i_speak_softly | Fifty-Seventh Theory [Written/Voice/Action]

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Fifty-Seventh Theory [Written/Voice/Action]

[It's sunny and warm and spring, and Don can't wait to get outside. Or he wouldn't be able to wait, if he didn't have such impressive self-control.]

[He diligently starts the morning with his usual exercises, then sits down to leave a few messages in his journal before leaving the house.]

[Tutoring Beast in reading has made Don reconsider his own literacy skills, and after much thinking he's decided to do something to improve them. To that end, he easily constructs a filter, then labors through writing a brief message:]

Filtered from Housemates | Unhackable

[In translation-shielded kanji:] I WANT PLEASE: SOMEONE IS ABLE TO TEACH TO READ JAPANESE A SLOW STUDENT.

[There. Anyone who can't read that is automatically disqualifed as a teacher; anyone who can should immediately see the need for some teaching.]

[Reminding himself that lack of knowledge is not a cause for shame, but an opportunity to learn, Don closes that filter and opens another.]

Filtered to Leonardo | Unhackable

Hey, Padawan. If you ever take a break from mastering the Force, call your otouto and let him know you're okay.

[And finally:]

Filtered to SHELL members | Unhackable

The world visit experiment should be happening soon, if we can believe anything that blue man says. After that I'd like to have another meeting.

I'm taking nominations for other topics of discussion or club activities.

[Don will check for replies later - for now, he closes the journal, takes his gear, and quietly leaves the house. He'll be spending the next few hours meandering among the cherry trees, looking for early blooms.]

[Anyone who meets him may notice he now wears a silver chain around his wrist, half-visible where it laces through the leather wrappings.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

[Had something to ask him about, housemate?

Whenever Don gets back - or even before he leaves, doesn't matter to Robert - he'll find a cup of coffee waiting for him in a thermally-insulated mug, and a scientist sitting at the table, poring over a book of astronomy. There's an eclectic mix of topics on the ones sitting next to him, but the ones that might stand out the most are several books on Earth history, and a book about Japan.

Someone's trying to prepare himself for going to another world. (And maybe gathering information to simulate the world of a certain friend.)]

[It's been a strenuous evening - trying to wrap his head around written proper Japanese with Ami and Rei, and then doing his best to keep up with Leo on a grueling run. Don hesitates a half-second when he sees the book about Japan, but no, Robert couldn't know about his secret study session.]

[Don rummages through the refrigerator, throws something in the microwave, and returns to the table, where he takes a long drink from the thermos and surveys the piles of books.]

[Right. Robert's upcoming (they hope) visit to Don's Earth. A completely logical reason for this sudden research. Not that a survey of world history will in any way prepare the scientist for what he's likely to experience.]

Robert... can we talk about this?

[Yeah, no, it's just a mildly-paranoia-inducing coincidence. It actually has much more to do with Sayo than it does with Don, though part of it is about trying to learn more of the elusive culture he will have to understand if he speaks to Don's family.

He glances up when Don walks in - yeah, it's late and he's slightly... worried... but at the same time not entirely surprised. It's just like Don to want to enjoy the weather.

But still - ]

Yes, of course, but... should you not equalize first? The temperature outside is... still not ideal for such late nights.

[Don waves this off, retrieves his reheated food and a pair of chopsticks, and commences his usual graceless eating.]

I'm worried about your arrival.

[This is a distraction from that line of thought.]

... What do you mean?

From my family's point of view, there will suddenly be a stranger in the Lair. A stranger who looks like a scientist. [He sits down, concern all over his face.] What if I can't convince them I know you? What if I don't remember?

[... Oh. Oh.]

... Ah... well...

... If you... d-do not remember, that... that would be a cause for... the utmost concern...

[... Well, what if he doesn't remember, then? What if he shows up in this foreign place with a family he can't ever remember seeing...?]

... Did... Sir Catherine say anything about this element...?

He said we would remember, but considering his track record, I'm not confident we'll even arrive in the right place. Strategy isn't my strong suit, but... we should plan for as many contingencies as we can think of.

Good idea.

[First things first.]

... Perhaps I can bring my nanocomputer, as well as... other note compilations? Something to... provide a-at least... a basis for understanding...?

I don't think we're allowed to bring anything. [A related thought strikes him and ricochets out of his mouth.] Robert, I'll be younger when we get there.

[Will he?]

... Two years y-younger, correct...?

... I could be... a year younger, depending... on what e-exactly happens...

...

[So many contingencies.]

... I want to at least attempt to bring... s-something tangible. But there must be... other methods we can use...

[He nods.] And a lot different...

I think you should bring something that isn't very valuable. In case it disappears in transit.

A simple c-camera. Notes, perhaps on... paper. [Mild hesitation there, but paper is... actually not valuable here.] Things that will not... m-matter so much...

[He extends one delicate hand, anxiously, in the direction of Don's arm - and then stops.]

... D-Do... do you think your f-family might... ... h-harm me?

[It's the elephant in the room. If he doesn't remember Luceti, it will be terrifying.]

[A blank look. That's exactly what Don meant by his earlier concerns - did Robert not understand?]

Probably... not...

... much...

[He's just now getting the exact meaning of it. Yep. The initial thought was "crap they won't know who I am" - now the realization of "crap that means I'm a threat" has happened.

... He's a bit slow sometimes with this kind of thing.]

... Well. If I, myself, f-forget... then it will be the most t-terrifying thing that will have... happened to me, by... by that perspective...

...

... I suppose it is... prudent to, er, hope that does not h-happen...?

[Or hope that the notes survive intact at least. It'd be insanely implausible, but they might provide the family with a reason to not immediately suspect Robert of an attempt to sabotage.]

[Don rubs his head in a nervous gesture.]

Hoping has sometimes worked for us, but Leo will kill me if I don't have a Plan A.

[Understandable.]

What would you s-suggest, beyond... trying to bring something w-with us to mitigate the circumstance...?

[Don thinks. They can't be assured of bringing their memories or any possessions. They know that the host will revert physically to how they were when they first arrived in Luceti, and it seems possible the visitor will as well, so marking their bodies won't work. What could they do that would remind them, or convince anyone else, of where they had just come from?]

[Don murmurs something to that effect, to catch Robert up with his train of thought. He then falls silent, ruminating on the problem, before adding:]

If we do remember... we should just tell them we're friends.

[That sounds painful to do, and the look on Robert's face reflects that - a blend of confusion and hurt, before recognition dawns.]

... They... w-would not understand...?

[His shoulders slump.]

They didn't understand when they were here.

[Raphael never seemed to, at least.]

... Th-then... then it would be... prudent...

[Despite that, though, he hesitantly grasps Don's arm, staring down at the table before glancing back up at him, as though the table might have some answer for their predicament.]

... I... I s-still want to... to see your life, though. To... [- he struggles for some method of conveying this complex idea -] ... b-be a part of it, even... even briefly...

[Don can't help smiling at Robert's earnestness.]

You already saw it, during that hologram experiment. Or... something close to it.

I... suppose that was s-similar. And... during that strange experiment, wh-where... where I was Audubon - [- that memory is always a little odd -] - well... I assume that is... similar to what your life might have b-been like...

...

... But at the same time... it will be different, if your entire family is... present...

[His smile turns shy.]

You haven't really met us until you've seen us all together in the Lair.

[He truly wants to.]

... Th-then I... look forward to it. I... only hope we r-retain our memory...

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