Fifty-Sixth Theory [Action]

[i_speak_softly]

((Forward-dated to Sunday the 26th, after the village has cleaned up from the ice storm.))


[That was a good last try, Winter, but you are rapidly losing your hold over this ectotherm. He was trapped in C5 for several days, after Luke Skywalker’s guests shook off their movie-marathon stupor to realize they were iced in, but since making it safely back to House 55 he’s been increasingly alert and moving around with greater purpose.]

[Today he put on his heated snowsuit and struck out across the snowy village to the library. He had found this puzzle-box among his things, and he wants to work on it without his housemates hanging over his shoulders.]

[He also wants to strike up a conversation with anyone who so much as glances at him. Cold weather and semi-torpor don’t present many opportunities for socializing, and the normally-quiet Turtle has a lot of pent-up conversation in need of an outlet. It won’t be at his normal intellectual level, but it should at least be better than it has been in recent weeks.]


((Feel free to help Don with the puzzle-box, but I don’t want it to be opened yet.))

Comments

[herotypical]

[ light. lilting. teasing. ] Think you can keep up?

[ translation: yes. ]

[i_speak_softly]

In a month I can.

[It's a date.]

[herotypical]

You've got yourself a date.

[ she ratifies that unspoken term with a cheeky grin. ] Just don't tell my boyfriend. I don't think he'd understand.

[i_speak_softly]

[Don grins.]

Mine either.

[herotypical]

"Yours?"

A surprised raise of her eyebrows. "I didn't know you had a honey, Don."

[i_speak_softly]

A frustrated gesture at the puzzle-box.

"Christmas present."

rofl apparently i accidentally switched to prose. you mind?

[herotypical]

"...Aha. Cute. Cuter than what mine got me. So there's that."

I do not

[i_speak_softly]

Don allows himself a moment of satisfaction, for having a partner who gives superior presents.

And then, because he's in over-sharing mode today:

"Robert Hastings."

[herotypical]

"Only met him once. He..."

Her face darkened for just a second. "We had a mutual friend. A very...close one."

[i_speak_softly]

Don looks away. He knows some people Robert cared about deeply had been sent home.

He keeps hoping he isn't next...

[herotypical]

"He and Giles...well -- that's kind of a dreary subject all around. I guess."

She wasn't sure she'd be able to look Robert in the eye, now. Too many Giles-related things. "But he seems like a decent guy."

[i_speak_softly]

"I think so."

And since he can't remember all the details of their relationship right now, he's saying that with somewhat less bias than he normally would.

[herotypical]

...At least her opinion of Robert could be better than Don's opinion of Jack. There was that.

"Maybe that puzzle box'll just be all the sweeter for how long it takes to figure out, hmm?"

[i_speak_softly]

"Maybe." He picks it up again and slides the pieces around. One of these combinations has to work...

[herotypical]

"You're being so patient. I'd have smashed it in two by now but..." she lifted too loose fists. "Slayer. Solves all her problems with these."

[i_speak_softly]

Don knows a certain Turtle who solves all his problems with those, but personally he's always been good at restraint.

"I'll keep that in mind as a back-up plan."

[herotypical]

"Got any guesses as to what's inside?"

[i_speak_softly]

Don shakes the box - a kind of muted jingling results - and shrugs.

[herotypical]

"...Doesn't sound like a letter, at least. Maybe some bling?"

[i_speak_softly]

Bling.

Don tries to imagine Robert using that word, or having any interest in what it refers to.





Nope. Can't picture it.

[herotypical]

"...No go, huh?"

A slight, indulgent smile. "Oh well."

[i_speak_softly]

He fiddles with the mysterious box.

"Were you looking for a book?"

[herotypical]

"Spellbook. Actually."

[i_speak_softly]

"... Spelling?"

[herotypical]

"Nope. As in spells. Magic."