i_speak_softly | Fortieth Theory [Written]

(Also in code, but translated OOCly for your convenience.)

March 3. Weather colder than I had hoped. Snowsuit good idea, must try to replicate at home. Did a lot of thinking and made campsite by mid-afternoon. Worked through remaining daylight.

March 4. Meditated all day. Nothing.

March 5. Meditated all day. Nothing.

March 6. Meditated all day. Revising prior analysis of "nothing" -- am much better at meditating than I used to be.

March 7. Went hiking today. Weather much warmer. Area, and views from it, very interesting. Really is an ocean now -- would like to go there in the summer. Thought about a lot of things. Watched the stars come out. Talked to Derek. Missing family and friends but not ready to go back yet.

March 8. Meditated again. Think I made contact.

March 9. The string moved!

March 9 - Later. Master Splinter here. Talked to him and Mikey. Have permission to finish what I came here to do, but will have a lot to explain when I get home. Must remain focused - can't stay away from my family like this for nothing.

March 10. Feel wonderful. Want to talk to Master Splinter about so many things, but still not ready to go back.

March 11. Much progress today.

March 12. Tried using magic with bo. Liked results.

March 13. Walked today, communicated with spirit. Should have come here months ago. Understand a lot now. Ready to go home.

((Don is in the mountains for a while. Post will be updated over the course of his journey and can be used for any plotty things that need to be played out.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Insta-mortification!]

I'm not gonna sleep with her!

[Giggle.]

Like you don't want to.

But you can wait until after the first date, like a gentleman. [Pretend sniffle.] My little Raphie. All grown up, and wanting to treat a lady right.

Well yeah I want to, but I-I ain't gonna risk ruining it or nothin'.

So just ask her out for some dinner, then. It's not that hard. Here. We'll do it now.

[He's going to get up and get your journal unless you object too strongly. And an objection strong enough to stop him would have to consist of tackling him to the ground and pinning his arms behind his back.]

No! Wait! [He jumps to his feet and runs after Mike.] Where're you going? I can't do it now!

[Well... That's true. Mike stops and looks at Raph. His eyes are still a little puffy and his voice is raspy from crying. He is definitely not presentable.]

Okay, but... You gotta promise me you'll do it soon. Like, tomorrow.

[He's serious. Don't mess this up, bro.]

[Seriously, man. He's a mess. He's not mentally prepared at all. He looks a bit defeated by Mike's words, and his voice goes quiet.]

Yeah. I promise. I just don't want to screw this up.

You won't! She wanted you to ask her out. It'll be fine.

[He reaches out and puts a hand on your shoulder, meeting your eyes. You can do this.]

[He smiles, but there isn't much confidence behind it.]

You think so?

[Oh Raph. You can be so darn cocky sometimes, and then you go and pull something like this.]

I know so. You know how I'm always saying I'm the pretty one? Well, you're the studly one. Fujiko isn't gonna know what hit her.

[His smile widens into something more sincere. But a voice in the back of his mind says studly for a giant talking turtle is still a giant talking turtle. He'll just have to try his best to make it work. Hopefully it'll be enough.]

Yeah, I guess we'll see.

[Have one more shoulder punch.]

Want some hot cocoa? I was gonna go up on the roof and look at the sky.

[~~Gently segueing into the other thread~~.]

Nah, I think I'm gonna hit the sack. [He rubs at his forehead. All that crying's given him one hell of a headache.]

Good idea.

[You look exhausted. He'll busy himself in the kitchen with the cocoa, but he'll be listening to make sure you actually go to bed.

Are you in bed yet, Raph?

[Yeah, he's in bed, leave him alone 8|]

[He's just going to quietly make a sandwich and leave it in the fridge for whenever Raph wakes up.

Then he'll join Leo on the roof.]

Fortieth Theory [Written]

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