Nineteenth Theory [Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Donatello regains consciousness somewhere southwest of the village. He knows he's southwest of the village because when he sits up he can see the community buildings with the mountains behind them.

His journal is lying, closed, in the grass beside him; he scoops it up and tucks it into his belt. Then he stands and calmly walks back to C6.

When he arrives, he goes into the apartment - Hm, quiet - heads to his workroom, and starts salvaging the broken remains of his projects.]

((Feel free to run into him at any point. If you do, you might notice that he looks pretty good for someone who's just come back from a friendly visit with the Malnosso. Look closely, though, and you can see he has needle marks on his arms, as well as what appear to be faint burn marks.))

Comments

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Oh, Don, I'm so glad you're-

Are you alright?

[i_speak_softly]

[Seeming a little surprised at the intensity of the question.] I'm fine. How are you?

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

I'm fine too-

Don, have you taken a look at yourself?

[i_speak_softly]

[Looks down.] I don't see anything.

[wings-thatwait.livejournal.com]

Don, you have just returned from the Malnosso, and your arm is...

[i_speak_softly]

[Follows Winry's finger with his eyes.] Oh, that. Just a minor procedure.

[The marks are more numerous than Winry would probably like to see, but they're as neat as anything Don would do to himself or his brothers at home. No bandaging necessary.]

[wings-thatwait.livejournal.com]

Minor? You're covered in these.

[i_speak_softly]

It was necessary.

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Necessary? Donatello this is outrageous! What is it for?

[i_speak_softly]

For the Malnosso's experiments. [Obviously.]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

How can you act like that's okay!?

[i_speak_softly]

Why wouldn't it be? We're all scientists. Collaboration is the essence of the discipline.

[wings-thatwait.livejournal.com]

Have you lost your mind? You're not some lab rat, or a car motor! You're a person, Don. You shouldn't be treated like that!

[i_speak_softly]

[Aha. Misunderstanding identified.] On my world it's perfectly common to use people as subjects in certain kinds of experiments. ... Isn't that the case in your world too? How do you test new kinds of automail?

[wings-thatwait.livejournal.com]

[i_speak_softly]

[Apparently not noticing her reaction.] I was glad to be of assistance.

[wings-thatwait.livejournal.com]

Why? Did they ask your permission? Do they care about your well being? Don, they took you away from your home, and then your brothers, and you think that's okay? That you should just let them do this to you?

[i_speak_softly]

[Slooooow headtilt. Doesn't she get it?] It's for science, Winry. It's for the greater good.

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

No, Don! Some science isn't like that at all! Especially this kind!

[i_speak_softly]

Why do you say that? You don't even know what they were researching.

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Maybe not! But what I do know is they hurt you! And that's not right! Not right at all!

[i_speak_softly]

It doesn't hurt.

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don just stands there like a board. Given that turtles are naturally stiff to begin with, this is probably the least warm and friendly hug Winry has ever had.]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

I guess I'll see you around, Don.