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

[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.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don rubs the ridge between his eyes, and holds his hand out for the comb. Let him see that.]

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert lets Don take it without much argument, though there's a clear anxiety about his features. It's his special comb, don't break it...

The comb itself isn't really unusual in any way. It's smooth black plastic, with very thin, almost meshlike teeth that are obviously made to comb out small hairs that are prone to tangling. Evidently they work okay on feathers too.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don studies the comb - so ordinary to Robert, so foreign to him - examining its construction and the way it feels against his hand. When he has a good mental picture of it, he gives it back.]

Go slowly, and telegraph a lot.

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert nods and returns to exactly the place on Don's left wing that he was at before. Very carefully, he presses the comb against the wing again, and begins to pick the comb through the purple feathers, making sure to make his motions as obvious as possible to the Turtle underneath him.

It still probably feels a bit weird, but at least Don expects it now, and Robert's generally being much more slow and careful than he was.]

[i_speak_softly]

['Weird' is definitely a good word for it, but it leads Don to a train of thought that seems worth exploring.]

Is this what it feels like when you comb your hair?

[semper_cogitans]

[That is an interesting train of thought indeed.]

It is similar... well, assuming the sensations your wings provide are... identical to the ones mine provide me with, at... any rate - but my scalp is somewhat less... s-sensitive than the wings are...

[Still, it's close enough that it might give Don the feeling of combing out short hair. Not that he hasn't had hair before.]

[i_speak_softly]

[But only briefly and he hated the whole experience.]

I have to say, I have a hard time understanding why you like it.

[semper_cogitans]

It is... pr-proper to be clean and organized... [Says the scientist who's never anything but, as he continues working any knots out of Don's feathers.] Additionally, combing one's hair allows one to... check it for any abnormalities... and the scalp m-massage can be enjoyable.

[For sensitive-skinned humans, anyway. A Turtle probably wouldn't get anything out of that.]

[i_speak_softly]

Hair abnormalities?

[It just keeps getting worse.]