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

[fierybluebird]

[Marco has now returned a giant stack of pirate books. And needs more interesting things. Winter is such a pain when you can't just decide to skip the island and go someplace warm. And oh look! Another turtle zoan! Well not really a zoan, but he must be one of Leonardo's brothers at least. And given the warm-up gear, he must understand the annoying aspects of winter as well.]

Nice box. [Sits down and cocks his head to get a good look at it.]

[miniaturization]

[Haaa, the snow and ice were such a burden. Now that it's better and the ice is over, Japan has ventured out toward the stores to get groceries and to the library to pick up recipe books. He sees Donatello just as they approach the library at the same time and stops, freezing on the spot. The last time he saw Don, he still thought he was an Empire and that conversation had not gone very well.]

..................

[Maybe he can just turn and run away subtly into the bushes until Don passes by.]

...

[Or maybe he'll just stand here awkwardly, trying to blend into the scenery.]

[i_speak_softly]

Frustrating box.

[He shows it to Marco - some of the pieces are half-slid out, but it doesn't look like it will be opening any time soon.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don won't stand around to talk in the cold, but he will notice you (badly) attempting to hide, and hold the door. Coming in?]

[miniaturization]

[O-oh...he can't get out of this, can he. He does need to go inside and...well... Maybe Don just won't notice. Or something. He has no idea.

He shuffles forward and bows his head as he awkwardly scoots past Don into the building.]

P-pardon me...

[i_speak_softly]

[Don follows closely - he wants to get where it's warm. As soon as the door is closed, he starts stripping off his snowsuit.]

[That's not awkward or anything, is it?]

[miniaturization]

[Aaaand yup. Japan turns to check over his shoulder and jumps, dropping his groceries when he puts his hands up over his eyes. Don's free to recognize his voice, if you want.]

A-aaah!! What are you doing?!

[fierybluebird]

Looks like a type of lock. [Puts on his glasses. They do nothing, but he looks smarter in them and people take him more seriously.] Any idea what's inside?

[i_speak_softly]

[You do sound familiar, though Don can't immediately place it.]

What? I have to equalize!

[i_speak_softly]

[Hey, you do look smarter.]

A present. I think.

[miniaturization]

T-There are restrooms for that sort of thing...!!! [AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH]

P-Please! It is indecency to be stripping in public...!!

[i_speak_softly]

I don't need the bathroom!

[He backs up, holding the snowsuit in front of him. He's used to people flipping out because he's a turtle - though it hasn't happened in a long time - but he rarely gets screamed at for being naked.]

[miniaturization]

[Japan is just going to turn out and kneel, hiding his face against his knees. Say hello to his cherry pink wings shivering from the shame of this all.]

Why are foreigners always so forward...

[i_speak_softly]

[This takes Don aback for a moment, before he cautiously asks:] Nihonjin desu ka...? [Wait.] Nihon desu?!

[fierybluebird]

[Doesn't he? It's a miracle.]

Present? From who?

[i_speak_softly]

My friend Robert.

[fierybluebird]

Score. So he gave you the box too?

[Sneakily slides one of the pieces experimentally.]

[i_speak_softly]

Mm.

[He observes your efforts - is this going to work?]

[herotypical]

[ buffy pretends like she doesn't often come to the library but she's here today -- casually browsing spines while actually waiting for a corner to free up. she has a bulky, old volume to snoop around and she doesn't feel comfortable doing it while there might be a crowd in.

so as she tries to drum up some distraction as she waits: ] Hey. Don. Long time no...anything, really.

[i_speak_softly]

Hey, A-- Buffy.

[... You didn't notice that, right?]

[herotypical]

[ the ever-so-slight widening of her eyes suggests that she does, indeed, notice. but she leaves the turtle his pride and breezes by the nearly repeated misspeak. ]

Catching up on some...reading? Oh, God. What a stupid question. Of course you are. Why else does anyone come to a library?

[i_speak_softly]

No, I'm hiding from my housemates. And trying to solve this. [He holds up the puzzle-box, which... is not at all solved.]

[herotypical]

Hiding? From them?

[ so curious; so nosy. but she does grab a seat and take a closer look at the puzzle-box. ]

[i_speak_softly]

They ask too many questions.

[He slides the box across the table; go ahead and try it.]

[herotypical]

Is that a not-so-subtle hint to also not ask any?

[ she picks it up. pauses a moment before giving it a go. ]