i_speak_softly | Forty-Ninth Theory [Action/Voice]

Entry tags:

Forty-Ninth Theory [Action/Voice]

[Don has never been to an ocean before, and last time he was at an amusement park he had to electrify the roller coaster to defeat an enraged colony of nanobots.]

[He is determined that this excursion will be one of pleasant discovery.]

[To that end, he takes the teleporter to the beach on Thursday morning, and spends the next two days exploring the park, the waterfront, and as far out into the ocean as his own limbs can take him. (Or farther, if anyone is kind enough to offer him the use of a boat.)]

[At some point during the two days, he opens his journal and leaves the following message:]

Researchers, experimenters, tinkerers, inventors, curious people of all kinds... join the "Scientists, Hypothesizers, and Engineers of Luceti League". I'm starting it right now and everyone is welcome.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

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.

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]