i_speak_softly | Fifty-First Theory [Written/Voice/Action]

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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.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

[Robert isn't always around Don in the house - they do separate occasionally - but nonetheless, when that interesting little cryptograph ~~that his mun spent forever trying to figure out, seriously~~ goes 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?

[Don makes a beckoning gesture over his shoulder.] Come here.

[And Robert does so, walking over to the desk until he stops at Don's side, curiously.]

Yes?

[Don turns the journal towards Robert. Have another look at that code, Professor.]

Say something. It's not filtered.

[... Hmm. Fascinating. He may as well.]

... Testing.

[... Not the most eloquent of phrases, but...]

[Don writes "ROBERT" under the captured image, then pauses. What can he say about Robert?]

[What can't he say? Their relationship is complex in a million ways. But aren't all relationships?

Oblivious to the mental processes going through Don's head, Robert smiles at him.]

May I enquire into what this interesting project is, Don?

[Okay, what can he say that won't cause his potential future self to have an aneurysm?]

[Don closes the journal and, for good measure, throws it in a drawer.]

Ami suggested I leave myself a memory post.

A memory post... [Thoughtfully, Robert scrutinizes the desk. There's a tinge of sadness in his expression - he doesn't want to think about what might happen if Don were to go home.]

... It does seem like a prudent idea.

[Don gets up and paces around the room a little, stretching his arms. It's not easy to translate the rules of Lucetian physics. He's managed to describe arrivals and departures already, but still needs to leave himself notes on kidnappings, experiments, and the barrier.]

Do you want to do one also?

[Robert wouldn't even know how to explain them to himself, if he didn't know. Accepting it all at face value would be difficult, and how much proof really exists?

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.]

[Oh, but you probably came here for some other reason than to ask what he was doing.]

Did you need something?

Ah - I was... simply curious about what you were doing. That question has essentially been answered.

... Though... that is a fascinating cryptogram - may I ask how exactly you produce it...? [Obviously Robert wouldn't know it's a secret language.]

A what? [That's a word puzzle, right?] You mean what I was writing?

Yes... the interesting code you were writing in. I saw it broadcasted over the journals...

[... That seems less dangerous now that the Shredder and Karai are gone, but...]

... I was curious to ask you about it.

Oh... Just something I use for my notes.

[Pay attention, Robert. Your Turtle is giving off signs of Hiding Something.]

[... Is it just him or is Don acting slightly... off? Hmm. Well. Robert doesn't want to get it wrong, but...]

... Is that all it is? [Though, after a moment:] ... You do not have to elaborate if you do not wish...

[Part of him wants Robert to know so badly. The other part...]

[The first part is winning.]

It... no. [He fidgets nervously.] It's a lot more than notes.

[The fidgeting, Robert actually recognizes as a nervous thing - probably because he does it all the time. So he gently leans into Don's side.

Encouragingly:] Notes about what, if... I may ask?

[Well, now he has no idea what to do with his hands.]

At home, notes about my family. Medical data. Things like that.

Significant information that... you would not want somebody to merely be able to read at will. [Robert's voice is soft; he is considering that statement and matching it up to what Don is doing now.]

... This... must be along the same lines, then.

[He nods.] No one else can read it. And - I'll know no one else wrote it.

[It's something even he isn't supposed to be able to read, and part of Robert twists a little at that. Open, blunt honesty is pretty much what he expects from everybody he loves - especially because it is so easy to hide things from him.]

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".]

[Nod again. He's used to making preparations he hopes he'll never have to use, but somehow this one is especially painful.]

[Softly, barely above a whisper:] I... understand it could happen, but... but I do not enjoy the prospect...

[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.

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