Thirty-First Theory [Action]

[i_speak_softly]

[The last thing they remember, they were warm in bed with their other brothers. Now they are two, and for reasons beyond their comprehension they are waking up in a snowbank.

The sun is bright, the snow is wet, and the frigid air seeps into their bones.]

Raphie, I'm - I'm cold.

C-c’mon, Donnie. [He latches onto his brother’s hand and starts pulling him out of the snow.] We n-need a better hidin’ spot.

Okay.

[The two tiny Turtles climb out of the hollow in the deep snow and, huddled against one another, strike out in search of shelter.]

((Five-ish-year-old Turtles, no conscious memories of Luceti. Replies will come from tinytechturtle and saidontmatter. April will threadjack eventually to take her little guys home, but initial rescuing is open to any kind soul who doesn't want to see a pair of young reptiles freeze to death. Have at, kind souls of Luceti.))

Comments

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

No, don't go! It's warm. You did say you were cold, right?

[saidontmatter.livejournal.com]

[Raphie just glowers at her, letting out a strange growl. He's sure he can't outrun her, but maybe he can hurt her and give them a head start.]

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

Raphie, don't... Yeah, but... [Looks around at the total lack of anywhere to go.] We gotta...

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

You've got to what? Run off in some direction without a clue where you are? You'll die that way.

[saidontmatter.livejournal.com]

Y-y-y...[He squeezes his eyes shut tight.] Y-you g-gonna eat us all up. G-go 'way! You're bad!

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

Raphie, I'm really cold... We gotta get back home and I don't know where it is.

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Now why would you think I would eat you?

[saidontmatter.livejournal.com]

[He just stares, tightening his grip on his brother's hand.]

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

You... already ate somebody... [Points to her fat belly.]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

No, no! I'm going to have a baby. In about a month or so I'll be a mother.

[saidontmatter.livejournal.com]

[His eyes widen, a little sparkle of awe mixing with the fear. He remembers babies. Babies like the little pink rat babies he found under that old newspaper in the sewers, all blind and squeaky with little feet. He liked babies. He tried to take them home in secret and Splinter got mad at him. By the time he found out about it, the babies weren't wiggly and squeaky anymore, and he'd felt miserable.

He remembers this lesson. His expression turns grave, and he whispers grimly:]

'S gonna die.

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[And so are Donnie and Raphie, if they don't get someplace warmer really soon. Even as scared as he is, Donnie can't fight off the cold anymore. It seeps through him, and he begins to sink back into the snow.]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

[meanandgreen.livejournal.com]

[Raphie sits down in the snow next to his brother and huddles close to him under what little warmth the coat provides, his movements slow and eyelids sagging.]

Th-the babies w-were my f-f-friends.

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[The warmth of the coat isn't enough to prevent him from falling asleep.]

I'm tired, Raphie... maybe we'll wake up back at home...

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

[saidontmatter.livejournal.com]

[He watches her pick up the funny book through droopy eyes, leaning his head against Donnie's shoulder and sluggishly rubbing his beak with one hand.

Master Splinter was right. Topside was bad. Very bad.]

[tinytechturtle.livejournal.com]

[Out for the count. He'll be conscious again later.]

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

April; April, are you there?

Hiatus? What hiatus?

[after-march.livejournal.com]

[April is surprised to hear Winry's voice calling her over the journals.]

Um....yes?

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

The guys are here, as kids in the snow. I... I can't carry them back myself. Can you help me?

[after-march.livejournal.com]

[April's got a bad head cold. And she only catches part of that message. The guys are kidding around in the snow?]

They know better than that! How am I supposed to help carry over three hundred pounds of turtle?

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

No! They're small - kids. Just please hurry up, I think they might be dying!

[after-march.livejournal.com]

[Well THAT gets her attention!]

DYING?! WHERE ARE YOU????

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

I'M-