Appointments

[semper_cogitans]

For any mundane, non-critical one-on-one interactions with the scientist here, whether it be poking him for whatever reason, maintaining continuity, throwing him an item, or in general doing something that isn't momentous enough to require a whole post or log for it.

Please copy and paste the following for the first comment in any new thread you're

Comments

[i_speak_softly]

Date of Thread: June 12
Type of Thread: Action
Location: Robert's apartment

[It's still fairly early in the morning when Don knocks on Robert's door, ready to commence their vigil for Helios' return. He still looks pretty roughed-up from last week's draft, but his spirits are good, and the bandage on his leg is gone. He's a little nervous about what Helios' "death loss" might be, but no matter what he'll be glad to see his friend again, as he's glad to see Robert now. It's their first time being alone together since the battle.]

Hi.

1/2

[i_speak_softly]

[...]

[It only takes Don a minute to realize what Robert is thinking about. In another minute he decides he might not mind, if it wouldn't distract them too much from listening to the journals.]

Um... after breakfast.

[To talk about it, at least. Robert didn't exactly offer, yet, and Don isn't going to ask.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Returning to the task at hand, Don takes the cookbook and studies the recipe.]

I can make this. If you have everything...

[He moves to the refrigerator to start taking inventory.]

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert doesn't quite realize that Don realized what he was unintentionally implying. (Funny how that works.) But he nods gently anyway. This can wait.]

... I should...

[He begins to search the cabinets for the non-perishable ingredients.

It doesn't take long to locate them, with how much Robert organizes everything ever.]

... I appreciate the effort on my behalf, Don... [And this earns his favourite turtle a smile.]

[i_speak_softly]

[And Don quickly finds all the cold ingredients. He returns the smile as he starts putting things in a bowl.]

Won't Mike be proud of me?

[semper_cogitans]

I suppose he would. He might, at the least, be enthusiastic to see you take up some sort of cooking.

[Thoughtfully:] He trained me a few times, d-during the draft... before you came home.

... It was... interesting. [Robert looks a little uncomfortable with it, though. Exercising is awkward for him at the best of times, though at least Mike wasn't outright cruel.]

... I s-suppose Mike is still not enamoured of me, though... considering how stoic he seemed.

[i_speak_softly]

He did? What did he have you do? [Rewards may be in order for both of you.]

[semper_cogitans]

Ah... stretches, l-light jogging... that sort of thing. Nothing... s-strenuous, I suppose.

[Robert still shivers. It had been... well, shaming isn't the word for it.

To cover his awkwardness, he goes to set the table, still obsessively eyeing the journals.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Did Robert hate it that much? Don will definitely have to think about how to encourage him.]

Beginning training shouldn't be. Everyone starts off slowly.

[semper_cogitans]

[He did. But Robert is very uncomfortable with exercise. It brings up painful knowledge of his utter ineptitude.]

I understand... I am j-just... i-incompetent.

...

B-But... b-but, I appreciate the effort on my behalf, regardless.

[In the meantime, Robert will just... straighten the tablecloth so that the edges are exactly parallel.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don starts plopping batter into the heated frying pan.]

You know, I've never been very good at training either.

[semper_cogitans]

But you are in s-such good condition... [Robert is not getting this. How can his well-trained ninja boyfriend not be good at training?]

You have always struck me as the type to be... diligent. Why would you not be good at training?

[i_speak_softly]

I'm just not talented the way Mike and Raph are. Diligence goes some way towards making up for it, but I'll never be as good. [He flips the pancakes into the air, catching them neatly in the pan.] The point is, just because you're bad at something, doesn't mean you can't get better.

[semper_cogitans]

... You have a point.

I just... [It's awkward to admit much of it is his own lack of motivation.]

... I-I would like if... if you helped me, though. I appreciate the... w-willingness to assist...

[i_speak_softly]

I'm also a lousy teacher. [He serves up the pancakes and brings them to the table, leaning over Robert to squeeze his shoulder.] How can I make it worth your while?

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert looks up at Don with a slight, shy smile.]

... Well, for s-starters, more closeness like this would be an encouragement.

... Besides, learning to s-swim might be nice for more than one reason.