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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[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...

Why? You wanna grab a bite before we head home?

[Which means he should probably gear up again. Sigh.]

Is there any place? A restaurant, maybe? ... I've always wanted to eat in a restaurant.

Mike was tellin' me about a pizza place in town not too long ago. Maybe we can find it.

Sounds good to me.

[They walk in silence as Raph tries to sort the layout of the village in his head. He's scoped the place out a million times by now.

It's definitely not in the main square. It'd have to be off a side street somewhere - ]

Ah, I remember where it is. Ain't too far from here. But wait a sec. Gotta gear up.

[He stops in his tracks and plops his stuff down on a nearby rock, then starts wringing out his mask.]

Don, you're stuff's gotta be soaked.

Yes, well, you threw me in a lake.

[Suddenly nervous.] Raph, can we go into a restaurant like this? I've seen those signs, "no shirt, no shoes..." Do you think we should go home first and get some clothes?

[He tightens the buckle on his elbow pad with his teeth, giving Don an unhappy look.]

If I gotta wear clothes to get inta that place, I'm not going.

Would you rather just go home?

[It's okay. Fulfillment of childhood dreams is for people who aren't freakish mutant outcasts.]

Donnie, if they let Mikey in, do you really think they'd kick us out?

Edited 2010-04-05 02:01 (UTC)

... You mean he actually went in? How did I not know about this?

[On go the kneepads.]

Like I said, you need to get out more! He was braggin' to me about eatin' somethin' like three pizzas in one sitting. Somethin' disgusting like that.

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