i_speak_softly | Forty-Ninth Theory [Action/Voice]

...Heh.

Not a bad name for it. I'm Bruce. I'm not really a scientist anymore but I was back home some years back.

Sorry, I should have introduced myself - I'm Don.

Can I ask why you stopped?

[HE KNOWS WHO YOU ARE YOU TURTLE NINJA. You're the purple one! He swears it's like everywhere he turns it's like "Oh, I'm your childhood, sup."]

It was just some personal issues really. But I still remember everything I learned as a scientist all the same. I was a nuclear physicist.

[NOT ANOTHER ONE.]

Really? What kind of projects did you work on?

[Don't say atomic bombs.]

[Yeeeah, just gonna avoid saying that specifically.]

I specialized in the study of gamma radiation. Not that that will be of much use here...

I take it no gamma ray detectors have shown up in the item shop?

Unfortunately no. Not that I know of.

I'm not surprised. What have you been doing to occupy yourself?

I've mostly just been doing a lot of theories and research about how the village works.

I also practice the magic that's available here on occasion. I figure it might end up being a necessity in this place.

[Familiar pastimes.]

Have you been here long?

Well I've been here since May. So not exactly a newbie, but I'm no where near a veteran.

Mm. What are your theories so far?

If I can I try not to discuss them over the journals. But maybe we could all get together and meet in person sometime to talk about it? I'm sure I'm not the only one with theories.

[And by "we" he obv means the smart people scientist league.]

I understand. When I find out who else is interested in this, I'll organize a real meeting.

[This is exactly what he was hoping would happen!]

Sounds good!

[It's evening, fighting has calmed down a bit and Eggman's poking the journals.]

Ba ha ha! How do you expect to attract anyone with such a long-winded name?! You need something with a little more punch, kid!

Still, everyone welcome, you say?

[That's - almost exactly what Sokka said. Don is disappointed, but he rallies to answer the other question.]

Everyone who's interested.

[Which... probably is not very many people.]

[Something like "Excellent Geniuses Group of Manly Awesome Noodles" would have been better, just sayin'.]

Ho ho! Well colour me interested! What's this group all about?

[But what do noodles have to do with anything?]

It's for people interested in science to get together, share ideas, help each other with projects...

[... and enjoy the company of like-minded individuals. Even in Luceti, that's a rare and valuable commodity.]

We can get more done if we know what everyone else is working on.

[You think with your noodle. Duh. :p]

Ba ha! Sounds more like Hastings' scene than it does mine! Still, I might as well give it a go!

Allow me to introduce myself! I'm Doctor Eggman, the world's most gifted roboticist and all around genius!

[So Doctor Eggman knows the good Professor Hastings. Don wonders how much he knows about Robert's personal relationships...]

Donatello Hamato. What kind of robots do you build?

[Nothing. He's probably not even aware the two live together despite being smacked in the face by their house's barrier.]

Oh ho ho! Glad you asked! I've designed and built all kinds of robots, although I specialise in combat and security models. Ba ha!

[You certainly do laugh a lot, Doctor Eggman.]

I'm more into the security side of things, myself. What kind of sensor criteria do you use?

[He's just jolly! Like Santa Claus!]

Yes, it figures. Not many here appreciate a good old fashioned death robot. Security mechs are good for making money on the side though!

Sensor criteria? I generally just program them to destroy anything that comes into their sights! That is, apart from me and each other. If you forget that part, things can get more than a little wacky, believe you me! Ba ha!

[... Um.]

Do I want to know what kind of weaponry you put on them?

Yes, you do! My robots come equipped with a wide variety of weaponry, ranging from machine guns, to lasers, to rocket propelled grenades! I've also developed a few robots in the past with non-lethal weapons, better suited to subdue their targets than vaporise them!

[You are reminding him not a little of Stockman, Eggman.]

Impressive. Is there a lot of demand for things like that, in your world?

[Definite similarity in name at least..]

You could say there's quite a bit of demand! However, most of my creations are built for myself, to serve in the Eggman Empire's glorious military!

[You're a little insane, aren't you. How can he tactfully request that you not join this group.]

Would you be interested in starting a second group for people working in the martial applications of technology? Something with a better name, maybe?

[Only a little!]

Not particuarly. Besides, your name has grown on me! SHELL! Very catchy. I'd be honoured to be part of it all.

Then I'll let you know when the first meeting will be.

[Or, you know, filter exactly such a message away from you.]

Splendid, Donatello. I'll be there. [That's a promise. Eggman'll totally find out whatever happens.]

[Guess who's quite happy about this? 8D]

I'm interested in this!

... Hey Ami.

[Does she know about Mike yet? What should he say?]

[She knows. She can't think about that easily.]

I'd like to be a part of this, if it's alright.

Of course. [By "everyone is welcome", he meant "especially people I'm already friends with".]

What sort of goals do you have for the group?

[He should have put this in the original mesage.]

I was hoping we could share ideas, collaborate on projects... or just enjoy each other's company.

Do you mean for it to be a sort of social club?

... Yes?

['Social club' is not a phrase he tends to associate with himself, but sure, why not.]

I think it'd be nice to meet more people with common interests.

You're welcome to invite anyone you know.

I think Robert would be interested. [Though she has a feeling that's already been taken into account.]

Oh, he knows.

I thought he might be. [She smiles slightly, which makes a faint warmth come into her voice.]

When do you intend to begin meeting?

In a few weeks? I'll let the word get around first, so no one who wants to come will be left out.

A good idea. I'll be sure to look for news.

And, that will be after the battle is finished and everyone comes back here.

Right.

[And after everyone recovers from the inevitable injuries and deaths. But he doesn't need to say that.]

[She knows, and she'll do her best to help them as they return; but she can't think about everything at all times or she'll get tangled up in her own thoughts again.]

Are any of your brothers fighting right now?

... No.

[Somehow he can't bring himself to tell her the full answer - but maybe that hesitation will give her a hint?]

[She makes her own first guess, though she can hardly imagine it's possible.]

Robert?

What? Ami, no. [Don't even suggest it.]

Then, what is it? [That answer still doesn't really reassure her overall.]

[A moment of silence, then:] Raph and Mike are both gone.

Raphael, too? [Oh, Don. She can't pretend to have known him well, but she has no reason to dislike him and she certainly feels for the family left behind.]

I'm sorry.

... Yes.

Leo and I are... doing all right.

I'm glad. Just, remind yourself at least they're home.

I know. [He's not worried about them; he just misses their company - and he's tired of trying to explain to his family why he's not worried.]

Are any of your friends on the draft?

Some of them. [Including one of her most important, Jack Sparrow, who was there for her at a time no one else was. But fortunately, Usagi is not. She hopes Usagi never will have to fight here; it's too dangerous and not just for Usagi herself. For all of Luceti.]

Will they be okay out there?

They're strong people. And everyone will help each other.

[He nods.]

If they need any help, when they get back...

I'll go to them right away.

[But she knows what he's getting at.]

And I'll be thankful for any other help.

[He knows she knows, and they don't need to say any more. Quietly, he turns the page of the journal.]

And, if we all meet together, I want everyone' help.

I want to keep working on a way to go home.

I'll put it on the agenda.

[But they probably shouldn't talk any more about it right now.]

I'd like to examine as much of the technology available here as possible, too.

I keep meaning to get to the clinic to try the new machines... Ah, if they still count as new.

[She actually smiles, almost conspiratorial.]

I still think of the ocean as new. I guess it's hard for me to get used to changes.

I'm looking at it right now. It's amazing...

I'd like to go out there again sometime. Sometime when there's time to relax.

[A soft laugh. He knows how few and far between such times are in Luceti.]

Have you come out to this park yet, Ami?

Not yet. I should get outside more. [A self-deprecating, small laugh.]

You should come. It isn't good to lock yourself in your lab all the time.

[Do as he says, not as he does. >.> ]

[But she needs to focus on her studies! She has more to learn still!]

I'd like to come. [She amends herself right after she says it.] I will come.

I'll still be here tomorrow. Maybe longer. There's a lot to see...

[She's bad at picking up these cues, but...]

Donatello, is it alright if I come there tomorrow?

[Almost at the same time:] Ami, will you go swimming with me?

[She breaks into a slightly embarrassed smile that makes her voice a bit altered.]

I'd like that.

[He laughs nervously.] Tomorrow? Late afternoon?

Late afternoon should be fine. I have a few things to do in the morning, then I can come.

I'll - I'll meet you there.

Should I bring a bathing suit?

[Erk. What is the alternative?]

Yes?

[Not swimming!! Or wearing clothes, which she'll probably wear over the suit anyway.]

I'll bring towels, too. And a picnic lunch.

[This - isn't a date, is it? He didn't mean for it to be a date.]

[Faintly:] That... sounds great...

[The thought of it being a date hasn't even entered her head. It's just... a nice time with a friend. By the beach. With a picnic lunch.]

What do you like? What foods? [Speak now or forever hold your sandwiches.]

Any- [He clears his throat.] Anything is fine.

[Sandwiches would be great.]

[Ah- Did she say something wrong? Did he not really want to spend that time together?]

Do you like ham? How about egg salad? Tuna?

Tuna.

[He says it like this is an extremely grave and serious decision.]

Tuna, then. [She actually dislikes yellow-tail tuna; but a can of tuna for tuna-fish sandwiches will be tasty.]

I'll make it that morning, and keep it cold.

[Canned tuna is fine with him.]

Is - is there anything I should bring?

Anything you'd like. Ah! Maybe some extra blankets to sit on.

[Blankets. Where is he going to get blankets? He can't steal them from the hotel, can he?]

Ah... sure.

Thank you. What else should we make sure to have?

[He's getting a little overwhelmed by all the preparations.]

Ami, I - I always appreciate food, but I really just wanted to go swimming.

[Ami is very good at getting carried away and going overboard.]

Ah- I'm sorry. I was thinking about it too much. Let's just enjoy our swimming.

If I send you a picture from the beach, will you recognize where I am?

Once I'm close enough, I can find it from that.

I'll see you tomorrow, then, Ami.

((You can take it to my appointments post, if you want, though it's already backdated to last Friday... or we can just handwave.))

[It's a foregone conclusion that Robert would go with Don to the beach, and return to Lucetiland. Not only had Helios encouraged it, but it was a lot less lonely than staying in the village being poignantly reminded of the fact everybody was gone.

So after stopping by to check Grune's flowers for her (not that they were going to be neglected anyway), he follows Don to the beach and the subsequent Lucetiland island, which is starting to become an almost-familiar sight and sound on the shoreline.]

[Their slow meandering tour eventually brings them to the midway, where an almost-overwhelming number of choices seem to present themselves. They could play these (rather easy-looking) games. They could sample the strange and novel foodstuffs on offer. They could go on one of the big rides looming over them, or one of the smaller attractions tucked away behind the booths. They could return to the beach, visit the water park, or check into the hotel.]

[Faced with such an array of possibilities, Don does what he normally does when planning needs to be accomplished: delegate the task to someone else.]

What do you want to do first?

[Almost-overwhelming is right. Even having been here before, Robert still finds himself stymied by this kind of place - all colours and lights and smells of semi-processed edibles - and what it represents.

Thoughtfully, he studies the amusement park.]

Well, the last time I was here, I had... already stopped by the Hall of Personas. [The slight shiver at those words should not go unnoticed to Don.] ... So... perhaps something else...? I have not gone on any of the rides, really...

[He spent most of the time watching others do so.]

Hall of Personas? [Don can't guess what this is, much less why Robert seems bothered by it.]

... Essentially, it is... a room full of mirrors that, er, project various... versions of yourself, I suppose.

[Robert drops his voice low.] Including... u-unpleasant versions...

... And, er, other people can see them.

Oh... [What kind of attraction is that?] Maybe we should do something else...

[A traumatizing one?]

... It... it might be a good idea. Though... [Less awkwardly:] I trust you...

... The only other person I went in with was... Giles. And, well... [Giles ended up seeing Robert as the junkie he was before... though Robert essentially got to see the same.]

[It is a little intriguing. And he has nothing to hide from his partner...]

It doesn't matter to me; you can decide.

... I think it would be... fascinating. [And then maybe Don can see those facets of Robert for himself, the facets Robert wouldn't be able to show here in Luceti.] And there would be... fewer people during this time.

[So now would be the best time, really.]

[A further display of trust! Don smiles at Robert.]

Which way is it?

[From the entrance, it's not particularly far. Robert begins picking his way through the significantly-thinned crowd, past a few other attractions, until he's left standing in front of the outside of the Hall.]

Ah... well, this is it.

[It's a long passage, rather ominous-looking, studded with mirrors on all surfaces... visually disorienting, of course, but Robert got used to it before.

He's still nervous of what Don might see, but he trusts that whatever it is, it'll be okay.]

[Don peers into the low building, then glances back at Robert.]

Do you know how it works?

I wish I did... presumably it is some sort of Shifted simulation.

... But one just... enters it.

[And Robert steps, nervously, into the room.] With any luck, er... a persona will appear soon enough...

[Don steps in behind Robert. As he moves between the first of the mirrors, a shimmer seems to pass down the row, and images appear in one pane after another.]

[A preteen Donatello, spinning a jo and repeatedly dropping it. Donatello without his gear, an orange circle painted on the upper corner of his plastron. Donatello in a strange costume, lightning dancing from his hands. Donatello with metallic limbs. Don with oddly-short bandana tails and a "D" on his belt...]

Whoa...

[Robert steps slowly, quietly taking in all of these forms of Don, even if there're his own there too, standing across from these versions - all drastically different, spanning the mirrors.

The toddler, bright-eyed, in front of a holographic replica of the Randi Institute, studying it with an obsessive gaze that seems out of place on a face that small. The turtle self - that sends a pang of guilt through Robert, standing next to Don the way he is - with reptilian eyes a stark gray against the pastel colours on his blunted face. The junkie again, with that same hollow drug-addled smile and the scruffy clothes and the needle marks stark on his pale skin. Even the math teacher from the AU, handling a piece of what he'd thought was Third Party technology, but was really Daisy's suit all along...]

... Yes.

... Yours are... fascinating...

[Don turns to look at Robert's side of the hall, his eyes tracing over each facet of his partner's multiversal self.]

Do you - recognize these?

Yes...

[He gestures to each of them in turn.] Myself at approximately three... myself during the species changing event... [... A longer pause, and a lowering of his voice -] ... M-Myself as... as a user...

... And lastly, myself from... from the false world, here.

... What about... yours', if I may ask?

[Don regards Robert's personas with varying emotions - fondness, remembrance, worry - then turns to gesture to his own.]

That's me a few years ago. This one I recognize from an experiment. That one reminds me of an experiment too... the others I don't know.

[The orange-circle-marked Don gets Robert's interest first.]

An experiment...?

[This had to be from before Robert knew him. He doesn't recognize the brand on Don's plastron, though it's mildly eerie.

The junkie persona smiles across at Don and gives an almost-normal wave - almost normal, Uncanny Valley-esque to real social ability. He's almost the same age Don is now, even - he looks starkly different from the professional-looking man nearby.]

Last summer. I turned into him, or thought I was him... [He shakes his head and shrugs, turning back to the mirrors opposite.]

[That wave is - strangely unsettling, somewhere between normal-for-Robert and normal-for-other-people.]

Was that really only five years ago?

Like the false life... [Robert half-murmurs it, studying the... experiment-Don slowly before moving his gaze to the others. They're all so... different from the person standing next to him - the preteen in particular reminds him poignantly of watching his own young self hunched over a console.

At Don's words, though, he looks at his old self again... the man from five years ago.]

Yes...

... It hardly feels like it, but... [Robert exhales slowly and looks into his own self's gray eyes. They have that distant, dreamy quality of somebody obviously intoxicated.]

You miss this, don't you...?

[He ignores the words in his head, trying not to think of how easy it might be to fall back down that crevasse again.]

Similar, but less... cohesive.

[He looks back and forth between preteen-Don and young-adult-Robert. They're so unlike each other - how could they have grown up to have anything in common?]

[The younger Don drops the jo again, and looks down at it despondently. Even though it's just an image, Don can't help murmuring a word of encouragement.]

Ganbatte kudasai, touto-chan...

Edited 2011-08-29 00:09 (UTC)

[The drug use masks the fact that this young adult is still brilliant - still a lover of the sciences, still a genius of a sort... but what good is genius if it stagnates, if it never gets put to use?

Robert steps a bit further, moving slowly away so that the next set of mirrors come into play, showing a familiar figure from the last time he was in here. Quite specifically, a little human boy, scarcely older than nine or ten, hunched almost defensively over a nanocomputer console.

It makes him bite his lip gently.]

... I always... wonder, now, how... h-how I would have turned out if I had friends like I do now... back then.

[The pre-teen Robert blinks curiously over at the similarly young figure of Don, hesitating a moment mid-obsessive typing.]

[The younger Donatello catches sight of Robert's persona, and draws back, curious but afraid, before blinking out of existence as Don moves down the corridor.]

I guess that goes for both of us.

[He slings an arm around Robert's shoulders. Behind him, unseen, an image of a very ancient-looking Turtle fades into view.]

[Robert leans slightly into Don at the touch, reassured and comforted by his presence even amongst things that are fundamentally a little unsettling.

The image of a seriously aged turtle makes him look over curiously, though.]

... The future? ... Or a future, I suppose...

[He wonders how close this persona is to the reality.]

[Don turns to see what Robert is looking at, and stops short at what he sees. The older Turtle notices him looking, and winks, before murmuring a few words that only Don can hear.]

Wow...

[Don might've only heard them, but Robert saw the mouth movements. There's no way he'd be able to guess what they were, though, so instead, he asks bluntly:]

... What did this person say, if... I may ask?

Hyaku shichi sai... A hundred and seven years old.

[He finally takes his eyes off his older self, to turn to Robert with a smile of amazement.]

A hundred and seven years old...

[Robert smiles too. That's well within the lifespan of a Terran human... of course, in Luceti, perhaps things would be different, but he's definitely going to make the most of his life here, if he's allowed to persist that long.]

... That is a lengthy natural lifespan.

I... thought it might be like that.

[He looks again at the venerable persona, before that image too vanishes from the mirror.]

Well, it does make sense, for your particular biology. Just... [Robert hesitates a moment.] ... it is still fascinating to see.

... I wonder if this place displays multiversions of oneself...

Isn't that what this is? [What else could these images be?]

[Simulations, perhaps? But Don's probably right.]

I... would think so. Hope so, even.

... You have such drastically different ones, though... it is fascinating to contemplate why.

I'm chaotic. [After a moment, he thinks he had better explain this.] What happened to me in my world was so improbable, I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't happen the same way in any other multiverse. And small differences in events can lead to wildly divergent outcomes. [He gestures to the mirrors around them.] Chaos.

[Chaos theory, perhaps? Robert nods gently at the explanation.]

... It does make sense, yes. And it would fit Multiversal Theory...

[He wonders what small changes could have sparked a totally different life for him.]

[Don leads Robert out to the exit with a hand behind his back.]

What other fascinating exhibits does this place have?

[Counting off to himself, Robert says:] There are... several interesting places. A... zoo, as it is called [- and he shudders slightly at mentioning it -], a so-called "haunted house", an arcade, many rides and games of skill...

... Does... does anything appeal to you?

A zoo? [Don doesn't shudder, exactly, but that's because he's better at hiding his reactions.] Of what?

Non-sapients, as far as I can ascertain. Thankfully. There is quite a variety of organisms, though... an almost dizzying array, actually.

[Many of them Robert didn't recognize at all. But it was even more unsettling then, that the Malnosso would put these organisms in somewhere they couldn't escape.]

But - don't all the animals here talk?

Yes, that is true. I assume we have a translated version of their vocalizations... Though they seem to be significantly more abstract, when taken from an organism that is non-sapient.

... That being said, non-sapient or otherwise, it is still a barbaric arrangement. [Robert shakes his head slowly.] But one that is... not surprising, considering the Malnosso. After all, what is this enclosure but essentially the same idea?

[A mental twist renders Don speechless for a moment, and then he draws Robert behind some nearby bushes.]

Robert, that persona with the orange mark...

[His finger traces a circle on his chest, and he hesitates, unsure how to say this.]

... Yes? [It's sudden to be dragged into the bushes like that, and Robert is more than a little surprised, but he looks up inquisitively at Don.

He doesn't get what Don's trying to hint at, yet...]

I - [He glances around, then decides on the blunt explanation, saying it all in a rush.] He grew up in a zoo and I have all his memories.

[It... takes a few seconds for this to settle into Robert's mind, and then his expression flickers somewhere between horror and sympathy.]

... A sapient in an enclosure...? [...

... Please excuse Robert while he looks genuinely disturbed.]

... That is... disgusting.

[The "I have all his memories" part will take a bit longer to process.]

[Don puts a hand on Robert's shoulder.]

But it wasn't bad. He was happy there. In - in some ways, his life was better than mine.

Was he truly happy, or simply ignorant of anything else...?

[Robert leans into Don at the touch on his shoulder.] Nobody deserves to be objectified in that manner.

... At least you are not... viewed as a possession...

A little of both, I guess.

[He shakes his head.] He was appreciated. [He had a kind of recognition, of respect, that Don himself didn't have in his own world.]

It was... like a family...

Appreciation on his own merits, though...? [It's something Robert can't really fathom. All he knows is that it hits everything he finds terrifying about the treatment of non-human sapients by others.]

... I suppose it could be safe, and happy... in a sense... but what about autonomy?

[Robert tries to picture himself being kept as a zoo exhibit. The mental image is highly disturbing.]

He's one of the most amazing discoveries in natural history. An animal that can think and talk like a human. People come from all over the world just to have a conversation with him.

Autonomy? He does whatever he wants all day... [It may be within the limits of a cage, but Don's world growing up was very small too - and Tchai's at least included clean water and sunlight and diverse pleasant company.]

[Robert listens quietly, his expression sad and a little pained. It would be abhorrent, to any Terran, to see someone sapient in an enclosure for anything other than effect. Even the sentence "an animal that can think and talk like a human" reads like a travesty - humans are animals, after all - and the whole thing is just... grotesque.

Finally:]

But in the end, he... is still just an object... perhaps a fascinating discovery, but... he has a different standing from any other person. Legally, ethically...

[He shakes his head.] I - I just wanted you to know.

Thank you for telling me. I am just... sorry you were ever made to experience something like that...

[Not that Robert thinks Don should've had to grow up in fear either. Neither situation is good, or healthy, or right for a wonderful, brilliant individual and his family, none of which would have caused any problems on their own.

Robert leans his head gently against Don's plastron.]

It's all right...

[He rubs Robert's shoulder distractedly, his mind elsewhere.]

[The distractedness isn't totally lost on Robert. Seven months of knowing Don has let him begin to pick up on some of the surface details of him, after all.

But he doesn't question it right now, beyond looking up a little worriedly at him.]

[Don blinks back to the present, as usual unsure of how much time passed while he was spacing out.]

Did we decide where we were going?

... I assume we got derailed by that topic, so no.

[Awkward.]

Perhaps something more... pleasant might be in order? Something lighthearted, perhaps? [That is, nothing that'll traumatize either of them.]

Do you want to go back to those game stands? Some of them looked like fun.

Certainly. [This is lighthearted and not traumatizing, right? Right.] I would love to...

[Plus he can see Don's aim demonstrated, probably! It will be a lot better than his own at any rate.]

[Don heads back towards the midway, not speaking again until they've been strolling between the booths for some minutes.]

Which one should we try?

Hmm... [There is, admittedly, a spectacular array of games here, but Sonic Toss catches Robert's attention - because... is that Robotnik on it?]

... Doctor Robotnik...?

[Cue headtilt as Robert studies the Sonic Toss game.]

[Don looks around, thinking Robert has just spotted someone he knows, but no, Robert is looking at one of the game stalls.]

What?

He is... referenced in this game. [Huh. That is very odd. ~~Then again Robert's already seen Turtles in Time...~~]

... That is not too strange of an occurrence in this park, it seems.

[Robert steps up to the booth, peering at the large golden rings and a very stylized blue organism...]

[Now that guy looks familiar. It's Don's turn to headtilt as he tries to figure out what kind of game "Sonic Toss" is.]

Edited 2011-09-05 21:07 (UTC)

[It is, apparently, a ring toss game, if the rules signboard is any indication.

Fascinated, Robert studies the perimeter of the game.]

... So... one throws the rings at the central stake...

... Seems simple in theory.

[Don looks at the size of the rings, and the distance to the stake, and wonders how anyone could miss.]

Want to try?

[He will be surprised. And by surprised, one means probably embarrassed-by-proxy, at Robert's abysmal failure.]

... I could... attempt. [But even Robert's pretty certain he'll get it wrong.]

[Don gestures for Robert to go ahead. He will watch and be... appalled.]

[Trying it out now... Robert picks up one of the oversized rings, standing there awkwardly for way too long trying to judge it, and then gives it a rather pathetic toss.

... To nobody's surprise, it misses, though it at least hits the stake in question.]

...

There is a reason I do not usually engage in this sort of thing.

[Facepalm time!]

That wasn't bad. [As far as Don is concerned, the ring hit the target - just not at the intended angle.] Throw another one.

[And Robert repeats the throw, trying to adjust for the first - this time, the ring misses on the opposite side of the stake.]

... Agh.

[This is frustrating.]

[Ooh, overshot. There's still one more ring, though.]

[Can he do it? Can he manage to actually get one ring onto that stake?

Moment of truth! Robert attempts to throw the ring again, centring it as best he can on that stake, and...

... Whelp. The oversized ring hits the edge of the stake, hangs for one terrifying moment, and then... falls off.

Robert just sighs.]

... Well.

[Don applauds anyway.]

Play again?

It might be better if you attempted it instead of me...

[Read: "I don't want to fail miserably twice if I can help it."]

[Don picks up a pile of rings, eyeballs the stake, and tosses one... It bounces off the side of the pole just below the top.]

Ha - I'm not used to throwing side-arm.

[Okay, that's kind of reassuring if even his obscenely well-trained boyfriend can't throw it properly in one shot.

But Robert's hardly in any position to chide, and besides, that was more accurate than his attempts. So he's just going to watch like Don just practically performed a miracle.]

[Don adjusts his aim, and the next two rings fall neatly onto the stake. He turns to beam at Robert.]

[Okay, that was impressive. Robert beams right on back.]

Wonderful...

[And Don gets a congratulatory hug!]

[Don doesn't usually get a hug for accurately throwing things at a target: his expectations run more towards a slap on the back or a punch in the arm. Nevertheless, he finds that a hug is a good congratulatory gesture too.]

[The droid working the booth hands him a small stuffed animal, and he accepts it uncertainly.]

[What an adorable stuffed animal. Screw antiquated notions of masculinity, Robert is going to beam at it.]

That was very accurate aiming. I suppose it comes from your training...

[Robert may take it; Don isn't really a stuffed animal kind of guy.]

It's one of the things I practice.

[Even though Robert has only lived with the Hamatos for two weeks, he's surely noticed that Don really does spend hours every day in the back room, engaged in his mysterious training exercises.]

[He's totally taking it then, and cradling it with a reverence not generally intended for stuffed animals.]

Ah... that makes sense.

[How can he not notice? Though Robert is never quite sure what to do when that happens, other than not just barge in without knocking (he remembers that warning quite well).]

... Has... anyone ever expressed any desire for me to do the same?

[Don turns to stroll slowly down the midway.]

What, practice throwing?

Well... practise anything. Physical things in general. [He knows he still has to get regular self-defense training in. ~~And half of his CR offered to teach him.~~]

[That seems like an odd question. Robert must be aware that quite a number of people would like him to learn at least the basics of self-defense.]

Do you mean Leo and Master Splinter?

... Them primarily, yes... but almost everybody I know seems to think it is... imperative.

... and judging by what tends to happen here, I would be inclined to agree.

[... They don't need a repeat of the Kusanagi incident.]

[... ?]

If you want lessons in something, you only have to ask.

The main problem is, er, deciding whom to ask. I think almost everybody I know has offered to teach me self-defense...

[Maybe you should start by asking your highly-trained boyfriend what style of self-defense he thinks you should pursue, and under which teacher.]

You know, it's generally considered an honor when one person is willing to train you. [A sideways smile.] You're very popular, Robert.

I am not so sure if it is popularity or simply a realization that to do otherwise is a liability.

[Because how can he be popular when he can't even manage social relationships half the time?]

... Mr. Japan suggested I start with some specific style of self-defense... something that suits me.

[He laughs nervously.] Robert, I can't comment on advice from Japan.

Why not? [It hadn't occurred to Robert that advice from Japan could be flawed somehow...]

And do you have any? [... however, he certainly wouldn't think Don's was.]

I mean, it would be like going to someone who sort of knows how to work a computer, and asking them to critique Turing's theories. It doesn't matter what I think; you have to ask him what you should study.

Mr. Japan is... not entirely a non-combatant, though. [Robert saw him fight the simulations, after all. But then again Robert's definition of non-combatant is a little different.]

... But he does dislike fighting...

... I suppose it would be better to ask the combatants I know. Like Ms. Daisy...

That makes sense... [Sort of. To the extent that it makes sense for a country to have a human form, at least.] He didn't say anything else?

Well, specifically, he spoke about various conventions essentially preventing him from going to war unless it was to aid another. [The way he says this, it's clear Robert approves of this policy.] But I suppose in Luceti things must... be somewhat different for him.

Still, Ms. Daisy and Giles are both combatants - not to mention your family - so I have quite a few options.

[It's getting easier to talk about this. Robert isn't sure if this is a good thing or not.]

[... Erm. Later he'll ask Leo to refresh his memory on Japanese peace treaties.]

We all have very different styles, too.

How does that... work, exactly? [He fiddles uncomfortably with his sleeves. This is a question he's simultaneouly frightened to ask and morbidly curious about.] I mean, what exactly are the... nuances?

Um... [Robert, do you realize how big a question this is?] Different fighting styles are based on different philosophies and strategies. From there they develop different kinds of movements, different patterns of moves. To learn a new fighting style you have to learn a new way of seeing a fight.

[He looks to Robert, gauging whether this explanation has made any sense to him.]

[No, or he wouldn't have asked it...]

A new way of seeing a fight...

[For Robert, this is confusing; he doesn't even know how to approach a fight to begin with.]

... I... suppose I should talk to everyone I know and... see the different styles they have...?

Edited 2011-09-10 03:21 (UTC)

[He nods.] I think it would be a good idea. [You know, if his opinion counts for anything.]

[Don's opinion always counts for something.]

I could... watch you, as well. [... That would probably be almost enjoyable if Robert can divorce himself mentally from the context.]

[He smiles shyly.] I'd like that.

As would I... I think you would be a good candidate to watch anyway, because of how well-trained you are.

... Though most of my combatant friends are... exceptionally well-trained. [Daisy definitely comes to mind there.]

You should come in the back room sometime.

Would I not be too much of... a deterrent? [He doesn't know the mysterious things that go on in there; he'd rather not be a distraction...]

[Don smiles fondly at his underconfident partner.] More like an incentive, I'd say.

In that case, I would be glad... [Robert smiles up at Don happily.]

... I have admittedly been curious for some time, so it would be a good opportunity to see for myself.

[Don stretches his arms over his head and looks around.] Do you want to do anything else?

[And the human's gaze follows Don's.] I would have suggested the arcade - I went there with Ms. Daisy before.

... There was... a rather fascinating game console there.

[And by fascinating Robert means "really awkward to play".]

I thought you didn't like video games? [Not that Don has anything against this development. He doesn't mind playing a few rounds himself on occasion.]

I am not used to them being so... violent.

[This is the main reason he doesn't like the ones in Luceti.]

And this one was... rather violent. But... interesting, because...

... Well, it was based on yourself.

[The first part makes sense. The second part, not so much.]

Robert, what are you talking about?

... It is a game where you are a... playable character, labelled as "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time".

[Yes, it sounds kind of ridiculous when phrased that way.]

... The console should still be there, if you... want to see it.

I have to see this. Do you know where it was?

Yes I do. Please, follow me.

[And Robert begins to thread his way through the amusement park, his steps as practised as Daisy's when she led him there. It doesn't take long for them to get to the arcade, as bright and colourful and noisy as ever - although significantly less so than it was when he was last here.

The aforementioned console stands empty, currently running through a demo reel of the game. Little sprited turtles, undeniably mimicking the ones Robert saw - and in Don's case, touched, loved - run across the screen.

He doesn't approach it, at first. Just stares.]

[Don stops short too, watching the video on the screen. He's hardly ever even seen a picture of a Turtle, so to see an animated image of one, however simplified and cartoony, is quite amazing. In a broad way, it's like how he felt during that experiment last March, when he laid eyes on a Turtle who was not one of his brothers.]

Wow.

[Robert slowly approaches the console, standing slightly off to the left of it as he does. He doesn't know if Don wants to play this game, but...]

... I do wonder... how much this has to do with you.

...

I did not get very far in... the game. [The unspoken part is that he couldn't.]

[Don moves up to the controls. He's never played an arcade console before, but it's pretty self-explanatory. In a moment he's exited the demo and selected himself as a character.]

Hm.

[Now this is just surreal.]

... Does this... remind you of anything? [Said so very awkwardly.]

Um... That didn't look anything like April. [Oh, he gets to play now. Excuse him while he figures out what the button combinations do.]

I wonder why everybody is so... distorted. [Even the sprites aren't very accurate... the style is obviously supposed to be cartoony, of course, but even with that in mind, there are some differences. And now that Robert's paying somewhat more attention... doesn't this look like the one guy in the Hall of Personas...?]

It looks pretty old. [He squints at the grainy images.] Why are the enemies exploding?

I have... no idea whatsoever. [Seriously. Is this common to all video games here?]

It is... rather ridiculous...

[Already distracted from that question.] Come on, how do I - [He jams the buttons harder, as though this will cause his avatar to fight differently.] Spin it, stupid!

[It's really pathetic when your in-game avatar won't do the things you would actually do...]

... There really is no command for that? [Just... so boggled. Robert thought it was ineptitude on his part or something.]

I can't find one. Who programmed this?!

[He resumes yelling at the game, absentmindedly slipping into Japanese as he does so - though since he isn't shielding, Robert will just hear it as a slightly odd cadence to his words.] The knees! Strike at the knees, you idiot Turtle! Do you call that ninjutsu? Somewhere offscreen your sensei is crying pixellated tears!

[On some level this is almost amusing. ~~Especially to the mun here.~~ But it's also kind of worrisome. Which one is the reality? The silly game with the stupid controls or the turtle standing in front of it yelling at the silly game?

... Does Robert really care? He knows which one he loves, anyway...]

I am hardly able to comment, but this does seem a rather ridiculous fighting style...

[Seriously, the pixel-Don is just... hitting stuff with a stick. That doesn't require anywhere near the finesse of the complex actions Robert has seen Don do with his bo.]

[The pixel-Don apparently hasn't thought to bring any shuriken or kunai either. What kind of unprepared jerk is he?]

I don't fight like that. [- he assures Robert, just in case the scientist thought otherwise.] And I've played better video games.

[Robert scrutinizes the screen closer, looking at the blocky surroundings and the colours and in general everything about the game universe.]

I do wonder. Is this a video game from... another multiversion? Or did the Malnosso make it up themselves...?

... If they did, I would have hoped they got more of the details correct.

Don't know. [He makes his avatar jump around the screen.] The music isn't bad. [Pixel-Don jump-kicks an oil can, and Real-Don seems entertained by the resulting explosion.]

It is... outdated-sounding, but nice... [And now a random explosion. Okay. What.]

I wonder if there are any games with myself in them.

[Don abandons the controls, leaving his video-game self to be pummelled by opportunistic enemies.]

Want to look around?

Certainly... [Robert casts the game console one more awkward look over his shoulder before stepping up next to Don.]

... I wonder if the games... include others here, too?

I wouldn't be surprised. I can't be the only one.

Well, there was Sonic Toss...

[In fact, this whole place just might be like this. Subtle, awkward references to the characters here. Fictional or not? Robert isn't certain if he can tell.]

You know, I think there used to be two people here named Sonic.

... Two Sonics... [~~Would Eggman be pleased to hear that one.~~] Multiversions of... the same person?

[He's not sure how he'd feel if a multiversion of Don were to show up.]

[Don thinks on this for a while - the conversation was a long time ago - then snaps his fingers.]

Yes. I talked to one of them, and he told me the other was himself from another dimension.

That sounds... remarkable, actually. I wonder if similar things have happened for other people here...

[Robert continues to glance around, searching out the various video-games for anything that looks similar to what he knows. ~~The mun is considering having the Blazblue console show up...~~]

I don't remember hearing about any other cases of it.

Perhaps it should be something we should ask about eventually...

[If only because it's fascinating to think about.]

You could ask over the journals. If it had happened, someone would know.

Like the surveys Ingrid did while she was here. [Argh, but those sorts of things require social skills. Still...] ... If I could get some sort of comprehensive questionnaire...

... Or even a few leading questions... Well. It would be an interesting topic, perhaps.

I don't think a lot of people here have the patience for a whole questionnaire. [More's the pity. The residents of Luceti could get so much done if they all worked together and pooled their knowledge.]

[One hopes that this is what SHELL itself will achieve.]

... It is unfortunate, but likely true.

At any rate... is there anything else interesting to you? [~~Mun could always start bringing in random video game franchises...~~]

Edited 2011-09-17 09:14 (UTC)

[He still needs to organize that meeting.]

[He looks doubtfully at the stands selling purported foodstuffs - and when a Turtle who grew up starving in a sewer doubts a foodstuff, that's saying something.]

I don't know, I'm a little tired...

Ah... if you would prefer, we could go to the hotel to rest. [It'd be better than going all the way back home, anyway. And convenient. And possibly interesting.]

[He turns to head slowly back in that direction.]

Maybe I'll go up on the roof...

I could accompany you? [Robert leans affectionately into Don's side a little, enough to express the general sentiment of wanting-to-do-anything-for-Don.]

[This surprises him a little.] Do you want to? ... Is there interior access?

I do.

... And there generally is, with... such buildings as this. [Even on Terra it was common. Somebody has to maintain the roof plants in bad weather, after all.]

[He looks almost disappointed at this.]

Do I have to use it?

No, but I doubt I could accompany you in any other way.

[Unless Don can carry an entire human while he climbs a building. Which sounds like a risky idea anyway.]

[He can, but it isn't much fun.]

Would you mind giving me a head-start?

Not at all...

... Just, please be careful. [Robert worries, even though he knows that Don is quite capable of these things.]

I suppose we shall meet on the roof, proper?

[They stop near the hotel, and Don casts an appraising eye up at the walls.]

Join me in half an hour?

Certainly.

[Robert flashes Don a quick smile before heading inside the building and preparing to climb however many stairs are necessary to get to the roof.

... It will probably take him longer to do that than Don climbing it.]

[Winry giggles.] Did you intend to make the name spell out S-H-E-L-L on purpose?

It took me days to come up with a word for H...

How clever.

What will this League be doing, Don?

Organizing the scientific efforts in Luceti, I hope. I think a lot of people are doing research, but no one knows what anyone else is working on. At any rate, it would be nice to talk about things like that...

Well, I know a few bright scientist out on the draft that might not be able to get to this. Want me to relay the message when they come back?

That would be great, Winry, thanks.

No problem! Ed and Al need to socialize more anyway.

[Ed and Al - Hadn't Winry mentioned those names when she explained her connection to 'Pride'?]

Any friend of yours, Winry.

Oh yeah, those are friends of mine from my childhood. They're into a special branch of science called alchemy.

[What.]

[Don will phrase this gently, because he likes Winry and respects her intelligence.]

Um... I'm sure it's very interesting, but alchemy isn't really science...

[She's gotten that before, it's okay.]

In your world it might not be.

... True.

Can they make it work here, though?

Of course they can.

[His interest is officially restored.]

I'd like to see it.

Then you should contact them! Edward and Alphonse Elric.

... Brothers?

Yep! Very close and nearly inseparable.

[Okay, Don's a little jealous. How often has he wished he had a brother he could share his interest in science with?]

I'll leave them a message after this draft.

Good! Ed can be a little rough around the edges sometimes, but I'm sure you'll find Al likeable enough!

[So noted.]

You'll come too, right Winry?

Of course! Is there a date for the first meeting, or will that be planned later?

I'll see who's interested, and then I'll let them know when the meeting will be.

[Subtle message: The existence of the club is not a secret, but it's probably better if they keep their meeting plans on a need-to-know basis.]

All right. Keep me updated!

[Mulder has been a bit preoccupied for most of the draft but he finally gets a quieter moment to check in on the journals. Have to make sure the place is still there to go back to.]

You're starting up a club? Are there any initiation ceremonies to join?

[Kidding, really, on that part, though he's interested.]

Must do complicated math to prove out the club leader's pet hypothesis. Congratulations, you're in.

[Also kidding. But seriously, of course Mulder is welcome.]

[He chuckles.]

Good, I was hoping it wouldn't involve embarrassing clothing or anything.

In all seriousness, it's about time Luceti had something like this.

I think it will be more useful than my last club...

Oh? [He must have missed that one.] What was it?

Um... a club for insomniacs. [Which officially met only twice, and which got nothing done, unless passing time is an accomplishment.]

Too bad it didn't take off... I would have had to join that one for sure, too.

[With no TV to distract himself, how else to pass some of those long weird hours...]

Really, Mr. Mulder? [You struck him as the type who worked nineteen-hour days, slept efficiently, and woke up ready to do it all over again. But now that he thinks about it, he can also picture you tossing and turning at night, unable to let go of some fascinating new theory.]

[New theories, cases that are nagging and unsolved, answers he just can't quite grasp... Yeah, it hits him a lot.]

Yeah, really. Especially when I get involved in something important. Back home, it would be an especially hard to solve case, for instance...

I know the feeling.

... Those papers did turn up again, after the experiment.

Oh, good. [A sigh of relief.] I would have hated to see all of that hard work disappear.

I'll be home, um... some time in the next few days. You can come over if you want.

That sounds good to me... it'll give me time to get back and unwind after the draft.

Mr. Mulder, you're on the draft?

Yeah, though I'm 'resting' at the moment. I figured I'd check in on things.

[Which to him means... "let's check the journal to make sure everything back there is still standing. One can't EVER be too paranoid.]

How is it out there?

Conditions are better than last time? I know that's not saying much, but I think I almost preferred the boats to the jungle.

[He looks out over the ocean.]

I have to admit I'm a little jealous of the boat part.

Oh? I didn't know you were interested in boat travel, Don.

I've been working on it all summer. [And now it looks like it won't happen until next year.] I guess I shouldn't expect boats to be readily available when we've only had an ocean for a few months.

I imagine it would be a pretty involved process to get the whole thing together. Too bad the ocean didn't come with its own fleet, huh?

[A faint laugh.] I like your optimism, Mr. Mulder.

Well, I try to keep an open mind.

[He sobers again.] I'll see you when you get back?

You will, count on it. I'm holding up ok over here.

[That's what he likes to hear.]

I'll talk to you soon, then. 'Bye, Mr. Mulder.

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