Goals

Repay the kindness given to him by Manashoe.

Figure out what the hell to do.

Survive.

Background

Born in San Francisco, California in 2062, Marcus Yoshimura grew up a relatively normal life (for an oni) until a few days before his seventh birthday. Awakening as an adept, he was entered into a program meant to educate those like him what it meant to be what they are. While not always on the best of terms, his father called his sister for help. She was an adept like Marcus, and for a few years she taught him outside of school. Upon reaching maturity, Marcus chose to enter the military.

Years passed, and eventually Yoshimura and his squad was tasked to neutralize and secure a terrorist cell and its cargo during the midst of night. The situation changed. Communication was down, and his squad found themselves under attack by an infected. During the conflict, it tore into his neck and he went unconscious. Waking up, he found himself back at base in the medbay infected with vampirism. Fearing what would happen, he fled. Upon losing his pursuer, he stole a truck and a commlink and called his aunt.

Meeting her in person, he explained the situation and asked for help. Now married, she couldn't afford to get as hands-on as she might've once done, but she knew people who could help. Old friends of hers. Burning his SIN and adopting a new identity as Eric Aoyama, he made way for Seattle to hide out and stay low. Months passed before he found himself in a rough spot. He hadn't been consuming essence, barely even drank blood, when a group of thugs in an alleyway had cornered him. Frenzying, he killed them, but was near death himself. A runner named Manashoe found him, had him taken to Farraday's Clinic, and over the next few months befriended him, employed him, and helped him find housing.

That wasn't all Manashoe did, however. A job went wrong, and a group of Cutters tracked the runner back to his PI firm where the two worked. After they dealt with the threat, Aoyama convinced Manashoe to let him join. Taking the alias Wayfarer, he began to run as well. Over the next year the crew grew to be larger than just the two of them. In large this would be due to Wayfarer's hope to "pay it forward," signing on his own financially-troubled uncle, a SURGED stray, an internet troll rigger, and a battle-crazed warrior in an attempt to give a bit of that kindness he received at his lowest point.

Narrative Significant Qualities

Positive

Infected (Vampire): A blessing and a curse.

The Warrior's Way: I will do whatever it takes to keep those close to me safe. This is my way.

Negative

Day Job (Arcane Eye PI): Though I can never truly pay him back, I am truly grateful to Manashoe for giving me another life and allowing me to work for him.

Flashbacks, Insomnia: I'm haunted by the memories of my being turned. Seeing my squad, my friends and family, all die around me before IT tore into my neck.

Wanted (UCAS - 50,000 Nuyen): When it came out I was infected, I fled in fear of what I was, and what they might do to me. It seems they want me back, though I don't think I want to find out why.

Run History

NameGMMetaplotThreatDate of Run
ShenanrigansTidanShockDeadly13 July 2085
A Squire a-SeekingEvaHigh26 June 2085
Ezekyle's LaboursAsmodeus29 May 2085
Saving JunichiroAnumatiHigh27 May 2085
Psalms of the VoicelessFangblade_Milk27 May 2085
My Big Fat Yakuza WeddingTidanShockHigh25 May 2085
RatatorkyTidanShockLow18 May 2085
The D-TeamTidanShockDeadly11 May 2085
You're up to batTidanShockThe Life and Times of One Kevin CrimesHigh20 April 2085

Affiliations

Contacts

Contact Connection Loyalty Archetype Profession Aspects Chips
Amadou Zheng 5 2 Fixer MCT's Magical Middle Manager All for the Bottom Line, The Boss is the Boss, Corpo Connections, Wannabe Crime Lord, Fell Through the Cracks, Can't Spell "Smuggler" Without "Smug", Lawyer Up, Livin' the Dream, Working Relationships, Big Ego, Small Man Even
Dr. Nina Farraday 5 3 Service Doctor Cereprax Overdose, Bioware, Infected Patients, Fake SINS, Seattle Infected Hangouts, Per populum, pro populo., Expert Medical Care, Pharmaceuticals Even
Ghostwire 4 1 Service Ex Runner Medical Expert, Zeta Key R&D, Ex-Knight Errant, Dark Magic Adept, Renraku Prototype Transhuman Even
Raytheon 5 2 Service
Mercenary/Security
Brothers in arms, Hate what is in front of you, Love what is behind you, BANG! BANG! BANG!, Beep Beep Boop 1
Ashen Hand 5 2 Fixer (A,G,N,K)
Private HTR
First Hand Knowledge, Military Grade, Cold Mind, Cold Heart, Status Report, I work with professionals, act like one., Up your Arsenal, Urban Warfare, Special Forces, Ware and warfare Even


Organizations

Contact Position Connection Faction Rep Archetype Health Location
Arcane Eye Owner 1 1 Magical Private Investigation Agency Maintaining Central Downtown, Seattle
Faction Reputation
Faction Reputation
Lakewood Giants +3
Cutters +2
Yoshinaga-Gumi +2
Streets of Redmond +1

Allies

Oracle

Miut

Manashoe

Ronin

Weevil

Enemies

In Character Information

Symbols and Signatures

Matrix Search Table

Threshold Result
1 An employee at Arcane Eye PI.
3 Has only lived in Seattle for about a year and a half.
6 Images and trideos matching the appearance of one Corporal Marcus Yoshimura.

Shadow Community Table

Threshold Result
1 Physical Adept. Lives in the Ork Underground.
3 New runner, seems to be a hooder.
5 Ex-military.

Assensing Table

Threshold Result
1 Healthy, calm, Awakened.
2 No cyberware.
3 No alphaware. HMHVV Infected.
4 No bioware or betaware. Compare Essence and Magic.
5 No deltaware, gene treatments, or nanotech. Not a technomancer. HMHVV 1 strain (vampirism).


SINs

Eric Aoyama (Fake SIN - Rating 4). Licensed Adept (Rating 4), Private Investigator (Rating 4), Bodyguard (Rating 4), and Bounty Hunter (Rating 4).

Appearance

A 6'6" oni with light red skin, amber eyes, and white hair.

Clothing

Matrix Persona

An oni with the same general build and appearance, although lacking a mouth, nostrils, hair, and other obvious identifiers. Additionally, the oni's arms and legs gradually disappear the further from the torso, disappearing fully at around the heels and wrists.

Character Plot Hooks

Here are characteristics of the character that GMs may take advantage of to add complications to runs, or to otherwise use when in use. If you want to use them in unrelated to runs, please ask first.

Aspect Information Related Run(s)
Former UCAS Armed Forces Gone AWOL after finding out he was infected.
Vampirism A blessing and a curse.
Aspect 3
Aspect 4
Aspect 5

Media Mentions

ShadowGrid Profile Comments

Oracle - Smart and discreet, with a mean right hook to back it up. If theres one man I can count on in a pinch, it's Wayfarer.

Miut - I was thinking of coming over soon to crash and hang out- surface is feeling a bit too.. "spacey" you know?? Also uhhh, I think a bat or something laid eggs in my vents so can you visit soon and help me take care of it?

Manashoe - One of the only people in this world I can respect, he's not like anyone I've met. He stands to contradict everything I know about people, and all I can do is thank him.