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.

[i_speak_softly]

[Now that they've blatantly mentioned that subject, Don finally decides it's time to tell Robert what he's been keeping secret for the past several weeks.]

Rob, we need to talk.

[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?

[semper_cogitans]

[That tone shift does not go unnoticed, nor does the nickname.]

... About... wh-what?

[i_speak_softly]

[Don looks at the barren ground.]

I read Leo's journal.

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert brings his hands reflexively up against his chest, systematically kneading them, though he still doesn't look at Don.]

Might I... a-ask what it contained, Donatello...? [Tender-but-intense - this name seems appropriate here.]

[i_speak_softly]

What happens to me.

[He glances sideways at Robert, seeking the reassurance of eye contact.]

[semper_cogitans]

[This time, Robert looks up, and locks his gaze with Don. He's always been curious about the things Leo had neglected to mention, but he's never put this curiosity into words...]

... I-Is that... something you wish to share...?

[There's a grave seriousness in Robert's voice that outstrips even his usual tone.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Quietly:] It's something you should know.

[semper_cogitans]

[Then it's something Robert wants to know.]

Please feel free to... explain as much as you w-wish. [The man slides an arm close to Don, extending a hand to hold - if he wants.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don looks away, turning to face down the hill towards the river.]

Let's sit.

[semper_cogitans]

[Immediately, Robert takes his arm away, repositioning himself in the same direction as Don, and then drops into a formal seiza almost automatically on the ground. It actually takes him a moment to realize he's kneeling on dirt... but he doesn't really care enough right now to scoot away from it. (It'll probably bother him later.)

For now, he just waits for Don to begin speaking.]

[i_speak_softly]

[... He meant closer to the water, but okay.]

[He settles cross-legged on the ground, and stares at nothing in particular for a moment before saying:]

I guess I should begin at the beginning.

[semper_cogitans]

[Hey, it's what happens when you give such a direct order. Maybe Robert would've gotten the hint if Don stared at the river some more first.

In any case...]

... That... seems a prudent place to begin, yes...

[i_speak_softly]

[Don gathers his thoughts, and begins here:]

Ironically, the first thing is mostly a blank. Shortly after the last thing I remember, Ultimate Drako attacked the Lair and zapped us all to different dimensions. Wherever he sent me, I never talked about it.

[semper_cogitans]

[Ultimate Drako... the fusion being that the Hamatos had discussed, who whisked them off to different worlds... hmm. Where could Don have possibly been sent that made him unwilling to speak of it?]

... That seems... s-strange... [Though Don has been recalcitrant before. But with his brothers?]

[i_speak_softly]

[He remembers some other solo adventures he's never told anyone about, has tried to fit this new blank into that framework... but really, it could be anything.]

After that, Bishop kidnapped Master Splinter, but we found him by using my train car.

[semper_cogitans]

[The man suppresses a slight shudder. Everything he's heard about this Bishop has been abominable, and the less he's involved with things, the better. Poor, poor Robert.]

And Master Splinter was... a-alright...?