Twenty-seventh Theory [Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[After spending most of the past few days ensconced in his room, doing mysterious work, Don is out this morning running some errands.

He first stops by House 23, where he leaves a neatly-wrapped package on the doorstep. On top of the package is a folded note, which reads: Winry - I don't forget my promises. Sorry this one took so long to deliver. Take care of yourself. Don. Below this is a diagram which appears to illustrate how to put a saddle and helmet on a legless mouse. And indeed, inside the package are several sets of this rodent-sized equipment.

Don next journeys to Building 7, where he heads up to the fifth floor to knock at the apartment of a certain wizard named Helios.

And after that visit, he will make a detour on his way home to stop by his previous residence, Building 6, where he will call on his former neighbor, one Atsuki Saijo.]

Comments

[i_speak_softly]

A few weeks, at least. More - [He pushes up on a dislocated plate, forcing the edges of the crack back into alignment.] - if you exacerbate the injury.

[Hint #2. Are you getting it yet?]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[That definitely deserves a wince. He can't quite keep still after that either. 'Cause ow!]

You're exacerbatin' it NOW!

[i_speak_softly]

[Don pulls back on Raph's shoulder, making him stay in place. With his other hand and his teeth, he manages to tape the realigned crack.]

Do I know how much I hate doing this, Raph? Are you really going to make me have to do it again? Don't think I don't know what you're planning.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Fine. I'll take it easy. [He huffs frustratedly.]

[i_speak_softly]

[For a few minutes, Don works in silence, except for the stretch and rip of the tape.]

Maybe a healer could speed things up. A real healer.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[And Raph frowns thoughtfully while Donnie works.]

How long've you been doin' that?

[i_speak_softly]

Hm? [He inspects a deep crack.] Not long enough, apparently.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

What's it like?

[Yeah, he never thought he'd be so genuinely curious about magic before.]

[i_speak_softly]

What's what like? [His fingers lightly trace the spider-web of cracks outward from the central gouges.] Lift your arms.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

That magic stuff. [He does so obediently, and is happy to find stretching out eases a little of the pressure from the cracks.] Talkin' to spirits and all of that.

[i_speak_softly]

You're asking me what something I'm bad at is like? [As he thought - some of the cracks are frighteningly long, but none of them have crawled off Raph's carapace and onto his bridge.] As long as you behave yourself, I don't think I need to plaster this. Keep that in mind whenever you get the urge to do anything strenuous. [He runs his thumb over the lines of tape, making sure the strips are smooth and secure. Then he turns away to pack up his supplies.]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Okay, yeah, I was gonna tease you for it. But that's not the only reason I'm asking.

[He just rolls his eyes at Don's chiding, dropping his arms. Then he turns to Don, watching him pack up and wondering if he'll actually give him an answer. He can be serious sometimes too, y'know.]

[i_speak_softly]

Thanks, Raph. That's very encouraging. [He holds up an assortment of painkillers, ranging from "mild" to "knock you out for a day".] Any of these?

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Nah.

[And he recognizes the "knock you out for a day" ones. Nasty sons of bitches. Part of him wants to tell Don to throw them away.]

I'm serious. What's it like? I catch people all the time tryin' that "communing" crap.

...Unless you ain't even gotten that far.

[i_speak_softly]

[He sighs.] There's a voice. [He tucks each tiny bottle back into his kit, weighing them in his palm first, remembering how much is left.] Not a voice. A presence. It takes something from you. It gives something back. [He closes the lid with a soft click.] Dialysis of the soul. I guess when enough of you gets replaced... [He gets to his feet, holding the box between his hands.] ... you become a healer.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Surprised Leo never got into it. He'd eat that stuff with a spoon.

[A small smile passes over his face.]

But I'm just glad Mikey never thought of it. He'd probably go off about givin' himself super powers.

[He glances down at the tape around his plastron, smoothing a hand over it.]

[i_speak_softly]

At home, maybe. Not here. [Don echoes the smile.] Mike never had the patience.

Don't play with it.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[But it's right there, Don. Mikey's not the only one in the family who has trouble sitting still. But Raph opts to fold his arms instead.]

Eh, true. But if he really wanted it, you know he'd find a way. Don't give him enough credit sometimes.

[His expression suddenly shifts, and he juts a finger in Don's direction.]

Don't tell him I said that.

[i_speak_softly]

[Don puts the box down on his desk, his hands still resting on it. Did you really need to add that last part?]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[...Oh.

Raph shifts uncomfortably. That wall is fascinating all of a sudden.]

I mean...if he ever comes back.

[i_speak_softly]

[Don reaches over to his computer, opens the lid, and presses a combination of keys to shut it down. Once the turning-off chimes sound, he closes it again, unplugs it, and stows it in a drawer.]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[He did something, and he's only got a vague idea what.]

What's your problem now?

[i_speak_softly]

[Something like a glare in Raphael's direction. You're full of odd questions today.]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[He heaves a sigh and heads for the door.] Whatever. You can tell me when you're done bein' a princess.

[i_speak_softly]

[Don shoves the medical kit back into the closet and slams the door.]

Or, if you're done being an insensitive jerk, you could wait.