Twentieth Theory [Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

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?

Comments

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

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.

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

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?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

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?]

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

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.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

I haven't done anything, yet.

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

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

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

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

And Leo?

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

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

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

True.

[Then he just stares morosely into space.]

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

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?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

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.

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[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?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

You're really going out again?

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[He'd started heading for the door but...ugh, don't do this, Donnie. He'll be back in like, two hours, promise!]

Yeah? I told ya I didn't get to work out at all. [Heaven forbid.]

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

Listen, Raph... I don't know if this is something you've thought about much, but if all goes well, I won't be seeing you for a while.

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

...Wait. What? Where you going?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[... He forgot.]

I'm not your Donatello, remember? You and Leo get to go home together, but I... have to go somewhere else.

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Correction: He forced himself to forget. He shakes his head.]

It don't matter. It's still you there where I'm goin', just later on.

...Right?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

I don't know.

[Translation: If you're going out, can I come too?]

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Whaddya mean you don't know?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

I don't know, Raph. You've been where I'm going, but I haven't been where you're going, and you haven't told me anything. So tell me now - am I the same person where you come from?

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Uh...[He shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot.] You never said nothing about gettin' kidnapped an' gettin' wings stuck to your shell, but I dunno. You're supposed to forget that stuff, ain'tcha?

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

That's what they say.

[Action]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Good. [He's not even gonna try to figure out what he feels about that. All he wants to do is go for a run. He heads out the door and into the hallway without a second glance.] I'm goin' out.

[Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[Okay, Raph. Go enjoy your last night of freedom.]

[After you're gone, Don will move through the apartment, turning off lights, putting away misplaced objects. He ends in his own room, slides into bed, and tries to sleep.]