Thirtieth Theory [Action]

[i_speak_softly]

My sons... MY SONS!

[Donatello stands outside House 55, his shell resting against the wall, staring into the fog.]

Someone help me!

[It's not real.]

NOOOOOOOO!

[That's what everyone has been saying on the journals. So Don doesn't fall into the trap, doesn't go into the mist. (Through the red lens over his eye, it looks like a spray of arterial blood. When he loses focus, he starts to see the red cloud with both eyes. Then he blinks and it's gone again.) But he doesn't go inside either. He can't walk away from his father's voice. Not even when the words give way to pained cries, not even when cold fear grips him as he realizes he doesn't know who needs help.]

[No one. It's not real.]

[Still, he can't bring himself to move.]

((Not marked as Voice because he isn't saying anything, but if you call him over the journals he'll answer. Stay inside tonight, Luceti...))

Comments

[i_speak_softly]

[He shifts his weight from foot to foot.] I - don't know where to start.

[after-march.livejournal.com]

[She says nothing, just nods encouragingly. April knows enough about Donatello to understand that the thoughts will come at their own pace.]

[i_speak_softly]

[He decides to come at things sideways.]

Were you serious about wanting to learn Japanese?

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Well, yeah. Yeah, I'd like to learn it someday. [Holding back on the "What does THAT have to do with anything?" comment. It does. He'll make her see.]

[i_speak_softly]

[He comes to sit cross-legged on the end of the bed, facing in.] Why?

[after-march.livejournal.com]

[She shifts to face him, tossing the book onto the bedside table, and answers with a ready quip.]

At some point it would be fun to find out what Master Splinter's muttering at me when I screw up my katas.

[i_speak_softly]

[He can't help laughing at that.] How long have you known him, April? A year?

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Thirteen months! [Defensive! But SO happy to hear that laugh. She twists her fingers together, a nervous habit.]

[i_speak_softly]

[He tips sideways to stretch out across the bed. If that's okay with April.] He really likes you, you know.

[after-march.livejournal.com]

[And April leans back against the wall, hugging her knees to her chest. Happy that he's comfortable around her, especially after he'd seemed so horrified at waking up beside her the other morning.]

Yeah, I know. I really like him, too. He's...kind of like my sanity, sometimes.

[i_speak_softly]

[He raises a brow.] A four-foot-tall rat is your sanity? Do you have something else going on I don't know about?

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Four close friends who are giant turtles? Oh, wait--you know about that already.

[i_speak_softly]

You've mentioned them. [He rolls onto his stomach.] Okay, I can see how Master Splinter is comparatively sane. Though it's kind of amazing that he still is.

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Yeah, well--[She slides down onto her back beside him, folding her arms behind her head]--someone has to be. [It is probably clear that she's still upset about the Raphael encounter.]

[i_speak_softly]

[He's quiet for a while.] Are you okay?

[after-march.livejournal.com]

I know him well enough that--YES. I am okay. He needs us, Don. I acted like an idiot. Blame the clown outfit, maybe, I dunno. The thing is, I know how to push his buttons and I didn't stop myself from doing it back there, and I feel horrible about that.

I guess I'm just tired.

[i_speak_softly]

[Oh. They're talking about Raph now.]

He has a funny way of needing people, April. He won't even talk to me when he's like that. You're not the first person to get frustrated with his stonewalling and you won't be the last.

[He buries his head deeper in his folded arms.] And considering the circumstances this week, I think some general amnesty would be in order.

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Amnesty. Yeah, I've got plenty of that. [She absently strokes the back of that head in soothing circles.] What about you? You feel cold. Why didn't you take a blanket out there with you.

Why didn't I bring you a blanket? Is this national April Is a Bad Friend day?

[i_speak_softly]

April. [He frees one hand to catch her elbow.] I don't need a blanket.

[after-march.livejournal.com]

[She holds still, then, her hand resting on his head.] Yes, you did. Do. You do.

[i_speak_softly]

[He sighs, releasing her arm.] I promise, for the next four months you can mummify me in blankets and force-feed me hot meals. Just give me these last three days first.

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Why? Donnie, what did you hear?

[i_speak_softly]

... Huh?

[after-march.livejournal.com]

Outside? When you were outside. [April thinks he wants space to focus on his father's voice.] Do you think it really might be him? He can do that spiritual communication thing, right? [She moves her hands as though to illustrate "spiritual communication thing."]

[i_speak_softly]

[His gaze turns sad.] I haven't felt him since I got here. Remember, from where he is, it looks like I never left. I just meant that I don't want the season to end sooner than it has to.