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]

There was a town meeting, to talk about the war that had just been announced. That was the beginning of the drafts. Professor Sage organized the meeting; she's been here longer than I have.

[semper_cogitans]

[The beginning of the drafts... Robert makes a small, wondering sound.]

... Were there... a-any attacks before this that... Luceti was made aware of?

[i_speak_softly]

Um... I heard there was an invasion of the village, but I don't know much about it. I'm no expert on the history of the war either.

[semper_cogitans]

I feel that... much of it, we Lucetians are... not privy to. [For whatever reasons. He still doesn't really understand war politics very much, honestly.]

... how did you... c-cope, without electricity for so long...?

[i_speak_softly]

Delusional belief that I could fix it. Which maybe was enough, because electricity arrived only a few weeks after I did.

[semper_cogitans]

[This sounds like a great relief to Robert. Unfortunately a lot of people didn't agree.]

How was it initially instated, if... you remember...?

[i_speak_softly]

It just happened. You turned around, and suddenly your icebox was a real refrigerator. With all the food still in it.

[semper_cogitans]

[...]

... That... s-sounds alarming.

[i_speak_softly]

[He shrugs casually, and picks up a random tech bit from his pile.]

I was going a little insane and would have been happy to get electricity by any means. Do you want to sit here talking about it, or can we decorate some Christmas trees?

[semper_cogitans]

[Christmas trees, right. He remembers that concept, but the idea is still a somewhat... uncomfortable prospect for him.]

... How do you propose we do that?

[i_speak_softly]

[He gestures around the room.]

Trees. Christmas ornaments. I think an engineer and an astrobiologist can figure this one out.

[semper_cogitans]

[... Well. Robert gives the paopu fruit saplings another once-over, as well as the other plants he's festooned the area with.]

... Would young trees be... appropriate?

[i_speak_softly]

I think they're acceptable. [He offers Robert an origami figure.]

[semper_cogitans]

[Well, then.

Robert takes the little figure in hand, takes one of the slender branches of the abdomen-high tree in hand, and nestles it delicately in the crook of the tree.]

... It looks... beautiful.

[i_speak_softly]

[Don kneels beside the chosen tree, and carefully hangs a gadget-bauble from a branch.]

Merry Christmas, Professor Hastings.

[semper_cogitans]

[The young, tropical tree is probably as far from the archetypical "Christmas tree" as one can get.

Somehow, it still seems strangely fitting.]

... Merry Christmas... [A pause. Why is Don calling him something so unusual?

He stops midway through his sentence and gives his partner a questioning look.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don smiles encouragingly. How do you want to end that greeting, Robert?]

[semper_cogitans]

[That's just the thing. Should he use something as formal as what Don just used?

The silent drags out uncomfortably long, as Robert studies Don's expression, attempting to gauge what the encouraging look is supposed to mean. Just what do you want me to say?]

[i_speak_softly]

[Well, okay. Time for Plan B(lunt and Specific).]

[Don reaches for Robert's hand, and squeezes his fingers.]

Robert, anata - and by the way I like how you translated that for Spock - you know you're allowed to call me by names other than 'Don', right?

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert tentatively responds in kind, looking at Don as though he'd never actually considered this before.]

I... am? [When he's told to call somebody something, he does that.]

[i_speak_softly]

Of course. [He watches Robert carefully, determined not to let the man get the impression he has done something wrong, as he is wont to believe.] To be honest, it's a little strange that you only call me one thing.

[semper_cogitans]

[Almost shyly:] You... asked me to call you Don, so... that is what I did...

[But, if he wants other names...] What would.. you want me to call you, then...?

[i_speak_softly]

[Don blinks, amazed again at how literally Robert takes everything.]

I barely knew you when I said that... You're my mate now. You can call me anything you want.

[semper_cogitans]

[Anything he wants... This is an almost-dizzying amount of possibilities.]

... Would you prefer Japanese terms as well, or... something else? [Because he has one in mind, now.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don smiles shyly, glad Robert recognizes Japanese as being meaningful to him.]

Anything that feels right.