Sixty-Fifth Theory [Video]

[i_speak_softly]

[The video feed clicks on, and Don looks thoughtfully at the camera for a moment before speaking.]

Another Christmas in Luceti.

[His tone is direct, just stating a fact, but somewhere behind it is a note of melancholy.]

This is my third. All of them have been in this house. All of them have been with different people.

[He slides back from the journal, revealing a corner of his winter room. He's been gradually moving into it over the past week, and has more or less taken up residence now.]

I've seen a lot of people come and go. There probably aren't many left who remember when Luceti didn't have electricity.

[He picks up some small bit of tech and squints at it.]

When I arrived here, the drafts were just starting. There were no missions. The Battle Dome didn't exist. We didn't have a farm and there was a desert where the ocean is now.

[He carefully threads a length of wire through a hole in the tech part.]

The buildings were shorter. Some of the stores and restaurants weren't open. [A pause.] I think I'm forgetting things...

[The wire slides through, and he knots the loose ends to form a loop.]

Does anyone remember other things that have changed? Or, does anyone want a history lesson? I'll be here all day.

Comments

video

[stilldontgotit]

Well, if it helps, you're not imposing on me or anything.

[He shrugs.]

Talking turtles aren't that strange in my book.

[herotypical]

Mmhm. Things've been...well -- busy. But you must be feeling all the more loquacious.

[i_speak_softly]

[Don recognizes a translation shield when he hears one, though the sound of this one is somewhat unfamiliar, since Robert hardly ever shields at him.]

[He listens to this explanation, then reaches to rest a hand over Robert's.

I like it. Thank you.

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[You can go on assuming something like that.]

Was yours that bad?

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

I saw her ice cube game and the bo staff guns.

[i_speak_softly]

Indubitably.

[There's still a pleasure in being able to do that.]

video;

[i_speak_softly]

[A too-long pause, as he actually considers this.]

Can I meet him?

video

[i_speak_softly]

I never get tired of hearing people say that.

[Voice]

[mysicksadlife]

It was a high school. By definition, that's bad. I'm hoping they're right when they say college gets better. [She was supposed to find out for herself before Luceti happened.]

[Voice]

[ledbythewind]

You mean shotcube? Ah yes, I've heard a great deal about that game from her, though I have yet to try it for myself.

[herotypical]

That's...good. I was worried about you.

[ the last time they'd met... ]

video

[stilldontgotit]

Well, I can't blame you. Some people are way too quick to judge a book by its covers when it's really your actions that matter.

video;

[bestevolving]

[Meet him? There's another pause as Blue considers this, there isn't any problem with that. None that she can think of, and it might be nice for Blasty to meet others.]

Of course, I'd be glad if you did.

video;

[i_speak_softly]

When would be a good time?

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

Mm.

[It's a worldly "mm", possibly implying that of course he is familiar with high schools, but hadn't really noticed that his own was perhaps a bit more tolerable than average.]

What are you planning to study?

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

Is that what it's called? You really should try it; it's a lot of fun.

[i_speak_softly]

I'm - doing better. Mostly.

video;

[bestevolving]

Anytime you're free, I have a open schedule.

[Voice]

[mysicksadlife]

I guess that depends on where I'm accepted. I'd like to study writing. [But she doesn't have anywhere near the confidence to put herself out there to try that.]

[herotypical]

But?

[ there was usually a 'but' with most 'mostlys'. ]

[i_speak_softly]

But that's the way it goes.

[Enough of that subject.]

Are you planning anything for the holidays?

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

What kind of writing?

[He's not sure what this means, to be honest.]

video;

[i_speak_softly]

In a few weeks, maybe? I'm a little busy right now.

((Yay for avoiding timeline trainwrecks? I can hit up your appointments or something if you want.))

[herotypical]

The usual. [ she slides calmly into a prattling, banal tone. like on the path that long-off night, she won't press don for details he doesn't want to give.

instead, she'll happily provide distracting discussion: ] Chestnuts. Pressies. Sucking candy canes down to a sharp point and accidentally cutting my tongue on them. Jack and I got a tree...for the house.

Are you doing the Secret Santa, this year?

[Voice]

[mysicksadlife]

I've tried short stories before... they didn't work so well for awhile. Writer's block. I guess I'd keep working on that, or try a novel.