Sixty-Ninth Theory [Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[Yesterday the village grew quiet, as many villagers were called on a draft, and many others began the anxious wait to see if their friends and loved ones would return to the village safely.]

[Also yesterday, a breath of warm weather arrived in Luceti. Don has been out enjoying it, trying not to dwell on those who are fighting on a flying island right now. He has enough other things on his mind, and around midday he does something about one of them.]

Filtered to Beast || Unhackable

Beast... I haven't thanked you properly for what you did for Robert and me. For everything you've done for us.

End Filter

[Later, he leaves a brief, unfiltered message:]

Would anyone be interested in learning how to program computers and fix cars?

Comments

[semper_cogitans]

[It's surprising how calm the house feels, in retrospect of everything that's happened. In a way, it's made Robert intensely grateful for the usual safety of Luceti - even when the rogue Malnosso do such horrible things, perhaps it might be much worse without the intervention of the remainder.

The draft worries him - so many of his friends have been taken - but he's trying not to panic too much. Here's hoping they all come through...

Instead, he's focusing on Don. The Turtle, as usual, has been neglecting his physical condition, and half-shed scutes are making themselves obnoxiously evident on his shell. It's all Robert can do to not pry them off himself...

So the acute staring at Don's shell? That might be irritating.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don is completely aware of the staring, but also completely ignoring it, the same way he has for the past two weeks. Instead he stays just outside the house, intently studying the area where Splinter's garden used to be.]

[semper_cogitans]

[Really, Don, it says poor things about you when you can't even keep your shed scutes from peeling half-off of you. It's - dare Robert think it - unprofessional. Sort of like him having flyaway hair or something like that...

Either way, eventually Don's study coaxes Robert out of the house. He doesn't immediately say anything, though his face falls a little when he realizes exactly where Don is looking.]

[i_speak_softly]

[It's times like these, when they both know they're both thinking the same thing, that all feels right with the world, and conversations can be started more or less in the middle.]

Are you going to put anything out here?

[semper_cogitans]

[For a few long moments, Robert stares at the dirt. It doesn't bear any of the marks of the sensei's presence anymore, the normal processes of Luceti's faux-environment having worn them away - but somehow, it feels almost strange to intrude on the spot, to put something new there...]

... Would you... wish to?

[The slightest of tremors in Robert's voice betrays the feelings under never touching this spot - it would feel almost like... like they had finally given up.

But... it's been so long, and none of the other Hamatos have returned with the new cycles...]

[i_speak_softly]

[It doesn't feel like giving up to Don - more like keeping it warm. He wouldn't want his father to come back to an empty yard.]

I like your plants.

[semper_cogitans]

[The human smiles in a watery sort of way.]

I would... h-hope Master Splinter would feel the same way...

[Maybe there's something he can plant in honour of him.]

[Filtered Voice]

[tailasoldastime]

[The message takes Beast by surprise. It has not been the first time he's helped Don and Robert, but something about this thanks from the turtle seems... different. More meaningful. He can hear the feeling in his voice, and it makes something in him almost melt.]

Y... you're welcome... Don.

[A moment's pause, him feeling like saying that is not enough. Then he continues:] I'd never... l-let anything happen to Hastings.

[Filtered Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

It's good to know there are other people looking out for him.

Is there anything I can do for you?

[Filtered Voice]

[tailasoldastime]

For... for me? [He... was not expecting Don to ask that. Maybe a year ago, he would've, but now... he hasn't even thought about receiving anything in return. He did it for Hastings. That was all.]

Like... what?

[Filtered Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don pauses. Beast doesn't exactly need any help in the ripping-apart-enemies department, and Don is already helping him with his reading.]

I could fix things around your house?

[Filtered Voice]

[tailasoldastime]

"Fix" things? [He looks around the "parlour" area he's sitting in.] I d-don't think there's anything... wrong?

[He gasps softly: Unless there's something Don's noticed that he hasn't...?]

[Filtered Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

Well, you know, if anything breaks. [As things inevitably do.] Or if you just want the place rewired.

[Voice]

[geniustheveil]

[Computer programming? Got it. She's actually here for something else for once.]

I wouldn't mind learning a little about cars.

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[Oh, Ami-sensei. Don will reply in the Real Japanese he's been studying so assiduously.]

I can teach you about this, if you would happy.

[... Clearly he still has more studying to do.]

[Voice]

[geniustheveil]

[He does, and before she can quite stop herself, she finds herself correcting him by repeating the phrase in more proper Japanese.]

I'd be happy to learn. [This, she allows to be translated.]

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[Sigh - he still can't keep the two dialects straight in his head.]

Meet me at the Battle Dome?

[Voice]

[geniustheveil]

What time would you like to meet?

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

Any time is fine. I'm not busy.

[Voice]

[castbytheglyph]

[Sup turtle guy, guess who.]

Dude, I'd totally be up for learning all sorts about fixin' up cars and junk! I'm still good when it comes to tappa-tapping on computers to make 'em do stuff though, that's easy.

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[Oh man, Don would love to get under the hood with Pascal. Why does that sound so dirty.]

I keep my huge fleet of vehicles at the Battle Dome. I can meet you there whenever you want.

[Voice]

[castbytheglyph]

[Because innuendos-- She would love to pop the hood and get down and dirt with Don too! Seriously. Her hygiene really isn't the best, dirty tends to be her default state.]

Ohmigosh, a whole fleet? That's like a whole lot of chuggachugging vehicles! I'll be right there!

[As in 'right now' right there. She's ran off and left her journal open in the process, so hopefully Don catches on and doesn't leave her hanging around for too long.]

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[With a more direct route and a headstart, Pascal gets to the Battle Dome first. She doesn't have to wait long, though, before Don jogs in the door and starts firing up a sim, skipping the small talk.]

I call it my Garage.

[The simulation flickers into existence, a seemingly endless space filled with row upon row of mismatched vehicles - everything from bicycles to stealth jets.]

[Action]

[castbytheglyph]

[Holy Overseer of vehicles, that's one heck of a garage. Granted, she's not very familiar with that a garage actually is, but if it means 'big place chock full of things to ride around on' then she's got it.]

Whoaaahoh. You weren't kidding when you said a fleet, were ya'? [Oh. Now seems like a good idea to ask that question she thought up while she ran over here.] Sooo anyway, what's a car?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don saunters into the simulation room and pats the hood of a roadster.]

This one is a car.