i_speak_softly: (Intense gaze)
i_speak_softly ([personal profile] i_speak_softly) wrote2012-08-05 10:47 am

Sixty-First Theory [Action]

[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.))
most_unwanted: (they're watching)

[personal profile] most_unwanted 2012-08-07 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
[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?
most_unwanted: (pondering)

[personal profile] most_unwanted 2012-08-08 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
How about that latest experiment, huh? It's a relief to see everything back to normal...

[Hmmm, something is definitely up.]
most_unwanted: (investigative mode)

[personal profile] most_unwanted 2012-08-09 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
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?
most_unwanted: (truth is out there)

[personal profile] most_unwanted 2012-08-10 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
[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?
Edited 2012-08-10 08:46 (UTC)
most_unwanted: (believe to understand)

[personal profile] most_unwanted 2012-08-12 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
[Yeah that did end up more confusing than intended. Oops. Though there's a lingering question...]

So how does the staring tie into this?
most_unwanted: (the field where i died)

[personal profile] most_unwanted 2012-08-16 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
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?
most_unwanted: (sarcastically amused)

[personal profile] most_unwanted 2012-08-17 05:03 am (UTC)(link)
[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...
most_unwanted: (let's have a talk)

[personal profile] most_unwanted 2012-08-19 07:35 am (UTC)(link)
What can I say, I make a living at this kind of thing. [Sometimes, he's reminded how absolutely great it is being in a world where his odd theories are pretty much sane.]

Well, I hope you can find any kind of work-around if the penalty makes things that difficult. Have you had much luck finding anyone to help?

[He's guessing no, since he's still staring around here.]
most_unwanted: (seeker)

[personal profile] most_unwanted 2012-08-20 05:04 am (UTC)(link)
I'll be sure and send anyone your way if I run across anyone with those powers.

[People come and go so much that he isn't sure who's available right now, but even so, he's willing to bet someone will come along soon.]
most_unwanted: (believe to understand)

[personal profile] most_unwanted 2012-08-21 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
You're welcome. I'll leave you to it... unless there's anything you need in the meantime?

[He's always willing to help if needed, especially given these circumstances.]
most_unwanted: (basketball)

[personal profile] most_unwanted 2012-08-23 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
The bounce... Oh, you mean basketball? Finding a ball here was one of the highlights of my stay so far.
most_unwanted: (a gentle breeze of blue)

[personal profile] most_unwanted 2012-08-24 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
[That's a definite yes for him!]

I'd be up for it, anytime you'd like.

[The way things go around here, he finds that shooting some hoops usually makes for a good distraction.]
most_unwanted: (basketball)

[personal profile] most_unwanted 2012-08-26 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
I'll be looking forward to this. Just let me know when you're up for it.

[action] (oh my god a ninja turtle)

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-09 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[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]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-10 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
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]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-10 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
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]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-11 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[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]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-11 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[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]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-12 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
[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]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-12 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Michael only laughs at his expression.]

I'm not a kid anymore, Don. I know you guys are the "made for kids" versions the money-grubbers tried to make you. I read the comics, too. It's neither here nor there. You're real. Your life is what it is. It won't ever be the same as a fictional element tries to make it for its fans.

I'd imagine if someone made a comic out of my life they would leave things out, too.

[He looks down at the ground.]

I'm just trying to say that while I know the basics, I don't know the real you, only what helped me when I was a little kid without brothers of my own. These days I'd be more than willing to get to know the real you. In fact, I'd be honoured.

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-12 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
Only child, Don. Absolutely only.

[He gives him a smile again though it's slightly more muted.]

Heck, she wasn't even meant to have me. Doctor's told her so.

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-12 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
[He notes the look.]

Hey, this isn't about me. You're the one trapped in your head, man. I'm here for you, not vice versa. I'll be okay.

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-12 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
[Michael sighs. He's still not used to interacting that much considering after a month, he's sucked back into the Land of the Dead and everyone he's talked to forgets him. Stranger is all he can be. Still, he picks up on Don's images.]

Fishing and anything to do with water is my favorite thing. Like tubing or water-skiing. I sing sometimes, too, but, heh... it need to get cleaned up for it and I'm more of a camping kind of guy. I don't even have a place in the village. Campsite works for me.

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-12 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
[Michael is not a spring chicken. He blinks.]

...you don't like water, do you?

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-12 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Michael shakes his head. It can wait. He won't pry further.]

Er---so---camping. I camp. Pretty much all the time. Where I'm from there... isn't any nature. Or light. It's pretty much perpetual night in a city that spans the entire world with ten times the current human population. It's loud. Filthy. Horrible. And so, so dark.

Here? It's light. There's nature everywhere. I know there are horrors and awful things to worry about but... I just...

[He looks up at the sky.]

In a place like this I can't help... I can't help but just see so much light.

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-12 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
Heh. Sorry, I---I sometimes get all poetic about stuff like this.

[He's actually rubbing at his eyes a little.]

It just means a lot more to me than to most of the people I know. So many people take nature, animals, water... hell, even bug bites... I mean, they think it'll always be there.

For me it's not. For me, this place is, even if temporary, a gift. I don't care what happens to me here so long as I can talk to people who remember my name the next time I see them.

[He sighs.] I might as well tell you since you want a distraction from this whole psychic thing, Donatello.

I died back home. Cracked my head on a tombstone during a fight with a bunch of gorillas. Ended up making a deal with a demi-god in order to live but the deal was that I fought for her in the Land of the Dead. Sounds whacked, I know... but it's the truth. She muted my heartbeat so I might as well have no pulse.

In the Land of the Dead I battle against Ghosts and Echoes as a Night Arrow. Hell, the outfit looks like something out of a comic book I'll tell you that right now but since I got here, my link with Lil'l, the demi-god who saved my life, has been severed. Any kind of ability she had to converse with me is gone, even if the link is still open. That's why I heard you.

[He looks at Donatello.]

The deal back home is that I get a month off every five years and during that month I get to go back to the light in the Land of the Living. Unfortunately, no one knows who I am and no one is to remember. After that month is up, I go back to the Land of the Dead and anyone I met won't remember having seen me at all. Every five years it repeats.

I can't tell you how... how amazing it is to be able to meet people here and talk to them day in, day out... and for them to say something as simple as, "Hey, Michael!" To know they remember me... It's pretty damned wonderful is all I can say.

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-12 03:59 am (UTC)(link)
[He would like that a lot, Don. You have no idea at all.]

You know... it's bad, but, the worst thing about this place to me right now is that apparently we won't remember it if and when we go back...

Because that doesn't make it much different than the vacation period during work for me.

[Stop getting so emotional, Michael. It's not going to help.]

It's dumb. I know. There are people here suffering and dying and coming back to life and all I can think is... just... even so, I prefer it... I prefer it to what my destiny is if I go back.

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-13 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Look at me pouring my soul out to you. You've been through a lot, too, I'd imagine. I won't pry, but I will tell you if you're going to help me like this then I'll do the same for you if you ever need it. I mean that.

[He gives him a bit of a smile though there is sadness in it.]

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-16 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
[Michael flinches away from him, not understanding what he's trying to show.]

J-Jesus, what---hang on. Sorry. Try that again. That was a little off in my head.

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-16 08:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Michael has this thing about death... but he very quickly understands what Donatello is trying to convey.]

...you died?

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-17 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
[Michael softens, looking to him.]

...it's okay. I've heard people here can die. The important thing is that you're alive, Donatello. I bet you had friends who missed you.

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-18 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
[Michael chuckles.]

Well, considering I grew up with the comics and the tv show, I used to be pretty confused about meeting you guys. I'll admit, I watched a bit of another series and I liked it too, but then we didn't have cable anymore and I didn't get to see more of it. I guess, I always thought you guys would be strong, silent types who vanished without more than a raspy "Be safe, kid."

...or maybe one of you would whine about being hungry and get thwapped upside the head. Probably Mikey.

Ahaha, man I could just go on. I loved you guys when I was little.

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-18 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
...are you alone here, Don?

[Because yeah. He's a little more in tune with emotions than most thanks to Lil'l.]

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-18 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
[Michael's reaction is pretty much to almost wet himself. Leonardo. The Leader. The amazing.]

L-Leonardo? really?

[Because honestly, what boy didn't idolize the brave leader at times?]

[action]

[personal profile] echotaker 2012-08-18 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[Michael actually begins to laugh at that, gleefully, as he can tell PA a mile away and the look on Donatello's face is priceless. He sighs, rubbing his eyes and getting a last few chuckles out before speaking.]

Easy, easy. Every boy I know growing up wanted to be a leader like Leonardo. That's all. He was always too serious for me though. I was always more drawn to Michelangelo and Raphael. It's not your fault, Don. Honest. The show just seemed to stump you for the important stuff from what I can remember.

[He smiles gently at him.]

Like you said: The show's not an accurate reflection. And hell, I'm honoured to actually know the real you way more than the cartoon you anyway. It's not playing favorites with real people in my case as I've never honestly met any of you.

In that regard, I like everyone equally.