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

[i_speak_softly]

[He was hoping for just such a circuitous invitation.]

< I would be honored if that circumstance could be made to happen again. >

(( < > represent translation shields.))

[geniustheveil]

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<you've>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

<You've been studying hard. I'd like that.>

[i_speak_softly]

< Will Rei-sensei join us? >

[geniustheveil]

[In Japanese, she comes off a bit more formal even than usual; possibly due to choosing words Don is likely to be familiar with.]

< I think she would like that. Would you like to ask her? >

[i_speak_softly]

[He's still not very good at Real Japanese verb forms, so it's difficult for him to gauge the level of formality. He's mostly just glad he can understand her.]

< Can she come to the journal now? >

[geniustheveil]

< I'll get her. Just a moment, please. >

[Ami steps away from the journal, and into the other room to look for Rei, to let her know.]

(ooc: and rei-mun's gonna slip in right now, so we can switch to threeway from here :D )

Written

[faithfulflame]

< Hello, Donatello-san >

[Rei's handwriting is in difficult flourishes, but simple words]

Not Written

[i_speak_softly]

[Rei, why are you writing. T_T Don mentally subtracts the flourishes, and is able to read the words relatively quickly.]

< Good morning, Rei-sensei. How are you? >

Written

[faithfulflame]

< Well enough. And you? >

[geniustheveil]

[Ami lets Don and Rei talk briefly before interjecting anything herself.]

[i_speak_softly]

< Not bad. I'm getting ready for Christmas. >

Written

[faithfulflame]

< Good. What can I help you with? >

[i_speak_softly]

< I would like to resume studying Japanese with you and Ami-sensei, if you would be willing. >

[faithfulflame]

< I'm sorry, but at the moment I can't. I've begun studying magic, and between that and running the shrine it takes up nearly all of my time. >

[i_speak_softly]

< You must be very busy with those responsibilities. Would it be all right if I continued my lessons just with Ami-sensei? >

[faithfulflame]

< Of course, that's her choice, not mine. >

[geniustheveil]

[She hadn't been eavesdropping, precisely, but she'd checked back later to see if they were making plans.]

< I don't mind it at all, if you'd like. >

[i_speak_softly]

< I would be very grateful. Would you like to come every third day, and on the other days I'll study on my own? >

[faithfulflame]

< Good luck, Donatello-san. Study hard. >

[geniustheveil]

< That sounds fine. When you would like to begin? >

[Ami makes a mental note to check out some books about language theory and teaching.]

[i_speak_softly]

< Tomorrow? >

[No reason to delay.]

[geniustheveil]

[It's short notice, but she doesn't mind that. Ami only takes a moment to check the clinic schedule first.]

< In the evening, maybe? >

[i_speak_softly]

< After dinner. >

[geniustheveil]

If it's alright, please come by any time. [She has more materials with her at her house; though she could bring anything they really need with her if he'd prefer his house instead.]

[i_speak_softly]

< I - can't. >

[He thought she was aware.]