Sixty-Eighth Theory [Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[For the past few weeks, Don has spent an increasing amount of time staring out the windows of his winter room, watching for signs of spring. As comfortable as the room is, after two-plus months of living in it he really just wants to get out.]

[To that end, he has been packing for a camping trip, and today - not knowing that winter isn't yet done with Luceti - he shuts down all the systems in his room and leaves the house.]

[Anyone out and about in the village may see the Turtle, bundled in his snowsuit and carrying a duffel bag, heading out of town. He's not going anywhere in particular and isn't in a hurry, so he'd be happy to stop and talk.]

Comments

[musubi]

[Bah. Cold weather.

Isamu is bundled up himself and not looking all that chipper as he crosses the turtle's path. The cold air makes him grumpy. But then, many things make the teen grumpy, so this is par for the course.

He pauses a moment to raise an eyebrow at the bag.]

Headed somewhere important?

[i_speak_softly]

[Don isn't grumpy at all, but his cheerful tone may seem to be at odds with his words.]

Away from my house.

[musubi]

[Er.]

...Is something wrong at your house?

[NOT TO PRY OR ANY-- yeah, he doesn't actually care about prying.]

[i_speak_softly]

[There is no prying between bros.]

Just that I'm tired of looking at the walls. [Although, the idea of something being wrong reminds him:] By the way, is Richard... feeling all right?

[musubi]

Richard?

[Isamu frowns.]

He's always moping about something or other. Why?

[fourthgenerationprincess]

[ Twilight is wandering the streets, shivering a bit, when she sees the giant bipedal turtle. Well, it's not much stranger than the giant bipedal humans around these parts, anyway. She stops to greet him. ]

Hi! Are you... going somewhere?

[i_speak_softly]

[The Turtle seems unsurprised, as though he's met Twilight, or someone like her, before.]

Anywhere I want.

[fourthgenerationprincess]

[ Awkward chuckle. ] I guess so. There definitely seems to be a lot of space around the town.

[ She's still not completely aware of where the barrier is. ]

[i_speak_softly]

You can walk with me, if you want.

[spohkh]

[Spock had been walking home from the Dome when he saw Donatello.
The Vulcan nodded in greeting... though he was confused.... wasn't it still too cold for such running?
The Vulcan himself was thoroughly bundled up in a big coat and all the trimmings.]

[i_speak_softly]

[To be honest, yes - but Don is not going to keep himself locked indoors until April.]

[He nods back, but doesn't make any other greeting yet.]

[spohkh]

[Spock blushes as he thinks about what happened between him and Professor Hastings....

...he wonders if Donatello knows.]

Greetings Donatello... how are you?

[i_speak_softly]

[Oh, Don knows. As the Vulcan approaches, the Turtle's demeanour turns subtly but noticeably hostile.]

Fine. How are you?

[Action]

[tailasoldastime]

[That is a human turtle he has not seen for a few weeks. But why does it look like he's... going somewhere? For more than a day? He is going to find out.]

H-hello, Don. Are you... leaving?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

Just going on a trip. How are you?

[Action]

[tailasoldastime]

I'm... good. [There's a hint of uncertainty as he recalls that experiment from February.] And, you? Wh-where are you going?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

Camping. Somewhere.

[He notices the uncertainty, but isn't sure whether it's just Beast's usual hesitancy around people.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[If Don has any questions about what Richard has been up to lately, the answer should be clear by sight alone-- despite Isamu and Asbel side-eying the heck out of his new fashion sense, he's stuck to his guns for the most part and is wearing something that isn't his usual style at all.

When he spots the turtle, he greets him with a smile.]

Is this for a vacation or a mission?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Hey, Richard. Just the man Don was -- what are you wearing.]

A camping trip, um...

[He is trying really hard to be polite, but seriously, what are you wearing.]

[Action]

[ledbythewind]

[Something that doesn't suit him at all, that's what.]

All by yourself? Or are you meeting up with someone else?

[He hasn't noticed anything off with Don's reaction just yet...]

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

Alone. I need the time away.

[His eyes keep straying to Richard's bizarre outfit, but the mask helps to hide that.]

[Action] | Sometime before Don leaves

[semper_cogitans]

[As much as part of Robert still worries - as he always does - about Don's lengthy departure, it's clear to him that the Turtle needs to be able to run free awhile, and the safe warmth of his winter room doesn't override that desire entirely.

This doesn't stop him from watching his partner's packing with a sort of discomfited air. What is it like, to need to leave the confines of a space so much, for so long?]

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don recognizes Robert's trying-to-solve-a-problem look when he sees it, but he's not sure what the scientist finds so puzzling about this situation.]

[He tries to ignore the look, but the staring makes him uneasy, so eventually he asks:]

What's on your mind?

[Action]

[semper_cogitans]

[A little distantly, as if Robert's not sure himself:] I... wonder about how it must feel, to... to desire such a lengthy trip from home.

[Robert himself has never been particularly subject to wanderlust, as can be easily gathered.]

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don tilts his head, almost as though he's surprised by this idea.]

I don't feel like I'm leaving home.