Sixty-First Theory [Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[People may have stopped scuba-diving and playing Whack-a-Mole around the fountain, but at least by some standards, it’s not entirely back to normal: now a giant turtle is sitting on the edge of it, staring intently at passersby.]

[Well, not just staring. Donatello is trying to establish psychic contact. He’s thinking a message as hard as he can at anyone who walks through the plaza, and while it isn’t exactly in words, the gist of it is: If you can hear this, help me.]

[Of course, to anyone who can’t hear it, he just looks like some kind of creeper. He’s sorry about that, really...]


((Death penalty reference.))

Comments

[most_unwanted]

[He might be very much non-telepathic, but Mulder is pretty good at noticing when something is off. As he approaches the fountain, he catches sight of Don and that unusually intense look in his eyes. Hmmm...]

Are you looking for a staring contest partner?

[i_speak_softly]

[Hey, Mr. Mulder, Don hasn't seen you in a while. Your guess is completely wrong, but Don smiles anyway. He's always glad to run into a friend.]

[most_unwanted]

How about that latest experiment, huh? It's a relief to see everything back to normal...

[Hmmm, something is definitely up.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don grimaces. Another irritating, pointless experiment. He hasn't wasted any brainpower trying to analyze this one.]

[most_unwanted]

My thought exactly. Having one's closet as a portal to random locations throughout the village really loses its novelty fast...

[He doesn't know if he should pry, but his curiosity and concern can't be held back much longer.]

Don? Are you feeling all right?

[i_speak_softly]

[Oh. Right. Don fishes through his belt and offers Mulder a crumpled index card. It says:

I'm having difficulty talking right now because of a death loss.
I'm also having trouble with my reading and writing.
I can understand everything you say.
Please be patient with me.]

[most_unwanted]

[Whenever Mulder hears about Lucetian deaths, he's always torn between sympathy and whipping out a notebook to take notes on what that experience is like. He knows it's a touchy issue though, so he proceeds with as much caution as he can. And a surprising amount of seriousness for him.]

I'm sorry to hear about that... and sorry too, that it's affected your communication. You're ok otherwise? No lasting side effects, penalty aside?

[i_speak_softly]

[Don nods, then shakes his head, then blinks in confusion. Don't ask contradictory yes/no questions, Mulder.]

[most_unwanted]

[Yeah that did end up more confusing than intended. Oops. Though there's a lingering question...]

So how does the staring tie into this?

[i_speak_softly]

[... He doesn't have an index card for that.]

Um... I think, everyone, but... no good yet.

[most_unwanted]

The way you were focused back there... [He may not have the actual powers for it, but he's sure seen it plenty of times. It's just the kind of explanation he's used to jumping to anyway.] You were sending a telepathic message?

[i_speak_softly]

[Don stares in amazement. How did you get that?]

[most_unwanted]

[Mulder is used to that look. Though usually it's after a long involved case where he gets to add an "I told you so" or along those lines.]

You were making the universal "communicating with my mind" expression.

[There's an attempt to imitate Don's look. Definitely something a little more intense than Deep Thoughts.]

It was either that, telekinesis, or an attempt to blow things up with your mind, and since you mentioned a communication error...

[action] (oh my god a ninja turtle)

[echotaker]

[Michael has been en route to procure groceries for his campsite when he spots---... no. It can't be. There's no mistaking the bo staff and the purple bandana, though. It's a ninja turtle. Not just any ninja turtle, it's Donatello. He momentarily stops dead in his tracks just to internally freak out about it. Dona-freaking-tello. Finally, calming himself, he adjusts his rucksack and approaches, only to hear a psychic message.

Considering his telepathic link to Lil'l, his boss (explained on his profile), the voice is more of a comfort than a shock. He's had a void in his head for a while now that's needed a voice to fill it. When he understands it's coming from Donnie, he just... is at a loss.]

...you're Donatello, aren't you? I---I heard you just now. In my head. I didn't know you could do that.

Uh---right. My name's Michael Andrews. No, you don't know me. Don't ask how I know you; it's easier that way for the both of us.

[action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don wouldn't question it - news of giant talking turtles named after Italian artists tends to get around the village - except for the suspicious way this stranger told him not to ask. But first, more important things. He fixes Michael with an intense gaze and thinks as hard as he can. The general idea is: I can't talk. I'm lonely and going out of my mind. Please help me.]

[action]

[echotaker]

Hey, hey, easy...

[Michael's voice is immediately soft, caring. This was one of the figures that got him through his childhood years. He owed the turtle a lot and so, he sits next to him at the fountain.]

I'll do whatever I can, bud. Just take it easy. I hear you, all right?

[action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don's eyes widen. This guy can really hear him. He almost cries. Taking it easy... is going to be hard.]

[action]

[echotaker]

I can't exactly use telepathy to talk back to you... but I have an open link thanks to the work I used to do. Demi-Gods are able to use it contact me. I guess since you're just trying to get anyone to hear it, you hit my frequency.

[This explanation works for him even if it's nonsensical as hell.]

I didn't even know were telepathic. I know you're good with machines, but---heh...

[He looks down.]

[action]

[i_speak_softly]

[A confused series of images: a giant rat in a bathrobe, some bipedal dinosaurs, and... a strange hat? He's telepathic when he's desperate.]

[Then, a more focused thought: Will you stay and talk to me?]

[action]

[echotaker]

[Michael gasps through his teeth in a sharp grunt as the images hit him. Splinter. He was certain he just saw Splinter... but then the dinosaurs... and the hat. He couldn't make sense of it. Finally, thankfully, the words. Michael turns, giving Donatello a soft smile.]

Of course I will. You may not know it, but you and your brothers pretty much helped me grow up. I owe you a lot, Don.

[action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don blinks, and frowns. You're not that kid he and his brothers tried to train, are you?]

[action]

[echotaker]

[He notes the look and laughs.]

You've never met me. Trust me on that. You know, I think if I told you how I knew you it would fascinate you more than anything else...

[He debates it.]

It's just so absolutely amazing that you're real.

[action]

[i_speak_softly]

[- Wait a minute. Don sends images of an old pixellated video game featuring color-coded Foot ninjas. Would this perhaps be relevant?]

[action]

[echotaker]

[Michael gasps as TURTLES IN TIME hits his mind's eye. He laughs.]

Oh, man. Best video game. Seriously. But that's not it, Don. In my world, you guys were a TV/Comic/Video Game sensation. Hell, there were movies of you, too! Even if you weren't real in my world... you were kind of like the brothers I never had growing up.

Sounds kinda silly doesn't it?

[action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Sigh. Why did you have to be one of those people?]

[Don tries to convey without words that these fictional versions are not very accurate.]