i_speak_softly | Sixty-Eighth Theory [Action]

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Sixty-Eighth Theory [Action]

[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.]

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[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...]

Alone. I need the time away.

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

Did something happen?

[His first assumption, given that his own reasons when he leaves his house are usually something along those lines.]

[He hums equivocally.]

An accumulation of things.

[Richard gives a sympathetic nod.]

I understand. Sometimes you just need that space, even from the people you care about.

[He nods, but sadly.]

Robert doesn't get it.

[Yep, he can understand that.]

Many people take wanting time alone as a sign that they've done something wrong, even if that isn't the case.

That's exactly it. I can't make him understand that I don't want to be with people all the time, even when I like them.

[Hello, fellow introvert. Richard feels your pain.]

It can be hard when they're more social than you are. You don't want to let them down by spending too much time away from them, but at the same time, being around them all the time ends up wearing you out instead.

He's less social than I am. But possibly more co-dependent. [He scratches his head, baffled by his own words.] How is that even possible...?

[That earns a small, fond smile from Richard.]

That sounds not unlike Isamu at times.

[He recognizes by now just how much his friend depends on him and needs his presence-- the way he clung so desperately after the Vaskoth draft was proof enough of that.]

Really?

[He'd always thought of Isamu as a guy who looked out for himself - though not always very effectively.]

Yes. I take it that comes as something of a surprise.

He was close with Raph, but... you know.

I know.

[He pauses for a moment.]

He's told me that I'm all he has.

[Don looks sad at this.]

I would be sorry he doesn't count me also, but - I did just punch him.

You punched him?

[He's... okay, he can't honestly say he's surprised to hear that Isamu did something to get himself punched. He's just curious as to what that something was.]

[Don is not going to share.]

I shouldn't have.

[Richard just shakes his head.]

Knowing him, I wouldn't be so sure.

[Don makes a vague noise of disagreement, and changes the subject to the one they've avoided so far.]

Nice clothes, by the way.

[Well, that's a good way to change the topic! Richard actually looks quite pleased at the mention of his new outfit.]

Thank you. You're the first person to say so.

Really?

[He would think he's slower than the average human at noticing clothes.]

Yes, the general consensus from everyone else seems to be that it doesn't suit me at all.

[And he looks rather disappointed by that, too. It's supposed to be fashionable and manly, right?]

[Um, it fits. And doesn't seem to be nearly as impractical as other things Don has seen humans wearing.]

What does that mean...?

It means that they don't think it looks good on me because I'm too feminine.

[Not all of them had said that outright, but the intended meaning was pretty obvious.]