i_speak_softly | Sixty-Sixth Theory [Voice]

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Sixty-Sixth Theory [Voice]

[Things have been remarkably normal for Don lately, a very tolerable mix of the mildly bad and the mildly good. On the one hand, he's coming down with a case of his annual flu, and he actually kind of misses his elf. On the other hand, his various lessons have been going well, he's enjoying the new toys Robert gave him for Christmas, and all the effort that went into creating the winter room has been entirely worth it.]

[In between keeping his hands and mind occupied, and lounging indolently just because he can for once, Don has made a habit of posing a random question over the journals every day. Today the low-grade fever is making it hard to think straight, so the question is a strange one:]

People. In Luceti. Are from different worlds. [Give him a minute, he's pretty sure he's going somewhere with this.] But. Some of us have a lot in common, in surprising ways. Who... Who in Luceti seems like, you know, like long-lost twins? Even if they maybe haven't met each other here yet.

Or. What combination of people here would just be... really interesting. I mean, if you put them together to make a new person. Who's different from anyone we already have.

[A long pause.]

I think I'm sick.

[He's going to. Um. Do something about that. Then he will be back to answer any comments.]

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[Maybe this is a sign that Robert should rub his shoulders or something...

But yes. That transmission. Robert actually wonders if he ought to answer it himself. Despite the... somewhat-incoherency about the way the question was posed, it's still fascinating.]

... I could... volunteer an answer as well, if... if you liked.

[Don looks up, completely forgetting to mute the journal.]

Sure.

[Who needs muting when you can just awkwardly broadcast your musings to everybody?]

Well... many of the intellects here in Luceti are those I would... not be surprised to see on Terra. However, the... traits that are prized - those that make up a societal definition of "intellect" - are... different, in other worlds, which... naturally leads to some variation. Especially in those whose... intellect has manifested here... [Like yours truly, and the Turtle in his lap.]

... But intelligence is... n-notable, no matter where it is, or how it manifests itself. As... I have learned.

... There is the additional matter of technological worlds. Though there are few that are... quite as far as Terra seems to be, Ms. Daisy is from a comparable time...

[Give him a minute to think on that second part, though. Or even for a lengthier explanation of the first.]

[Yeah, you kind of lost him already. Explain further, or maybe just pay more attention to the towel. That's nice too.]

[Is doing both acceptable? Idly, Robert presses his fingers over the wet towel, attempting to soothe Don's fevered brow a little. He'd just magic the pain away, but so far Don hasn't asked him to do that.]

One... almost wonders what some individuals might be like, were they to have... lived in another world - similarly to the... Luceti Shift that modelled such an occurrence...

[He has less than fond memories about it, but it was still something to think about.]

...

... How would you... suppose that you would combine individuals...? Genetically? Or do you mean... in a metaphorical manner...?

[Don squirms a little, trying to find a position that eases his fever-aches.]

's just theoretical.

But... the other thing, I think about that a lot.

[Well, theoretical things are always interesting to think about.]

Ah, I see...

[He'll just follow up on the second sentence though, while Don gets more comfortable.] ... What, precisely, do you... think about in relationship to it...?

[Comfort seems to be eluding him, and he shifts again and sniffles loudly.]

You know. What I might have done if - if I'd been able to go to school.

[Robert sobers a little at this. Though he holds immeasurable second-hand pride for the fact Don is self-taught, the fact that Don couldn't get a proper education still makes his blood boil, or at least makes it percolate a little. ~~It's hard to get him to proper blood-boiling anger.~~]

... I imagine you might... be even more brilliant than you are...

[He can't ignore all that shifting and generally-sounding-ill, though, so he takes the moment to address it.]

Don... would you rather me draw upon Nala to help with your symptoms...? You seem... greatly discomfited.

[Don nudges Robert's hand away, obviously made nervous by the suggestion.]

Please don't...

[Sigh. What is he going to do with you, sick Turtle?]

... You really would rather just... sit here feeling ill...? Why...?

[It's not often Robert pushes anything, but he doesn't like seeing Don in distress for too long.]

It's not that bad. [He coughs several times before continuing, but doesn't amend his previous statement.] 'm already cheating nature too much...

[Robert doesn't see how Don is cheating nature by doing something like this. Is he cheating nature for wearing a coat so he doesn't freeze outside?

Still, he doesn't pursue this line of questioning, instead just sighing a little in an "oh you" sort of way and readjusting the towel.]

... If you are certain.

[After a moment, Don relaxes again and gets back to the earlier question.]

Mostly I think about what I could have done with my education.

[This is a more interesting topic anyway.]

I have no doubts that you... would have easily qualified for any institutions you set your mind to attending...

[Though maybe there would be a financial issue. He recalls reading something about schools needing large amounts of money to attend in older times.]

No, done with it. Not just... more school.

[Hmm.]

Do you mean... your career, then? Or, careers? Or... what other sorts of applications do you mean?

I don't know. Something useful. [He closes his eyes, and possibly dozes off for a moment before coming back.] Being a real scientist.

[Robert looks surprised, as though it had never occurred to him otherwise.]

... You... do not think you are a... real scientist?

[Don squints up at Robert, confused by the question.]

No?

By my estimation... you certainly seem to fit the qualifications of a "real" scientist...

... Though you may never have had a formal education, that has not prevented you from achieving significant gains in the fields of science and engineering, and certainly you have explored the world using... solid scientific principles, both here and in your life before Luceti...

... What would make you feel as though you were... a "real" scientist?

I want to... share it with people.

[As he says it, there's something in his gaze that Robert may not have thought of before: Don is jealous of him.]

[This is definitely... distressing, for Robert to consider, now that he can recognize it. Who would've thought anybody would be jealous of his life, isolated as it was?]

... [Earnestly:] I would... want you to share it as well...

... I am... s-so sorry that this opportunity was denied you at home. [He would fix it, if he could. But sadly, he knows enough now about how Don's world works to know that he couldn't change it by himself.]

[Just a sigh, indicating he doesn't want to talk about this. A lighter subject, maybe?]

[Probably a good idea.

After a moment - during which Robert figures out Don is avoiding the subject - he tries to put things on a different tangent.]

... It will not be long before my... second anniversary here. [This may not be a lighter subject, but it's one that Robert doesn't seem upset about.]

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[this thread totally has a voice component now if somebody wants to respond to it]

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