i_speak_softly | 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.]

((I am Donatello-mun and I pre-approve all thread-jacking.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

[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.

A... completely unnecessary labour-saving device...

[Robert repeats the words with a slight edge of incredulosity mixed with genuine fascination.]

... Whatever for?

For fun.

[But he says it in a kind of strained tone that implies "fun" is far from his mind right now.]

[The tone does not go unnoticed.]

... You do not have to, if... you do not wish to... [Not even for him.]

No, I could use the... the thing. [He sighs and drops the towel on the floor, uncomfortable and restless.]

The... [He's got this.] ... ... The... mental exercise?

[Reflexively, Robert attempts to retrieve the cloth; that's not happening with his legs pinned, though, and eventually he just gives up and turns his attention back to the sick Turtle in his lap.]

That.

[The fact that Robert gives up on getting the towel is acutely disappointing. Why are you not re-wetting it for him?]

[Because you are on top of him, you derp. That makes it kind of difficult to get up and re-wet the towel...

Give him a moment to figure out that you want him to do that, though, Don.]

[Don is dimly aware that various signals are being misinterpreted, but he really does not want to do the blunt-and-specific thing right now. He'll just lie around being miserable until Robert figures it out on his own.]

[Eventually - which is to say, after maybe half a minute - Robert grabs enough context from the miserable-looking Turtle to realize he really does want the washcloth again; he just is too ill to get it. As soon as this thought hits the scientist, he begins awkwardly trying to shimmy himself out from underneath Don.

This may or may not work particularly well, but once he manages to get free, he'll go grab the towel and run off to wet it again - probably leaving the Turtle unceremoniously sprawled on his shell on the couch.]

(no subject)

i_speak_softly - 2013-01-28 02:59 (UTC) - Expand

semper_cogitans - 2013-01-28 03:02 (UTC) - Expand

i_speak_softly - 2013-01-28 03:05 (UTC) - Expand

semper_cogitans - 2013-01-28 03:09 (UTC) - Expand

i_speak_softly - 2013-01-28 03:14 (UTC) - Expand

semper_cogitans - 2013-01-28 03:21 (UTC) - Expand