Thirty-Third and a half Theory [Action/Illusion]

[i_speak_softly]

[Today Donatello is lying on the couch in House 55, staring into space. He's sick and he knows for a fact that he's hallucinating, so he will not be at all disturbed by anything that might present itself to his vision. It's only a product of his feverish brain, after all...]

((Go on and barge into his house, fourth-wallers. Replies may not be entirely coherent, but they will at least be agreeable.))

Comments

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

What, that he got drafted? I remember you sayin' that.

[i_speak_softly]

That he got killed.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

He got...[He stops eating, a strange, blank look passing over his expression.] No. I didn't know.

[i_speak_softly]

[He nods.] April told me.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

But they come back if they get killed out there, right? Ain't no different than inside the bubble.

[He looks at Don with something of a pleading expression.]

[i_speak_softly]

There was someone in our draft who had died in the previous one. And if today is Monday, then... I think he should be back soon.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[He picks at his food again, trying to decide if he has any appetite left.]

Yanno, this's gonna sound bad, but hearin' that I ain't the only one who screwed up out there is makin' me feel a whole lot less inadequate.

[i_speak_softly]

You're not inadequate, Raph. [He reaches to smoothe the perpetually-wrinkled feathers of Raphael's injured wing.]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[He grunts.] It was a stupid mistake.

[i_speak_softly]

[Well, he's not getting into that conversation again. He returns to picking at his rice.]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Raph just sighs and decides to drop it, then goes back to eating. When the bowl is finished, he speaks again.]

Think I'll go bask after this. Wanna come with? It'll do ya good.

[i_speak_softly]

Probably. Otherwise I'll just fall asleep here again.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

All right. [He'll sit there and wait for Don to have his fill so he can bring the dishes back to the kitchen.]

[i_speak_softly]

[When most of the rice is gone, he puts the bowl down and pushes the tray away a little.]

I think I'd better stop there.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Raph gathers up the trays and goes to take it to the kitchen.]

Be right back.

[i_speak_softly]

[You're not the only one who can sneak out of bed, Raph. By the time you get back, Don will be halfway down the hall, guiding himself with his hand on the wall and looking not at all like a strong and capable ninja.]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[A hand on your shell, Donnie. He's resisting the urge to completely carry you there.]

Whoa, easy. Need help?

[i_speak_softly]

No. Don't wait up.

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

Well I'm waitin' anyways. [He folds his arms and resists the urge to hover.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Fine, then you can stand there while Don shuffles slowly along, looking solely at the doorway that is his goal.]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Take your time, Don-boy. He's got all day.]

[i_speak_softly]

[There, see, he made it without any help at all. Now go turn on the lamp.]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Yep, he's doing that right now, still keeping a watchful eye to make sure Don doesn't need any help lying down.]

[i_speak_softly]

[Down, he is good at. He lowers himself to his knees on the mattress, before finally looking up to see if Raph is going to join him.]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Yeah, he's coming. He makes a graceful dive onto the mattress next to Donnie, lying on his stomach and pillowing his head in his arms.]