Fifty-First Theory [Written/Voice/Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[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.))

Comments

[i_speak_softly]

You arrest pirates.

[Slightly more helpful, maybe.]

[justicereigns]

Of course. I work for justice.

[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.]

[i_speak_softly]

Mm. [Give him a minute to write his own notes.]

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'.))

[justicereigns]

[Blinks.]

Code?

[i_speak_softly]

Mm-hm. [A pause while he finishes writing.] Thanks for your help, Smoker.

[justicereigns]

Anytime I guess. Though I'm not really what I did.

[i_speak_softly]

[He shrugs vaguely.] You answered my question.

[justicereigns]

Heh. I tend to do better with questions that aren't about me.

[How sad.]

[i_speak_softly]

Don't worry; your answer was fine. You don't have to say anything else.

[justicereigns]

All right. So how's your notes project going?

[i_speak_softly]

Pretty well... [He's thinking about how to describe experiments and kidnappings to himself.]

[justicereigns]

What's it for? In case you get sent home and come back or something?

[i_speak_softly]

Yes, exactly. Someone suggested the idea to me.

[justicereigns]

Smart idea.

I left myself a trail to follow as well.

[i_speak_softly]

[Interesting. He doesn't want to pry, though.]

[Then it occurs to him:]

Smoker, this has already happened to you.

[justicereigns]

I know. That's why I'm extra cautious this time.

Besides, the trails were here for me from last time as well. Just took digging.

[i_speak_softly]

[Well, he has to ask now.]

What was it like?

[justicereigns]

What was what like?

The trails I left?

[i_speak_softly]

... Sure.

[He meant more the whole experience of coming back, though anything you want to say related to that subject will be interesting.]

[justicereigns]

[A shrug.]

Well you were one of them. I'm not sure if it was on purpose or not.

[i_speak_softly]

What do you mean?

[justicereigns]

You and your brothers remembered me.

[i_speak_softly]

Mike had been friends with you...

[justicereigns]

So this time, I left a trail of people who know me well. Anything else the Malnosso can easily remove, but if I disappear and reappear, I can always talk to who remembers me.

Friends are rare enough for me that I'll trust the few I've got.

[i_speak_softly]

[He - hadn't quite thought of his friends that way. But yes, they are people he trusts to help him, no matter the situation.]

[He smiles at this.]