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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[It takes all of Minato's willpower to not laugh. He fails to prevent himself from grinning wider. He's laughing on the inside, but his thought bubble makes that pretty obvious.]

[Minato points to the words over his own head and states the obvious.] Thought bubble. You've got one too.

Hr? [A noise of confusion and disapproval.]

What the - where did that come from?

My son mentioned something about an "experiment"?

[Minato shrugs. He's obviously not that concerned about it.]

{So tired of this. So tired.}

I... think you've caught me at a bad moment.

((Everyone else who's tagged this thread, he already knew.))

Seems that way. ... So I should probably just say "hello, I'm new" another time? I've got one question, first, though.

Is the correct way to pronounce it "bandana"? It was in Katakana, and, so, I wasn't sure if it caught the pronunciation correctly or not. Foreign word and all.

[... Completely surprised by the question.]

{Katakana? Why - oh, the translation magic. I suppose, if Japanese is your primary language, you would see the journals - and now, our thoughts - in those characters.}

Um... yes. That's right.

Ah! So I got it right after all. Never know when things aren't Japanese.

[The thoughts grind to a halt, and Minato just shrugs, looking slightly embarrassed.]

[Awkward throat clearing.]

Yes.

{I wonder... are the translations very accurate? What's being lost? And... why are mine in English?}

A lot or a little, depending. ... and wouldn't that your primary language, then?

[Ah! Minato puts a hand up.]

Right, right. Parting ways. I'm Namikaze Minato. You'll be seeing me around town more often, now.

Sorry! I tried. Really, I did. [A slightly nervous laugh.]

Well, sort of. {The language I use for the outside world. But not my first.}

Hamato Donatello. Nice to -

[Sigh.] It's all right. Most people feel compelled to mention it right away. Often in a loud, hysterical voice.

Ah.

[FFFFF. Minato pauses for a moment, then does his best to make his thought bubble a bit bigger. And here, have a picture (http://spam.pcweenie.com/naruto/gamabunta.jpg) of a gigantic toad above his head. That's stories tall, by the look of it compared to... already really tall trees. Except the dot is a bit taller, and the toad doesn't have his weapon out. Also, it's probably slightly cartoon-like.]

That guy there? Is a friend of mine. The dot? Me. After working with the toads and frogs--[Minato shrugs with his arms wide, grinning.]--I kinda take appearances in stride. Humans are not the only sentient species on my planet.

Edited 2010-04-28 02:13 (UTC)

[Getting the hang of this.]

{My father is a big fan of Renaissance art. My brothers and I are all named for Italian artists.}

That's... a very large toad. And it's sentient?

He is, yes. He lives with plenty of others about a month away from my village.

[Have a thought picture (http://read.mangashare.com/Naruto/chapter-409/page008.html) of a mountain with giant mushrooms, plants, and obviously toads and frogs. And unfortunately, it doesn't stay there, because Minato can't help but remember eating various dishes and stews composed of giant bugs--oops, he didn't mean to show you that. He makes a face, and clears the picture by thinking normally.]

... At any rate, I should let you go on your way.

{... I think the giant toads were kind of a giveaway, actually.}

Agh - [Noise of disgust at self.] I'm sorry. I can't believe I just called a sentient being "it".

{... Not like I've never eaten bugs before.}

Oh - I didn't mean to keep you. [Nod.] I'll see you around, Namikaze-san.

[Minato laughs lightly.] I'm sure it happens to everyone. ... And you're going to want to keep it that way--not having eaten bugs before, that is.

[The human shrugs.] I don't mind being kept. You just said you'd rather talk at a better time. But as long as we avoid anything embarrassing, the thought bubbles can probably be used to enhance our conversation. So, whatever you prefer, really.

Er, no, I have eaten bugs. ... I've eaten pretty much everything that sat still long enough.

Did you say you're new here? You can walk around with me, if you'd like. I'm - sightseeing.

Ah! I misread. Didn't expect you to know my pain, so I glossed over it. [At least he sounds amused about the bug eating.] Find any that actually tasted good?

Completely wet behind the ears--it'll be a week tomorrow. [And at the offer to walk around, he smiles, and it reaches his eyes--not that it hadn't been from the start.] I'd really appreciate it if you did, Donaterr--urgh--Donatello. Sorry.

{Misread? Or...?}

[Don watches his own bubble while purposely thinking in Japanese. It still feeds back to him in English. Which is - confusing, to say the least. But it does seem to be a pretty good translation.]

Hm.

Bugs that taste good? You know, cockroaches are not nearly as bad as they look.

Sure. I don't really know where I'm going, but you're welcome to explore with me.

[Something about Italian names pronounced with a Japanese accent warms his heart, and it's reflected in a kind of softening around the edges of his thought bubble.]

... They must taste different when they're as big as your forearm, then.

[Minato laughs again--it comes easy to him.] Hey, you have a better idea where to go than me, so I'd be happy to follow you around.

[Minato notices that, just barely, and his smile softens a bit.]

Might be the location. I'm sure New York City cockroaches have quite the interesting diet.

I think I'll go - this way.

[He wanders off around the square. Follow if you want.]

You are what you eat, they say.

Sounds good to me!

[Minato follows, looking around with both curiosity and an attempt to learn his surroundings as quickly as possible. Since Donatello isn't looking directly at him for the moment, he lets himself think a bit more like usual.]

[A slight hitch in his step, then Don continues walking.]

I heard there's a coffee shop here. Want to look for it?

[Minato grins at that idea.]

I'm game. My kid's not much of a coffee drinker, so I haven't been.

Think they have pastries?

Oh, I hope so. Some cinnamon rolls, maybe. {Mm.}

With or without icing?

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