i_speak_softly | Sixty-Ninth Theory [Voice]

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Sixty-Ninth Theory [Voice]

[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?

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[...

Robert's pace slows, and almost stops, as he absorbs this information. It's... huge. It's something that honestly disturbs him, in ways that he's not quite sure he can express. The fact it was done against Don's will - and the fact that it destroyed his beautiful mind in ways that Robert finds disturbingly similar to what happened to Syre recently - just sends a shudder through him, a visceral sort of pain that is made all the more horrible by the realization that it will happen and there's nothing he can do about it.

... Eventually, he just quiets and leans against Don, embracing his shell in a close, possessive way.]

... I am... s-so sorry...

... ... [It's terrible, but... there has always been the possibility that the Malnosso could do this as well. Now, at least, Robert might know what to expect. If it ever happens.

... He'll hold onto that, at least, as a small bright spot.]

[Don has known parts of this almost since his arrival in Luceti, and he's already struggled with the horrible inevitability of it. What was most upsetting about reading Leo's notes was hearing the story in the words of a brother who's no longer here - being reminded of his family's unbreakable bonds when he is so very far away from them. It's a terribly lonely feeling, and he thinks he would go through any kind of mutation if it would just bring them back to him.]

[Though Robert might not actively be feeling this way at the moment, he wants more than ever to try to fill that void of family in Don's life - even if he realizes now that, truthfully, he cannot. Nothing can... and even his best efforts will not be enough.

It all makes him feel so useless.]

... Th-thank you... for... f-for telling me something so... i-important...

[It's the only thing he can really say.]

[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.

If it's alright, then, shall we meet this evening?

[Don blinks back to the present, and murmurs:] Please don't lean on me.

I'll be there.

((You can timeskip to action if you want!))

[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.

[Robert pulls away then, chagrined and - only mildly - hurt, and stares almost blankly at the brush still floating on the water in the bucket.

Presently, he asks in a quiet voice:] ... Do you wish for me to... c-continue...?

[In answer, Don just mumbles some sort of unenthusiastic affirmation.]

[Well, it would be silly to leave the job half-done anyway. Robert picks up the brush again and resumes his cleaning job, though in a much more sober and generally quiet way.

He doesn't really know what to say... so he doesn't say anything.]

[~~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.]

[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.]

[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?

[By the time they meet, Ami is a bit early as always, with a book in hand in case that involves waiting. She doesn't really mind if it does; she wanted to finish that chapter anyway.

As soon as she spots Don, she dips her head in a quick greeting, and gives him a smile.]

It's been awhile.

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

This one is a car.

[Don hunches forward, playing with the grass around his knees.]

Did you want to talk about anything?

[What's a topic that wouldn't be nearly so uncomfortable? It takes Robert a moment of quiet cleaning of Don's shell to respond to this.]

... If I were to cultivate plants in the garden... I would like to know which ones you think would be... s-suitable.

[Maybe ones that best symbolize the families and worlds that they both can't have with them.]

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?

[In a weak attempt at a joke typical in House 55:]

I'm an engineer, not a botanist.

[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?

[Don smiles in return, before his expression becomes one of concern.]

You're all right, I hope?

[The joke is familiar at least, and Robert smiles weakly in return, though it may be difficult for Don to see.]

... Perhaps, but... you do not need to be a b-botanist to... suggest plants your sensei enjoys...

... And if not... perhaps I will need to review the e-encyclopedias of botany you so thoughtfully provided e-earlier...

[Don hunches up his shoulders, and it may be obvious even from the awkward angle that he's trying not to cry.]

[Robert immediately realizes that he said the worst possible thing under the circumstances, and his chest feels like it tears as he watches Don try to hold back his tears.

I was only trying to help... And yet Robert knows how pitiful that excuse is. He doesn't even try to defend himself.]

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Sixty-Ninth Theory [Voice]

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