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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[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.]

[Sure, tell him more about that. What's on your mind?]

[Probably too much, as usual.]

I was thinking that... perhaps I ought to do something about it...

... It seems significant, that... that I have been here this l-long. Perhaps it is worth an investigation of sorts, even...

[Quietly:] Sometimes I... find myself missing Terra, but... I confess that it happens less often than I suppose it should...

[He'll always miss the technology though.]

[Don finds Robert's hand and squeezes it.]

We can do anything you want.

[He takes comfort in this - the strength of Don's fingers around his own hand is reassuring.]

Aside from... questions, that I wish to pose to others... I w-would just like someone to be with, as I... attempt to rekindle elements of my home here...

...

... You are welcome to do the same... I would like to share in that, if... if you wished... [Though Don's Luceti-anniversary won't be for awhile yet.]

[Don squints around the towel, and asks in a half-joking tone:]

Are you redecorating out there?

[... Maybe. Robert actually looks minorly chastised for a second.]

It is... m-mostly rearrangement...

... Though, e-erm, I am... not certain how I could recreate many appliances and furniture from Terra... beyond merely creating sh-shells that appear to look as such. [And even then the metals aren't really available. It'd be kind of half-assed.]

... I admit, it is... u-unfortunate when your technology seems to be... too advanced for the Malnosso to... consider bringing here...

[He is entirely sympathetic.]

We should build something together.

[Robert perks up slightly at this.]

... What do you... suggest?

Mm.

[He drags the no-longer-very-damp towel down his face, and pats it against his neck a little.]

Let's invent a... a completely unnecessary labor-saving device.

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