lucetilogs | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who:

semper_cogitans and

gaijin_ninja at first, with

i_speak_softly ,

the_mikester ,

honorthecode and

ninjacane probably joining in afterwards
What: Robert desperately needing his butt rescued
When: Backdated to yesterday (March 23), after the events of this thread
Where: Near the riverbank of the stretch of river between the bridges near Community Building Four. Will probably move to House 55 later
Summary: After an extremely short sprint away from Yuber (thanks to Litchi), Robert's pretty much passed out on the riverbank. Then he has a rather unlikely knight-in-shining-keratin come to rescue him. Shenanigans follow.
Rating: Gods, I have no idea. Tentatively saying R because Raphael is involved and things will likely get awkward later, but it'll most likely only be for language and/or violence - two things you can't really avoid with the TMNT

Robert is not doing well at all, by anybody’s standards of “well”.

Sprawled out on the ground with his forearms streaked with mud from where he’s collapsed on the sodden riverbank, shaking with utter exhaustion and terror; fear’s still coiling in his gut and driving him to get up – except he can’t, because he is so totally demolished physically from even the short sprint from the fountain’s perimeter to the riverbank. Adrenaline spikes through him even now, enough to make his hands tremble – but he still can’t will himself to get up. It’s useless. He’s useless. Litchi is there, in front of the angry Yuber – possibly even dying for his sake, dear gods - and he’d been too useless, he had needed to run...

He sobs softly, losing himself to the feeling of panic that threatens to overwhelm his rationality, even when it still sits there in his mind, quietly, coldly; surveying the situation, making notes. Yuber wasn’t attacking before I left. I sent out that message on the journals.

The question is... had anybody actually heard that message?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Robert looks around curiously in the dojo as he enters it, noting the objects in it. It seems like some kind of gymnasium, almost... Except for the strange devices that Robert may or may not recognize as weaponry.

Noticing the mats on the ground, and realizing that the other two are sitting in that special manner - and feeling strong enough to attempt it for awhile, he cautiously arranges himself into the extremely uncomfortable position. He definitely looks unbalanced and awkward and in some pain but he wants to at least make an effort.

Then he looks over at Don as well. Now who of us is supposed to speak first...?

Splinter looks surprised when Robert takes a position like both him and Donatello. It is obviously painful to him, and that he's not very good at it, but he is trying. It is the effort that matters, more than anything.

It makes a bit of Splinter's nerves settle about this matter. Robert had obviously been instructed by Donatello on how to sit this way. Knowing this is... comforting. It's a start.

They are both waiting for his cue, and Splinter gives it, looking to Robert intently. "Is it true that you have interest in my son?"

It's pretty obvious that he does, but Splinter wants to hear it for himself.

A familiar flush crawls across Robert's cheeks at this blunt question, but he answers just as bluntly - this is a characteristic that Splinter will learn to both love and hate, most likely.

"Yes, Master Splinter, sir. I am... very interested in your son. He is a wonderful person, and... he has never been anything but an incredible example of an intellectual..." He can't keep the note of sheer joy out of his voice, at the amazingness of Don. Only knowing him for such a comparitively brief time, and he's practically everything Robert would have ever wanted in a partner.

The Bluntness of the answer is both a bit jarring and a bit.. reassuring. It is easier to sense intent when people are not beating around the bush. He seems sincere enough.

"So it is his mind you are attracted to and not his body?"

An uncomfortable question, but a necessary one. Donatello's essence could not be separated from his body as it was a part of who he was. Any relationship at some time becomes physical, and if Robert cannot find attraction to all of his son, then the relationship would have no chance in succeeding. And if there was no chance, then Splinter would demand they end it immediately.

... ... Although asking that question made him feel just slightly like a dirty old man.

Edited 2011-04-11 00:50 (UTC)

Uncomfortable, yes. But Robert is determined to answer every question Splinter has to the best of his ability and in as much detail as he needs to. If that includes embarrassing the hell out of himself, so be it.

"While his mind takes precedence to me, Master Splinter, sir, his body is attractive as well, to me. For many reasons. The primary one is that it's his... but it also is genuinely attractive, in my mind." Yes, this might be strange, but Robert has ceased to care how that sounds. Non-human sapient or not, Don is attractive and wonderful and Robert doesn't mind if Splinter knows this.

"... His species doesn't affect that, to me..."

Don curls his toes uncomfortably, both at the questions and at the answers. These are some things he hasn't even asked Robert yet, things he doesn't think they're ready to talk about.

And, well... no one has ever described him that way before, and he's not sure how he feels about it.

Splinter sits back a bit. The answer, he supposes, is satisfactory. It's also mercifully devoid of details. There are some things even Splinter never wishes to know about.

It seems that Robert genuinely does not understand why the species barrier would be an issue. Part of Splinter prefers it that way, as it means that he does not suffer from prejudice. But another part of Splinter knows that this could mean that he would not notice prejudice when they were faced with it, together, and Donatello would bare the brunt of dealing with it. If he saw it in the faces of others when Robert did not, he would likely not speak of it to his... partner. That was simply who Donatello was.

"Then if that is the case, I wish to know more about you," Splinter stares directly at Robert. "What is your world like? Why do you act so different than other humans?"

Robert would indeed not notice these prejudices as much as somebody else would, unless they were blatantly pointed out to him. Though he may learn, in time... Especially if he sees it often enough.

"My world, Terra, is a world whose disciplines are based on logic, rationality, science and pacifistic conduct. Equity and freedom are paramount. Terrans have turned their back on the dangerous environmental practises and violent, cruel, and unethical strategies for conflict solving that pre-Terran humans have used. Pollution has been greatly reduced since the Great Cleansing, a century-long technological revolution. And violence in general has been reduced almost to nothing... war, for example, no longer exists - it hasn't for around two centuries, I believe..." Robert pauses a moment to collect himself. "Non-human sapients are common knowledge, and have rights equal to human sapients - though they do not often directly visit Terra, but those who reside on Terra or come under Terran jurisdiction are treated with the utmost of equity and respect.

I myself am an astrobiologist, so I study non-Terran life-forms - not just sapients, but I have seen some sapients before I came to Luceti."

Robert looks up earnestly at Splinter. "Is there anything else you wished to know?"

An intellectual paradise, in other words. Splinter can now understand why his gentlest son was attracted to this man. Like any of his brother, Donatello will fight when necessary. However, he prefers to attempt to reason with his enemies first. Splinter wishes they only had better luck with it being successful--they always seemed to attract the trouble that would attack them first and ask questions later.

Seeing the reasoning behind Don's seemingly odd behavior settles Splinter a little. There is an explanation. Donatello never did anything without reason, and it was disturbing to think he had. One of Splinter's issues with the man is settled.

Another issue is settled as well. He seems sincere, although he cannot use his chi to back up this observation. There is simply too much information for a cover, for a false life. His lies would have been exposed by now.

The whole his-son-is-attracted-to-a-male-human thing will not settle truly for a while. Things will have to restructure in his mind first. Donatello had always liked women. And, suddenly, he was with a man. ... Splinter supposed that Robert was perhaps a bit girly.

There was one other thing that was bugging him more than a little, "If your world is a near utopia, then why do you have such obvious physical weakness?"

Edited 2011-04-13 01:21 (UTC)

It's amusing to think that Robert's perception of his personality is that of masculinity, simply because of his identity. He doesn't ascribe or assign any particular femininity or masculinity to his actions, though... Which may be something incredibly foreign to a family of macho masculine young men.

Robert sobers a little at this next question. It's... an involved one. But... he'll answer it, even if his thighs are starting to hurt from the way he's sitting.

"I... have always been physically incompetent, to an extent. That, combined with my aversion to physical activity, and the fact that there are many technologies on Terra that reduce the necessity for exertion, means that I... am relatively undermuscled even for a Terran." This is actually more embarrassing to answer than the question about whether he's attracted to Don.

"... Walking across the village was... very difficult for me, for the first month or so... Don can provide independent evidence of that."

He steels himself a bit, and adds, almost pitifully, "I... I would be willing to try to... become less inept, if your family wishes... B-But, I will never be strong."

Splinter doesn't reply immediately, considering Robert's words. Again, there was sincerity in his words. For Robert, if it helped him to be with Donatello, then he would make himself stronger. This pleases Splinter. His physical deficiencies are something that can be overcome.

A physical disability is one thing; what Robert has is willful negligence of the body. Robert sees his mind and body as separate entities that never touched. Nothing could ever be further from the truth: without a body, the mind does not exist. The body tells the mind everything about the world; without it, the mind festers from a lack of stimulation.

"If you are to... be with my son, then it would be necessary for you to correct your physical deficiency," Splinter finally states. "The state of one's body often reflects the state of one's mind. If you wish to support Donatello in all things, then you must be able to keep up. You cannot expect him to always carry you whenever danger befalls us."

Don, for one, doesn't care if Robert is physically weak. He wants the man to be his friend, his partner, not his bodyguard, and he considers protecting others to be part of his responsibility as a trained ninja.

On the other hand, physical activity is very much a part of his life, and he would desperately prefer a partner who could run with him, who could stand up to some light sparring, who could leap across roofs with confidence.

He knows that any relationship he has with a human will be a compromise, and he's more than willing to accept a partner who is weak in body but strong in mind. For now, he will accept Splinter's ruling. They can debate the particulars later.

Making himself stronger hardly means "correcting" his physical deficiency. In all honesty, Robert isn't sure if it can be corrected. The majority of it is his genetics, revealed in the early-life testing extrapolations.

Some of it is just pure and utter shame of his lack of physical prowess.

Robert has a very strong mind/body divide, and it isn't just because of how cerebral he is. It's also because he has been trained to disassociate people from their bodies, to take their minds into account first. Some of it is also a genuine feeling that his body is more a vessel for his mind - an unfortunate vessel, at that - than an entity in its own right.

This next part deserves some serious, painful honesty. "Master Splinter, sir... I can safely say that it would be extremely unlikely for me to ever be anywhere near his physical prowess... I just simply lack the prerequisites for strength of this nature." He stares down at his own knees then, uncomfortably. "I... I will still try, of course. But an endeavour is only that."

The rest is something Robert can't really wrap his head around just yet. If danger befell, wouldn't Don protect himself, anyway?...

"... Even my own genetics predispose me to be weak. Though I cannot say which exactly; it's been too long since I was tested..."

"I do not expect you to be near his physical prowess," Splinter stated bluntly, sounding vaguely annoyed. "But regardless of your genetics, you can be better than what you are now. In our family, your current physical condition will make you harder to be accepted."

Despite the tone in his voice, the words unsaid should be clear to Donatello: Splinter was considering accepting Robert. He did not expect him to be a powerhouse. The rat was just unable to accept someone who couldn't jog a lap around the village without giving himself a stroke.

Splinter might be able to accept someone that would only be horribly out of breath, however. But he could never truly accept someone that would not improve upon themselves. The mind was there, even if it was too pacifist for Splinter to really comprehend. But there was a certain minimum amount of physical strength that Robert lacked.

The love seemed to be there, even if it was young and fresh and not completely concrete. But Splinter wanted his son to have a healthy partner. Sex was very physically demanding, too. Splinter knew this for a fact.

"He'll try, Sensei," Don says, quietly echoing Robert's words. "I'll work with him..." He senses that he's close to something like a yes, and he just needs to not ruin it.

"This is true," Robert admits, gnawing his bottom lip gently. He could be better than this. In fact, he had already improved since he first came to Luceti. He even felt a bit different... Not so overwhelmed by physical activities.

He isn't sure how much he welcomes those changes.

But... being with Don is far more important, and as long as Splinter has reasonable expectations - and these seem reasonable enough - then Robert has no objection.

"With Don's help, I am certain that I can at least improve my condition..." And maybe he won't be so ashamed with Don.

Maybe.

Splinter looks between them as he weighs his options. It has taken all this debate, and yet, he's still not quite ready to make his decision. He leans in a bit towards Robert and stares at him, maybe even through him.

Judgment time.

Eventually, however, he comes to a conclusion. One that he is reluctant to give, but also one that he feels is the correct one. There is no reason to openly distrust this man.

"... Then I look forward to seeing your progress," Splinter leans back, then glances to his son. "Robert may stay for now until it is safe for him to return home."

That's a nonverbal 'yes'. Splinter isn't quite up to saying it aloud.

Robert doesn't interpret it as yes. He takes it strictly at face value. Still he nods at Splinter with a slight smile. He was willing to at least allow Robert the benefit of the doubt in this regard.

"I... look forward to being able to demonstrate it, Master Splinter, sir."

Though right now much of him looks forward to being able to sit in a position that doesn't make him want to fall over.

Don breaks into a wide smile. He wants to jump up and do a flip for joy, but instead he throws himself to the ground, pressing his forehead to the floor, and then flings himself forward to wrap his arms around his father.

"Arigato, sensei, arigato. You won't regret this."

Then, wasting no time in demonstrating exactly how he feels, he seizes Robert by the lapels and kisses him passionately.

He pats his son's back for a moment when he finds himself suddenly glomped, and then he's rendered completely speechless when his son kisses his boyfriend passionately. He stares. And stares. Then stares some more. It only takes ten seconds for his brain to start working again, but it seems like an eternity.

Splinter clears his throat loudly, "However, there are still certain things that should remain a private affair."

Don't break your dad's brain anymore than it already is, Don.

There's no time for Robert to object or even to really do anything other than to put his arms around Don and respond to that kiss. And really, there's nothing else he would've wanted to do. It's Don, the wonderful person he's come to absolutely adore. He returns the kiss with an essentially-equal amount of fervour.

That is, until Splinter's words break him out of his reverie. Reluctantly, he breaks their kiss and scoots back enough for it to look somewhat less unprofessional.

Breathlessly, he mumbles, "M-my apologies..." Though if he's honest, he didn't mind that one bit.

Don is immediately and genuinely embarrassed, moving away a little but still managing to find Robert's hand with his own and give it a reassuring squeeze. "Sorry, Sensei. We'll be discreet."

And then, if Splinter has nothing else to say, Don will get to his feet, expecting Robert to stand with him. He's forgotten that the man probably has no circulation in his legs by now.

No circulation, indeed. Robert attempts to stand, loses his balance on tottery legs that don't want to work right at all now that he's been sitting on them for quite some time, and clumsily falls on his side on the mats.

He yelps slightly with the distress of suddenly being prone and attempts to scramble to a non-seiza sitting position.

"... Gah. It appears my legs are... not particularly co-operative at the moment."

Splinter just sighs and brings a hand to rub at his growing headache. Out of all his children, he thought that at least Donatello would know how to be discreet. Maybe it had been a momentary lapse. That's all he could hope.

Then, Robert manages to crash over, and the absurdity of it brings an almost smile to his face, if only for a moment. It at least lessens his annoyance, if only slightly. He goes to help Robert up, probably with Don's help, despite it.

"It is impressive you managed to hold that position throughout our conversation," Splinter admits, not sure to be amused or annoyed.

Don takes Robert's other side and lifts him to his feet. He's impressed too, and glad he took the time to show Robert how to do this.