i_speak_softly | Fifty-Eighth Theory [Voice/Action]

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Fifty-Eighth Theory [Voice/Action]

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The person who made the little wind-up dragon... can I have another?

Action for Nezumi

[The reason Don needs another dragon is because he took the first one apart to make a camerabot for someone he doesn't even know. He hopes this was a good idea.]

[He heads to building three, floor one, room five, as he was told, and knocks five times.]

Action for Isamu

[After making that delivery, Don circles southward to the home of one Isamu Nitta. Allegedly some other people live here too, but Don has never met them. Hopefully, if they exist, they won't mind too much that a giant turtle is climbing in their window. Isamu did say to surprise him.]

Action for Buffy

[Around sundown, Don makes his way to House 7. He knocks here too, though he doesn't count how many times. He has a question to ask...]

((Housemates of the people Don is looking for are welcome to tag in, and of course the Voice part is open to anyone pinged by clockwork draconids.))

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... One moment.

[Robert gets up, then, and walks off to his room.

He returns a few moments later, with a sword in his hands. It's clearly blunted as a practise weapon, and more in the style of a broadsword than anything - that's what Link was training him on.]

... Leonardo's brand of training would... necessitate a different style of sword, but... this is what I have been using most recently...

[His actions are all strangely tentative, like this was some kind of big secret. And it's true, that Robert has been a little uncomfortable to admit he was actually doing this - part of his Terran mentality still balks to consider it, even if he's mostly convinced himself that it's okay to protect himself here, in situations where it's strictly necessary.]

[Don recognizes this as a Western-style practice sword. What he's having trouble with is the idea of Robert holding it, and not even looking terribly uncomfortable.]

Recently? Robert, how long --?

[Robert's voice is surprisingly even for the fact he's holding a weapon.]

... J-January. The third.

... Every Tuesday, at ten...

[Maybe Don always wondered where Robert was, when that happened.]

[Not really. Robert goes out frequently to run errands and such, and Don doesn't keep track of days well enough to notice a pattern like that.]

[Still.]

I feel so stupid...

... S-Stupid...? [Robert shakes his head at this.] I... was not exactly making it public, Don...

... Just... I suppose part of me felt... sh-shameful about it... and so I was recalcitrant to share...

...

But... but if you think it is a good thing... [He tries to smile.] ... Then I am willing to try to be part of it...

I do, but - we live together. I'm trained in detecting - [A vague gesture.] - this. What else have I not noticed?

[Quietly:] You said so yourself... you never would have expected me to do this. Perhaps the... unexpectedness kept you from considering it... as viable.

[That's possible.]

Can I just ask - why?

Why did I decide to... do this...?

[Robert draws his arms up thoughtfully, considering this question.]

... I saw what happened when... when I was helpless. I have... seen my friends been taken for the drafts more than once. Including yourself...

... If this were Terra, I... I would not have to worry. But as Giles once told me... we are not on Terra. However criminal my actions would... be at home, they are... simply part of life here...

... Whether I like it or not...

[He frowns slightly.]

... The alternative is... being helpless, and... and unable to protect either myself or others...

I... like that alternative less than... than being able to do something. However... however ineffectual, it is better than... cowering beneath the onslaught...

Edited 2012-05-07 00:57 (UTC)

[Robert, if your aim was to make Don forget about Buffy, then your methods have been extremely succesful.]

[Don approaches a few steps, to just out of sword range.]

Buki o sageru? Put down the sword?

[That was actually not what he meant to do at all, but... hey, this was something he needed to tell Don anyway.

At this command, Robert nods and puts his sword down.]

... Did... did you want me to demonstrate anything...? [He says it shyly, like a little child asking a teacher if zie wants to see the child's work.]

Later, definitely. But if you show me now I might have a heart attack.

[He closes the last few feet between them, and puts his arms around Robert's waist.]

You aren't mad about anything?

[Robert's expression softens, turning... gentle.]

Why would I be, Don?

Finding other people attractive is... hardly a problem.

[Quieter, almost pleading:]

... I just... I do not want to lose you...

I love you. [- Don says firmly, bending his head to kiss the right side of Robert's jaw.] And I'm proud of you. [He sways over to kiss the left, then pulls back a little.] Can I just tell you one thing?

Always... you can tell me anything, Don.

[Robert looks quietly up at Don, his eyes inquisitive.]

What is it...?

I - [Don gathers his thoughts a moment, then starts again.] I really appreciate everything you've changed for me. But training with weapons, learning Japanese, studying about turtles - those are things anyone can do. The things that make you special, the reasons I fell for you... those can only be lost. [He pauses a moment, watching Robert, seeing if he's getting this.] Please don't change too much?

[Robert's expression wavers slightly as he listens to this; it's obvious he's not sure how to interpret this.

Finally, almost tentatively:]

... What is... 'too much'...?

... I know I have... changed here, Don. Both for you and... and for others...

But, at what point does it... erase my identity?

I have... asked myself this question before... but I cannot find a... s-satisfactory answer.

[Don sighs, then backs towards the couch, drawing Robert with him by a gentle pinch of the sleeve.]

I've been thinking about it too. Since the experiment. I've changed so much more than I thought...

I've never seen you at home, and you don't have anyone here to help you remember. But I'll always listen, if you want to talk.

[Obediently, Robert sits down next to Don, leaning into him affectionately as they take their places on the couch.]

... It only makes sense. Identity is... such an important part of ourselves...

[He murmurs, almost to himself, as he continues this train of thought.] And here, in such... a different place, where so many different worlds and identities coexist... perhaps it is more important than ever, to establish... what that means.

[To Don:] ... I would appreciate that. Especially if I... develop something more coherent.

But I will say one thing - no matter what happens here, I will... never forget where I came from. Terra may have its many faults, but... [Softly:] It is still... my home, and... and if I ever do go back with the knowledge I have gained here, I want to... share it. Perhaps, then, it can be improved as well...

[Don settles sideways, one elbow propped on the back of the couch, his hand tucked behind his head, his other hand resting on Robert's knee.]

Have you thought about this a lot? For a long time, I mean?

... Not constantly, but... whenever identity becomes paramount. Experiments like the most recent one are... an example, but even other times where it has been called into question...

... [He leans a little against Don's side before continuing.]

... Such as when I... first decided to consider self-defense.

Do I get to hear the whole story of that?

[No, he doesn't care it's already after midnight.]

You did contribute to it, so... I suppose, if you want to. [Robert smiles a little - a bit weakly, but it's genuine.]

... Does this mean I should... say so now?

Consider it a bedtime story.

... Alright. [Robert returns Don's smile and then settles down into the couch.]

... I assume you know... at least some of the story. After all... you were the one who first explained the concept of self-defense and how it is... ethical.

... But... even though I had heard it from you, it was... not something I truly wanted to consider, until.... until Giles.

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