Thirty-Fifth Theory [Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

[Donatello has been 98.7% certain that this rather bizarre experiment has passed him by, as he remained snug and warm in House 55, in accordance with the semi-natural hibernal habits of mutated terrapins. As he reflects on the past few days, though, he notices that the frequency with which his brothers have been informing him that he is spouting

Comments

[Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

[An intellectual! Robert responds in the most enthusiastic way he knows how.]

Ah, an anthropoid reptilian! Looks to be a chelionian - testudine if I am not mistaken?

As for asking you a question... [Robert seems to just want to talk to him, actually, but he'll gladly comply with this social experiment.] Very well then! The Randi Institute of Linden, Terra is named for a certain James Randi. What can you tell me about this stalwart individual?

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

Reptilia chelonia emydidae trachemys scripta elegans, mutatens. What are you?

James Randi is a stage magician who for several years has been offering a million dollar prize to anyone who can demonstrate genuine paranormal abilities. No one has won yet.

((OMG HI. I was just thinking today that your Robert icons would make an adorable human-form Don. ... I'll stop being a creeper now.))

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

A homo sapiens from Linden, Terra; Terra being the third planet in the Sol star system located in the Milky Way galaxy of the Virgo Supercluster. Professor Robert Alexander Hastings, certified astrobiologist of the Randi Institute. [He seems proud to recite this title to somebody who actually knows something about James Randi.]

I'm afraid I can't lay claim to such an inspirational Latin name, truth be told, but then again I suppose I'm not such an extraordinary example of genetic engineering. [Or perhaps Robert's getting ahead of himself here.] Unless you're an evolutionary derivative? In which case, I simply must learn all about your species at some time.

Excellent! You certainly know much about Terran history; or perhaps it's not so much history for one as yourself? Regardless, it is a joy to speak with a non-human with such an adroit mind. [And Robert isn't kidding. He's thrilled, actually - well, as thrilled as he can be; he doesn't usually get a chance to talk directly to non-human sapients (because he's Mr. Xenophobe... though

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

"Certified astrobiologist of the Randi Institute" is a pretty impressive title too. [Being that the best he can call himself is "resident tinkerer of the Manhattan sewers".] And I'm neither.

I'm from New York in the year 2006. [He's both honored and put off by your sudden strong interest in learning about him, so he won't say anything else just yet.]

((Alas, I have no art skills. But I will totally enable you to draw this yourself.))

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

[New York. Robert has never heard of New York, but that's likely because it's from 2006.] I'm afraid that isn't a name that I recognize... But that may have something to do with the fact that the Terra I hail from is from 2232 A.D.

[It totally makes sense that Donatello's put off. Robert's basically fawning over him. Robert isn't aware that Donatello is disturbed by his interest - then again, he's not aware of many social cues - but he's still curious about him.] So, I must enquire: Due to the recent, er, experiments, it is difficult to tell whether new people I meet during this time are in their own bodies or not. Are you currently unaffected by this experiment? So far the scientists responsible for this debacle have seen it unfit to experiment on me.

(OOC: Awesome. I may very well have to draw it now. C:)

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

2232? And is the prize still unclaimed?

I'm definitely in my own body. [Unlike last time; he's still a little traumatized from that.] Whether or not I'm affected is under investigation.

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

Indeed it is. [There's some measure of satisfaction in Robert's voice... which quickly fades.] Though, here in Luceti it would be another matter altogether. If I am frank I am more than a little overwhelmed at this state of affairs... Then again, I have only been in this place for a few days. [Mr. Rational getting dropped in the middle of Luceti. To give him some credit, he's actually survived fairly well. Sure, he had to logic-rage to himself for awhile, but he's... getting there.]

Ah, good point. I hadn't considered the possibility that the effect could be something less visible. [That makes Robert wonder if he's been affected then, and just not in a visible way.] Though that in itself raises a whole other line of concerns. Would that then mean that our brains themselves are subject to physical manipulation? [Robert can't keep the creeping horror out of his voice at this thought.]

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

I've been here almost a year and I can tell you there have definitely been experiments that have affected people's brains.

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

[Almost an entire year. Robert didn't know if this turtle was just a useful asset to the Malnosso or if they simply didn't know how to send him back.] A year? And I suppose there may be ones who have been here even longer...

[Robert pauses at this.] That is... sobering, to say the least. Hopefully there is a limit to the sort of scope that these experiments can reach... Having been here so long yourself, you must have borne witness to quite the gamut of them.

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

There are people who had been here over a year already when I arrived, and haven't gone home yet.

I've seen some pretty extreme ones. You start to feel them coming, after a while.

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

You seem the type to know this sort of thing anyway. An intellectual like yourself could probably sum up Luceti quite well.

[Robert lets out a small sigh.] Unfortunately, it seems as if, at the moment, there is no real escape from this. The best thing to do, then, is to formulate some sort of plan for dealing with these occurrences. Unless there's one already. [Robert'll probably figure it out eventually, if there is one.]

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

Have you seen Professor Sage's guide? It's the best summary around.

My only plan is to remember that the experiments usually don't last very long, and to try not to hold people's behavior against them.

Re: [Voice]

[semper_cogitans]

I have indeed seen the guide... It was quite difficult for me to take in. I am still skeptical, but I will... try to keep an open mind. [Emphasis on "try".]

What is the typical duration of most experiments, if you are aware?

[Voice]

[i_speak_softly]

Usually a week, give or take. The last one was two weeks.