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... seems more in line with Master Splinter's personality to... prefer functional plants, or plants that are... more resilient. [Less showy, maybe. He doesn't think Splinter would be the sort of person to like something flashy without substance.]

[i_speak_softly]

When he gardened here, he grew vegetables.

[semper_cogitans]

So I remember... [It was a pretty little vegetable plot too.]

Would you... p-prefer if I did the same...? [The winter weather in Luceti won't allow for most plants to survive, so he'd have to pick ones that would survive dying back. Or ones that would have a shorter growing cycle.]

[i_speak_softly]

I - [He ruffles the pages of the book with a finger, thinking.] I want to be almost-vegetarian, Robert.

[semper_cogitans]

[... Almost-vegetarian?]

... Is there... a reason for this decision? [He'll get to the unusual/strange phrasing part in a minute.]

[i_speak_softly]

It's something I've thought about since before Luceti. It just finally feels like the right time.

[semper_cogitans]

[Now for the second part.]

What exactly do you mean by... almost-vegetarian...?

[i_speak_softly]

I read about vegetarianism a while ago, and I learned that if a person eats meat after not eating it for a long time, they get sick from it. I can't afford that. So... I want to be not-vegetarian enough that that doesn't happen.

[semper_cogitans]

[Hmm... this isn't unreasonable to think, though Robert doubts it would be particularly extreme beyond the initial transition period for one's body.]

I suppose that... is a fair enough mentality, though... it is more dependent on the specific internal flora and... digestive secretions that your body would have to establish, depending on... any dietary habits...

... That being said, you are certainly welcome to... any dietary changes you desire, so long as you are comfortable with them...

[i_speak_softly]

[He nods.]

I want to do this. I just... have to do it carefully.

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert smiles slightly at this.] I am willing to assist you with... any aspect of a vegetarian diet. It is... not as difficult as it might seem...

[i_speak_softly]

[Don puts a hand over Robert's.]

You know how picky Turtle stomachs are.

[It's partly a question, partly just a reminder.]

[semper_cogitans]

Of course... you are welcome to peruse my recipe books at your leisure. Perhaps there is a dish I can... make for you, in order to try...?

[i_speak_softly]

You can make anything you want for me.

[After letting Robert scrub down his shell, keep an eye on him in the winter, and even take charge of his core temperature for a few hours, Don is not too concerned about giving the man control over his food.]

[semper_cogitans]

[Even so, Robert still feels like there are some things he shouldn't just assume for. But this is a good sign. He might have to do some extra research about turtle diets, though...]

There may be... favourite foods I can adapt. Some may not even need any changes...

[i_speak_softly]

[Don turns a page, and points out a plant.]

I always liked tomatoes.

[semper_cogitans]

[So does this mun.]

Tomatoes are... an excellent fruit. Very versatile... they are easily incorporated in many dishes. [Except, amusingly, the general dishes one associates with fruit.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Well, Don will leave the cooking details to Robert. Resting the book on his knees, he hooks a thumb over his shoulder.]

Are you done?

[semper_cogitans]

I suppose so. [The state of his shell is much nicer-looking than it was.]

... Unless you would... be willing to allow me to comb your wings...?

[He asks this with a little more trepidation than usual - wings are of course very delicate. Even if Don trusts him, he doesn't want to poke around them without permission.]

[i_speak_softly]

Mm.

[Don looks around at his choices of where to put the encyclopedia, since allowing it to touch the dirt would surely upset Robert, and solves the problem by poking it into the scientist's lap. Then he stretches out on the warm ground to rest a bit while his partner takes care of him.]

[semper_cogitans]

[Even with an encyclopedia in his lap, Robert has plenty of room to maneouvre himself. He fishes the slender comb out of his pocket, then, arching gently over Don's shell to reach his pretty lavender wings. With the utmost gentleness, the man holds one wing just between the fingers of his left hand, and begins to comb the feathers with careful motions using the other.

The effect might be... strange-feeling, albeit nice, as Robert simulates preening the feathers into place.]

[i_speak_softly]

[It feels surprising, and Don jumps and twists around, trying to see what's going on.]

What -?

[semper_cogitans]

[Immediately, Robert stops, drawing his hands back to show Don exactly what it was that went near his wings.]

Did I... cause you pain?

[i_speak_softly]

I -- [Did he? Don doesn't think it actually hurt.]

[He presses his snout against the back of his wrist, trying to control his heart rate.]

I didn't know you meant literally 'comb'.

[semper_cogitans]

I can stop, if it b-bothers you... it is just that this is the closest simulation to preening that I am capable of...

[Nothing else produces proper meshing of the feather structures. Certainly his clunky fingers can't reproduce it.]