i_speak_softly | Twentieth Theory [Voice]

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Twentieth Theory [Voice]

To all of you from post-1776 America, happy Fourth of July. [Thoughtful pause.] Well, I suppose it's the fourth of July for everyone else too... I hope you're all having a nice day.

Um. [A throat-clearing, a clanking of metal.] If anyone is interested in current events from - October 9, 2006... I found a newspaper.

[Long pause.] I'm not the only one - seeing things, am I? I thought I was just hallucinating, but the newspaper seems pretty real...

Filtered to the Genius Pirate || Not Really Sure This Is Going To Work

Captain - Might I have a word with you?

Filtered to Winry || Unhackable

Winry, do you have a minute?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

What the hell's your problem? Huh? Well so-rry if I ain't been there playin' cheerleader. Last time I checked I ain't Mikey.

You've spent weeks complaining and needling me to work faster, and now all of a sudden you want to enjoy your time here? Well, fine. [A very final-sounding clang.] Maybe I will go outside.

It's...Shut up, Don. You're twistin' my words around. Can't a guy enjoy the afternoon without gettin' bitched at for it? Seriously!

[Not answering you. Look who's out enjoying the afternoon now.]

What, you want me to help? Is that it? If it is, just say so. Jeez!

Too late, Raph; it's done. If you took more of an interest in your own way out of here, you would know that.

Hey, I got plenty of interest. You were just sayin' I was buggin' you about it! Make up your mind.

I'm talking about constructive interest. But I guess that's never been your style.

Oh yeah, 'cause I do nothing. Screw you, Don. I'll see you at home. [And he closes the journal, too drowsy to put up with any more shit. He'll take a nap in the shade, and he'll like it, because time is fleeting and once they go back, the sun will be a rarity again.

He'll come back home later tonight, a few hours after the sun sets, hunt down Don and try to talk to him again.]

[Don isn't there. But he comes home eventually, and when he does he moves silently through the living room to stand in his lab, looking at his work.]

[Raph retreats to his bedroom when he finds he's beat Don home, staring at the stars through the open window. As much as he hates this place, there's still a lot of things he's gonna miss. And there's a twist of jealousy there, thinking of all the people who were sent home with their freedom still intact.

In the end, it's deciding between one prison and the other. At least at home, his family would be together, and he could have a purpose again. It's a small sacrifice to make in comparison.

He doesn't hear Don come in, and doesn't notice his return until he's heading toward the kitchen for a glass of water. But he's in no rush. He grabs his glass, drains it and fills it again, heading toward Mike's old room - now the lab - where he'd last seen his brother.

Glass still in hand, he raps on the open door frame. He won't barge in on him this time.]

Got a sec?

Come in.

[You'll find him leaning in the corner by the desk, spinning an extraneous part between his fingers and staring at the carpet.]

[Raph walks in slowly and assuredly. He stops to study the machine, sipping thoughtfully at his water glass.]

So this's it.

That's it.

[Rod-shaped, about the length of an arm, with mysterious modules protruding at various points. A rubber-coated handle at one end.]

Our way home.

Huh. [He knew Don would take him literally, but whatever.

He doesn't take his eyes away from the machine, and speaks in that same nonchalant tone of voice.]

So you gonna tell me what your problem was today?

Raph, I'm sorry. I finished it yesterday; I was up all night looking at it, going over the theory... I know you and Leo are counting on me to get this right, and I don't want to let you down.

[Lifts his eyes to gauge your reaction. Forgive him?]

Same old story. [A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, then vanishes as fast as it came.] You did good.

[He takes a long drink, nearly finishing the glass.] We're counting on you, yeah, but it ain't like we're gonna hate you if it don't work. Don't think anybody's busted out before.

I haven't done anything, yet.

[Glances out the window.] Tomorrow night. Are you ready to go?

Yeah. [He nods slowly, sounding far more sure of himself than he actually feels.] More than ready.

And Leo?

I think he's been ready since we got here.

True.

[Then he just stares morosely into space.]

Don...[He rests a hand heavily on his brother's shoulder, giving him an affectionate shake.] ya look like crap. Let me do somethin' for ya. Anything.

[It's pretty sad to see Don work so hard to leave a place he loves so much. But that's an unspoken truth.]

You eat anything lately?

Um... [Surveys his desk. There's an empty bag of potato chips and a plate of crusted-over tomato sauce, bits of broken pasta still lodged in it like half-buried fossils.] I assume I ate that.

[Shifts under Raph's hand.] I'm really not up for anything tonight. I just... want to go home.

[Even Raph thinks that's gross, and that's saying something.]

Suit yourself. [He squeezes Don's shoulder before letting his hand fall. It's strange to hear Don say that he outright wanted to leave, especially after their talk at the lake not too long ago where Don had told him how grateful he'd been for the break from their usually violent lives. He can't help feeling a pang of worry.]

I'm goin' for a run. Was too hot during the day for me to do anything but sit around. If ya need something, just call me, all right?

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[Action] yay timeskip

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[Action] \o/