i_speak_softly | Seventieth Theory [Video]

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Seventieth Theory [Video]

Hello, everyone. My name is Donatello. I was just like the majority of you here in the village, until a -- an incident I cannot speak of turned me into what I am today. I have become accustomed to this form, though it does present certain obstacles in dealing with a human-centered world.

Fortunately, I have an incredible talent for creating inventions both useful and aesthetically-pleasing. [Here, the video shows some objects of indeterminate purpose, which appear to be made primarily out of gears, wires, and brass.] Due to certain circumstances, I have heretofore not been able to use this talent to benefit others, but now I am able to offer my services in developing assistive technologies for the non-human members of our community.

I am also available to fulfill requests from humans, although non-humans will be served first due to their obvious superiority. [...] I mean, their greater need.

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I would gladly provide references, but I guarantee each of my clients total confidentiality. You understand, of course.

Ah, but if they're not in Luceti, and their names aren't provided, they'll still be quite anonymous. Their confidentiality remains!

I'm sorry, it's simply impossible.

[And yet, as he speaks, the camera shifts to capture an image of a row of folders - medical charts? - each clearly marked with the name of one of Donatello's "clients".]

[The sudden addition of video to what has til now been an audio feed is exceptionally interesting, and there's a bit of a delay as Alba carefully copies down what names he could actually read.]

Are you certain you won't consider?

[Unseen, the professor steeples his fingers. Well, if everyone's being terribly ... dramatic, these past days, he could get away with it, surely. After all, what's a little blackmail to these people? There's only the slightest shifts of tone, from friendly and curious to something a little more dangerous. If anyone ever just oozed 'snake', this guy would definitely be it.]

It would be a shame if your client list were to ... get out into public, wouldn't it? All those people, trusting you to stay silent. Trusting you to build a better future as a new species. What might happen to them if people found out before they were safely superior..?

[Snake would be an interesting choice.]

Are you threatening me, sir?

Not at all. Merely offering a mutually beneficial alternative. A few examples of your work in trade for the continued faith of your clients, a mere trifle surely.

[It is a bit alarming to remember that there's an entire town full of people acting like this all the time right now.]

[The necessity of Drama forces Don to take the bait.]

Might we meet privately? In person?

As you'd like. As a show of good faith, I'll even allow you to choose the location. After all, we're all friends here, aren't we?

Of course. Behind the bar, at sundown?

Certainly. I hope you don't mind if I bring a light with me, it gets so gloomy after dark. I will see you then.

That will be fine, so long as your light still allows for mood-setting shadows.

[This requirement issued, Don signs off to await sunset.]

[What a strange request.]

Very well.

[Hours pass. The professor gets into things while waiting, little for Donatello to be concerned about. But sundown does eventually roll around, and thus he sets off, a flashlight tucked neatly into his jacket pocket for when the light was too dim to be of any use.

He's nothing menacing to look at when he does arrive behind the bar precisely as the sun sinks behind the horizon. It is in fact a little too dark back there for human eyes only even at twilight and after a moment he switches on his flashlight, but keeps it pointed at the ground. Such oblique lighting casts interesting shadows in all directions.

Now to wait.]

[But not too dark for NINJA EYES. Don melts dramatically out of the gloom to address the professor.]

It seems we have much to discuss.

[The professor does not have gloom to hide in, or step out of or slide into, so he doesn't. He pushes his glasses up his nose and regards the eyes in the dark - and then the turtle that emerges.]

It seems so. With some luck we may come up with a resolution that's ... mutually beneficial.

[Don shifts his duffel bag, so the professor can see the corners of the folders within.]

What assurances can you give me in exchange for these?

My absolute silence. I after all, am not going to stand in the way of anything that improves mankind. [Oddly enough, he sounds like he means it. Or maybe not oddly enough, given Luceti..] Humans haven't exactly had a good track record in any world on their own, have they?

[The professor's smile is benign, as he spreads his hands, flashlight cutting a dramatic arc across the gloom in the doing.]

Of course I'll also give you the list I wrote down. My memory is terrible, without having it in writing I won't remember your ... clients for long.

They certainly have not.

What do you intend to do with the information in these charts?

[Opportunity for monologue get?]

[There might be slight disappointment - for the professor is not affected as others in Luceti are; he'd simply seized upon a rare moment of opportunity. But there's a bit of monologue.]

Read it, of course. [His eyebrows rise sharply.] If you truly intend to turn every human being into a hybrid human-animal crossbreed, then having all available information on previous subjects and most importantly what could go wrong is of vital importance.

[There's another of those gestures, brief and sharp.] As much as I'd like to say you seem to have it all under control, one man .. or one turtle in this case, is unlikely to succeed in such a goal without at least someone to check his work for possible flaws and waiting disasters. As changes to the body are unlikely to sully the soul, what becomes of the flesh is irrelevant unless what it becomes is a pile of biological goo because someone didn't dot an I.

[It seems awfully common sense. Clearly it's a trick.]

Besides which, it might be useful if I can keep such knowledge when I return home.

[Aha!]

[It might be a trick. Even if it isn't, there's a roughly 103% chance that you'll suddenly betray him somewhere down the road.]

[Narrowing his eyes suspiciously:]

Are you suggesting some sort of partnership?

[Sweet, innocent Professor Alba would never backstab anyone, surely!]

Temporarily, certainly. Any good researcher knows it's best to have some sort of assistance. Your goal gets furthered, I get a better understanding of where my future lay, everyone wins.

[After a tense, drawn-out moment:]

I have long desired a partner to aid me in my work. I will accept your offer, and do my utmost to find the right species for you to merge with.

[The professor waits with boundless patience to see what Donatello concludes. This could possibly be nothing but an entertaining little diversion for a few hours, or much more interesting things. All he had to do, was be patient.

And as Donatello makes his conclusion, Alba smiles. It's not entirely friendly, but nor is it overwhelmingly sinister.]

You've made a good choice, my friend.

[From a pocket is produced a single sheet of paper, which is offered; the list of names. A token of trust, perhaps?]

If possible I'd like to know about any accidents that have occurred first, if there are any, so we can begin to iron out any wrinkles in the process you have. Safety first, and all that.

[A moment's pause, then:] Forgive me if we've already been introduced, beyond the diving bell. My name is Professor Alba, it's very interesting to meet you in person.

[Don takes the paper, glances at it, then vanishes it into his belt.]

I will supply you with further documentation when we meet again.

[At the other comment, though, he gives Alba an odd look.] What diving bell?

[The confusion seems to draw a wide smile from the professor.. who also isn't terribly inclined to explain himself.]

I must be mistaken. I look forward to meeting you again, then, and we can start making some real progress towards straightening humanity out.

[Still smiling, Alba clicks off his flashlight and tucks it into his pocket. As this plunges the area back into darkness, it's not so convenient for him but very much so for ... ninjas.]

Now if you'll excuse me, I must begin dinner.

[Indeed. When Alba gets home, he may or may not find that certain items are missing from his possession.]

I will contact you shortly, Professor. Enjoy your ... dinner.

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merciless_savior - 2013-05-08 04:47 (UTC) - Expand

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Seventieth Theory [Video]

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[Action] Sorry for delay. ;o;

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