Forty-Ninth Theory [Action/Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[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.

Comments

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

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

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

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

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.]

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

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

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

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.]

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[He looks almost disappointed at this.]

Do I have to use it?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

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.]

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

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

Would you mind giving me a head-start?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

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?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

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

Join me in half an hour?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

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.]