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

[It's sunny and warm and spring, and Don can't wait to get outside. Or he wouldn't be able to wait, if he didn't have such impressive self-control.]

[He diligently starts the morning with his usual exercises, then sits down to leave a few messages in his journal before leaving the house.]

[Tutoring Beast in reading has made Don reconsider his own literacy skills, and after much thinking he's decided to do something to improve them. To that end, he easily constructs a filter, then labors through writing a brief message:]

Filtered from Housemates | Unhackable

[In translation-shielded kanji:] I WANT PLEASE: SOMEONE IS ABLE TO TEACH TO READ JAPANESE A SLOW STUDENT.

[There. Anyone who can't read that is automatically disqualifed as a teacher; anyone who can should immediately see the need for some teaching.]

[Reminding himself that lack of knowledge is not a cause for shame, but an opportunity to learn, Don closes that filter and opens another.]

Filtered to Leonardo | Unhackable

Hey, Padawan. If you ever take a break from mastering the Force, call your otouto and let him know you're okay.

[And finally:]

Filtered to SHELL members | Unhackable

The world visit experiment should be happening soon, if we can believe anything that blue man says. After that I'd like to have another meeting.

I'm taking nominations for other topics of discussion or club activities.

[Don will check for replies later - for now, he closes the journal, takes his gear, and quietly leaves the house. He'll be spending the next few hours meandering among the cherry trees, looking for early blooms.]

[Anyone who meets him may notice he now wears a silver chain around his wrist, half-visible where it laces through the leather wrappings.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sally puts out a hand to kind of prop herself against a tree and clutches at her heart, trying to will her pulse back down to something below Mach 5. But once the initial shock passes, there's nothing to suggest the giant talking turtle is not, in fact, perfectly friendly.]

I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to... It's just, we don't have giant talking turtles at all where I'm from, friendly or otherwise. [This is still seriously weird, but she feels dumb just standing there, so she reaches out with equal caution to accept the flower.] Thank you. Sorry again about the screaming.

Most people don't. [He lets her take the flower from his thick fingers, then slowly drops his hand to his side.] No harm done.

[He gestures to the pink-and-white adorned trees.] Do you have these where you're from?

[She smiles a little, looking up at the trees.] Not really. On my planet, yeah, but I live in the city. There are some in the botanical gardens, but I've never seen them in person when they're in bloom. What about you?

Same. [He tilts his head, because maybe their worlds aren't so different after all.] New York? [Her accent isn't right for a Big Apple native, but possibly she's heard of the place?]

London, actually. You're from New York, on your world?

[Don nods eagerly.] But my father is from Japan. He had these outside his house.

[Part of Sally desperately wonders what kind of parents a giant talking turtle would have, but firing a lot of questions at him right away would probably be rude.] That must have been nice. Life in the city gets a bit grey if you don't have a holiday now and then.

Oh, sorry - I never asked your name. I'm Sally; Sally Donovan.

[This is exactly the right question to fire.]

Donatello. [He half-turns and resumes strolling through the trees.] I did get to go to Beijing once.

Donatello. Like the artist? That's nice name. [Unusual, but...well. She starts to follow him through the trees.] I've never been to Japan or China, but I always thought it'd be nice to visit. I take it you've never been to England, then?

[He nods.] It's a theme in the family.

I haven't been anywhere in Europe. I don't travel much...

Have you got any siblings, then?

[Understandably so.] Well. New York is a big town, at least.

Three brothers. You're welcome to guess their names.

Oh really? [Limited knowledge of the arts, engage!] Erm...I've got...Picasso, Michelangelo...Van Gogh? Leonardo da Vinci...I'm rubbish at this, aren't I?

[Don smiles.]

Two out of three. Not bad.

Fifty-Seventh Theory [Written/Voice/Action]

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