i_speak_softly | Seventy-Second Theory [Voice]

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Seventy-Second Theory [Voice]

[Don has been living in the tunnels since the beginning of the last experiment, and for that time he's been almost entirely absent from the journals as well. Today, he finally re-establishes contact with the outside world.]

Has anyone ever considered building another village elsewhere in the enclosure? [...] Don't we have an organization that's always looking for that kind of volunteer work? The "Blue Viscera"?

[The transmission ends there, but later in the day there's another one:]

If anyone is willing, I would be very honored to have a new sensei. I'm fourth-dan in bojutsu but I haven't been formally trained in two years.

[After dark, he seals up his lair and goes home. When he reaches House 55, he doesn't announce himself, but goes silently to the winter room and re-closes the door behind him.]

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[... Oh.

That's enough to make Robert pause. The sting of the past week spent in a silent house has made him wary of pushing boundaries.

He hesitates at the door like it's an impassable barrier. Should he really push himself on his obviously-estranged lover, yet?]

Edited 2013-10-12 02:11 (UTC)

[The room beyond the closed door is not quite silent now, as it would be if Don really wanted to be left alone. Sometimes, in the Turtle's circumspect way, allowing his presence to be noticed serves as an invitation.]

[After listening to the noise for a few moments, Robert decides to take the plunge. He opens the door slowly and pokes his head inside cautiously like the contents of the room might devour him.]

[The room is dark, and Don is somewhere beyond the illumination afforded by the half-open door. In fact, it's much like their last meeting in the tunnels: only this time Don knows exactly what's going on, and he's more ashamed than afraid.]

[The hiding behaviour makes Robert worry that the Shift's effects maybe haven't quite abated. But why would Don come home if they hadn't?]

... Kararbo?

Yes.

[More of an affirmation than a question. Mixed signals like this are usually a bad sign when it comes to the Turtle's emotional well-being.]

[He may be in his right self, but he's still not in his right mind.]

... Do... do you wish for me to... sit with you...?

[Not talk. Just... be there awhile.]

[No answer, again. Don doesn't know what he wants, right now.]

[If Don doesn't know, then Robert definitely doesn't. The man hesitates just inside the doorway, not getting any closer yet, before slowly dropping into seiza where he stands in the halo of light cast by the open door.]

[Don reads this as an invitation - or more of a command - to talk. He hovers around the dark corner a minute longer, then reluctantly comes to kneel before his partner. What do you want him to say?]

[He doesn't have to say anything. That's the beauty of it.

Robert is not good at body language, not even after two years of living amongst the highly-socialized Turtles. He knows he pales especially in comparison to what Don must remember so clearly. But he tries his best to communicate with his eyes how much he's missed Don, how happy he is for him to be home... and how sad he is, that this loss is once again fresh.]

[Unfortunately, Don is staring at his knees, so all of this is lost on him. It doesn't help that he came home not expecting a very warm welcome.]

[It only takes a few seconds for Robert to realize all the intense emotion he's beaming Don's way is being completely missed, so after a moment he tentatively extends a hand into Don's field of vision, intending to place it on his knee. He doesn't yet, though.]

[Don's eyes flick up, just as far as Robert's fingers. His own emotional confusion makes it harder to read the intentions of others, and he doesn't know what the man wants. He trusts him, though, and makes no move to interfere with whatever Robert is trying to do.]

[Robert decides to break the silence, just for a moment.]

... I... I am... s-sorry that this happened...

[He rests his cupped hand on the Turtle's body, and curls them gently around his knee.] ... And I will... do what I can...

[Don watches that hand dispassionately, and his tense shoulders slump a little.]

Don't pretend.

Pretend what? [Robert blinks a little, confused by this sudden-seeming statement.]

That there's anything anyone can do.

...

[He's right. Robert exhales quietly and bows his head again.]

[Don's gaze drifts away, and after a moment he asks:]

You weren't affected?

Edited 2013-10-12 21:47 (UTC)

No. [A pause.] ... For once.

[He supposes the Malnosso took pity on him or something. His life hasn't been the easiest as of late.]

[He twitches his fingers against his lover's.]

I'm glad.

So am I... had I f-forgotten everything, I believe I would have spent the week... w-weeping.

[Or worse, though Don had it just as bad. He doesn't need to say as such, though.]

[The great thing about Robert needing a hug, is that Don can get one without admitting how much he needs it himself. He leans forward a little, inviting.]

[Robert, realizing what is being offered, seizes on the opportunity. He throws his arms around Don almost immediately and presses himself lightly against the Turtle's plastron.]

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