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]

I'm glad I could set the record straight, then. [He throws himself down on the bed and opens a textbook.]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Well isn't this fun? Raph lets the quiet pass over them for a moment before letting out a breath.]

Look. [He crosses the room, pushing the edge of Don's book down in search of eye contact.] I was pushin' it, all right? I get that. I'm just sick of not bein' able to talk about them without it turnin' into a big thing. You get what I mean?

[i_speak_softly]

[Don stubbornly stares at the pillow when the book dips out of his sightline.] So why can't we?

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Raph doesn't move. Maybe he can get Don's gaze by sheer stubborn will] Because...I don't know.

Maybe 'cause we never talk about them in the first place.

[i_speak_softly]

[He lowers his book the rest of the way, but still doesn't look up.] What is there to say?

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[He folds his arms.] Nothing, I guess. I just wanna quit feeling like they're more than just back at home. Yeah, they left. Yeah, it's been a long time and I miss 'em like hell, but it ain't - [He cuts himself off, starts again with a sick feeling building in his stomach.] it ain't like they're dead.

[i_speak_softly]

No, they're not, but - [He finally turns his head.] What do you want me to do, Raph? If I don't talk about them, it feels like they're dead. If I say I miss them, it feels like they're dead. If I talk about them like they're in the next room... it's just morbid. What else is there?

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

They're not dead, Don. You can miss 'em without them being dead.

[i_speak_softly]

[A frown creases his brow.] Do you know something I don't?

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

I...

[Whoa, wait a minute.] You've thought of it too.

[i_speak_softly]

Thought of what?

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[About how they could be dead. That everything they've been told is a lie. But that's sick and paranoid and maybe he really is the only on who's thought of it.]

Nothin'.

[i_speak_softly]

I just mean... you seem like you've done this before.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Done what?

[i_speak_softly]

Been away from them... [He sits up slowly.] What haven't you told me, Raph?

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Yeah. [He rubs at the back of his neck thoughtfully.] Splinter sent Leo away to Japan for a few months. Forgot that didn't happen to you yet.

[i_speak_softly]

Splinter. Sent. Leo. Away. [He says each word carefully, distinctly.] That can't possibly mean what it sounds like it means.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

It's...pretty much what it sounds like, yeah.

[i_speak_softly]

[He runs a hand over his head.] You have to tell me the rest of this story now.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[He huffs a sigh. He just might be a little bitter about this. Maybe.]

It was after he got that scar of his. After we lost that big battle with the Shredder, he got this huge personality adjustment all of a sudden, started acting like me.

No, worse than me. 'Cause he was so damn quiet about what was eatin' him. And he'd train himself sick if you'd let him.

Really he was just goin' off bein' obsessive and perfect, thinkin' Master Splinter's taught him everything there is to know. So he got pissed and he did something stupid, and he got his butt crated off to Japan for some therapy from some guy in Kyoto Splinter knew through Master Yoshi.

[i_speak_softly]

[Wow. That's a lot to take in.] Why wouldn't he tell me any of this?

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Eh, he's just touchy about it. Can't really blame him.

[i_speak_softly]

Why didn't you tell me? He's been gone three months already.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[He shrugs] It ain't somethin' I like talkin' about much either.

[i_speak_softly]

Then tell me something else I don't know about him.