i_speak_softly | Sixty-First Theory [Action]

Entry tags:

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.))

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[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?

[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.]

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

[Hmmm, something is definitely up.]

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

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?

[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.

[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.]

[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.]

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?

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

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.]

[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)

[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?]

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

[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.

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

[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.

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

[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?

[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.]

[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.

[An interestingly enlightened attitude. But first, a point of clarification.]

[Don sends some images of nonspecific girls. Do you have sisters?]

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.

[Concerned face. Care to tell your story?]

[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.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 3

Sixty-First Theory [Action]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[action] (oh my god a ninja turtle)

no subject

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

no subject

[action]

no subject

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]