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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

I don't normally think about weaponry or missiles when I look at cars...

[Behind the evident surprise, she's thinking quickly - that type of capacity would, after all, change a great deal in terms of weight, handling, fuel consumption; she doesn't need to know 'cars' to know those things.

It's probably best that this car isn't going to add those complications.]

[Don leans casually against the roof of the car, a sort of invitation for Ami to poke around it herself.]

To each their own.

[She does look more; but half distractedly now that the idea has been put in her head.]

Do you think a vehicle, if one was available outside of the simulations, could be modified to be useful in a battle against the Third Party?

[Don narrows his eyes, wondering how hypothetical this question is, and whether it's safe to talk here.]

Undoubtedly.

[She takes the hint, at least enough to change the subject. If there's something on his mind he wants to share with her, she's sure there'll be an opportunity to do so.]

We should start more simply, maybe. With the basic components of the engine.

Sure.

[He pops the hood and begins slowly explaining the parts of an engine: the fuel injector, the drive train, the various reservoirs, and everything else that makes a car go.]

[She takes mental notes, listens with a sort of intense attention. But after awhile of this, she looks up and back to Don.]

I'm sure I could learn it quickly with a diagram to study from. Have you seen one, maybe at the library?

I have some at home. Or I could draw you one.

If I can borrow them for awhile, I'd appreciate that a lot. I'd return them quickly.

Sure.

[He hesitates there - did Ami want to go get the books right now, or should they finish their lesson here?]

We can get them when we're finished. [First things first. And she's eager to learn more about this anyway - straight from the turtle's mouth.]

[Okay then. Don calls up a virtual keyboard, and uses it to create a simulation of a chalkboard, like he's seen in Luceti's school. He uses this to draw abstract diagrams of engines as he continues explaining the various parts to Ami, so she can see how they all fit together.]

[For once, Ami is caught unprepared.]

Just a moment, please. Do you have any paper and pen to take notes with?

[Leave it to her to decide to take notes.]

Er... [He searches his belt-pouches and comes up empty.] No, sorry.

It's alright; I'll do my best to remember - and I'll bring them next time.

['Next time' has a nice ring to it, really. It's nice to at least try to plan for the future.]

[Don smiles at this.]

There's a next time?

[She knows all the Luceti reasons there might not be. But she has to at least make an effort.]

I want to try to believe there will.

[He waves a hand at this.]

I mean prosaically. You want more lessons?

[Oh. That- She nods quickly.]

I do. I know it doesn't seem like something we'll be able to use here very often; but I'm interested in it.

I'd be glad to have someone to share it with. [He gestures to his chalk diagram.] < Do you know what are those things called in Japanese? >

[As a rarity, Ami is at a loss, and shakes her head.]

Not yet. I'm sorry I'm not very familiar with any of this yet.

[You can bet she will be by next time. Guess who'll be taking out all the information she can find from the library?]

[He smiles, not bothered.]

That's okay. Combining lessons would be pretty confusing.

If you want to speak Japanese while we work, I don't mind that. [She likes those chances - rare when she'd been studying in America, and rare here.]

< I will enjoy that. >

[As usual, the words are mostly right, but the grammar is kind of a disaster.]

[One of the good outgrowths of their lessons: She's learned to correct him without being overly embarrassed about it, even almost by habit now.]

< I would like that. >

Sixty-Ninth Theory [Voice]

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