Forty-Eighth Theory [Accidental Video/Action for Housemates]

[i_speak_softly]

[It should be immediately obvious that Don didn't mean to turn his journal on, and isn't even aware that it is on. He isn't looking at it. He isn't saying anything. In fact, he might not be awake. He's just sitting slumped in a chair, his head on the desk-like counter before him

Comments

[ video ]

[slaying]

[ hmm. the impetuous slayer has a few choice bones to pick with the turtle and her mouth is quick to open when she sees him over the journal: ] Donatel--?

[ her voice dies out. is he asleep? a frown. ] Don?

[ video ]

[i_speak_softly]

[April...? The illusory Mousers last night were bad enough; Don can't deal with a hologram of the friend he's been missing for half a year. He buries his face further into his arm and doesn't answer.]

[ video ]

[slaying]

[ oh, sweet tradition! ]

Don. [ a little firmer, this time. ]

[ video ]

[i_speak_softly]

[It sounds so real. Maybe he did it. Maybe he fell through, and that is April, coming to shoo him to bed.]

[He sits up and looks behind him - which happens to be completely the opposite direction from the journal.]

April?

[ video ]

[slaying]

[ a dry chuckle. ]

Sorry, kiddo. Still just me. Again. Once more. Buffy. Over here? Journal-ward? Hello?

[ video ]

[i_speak_softly]

[Don stares at the empty Lair for a long moment before slowly, reluctantly, turning back. His gaze searches the cluttered desk for the journal. When he finds it, finds Buffy's broadcast image, his eyes are sad and distant.]

Buffy... We need to stop meeting this way.

[ video ]

[slaying]

We do seem to have a penchant for the sad and the identity-mistaken.

[ that look on his face! she feels doubly guilty for the subject she wants to eventually broach. ] Something up? What's that behind you?

[ video ]

[i_speak_softly]

[He picks up the journal, turns it to give Buffy a fuller view of the scene.]

This is my home. This is - the last place I remember being, before I woke up in Luceti.

[ video ]

[slaying]

...The Shift -- [ quietly. ]

[ video ]

[i_speak_softly]

I know. [He recovers a little, turns the journal back.] It isn't even how I left it. It's from later.

[ video ]

[slaying]

It's gotta be a glitch in the dome. I mean, when you think about the baddies that have been popping up...

[ video | becoming progressively filtered ]

[i_speak_softly]

I don't want to talk about them. [It now occurs to him that while the journal may have started broadcasting without his permission, it very probably didn't bother to filter itself. He'll rectify that now.] Did you need something?

[ video | becoming progressively filtered ]

[slaying]

I did, actually -- but if you're not...I mean, if you're busy...

[ it's an important something but she still respects donatello. he helped her out while she was botted, after all. ]

[ video | becoming progressively filtered ]

[i_speak_softly]

No, just wasting time. [Really, 'falling through'? It will never work. Anyway, he's only halfway committed to wanting it to work.] Hold on a minute.

[100% filter starts ... now.]

What can I do for you?

[ video | 100% filter ]

[slaying]

[ she may as well be blunt: ] What are you going to do to the Joanna Joyce? Smoker said you'll be looking after it if he manages to confiscate it. [ and she doesn't sound convinced of the likelihood. ]

[ video | 100% filter ]

[i_speak_softly]

[Joanna Joyce? It takes him a minute to place what Buffy is talking about.]

Oh, Captain Sparrow's ship. I just wanted to borrow it.

[His tone implies that this is no big deal and nothing to be ashamed of.]