i_speak_softly | Eighth Theory [Voice]

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Eighth Theory [Voice]

Filtered to Molly and Raine Sage || Extremely Unhackable

Molly, Miss Sage - I've redrawn the blueprints.

The major change is that I gave up on the missiles, the generator, and the defensive capacities of the fort. Even with electricity, I wouldn't have been able to make them work. But, I found someone who can cast a magical barrier around the playground. He just needs everyone who should be allowed in to write down their own name. Miss Sage, if you could work on that list... ? There's no hurry, since we need to actually build the playground first, but it will take some time and we should get started.

Ah... I also put in floodlights; it seemed like a good idea...

What do you think, Molly? Does this design meet primary objectives?

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No no no no!

[Yeah, Don couldn't win this match even if he wasn't exhausted and out of shape. He is competely at your mercy.]

[... Come on, now. Are you really going to throw your sweet little brother into a freezing lake?]

Eat lake water, Brainiac!

[Then he practically throws Don bodily into the lake.]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-AAAUUUUUGGGHHH!

[He hits the water backwards and sinks like a rock, before he gets his shiver-flailing under control and manages to kick back to the surface. He slogs to shore as fast as he can, and lays in the dirt, panting.]

I hate you. So much. Right now.

[Now that was just fucking hysterical! He's laughing his butt off at him now.]

Aw, c'mon. If it wasn't for me, you'd be super-glued to that desk chair by now.

[Then he plops down in the dirt beside Don and turns his maskless face up to the sun.]

Sure is nice out here, though.

[It might be nice, somewhere out there beyond his frozen skin. If he lays here long enough, he might warm up enough to appreciate it.]

Mm.

[Face. Regaining feeling in it.]

Thanks, Raph.

[He loves you. Really.]

No problem. [He loves you too, bro.]

Let's take a breather, huh?

[Raph starts undoing his sodden pads, setting them out on the dirt to dry in the sun, then lays out next to Don with a content sigh.]

Yes. Breathing. Sounds good.

[He folds his arms under his head, and tries not to think about the work that's waiting for him at home.]

[Mmmm sun feels good. He lets his eyes slip closed, stifling a yawn.]

Man, I'm goin' to bed early tonight. Smithy's almost better than training. Get a workout with a purpose.

Mm? Were you at the smithy? [Mock indignant.] And you didn't invite me?

Didn't I tell you I work there? Man, you really have been livin' under a rock.

What? [Props himself up on his elbows.] No, you didn't tell me! [Cuffs Raph affectionately on the back of the head.] Look at you, you productive member of society! I knew you had it in you!

[Gah! You're embarrassing him. He rolls his eyes a bit at the praise.]

Jeez, tone it down. It ain't that big of a deal.

What, I can't be proud of my big brother? [Rubs Raph's arm.] Come on. Tell me what you made.

[But it's embarrassing!] Heh. Uh, nothin' special. Leo's got some new swords. We just gotta finish the tsuba. And I been makin' myself some manriki, but I only got half of one chain.

[Puts his head back down.]

Sounds like good work to me.

[It's not just swords they forged. It's the missing piece of Leo's soul. Maybe now he'll stop drifting around, like a boat without anchor or compass.]

[Raph nods.] Passes the time.

[Then his expression shifts to something a little more guarded.] Leo was surprised about it too. Why's it so hard to believe?

What, that you're engaging in constructive activity? [Closes his eyes.] Because you're usually so secretive about it. You do things for people, and you like to see them enjoying the result, but if they notice that you had a hand in the matter then it ruins your fun.

[Thoughtful pause.]

Why do you hate gratitude so much, Raph?

[Don's insight is like a punch in the gut. It's always a little staggering to realize how well Don's got him figured out when he works so hard to hide everything below the surface.

He pauses for a moment, watching the ripples on the lake.]

'Cause it ain't about me.

No one said it was. [He opens his eyes, and reaches out to touch Raph's arm again.] You know, sometimes I want to thank you for something, but I don't, because I know you'll snap at me. We don't want to... take away from what you've done, by recognizing your effort. We just want you to know that we appreciate you. [Squeeze.] Take it in the spirit that it's given?

Hm. [He slinks down a little lower, hugging his knees.] I don't mean ta get angry atcha, Donnie. But I dunno...

It's like - all the good people ever do is to feel good about themselves. I hate that.

What's wrong with doin' good just to make people happy?

[You warm his heart, bro. You really do.]

You're a good soul, Raph. I just wish you didn't make people work so hard to find that out.

[After a long silence, Raph only grunts at the horizon.]

We should head back.

[Then moves to stand, offering Donnie a hand up.]

[Okay, bro. Good talk. Don lets Raph help him up, and pointedly doesn't thank him for it.]

How about if we... just walk?

[He stoops to gather up his gear in one arm, not bothering to put any of it back on.]

Yeah, sure.

[And they start heading back toward the direction of the apartment, the sun sinking slowly behind the still-leafless trees.]

[As they walk, Don puts his arm around Raph's shoulders. Because he's still cold. But while he's there, he'll surreptitiously brush off some of the dirt clinging to Raph's shell.]

Are you hungry? I think I forgot to eat lunch...

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