Audio | @rubber ducky

[curingidiocy]

[ The message begins with a clearing of the throat before a smooth voice filters through the ocular network; that of the very distinctive cadence of Dr. Ratio. He speaks calmly and lower than he usually does in an attempt to evoke a soothing tone that is not present in his usual manner of speech. ]

Given recent circumstances, I imagine many of you may be finding it difficult to rest and relax. You cannot be faulted for that; as of late, I have often found myself plagued with an active mind during the night, when I ought to be asleep. However, it is important to allow your body and mind to recuperate from injury and exertion. When one's body is exhausted, so too is the mind sluggish, and vice versa. Baths are quite effective at soothing the body and clearing the mind. I encourage you to make frequent use of the spa's public bath once we return to base.

[ There's a pause here and then another clearing of the throat—one that sounds like a cover up for embarrassment. ]

But I digress. The purpose of this message was not to provide a lecture on self-care.

I... have been told by students before that my voice has a particularly pleasing quality that is easy on the ears. A few have been audacious enough to inform me that they use my lesson recordings to put themselves to sleep. In light of that... I would like to offer my voice to be used as a sleeping aid for any who would benefit from it.

I have attached a link to several of the lesson recordings I have created since my arrival on this planet.

[ Anyone who is curious enough to peruse the offerings will find neatly named audio files for an undergraduate semester's worth of several subjects, ranging from math to physics to biology, among more. There's almost 50 files in total, and each one of them comes with a text transcription accompanying it. ]

You may utilize these as you desire, though I do hope you find an interest in the subject itself. There is never a better moment than now to start learning something new.

In addition, I am open to recording new material if you find none of these are relaxing to listen to. And if you desire a conversational partner to debate with on topics unrelated to what weighs on your mind, I am happy to fulfill that role.

As always, if you have any questions, you may ask me at any time, provided that you have thought carefully and determined the answer to be worthwhile to know.

Comments

[stonehearts]

Details, Doctor. We got there in the end, didn't we? I remember it being quite the successful mission, too.

[curingidiocy]

That doesn't change the how inappropriate your observation was.

Do you need something? Surely you didn't comment just to say that.

[stonehearts]

Well it wouldn't be inappropriate now, would it? I charge for testimonials, however, with no friends and family discount. I'm sure you understand.

Can't a vampire say hello to his favorite snack once in a while? Honestly, Doc, I thought we were long past needing a reason to send texts to each other.

[curingidiocy]

I hardly need a testimonial when it is obvious how much you enjoy the sound of my voice.

Oh, is that what I am to you? Just a snack? Perhaps I should be offended.

@Gisei

[harboredfeelings]

Would the two of you just take one another to bed?

Honestly, I'm with her. At least flirt privately.

[curingidiocy]

[ What the-?? That's... so that's Kaga's hallucination. Or maybe this is a case of a dissociative identity brought on by trauma. ]

That gambler should be in bed if he knows what's good for him.

[ By which he is referring to Aventurine's injuries. ]

But your complaint is noted.

[ Not at all ashamed, or at least that's how it appears to be through text. ]

[harboredfeelings]

Should you not be in him as well? Or is it thee other way?

Akagi-Nee-sama, please. Don't tease them so vulgarly.

No fun, but if that is what my dear little sister wishes~.

[ Honestly Kaga is so embarrassed she could just fucking die right now. She just started getting on better terms with Ratio, she doesn't need her sister's brand of teasing to ruin that. ]

I apologize for her. She's been a handful since she started feeling better.

Anyway. Would you consider recording lectures on this world's history? It may serve a second purpose and give us some insight into the actions the people have been taking.

[ Granted she's not in the least bit interested in that, she's just sneakily trying to find a way to listen to his voice drone on while also finding out what happened after the time her original self sank. She hasn't been able to work up the nerve to look into it herself yet. ]

[curingidiocy]

[ Well that has Ratio blush. Thankfully, the exchange is over text, so Kaga has no way of seeing how her words have affected him. He doesn't respond to that particular jab, since it isn't any of their business what their bedroom arrangements are.

A history lecture? That isn't a bad idea. He hadn't looked too deeply into the planet's history save for when he was curious about a particular aspect of the planet's culture, but perhaps Kaga was right. There might be some hints that could help them. ]

Has a particular section of the planet's history caught your attention?

[harboredfeelings]

There should have been a conflict in the Pacific Ocean starting around 1941. From what I've picked up it seemed interesting.

[ Smooth, oh so very smooth and subtle. There's no way a know it all like Ratio will put two and two together, as Akagi tells her with a giggle. Kaga ignores her, she doesn't really care about that, there's a few people here who know that history already. She just wants to know how things resolved. Her world broke out of that forgone future, sure enough, but it might help to know in case she or Akagi ever get a chance to communicate with the Azur Lane or Crimson Axis ever again. ]

December 7th specifically, I think. I am unsure of when it ended.

[curingidiocy]

[ The amount of detail Kaga provides is suspicious. He understands instantly that she has an ulterior motive for requesting this. However, it doesn't conflict with his intentions, so— ]

Very well. I will need half an hour to research this conflict and ensure my information is accurate.

[harboredfeelings]

I appreciate it.

[ And they're both very, very shocked at his timetable there. Is Ratio some sort of machine person?! It wouldn't be a surprise, or really color their opinions of him either way. They're aircraft carriers, what do they care if Ratio's some weird machine person? ]

[curingidiocy]

[ One does not obtain 8 PhDs by having an average ability to search and process information. True to his word, Ratio returns half an hour later, during which he'd still been responding to messages on his post and answering simple requests. ]

I have completed my research. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbour, was it?

[ He's connected the dots by now. Kaga and Akagi... and Tsurumaru the personified sword. He gets it now. ]

Would you like a complete summary, or should we cut to the chase?

[stonehearts]

Don't you have anything better to do with your time than spy on people?

[harboredfeelings]

Now now, it's hardly spying when you're doing it so publicly. For a man who hid in a room for a week you're quite the exhibitionist~

Leave him be, Nee-sama.

Fine, fine.

[ Poor Kaga heaves the sigh of the long suffering. She's glad nobody else is in the area with her to see how badly her fur is standing on end. Her sister can be a real handful. ]

Sorry about her.

Have you been recovering well?

[stonehearts]

Maybe I'd be more inclined to answer if either of you were capable of keeping your metaphorical and physical mouths shut.

[harboredfeelings]

That is just hateful of you. Treating us like this after you barely even suffered? What a cruel man the good Doctor takes to his bed.

Stop antagonizing him...

[stonehearts]

He's well aware of my flaws, just as much as he ignores my charms. And yet he lets me into his bed anyway.

Anyway-- yes, all the bones are slowly being shoved back together into the right shapes, and most of the cuts have healed without scars. And hey didn't go for deep cuts on my face, that's one of my most important assets!

[harboredfeelings]

I'm glad to hear it. Truthfully.

Ideally we could've done this face to face but I doubt that'll be a good idea until certain issues are resolved. I apologize for how I treated you and the doctor when we first met.

[ She doesn't think she was in the wrong though! Her job was to interrogate Ratio and that's exactly what she was doing damn it... ]

[stonehearts]

Anyone would be a fool not to. But then again, I'm the only one who gets to hear you at the pinnacle of human emotion. So maybe you're right, there's no need to give a testimonial when I'm not inclined to share that particular experience.

Not just a snack, Doc, but the whole meal.

[curingidiocy]

[ That— This damn...! He blushes brightly and hides his face in his hands, thankful that he's alone right now. While he had been suggestive in his previous reply, he had tried to be subtle. This? There's no subtlety here.

He had no idea Aventurine would be so bold. ]

Gambler!

[stonehearts]

Yes, Doctor?

[curingidiocy]

You— that is far too— must you be so explicit??

[stonehearts]

Why, that's barely scratched the surface! Would you like me to be more explicit?

[curingidiocy]

No! Keep your mouth shut you damned gambler!

[stonehearts]

Sure thing, Doc. Anything you want.