Thirty-Fifth Theory [Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[Donatello has been 98.7% certain that this rather bizarre experiment has passed him by, as he remained snug and warm in House 55, in accordance with the semi-natural hibernal habits of mutated terrapins. As he reflects on the past few days, though, he notices that the frequency with which his brothers have been informing him that he is spouting excessive quantities of facts and data is statistically unprecedented. He decides to test a theory.]

Someone ask me a question.

((Don's effect is that he's even more of a super-brain than usual. Please test the mun's research abilities.))

Comments

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

2232? And is the prize still unclaimed?

I'm definitely in my own body. [Unlike last time; he's still a little traumatized from that.] Whether or not I'm affected is under investigation.

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

Indeed it is. [There's some measure of satisfaction in Robert's voice... which quickly fades.] Though, here in Luceti it would be another matter altogether. If I am frank I am more than a little overwhelmed at this state of affairs... Then again, I have only been in this place for a few days. [Mr. Rational getting dropped in the middle of Luceti. To give him some credit, he's actually survived fairly well. Sure, he had to logic-rage to himself for awhile, but he's... getting there.]

Ah, good point. I hadn't considered the possibility that the effect could be something less visible. [That makes Robert wonder if he's been affected then, and just not in a visible way.] Though that in itself raises a whole other line of concerns. Would that then mean that our brains themselves are subject to physical manipulation? [Robert can't keep the creeping horror out of his voice at this thought.]

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

I've been here almost a year and I can tell you there have definitely been experiments that have affected people's brains.

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

[Almost an entire year. Robert didn't know if this turtle was just a useful asset to the Malnosso or if they simply didn't know how to send him back.] A year? And I suppose there may be ones who have been here even longer...

[Robert pauses at this.] That is... sobering, to say the least. Hopefully there is a limit to the sort of scope that these experiments can reach... Having been here so long yourself, you must have borne witness to quite the gamut of them.

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

There are people who had been here over a year already when I arrived, and haven't gone home yet.

I've seen some pretty extreme ones. You start to feel them coming, after a while.

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

You seem the type to know this sort of thing anyway. An intellectual like yourself could probably sum up Luceti quite well.

[Robert lets out a small sigh.] Unfortunately, it seems as if, at the moment, there is no real escape from this. The best thing to do, then, is to formulate some sort of plan for dealing with these occurrences. Unless there's one already. [Robert'll probably figure it out eventually, if there is one.]

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

Have you seen Professor Sage's guide? It's the best summary around.

My only plan is to remember that the experiments usually don't last very long, and to try not to hold people's behavior against them.

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

I have indeed seen the guide... It was quite difficult for me to take in. I am still skeptical, but I will... try to keep an open mind. [Emphasis on "try".]

What is the typical duration of most experiments, if you are aware?

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

Usually a week, give or take. The last one was two weeks.