i_speak_softly (
i_speak_softly) wrote2011-10-02 09:51 am
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Fifty-First Theory [Written/Voice/Action]
[This morning, instead of going for his usual run, Don settles himself at his desk in the back room. The door is open and a pencil is poked thoughtfully between his teeth. When he begins to write, it isn't filtered, but courtesy of a translation-shield, anyone trying to read the entry will see something that looks more like a Danish cryptogram than anything intelligible. It's a code Don uses for his private notes: only his brothers or an extraordinarily gifted linguist would have a hope of being able to figure it out.]
BGTVULWG - Wvlz hltwqszu bluul kgf bj svg hblfl. Bj ilkqtblf bqs q lu zu lb pvwblu WJDLUQ, gs bj zpflh bqzzal tgulf bqs zlwh, lkulf vu bj nvhbl iglu nl f q lu vg gs lt vwh.
[A little later in the morning, Don leaves the following message.]
Filtered to everyone he can think of that he would consider a friend || Unhackable
All my friends here in Luceti... would you say a few words about yourself? For my notes.
[Much later, in the evening, Don goes out for his run. Now that Shredder is gone, he's allowed to go out after dark again. He knows he doesn't have long before the nights get too cold for this, so he's going to enjoy it while he can.]
((OOC: On Ami's suggestion, Don is working on the in-game equivalent of a timeline and a CR chart.))
BGTVULWG - Wvlz hltwqszu bluul kgf bj svg hblfl. Bj ilkqtblf bqs q lu zu lb pvwblu WJDLUQ, gs bj zpflh bqzzal tgulf bqs zlwh, lkulf vu bj nvhbl iglu nl f q lu vg gs lt vwh.
[A little later in the morning, Don leaves the following message.]
Filtered to everyone he can think of that he would consider a friend || Unhackable
All my friends here in Luceti... would you say a few words about yourself? For my notes.
[Much later, in the evening, Don goes out for his run. Now that Shredder is gone, he's allowed to go out after dark again. He knows he doesn't have long before the nights get too cold for this, so he's going to enjoy it while he can.]
((OOC: On Ami's suggestion, Don is working on the in-game equivalent of a timeline and a CR chart.))
[action]
[action]
[Something about the way the creature seems so comfortable away from buildings and lights and people causes Don to slow down, turn his steps, and cautiously approach.]
[action]
[action]
Nice night.
[action] HTML fail, sigh.
Yep! It's a bit cold, but Pommy was kind of bored being in Pommy's room, so Pommy decided to go out.
[action]
[He gestures to the grass.]
Can I join you?
[It's a little cold for a Turtle to be sitting still for long, but... maybe just for a minute.]
[action]
Sure! Pommy was getting a bit lonely anyway. Not many people are out when it's nighttime, after all.
[action]
You know, in my world, there are always people out. When I go running at night there, I have to go... further.
[action]
[action]
It's called Manhattan.
[action]
[action]
It has 8 million people in 300 square miles. The tallent building is over 1,400 feet, counting the spire. There are 468 subway stations, not counting the decommissioned ones.
[He sits back, satisfied. Your turn.]
[action]
Wow, that definitely sounds like a big place! Diamond City also has lots of tall buildings and trains. And there's a spaceport too! Pommy arrived there with Bomberman when Pommy first came to Diamond City.
[action]
You left your own world to go there?
[action]
[action]
What is Ksa2 like?
[action]
There was a forest and a lot of hot springs. Pommy used to live with a family there in a log cabin.
[action]
[action]
[action]
Do you want to walk with me?
[action]
[Hooray, new friend! This night is officially awesome.]
[action]
Are you often out at night?
[action]
[action]
I'll probably be out for at least the next few nights. You're welcome to join me again.
[action]
What's your name? Pommy's name is Pommy!
[action]
My name's Donatello. You can call me Don.
[action]
[action]
[action]
[action]
[action]
[action]
[But seriously, stay out of the way. You'd get squished.]
[action]
Myu, Pommy thinks Pommy's seen Don before. [It's hard to missing a giant bipedal turtle, after all.] Are there others like you here, or are you the only one?
[action]
[action]
[action]
[Very perceptive for a little pink guy who refers to himself by name.]
[action]
It must be nice to have brothers. Pommy doesn't have any family. At least, Pommy doesn't think so.
[action]
[action]
[action]
A black hole? An artificial black hole?
[action]
Yep! The BHB Army had created an artificial black hole to trap planets so they could search the planets for the seven Elemental Stones, and Pommy and Bomberman got stuck inside! We had to destroy the Gravity Generators that were powering the black hole and then defeat Rukifellth, the leader of the BHB Army, who was being possessed by Sthertoth, the god of evil!
[action]
[Clearly he can use Real Scientific Facts to argue against Pommy's life story.]
[action]
[action]
But you still weren't able to get home afterwards?
[action]
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And that's when you went to Diamond City?
[action]
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Was Bomberman ever here in Luceti?
[action]
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Can I ask how long you've been here?
[action]
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That one... made my house look like... my home.
[action]
Re: [action]
[action]
[action]
It's getting late. I should head back.
[action]
Myu, okay. Pommy should head back, too! Where do you live?
[action]
The south end of the village. What about you?
[action]
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[They could walk back together?]
[action]
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It was nice meeting you, Pommy. I'll see you around, I guess.
[action]
[And with that, Pommy scurries off.]
[Voice]
[Voice/Written]
MIZUNO AMI. Dmo yn ayuyr watner. APIY im ooy gply dyly yo atwwy. Lm ito wrxgy q t qyoly.
[Aloud:]
Ami, do you think we should suggest this generally? As something everyone should do? Maybe there could be a section of the library to store all the records...
(("MIZUNO AMI. She's very smart. MIKE liked her a lot. You can trust her."))
Re: [Voice/Written]
I think it could be a good idea. It's... not the same as remembering, but it helps.
[Voice]
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[Voice]
Ah! Do you mean so everyone can store things there to remember things by?
[Voice]
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Should I do it?
[Voice]
[Voice]
Consider it done.
[Voice]
[Voice]
[Voice]
[It had gotten her through not being able to speak, at least.]
[Voice]
[The journals' playback function means a Voice recording is just as permanent, so... why write?]
[Voice]
[Voice]
I guess.
[Voice]
You know, in the meantime, we should do something before you won't feel like doing as much.
[Voice]
[That can't mean what he thinks it does.]
[Voice]
[Voice | Locked]
Ami, what are you saying?
[Voice | Locked]
alright, and what she's been told...][Voice | Locked]
[He tries to compose himself a little.] You - you haven't told anyone, have you?
[Voice | Locked]
[Voice | Locked]
[Voice | Locked]
Fall is a great time of year to enjoy. [She won't admit to liking leaf piles.] The colors are beautiful, and there are pumpkins and apples.
[Voice | Locked]
[Voice | Locked]
Have you thought about a costume?
[A little-known fact about Ami is that she quite enjoys sewing and knitting. She got a taste for knitting back when they had to do it for a home ec assignment way back in middle school; and even when she was in the Darkness, she sewed a new cape for Nephrite.]
[Voice | Locked]
Ami, I don't need a costume.
[Voice | Locked]
[Voice | Locked]
Thanks, but costumes aren't really my thing.
[Only when it's necessary for a disguise.]
[Voice | Locked]
[A penguin. Yep. Usagi was a rabbit - of course.]
[Voice | Locked]
[He was never assigned to do that, but then, he didn't go to anything like a real school.]
[Voice | Locked]
[Voice | Locked]
[Voice | Locked]
[Voice | Locked]
[Though he could be wrong; he's never had one.]
[Voice | Locked]
[Actually, in the opinion of... every single one of her friends... they could very well neglect their studies if the teachers would just let them. But this is a girl who refused to miss school even when she joined the Dark Kingdom trying to take over Earth.]
Don, do you go to the school here?
[Voice | Locked]
[Voice | Locked]
I understand.
Don, you know, I think part of remembering each other is making new memories together, too. Would you like to go somewhere?
[Voice | Locked]
In a few days?
[Little does he know the Malnosso have other plans for him.]
[Voice | Locked]
We could go to the battle dome.
[Yes, she'll spar.]
[Voice | Locked]
Come over.
[Voice | Locked]
[Voice | Locked]
What do you have in mind?
[Voice | Locked]
[After all, even if she used her powers very carefully, the words 'water damage' beg to come to mind.]
[Voice | Locked]
[But all right.]
I'll wait for you.
[And since the window made such a convenient exit earlier, he'll use it again.]
[to ACTION!] this'll be fun <3
After just a moment to clear her head and make her decisions, Mizuno Ami heads out the door. She'll transform when they're ready to begin. This is part exercise, and part revelation.]
[Action]
[Action]
Somehow, this girl is coming here to go against a ninja.]
I'm sorry if I kept you waiting at all.
[Action]
[Something about the not-so-secret feelings Mike had for Ami makes Don think the young woman must have hidden reserves of physical talent, but he doesn't know for sure. Either way, he must be nearly twice her weight, so he'd better go a little easy on her.]
[Action]
Please don't be shocked.
[These words are almost guaranteed to preface something shocking. Ami lifts her arms into the air, and gestures as she speaks three simple magic words that make her voice echo with power:]
Mercury Power, Make-up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utg6luc-C24)!
[The energy of her transformation swirls around her with a pure, watery aura, the water and bubbles coalesce into the sailor-suited uniform, and Mercury stands in Ami's place. The gem on her tiara glimmers briefly.]
[Action]
You... did mean for us to spar, right?
[If you were going to magically change your clothes, couldn't you have picked something more battle-appropriate?]
[Action]
I did. This is the form I fight in.
[Action]
Suit yourself.
[Action]
[Action]
[Whenever you're ready, Ami.]
[Action]
[Action]
[He uses his greater strength to deflect the attack, then counterstrikes with a purposely-slow sweep. He doesn't want to actually hit her.]
[Action]
Mercury Aqua Cyclone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW9Niz40qto)!
[She gestures with her hands as she speaks, and a stream of snow and ice heads straight for Donatello.]
[Action]
Ami, no!
[Action]
Are you alright?
[She hadn't thought it'd be that bad, and she instantly feels terrible. She hurries over towards him.]
[Action]
P-please don't do that...
[Action] self, you should not be thinking 'now the opposite: turtle soup!' >_< XD
Should we go inside? [There'd be blankets... hot tea...]
[Action] 8|
Yes...
[He holds out his hand. Ami is small, but maybe she can help a little?]
[Action] sorry! XD
Ami gives Don her hand, and helps to support his weight as they head inside.]
I'm sorry. [She feels like she can't apologize enough. She hadn't meant to harm him.]
I just thought... I just thought it would be a small advantage.
[Action]
Keep it in mind if you're ever in a real fight against a reptile.
[Action]
[She will. This certainly drove it home. It's more relevant than one might expect, somewhere like Luceti and even back home if the enemy were to somehow arise again. Youma had taken on many different types of forms.]
And to apologize, please let me help you until you're feeling a little better.
[Action]
Come in. And you know you still owe me a fair match, right?
[Action] *interrupts at a hideous time if this is okay?*
Don, are you alright? What happened...?
[Is he going to have to get out the tepid water? Because that's the first thing he should probably do...]
[Action] it's perfect. >D
Truthfully, she feels ashamed. She shouldn't have let it happen like that. She should have... something!]
[Action]
Robert, some tea? Please?
[He'll explain once he has a warm drink in his hands.]
[Action]
... May as well get him the tea first, though.
A few minutes later, he returns, with the warm tea in a nice mug for Don.]
[Action]
[She might be saying to Don, it's so quiet and Robert is already leaving the room. It's the best she can do.]
Do you want anything? [This, is definitely directed to Don.] I'll bring it right away.
[Action]
[Obviously the most important thing here is to investigate the nature of what hurt him.]
[When Robert returns, he murmurs "Thank you" and takes the mug carefully, holding it between his hands and inhaling the warm vapor.]
[Action]
It's alarming that they were fighting, though clearly it must not have been for anything more than practise, as they're obviously not angry with each other. Still...]
You are welcome, but... are you e-entirely certain you are alright...? I could get you to a more suitable environment...
[Action]
[She's babbling, because so far from arguing or angry, she feels terrible that this happened.]
[Action]
[He gestures to the other chairs, suggesting Ami might make herself comfortable as well. He also raises a brow at her, silently asking whether it's all right to discuss her abilities in front of Robert, even as he feels bad for communicating with her in a way he now knows his partner won't even be aware of.]
[Action]
[Action]
Thank you for inviting me in. [The formalized words are entirely the shy girl, too. It was only during the battle that she'd seemed to take on more life, to gain confidence in a skin other than her own.]
It's alright to talk right now. It's still a secret, but some of my friends know it here. [And... some people who unfortunately found out when she made mischief across Luceti in her first stay here as Dark Mercury still.]
[Action]
It was very impressive.
[He sips the tea slowly, gauging its effect on his body.]
[Action]
[She seems fine, but he may as well ask, for safety's sake. Even though he keeps eyeing Don worriedly.]
... If, if either of you need anything, I would be happy to oblige.
[Action]
I'm alright. [She answers to Mercury naturally right now.] Thank you. Some water, maybe.
[Action]
[He blinks curiously at this exchange. He should probably ask a real question, but it isn't important enough right now. Instead he'll focus on safely equalizing back to ambient temperature.]
[Action]
... So, am I correct in the assumption that you two were, er... practising some sort of fighting? [His words aren't exactly accusatory, but they are a little awkward.]
[Action]
We were training together. [It's a yes. And she's so relieved that Don has said he wants to do it again sometime; it makes the guilt a little less.]
[Action]
[Action]
His expression flickers to one of surprise.]
That is... very significant.
[Of course, if it was based on temperature manipulation... well, it only makes sense.]
And you used your powers to do so, then...?
[Action]
The cold was more than I expected.
[Action]
[Now that he's settling back to a comfortable core temperature, he's being overcome by the urge to sleep. It's hard to formulate a coherent sentence.]
[Action]
I am... certain Sailor Mercury would not have... deliberately harmed you. [Still...] However, Don... you certainly seem adversely affected...
[He's not sure if he should be trying to help the turtle into bed or something.]
[Action]
[Action]
[Action]
Turning to Mercury, he asks:] Are all senshi able to manipulate temperature like that? [That's his guess, anyway. He doesn't know, exactly, that it's snow and ice Mercury used.]
[Action]
No. My powers are Water. The others have power over different elements. Fire for Mars, for example.
[Action]
[Another part of his mind wonders if Mike was drawn to Ami because of her Water chi.]
What others?
[Action]
It also means that ice was probably responsible for this temperature drop. So he nods thoughtfully.]
Like the Filial Spirits, almost.
[He does know there are others
though the mun isn't certain if he knows Usagi is one for certain, yet, but he is still curious.][Action]
As for Robert, if he sniffs around Usagi's secrets, he's going to learn just why a senshi is also sometimes called guardian.]
I guess you could call it similar. We were born with these powers from our past lives. [Even though that sounds incredibly unbelievable, too.]
[Action]
[Action]
Are they part of what gives you past lives in the first place...? Or what allows the mechanism that sustains them to occur, at least?
[Action]
It's how we were born. We weren't born as humans, last time. [You can't apply the same biology and science, Robert - though Silver Millenium advancements were remarkable technologically, too.]
[Action]
[Action]
What were you born as, then...?
[Action]
I came here to help Don. Let's think about that.
[Action]
[Action]
Yeah... interposing himself as quickly as possible between the hot tea and Don's hand, now.]
... My apologies.
[It's directed at both of them, in a rather chastised voice.]
I think... it would be prudent to get Don to his own bedroom, at this point...
[Action]
I'll help bring him there. I'd like to monitor him there awhile, too.
[She will totally rig up her computer if she needs to.]
[Action]
[Why are you taking his tea? And - did Ami just change her clothes again?]
[Action]
[He doesn't even blink at Ami's transformation - knowing what it is, now, he's more focused on helping Don. Putting the tea down safely on a nearby coffee table, he links an arm under Don's side, propping the slumping turtle up.]
... Do you think we will be able to support him, Doctor Mizuno?
[Action]
We'll do our best.
[Clothes, and hair; back to dark instead of blue.]
[Action]
[Action]
Robert is a little warmer than usual, because of adrenaline.]
Alright... I can brace him on one side if it would help. Or should I stand first...?
[Action]
[Action]
[Robert and Ami's conversation and actions are slowly filtering through to his addled brain.]
You... want m' to get up?
[Action]
Besides, it would be easier to monitor you there. [So saying, he sidles up to Don on the opposite side of Ami, waiting for whatever signal to lift the turtle and take him back to his room.]
[Action]
[Gently, she reaches for Don's arm to help him to his feet, and nods to Robert.]
[Action]
[Action]
Your bedroom is best... [He'll help Ami go in the necessary direction if Don needs the extra assistance.]
[Action]
[Action]
[Action]
To be honest, it worries him a little, seeing Don - strong and healthy, to his own perception - so easily reduced to this.]
[Action]
[Action]
Just a short nap...
[Action]
After a moment, he glances at Ami. His voice is soft, though still not exactly a whisper.]
... Do you wish to... monitor him?
[Action]
[Action]
... I worry, anyway. Is... is it unreasonable of me to ask to stay in his presence as well, or... would that violate doctor-patient confidentiality...?
[Action, if that's okay?]
that his mun spent forever trying to figure out, seriouslygoes over the network, he can't help but go look for him. After all, it was pretty fascinating, and better to hear about it from him directly.It doesn't take much time to find Don - there's only so many places he can be, and the back room is a self-evident place. So Don might find himself somewhat less alone in there, eventually.]
... Don? Am I... interrupting you?
[Action!]
[Action]
Yes?
[Action]
Say something. It's not filtered.
[Action]
... Testing.
[... Not the most eloquent of phrases, but...]
[Action]
[Action]
Oblivious to the mental processes going through Don's head, Robert smiles at him.]
May I enquire into what this interesting project is, Don?
[Action]
[Don closes the journal and, for good measure, throws it in a drawer.]
Ami suggested I leave myself a memory post.
[Action]
... It does seem like a prudent idea.
[Action]
Do you want to do one also?
[Action]
He looks up at Don.]
I... should.
Though ideally I would never need to use it... [It'd be a reminder that he could forget, however terrifying that is.]
[Action]
Did you need something?
[Action]
... Though... that is a fascinating cryptogram - may I ask how exactly you produce it...? [Obviously Robert wouldn't know it's a secret language.]
[Action]
[Action]
[... That seems less dangerous now that the Shredder and Karai are gone, but...]
... I was curious to ask you about it.
[Action]
[Pay attention, Robert. Your Turtle is giving off signs of Hiding Something.]
[Action]
... Is that all it is? [Though, after a moment:] ... You do not have to elaborate if you do not wish...
[Action]
[The first part is winning.]
It... no. [He fidgets nervously.] It's a lot more than notes.
[Action]
Encouragingly:] Notes about what, if... I may ask?
[Action]
At home, notes about my family. Medical data. Things like that.
[Action]
... This... must be along the same lines, then.
[Action]
[Action]
So this is... for yourself...
... In the event that you, er, were to... forget, correct...? [There's a definite hitch in Robert's voice when he says "forget".]
[Action]
[Action]
[He grasps at one of Don's hands and will hold it fiercely if the turtle allows.]
... Part of me will... always love you, though.
[Action]
[Action]
There is silence, poignant silence, as Robert just stands there himself, holding that hand like nothing else matters in the world.]
[Action]
[He clenches his fingers a little, and blurts out -] It's a language.
[Action]
That explains why it was so unorthodox a structure...
... Your genius never fails to astound me. [And he's being entirely frank when he says that.]
[Action]
I didn't do it on purpose...
[Action]
... Not terms, though. He's used to those being fluid enough.]
[Action]
[Action]
It might explain the blank look on his face, at least to an extent.]
... Sort of... spontaneously generated?
[Action]
[Action]
... Give him a second.]
... Aha. So... your subspecies' language, then. ... So to speak.
[... A language used by all of four, maybe five, people. Well.]
... Is it based off of Trachemys scripta elegans vocalizations? [The question isn't an inherently awkward one, but it is interesting, on some level, to see Robert acknowledge the species difference.
... even if only for a moment.]
[Action]
[Action]
You know, that is actually sort of pretty, to a tone-deaf person. And either way, it's decidedly fascinating to hear.]
... That is remarkable... [He'd known turtles were capable of such vocalizations, yes, but he'd never heard Don make them.]
[Action]
[He coughs - switching between human sounds and turtle sounds is a bit of a contortion - and explains.]
It doesn't sound like it, but it's real words. The writing system is something I threw together. It's not very good, but it works.
[Action]
... It must be... interesting, to be one of the sole users of such a language...
[Action]
Robert... [He picks at the man's sleeve.] You understand this is secret?
[Action]
[... It's not like he could read the contents anyway, to be fair.]
... Besides. I trust you with things too.
[Action]
Is something on your mind?
[Action]
Still, he makes a small, thoughtful sound.]
... Giles knows about... about my s-substance-using history, now. And I spoke to Helios about Benjamin, briefly. But you still know more details than anybody else...
... [Quietly:] And, well... you are the only one who has seen my scars.
[That's still something he really cannot do with anybody else, yet. Not so easily, anyway.
Now it's Robert's turn to finger at his sleeve absentmindedly.]
[Action]
Robert... if I do come back, and don't remember anything... go easy on me?
[Action]
...
[But would it be the same? Would that Don even love him like this one does? He knows that multiversions can be drastically different in many minor ways... and that could easily happen here.]
... if... if the s-same happens to me... then I kn-know you would.
[Action]
Come sit.
[Action]
[Action]
-nr. Ny ov gdvospbol t qwi. Xof jon nol szno v yiystfl, ioh btj nol oh eqsheo.
[Action]
...
May... I ask what that says?
[Action]
This is Robert. You're in love with him. I know it sounds impossible, but please give it a chance.
[Action]
... That seems... fitting, yes.
[Action]
Where's yours?
[Action]
... Did you want me to record something for you, perhaps...?
[Action]
[Action]
... I keep letters for everyone, as well. [He says this in a way that suggests he's rewritten them dozens of times.] In... in the event something happens...
... I do hope they never have to be used, though.
[Action]
[Action]
Still, everybody deals with it differently. Don doesn't need to write, as much as Robert would treasure it. He still treasures that one note...]
The only problem is condensing my feelings for you sufficiently...
[Action]
You're not going to write another one of these?
[Action]
... it may be what I settle on, though. A few sentences would not even be nearly enough to describe you...
[Action]
[Action]
Words come to mind. Intelligent, wonderful, accepting, dedicated... but they aren't enough. This one might need math to best model...
... Yeah, he's scribbling out an elaborate mathematical equation now, in Terran math. In pen.]
[Action]
[Action]
... This is a rather inadequate model, as well. But I think it is the closest I can get.
[... It's a complex tangle of mathematical concepts, illustrating things like change of attraction over time, intensity of desire for and Don's qualities, like his intelligence... it looks like a mess.]
[Action]
You didn't finish it.
[He adds another sequence of symbols, and the equation becomes a closed loop, a balanced system.]
There.
[Action]
This is exactly why Robert loves Don.]
... And now it is beautiful.
I would say nearly perfect.
[Action]
[Don pats Robert's knee and turns back to his notes.]
[Action]
... Are you recording information about other people right now? Or... is it something else entirely?
[Action]
Um... Things about people I know.
[Action]
... I just hope it is a successful endeavour.
[Action]
It can't hurt, anyway.
[Action]
Luckily, Robert brushes it off quickly enough.]
It is... one of those precautions that one takes, hoping one will never need to find oneself using it - but being inordinately glad that one had thought to make it, in the event one has to.
[Which is a very roundabout way of agreeing.]
[Action]
Is that a quote from something?
[Action]
The mun doesn't think he's quoting anything...]... Did it sound like one?
[Action]
[Action]
Why on Terra would he teach you to break your thumbs? [That is utterly incomprehensible, and slightly horrifying to boot.]
[Action]
[Action]
[Then again, he supposes a lot of the rhetoric that the family knows wouldn't be something he would understand.]
Breaking your own digits... [There's a cold horror in Robert's voice at that.]
[Action]
[Action]
[Generally if Robert were to have been restrained his reaction would be to panic instead of escape. Um.]
[Action]
What kind of precautions do you know about?
[Action]
But physical stuff he knows almost nothing about. It shows.]
[Action]
I'm going to have a week's worth of insomnia over this, you know.
[Action]
[Action]
To be honest, it's not the usual MO around here. I shouldn't worry about it.
[Action]
... I am always willing to... to learn, if you wish.
[Action]
[Remember their previous conversation?]
[Action]
I... I want to be able to... to be part of your family, in earnest, and... and this is something I think fits that description.
[Action]
I need to get outside. Want to come?
[Action]
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... Would you mind if I just used the door...?
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I'll meet you around back.
[Action]
So he nods and goes to make his way around the house the old-fashioned, non-ninja-y way. Which might take a couple of minutes, though he does hurry himself along.]
[Action]
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... Erm... Don?
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He glances up then, peering through the branches at his well-camouflaged partner.]
... Is there some reason you decided to climb up there?
[Action] I tried to read that as 'abnormal'
[In a moment, Don drops down to crouch on a branch a few feet above Robert's head.]
[Action] pffft, as if Robert can judge that!
He still steps back awkwardly, though, when Don leaps down to the closer branches. Internally he is judging the strength of those limbs...]
I have never seen you do this before... though I suppose that, judging from your earlier exploits, it is not too unreasonable to consider this. [Climbing a building is pretty similar...]
[Action]
You have to get up earlier in the morning. [He stands up on the branch, casually leaning against the trunk.] Can I convince you to join me?
[Action]
... I... am not certain on the... safety of the idea.
... Or the rationality.
[If he falls... well, it's going to hurt him a lot.]
[Action]
[Sigh. You win.]
Give me a few minutes, then?
[Action]
Of course.
[For the time being, he'll just... stand near the tree itself. Hopefully not so near that anything'll smack him in the head...]
[Action]
[In a few minutes he'll be back, arriving in another tree a few yards away. He looks somewhat less tense, but not at all more tired.]
Hi.
[Action]
... Hello again.
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Why are you looking at me like that?
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You're fine. Walk with me?
[Action]
I presume this does not necessarily have a destination...
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... not exactly.
[The look of confusion on his expression might almost be comical.]
[Action]
I'm - I'm jealous. Of your world. That you could spend your time doing something other than learning how to fight.
[Action]
... If... if I could have, I would have made sure you would have never had to...
... or, or at least would not have such a dire need to learn,that would exclude anything else you wished to do...
[Action]
What did you do, growing up?
[Action]
[... He was quite the little shut-in. Hell, Don probably sees similar behaviour in him now, when he isn't coaxing Robert to go outside.]
Sometimes we did go to the Institutes, though - my parents and I, that is. They were... fond of taking me. [Probably because it was easier than trying to keep up with him themselves.]
[Action]
[Having been denied outside for much of his life, Don has a hard time imagining why anyone would willingly forego it.]
[Action]
... It meant I... had to deal with other people.
[... Face-to-face, at least.
This might be a strange sentiment to hear from a human, but it does seem to genuinely bother Robert... at least a little.]
[Action]
What is it like for you?
[He had tried to guess, all those months ago, when he described it to his brothers, but he's wondering now how accurate he was.]
[Action]
This isn't something that is easy to describe or put into words. Language fails him in these circumstances.]
... There was... a constant perception of... of being judged, negatively, by others. Whether they were or not. I c-could not... understand what people might be trying to convey, much of the time, and... and that made me even more ill-at-ease... Additionally, my v-verbal tics exacerbated things, and...
... [He falters, awkwardly.] I am... sorry. It is not... a concept that translates effectively.
[Action]
What do you mean, that you couldn't understand people?
[Action]
... Social cues, primarily. I... I w-was not good at perceiving them.
... Still am not. Th-though... [Softly:] I... I think I might be learning some of yours'.
[If Robert has been seeming to notice things over time that he didn't before, Don, that might be why.]
But because of that, there is... an e-entire part of some conversations that is not... visible to me. Wh-when I was neurotypical, I perceived these parts, b-but... ... I cannot, anymore. [He remembers, sometimes, fleetingly, how it worked. But he can't do it again, not nearly so easily.]
... As a result it... m-makes it difficult to determine what people r-really... mean. Whether they are... being honest... Like with Mr. Saki.
[Action]
[Maybe a concrete example will help.]
What do you see, when Leo and I have conversations without talking to each other?
[Action]
I do not think I would notice, unless... unless I watched, and perhaps not even then.
[Ninjas are trained to be inscrutable. Leo's feelings can be inscrutable to even the most perceptive of people. Don himself is often such.
Where does that leave poor Robert? Thoroughly in the dark, most of the time. Often, he doesn't even realize.]
... from occasions where I have been in e-either of your presences... [He fidgets, trying to recall from living together with both of them for quite some time now.] ... I know something is being communicated, but... b-but it is like it is encoded in a format I can only barely begin to d-decipher...
[Action]
Is there anything I can do to help?
[Action]
W-Well... I suppose putting things into w-words I can understand usually would be... an assistance.
... Bluntness would... also help.
[Action]
Isn't there anything else?
[Action]
... still.]
... I am uncertain. Other than me... l-learning the cues... which is, well, d-difficult.
...
I have to... to d-do so consciously. I have to... think about it. A-Analyze situations. [It has to run in the back of his mind, like a scanner working in the background, and that gets mentally exhausting sometimes.]
[Action]
What kinds of things do you want me to be blunt about?
[Action]
I... I know that can be... difficult. [Robert has trouble with it too.]
[Action]
[Action]
... Lonely and afraid, y-yes.
...
Lonely, knowing that... that there is a space, between myself and others, that can be bridged but... n-never entirely removed.
And a-afraid, because... because it is so e-easy to lie to someone like me. [Saki was a terrifying reminder, but even so, he knows that he could look at someone, and that person could smile, and say nice things, and be generally pleasant, and he'd never be able to tell what that person really felt.]
... s-sometimes I am not even certain about what you feel, and then... then I f-feel as if I may have perceived you incorrectly, or... or n-not at all, and... [... then I feel like a failure.]
[Action]
I'm sorry. That you have to live that way. And - for being difficult.
[Action]
... You never do so on purpose. And you are... easier than most people to deal with... [... Probably because Don goes out of his way to accomodate him.]
... thank you for loving me, at least. You... you make me feel... less alone.
[Action]
Same.
[Well, probably not exactly. But having someone who loves him like this makes him feel connected, grounded, in a way his family could never give him.]
[Action]
... I imagine I must be... d-difficult at times, too. [He smiles, but it's a little self-depreciating.
Oh, if he only knew...]
[Action]
[Action]
Not too difficult, I hope?
[Action]
Worth the trouble.
[... Should he say "I'm joking"? How could that not come off as an insult?]
[Action]
... I try to be, at least...
[Action]
Ready to go back inside?
[Action]
[... Don might find that the discussion will go better than expected. A certain scientist has been doing a lot of research on turtle biology...
Still, Robert stands, moving aside so that Don can get up unencumbered.]
[Action]
[Action]
Random displays of prowess like that never fail to take Robert aback.
... He's just going to get up the sort of pathetic way, dusting his lab coat off reflexively.]
... You always manage to make that sort of thing look effortless.
[Action]
[Action]
... I would be delighted.
For now... [He takes Don's hand in his own and points himself in the direction of home.]
[Voice]
[Voice]
[He's making this up as he goes along.]
[Voice]
[Voice]
[He can't imagine ever forgetting that moment.]
[Voice]
[Voice]
Do you... remember what happened a few days later?
[Voice]
[Voice]
You were in the Insomnia Club too.
[Voice]
[Voice]
You helped with the playground.
[Voice]
[Voice]
[Voice]
It was mostly Raph, though. The dummy. [That last part is said with a bit of affection. Hey, dummy is an an endearing term. Really!]
[Voice]
You... were always good with him.
[Sometimes Don wonders whether there was anything else going on between them, but... he shouldn't ask.]
[Voice]
[Voice]
[He's not sure how far he wants to go on that subject, but... maybe it wouldn't hurt to start.]
[Voice]
[Voice]
[This sounds interesting.]
[Voice]
[Voice]
What?
[Voice]
[Voice]
[Voice]
[Voice]
[Voice]
[Voice]
You mean Raph and I both -- ?!
[Voice]
[Voice]
Winry, I'm so sorry.
[Voice]
[Voice]
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No...
[He needs to find a way to hide this. He does not want his potential future self to see it.]
[Voice]
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Hey Smoker. I'm trying to collect messages about my friends.
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I see... what for?
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[... SO helpful.]
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[Slightly more helpful, maybe.]
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[JUSTICE. As Smoker foams at the mouth like a rabid dog... but not really of course. Hyperboles rule. Still, kind of overenthusiastic about that word there.]
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SMOKER. Byq pnd we mud efl ul nd ef1 mudcwqepmakkn ieu nq uqe iyqe ine nq cae qyjq JACK SPARROW.
(("SMOKER. He watches out for you and is your ally against an evil-man-with-a-boat* named JACK SPARROW."))
((* ... There is no word for 'pirate'.))
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Code?
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[How sad.]
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I left myself a trail to follow as well.
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[Then it occurs to him:]
Smoker, this has already happened to you.
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Besides, the trails were here for me from last time as well. Just took digging.
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What was it like?
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The trails I left?
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[He meant more the whole experience of coming back, though anything you want to say related to that subject will be interesting.]
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Well you were one of them. I'm not sure if it was on purpose or not.
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Friends are rare enough for me that I'll trust the few I've got.
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[He smiles at this.]
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I barely talk to most of the people from my world. Since they're all pirates, except for one recent arrival.
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Then Nami is a pirate?
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Yes.
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Pirates helped her where marines could not. [True and at least partially why, as well as still vague enough that it applies to a certain Princess who allied with them as well.]
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[He doubted they were, but he's surprised to hear Smoker admit it.]
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[Action] B-been meaning to tag this. XD
[Leo's leaning against the door frame. He's relaxed at the moment, or at least as relaxed as he ever is. He at least hoped he translated it right. Though it also gives him an excuse to check on his one remaining brother.
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You know. Water the garden, take out the trash, pick up milk.
[Making you second-guess your translation is fun.]
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He looks thoughtful for a moment.]
Right, don't forget to pick up a dozen eggs and flour.
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I could. It won't be as good as what Mikey made though.
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What do you think?
[The most recent section is a detailed description of how Don mastered Healing, Wind, and Water magic, complete with instructions on how to test whether he still has those abilities.]
[Voice]
I'd be glad to. What exactly are you looking for?
[Voice]
[While Mulder thinks about his answer, Don writes his own:]
MR. MULDER. Bhs dm ds hodsz hmh mdodmtsods wds bh s dm anxs. Bhs bihrv uto wdu uts ftuds ynhldrtod vmaidnzdm.
(("MR. MULDER. He's a government agent but he's okay. He helped you with your science projects."))
[Voice]
[Since They Are Always Watching and all.]
I'm Fox Mulder, an FBI Agent, and we got to know each other out of shared interests, especially the cool and unusual science around here. [Leaving out the actual specific details of the things they've looked at, but he knows that Don knows that.] We've also run across each other on one of the drafts, which is always a good situation to find out who's got your back.
[Voice]
You're a good shot. I was glad you were on my side.
[Voice]
[It definitely had been a great teamwork situation for them.]
[Voice]
[Voice]
[Voice]
I'll have to tell Leo you said that.
[Voice]
Sounds like he'd be surprised to hear that?
[Voice]
Leo doesn't let me lead anything.
[Voice]
[Voice]
Right. I'll ask him what I can be in charge of.
[Voice]