i_speak_softly | Forty-Second Theory [Voice/Action for Housemates]

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Forty-Second Theory [Voice/Action for Housemates]

[Don is feeling a little claustrophobic today. The number of vehicles he has stashed in his workroom has increased to five over the past week, and he's running out of room to build more. He'd been hoping that the wet, overcast weather would break so he could take his work outside, but that didn't exactly pan out. It is sunny today, but it's also unseasonably cold.]

[Determined to continue his work anyway, Don has shoved all the furniture out of the way and set up camp in the living room, surrounded by a mass of lightweight canvas and metal struts. Hang-glider Number Four is now Under Construction.]

[It's been quite some time since he asked a general question over the journals, so he decides to do so now. Companionable conversation is just what he needs to make the repetitive work go faster.]

If you had access to Shifting technology, and could change something about the world - what would you do? How long would you make it last?

[He also has some things he wants to talk about with Mike and Master Splinter - separately, that is. If they don't stop by while he's working, he'll be looking for them later.]

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[A soft laugh.] It rarely does any good to plan things around here, Robert.

[A clattering of metal.] So I can go hang-gliding. ... I had one at home and I miss it. [Brightly:] You should come with us.

[But Robert plans everything... Or tries.] So I have seen... but even a tentative date? Or perhaps a range? Or... something? [It's kind of a lame attempt to do something along the lines of plan for something that probably can't be accounted for.]

I... I would consider it... I'm sure that you will account for all possible safety precautions, correct? Though at the same time, protective gear might be worth considering, assuming it does not render the hang-glider inoperable due to weight.

[Robert smiles a little nervously.] I... would be most inept though... I would not trust myself to be able to pilot one correctly at this point.

Um... I don't know. Let me work on talking Master Splinter into this trip to the mountains first.

Don't worry, I did the math right this time. And they're very easy to fly.

Ah, certainly. [Robert has begun to appreciate the difficulty that might come from doing that sort of thing.]

In that case, I would be delighted. And... I have never seen the mountains before, so this would be an opportunity to do so.

Perhaps I could take holophotography there...

I want to go to the hot springs... and go hiking... toast some marshmallows...

[There may be an unspoken "with you" appended to each of these things.]

[Watch Robert not notice the unspoken "with you".]

Those all sound like delightful activities...

... Though I must admit, I would be rather an impediment in a hike. [He doubts he'd be able to even make it to the end of a trail, much less keep up with anybody.]

We'll figure something out.

[He is determined to take you hiking.]

[~~All the mun can say is good luck.~~

Robert makes a thoughtful noise.] Perhaps frequent breaks... Or something to compensate for my weakness... [And a twinge of shame in Robert's voice, now, because he hates dragging other people down.]

... I wouldn't want to make your trip unenjoyable, though, Don.

[A pause and a scrape of canvas, and the video function flips on.]

Just come?

[He is not going there without you again.]

[Robert may be terrible at reading expressions, but the plaintive look gets through, for once.]

... [Hesitantly:] I would love to go with you, Don. I... I just can't guarantee any sort of efficacy at... anything. [This is definitely bringing up echoes of his dreams, and it's uncomfortable because Robert's only vaguely registering them on the edges of his subconscious.

He fiddles nervously with his fingers.] ... I-If that is not a problem, then... then everything should be fine. Ostensibly.

[He lingers at the journal a moment, then moves back to his work, leaving the video function on. Maybe you'll turn yours on too?]

Have you ever gone camping before?

[After a moment, he does so, more because it feels strange for the feed to only be one way in this case.

The feed will reveal the fact Robert is... sitting at his desk. With his nanocomputer on next to him. It looks like he's been typing at it recently.]

Ah... no, I have not. It... was an uncommon practise. [The wilderness in Terra is still mostly too compromised to allow people to venture into it, even those who are environmentally conscious.] Is there... specific protocol I should be aware of?

[Doing work of your own, Robert? Very intriguing.]

Protocol? Um... go out in the woods, enjoy yourself, try not to set anything on fire.

[It's probably his ongoing report on magical and paranormal phenomena and their likely physics. Again. ~~The mun wonders if he ought to actually type it up sometime.~~]

Seems relatively simple enough in practise. Possibly.

... Are you sure your family would not resent my presence in that proximity? [Robert hasn't even considered the possibility that it could be just him and his turtle.]

[~~This mun strongly encourages it.~~]

If they don't like it, they can stay home.

[… He probably won't pitch the idea to his family in quite those terms.]

Ah, well... I'd wish to be inclusive if at all possible. But... it's... m-moreso up to them, I would think.

... Though there is no obligation for them to go either.

[He offers a smile to Don.] Still... I am certain there will be some arrangement we can come up with.

We'll figure something out. ... Maybe you could come just for part of it.

Edited 2011-04-14 23:53 (UTC)

Perhaps. Or... something.

... I always enjoy spending time with you, though. [He suddenly looks almost shy. There's no small amount of anxiety, but there's also clinginess, battling with it.]

I would be most fascinated to experience the hot springs, though. I have heard of them, but never had a chance to attempt to go there.

[Don flashes a bright smile at the camera. It's nice to enjoy your company even though you're not here.]

Neither have I. I didn't go that far up the mountain last month.

[That smile is so ridiculously endearing.]

If I am not mistaken, there are apparently teleporters that... somehow work to take villagers there quite easily.

The technology behind those teleporters seems fascinating. I wonder if those who built them would be willing to elaborate on their possible usage?

There are.

I once talked to someone who wanted me to test his teleporter, but then I never heard from him again.

That would make the journey quite simple then. ... Well, at least that specific part of it, anyway.

And... it is likely that the person was sent home... That seems to happen here fairly often. [There's a slight frown that twists Robert's features just a moment at that. He does not want to think of the possibility...]

I don't know; the teleporter did get finished.

[He is carefully not thinking of it.]

[Robert can't prevent himself from thinking about things. That's how he got himself into the whole dream mess to begin with.]

... Well, that is true.

At any rate, that is one method we could use. And, ostensibly, it could also be a shortcut to the mountains themselves...

[He smiles, but at his work this time.]

I wouldn't ask you to walk that far.

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