i_speak_softly | Twenty-seventh Theory [Action]

[ Oh sup Don Helios wasn't expecting visitors today but you are a ninja so...yeah. Loud bangs coming from behind that door as he makes his way off to answer it. Opening it up you will see a smiling derpy headmaster to greet you. ]

Donatello? What an unexpected surprise! Do come in! [ He will open the door a bit more to allow you inside. ]

Helios. [He follows you in, but with a little hesitation.] Is everything okay here? I heard banging.

[ He just waves it off with a smile. ] Oh no it's fine! I was just, ah, caught by surprise is all. [ Meaning he probably ran into something going to answer the door. ]

Is it a bad time? It's not extremely urgent...

Ah! No it's fine! Perfectly fine! What is it you wanted to speak to me about?

About the barrier. I want someone taken off the list.

Oh? [ A pause. ] That can be easily done! Who do you wish to remove and ah--if I may ask, why?

He was never meant to be on the list in the first place, but I didn't know his name so I couldn't take him off. [He reaches into a pocket of his belt.] I finally found out. Here.

[The note is written on a napkin in two different handwritings:]

Captain Jack Sparrow
Pirate

[ He'll look at the paper and name a bit incredulous at first. ][ He laughs readily at that. ]

Ah--well I suppose I can do it right now then. Do you mind? [ He takes the napkin just then nodding as he does so. ] This is his original writing correct?

Ah, no. That's me and - [What was the other guy's name?] Captain Jack Harkness. Unknown profession.

((Thread is dated to evening of the 26th))

[After all the craziness that was the last night of the teleportation event, Raph comes limping home from his unexpected visit to Fujiko's apartment. That shell really smarts by now, so he's eager to take care of it soon. As soon as he gets to the house, he'll be going in search of his brother.]

[Don is in his room, playing with his shiny new laptop. Feel free to interrupt.]

[Luckily that's the first place he's planning to look. There's a quick rap on the door before Raph opens it himself, a smile of relief on his face when he sees Don there.]

I gotta ask you a favor.

[He shifts from foot to foot in the doorway, looking guilty.]

Seems to be that kind of day. [He closes the lid of his laptop and turns to sit sideways in his chair.] What's up?

Ah...[He walks into the room and turns his shell to Don.] Probably should get this taped.

Raph! [He leaps out of his chair. The damage is even worse up close.] What did you do?

Sorta lost a fight with a bear trap. [He turns his head to watch Don's inspecting, but it makes the wounds twinge and he's only rewarded with a wince.] It wasn't bleeding, but I can feel it - [He shifts uncomfortably again, causing the hairline cracks that radiate from the gouges to settle in a different way.] - crackin' a little.

[A sharp slap to Raph's shoulder.] Stop moving and tell me how you managed to fall in a bear trap.

[That slap makes him jolt before his shoulders stiffen, holding himself still.] It ain't my fault! I got teleported into this chick's apartment and she had the whole place booby trapped!

[He mutters something unflattering about people who booby-trap their homes, not like he has any right to complain.]

Hold still.

[He traces his fingers lightly over the cracks, then spreads his palms flat against Raph's carapace. Breathe. Focus. Push out.]

[He grits his teeth at the pressure.]

I am holdin' still!

[He's not whining. No. Not whining at all. But it hurts in that weird annoying pinpricky way he has no problem complaining about.]

[This is stupid. What was he expecting? That the gouges would heal instantly just because he concentrated on them?]

[But when he leans forward, careful not to put his weight on Raph's shell, the inside edges of the wounds look just a little less raw and ragged.]

I'll go get the tape.

[Raph huffs, but stays put, watching Don bustle around looking for tape.]

It ain't that bad, right?

[Please don't tell him he can't train. Please don't tell him he can't train...]

Shallower than Leo's, but the way it's angled... [He finds the tape and comes back, trying to decide where to start.] You need to be very careful until the cracks stabilize.

It's nothin' like Leo's. Trust me.

I really wouldn't know. He never let me look at it. [He tears off a piece of tape, and starts weaving the cross-hatch over the first gouge.]

He got stabbed straight through the shoulder. That's just what the Utroms had to take off after the fact.

[No harm in talking about Leo now that he's gone, right. And GAH!]

Ow!

[Don presses the back of his hand to his mouth. Thanks for that image, Raph.]

Sorry -

[He grunts at that apology and tries his best to hold still.]

So exactly how careful is "careful"?

[Don rips off another piece of tape, and hisses out his breath. This isn't going to go over well.]

Sleep on your stomach. Don't lean on things. No jumping off buildings.

[He shouldn't have to tell you you can't train. But he will if you don't get the hint.]

[Yeah, he knows he shouldn't, but if Don doesn't specifically say it, he's got enough fodder to attempt it and twist Don's words around later.]

Yeah, yeah. How long?

A few weeks, at least. More - [He pushes up on a dislocated plate, forcing the edges of the crack back into alignment.] - if you exacerbate the injury.

[Hint #2. Are you getting it yet?]

[That definitely deserves a wince. He can't quite keep still after that either. 'Cause ow!]

You're exacerbatin' it NOW!

[Don pulls back on Raph's shoulder, making him stay in place. With his other hand and his teeth, he manages to tape the realigned crack.]

Do I know how much I hate doing this, Raph? Are you really going to make me have to do it again? Don't think I don't know what you're planning.

Fine. I'll take it easy. [He huffs frustratedly.]

[For a few minutes, Don works in silence, except for the stretch and rip of the tape.]

Maybe a healer could speed things up. A real healer.

[And Raph frowns thoughtfully while Donnie works.]

How long've you been doin' that?

Hm? [He inspects a deep crack.] Not long enough, apparently.

What's it like?

[Yeah, he never thought he'd be so genuinely curious about magic before.]

What's what like? [His fingers lightly trace the spider-web of cracks outward from the central gouges.] Lift your arms.

That magic stuff. [He does so obediently, and is happy to find stretching out eases a little of the pressure from the cracks.] Talkin' to spirits and all of that.

You're asking me what something I'm bad at is like? [As he thought - some of the cracks are frighteningly long, but none of them have crawled off Raph's carapace and onto his bridge.] As long as you behave yourself, I don't think I need to plaster this. Keep that in mind whenever you get the urge to do anything strenuous. [He runs his thumb over the lines of tape, making sure the strips are smooth and secure. Then he turns away to pack up his supplies.]

Okay, yeah, I was gonna tease you for it. But that's not the only reason I'm asking.

[He just rolls his eyes at Don's chiding, dropping his arms. Then he turns to Don, watching him pack up and wondering if he'll actually give him an answer. He can be serious sometimes too, y'know.]

Thanks, Raph. That's very encouraging. [He holds up an assortment of painkillers, ranging from "mild" to "knock you out for a day".] Any of these?

Nah.

[And he recognizes the "knock you out for a day" ones. Nasty sons of bitches. Part of him wants to tell Don to throw them away.]

I'm serious. What's it like? I catch people all the time tryin' that "communing" crap.

...Unless you ain't even gotten that far.

[He sighs.] There's a voice. [He tucks each tiny bottle back into his kit, weighing them in his palm first, remembering how much is left.] Not a voice. A presence. It takes something from you. It gives something back. [He closes the lid with a soft click.] Dialysis of the soul. I guess when enough of you gets replaced... [He gets to his feet, holding the box between his hands.] ... you become a healer.

Surprised Leo never got into it. He'd eat that stuff with a spoon.

[A small smile passes over his face.]

But I'm just glad Mikey never thought of it. He'd probably go off about givin' himself super powers.

[He glances down at the tape around his plastron, smoothing a hand over it.]

At home, maybe. Not here. [Don echoes the smile.] Mike never had the patience.

Don't play with it.

[But it's right there, Don. Mikey's not the only one in the family who has trouble sitting still. But Raph opts to fold his arms instead.]

Eh, true. But if he really wanted it, you know he'd find a way. Don't give him enough credit sometimes.

[His expression suddenly shifts, and he juts a finger in Don's direction.]

Don't tell him I said that.

[Don puts the box down on his desk, his hands still resting on it. Did you really need to add that last part?]

[...Oh.

Raph shifts uncomfortably. That wall is fascinating all of a sudden.]

I mean...if he ever comes back.

[Don reaches over to his computer, opens the lid, and presses a combination of keys to shut it down. Once the turning-off chimes sound, he closes it again, unplugs it, and stows it in a drawer.]

[He did something, and he's only got a vague idea what.]

What's your problem now?

[Something like a glare in Raphael's direction. You're full of odd questions today.]

[He heaves a sigh and heads for the door.] Whatever. You can tell me when you're done bein' a princess.

[Don shoves the medical kit back into the closet and slams the door.]

Or, if you're done being an insensitive jerk, you could wait.

[He turns around in the doorway, rolling his eyes.]

And here come the dramatics.

[Don throws up his hands, and moves away, towards the bed.]

You're impossible.

You're the one givin' me the silent treatment. I was just tryin' to have a conversation.

It's called thinking, Raph. Some people do it to avoid blurting out stupid comments.

No, it's called you're mad at me for talkin' about Leo and Mike, so you're gonna throw a little fit about it. Well sorry.

I'm not mad at you.

Coulda fooled me.

I'm glad I could set the record straight, then. [He throws himself down on the bed and opens a textbook.]

[Well isn't this fun? Raph lets the quiet pass over them for a moment before letting out a breath.]

Look. [He crosses the room, pushing the edge of Don's book down in search of eye contact.] I was pushin' it, all right? I get that. I'm just sick of not bein' able to talk about them without it turnin' into a big thing. You get what I mean?

[Don stubbornly stares at the pillow when the book dips out of his sightline.] So why can't we?

[Raph doesn't move. Maybe he can get Don's gaze by sheer stubborn will] Because...I don't know.

Maybe 'cause we never talk about them in the first place.

[He lowers his book the rest of the way, but still doesn't look up.] What is there to say?

[He folds his arms.] Nothing, I guess. I just wanna quit feeling like they're more than just back at home. Yeah, they left. Yeah, it's been a long time and I miss 'em like hell, but it ain't - [He cuts himself off, starts again with a sick feeling building in his stomach.] it ain't like they're dead.

No, they're not, but - [He finally turns his head.] What do you want me to do, Raph? If I don't talk about them, it feels like they're dead. If I say I miss them, it feels like they're dead. If I talk about them like they're in the next room... it's just morbid. What else is there?

They're not dead, Don. You can miss 'em without them being dead.

[A frown creases his brow.] Do you know something I don't?

I...

[Whoa, wait a minute.] You've thought of it too.

Thought of what?

[About how they could be dead. That everything they've been told is a lie. But that's sick and paranoid and maybe he really is the only on who's thought of it.]

Nothin'.

Edited 2010-10-14 01:25 (UTC)

I just mean... you seem like you've done this before.

Done what?

Been away from them... [He sits up slowly.] What haven't you told me, Raph?

Yeah. [He rubs at the back of his neck thoughtfully.] Splinter sent Leo away to Japan for a few months. Forgot that didn't happen to you yet.

Splinter. Sent. Leo. Away. [He says each word carefully, distinctly.] That can't possibly mean what it sounds like it means.

It's...pretty much what it sounds like, yeah.

[He runs a hand over his head.] You have to tell me the rest of this story now.

[He huffs a sigh. He just might be a little bitter about this. Maybe.]

It was after he got that scar of his. After we lost that big battle with the Shredder, he got this huge personality adjustment all of a sudden, started acting like me.

No, worse than me. 'Cause he was so damn quiet about what was eatin' him. And he'd train himself sick if you'd let him.

Really he was just goin' off bein' obsessive and perfect, thinkin' Master Splinter's taught him everything there is to know. So he got pissed and he did something stupid, and he got his butt crated off to Japan for some therapy from some guy in Kyoto Splinter knew through Master Yoshi.

[Wow. That's a lot to take in.] Why wouldn't he tell me any of this?

Eh, he's just touchy about it. Can't really blame him.

Why didn't you tell me? He's been gone three months already.

[He shrugs] It ain't somethin' I like talkin' about much either.

Then tell me something else I don't know about him.

Ahhh...[He has to think about that one. There's plenty of not-so-pleasant things that come to mind, and Raph wants to avoid them]

I dunno. When he got back, he was fulla all these old stories he learned from the Ancient One. He must've had hundreds of 'em about Master Yoshi or old legends and stuff like that. We'd sit around and listen to him for hours.

Think it all turned out good for him in the end.

But what about you? What did you do while he was gone?

Nothin'.

[Did a lot of brooding. Punching things. Sulking in his room. Running for his life when Karai destroyed their home. Y'know. Raph stuff.]

Just waited. Sometimes he'd send letters. Nothin' too exciting.

What I wouldn't give for a letter right now.

Yeah. But things don't work that way.

[Don sits quietly for a minute, reflecting on everything Raph just told him. Then, suddenly, he's all movement, fumbling through the bedsheets.]

Shell, I'm so stupid...

Huh?

[Don finds his journal jammed between the mattress and the wall. How it got there is anyone's guess. He pulls it out and starts flipping pages, almost tearing them in his haste.]

When a person gets sent home, all physical evidence of their stay here goes with them. But the journals save everything. His messages are still... [He finally lands on the right page.] There. [His finger hovers over the Play button, and he looks at you questioningly. Do you want to do this?]

[Raph hesitates, frowning, trying to gauge how he feels about this. And after a moment, he seats himself on Don's bed, their shoulders brushing against each other as he shifts to get a better look at the journal.]

When's that from?

[Don shifts away, even as he angles the journal so Raph can see. Raph may have already forgotten the don't lean on things rule, but Don sure hasn't.]

When I first got here. He didn't talk to me over the journals much, but - he did then.

[Dammit, Don. He wants to be all up in your space. Leaning on brothers should totally be an exception.]

Play it.

[Don hesitates a moment longer, then touches the button.]

... You're here.

Leo! You're here too? Where are you?

[The conversation only takes a minute to play, and when it's done Don wants to press the button again and again, just to hear Leo's voice, just to feel like he's not so impossibly far away.]

[Something flutters in his stomach at the sound of his brother's voice.]

Makes me wish I used the books more often.

[If Don won't hit it again, Raph will.]

You're here.

Leo...

[Don presses the book into Raph's hands, and leans back against the wall.]

[Raph takes the book, fiddles around with the settings, and finds another recording attached to that entry.]

Donnie!

[Mikey's excited babbling fills the room. Raph just stares down at the open journal with a thoughtful expression. This's so bittersweet it hurts.]

Edited 2010-10-15 00:20 (UTC)

[Don jumps, the voice so close it feels real. Maybe this was a bad idea.]

[After that, Raph closes the book, hunches forward and turns to study Don's face. That went fairly well, he thinks. It still hurts, sure. He misses them like nothing else, but now at least those wounds don't feel so fresh, even if they do still run so deep.]

[Don offers a shaky smile.]

I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner.

Considerin' we don't use the journals to talk to each other. [He shrugs.]

[Don takes the book back and - you know, under the mattress seems like a fine place for it right now.]

[He's a little disappointed to see the book go, but whatever. He'll have to go dig up his own later. The room seems so quiet now without all the voices. Raph picks at Don's blanket for a moment while his eyes roam the room, falling on the desk.]

You likin' your new computer?

[Yeah, it's a subject change. Deal with it.]

[He shrugs noncommittally.] It served its purpose. You can use it if you want.

What's on it?

What's on it? You mean like games?

Yeah, I dunno. Anything.

It has a decent compiler. I could write you something.

Nah, you don't hafta. I got better things to do than play some game.

[Only not really. Without a TV to eat up most of his day like it did back home, all he's got is training and wandering around. But he already got Don to tape up his shell today. He's not gonna ask anything more.]

Do you have better things to do that don't involve hurting yourself? It's going to be a long few weeks, Raph.

[...busted.]

I told you it ain't that bad. I'll be careful, all right? No sparrin', no pickin' fights.

[In a gently joking tone.] Maybe you could do your homework for a change.

Tch. Yeah, that's a load of fun.

It's not that bad. [Don offers Raph the textbook he abandoned earlier.]

[He pushes the book away without taking it.] I don't want to do it, Don. They don't care if I do or not anyways.

Who doesn't care?

I dunno, anybody. I ain't the only one who blows off the work.

It's disrespectful. [He stands up, moving to put the book away on a shelf.]

[Okay, well, he got him there. He doesn't have a retort that wouldn't make him sound like a moron, so he's just gonna sit here and grump.]

I think some of our classmates are afraid of you.

[He puffs up a little, still keeping his arms crossed. He may be just a little proud of this.] Well ain't that just too bad for them.

Too bad for all of us, if they're too intimidated to join class discussions. Would be nice if I could hear what they had to say.

They're just cowards. Who says it's me makin' them clam up, anyways? Maybe they're always quiet.

Some of them complain to me after class. They ask me what your problem is. [He leans against the bookcase.] I'm tired of apologizing for you, Raph...

[He pushes himself off the bed.] They ask you what my problem is? Excuse me?

If they got a problem, they can come to me. Got it?

Haven't you noticed that no one ever comes to you? I'm the only one who will sit with you at lunch. Which, for the record, is partially because no one will sit with me either.

So what?

[Sigh.] Nothing.

Whatever. [He goes to walk out of the room. It's a stupid thing to get angry about, anyway.]

[Don says nothing. He's learning things at school and Raph is satisfying his protective streak. That should be enough. Picking a fight over it will only make things worse.]

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Sure took my sweet time getting to this. Augh >>;

/brain broken from time paradox

I'm not cleaning that up 8|

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