purplexing | INBOX // ROUTE 666

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From:

propatriamori

[Shit.]

[The music cuts out immediately with that reaction, and Edward leans forward, his hands fluttering up in concern.]

That was me, Donnie. I'm so sorry, that was me.

[He's not trying to project anymore--if anything, he's trying not to project--but some of his anxiety and horror at upsetting Donnie may bleed through, as well as the nearly overwhelming concern and feeling of what have I done.]

From:

purplexing

[Donnie swipes the back of his hand across his eyes, glancing warily at Ed, uncomprehendingly at first.

His breaths seem like he's trying to calm down at the admission, but as Edward's own feelings begin to seep in, it doesn't take much to unravel those attempts. They're already of a similar vein, and they blend with his already imbalanced emotions. A sob catches in his throat as he pulls his hands over his head, like he could shut out feelings, shut out his own thoughts from his head.

...n-no more, please.

He pleads, unsure of whom he's directing it to, Edward or himself, or whatever force has been inflicting them with these violating changes, perhaps.]

From:

propatriamori

No, no more. I promise.

[Edward makes a concentrated effort to shut his own mind down, to close off any and all transmissions that might be going out. He pictures a metal door, closing firmly and locking with a click.]

[And then, mental silence.]

Damn.

From:

purplexing

...sorry.

[He's not even sure why he's apologizing, but he's convinced Edward's response is because of something he did, or maybe even didn't do.]

From:

propatriamori

You have nothing to apologise for, Donnie.

[Edward lays one of his hands on the ground next to Donnie, palm up.]

I'm the one who should be apologising to you. I'm very sorry; I thought some music might make you feel better, but I should have asked first. I won't do that again.

From:

purplexing

[Hesitantly, Donnie slips his hands from his head, looking at the hand set beside him. He's still trying to calm himself, and now that he knows some of it wasn't from him, it feels a tiny bit more manageable.

Slowly he sets his own hand into Edward's, clawed fingers carefully curling around it.]

From:

propatriamori

[Oh, thank God. Edward wraps his hand around Donnie's, giving it a little squeeze. Somehow, the young turtle has turned into one of his best friends in this world, and the thought of losing his friendship was almost too horrible to contemplate.]

From:

purplexing

[It takes more than that to make him want to drop a friendship. He has precious few of those.

Donnie lets out a quiet sigh, trying not to tighten his grip too much around Edward's hand. It was a misstep earlier, but he's still glad the man-spider is here.]

From:

propatriamori

[Edward can feel Donnie gripping down on his hand, and shifts a little. Donnie is holding on to one of the lower hands; Edward lifts his upper arm and puts it behind his head, like he’s scratching his neck. If Donnie decides he wants to lean in for a hug, the path is cleared.]

I have two different things I wanted to tell you about. One is a theory that Raph thought you’d want to hear. The other would require a demonstration, but it’s something scientific.

Would you like to talk about either of those? Or we can simply stay here and not talk at all. Whatever you need right now.

From:

purplexing

...not sure my head's in the right place for science right now.

[It's a miserable thing to admit, but his focus has been pretty shot for anything complicated. He hasn't used his ninpō ever since they'd all gotten trapped.

But...he doesn't want to not talk. He's had enough quiet, and hearing words helps.]

What's the theory...?

From:

propatriamori

[Not going to draw attention to the idea that Donnie is somehow not in the mood for science and launch right into the theory. Which is, as it turns out, also about science.]

It has to do with evolution. I'm sure Darwin's theories are more refined and studied in your time than in mine, so perhaps you could shed some light on these ideas. I could be entirely wrong about them.

[Edward squeezes Donnie's hand again.]

What if being on Revan causes some sort of accelerated evolution in those of us who are brought here? Species change to adapt to their environments; perhaps the environment here forces us to evolve because we would otherwise not be able to survive in such a hostile place.

Using myself as an example: I would be very hard-pressed to survive here on my own, even if I did still have my sight, and I am, for all intents and purposes, a standard model human.

From:

purplexing

[There's different degrees of science. It's still largely a matter of his mindset, and he doesn't know if the demonstration involves him doing something or just watching, but either way, he largely doesn't feel like doing much.]

...I think everyone here used to be human. But magic of some kind was always present because of the moon's presence. And when something happened to it, it oversaturated everything here. But I guess when you look at it that way, these changes are an effect brought on by that occurrence, and it's not only the people that were affected. Other animals, landscapes...

I think there was something that said we were...sharing some burden from the moon..?

[He squints, trying to remember before he sighs again.]

Akechi's been keeping track of of information we find, he's been here longer.

The Silver Tears... the transformation extremists of this world- they embrace the changes...

"Stasis is the ultimate punishment, reserved for the most unworthy. I shall resist it with all my strength, and mourn when even my enemies succumb to it. ...I will always seek out those blessed against Stasis, and bring them into our order. Those blessed by the moon are my kin, companions, and teachers. I will learn from them and guide them."

[A recitation, his tone shifting to something more monotone as he recalls some of the tenants that had been forced upon him, still fresh in his mind.]

From:

propatriamori

[While what Donnie is saying is interesting, Edward doesn't care for that dull monotone.]

Where did you learn that?

[His voice is quiet, with no judgment. He genuinely doesn't know where Donnie picked up that Silver Tears stuff.]

From:

purplexing

[Beneath Edward's hands, Donnie tenses again, but he finally eases himself to lean against the other.]

Some kind of...vision. I made eye-contact with one of the ghost things and saw a bunch of words flashed in my head, and a red sword stabbing through a book. I know all the code and tenants of the Steel Wardens and the Silver Tears and they're both pretty terrible.

From:

propatriamori

[When Donnie leans against him, Edward brings his arm down with slow, patient kindness and wraps it around him.]

I’m sorry that got put into your head. No one needs their mind filled with propaganda. It’s no wonder you’re not feeling yourself.

[He pats Donnie’s shoulder.]

You’re one of the most resilient young men I’ve ever met, though. With a little time and the convoy moving again, I’m sure you’ll be able to move past all this.

From:

purplexing

[Donnie sighs, not quite relaxed- he's not sure he'll ever be able to fully let down his guard around here, but he nestles into that security offered.]

Hope so... This place makes everything...hard.

From:

propatriamori

[Between the two of them, Donnie is clearly the more physically capable and better able to deal with monsters and horrors. But if he wants to lean on Edward for emotional support, Edward will be there for him.]

I know.

[Edward goes quiet for a moment.]

There's someone new here who is like me, with spider abilities. She's from the future and knows all about the internet and technology. I told her she should introduce herself to you at some point, since it seems you have some common interests.

From:

purplexing

Yeah..?

[He smiles a little, wistful. It's felt like forever since he'd talked to anyone about such things.]

From:

propatriamori

Yeah.

[Edward tries the American slang out; it feels and likely sounds silly coming from his mouth, but not in a mocking way.]

She tried to explain the internet to me. I think she decided I was a hopeless case when I asked if it was a global telegraph system.