i_speak_softly | Eleventh Theory [Action/Voice]

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Eleventh Theory [Action/Voice]

((For the duration of the experiment Don's thoughts will be in {curly brackets}, OH GOD SORRY FOR THE BRAINSPAM.))

[Today Donatello is wandering around the village center, enjoying the nice weather and generally exploring. Unbeknownst to him, he is being followed by a thought bubble.]

[As he passes the clinic, on his way to the fountain:]

{... disassociative delusions. Induction of kinesthetic misperception. She thought her arm was artificial, so far as to... I should go visit her.}

[And as he comes into view of the school, he opens his journal:]

Molly, the weather is getting warm... do you want to start building the playground soon?

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[He coughs into his fist a couple times before clearing his throat.]

We could get Leo in on it too.

{Mats training trust thoughts smoke barracks running come coughing.}

Raph, are you sure you're all right? That doesn't sound good...

I'm fine, Donnie. [He rubs at his throat.] Trust me, you'd know if I was lying.

Anyways. You think Leo would give me trouble?

{It's not lying if you think it's true.} Have you had anything to drink?

What, about taking a student? {Older but still so young and can't just be a sensei but he knows that too wouldn't do it lightly.} Raph, I don't know. I'm not ready to teach anyone, but you're... Do you feel like it's the right time? Really?

I'll grab some tea when we get home.

[He rubs the back of his neck.] I'm just teachin' him the basics. He was real adamant about it, so I thought why the heck not? Not like I got anything better to do with my time.

Edited 2010-04-27 01:17 (UTC)

Okay. {Dropping the subject. He'll only change his mind to defy me.}

I'm - I'm proud of you, Raph. You'll be a great teacher. {You know the codes. You won't overstep. The kid can be as adamant as he wants - no one can out-stubborn you, bro.}

[Everything Don just thought he takes as a compliment. He snorts a laugh, his thought bubble turning blurry again. Only three words escape it:]

Let's go home, huh? That tea's soundin' real good.

{I wonder why he has that fog? Is it on purpose, or is it always like that...?}

Sure. [Pause.] Is this still a secret from Leo?

He doesn't know yet, but I'll tell him when we get back.

[We're talking to the ground now, because you're making him feel like a lab rat, Don. Better to just pretend it's not happening, but the agitation is only making that cloud more stormy.]

Not like I got a choice.

{Is it... his feelings? He thinks in senses, not in words?}

I won't tell him, if you don't want me to.

Let me do it.

[Darkening still as he glances up at Donnie's bubble, a white flash of irritation melting to red. Raph's fists tighten at his sides.

He stalks out the door, not waiting for Don to catch up.]

Edited 2010-04-27 23:38 (UTC)

((Ahaha I thought we already left.))

Okay, I didn't -

{Never mind. He's not listening.}

[Following!]

This day is so over.

[Sad. On the one hand, it's wonderful to finally know what Raph is thinking. On the other hand, it's pretty awful to be violating his privacy this way.]

Do you want me to... go somewhere else? Until this stops?

No.

{Which is the truth? His words, his thoughts, or that cloud?}

I won't be offended, Raph. Either way. If you want me to go, I will.

Then what'm I supposed to do, hide from you all week?

Raph, I'm trying to give you a choice. It's obvious that you don't really want me to see this. So, if you prefer, I will find another place to stay until things go back to normal.

{Or you can be pig-headed, and suffer the consequences of your own stupid pride.}

You think I want you to move out? [For a moment, the cloud above him clears.]

Okay. [Raph looks at the ground, working his jaw and breathing deeply before returning to Don's eyes with a level stare.] Since I haven't got a choice I'm gonna be straight with you.

[He clears his throat, folding his arms.] There's a reason I don't like to talk about this stuff. Part of it's 'cause I don't get even half of what goes on up there. [He gestures vaguely to somewhere above his head.]

I told you in the woods, what goes on inside my brain ain't normal, and I hate the livin' crap outta it. So give me a freakin' break, Don, and just let me be pissed off.

You mean it... doesn't even make sense to you?

{How awful. But I don't think it's abnormal. If he were human, he wouldn't be...}

[He turns his back, covering his face with his hand, but his voice stays level.] Not really, no.

Are you really surprised?

{How can he live like that? What does the world look like to him?}

I... I knew you processed things differently, but I didn't know it was like that.

{He's probably going to kill me for this, but...} Can't you make it change?

[His hand drops down again.]

How?

Well - {Oh, tread lightly, Donatello...} What does it look like when you meditate?

[He turns back again, giving Don a skeptical look.] If meditatin' helped I'd never be not meditatin'.

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