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

[i_speak_softly]

... No. [Please can there be subject change.] So what do you do? Since you're not in school?

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Oh, I run Good Spirits for the most part. That takes up the majority of my time.

[Don's coffee seems to be done filtering, so Guy heads over to pour some for him and supplies him with sugar and cream should he so desire it.]

[i_speak_softly]

[That would be why he'd never met you in person.]

Thank you.

[A little sugar.]

Is it interesting, working there?

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

It's a great place to people watch! You can learn a lot about someone just keeping an eye on them, really.

And I like having a place where people can forget their troubles for a few hours.

[i_speak_softly]

[He had forgotten his own troubles for a whole night. Of course, the next morning he felt even worse.]

It is busy most nights?

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but I think that might have more to do with the fact that there's only two bars in a village of hundreds.

[i_speak_softly]

[He sips his coffee.] What is it about alcohol that makes it so popular?

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

I doubt it's the booze bringing people in; this isn't exactly a village of alcoholics, and the regulars I do have mostly come in for the company.

It's probably just because no matter what world you've been to, there's always been at least something a lot like a bar. It's familiar and comfortable, and because we stock a lot of types of drinks that are unique to different worlds it's a place where someone can actually feel pretty close to home.

[i_speak_softly]

[The first time he'd been in a bar was that dive on D'Hoonib. It hadn't exactly been a pleasant experience. Maybe that's why bars hold no appeal for him.]

You know, there's a movie in my world that has a famous scene about a bar full of people from different planets. I guess it really is universal.

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Camaraderie is universal, at least. Which is a comfort for me at any rate.

[i_speak_softly]

[He eats another piece of sushi.] You're used to having a lot of people around?

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

I'm used to having at least a few. All the cities I've lived in have been of the bustling variety, so.

[i_speak_softly]

[Don has managed to live in one of the biggest cities in his world whille remaining in almost total seclusion.] But friends, I mean, people close to you.

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Mmm...yeah, I suppose. It varies, and I've lived both alone and with company. Why?

[i_speak_softly]

Just curious. I didn't mean to pry.

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Oh no, no prying's been done here. Don't be so shy! If I didn't want you to know something, I wouldn't tell you.

So what about yourself, then? Are you one for constant company?

[i_speak_softly]

[Sometimes his curiosity gets the better of him.]

At a distance.

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! I can understand that sentiment.

You said you had a brother, right? Does he work in the smithy by any chance?

[i_speak_softly]

Three brothers. And one of them used to. Why?

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Oh, he doesn't anymore huh? [That would explain why Guy hadn't seen him in there lately.]

I was just curious. You sound like the type familiar with having company you don't always want.

[i_speak_softly]

No, I don't think so.

Family. [A rise and fall of his shoulders.] Can't live with them, can't live without them, right?

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Pretty much sums it up.

So you have three brothers? I thought you only had one. Or maybe you just mentioned one of them...

[i_speak_softly]

No, I have three. But for a long time only one of them was here.

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Oh, and the others joined you? Good, good!

[i_speak_softly]

One did. The other... [He pokes at his sushi.] It's getting close to a year.