Sixty-Fifth Theory [Video]

[i_speak_softly]

[The video feed clicks on, and Don looks thoughtfully at the camera for a moment before speaking.]

Another Christmas in Luceti.

[His tone is direct, just stating a fact, but somewhere behind it is a note of melancholy.]

This is my third. All of them have been in this house. All of them have been with different people.

[He slides back from the journal, revealing a corner of his winter room. He's been gradually moving into it over the past week, and has more or less taken up residence now.]

I've seen a lot of people come and go. There probably aren't many left who remember when Luceti didn't have electricity.

[He picks up some small bit of tech and squints at it.]

When I arrived here, the drafts were just starting. There were no missions. The Battle Dome didn't exist. We didn't have a farm and there was a desert where the ocean is now.

[He carefully threads a length of wire through a hole in the tech part.]

The buildings were shorter. Some of the stores and restaurants weren't open. [A pause.] I think I'm forgetting things...

[The wire slides through, and he knots the loose ends to form a loop.]

Does anyone remember other things that have changed? Or, does anyone want a history lesson? I'll be here all day.

Comments

[geniustheveil]

I remember those things. [Her voice is quiet. She doesn't like these sharp reminders of just how long it's been, or rather: how long ago she first came here. It comes with too many reminders of too many bad situations, and missing too many people.

There's also an undercurrent of sympathy. She understands the feelings that go into Don's post.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Making everyone morose was not really his intention. He'll try to lighten the mood a little.]

Ami-sensei. Do you remember when you were tutoring me in Japanese?

[geniustheveil]

Mm. I do. We only had time for the basics, but it was fun. I liked doing it. [This also serves as an open-ended invitation to start again.]

[i_speak_softly]

[He was hoping for just such a circuitous invitation.]

< I would be honored if that circumstance could be made to happen again. >

(( < > represent translation shields.))

[geniustheveil]

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<You've been studying hard. I'd like that.>

[i_speak_softly]

< Will Rei-sensei join us? >

[geniustheveil]

[In Japanese, she comes off a bit more formal even than usual; possibly due to choosing words Don is likely to be familiar with.]

< I think she would like that. Would you like to ask her? >

[i_speak_softly]

[He's still not very good at Real Japanese verb forms, so it's difficult for him to gauge the level of formality. He's mostly just glad he can understand her.]

< Can she come to the journal now? >

[geniustheveil]

< I'll get her. Just a moment, please. >

[Ami steps away from the journal, and into the other room to look for Rei, to let her know.]

(ooc: and rei-mun's gonna slip in right now, so we can switch to threeway from here :D )

Written

[faithfulflame]

< Hello, Donatello-san >

[Rei's handwriting is in difficult flourishes, but simple words]

Not Written

[i_speak_softly]

[Rei, why are you writing. T_T Don mentally subtracts the flourishes, and is able to read the words relatively quickly.]

< Good morning, Rei-sensei. How are you? >

Written

[faithfulflame]

< Well enough. And you? >

[geniustheveil]

[Ami lets Don and Rei talk briefly before interjecting anything herself.]

[i_speak_softly]

< Not bad. I'm getting ready for Christmas. >

Written

[faithfulflame]

< Good. What can I help you with? >

[i_speak_softly]

< I would like to resume studying Japanese with you and Ami-sensei, if you would be willing. >

[faithfulflame]

< I'm sorry, but at the moment I can't. I've begun studying magic, and between that and running the shrine it takes up nearly all of my time. >

[i_speak_softly]

< You must be very busy with those responsibilities. Would it be all right if I continued my lessons just with Ami-sensei? >

[faithfulflame]

< Of course, that's her choice, not mine. >

[geniustheveil]

[She hadn't been eavesdropping, precisely, but she'd checked back later to see if they were making plans.]

< I don't mind it at all, if you'd like. >

[i_speak_softly]

< I would be very grateful. Would you like to come every third day, and on the other days I'll study on my own? >

[faithfulflame]

< Good luck, Donatello-san. Study hard. >

[geniustheveil]

< That sounds fine. When you would like to begin? >

[Ami makes a mental note to check out some books about language theory and teaching.]

[i_speak_softly]

< Tomorrow? >

[No reason to delay.]

[geniustheveil]

[It's short notice, but she doesn't mind that. Ami only takes a moment to check the clinic schedule first.]

< In the evening, maybe? >