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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[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.]

[Don can't help rolling his eyes at this.]

Richard, is this related to what you were saying on the journals yesterday?

[Ah, the jig is up. Not that it isn't an obvious association, but still.]

So you heard what I asked, did you? Yes, it is related to that. I wanted to get opinions from other worlds, but as it turns out, there aren't many differences between them.

[Don crosses his arms and shifts his weight a few times before speaking again.]

If I tell you something, can you keep it just between us?

[Richard blinks, then nods.]

Of course-- what is it?

[Don glances around, lowers his voice, and says:]

I wasn't aware of women until I was about nine years old.

You mean you didn't even know they existed?

[This is a bit hard for him to believe, though he can understand how it could be possible, having lived an extremely sheltered life himself.]

[Don nods, giving Richard a minute to absorb that this is exactly what he means.]

[Richard considers this for a brief moment before smiling.]

Don't worry-- they're still rather mysterious even to those of us who have grown up around them.

Glad to know it's not just me. [He smiles, and drops the secretive air.] If you ever want a different perspective...

On women, or on men?